August 2, 2015

Games of the Day

James Shields takes on Jose Fernandez and the red hot Padres face the reeling Marlins. Shields is coming off a good July in which he posted a 2.50 ERA in six starts, but finished with a 1-2 record as the Padres scored one run or less in his starts four times. Fernandez won four of his five starts without a loss since returning from Tommy John surgery. He allowed just one home run in 32 innings while striking out 37.

Daniel Norris makes his Tigers debut as they face Ubaldo Jimenez and the Orioles. In five starts for the Blue Jays, Norris owned a 3.86 ERA despite being wild, walking 12 batters in 23 1/3 innings. The opposition was 2 for 23, however, with runners in scoring position. Jimenez is 6-1 with a 2.13 ERA at home, where he allowed just three of his 13 home runs.

The Yankees send Ivan Nova against the White Sox and Jeff Samardzija as Chicago continues to battle for a wild card slot. Eight of the 12 non-division leaders in the AL are within striking distance of both wild card slots, and the other four teams are a long winning streak away from getting into contention. Nova, back from Tommy John surgery, has not recovered his ability to strike out batters. He fanned 18 in 34 2/3 innings, making him dependent on the Yankees defense. Samardzija is striking out fewer batters than in the past, and for the first time since he became a full-time starter, is allowing more hits than innings pitched.

Finally, the Mets go for a sweep of the Nationals and a tie for first place in the NL East as Jordan Zimmermann faces Noah Syndergaard. Zimmermann pitched well against the Mets this season with no walks and 10 strikeouts in 13 innings. He did allow 12 hits, however, which is the story of his season. He’s allowed a ton of hits on the road this year. Syndergaard posted ERAs under 2.00 in three of the first four months of the season. Even his 5.14 June ERA seemed to be more bad luck than bad pitching as he walked five and struck out 31 in 28 innings.

Enjoy!

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