August 26, 2016

Games of the Day

The Yankees open a three-game series against the Orioles in New York as the 5 1/2 week battle for the AL East/Wild Card starts in earnest. New York plays the three division leaders, Boston, Toronto, and Baltimore 23 times in that span, nine against the Orioles and seven each against the Red Sox and Blue Jays. The Orioles play Boston and Toronto 13 times, with the Blue Jays and Red Sox meeting six times. In other words, each of the four teams control their destiny.

There is a number of scenarios in which the four teams tie, and this one is kind of plausible:

Boston 15-20
Toronto 15-20
Baltimore 16-19
New York 21-15

That would give each team 86 wins.

For Friday’s game, Yovani Gallardo takes on Luis Cessa. Gallardo owns a well deserved 5.08 ERA, as all three-true outcomes are poor, especially his walks. Cessa makes his second start and tenth appearance of his career. His BA allowing is low at .217, but nine of the 20 hits against him went for extra bases, including five home runs.

The Royals are still in the wild card fight, and travel to Boston, one of the teams standing in the way. Ian Kennedy takes on Steven Wright. Kennedy makes just the second appearance of his career at Fenway Park. He allowed six runs in six innings in his first with the Diamondbacks. He gave up 28 home runs in 148 1/3 innings this season, which might not bode well against the power hitting Red Sox. Wright last pitched on Aug. 7th, hurt running the bases. His ERA stands at 4.02 at home, 2.09 on the road, but he managed to go 7-1 in Fenway this season.

First place teams clash in Texas as Corey Kluber leads the Indians against the Rangers and Martin Perez. Kluber was knocked around in his only start against the Rangers this season, allowing two home runs and six runs in six innings. Perez is a home body, 7-1 in Texas with a 2.36 ERA, 1-8 on the road with a 6.23 ERA. It simply looks like the defense plays better behind him in Texas. Perez tends to pitch to contact, and needs his fielders.

The pitching match-up of the day takes place in Chicago where Felix Hernandez and the Mariners battle Chris Sale and the White Sox. Hernandez’s record stands at 4-0 since returning from the disabled list. He still is working on wildness issues that plagued him early in the season. It took Sale seven starts to win his 15th game. He pitched well enough in four of the first six to win, but did not get the support.

Finally, first place teams collide in Los Angeles as the Cubs take on the Dodgers. Mike Montgomery faces Bud Norris. Montgomery made his first start for Chicago last Saturday in Coors Field, and held the Rockies to one hit in 4 1/3 innings. It was a home run. Norris owns a 5.67 ERA since joining the Dodgers, not exactly replacing Clayton Kershaw.

Enjoy!

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *