July 24, 2003
Games of the Day
This afternoon's Orioles-Yankees game offers a nice pitching matchup between Sidney Ponson and Roger Clemens. Clemens has pitched 130 innings, Ponson 132. Both have walked 37 batters. Ponson has allowed 16 more hits than Clemens. Why? Clemens has struck out 44 more batters, or Ponson has had about 44 more balls put into play against him. Since both teams have DER's of .677, we could expect 14 of those extra 44 balls in play to go as hits. Pretty cool, huh? Of course, Clemens has given up 14 HR to Ponson's 10, so Sidney has a bit better ERA, and a better record.
Another good pitching matchup in Seattle, and the Mariners try to put even more distance between themselves and the A's. It's Mulder vs. Meche. Mulder has been pitching better than Meche over their last five starts. Also, has anyone else noticed John Olerud's decline? I love the guy, but his slugging percentage is the same as his OBA, .379. It's a good OBA, but not what we're used to from John (Career .403), but he has no power. Those sort of numbers are okay for a middle infielder, but a first baseman job is to supply some power. I know he strained a hamstring earlier this month, but the power hasn't been there all year.
In the NL, Shawn Chacon faces Kevin Brown in Dodger Stadium. Chacon has not pitched well there, posting a 6.65 ERA in four starts there. Maybe he has to pitch in Coors to be good. That would be something, a Coors pitcher! :-)
In San Francisco, Brandon Webb is being called upon again to stop an Diamondbacks losing streak against the Giants. He won on 7/13, ending a six game skid against the Bay Boys, and tonight he'll try to stop the three game losing streak against the NL West leaders.
Posted by David Pinto at
10:53 AM
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