Baseball Musings
Baseball Musings
May 23, 2005
Games of the Day

If the Cleveland Indians are going to climb back into the AL playoff race, this week is a good time to start. They're 11 out of first in the Central but just six out of the wild card, and they're playing the leading Twins in a four game series. The Indians have held their own vs. the Twins this year, splitting six games so far. That's been a bit of luck as they've been outscored by Minnesota 25-17 in those games. Looks like it could be a high scoring contest tonight as Scott Elarton hosts Kyle Lohse. It seems balls in play off Elarton are turning into hits very easily, as opponents are batting .386 off Scott. Lohse had three bad outings to start the season, but has been bringing his ERA steadily down since then.

It's first vs. last in the NL East tonight as the Marlins host the Phillies. It's a good pitching matchup as Jon Lieber faces Dontrelle Willis. Lieber's ERA has ballooned 1.5 runs over his last two starts. It's not clear what's changed, except that more balls are falling in for hits. Willis has not lost at home this season, and is posting a 0.69 ERA in Miami.

Finally, first meets first as the White Sox travel to Anaheim to play the Angels. Jon Garland puts his 8-0 record on the line vs. a Vlad-less Angels lineup. Garland's done a very good job this season of having opponents put the ball in play to his fielders. Without a lot of strikeouts, the opposition is hitting only .220 off Jon. Given that the Angels live by putting the ball in play, this should be an interesting matchup. He'll be opposed by Ervin "Magic" Santana who was hammered by the Indians in his first start (and if you get hammered by the Indians, you must have been pitching badly).

Enjoy!


Posted by David Pinto at 01:41 PM | Matchups | TrackBack (0)
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