Baseball Musings
Baseball Musings
September 01, 2006
Games of the Day

The Twins travel to New York tonight to start a three game set with the Yankees. With five months of the season gone, this series will showcase two of the top players in line for the MVP award, Joe Mauer and Derek Jeter. Through 8/28, Joe Mauer and Manny Ramirez were tied for most win shares in the AL, and most WS above average. But Manny's not playing much lately. Right behind them is Derek Jeter. As you can see, Derek beats Mauer with the bat, but Joe's glove gives him the boost over Jeter. However, if one does clearly better in this head-to-head matchup, it's something voters will remember at the end of the season.

The two are also competing for the batting title in the AL. Mauer holds a 10 point lead over Jeter. If Jeter goes 7 for 16 this weekend, he only raises his BA three points to .343. Mauer could then go 3 for 16 and still keep the lead.

The Braves trail the Phillies by 3 1/2 games and open a four game series tonight in always sunny Philadelphia. Oscar Villarreal faces Jon Lieber in game one. Most of Oscar's nine wins came out of the bullpen, but in three starts he's posted a 2.77 ERA, walking just two in 13 innings. Lieber just gets pounded with men on base. With no one on, batters manage a low .403 slugging percentage against Jon. But that goes up to .576 with men on base. Long hits drive runners a long way around the bases.

The Reds get a chance to go after the team that grabbed the wild card lead from them, the San Diego Padres as Bronson Arroyo faces Clay Hensley. Clay takes full advantage of PETCO, posting a 3.27 ERA at the park and allowing 17 extra-base hits there vs. 28 on the road. Home runs ball have been Arroyo's bane in the second half. He allowed 15 in 130 pre All-Star innings, but 14 in 59 1/3 since.

Enjoy!


Posted by David Pinto at 11:49 AM | Matchups | TrackBack (0)
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