Baseball Musings
Baseball Musings
October 11, 2007
Playoffs Today

Jeff Francis and Brandon Webb kick off the League Championship series tonight in Arizona. Not only is this a series between two NL West members, it's also a series between the two highest altitude teams in Major League Baseball. That's one reason to expect some power in this playoff round.

Francis75650489_Nationals_v_Rockies.jpg

Jeff Francis
Photo: Ed Wolfstein/Icon SMI

Francis pitched well against the Diamondbacks this season, posting a 2.84 ERA in four starts against Arizona. Jeff's splits against the Diamondbacks show that he achieved that ERA by limiting Arizona's power. Only three of Arizona's nineteen hits against Francis went for extra bases, two doubles and a home run. Since power is the main component of the Diamondbacks attacks, Francis did an excellent job of nullifying that advantage.

Francis, however, did a poor job with table setters this year, allowing a .395 OBA to 1-2 hitters combined, a big reason the first inning was the worst inning for him. Look for the Diamondbacks to try to strike early against Jeff.

There aren't many hitters on the Diamondbacks who have face Francis much, but watch for the battle against Connor Jackson. He's homered four times against Jeff in just twenty three at bats.

Brandon Webb

Brandon Webb
Photo: Scott Wachter/Icon SMI

Webb knows the Rockies well, facing them six times this season. Webb's splits against Colorado show the Rockies did a great job picking up hits in two-out RISP situations, driving in sixteen of the twenty six runs Webb allowed to Colorado. The Rockies did a good job of getting into those situations by drawing walks. Usually, Webb allows a walk every three innings. Against Colorado it was closer to every other inning.

The most dangerous hitter for Webb is Brad Hawpe. The rightfielder hit three home runs against Webb this season, and four in his career in thirty eight at bats. Todd Helton, in fifty at bats hasn't shown that kind of power but he has drawn sixteen walks for a .470 OBA.

Overall, with Francis fighting the DBacks power and Webb indulging the Rockies OBA, Colorado should be the favorite in the game. Enjoy!


Posted by David Pinto at 10:32 AM | League Championship Series | TrackBack (0)
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