Baseball Musings
Baseball Musings
April 20, 2008
Games of the Day

Yovani Gallardo makes his 2008 debut as the Brewers go for a sweep of the Reds. So far, Milwaukee has doubled the Reds runs in the series, outscoring them 10-5. That might be more difficult today and Aaron Harang takes the mound for Cincinnati. Aaron is holding the opposition to a .271 OBA, but his four home runs allowed accounted for more than half his runs allowed. Gallardo impressed in his rookie season, striking out 101 while walking just 37.

Texas starters are pitching decently, posting a 4.11 ERA, but are just 4-8 on the season. Kevin Millwood suffered the most here as he comes into this game against the Red Sox with a 1-2 record despite a 2.42 ERA. Millwood seems to be one of those pitchers where luck evens out. His .348 OBA allowed indicates his ERA should be higher, but four double plays and three caught stealings helped him out. He'll face Tim Wakefield, who is in the same boat. Wakefield is allowing a .392 OBA, but since he's allowed a .217 BA with runners in scoring position, it hasn't killed him. I wonder how long he can pitch on the edge like that.

Two relative newcomers face off in Atlanta as Hiroki Kuroda visits Jair Jurrjens. The latest Dodgers import is showing great control as Kuroda walked just two in 18 2/3 innings so far this season. Jurrjens has yet to allow a home run in his first 18 1/3 innings of work, and has only allowed four in his first 49 major league innings.

The Pirates and Cubs feature two D's on the mound as Zach Duke faces Ryan Dempster. Duke is another pitcher with a great ERA despite the opposition getting on base a lot. In Duke's case, he's limited the opposition's power with men on base. Dempster is trading walks for hits as he's allowed nine of each in nineteen innings so far. He's only issued two with runners on base however, so he's making the opposition earn their movement around the bases.

Finally, it's a Randy battle in Phoenix as Johnson faces Wolf. The Big Unit starts at home for the first time since his surgery. Errors kept the three runs allowed in his first start unearned. Wolf sports a 1.42 ERA and a very Johnson like eighteen strikeouts in nineteen innings.

Enjoy!

Find World Series odds for all these teams at Bodog Sportsbook.


Posted by David Pinto at 11:44 AM | Matchups | TrackBack (0)
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