Baseball Musings
Baseball Musings
June 11, 2008
Games of the Day

It's tough not to find a good pitching matchup today, but the two afternoon games may offer the best. Seattle sends Felix Hernandez against Toronto's Shaun Marcum at 12:30 PM EDT. King Felix is benefiting from the lack of power in the AL this season, cutting his home runs allowed by about 1/3. For the first time since his rookie season, he's also allowing fewer hits than innings pitched. Marcum seems to be getting better as the season progresses. In his last three starts he's allowed four four earned runs in 21 1/3 innings of work.

Scott Kazmir and John Lackey each had their seasons delayed by injury, and each has pitched like a Cy Young winner since returning to the rotation. The two meet in Anaheim this afternoon in the rubber match of their three game series. Tampa Bay failed to catch the Red Sox last night as they lost 6-1 to the Angels. Kazmir's strikeouts are down a tiny bit this season, but his improved control and ability to keep the ball in the park are well worth fewer Ks. Lackey is also showing tremendous control with a better than 4 to 1 strikeout to walk ratio.

Brandon Webb goes for his 12th win of the season as he faces Mike Pelfry and the Mets. Webb is averaging nearly seven innings a start, one reason he's received a decision in all thirteen starts. He had a rough outing versus New York earlier this year, allowing four runs in six innings but still walked away with the win. Mike Pelfry is at the dangerous point where his walks are about even with his strikeouts, and his walks aren't low.

Texas and Kansas City square off again with Vicente Padilla and Kyle Davies matching up on the mound. It's not clear why Padilla's ERA is two runs lower than last year. He's giving up more home runs and about the same number of walks, but his hits allowed are down. Opponents are just 11 for 60 against him with runners in scoring position, so it may be his timing is just better. In his first two starts this season, Davies has shut down left-handed batters, holding them to a 4 for 27, a .148 BA. Given that lefties represent 3/5 of the at bats against Kyle, it's no wonder he's allowed just two runs so far.

Finally, the Yankees try to start their road trip 2-0 as they send Darrell Rasner against Justin Duchscherer. The most impressive change about Rasner this season is his control. He's struck out 23 and walked just five. He came into the season with 26 K and 15 walks. Duchscherer should give some hope to Yankees fans who worry about Joba moving from the bullpen to the rotation. His ERA of 2.32 this season is in line with his best years as a setup man in the pen.

Enjoy!

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Posted by David Pinto at 11:08 AM | Matchups | TrackBack (0)
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