Max Scherzer continues his free agent contract push as the Tigers host the Twins and Kyle Gibson. Scherzer is on a pace to equal or exceed his innings and strikeouts from last season, and is posting an ERA over a run lower. Batters are an amazing 2 for 33 against him with runners in scoring position with three walks and 14 strikeouts. Gibson owns a 3.50 ERA despite walking more than he strikes out, 17 BB and 16 K in 36 innings. He seems to be a disaster waiting to happen.
Jeff Samardzija tries to get in the win column as the Cubs face the Braves and Ervin Santana. Samardzija’s numbers are all good, including an excellent 1.62 ERA. He’s averaging seven innings a start, but either the Cubs haven’t scored many runs when he pitches, or the bullpen and defense blow up. After three great starts, Santana allowed seven runs in his last 13 2/3 innings. That’s not bad, but beatable.
Jordan Lyles and Alfredo Simon battle in Cincinnat as the Rockies continue their series with the Reds. Lyles has the strange home/road split. This season, he owns a higher ERA away from Coors and allowed more home runs. Simon is turning out to be a fine starter, coming into the games with a 1.99 ERA. He’s holding opponents to a .130 BA with runners in scoring position.
Enjoy!
Ahem….
The SF Giants, owners of the best record in the NL, go against their hated rivals the LA Dodgers, in game 3 of a 4 game set, with Matt Cain going against Zack Greinke. Seems like a Game of the Day to me.
John » Cain hasn’t pitched well this year, which was the main consideration. That and time, as I had to go visit my dad in the hospital.
Sorry to hear about your Dad.
I was just busting your chops. I just noticed that over the time the Giants surged into first place, SI essentially ran one front page link about them. Meanwhile, the Dodgers finally beat them yesterday, (not Cain’s fault), and the story ran as the first baseball link on the frontpage.
East Coast bias? Probably not. But we do have the best record in the NL.
John » I find the Giants interesting this year because they are winning due to their offense. During their prior recent successful season, it was the pitching staff that dominated. It’s just not the rotation, the bullpen, and Buster Posey any more.