The Boston Red Sox send the pitcher they kept against the pitcher they sent away as Clay Buchholz battles Justin Masterson and the Cleveland Indians. The Red Sox helped Cleveland to get off to a hot start, getting swept by the Tribe in the second series of the season. Buchholz’s era is up over a run compared to 2010. In a year in which home runs are down, he’s allowed seven in 52 2/3 innings compared to nine in 173 2/3 innings last season. Six of those came on the road. Masterson went the other way. With his ERA down over two runs from 2010, he allowed just one home run this season in 60 2/3 innings after giving up 14 in 180 innings last season.
The Tigers are trying to catch the Indians as they host the Tampa Bay Rays. Jeremy Hellickson visits Phil Coke. For the second year in a row, Hellickson is out-performing his FIP, showing the value of playing in front of a good defensive team. Coke only made two starts at home this season, but they weren’t good as his ERA stands at 7.36 there.
Toronto sits 2 1/2 games behind the first place Yankees as they open a three-game series in New York. Veterans Carlos Villanueva and Bartolo Colon get the start. Villanueva spent most of his career as a reliever, and this is his first start this season. His opposition batting numbers as a reliever are much better than as a starter over his career, as he strikes out fewer batters and gives up a ton more home runs per plate appearance. Colon is just off to a great start, with 48 K and 11 walks in 51 1/3 innings. This game also features the top two home run hitters in the majors, Jose Bautista and Curtis Granderson. Both ptichers give up home runs, so this may be a night of bombs.
The Phillies get Chase Utley back Monday night as Cincinnati and Bronson Arroyo travel to the city of brotherly love to face Cole Hamels. Arroyo holds a 0.92 ERA on the road this season in just three starts. Opponents are just 3 for 23 against him with runners in scoring position against him away from Cincy, and I don’t expect that to last all season. Hamels knocked down his walks a little and his home runs quite a bit from last season, leading to his ERA dropping under 3.00.
Finally, Oakland who dropped to last place, two games out in the AL West tries to gain back some ground against the Angels in Anaheim. The aptly names Josh Outman takes on Jered Weaver. Outman makes his first appearance of 2010. He’s a decently high strikeout pitcher with a decently low walk rate that leads to a decent career ERA of 3.77. Weaver cooled off after his hot start, losing his last four starts while posting a 5.25 ERA. His overall ERA of 2.45 is probably where he belongs.
Enjoy!