Just as a side note, David Price and Doug Fister both pitch today. This means we have a chance of getting the most commercial pitching match-up since Shane Reynolds faced Pat Rapp.
R.A. Dickey returns to New York as the Blue Jays visit the Yankees to take on Phil Hughes. Dickey does not have the command of the knuckle ball he showed last season. He’s walked about 1/3 of his 2012 total in about 1/10 of the innings. Hughes put together two good starts in a row, striking out 12 and walking two in his last 14 innings.
John Lackey returns to the mound for the Red Sox as they host Houston and Bud Norris. A win by Norris today would give him half the Astros victories for the season. The Astros scored 24 runs in his five starts, but are averaging about 4 per game for other starters. Boston hasn’t missed Lackey, as the starting staff owns a 14-4 record and a 3.14 ERA.
The Nationals go for a four-game sweep of the Reds as rookie Tony Cingrani takes on early season ace Ross Detwiler. Cingrani is off to a great start in 2013 with 17 K and just three walks in 12 innings pitched. Eleven of those Ks have come in 20 AB with men on base. Detwiler has kept the ball in the park this season, allowing one home run so far, a solo shot.
The Pirates and Cardinals play the rubber game of their series with Jeff Locke battling Shelby Miller. Locke’s ERA is much better than his stat line, as he allowed four home runs and 11 walks in 21 2/3 innings, good for an FIP of 6.09 and an xFIP of 5.02. Miller, in his short major league career, has struck out 42 and allowed just one home run in 38 2/3 innings, good for a 1.40 ERA.
Kyle Lohse and the Brewers take on the one pitcher left in the Dodgers rotation, Clayton Kershaw. Lohse has been worth the draft pick so far, as he walked just two in 25 innings to help himself to a 2.52 ERA. It took Kershaw less than five full seasons to reach 1000 strikeouts. He’s only 25 years old.
Finally, ESPN offers a great interleague contest as Mike Minor and the Braves face Doug Fister and the Tigers. Both showed great control this season, both allowed just one home run, and both come into the game with three wins.
Enjoy!
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