The Pirates take a 2-0 lead on the Nationals as Dan Haren gives up a home run to Andrew McCutchen. That was the 20th home run Dan allowed this season, and he’s not yet to 100 innings pitched.
Update: McCutchen hits a second home run. He’s driven in four runs as the Pirates lead 5-0 in the bottom of the fourth. The Nationals hitting coach seems to have taken the hits with him, as Washington has yet to record a hit.
A.J. Burnett set up a college fund for Daniel McCutchen‘s gestating daughter so A.J. could wear #34. So at least all that money coming from the Yankees is doing some good.
At the beginning of August, the Pirates moved Daniel McCutchen to the bullpen. He had started seven of eight games up to that point, and allowed 11 home runs in 34 innings, giving him a 7.94 ERA. His time in the pen seemed to get him to work out his problems. He did not allow a homer in 9 1/3 innings of work, walking two and striking out six.
He took those lessons into his start against the Cardinals Wednesday night. He lasted six innings, not allowing a run. He walked two and struck out five, and that was enough to help the Pirates to a 5-2 win. That has to be a big boost to McCutchen’s confidence, and the confidence of the Pirates in his ability.
The Braves and Phillies play the rubber game of their series with Kris Medlen taking on Jamie Moyer. Both pitchers exhibit fantastic control, each walking less than a batter every five innings. Medlen, a right-hander, is equally good against left and right handed batters, while Moyer, a lefty, gives up a lower BA buy more power to lefties.
The Rays go for a sweep of the Red Sox as Tim Wakefield faces David Price. Left-handed batters are hitting Wakefield hard this season with a .302 BA and a .509 slugging percentage. I would think there would be less of a platoon split with knuckleball pitchers, but he’s getting righties out well, as they own a .284 OBP against him. Price sits second on the AL ERA leader board with a 2.42 mark, exactly two runs lower than in 2009. He’s cut down on his home runs allowed to reach that level. He’s 5-1 with a 1.99 ERA at home, where his OPS against is an impressive .556.
Slugfest of the night goes to Pittsburgh at Houston where Daniel McCutchen and his 8.87 ERA battle Brian Moehler and his 5.20 ERA. Expect the bullpens in this one early. McCutchen did post a good start against Philadelphia his last time out, so we’ll see if he can make it two in a row. All five home runs allowed by Moehler this year came in his 35 1/3 innings as a starter.
Finally, Josh Johnson and the Marlins visit the Dodgers and Hiroki Kuroda. Johnson leads the majors in ERA after three set backs by Ubaldo Jimenez. For the first time in his career, Johnson is striking out more batters than innings he’s pitched, and reduced his home run rate to 7.0 per 200 innings. Kuroda owns a 2.60 career ERA against the Marlins, walking three and striking out 25 in 27 2/3 innings.
Enjoy!
Today’s evil player is Daniel McCutchen. In his brief career with the Pirates, Daniel allowed opponents a home run every 19 at bats, good for a .503 slugging percentage against. That’s an evil home run rate for a team that is trying to finish above .500 for the first time since Barry Bonds played in Pittsburgh.
Roby Neyer points out that Daniel McCutchen may have the safest fifith-starter job in the majors. With McCutchen moving into the rotation, the Pirates send out four starters with very low walk per nine averages. It’s certainly a move in the right direction for this staff.