Messaggioda axagreen » 30/09/2009 - 15:38
Pirates @ Cubs 2:05pm
Charlie Morton (4-9, 5.01)
His line may not be overly impressive, but Morton actually pitched quite well his last time out. He allowed four runs on four two-out hits in the third inning, but otherwise dominated. Manager John Russell lauded Morton's improved aggressiveness afterward. Morton has seemed to find some control of the movement he has on his pitches, and the result of that is improved efficiency. This will be Morton's first start at Wrigley Field since a disastrous outing there in August when he allowed 10 runs in just one inning.
Ted Lilly (12-8, 3.02)
Lilly was given a few extra days this week because of tendinitis in his left shoulder. He should've gotten the win in his last outing against the Cardinals. The lefty gave up two runs on five hits over 7 2/3 innings, striking out six. He did not walk a batter, the 10th start this year in which he has done that. Lilly did notch career strikeout No. 1,300, but he'd rather have the "W." The lefty was pulled in the eighth after throwing 110 pitches so he didn't have to face Albert Pujols. St. Louis won on a walk-off homer by Matt Holliday. Lilly has faced the Brewers once this year, July 5, and won.
White Sox @ Indians 4:05pm
Carlos Torres (1-1, 5.91)
Torres originally was to get the start on Tuesday in place of Mark Buehrle, but now both of them will be pitching on Wednesday in this rain-induced doubleheader at Progressive Field. In his last outing, Torres pitched in relief against the Twins, going 3 1/3 innings and allowing three runs (two earned) on four hits with three strikeouts and three walks. He last made a start on Sept. 8 against Oakland and had the shortest start of his young career. The rookie surrendered five runs on four hits in just two-thirds of an inning. He has faced Cleveland once this season, in his second big league start on Aug. 8. In that outing, Torres lasted 3 1/3 innings and gave up four runs with six walks.
Fausto Carmona (4-12, 6.62)
Having given up 28 runs over his previous five starts, Carmona seemingly had nowhere to go but up in his start against the Orioles on Friday. But he showed more than just incremental improvement in holding the O's to a pair of runs on nine hits with one walk and six strikeouts in six innings. When he gave up a run, he didn't implode, and that's major progress. Carmona's last start of '09 will be his first start against the White Sox.
White Sox Indians GM 2: TBD
Buehrle (12-10)
Probable Report
Mark Buehrle (12-10, 3.95)
The question as to whether Buehrle would pitch again this season was answered by Tuesday's rain and the White Sox desire to give Jake Peavy an extra two days of rest before making his final appearance on Friday against the Tigers. Buehrle will make his 33rd and final start in Wednesday's nightcap of the traditional doubleheader, looking to temporarily match John Danks for the team lead in victories at 13. By Buehrle's own admission, he had relatively nothing during his last start against Minnesota on Sept. 23. The left-hander gave up four runs on eight hits over 3 1/3 innings, and dropped to 1-7 over 12 starts since his perfect game on July 23. Buehrle has a 1-2 record with a 4.98 ERA against Cleveland this year.
Masterson (4-9)
Probable Report
Justin Masterson (4-9, 4.79)
Masterson struggled for the second straight start Wednesday. He couldn't locate his sinker or his change up and had trouble finding a consistent release point against the Tigers. Masterson gave up eight runs -- six earned -- in just four innings of work. He's now given up 11 earned runs in eight innings during his last two starts. He gave up just one run in four innings in a no-decision in his only other start of the season against the South Siders.
Mets Nationals 4:35pm
Redding (3-6)
Probable Report
Tim Redding (3-6, 5.29)
A three-run, first-pitch home run by Hanley Ramirez essentially denied Redding a chance to beat the Marlins Friday night in Miami. Other that the home run and the unforgivable four-pitch walk to Nick Johnson that preceded it, he pitched effectively enough for six-plus innings. Redding walked four and allowed six hits. But now he has one victory in five starts, though the Mets have won twice in that sequence. He faces the Nationals, the team he defeated Sept. 19, allowing one earned run in seven innings plus.
Lannan (9-13)
Probable Report
John Lannan (9-13, 3.93)
Lannan, who is two-thirds of an inning shy of his first 200-inning season, didn't give up any earned runs in seven solid innings against the Braves on Friday, but he was hit with bad luck on defense and it's the reason he lost his 11th game of the season.
Buy
Marlins Braves 7:00pm
Nolasco (12-9)
Probable Report
Ricky Nolasco (12-9, 5.28)
Nolasco held the Mets to three runs on four hits over seven innings while striking out seven. Despite the solid performance, Nolasco's outing did not get off to a good start. In the second inning, the Mets strung together three hits, the last being a Jeff Francoeur three-run homer, but the right-hander was able to hold New York to just one hit over his final five innings.
Vazquez (15-9)
Probable Report
Javier Vazquez (15-9, 2.83)
The right-hander is coming off a dominating performance against the Nationals last Friday night. He threw a three-hitter in a complete-game victory over Washington. Vazquez now has won four straight games and continues to be one of the National League's most solid performers. The Braves need this from him to keep up any hopes of pulling out the Wild Card berth.
Buy
Astros Phillies 7:05pm
Moehler (8-11)
Probable Report
Brian Moehler (8-11, 5.21)
Moehler gave up eight hits and seven runs in 2 1/3 innings in Friday's loss to Cincinnati in his shortest start since going 2 1/3 innings in his second outing of the season April 13. He's 1-6 with a 5.63 ERA in 12 starts since July 26. He got a no-decision against the Phillies on Sept. 7 after giving up five hits and three runs in 5 2/3 innings and is 2-3 with a 6.19 ERA in 12 career games, including eight starts, against Philadelphia.
Lee (14-12)
Probable Report
Cliff Lee (14-12, 3.19)
Cliff Lee allowed nine hits and seven runs in just six innings Friday in an 8-4 loss to the Brewers at Miller Park. Lee went 5-0 with a 0.68 ERA in his first five starts with the Phillies, but is 2-3 with a 6.35 ERA in his last six. He has allowed 49 hits, 24 earned runs and three walks and struck out 29 in 34 innings in those six starts. Opponents have hit .336 against him. Lee has thrown 226 innings this season, which led the Majors after Friday. "I feel strong, if that's what you're getting at," Lee said. "I feel as strong as I have all year. That's what you work all offseason for is to prepare for a long season and hopefully something extra there at the end. I feel like I've done everything I need to do to be in a position where I'm at right now."
Buy
Royals Yankees 7:05pm
Tejeda (4-2)
Probable Report
Robinson Tejeda (4-2, 3.41)
After four starts in which he went 3-0 with a 0.81 ERA, Tejeda ran into problems in a 9-4 loss to the Twins last Friday night. When Tejeda loses his fastball command, look out, and this time he did, with a career-high seven walks in 4 1/3 innings. He gave up only two hits, including a solo homer, but his four walks in a four-run inning was his downfall. Tejeda has great stuff and, after spending most of this season in the bullpen, he'll be in the rotation picture next spring. Tejeda faced the Yankees in relief back on April 11 and turned in 2 2/3 scoreless innings with, wow, six strikeouts and, oh-oh, three walks.
Chamberlain (9-6)
Probable Report
Joba Chamberlain (9-6, 4.72)
Finally unleashed to throw as many as 90 pitches, Chamberlain needed just 86 of them to deliver six innings of three-run ball against the Red Sox last Friday, including three perfect innings to begin the game. Striking out five and walking just one, Chamberlain displayed a much more aggressive approach, pounding the strike zone all evening. Afterward, manager Joe Girardi remained coy about Chamberlain's postseason plans, though it seems unlikely he would start in the ALDS. At any rate, Chamberlain's final regular-season start will come against the Royals, a team that managed just one run off him in six innings of their only meeting earlier this year.
Buy
Twins Tigers 7:05pm
Pavano (13-11)
Probable Report
Carl Pavano (13-11, 4.86)
Pavano continues to show why the Twins were right to add a veteran starter to their staff. The right-hander picked up his second win in his past four starts, holding the Royals to four runs on eight hits over six innings. While it wasn't the prettiest of starts for Pavano, he only was hurt in two at-bats -- both resulting in home runs by Billy Butler. While the Twins needed Pavano against the Royals, they'll really need him to continue his season-long success against the Tigers. Pavano is 4-0 with a 1.69 ERA in five starts vs. Detroit this season, and he's 3-0 with a 1.61 ERA in the three starts that have come at Comerica Park.
Bonine (0-1)
Probable Report
Eddie Bonine (0-1, 4.60)
Bonine's final scheduled start of 2009 will be the biggest of his career, giving him a chance to swing the Tigers' AL Central showdown with Minnesota in his club's favor. Bonine's simple goal -- give the Tigers a chance to win. His 6 2/3 innings against the White Sox certainly did that, as he took a no-hitter into the sixth inning of a scoreless game before Gordon Beckham homered for the game's only runs in a 2-0 loss. If he can mix his knuckleball and changeup again while commanding his 90-mph fastball, he could well put up another stingy performance.
Buy
Orioles Rays 7:08pm
Hernandez (4-9)
Probable Report
David Hernandez (4-9, 5.20)
Hernandez had really struggled of late, but he threw his second straight quality start on Friday. He gave up two earned runs in six innings, while striking out six and walking just one against the Indians. September had not been kind to Hernandez until his past two starts, when he appeared to have taken a step forward. He is still winless in the month, but it was a positive outing nonetheless. He is 0-1 with a 15.00 ERA in one career start against the Rays.
Shields (10-12)
Probable Report
James Shields (10-12, 4.17)
Shields took his 12th loss of the season Friday night after giving up five runs on seven hits while striking out seven in seven innings. The right-hander has been a hard-luck pitcher all season, but he remains the best battler on the staff. Shields is most effective when he's locating his fastball, which sets up one of the best changeups in the Major Leagues. He is 5-2 with a 2.89 ERA in 14 career starts against the Orioles; he is 24-14 with a 3.40 ERA in 59 career starts at Tropicana Field.
Buy
Cardinals Reds 7:10pm
Smoltz (3-7)
Probable Report
John Smoltz (3-7, 5.96)
This is Smoltz's last chance to state his case to be part of the Cardinals' October rotation. Thus far he's done little to indicate he shouldn't be in the mix, pitching well nearly every time out. Most notable has been Smoltz's command. In four of his six Cardinals starts, Smoltz hasn't issued a walk. And since joining St. Louis, he has a total of 37 strikeouts against four walks.
Arroyo (14-13)
Probable Report
Bronson Arroyo (14-13, 3.95)
Arroyo worked his 12th straight quality start on Thursday during a 4-1 win over the Pirates where he pitched seven innings and allowed one earned run and five hits with one walk and four strikeouts. Pittsburgh scored on Arroyo in the seventh when Lastings Milledge led off with a home run to left field. Over his last 15 starts, Arroyo has a 2.15 ERA. He is one victory away from matching his career high.
Buy
Blue Jays Red Sox 7:10pm
Halladay (16-10)
Probable Report
Roy Halladay (16-10, 2.90)
Halladay was vintage "Doc" on Friday night, spinning a shutout against the Mariners in his final home start of the season. The ace of the Jays scattered seven hits but minimized the damage with 11 outs via ground balls, nine strikeouts and no walks. Halladay threw 71 percent of his 114 pitches for strikes and never once slipped to a three-ball count among the 33 hitters he faced. Doc leads the Majors with eight complete games and has now recorded a career-best three shutouts this season. In three outings against the Red Sox this year, Halladay is 1-2 with a 4.05 ERA.
Wakefield (11-4)
Probable Report
Tim Wakefield (11-4, 4.33)
The veteran knuckleballer continues to gut it out, despite back woes that will require surgery as soon as his season is over. This will be Wakefield's fourth start in the second half. The Red Sox have had to space his outings out to give his back time to heal. Wakefield will make this start on eight days of rest. In his last time out, he couldn't command his knuckleball under steady rain in Kansas City, giving up five hits and four earned runs over five innings while walking seven. Wakefield has been terrific at Fenway this season, going 7-0 with a 3.65 ERA in 10 starts.
Buy
Pirates Cubs GM 2: 8:05pm
Karstens (3-5)
Probable Report
Jeff Karstens (3-5, 5.45)
As he did on Friday, Karstens will lead a parade of bullpen arms to help the Pirates get through this game. The Pirates need Karstens to start in place of Ross Ohlendorf, who has been shut down because of a high innings total. The right-hander allowed one run on three hits in three innings of relief in his last spot start. The Pirates would ideally like to get four innings out of Karstens, with five innings being a bonus. He'll be followed by various relievers who can give the Pirates multiple innings.
Zambrano (9-6)
Probable Report
Carlos Zambrano (9-6, 3.69)
Zambrano was masterful in his last outing, throwing a two-hit shutout against the Giants, who were battling to stay alive in the NL Wild Card race. Zambrano fanned eight in his first shutout since his no-hitter last September 2008. Big Z gave up two singles, and he also drove in two runs. With a win against the Pirates, Zambrano has a chance to finish the season with double-digit wins for the seventh straight year. Zambrano now has made 237 starts for the Cubs, passing Dick Ellsworth for 13th on the team's all-time list.
Buy
Brewers Rockies 8:40pm
Suppan (7-11)
Probable Report
Jeff Suppan (7-11, 5.04)
Suppan has been much better on the road this season (4-3, 3.56 ERA in 13 starts) than at Miller Park, and he's 3-0 with a 3.75 ERA in four career starts at Coors Field. He had another poor start at home on Thursday, when he surrendered seven earned runs and a season-high 12 hits in a loss to the Phillies.
Hammel (9-8)
Probable Report
Jason Hammel (9-8, 4.30)
Hammel saw another strong start go for naught Thursday, as he lasted 6 1/3 innings and yielded two runs on six hits, striking out six while walking none. The Rockies bullpen let in the tying run in the seventh and eventually lost the game when the go-ahead runs scored in the eighth. It was Hammel's fifth no-decision in his last seven starts, and his fifth quality outing in the span. He's gone at least six innings in his last five starts, and in 10 of his last 11 starts, he's allowed three runs or less, earning his stripes as one of the club's most dependable starters in the second half of the season.
Buy
Dodgers Padres 10:05pm
Garland (11-12)
Probable Report
Jon Garland (11-12, 3.90)
Garland pitched well enough for a shutout, instead getting charged with three unearned runs and an undeserved loss in Pittsburgh. He struck out six with one walk over six innings, the runs scoring on a sacrifice fly and a bloop single. He's not overpowering, but he knows how to pitch and seems especially adept at escaping jams and keeping the damage to a minimum. Nonetheless, his postseason role is undetermined.
Richard (8-5)
Probable Report
Clayton Richard (8-5, 4.62)
Richard, 4-2 with a 4.58 ERA in 11 starts since being acquired from the White Sox, hasn't had a decision in his past three starts but has fared well enough in all of them. He allowed three runs -- two of them earned -- in six innings at Colorado his last time out. The Padres eventually won the game, 5-4.
Buy
Rangers Angels 10:05pm
Holland (8-12)
Probable Report
Derek Holland (8-12, 6.14)
A tweak in his mechanics and a little bit of grit carried the 22-year-old left-hander to his first victory since Aug. 20 -- he had gone 0-5 with a 12.38 ERA in that span -- in an 8-3 win over Tampa Bay in his last start. Holland only worked five innings, but battled back for two scoreless innings after the Rays hit him for three in the third. Holland said pitching coach Mike Maddux had noticed he was falling forward in his delivery and got Holland to work on staying centered, allowing him to attack the plate and get ahead of hitters.
Weaver (15-8)
Probable Report
Jered Weaver (15-8, 3.84)
Weaver, enduring a hard-luck stretch, yielded just two earned runs in six innings against the Athletics on Friday night at home, but dropped his third consecutive start for the first time in his career. A leadoff walk in the fifth cost him a run on a two-out single, and another two-out hit delivered the second A's run in the sixth. Weaver gave up six hits and three walks, striking out one man. He's 2-2 with a 4.81 ERA in five starts this season against the Rangers and 4-3, 3.39, in 14 career outings against Texas.
Buy
Athletics Mariners 10:10pm
Mortensen (2-3)
Probable Report
Clay Mortensen (2-3, 6.07)
A 24-year-old rookie acquired in the four-player trade that sent Matt Holliday to St. Louis in July, Mortensen wasn't sharp his last time out, and neither was the defense behind him. Mortensen gave up seven runs on six hits and a walk over 4 2/3 innings, but only three of the runs were earned because the A's made three errors, including two in the visiting Rangers' four-run fifth inning. Mortensen, who had won his previous two starts, will be making his seventh big league appearance and sixth start against the Mariners, who beat him with four earned runs on six hits and three walks over seven innings on Sept. 4.
Morrow (1-4)
Probable Report
Brandon Morrow (1-4, 4.96)
The right-hander makes his final start of the season hoping to use it as a springboard into the offseason and beyond. He has shown flashes of being a top-of-the-rotation kind of hurler at times since his return from the Minors, but he also loses his release point, which leads to control lapses and head-scratching in the dugout. His overall performance has improved, however, and the organization believes the former first-round Draft choice eventually will be a quality starter.
Buy
D-backs Giants 10:15pm
Mulvey (0-2)
Probable Report
Kevin Mulvey (0-2, 8.84)
Mulvey showed improvement in his last start, but it was not enough to pick up a win. The right-hander suffered a 5-2 loss against the Giants, who he will also face in this matchup. Mulvey allowed three runs on two hits and walked four over six innings. It was an improvement over his first two big league starts, when he allowed a combined 10 earned runs in just eight innings. The key this time around was being more aggressive with his pitches rather than pitching around contact.
Penny (10-9)
Probable Report
Brad Penny (10-9, 5.15)
Penny pitched more than well enough to win last Thursday, allowing one run in eight innings to Chicago. But the Cubs won in the ninth inning on Jeff Baker's two-run homer off Brian Wilson. Penny has struck out just 15 batters in 32 2/3 innings for the Giants, but he also has issued only eight walks. Eligible for free agency after the season, Penny watches his potential price tag rise with each quality start.
Buy