Around The Horn: Hafner is down, Pedro and Joba are Full Force and Vizquel in the Hall?
-Dexter Sports
2:08 PM
Dexter- Sports Inbox
The Phillies and the Cubs are going for six straight today. How good was Arizona's start? They have lost five straight and eight of ten, but they still hold the NL West by 2.5 games. They will look to get it going against the Nats later on tonight. We have some great baseball in front of us, let's take a look at the best mound battles of Saturday.
Today's Match ups:
Justin Verlander (2-7 5.16) vs. Felix Hernandez (2-5 3.60): Verlander has finally turned around his season after an unrealistic start to the season. Verlander's fastball is back up to 98 MPH and in his last two starts he has dominated. The only issue is the Tiger run support behind him. Verlander has one of the lowest in the league at 3.44 runs per start. Verlander though is undefeated in his career against Seattle. Hernandez has been strong all year in spurts, but just hasn't been able to put together a whole game. Hernandez though is 2-2 with a 3.86 in his career against Detroit.
Javier Vazquez ( 5-3 3.52) vs. Scott Kazmir (4-1 1.50): The Rays have enjoyed every second that Scott Kazmir has been off the DL. Kazmir struck out ten in his 4th win against the Rangers. Kazmir has located his fastball very well in his last few starts and that has made his slider that much better. Vazquez has slowly put together a good campaign so far. He has given up three runs or less in 3 straight starts and is second in the AL in strikeouts. Vazquez will look to get his second straight victory against the Rays this season.
Shaun Marcum (5-3 2.64) vs. John Lackey (1-1 2.05): Marcum has had a very strong start to the season. In his last outing, he went 7+ and gave up only two runs on five hits. Marcum will be opposed by the nearly unhittable John Lackey. Lackey, fresh off the DL, got beat via the walk off in his last start. Look For Lackey to come back strong with another great outing.
Here are some of the better pitching probables this Saturday, Now let's go Around the Horn.
2:08 PM
Dexter- Sports Inbox
The Phillies and the Cubs are going for six straight today. How good was Arizona's start? They have lost five straight and eight of ten, but they still hold the NL West by 2.5 games. They will look to get it going against the Nats later on tonight. We have some great baseball in front of us, let's take a look at the best mound battles of Saturday.
Today's Match ups:
Justin Verlander (2-7 5.16) vs. Felix Hernandez (2-5 3.60): Verlander has finally turned around his season after an unrealistic start to the season. Verlander's fastball is back up to 98 MPH and in his last two starts he has dominated. The only issue is the Tiger run support behind him. Verlander has one of the lowest in the league at 3.44 runs per start. Verlander though is undefeated in his career against Seattle. Hernandez has been strong all year in spurts, but just hasn't been able to put together a whole game. Hernandez though is 2-2 with a 3.86 in his career against Detroit.
Javier Vazquez ( 5-3 3.52) vs. Scott Kazmir (4-1 1.50): The Rays have enjoyed every second that Scott Kazmir has been off the DL. Kazmir struck out ten in his 4th win against the Rangers. Kazmir has located his fastball very well in his last few starts and that has made his slider that much better. Vazquez has slowly put together a good campaign so far. He has given up three runs or less in 3 straight starts and is second in the AL in strikeouts. Vazquez will look to get his second straight victory against the Rays this season.
Shaun Marcum (5-3 2.64) vs. John Lackey (1-1 2.05): Marcum has had a very strong start to the season. In his last outing, he went 7+ and gave up only two runs on five hits. Marcum will be opposed by the nearly unhittable John Lackey. Lackey, fresh off the DL, got beat via the walk off in his last start. Look For Lackey to come back strong with another great outing.
Here are some of the better pitching probables this Saturday, Now let's go Around the Horn.
- Tigers Manager Jim Leyland is moving Miguel Cabrera to the sixth spot in today's game against the Mariners. Leyland was straight to the point, stating that he doesn't mind if it bothers people. With Gary Sheffield on the DL, Leyland is also considering playing Carlos Guillen in Left and making Brandon Inge the full-time third baseman.
- Joba Chamberlain will make his highly anticipated debut on Tuesday. The Yankees will go with a six man rotation for the time being. It seems that Kyle Farnsworth and Latroy Hawkins will fill in the set up role for now. Russ Ohlendorf could also get a shot at it. Tigers lefty Dontrelle Willis will make his first start since coming off the DL on tuesday as well. So is New York Mets starter Pedro Martinez.
- Slugger Travis Hafner is finally making his way to the DL. The Indians have known of his shoulder problems for quite some time, but they have been reluctant to give him a rest. Hafner could come back healthy, but in all likeliness, we can call this an off year for the slugger. Hafner was hitting .217 with 4 homers.
- Arizona's Eric Brynes has suffered tears in both of his hamstrings. Originally it was thought that they were just sore. The next step for the energy induced Brynes the 15 day DL. This could be an oppurtunity for Trot Nixon to make his way back to the majors.
- According to the Mercury News, San Fransisco relievers could be dealt sooner rather than later. Of all the relievers, it only seems that Brian Wilson is the untouchable. Vinnie Chulk, Tyler Walker and Jack Taschner could all be solid options for those with pitching needs. The Tigers, Rockies, Mariners and Indians might all be options.
