Around the Horn: Matchups and News Thursday
-Dexter Sports
3:59 PM
Dexter-Sports Inbox
We have some really good match ups in front of us tonight. Lets take a look at what is in front of us tonight in the six night games.
3:59 PM
Dexter-Sports Inbox
We have some really good match ups in front of us tonight. Lets take a look at what is in front of us tonight in the six night games.
- Detroit vs. Boston 7:05 ET: Clearly the best pitching match up as Justin Verlander will take on Josh Beckett in a battle of what was thought to be Cy Young hopefuls at the beginning of the season, has not panned out that way. Verlander is 1-5 (hard to believe) with a 6.28 ERA so far, this year and his career numbers against Detroit don't get better. In 2 starts he is 1-1 with a 4.61 ERA. Detroit busted out of it's losing streak last night, and will continue to push for more victories. Josh Beckett takes the hill for the Red Sox. Beckett is 3-2 with a 4.19 ERA. Part of the Red Sox's success is due in major part to their pitching staff. They are tied for first in in wins, lead the league in shutouts, and have a solid team 4.10 ERA, despite giving up 150 walks so far this season. That is good enough for the second highest in the league.
- Tampa Bay vs. Toronto 7:07 ET: The Story of the game will be if the Jays offense can continue to improve after a slump to start the season. Edwin Jackson (2-3 4.98) will take on Jessie Litch (4-1 4.32). The Jays will be without shortstops David Eckstein and John Mcdonald. Marco Scutaro will make the start for the Jays. The Jays have won six of seven and the Rays have went 5-5 in the last ten games. Litch's only loss came against the Rays this season. The middle of the order will look to improve it's horrid 0-10 in Wednesday's game to give Edwin Jackson some support to get him back on track. I like Tampa's bats in this game.
- Milwaukee vs. Florida 7:10 ET: Though the pitching probable is nothing worth talking about (Villanevua vs Hendrickson) the mix up for the brewers lineup is. Joe Dillion will hit third in the lineup, as Prince Fielder will get a look from the bench. Milwaukee's bats have contiued to struggle. Gabe Kapler will also be inserted to give a spark of the bench. The Marlins have won 4 of their last 5 and has seen recent success from Dan Uggla, who started cold this season. Uggla is a career .324 hitter off Milwaukee with 3 HRs and 9 RBIs. Ned Yost is hoping his new lineup can show up the struggling starters.
- Washington vs. Houston 8:05 PM ET: The Nationals are one game away from getting swept by the hot Astros lineup that has seen Lance Berkman and Carlos Lee turn it up another notch and Youngster Micheal Bourn take better pitches and get more accustomed to major league pitching. The Astros will send Brandon Backe (2-3 4.42) to the mound to face John Lannan (2-3 3.74). I think this Houston Astros club is showing that at least their offense deserves to be talked about as contenders in the NL Central.
- Baltimore vs. Kansas City 8:05 PM ET: The Orioles look to get back to winning baseball after a tough season with Oakland. The Orioles send Daniel Cabrera (2-1 4.06) to the mound to oppose Luke Hochevar (2-1 4.86) in a game that could be high scoring. That is if the Orioles offense can get going. Five of the Orioles previous seven games they have only scored one or two runs. The Royals scored nine runs in their last game against the Angels. That is a season high. The Royals offensive effort has been team oriented, with David Dejesus Leading RBIs, Alex Gordon leading HRs and Billy Butler leading average. Look for the Orioles to return to the plate in this game against the young righty.
- Texas vs. Seattle 10:05 PM ET: The bottom of the NL west will take on each other tonight as the Mariners will send Felix Hernandez (2-2 3.04) to the mound to face Kevin Gabbard (1-0 2.18). Both team's pitching has been atrocious, especially the Rangers who rank near last in almost every pitching category. Texas though has won 5 of the last 7 in May and the pitching staff has been a big part of it. The Mariners will look to continue to warm up the bats. They have lost 7 of the last 8 and have posted .128 average in the last 23 innings. I think we will see a Mariner wake up call. I will predict a home run from Richie Sexson.
