Around The Horn: Patterson Demoted, Hafner to the DL?, and The Bruce is loose in Cinci, who can be the next Bruce Type Player in the Majors?
-Dexter Sports
6:39 PM
Dexter-Sports Inbox
Who would have thought that Dusty Baker and Corey Patterson would ever depart on such a quick notice? I have to admit I am a bit surprised. More about that later but first lets take a look at the best pitching match ups tonight.
Wednesday's Best:
Derek Lowe vs. Carlos Zambrano: Carlos Zambrano has not lost his last 8 starts and is starting to turn into the Cy Young favorite. Derek Lowe has hit a low spot. He is winless in his last 6 starts and looks to turn it up for the struggling Dodgers. Look for Lowe to pitch well and hope that he gets enough run support.
Roy Halladay vs. Rich Harden: This could be a rubber match to remember. Harden has looked good after coming of the DL and Halladay already has 5 complete games for the Jays. The most interesting of this match up is the fact that neither has much success against the opponent. Halladay is 4-4 with a 5.35 against Oakland and Harden is 0-3 with 5.59 in 5 starts against the Jays. I'll take Halladay and the Jays offense in a battle of the slacking offenses.
Tim Wakefield vs. Erik Bedard: The Mariners, fresh off a win could of either got the best draw, or the worst possible in facing Wakefield. If on, Wakefield could send that horrid offense into a slump. If not, he could propel them to a winning streak. For the Sox, the strategy is simple. Swing on the first pitch. Bedard has a 38.12 ERA when the count is 0-0. That shows that Bedard is pressing a bit. Bedard is also horrible at holding runners in scoring position. He has a 10.66 ERA with RISP. Bedard gets even worse with two outs and RISP. 14 Earned runs have come from 2 outs and RISP.
Around the Horn:
6:39 PM
Dexter-Sports Inbox
Who would have thought that Dusty Baker and Corey Patterson would ever depart on such a quick notice? I have to admit I am a bit surprised. More about that later but first lets take a look at the best pitching match ups tonight.
Wednesday's Best:
Derek Lowe vs. Carlos Zambrano: Carlos Zambrano has not lost his last 8 starts and is starting to turn into the Cy Young favorite. Derek Lowe has hit a low spot. He is winless in his last 6 starts and looks to turn it up for the struggling Dodgers. Look for Lowe to pitch well and hope that he gets enough run support.
Roy Halladay vs. Rich Harden: This could be a rubber match to remember. Harden has looked good after coming of the DL and Halladay already has 5 complete games for the Jays. The most interesting of this match up is the fact that neither has much success against the opponent. Halladay is 4-4 with a 5.35 against Oakland and Harden is 0-3 with 5.59 in 5 starts against the Jays. I'll take Halladay and the Jays offense in a battle of the slacking offenses.
Tim Wakefield vs. Erik Bedard: The Mariners, fresh off a win could of either got the best draw, or the worst possible in facing Wakefield. If on, Wakefield could send that horrid offense into a slump. If not, he could propel them to a winning streak. For the Sox, the strategy is simple. Swing on the first pitch. Bedard has a 38.12 ERA when the count is 0-0. That shows that Bedard is pressing a bit. Bedard is also horrible at holding runners in scoring position. He has a 10.66 ERA with RISP. Bedard gets even worse with two outs and RISP. 14 Earned runs have come from 2 outs and RISP.
Around the Horn:
- The Reds have demoted center fielder Corey Patterson to make room for infielder Andy Phillips. Phillips has 5 HRs and 22 RBIs in AAA Louisville. Now, I still do not believe this move is permanent. If it was, the Reds would have released the slumping outfielder. Patterson was in an 0-18 slump after being promoted. Patterson's demotion is overshadowed by the 3-3 debut of Jay Bruce. Don't be shocked when Patterson makes his way back to the parent club quickly.
- The Tigers added lefty Jeff Larish to the roster after placing Gary Sheffield on the DL. Larish has a lot of power from the left side. An Arizona State alum, Larish tied the record for homers in a season by a Sun Devil in his senior campaign. The Tigers Drafted Larish in the 5th round of the 2005 Draft. Larish has shown a lot of power in AAA Toledo. Larish could be the left handed spark the Detroit offense needs to make a run at a winning streak.
- Indians DH Travis Hafner could be headed to the DL.Hafner has been out for three straight games. I don't think the move would be bad. They have many options to fill the void offensively. I bet the Indians are wishing they didn't deal Ryan Ludwick right about now. The Indians are 8-13 on the road this season.
- Sammy Sosa might be the next to hang up his MLB cleats. Sosa could retire after playing in this year's World Baseball Classic. Sosa will be most noted for his 600 + homers in the steroid era. There might be some team that goes after him after the classic, but I extremely doubt it. Who is next on the list? Could it be Barry Bonds? Possibly, if his court proceedings continue.
