Saturday, May 12, 2007

3 Picks: From Humidors Back to Knuckleballs

Sunday, May 13: Matt Cain (1-3)(SF) vs. Taylor Buchholz (1-1)(COL)

Buchholz came over to the Rockies in the deal that sent Jennings down to Houston. I'm curious to see how he matches up at home against Cain in this one.(Win Probability graphing by Fangraphs)
Matt Cain: 6.0IP, 5H, 1R, 1ER, 3BB, 6SO, 0HR - W

Taylor Buchholz: 4.2IP, 12H, 8R, 8ER, 1BB, 7SO, 1HR - L

So how did Taylor Buchholz do at the mile high today? Not good. A dozen hits over less than 5-innings of work. Ouch. Oh, and rookie center fielder Fred Lewis hit for the cycle for the Giants. Most impressive.

Monday, May 14: Nate Robertson (3-2)(DET) vs. Daisuke Matsuzaka (4-2)(BOS)

This is a match up worthy of the Dice-K hype. I'm a big fan of lefty Nate Robertson and he should be able to hold his own against the gyro baller.(Win Probability graphing by Fangraphs)
Nate Robertson: 5.0IP, 11H, 3H, 3R, 3ER, 0BB, 3SO, 0HR - L

Daisuke Matsuzaka: 9.0IP, 6H, 1R, 1ER, 0BB, 5SO, 1HR - W

A complete game from the Dice-K - giving up just the one run on the Curtis Granderson homer. Robertson's 11-hits over 5 innings couldn't overcome that performance.

Tuesday, May 15: Justin Verlander (3-1)(DET) vs. Tim Wakefield (4-3)(BOS)

Last year's Rookie of the Year Justin Verlander goes up against the age, wisdom, knuckleball, and AL League best ERA (1.79!!!) of Tim Wakefield.(Win Probability graphing by Fangraphs)
Justin Verlander: 7.2IP, 6H, 2R, 2ER, 0BB, 7SO, 1HR - W

Tim Wakefield: 7.0IP, 9H, 5R, 5ER, 1BB, 4SO, 2HR - L

Magglio Magglio Magglio. Ordonez hits the bomb that put this game squarely in the Tigers' grasp. Verlander strikes out 7 on no walks allowed. That's good control.

No comments: