3-picks: Halladay Returns

Thursday, May 31: Mark Buerhle (2-1)(CHW) vs. Roy Halladay (4-2)(TOR)

Halladay's back! Let's hope he's in good health. I'm a little surprised to see Buerhle is only 2-1 at this point in the season. That's 6 no decisions for the big lefty so far.
(Win Probability graphing by Fangraphs)
Mark Buehrle: 8.0IP, 2H, 2R, 2ER, 0BB, 6SO, 2HR - L

Roy Halladay: 7.0IP, 6H, 0R, 0BB, 7SO, 0HR - W
Casey Janssen: 1.0IP, 0H, 0R, 0ER, 0BB, 1SO, 0HR - H
Jeremy Accardo: 1.0IP, 0H, 0R, 0ER, 1BB, 0SO, 0HR - SV

This one was well pitched on both sides. Roy Halladay is one of those rare starting pitchers where even a complete game effort against him with only two earned runs allowed can result in a loss.

Friday, June 1: Brandon Webb (4-3)(ARI) vs. John Maine (6-2)(NYM)

Maine's been hot this year. And he gets to pair up against the defending NL Cy Young Award winner at Shea in this one.(Win Probability graphing by Fangraphs)
Brandon Webb: 8.0IP, 4H, 1R, 0ER, 1BB, 8SO, 0HR - W

John Maine: 6.0IP, 5H, 2R, 2ER, 0BB, 7SO, 1HR - L

The D-backs don't win games at Shea very often. But this year they're a winning team and Brandon Webb pitched a real gem in this one.

Saturday, June 2: Noah Lowry (5-4)(SF) vs. Cole Hamels (7-2)(PHI)

It's a battle of youth in this one with Lowry - age 26 - taking on the Philly Phenom Cole Hamels - age 23.(Win Probability graphing by Fangraphs)
Noah Lowry: 7.0IP, 5H, 4R, 4ER, 2BB, 1SO, 0HR - L

Cole Hamels: 9.0IP, 5H, 2R, 2ER, 0BB, 5SO, 1HR - W

A complete game from young Hamels. I'm impressed. If only the Phillies were doing as well as their young starter...