Games of the Day

There are not many good pitching match-ups today, but these games are rated evenly matched contests by 538.
The White Sox send Carlos Rodon against the Orioles and Mike Wright. The game is interesting from a power perspective. The Orioles batters hit 31 home runs this season to lead the American League. That’s then more than the White Sox in two fewer games. The White Sox, on the other hand, allowed the fewest home runs in the AL, 14, tied with the Orioles! The White allow 0.83 fewer runs per game, however, as they allow fewer base runners. Rondon and White do not fit the profile, however, as Rodon allowed two home runs so far, Wright three.

Masahiro Tanaka faces Henry Owens as the Yankees and Red Sox meet for the first time this season. Tanaka owns one decision in four starts despite a 2.92 ERA. He struck out 23 and walked six in 24 2/3 innings. The Yankees won three of the four starts, they are just winning and losing late in the game. All four decisions where by two runs or less. Owens, with 66 1/3 major league innings under his belt, suffers from a high walk and home run rate, leaving him with a career ERA of 4.75. For some reason, he always reminds me of Rowan & Martin’s Laugh-In. (Henry and Owens.)

The Angels and Rangers battle with Héctor Santiago and Colby Lewis on the mound in a very tight AL West. It’s early but Santiago’s home/road splits are very close. Lewis owns a 3.38 ERA, well below his FIP of 5.94 and his xFIP of 4.91. He’s pitched poorly with the bases empty but great with men in scoring position.

Finally, the Nationals send Stephen Strasburg against the Cardinals and Mike Leake. Strasburg excels in all three-true outcomes this season, allowing one home run and seven walks in 29 innings while striking out 31. Leake is not bad either, but opponents hit his mistakes to the tune of a .304 BA.

Enjoy!

from baseballmusings.com http://ift.tt/26AOkGd