STATSYSTEMS SPORTS NL PITCHING REPORT
SATURDAY, APRIL 19th 2014
INFORMATION WORTH BETTING ON EACH DAY
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#951 ST LOUIS @ #952 WASHINGTON - 1:05 PM
•Cardinals RH Lance Lynn (3-0, 4.00 ERA, WHIP: 1.278) - Lynn adjusted his pregame routine in order to start the game more “tired” and the results were immediate as he allowed three hits and fanned 11 over seven frames in Monday’s 4-0 victory against the Milwaukee Brewers. The 2012 All-Star, who told MLB.com after the start he has a tendency to be “over-amped” early in games, had given up six of the eight runs he had allowed in the first inning over his first two outings. Lynn won his only career start versus the Nationals in 2012, but is 1-1 with a 9.82 ERA in three all-time regular-season appearances against them.
•Nationals RH Jordan Zimmermann (1-0, 5.27 ERA, WHIP: 1.536) - After getting pounded for five runs in a career-low 1 2/3 innings in his previous start at home against Miami on April 9, Zimmermann rebounded with a seven-inning outing on Wednesday in a 9-2 victory over the Marlins on the road. The 27-year-old Wisconsin native allowed two runs on six hits while striking out seven and also contributed at the plate, going 2-for-3 with a sacrifice bunt. Zimmermann has enjoyed little success against the Cardinals in six career regular-season turns, however, going 0-3 with an 8.27 ERA.
#953 CINCINNATI @ #954 CHICAGO CUBS - 2:20 PM
•Reds LH Tony Cingrani (1-1, 2.60 ERA, WHIP: 1.096) - Cingrani yielded two runs on five hits while striking out six over 6 1/3 innings in Sunday’s 12-4 win over the Tampa Bay Rays. The outing extended his major-league record streak to 21 starts to begin a career without giving up more than five hits and allowed the native of Evergreen, Ill., to improve to 8-5 with a 2.75 ERA as a starter in his career. Cingrani, who left with back spasms after 1 2/3 innings versus the Cubs in his final outing of last season, is 1-1 with a 4.15 ERA in four all-time turns against them.
•Cubs RH Edwin Jackson (0-1, 6.19 ERA, WHIP: 1.875) - The 30-year-old Jackson was roughed up for the second straight time after allowing four runs on eight hits over six frames in Sunday’s 6-4 setback against the St. Louis Cardinals. The 12-year major-league veteran needed 114 pitches to get through the start after getting tagged for six runs and nine hits over 4 2/3 in a no-decision against the Pittsburgh Pirates on April 8. Jackson has been sharp in five career starts against the Reds, however, going 2-1 with a 3.00 ERA.
#955 MILWAUKEE @ #956 PITTSBURGH - 7:05 PM
•Brewers RH Matt Garza (0-2, 3.43 ERA, WHIP: 1.095) - Milwaukee has been shut out twice in Garza's three starts, including Monday's 4-0 defeat vs. St. Louis. The nine-year veteran allowed a season-high four runs and nine hits in seven innings against the Cardinals, yielding two home runs after giving up one over his first two outings. Garza is 1-2 with a 3.54 ERA in five lifetime starts against Pittsburgh.
•Pirates LH Wandy Rodriguez (0-2, 7.31 ERA, WHIP: 1.562) - Rodriguez has allowed five home runs in 16 innings over his first three starts, including three in Monday's defeat at Cincinnati. "It's a challenging time for him," said manager Clint Hurdle, "but I'm not going to run to answers right away, because I've seen three outings and his velocity is down a tick." For his career, Rodriguez is 10-10 with a 4.06 ERA against the Brewers.
#957 ATLANTA @ #958 NY METS - 7:10 PM
•Braves RH Ervin Santana (1-0, 0.64 ERA, WHIP: 0.643) - It would be difficult for Santana to pitch any better in his first two efforts in an Atlanta uniform, and a bullpen meltdown Monday at Philadelphia is the only reason he is not 2-0. Still, Santana has allowed seven hits and one earned run in 14 innings, walking two and striking out 17. The 31-year-old has posted a 0.64 WHIP and is averaging 10.9 strikeouts per nine innings.
•Mets RH Bartolo Colon (1-2, 6.00 ERA, WHIP: 1.556) - Colon dominated the Braves in Atlanta’s home opener April 8, firing seven shutout innings with six hits allowed, no walks and five strikeouts. But he was pounded by the Angels on Sunday, surrendering nine earned runs on 11 hits – including four homers – in five innings. The 40-year-old, who is 10 victories shy of 200 for his career, makes his third career start at Citi Field, where he is 1-1 with a 2.25 ERA.
#959 PHILADELPHIA @ #960 COLORADO - 8:10 PM
•Phillies RH Kyle Kendrick (0-1, 3.50 ERA, WHIP: 1.444) - Kendrick allowed three runs (two earned) and six hits while striking out seven in six innings - his second quality start in three outings this season - but wasn't around for the decision in Philadelphia's 4-3 victory over Miami on Sunday. The 29-year-old Houston native threw 115 pitches against the Marlins - the most he's thrown since Aug. 24, 2012. Kendrick is 3-2 with a 5.63 ERA in 11 appearances (10 starts) against Colorado, with Tulowitzki (5-for-14) facing him the most.
•Rockies RH Jordan Lyles (2-0, 4.32 ERA, WHIP: 1.260) - Lyles wasn't expected to be in the starting rotation when the Rockies broke camp, but seized the opportunity when Tyler Chatwood went down with a hamstring injury late in spring training. With Chatwood back in the rotation, Lyles' spot remains safe until at least Jhoulys Chacin (shoulder strain) completes his rehabilitation assignment and makes his 2014 debut, but Lyles could stick anyway if the Rockies decide to return left-hander Franklin Morales to the bullpen. The 23-year-old Florence, S.C., native pitched well enough to win his third straight start to open the season (three runs in five innings) in Colorado's 5-4 loss at San Diego on Monday.
#961 ARIZONA @ #962 LA DODGERS - 8:10 PM
•Diamondbacks RH Mike Bolsinger (0-0, 6.00 ERA, WHIP: 2.667) - Bolsinger will be making his first major-league start in place of Trevor Cahill, who went 0-4 with a 9.17 ERA in his first four outings. The 26-year-old Bolsinger made one appearance in relief against the New York Mets on Monday and allowed two runs on six hits in three innings. The McKinney, Texas, native won both of his starts for Triple-A Reno before being recalled, surrendering a total of two runs in 12 2/3 innings.
•Dodgers RH Dan Haren (2-0, 2.04 ERA, WHIP: 1.019) - Haren, who enjoyed two of his best full seasons as a member of the Diamondbacks in 2008 and 2009, is off to a strong start in his first campaign with the Dodgers. The 33-year-old suffered through his worst outing Sunday at Arizona, allowing three runs and nine hits in 5 2/3 innings, but still ended up with the win. Haren surrendered a home run to Eric Chavez in that start and has struggled against his former Oakland Athletics teammate (4-for-12 with a home run and two doubles) in his career.
#963 SAN FRANCISCO @ #964 SAN DIEGO - 8:40 PM
•Giants RH Tim Hudson (2-0, 2.35 ERA, WHIP: 0.652) - Hudson has worked into the eighth inning in all three of his starts and has yet to walk a batter in 23 innings. He took a no-decision in his last start when he allowed four runs and five hits in 7 1/3 innings against the Colorado Rockies. Hudson is 6-1 with a 2.80 ERA in 13 career appearances (12 starts) against the Padres with the lone defeat occurring last season when Hudson was with the Atlanta Braves.
•Padres LH Eric Stults (0-2, 5.52 ERA, WHIP: 1.772) - Stults hasn’t made it through the sixth in any of his three outings and has allowed 21 hits and five walks in 14 2/3 innings. He received a no-decision against Colorado in his last start when he gave up four runs (three earned) and nine hits in five innings. Stults is 6-4 with a 5.21 ERA in 17 career appearances (15 starts) against the Giants – including 2-2 last season – and has served up three homers to Homer Pence and two to Brandon Crawford.
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