Friday's Streaking and Slumping Starting Pitchers
Streakers
Mark Rogers, Milwaukee Brewers (0-0, 0.00 ERA)
No relation to Kenny, but you might have to be a bit of a gambler to roll the dice with Mark.
The right-hander has pitched a meager five innings since the Brewers called him up in the middle of September, but he has been pretty dominant in the spot duty. He has yet to allow a hit in three appearances against the Marlins, Astros and Cubs.
In his most recent outing, a 6-2 win over the Marlins, he was on a sixty-pitch limit, but struck out four and walked just two over three shutout innings. He likely will have a similar limit on Friday, but should have a longer leash.
Jered Weaver, Los Angeles Angels (13-12, 3.02 ERA)
The 27-year-old right-hander has given his team a chance to win each of his past six outings.
Weaver, who ranks second in the American League in strikeouts (229), third in WHIP (1.08), fourth in innings pitched (217.1) and fifth in ERA. The past six times he has taken the mound he has allowed only 11 earned runs over 43.1 innings. Over that span he also has given up 34 hits but no home runs and walked a meager six batters.
"I think right now he's throwing the ball better than any time we've seen him," Angels manager Mike Scioscia told the Associated Press. "He's really putting pitches together better than he ever has. He's executing them better."
Slumping
Jeremy Guthrie, Baltimore Orioles (10-14, 3.98 ERA)
The right-hander has struggled each of the past two times he took the bump.
The ace of the Orioles staff has given up 10 earned runs over 11.1 innings in consecutive losses to the Blue Jays and Yankees, including 14 hits and four home runs over that span.
In the defeat to the Blue Jays, he used the weak excuse of an afternoon breeze for his woes.
"You know what, it was crazy," Guthrie told the Associated Press. "I was not comfortable on the mound with how hard it was blowing in my face. It was blowing hard enough to the point where I felt like it would even take some of my pitches and push against them."
James Shields, Tampa Bay Rays (13-14, 5.04 ERA)
The right-hander couldn’t have been much worse in September.
Last month he was 0-3 with a 7.00 ERA and a staggering 1.67 WHIP. In his past two starts, losses to the Marines and Yankees, he gave up 10 earned runs over 11.1 innings. The reason for his horrible outings was the fact that he yielded 10 hits, including two home runs, over that span.
"First inning, I made two or three bad pitches," Shields told the Associated Press of his loss to the Yankees. "You let five runs in the first inning, that's definitely not doing my job. With this team, you definitely can't do that."
Diamond Trends - Friday
By Vince Akins
Cubs at Astros – The Cubs are 0-7 since May 28, 2010 as a dog when they are off a win in which they never trailed and it is the first game of a series for a net profit of $700 when playing against. The Astros are 6-0 since July 06, 2010 at home after a loss in which they had 6 or fewer hits for a net profit of $615.
Phillies at Braves – The Braves are 9-0 since April 30, 2010 at home as an favorite vs a team that has a better record for a net profit of $900.
Rockies at Cardinals – The Rockies are 0-6 since September 21, 2010 after allowing 6+ runs for a net profit of $735 when playing against.
Diamondbacks at Dodgers – The Dodgers are 0-7 since May 19, 2010 as a home favorite after scoring 6+ runs win for a net profit of $910 when playing against.
Padres at Giants – The Padres are 8-0 since April 06, 2010 as a dog after a loss in which they were shut out in the first 6 innings for a net profit of $1015.
Athletics at Mariners – The Mariners are 0-8 since May 19, 2010 within 20 cents of pickem after a loss in which they drew 5+ walks for a net profit of $825 when playing against.
Pirates at Marlins – The Pirates are 0-7 since July 06, 2010 on the road after scoring 6+ runs for a net profit of $700 when playing against. The Marlins are 9-0 since July 18, 2010 as a favorite when they scored two or fewer runs for their starter in his last start for a net profit of $900.
Angels at Rangers – The Rangers are 0-5 since May 04, 2010 as a favorite when they are off a win in which they had at least three times as many hits as runs and it is not the first game of a series for a net profit of $730 when playing against.
Yankees at Red Sox – The Yankees are 0-6 since June 18, 2010 when they are off a loss in which they never led and it is the first game of a series for a net profit of $910 when playing against. The Red Sox are 8-0 since April 26, 2010 after a loss in which their opponent left 18+ men on base and it is the first game of a series for a net profit of $835.
Brewers at Reds – The Reds are 9-0 since June 25, 2010 as a 140+ favorite and it is the first game of the series for a net profit of $900.
Rays at Royals – The Rays are 9-0 since July 07, 2010 as a favorite when they scored two or fewer runs for their starter in his last start for a net profit of $900. The Royals are 0-10 since July 20, 2010 as a dog after a one run win for a net profit of $1000 when playing against.
Blue Jays at Twins – The Blue Jays are 0-7 since May 25, 2010 on the road after a 5+ run win for a net profit of $725 when playing against. The Twins are 6-0 since June 15, 2010 at home after a loss in which they had 6 or fewer hits for a net profit of $600.
Indians at White Sox – The Indians are 0-6 since June 03, 2010 on the road when they came back from a deficit to win in their starter's last start for a net profit of $600 when playing against. The White Sox are 8-0 since June 16, 2010 after a win in which they drew 5+ walks for a net profit of $855.
Tips and Trends
Los Angeles Angels at Texas Rangers
ANGELS: (-110, O/U 8.5) The only drama left in the Angels season is whether or not they finish the season with a winning record. Los Angeles is 78-80 SU this season, including 35-42 SU on the road this year. The Angels have won their past 3 games, thanks to dominating pitching performances from their starters. Los Angeles is -8.44 and -13.47 units both SU and on the RL this season. Ace Jered Weaver will make his final start of the season tonight, as he looks to cap off an outstanding season. Weaver is 13-12 SU this year with an ERA of 2.98 and a WHIP of 1.07 this season. The Angels are 6-13 in their last 19 road games against a team with a winning record. Los Angeles is 2-5 in their last 7 Friday games overall. The Angels are 1-7 in their last 8 road games against a left-handed starter. Los Angeles is 7-1 in Weaver's last 8 Friday starts. The Angels are 5-1 in Weaver's last 6 starts with 4 days of rest. Los Angeles is 2-6 in Weaver's last 8 road starts. The Angels are 4-12 in Weaver's last 16 starts against a team with a winning record.
Angels are 9-1 last 10 games against the American League West.
Under is 7-1-1 last 9 games against a starter with a WHIP greater than 1.30.
Key Injujries - SS Erick Aybar (leg) is out.
Projected Score: 4 (UNDER-Total of the Day)
RANGERS: Texas has had an outstanding season, that culminated as the American League West Champions. The Rangers are finally back in the playoffs, and they couldn't be more excited. Texas is 88-70 SU this season, including 49-28 SU at home this year. The Rangers are -1.28 and -20.05 units both SU and on the RL respectively this season. Texas is trying to get everyone on their playoff roster healthy, notably Josh Hamilton. Without Hamilton, this Rangers offense isn't as dynamic as they usually are. Lefty Derek Holland will make the home start tonight, as he's 3-4 SU with an ERA of 4.23 and a WHIP of 1.41 this year. The Rangers are 6-2 in their last 8 Friday games overall. Texas is 37-17 in their last 54 home games against a right-handed starter. The Rangers are 1-5 in their last 6 games against a starter with a WHIP less than 1.15. The Rangers are 4-1 in Holland's last 5 home starts. Texas is 3-7 in Holland's last 10 starts during game 2 of a series. The Rangers are 1-4 in Holland's last 5 starts against a team with a losing record.
Rangers are 2-7 last 9 home games against a team with a losing record.
Over is 5-2 last 7 home games against a right-handed starter.
Key Injuries - CF Josh Hamilton (ribs) is questionable.
Projected Score: 3