Sunday's Streaking and Slumping Starting Pitchers
Streaking
Jeremy Hellickson, Tampa Bay Rays (2-0, 1.29 ERA)
The Rays righty has made a splash since moving up from Triple-A Durham. Hellickson has been lights out in his first two big-league starts, allowing just two runs and six total hits in his first 14 innings of work. In his most recent start, he blanked the Detroit Tigers for a 8-0 win, giving up only three hits through seven innings.
Slumping
Armando Galarraga, Detroit Tigers (3-5, 4.48 ERA)
Galarraga hasn’t tasted victory since late June, having gone 0-4 in his last seven starts. Over his past three trips to the bump, the right hander is 0-2 with a 4.67 ERA – a far cry from the pitcher who came just one blown call away from a perfect game back on June 2. In his last start, Galarraga allowed four runs on four hits while walking four batters in just five innings pitched.
Jeff Karstens, Pittsburgh Pirates (2-8, 4.39 ERA)
Karstens is another arm that hasn’t celebrated a win in over two months. His last victory came way back on June 19, going 0-6 in the nine starts since. The Bucs righty isn’t pitching poorly during this winless skid. He’s allowed more than three runs only twice and has pitched six innings in all but three of those outings. In his last appearance, Karstens went six innings, giving up just two runs on three hits. However, Pittsburgh’s bats failed to back him up again, losing 4-1 to the San Diego Padres.
Returning
Kyle Lohse, St. Louis Cardinals (1-4, 5.89 ERA)
Lohse returns from forearm surgery Sunday after missing about four months of action. He was solid in his rehab work in Memphis, allowing only one run on three hits through seven innings Tuesday. He hasn’t pitched in the majors since May 22, when he was lit up for six runs on six hits before getting the hook after 3 1-3 innings of work versus the Los Angeles Angels during interleague play.
Sunday Night Baseball: Phillies at Mets
By Marc Lawrence
National League East Division rivals New York and Philadelphia conclude their three-game series at Citi Field on ESPN Sunday night.
Welcome to our Citi
The last time the Phillies came to Citi Field in May they left without scoring a run in all three games.
Philadelphia was blanked again, 1-0, on a one-hitter by R.A. Dickey in the series opener Friday night, extending the Phillies’ scoreless skid to 36 innings in this park.
Philadelphia pitcher Cole Hamels managed the only hit off Dickey, a single in the sixth inning.
Dickey wound up tossing the 35th one-hitter in the Mets’ franchise history that began play in 1962.
"I never want to see a no-hitter by the other pitcher,” Hamels said after breaking of the no-hitter.
The Mets and San Diego are the only teams in the majors that have never pitched a no-hitter.
The last time a team was shut out four straight times at an opponent's ballpark was 2004 when Minnesota whitewashed Kansas City at the Metrodome.
Here we go again
The Mets were 41-30 in late June and are just 58-57 since.
Since beating Detroit on June 22-23, the Mets had played 43 games without winning two in a row until Friday night’s series opening victory.
Now, two-and-a-half months later, these two teams meet at Citi Field headed in opposite directions.
Despite a bevy of injuries, the Phillies have found their groove, putting them back into the pennant race. The Mets, meanwhile, have dug another deep hole and are trying climb out of it.
Another F bomb
Not winning consecutive games since mid-June is suddenly the least of New York's worries.
Closer Francisco Rodriguez's recent arrest on a charge of third-degree assault against the father of his girlfriend is the latest in a long list of on- and off-the-field embarrassments for the franchise.
Rodriguez was taken from the park Thursday evening in an unmarked car in handcuffs, where he had spent the night in a holding cell at the stadium, to an arraignment in a Queens courthouse. He was released without bail with orders of protection ordered for his girlfriend and her father.
"Ownership and the organization are very disappointed in Francisco's inappropriate behavior and we take this matter very seriously," Mets owner Fred Wilpon said in the written statement.
“He’s a part of the family here. You got to realize that no one wants it to happen, but it happened and now it's a matter of making it right. And if there's anything that we can do for Frankie, I'm sure everyone in here is going to do it”, chipped in third baseman David Wright after the arrest.
Manager Jerry Manuel supported Rodriguez in saying that he would not hesitate to use him, wanting to hear all of the facts before passing judgment.
Putting a different spin on it, OF Jeff Francoeur said, "Maybe it's a distraction we need. Not to say it's a good thing. But maybe at the end of the day we can turn it into a positive. I know for him, it's between him and his family."
Hail to the Victor
Philadelphia CF Shane Victorino was activated off the 15-day disabled list prior to Thursday's game against the Dodgers.
Victorino had been sidelined since July 28, when he suffered an abdominal strain to his right side.
To make room for Victorino, LHP Antonio Bastardo was sent down to Triple-A Lehigh Valley.
Help me Howard
First baseman Ryan Howard, who suffered a sprained left ankle on August 1, has begun taking live batting practice and fielding groundballs for the first time since the injury.
"It felt pretty good," Howard told reporters. "My ankle felt all right. There's still stiffness and swelling and whatnot. Hopefully in the next couple of days that will subside."
Howard is eligible to return from the disabled list Tuesday. Although he is still in the process of returning to baseball activities, Howard isn't ruling out returning when his 15-day stint expires.
"If the pain is bearable and it goes down enough and we get a little more of the swelling out ... I think I'll be able to go out there and make some things happen Obviously I'm not going to rush it. I'm not going to try and come back if it's not ready. I'm not going to force it.”
Under the radar
A battle of up-and-down right handers will meet on the mound Sunday when Kyle Kendrick (7-5, 4.60) matches serves with Mike Pelfrey (11-6, 3.95).
Kendrick is 2-4 with a 3.34 ERA in his six career team starts for Philadelphia against the Mets.
The Phillies are 12-5 in Kendrick’s last 17 starts this season, but just 5-10 in his last 15 road outings.
After a blistering start in which the Mets went 13-3 in Pelfrey’s first 16 starts this season, the 6-foot-7 right hander dropped six straight starts before out-dueling Colorado All-Star Ubaldo Jimenez over seven innings in a 1-0 win over the Rockies Monday.
"I thought the tempo was better, I was quick on the mound," Pelfrey told the media. "Coming to the game I knew I had to be at the top of my game, and I knew that guy's been good over there."
Pelfrey is 4-2 with a 2.61 ERA in his six home career team starts against Philadelphia. He is also 6-2 at home during the month of August.
Tips and Trends
Los Angeles Dodgers at Atlanta Braves
Dodgers: Los Angeles is struggling right now, as they're on a losing streak at the worst time of their season. The Dodgers have fallen a full 10 games behind the National League West division lead. Los Angeles is 59-57 SU this year, including 23-33 SU on the road. Offensively, the Dodgers have only scored 16 runs in their 5 games against the Braves this season. Los Angeles is -8.79 units and -12.01 units both SU and on the RL this year. Veteran pitcher Vicente Padilla will make take the mound today, as he is 6-3 with an ERA of 3.32 and a WHIP of 1.00 this season. The Dodgers are 5-11 in their last 16 games overall. Los Angeles is 6-18 in their last 24 road games against a team with a winning record. The Dodgers are 1-6 in their last 7 road games against a right-handed starter. Los Angeles is 6-2 in Padilla's last 8 starts during game 3 of a series. The Dodgers are 2-7 in Padilla's last 9 road starts.
Dodgers are 2-12 last 14 road games.
Under is 10-4 last 14 games against a right-handed starter.
Key Injuries - SS Rafael Furcal (back) is out.
PROJECTED SCORE: 3
Braves (-140, O/U 7.5): Atlanta has won 7 of their past 10 games overall, and lead the National League East division by 3 games. Atlanta can thank their fans for their support, as they are a dominant 40-15 SU at home this year. Atlanta is +10.47 and +14.46 units both SU and on the RL respectively this season. Pitcher Jair Jurrjens will make the home start this afternoon, as he is 4-4 with an ERA of 4.16 and a WHIP of 1.26 this season. The Braves are 6-1 in their last 7 games against a team with a winning record. Atlanta is 4-1 in their last 5 games against a starter with a WHIP less than 1.15. The Braves are 20-6 in their last 26 home games against a right-handed starter. The Braves are 4-0 in Jurrjens' last 4 home starts against a team with a winning record. Atlanta is 15-5 in Jurrjens' last 20 starts against a National League West. The Braves are 1-4 in Jurrjens' last 5 Sunday starts overall.
Braves are 5-1 last 6 games against the National League West.
Over is 7-3 last 10 Sunday games.
Key Injuries - 2B Martin Prado (finger) is out.
PROJECTED SCORE: 5 (Side of the Day)
Philadelphia Phillies at New York Mets
Phillies (-110, O/U 8.5): Philadelphia has one eye on the National League East division lead and the other on the National League Wild Card standings. Either way, the Phillies are currently on the outside looking in at the playoffs. Philadelphia has been playing well of late, including winning 7 of their last 10 games. The Phillies are 64-51 SU this season, including a road record of 28-32 SU. Philadelphia is -0.96 and -7.87 units both SU and on the RL this season. Pitcher Kyle Kendrick will make the road start tonight, as he is 7-5 with an ERA of 4.60 and a WHIP of 1.34 this year. The Phillies are 8-1 in their last 9 games against a team with a winning record. Philadelphia is 6-2 in their last 8 games against the National League East. The Phillies are 1-4 in their last 5 road games against a team with a home winning percentage greater than .600%. The Phillies are 4-0 in Kendrick's last 4 starts with 4 days of rest. Philadelphia is 4-1 in Kendrick's last 5 starts during game 3 of a series. The Phillies are 1-5 in Kendrick's last 6 road starts against a team with a winning record.
Phillies are 6-0 last 6 games during game 3 of a series.
Over is 12-5 last 17 games overall.
Key Injuries - 2B Chase Utley (thumb) is out.
PROJECTED SCORE: 6 (OVER - Total of the Day)
Mets: New York just isn't quite ready to throw in the towel yet, as they feel they are one huge run away from contending in the National League East division. Currently, the Mets are 9 games behind the division lead, and they would need to pass Philadelphia to have any chance of making the playoffs. New York is only 58-57 SU this season, yet are an impressive 36-20 SU at home. The Mets are +0.34 and +18.73 units both SU and on the RL this season. As of Saturday evening, the Mets were undecided as to whom they were going to send to the mound tonight. The Mets are 6-2 in their last 8 home games against a right-handed starter. New York is 20-8 in their last 28 home games against a team with a losing road record. The Mets are 2-6 in their last 8 games during game 3 of a series. New York is 2-6 in their last 8 games against a starter with a WHIP greater than 1.30.
Mets are 4-1 last 5 home games against a team with a winning record.
Under is 8-2 last 10 games against a starter with a WHIP greater than 1.30.
Key Injuries - LF Jason Bay (concussion) is out.
PROJECTED SCORE: 4