MLB Weekend Cheat Sheet
By: Marc Lawrence
And then there were two. Two weeks remaining in the 2009 MLB season, this its. And with the pennant race grows tighter than ever as we near the finish line.
Let’s preview the top four series this weekend. Remember, all results are within the series and all pitcher records are ‘team starts’ (the team’s record in games in which the pitcher starts) versus this opponent.
NATIONAL LEAGUE
Chicgao Cubs at St. Louis Cardinals
Most Recent Series Result: Cardinals 7-3 last 10 games (8-5 this season)
Most Recent Series Result at the Site: Cardinals 5-1 last 6 games home (5-1 this season)
Key Day/Month Stat: Cardinals 9-3 Fridays; Cubs 3-11 away Fridays
Best Arm in the Series: Cardinals Carpenter 5-1, 3.69 ERA home career team starts
Worst Arm in the Series: Braves Dempster 0-6, 3.98 ERA away last 6 team starts
San Francisco Giants at Los Angeles Dodgers
Most Recent Series Result: Dodgers 4-2 last 12 games (9-6 this season)
Most Recent Series Result at the Site: Dodgers 7-4 last 11 games home (4-2 this season)
Key Day/Month Stat: Dodgers 12-2 home Saturdays
Best Arm in the Series: Giants Lincecum 4-0, 2.82 ERA last 4 team starts
Worst Arm in the Series: Giants Sanchez 1-6, 6.15 ERA career team starts
AMERICAN LEAGUE
Detroit Tigers at Minnesota Twins
Most Recent Series Result: Twins 13-7 last 20 games (7-4 this season)
Most Recent Series Result at the Site: Twins 5-1 last 6 games home (5-1 this season)
Key Day/Month Stat: Twins 0-5 Saturdays home
Best Arm in the Series: Twins Pavano 4-0, 1,48 ERA career team starts; Tigers Washburn 7-1, 2.64 ERA career team starts
Worst Arm in the Series: Tigers Porcello 0-1, 9.00 ERA away career
Los Angeles Angels at Texas Rangers
Most Recent Series Result: Rangers 11-4 last 15 games (9-3 this season)
Most Recent Series Result at the Site: Angels 10-2 Saturdays; Twins 3-12 Saturdays
Key Day/Month Stat: Angels 16-4 Sundays home; White Sox 5-15 Sundays
Best Arm in the Series: Angels Kazmir 8-1, 2.28 ERA career team starts
Worst Arm in the Series: Angels Lackey 0-4, 12.28 ERA last 4 team starts: Angels Weaver 0-4, 5.18 ERA last 4 away team starts