MLB Weekend Cheat Sheet
By: Marc Lawrence
Tens days and counting. That's what remains on the 2009 MLB season. While the majority of pennant races are all but settled this season, handicapping edges still abound.
With that here is a 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
St. Louis Cardinals at Colorado Rockies
Most Recent Series Result: Rockies 6-0 last 6 games (4-0 this season)
Most Recent Series Result at the Site: Cardinals 4-2 last 6 games away
Key Day/Month Stat: Cardinals 10-3 Fridays
Best Arm in the Series: Cardinals Carpenter 4-0, 0.62 ERA career team starts
Worst Arm in the Series: Cardinals Lohse 0-2, 0-6, 9.00 ERA away career team starts
Chicago Cubs at San Francisco Giants
Most Recent Series Result: Cubs 9-5 last 14 games (1-1 this season)
Most Recent Series Result at the Site: Giants 4-3 last 7 games
Key Day/Month Stat: Giants 4-1 Fridays; Cubs 0-5 Fridays away
Best Arm in the Series: Giants Lincecum 3-0, 2.57 ERA last 3 team starts
Worst Arm in the Series: Giants Zito 0-2, 4.15 ERA home career team starts
AMERICAN LEAGUE
Boston Red Sox at New York Yankees
Most Recent Series Result: Yankees 6-1 last 7 last 20 games (6-9 this season)
Most Recent Series Result at the Site: Yankees 4-0 last 4 games home (4-2 this season)
Key Day/Month Stat: Yankees 18-2 home Sundays
Best Arm in the Series: Yankees Pettitte 10-5, 4.05 ERA last 15 home team starts
Worst Arm in the Series: Yankees Burnett 1-4, 7.67 ERA last 5 team starts
Detroit Tigers at Chicago White Sox
Most Recent Series Result: Tigers 5-2 last 7 games (7-5 this season)
Most Recent Series Result at the Site: White Sox 13-6 last 19 games home (3-3 this season)
Key Day/Month Stat: White Sox 12-0 home Saturdays; Tigers 1-4 Saturdays
Best Arm in the Series: White Sox Garcia 14-2, 3.40 ERA last 16 team starts
Worst Arm in the Series: Tigers 2-4, 5.51 ERA last 6 team starts