MLB Weekend Cheat Sheet
By Marc Lawrence
Major League Baseball is America’s past time. The NFL is America’s passion. The two go toe-to-toe this weekend. Despite the fact it’s only preseason football, interest in the two figures to be divided.
Let’s take a peek at the top four series on tap 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
Philadelphia Phillies at Atlanta Braves
Most Recent Series Result: Braves 5-0 last five games (7-2 this season)
Most Recent Series Result at the Site: Phillies 13-5 last 18 games away (0-3 this season)
Key Day/Month Stat: Phillies 13-3 away Sundays
Best Arm in the Series: Phillies’ Hamels 8-2, 4.07 ERA last 10 starts
Worst Arm in the Series: Braves’ Jurrjens 1-2, 3.78 ERA home career
Los Angeles Dodgers at Arizona Diamondbacks
Most Recent Series Result: Dodgers 11-2 last 13 games (6-2 this season)
Most Recent Series Result at the Site: Dodgers 4-1 last five games away (2-1 this season)
Key Day/Month Stat: Dodgers 7-0 away Sundays
Best Arm in the Series: Dodgers’ Wolf 5-0 2.98 ERA last five away starts
Worst Arm in the Series: Diamondbacks’ Haren 0-4 5.09 ERA last five starts
AMERICAN LEAGUE
Boston Red Sox at Texas Rangers
Most Recent Series Result: Rangers 4-0 last four games (5-1 this season)
Most Recent Series Result at the Site: Rangers 3-0 last five games home (3-0 this season)
Key Day/Month Stat: Rangers 13-2 Fridays
Best Arm in the Series: Red Sox’ Lester 3-1, 3.33 ERA career
Worst Arm in the Series: Red Sox’ Penny 1-2, 4.26 ERA away career
New York Yankees at Seattle Mariners
Most Recent Series Result: Yankees 11-3 last 14 games (2-1 this season)
Most Recent Series Result at the Site: Mariners 7-3 last 10 games home
Key Day/Month Stat: Yankees 15-4 Fridays
Best Arm in the Series: Yankees’ Gaudin 3-1, 3.75 ERA career
Worst Arm in the Series: Yankees’ Pettitte 0-3, 4.35 ERA last three games away