Weekend MLB cheat sheet: Stats and Trends
By Marc Lawrence
With the contenders separating themselves from the pretenders this 2009 season, let’s focus on the top two series on both the American and National League slate this edition of the MLB weekend cheat sheet.
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
Florida Marlins at Philadelphia Phillies
Most recent series result: Phillies are 9-2 in their last 11 games (7-2 this season)
Most recent series result at the site: Marlins are 4-1 in their last nine games away (2-1 this season)
Key day/month stat: Phillies are 14-3 on Sundays in their home park
Best arm in the series: Phillies’ Joe Blanton is 5-0 with a 3.17 ERA career
Worst arm in the series: Phillies’ Cole Hamels is 1-5 with a 4.32 ERA in last six starts
Atlanta Braves at Los Angeles Dodgers
Most recent series result: Braves are 7-4 in their last 11 games (1-2 this season)
Most recent series result at the site: Braves are 3-2 in their last five games away
Key day/month stat: Dodgers are 10-1 at home on Saturdays; Braves are 1-5 away on Saturdays
Best arm in the series: Dodgers’ Jason Schmidt is 4-0 with a 3.33 ERA in his last four home starts
Worst arm in the series: Braves’ Javier Vazquez is 1-3 with a 5.74 ERA in his last four games away
American League
Boston Red Sox at New York Yankees
Most recent series result: Red Sox are 9-0 in last nine games (8-0 this season)
Most recent series result at the site: Red Sox are 4-1 in their last five games away (2-0 this season)
Key day/month stat: Yankees are 16-2 at home on Sundays; Red Sox are 2-7 away on Sundays
Best arm in the series: Red Sox’ Josh Beckett is 7-1 with a 3.82 ERA in his last eight starts
Worst arm in the series: Yankees’ CC Sabathia is 2-8 with a 5.08 ERA career
Minnesota Twins at Detroit Tigers
Most recent series result: Twins are 5-1 in their last six games (6-2 this season)
Most recent series result at the site: Twins are 5-2 in their last seven games away (1-1 this season)
Key day/month stat: Tigers are 13-4 at home on Sundays; Twins are 6-12 away on Sundays
Best arm in the series: Twins’ Glen Perkins is 2-0 with a 2.01 ERA career
Worst arm in the series: Tigers’ Armando Galarraga is 1-5 with a 5.86 ERA career