Sunday, May 12 | All times ET
@ Dodgers @ Marlins | Pro Player Stadium | 1:05 p.m.
H. Nomo (2-4, 3.09) vs. R. Dempster (1-3, 4.22)
Scouting report:
Nomo is just 2-9 against the Marlins, but didn't face them last season while pitching in the American League for Boston. Dempster, looking for his first winning decision since last season, looks to keep Florida on top of the N.L. East. These teams are tied with Baltimore for the Major League lead in fielding percentage, so the starters have a luxury going in.
@ Padres @ Braves | Turner Field | 1:05 p.m.
B. Jones (3-2, 5.51) vs. T. Glavine (5-1, 1.50)
Scouting report:
Glavine, the Majors' ERA leader, had a no-decision last May in his only 2001 start against San Diego. He also had an ND in his last outing against L.A. Bobby Cox managed Sean Burroughs' dad, former Brave Jeff, from 1979-80, so there's an interesting home connection for the Padres' rookie third baseman.
@ Rockies @ Mets | Shea Stadium | 1:10 p.m.
J. Thomson (5-2, 4.50) vs. S. Trachsel (2-4, 3.65)
Scouting report:
Despite struggling in his last three starts, Thomson has managed to win all of them. Todd Helton has been hot, and he has a good history against Trachsel -- 2 homers, 3 RBI, 5 BB and 5 for 12. Trachsel has been shaky recently, but remember that he was one of the N.L.'s worst pitchers the first half of 2001 and one of the best the second half.
@ Cardinals @ Reds | Cinergy Field | 1:15 p.m.
T. Smith (1-0, 5.47) vs. E. Dessens (2-3, 2.05)
Scouting report:
In his last six starts, Dessens has been one of the N.L.'s best pitchers: 2-1, 1.34 ERA. For the Cardinals, Travis is in and Bud is out. The Cards sent Bud to the bullpen and will go with the right-hander who pitched seven solid innings last week at Chicago, but took a no-decision in a 6-5 loss. He has never faced the Reds.
@ Orioles @ Devil Rays | Tropicana Field | 1:15 p.m.
S. Ponson (2-2, 4.34) vs. P. Wilson (1-3, 3.77)
Scouting report:
D-Rays fans surely remember that their team beat Ponson April 21 at Tropicana Field, despite a quality start from the right-hander. Wilson's lone victory this season was April 10 at Camden Yards, his second start of the season. The Orioles proceeded to pound him 10 days later in a loss at Tampa.
@ Giants @ Expos | Olympic Stadium | 1:35 p.m.
R. Ortiz (3-1, 2.60) vs. T. Armas Jr. (4-3, 3.68)
Scouting report:
This is a key game for the Expos, who fly west after the game to start a series in San Diego. Armas Jr. gave up four earned runs in six innings to lose his only start against San Francisco last season, and is 0-3 with a 4.42 ERA in three career outings against the Giants. Vladimir Guerrero is just 2 for 20 against Ortiz; we want to see how long Ortiz can keep that up.
@ D-Backs @ Phillies | Veterans Stadium | 1:35 p.m.
M. Batista (2-1, 5.22) vs. T. Adams (0-3, 4.05)
Scouting report:
Ten of the Phillies 22 errors committed through Friday had come in games in which Adams started, so let's see if he can get a chance to participate in the club's merry month of May. Batista has back-to-back quality starts, but had a no-decision in his last outing against Pittsburgh. Scott Rolen is just 2 for 11 against him.
@ Astros @ Pirates | PNC Park | 1:35 p.m.
S. Reynolds (2-3, 4.70) vs. J. Fogg (4-1, 2.45)
Scouting report:
Fearless Fogg goes after another big victory after beating Randy Johnson his last time out. Reynolds is seeking his first victory against Pittsburgh since Opening Day at Three Rivers Stadium in 2000. He had a no-decision Tuesday at Philadelphia.
@ Indians @ Royals | Kauffman Stadium | 2:05 p.m.
C. Finley (2-3, 5.12) vs. P. Byrd (5-2, 2.92)
Scouting report:
Despite Saturday's rainout, both managers will keep their scheduled rotation turn. When Byrd is good, he's very good. He did not pitch in the April 12-13 series at Cleveland, but is coming off a victory Tuesday at Minnesota where he pitched seven scoreless innings. Finley didn't pitch in that mini-series, either. The Indians have lost four of his last five starts.
@ Yankees @ Twins | Metrodome | 2:05 p.m.
M. Mussina (4-2, 3.56) vs. R. Reed (4-1, 3.58)
Scouting report:
Should we just put this one in the Yankees' win column? Mussina has won his last five starts against the Twins and is 17-2 against them in his career. It doesn't get more lopsided than this. Reed might need a career outing. He has won his last three decisions, including a five-inning start Monday against Detroit in which he allowed just one run.
@ Brewers @ Cubs | Wrigley Field | 2:20 p.m.
G. Rusch (1-3, 3.72) vs. J. Lieber (3-1, 3.07)
Scouting report:
Rusch will start as scheduled, but the Cubs will push Lieber back a day after Saturday's rainout. There's a chance this one will be washed out as well. Lieber is 3-0 against Milwaukee, and here's something worth noting: Since his one-hit victory over Cincinnati last May, he has gone 20-4 with just 28 walks and a 3.68 ERA over 31 starts.
@ Tigers @ Rangers | The Ballpark | 3:05 p.m.
S. Greisinger (1-0, 3.38) vs. C. Ho Park (0-1, 10.80)
Scouting report:
Rangers fans will be happy to see their scheduled Opening Day starter finally make his first 2002 appearance. Park has been recovering from a hamstring problem and gets to wrap up this homestand against a Tigers pitcher who just won his first game since 1998 after being sidelined following Tommy John surgery.
@ White Sox @ Angels | Edison Field | 4:05 p.m.
G. Glover (0-0, 2.70) vs. J. Washburn (3-2, 3.86)
Scouting report:
How much would Washburn love to see another 20-run salute from his teammates? These guys can score runs faster than any Major League club, and it's scary to think where they'd go if that happened all the time. Glover made his first season start Tuesday and, well, it looked a lot like a relief outing. He lasted just three innings at Texas, giving up three earned runs.
@ Blue Jays @ A's | Network Associates Col. | 4:05 p.m.
R. Halladay (2-1, 3.61) vs. C. Lidle (1-4, 5.13)
Scouting report:
The A's ERA has skyrocketed during this homestand, and Lidle will try to finish it on a good note before the club opens a tough road trip Tuesday in Boston. Halladay finally broke the ice in a big way, winning Tuesday at Seattle by allowing just one run in 7.2 innings.
@ Red Sox @ Mariners | SAFECO Field | 8:05 p.m.
P. Martinez (4-0, 3.49) vs. J. Baldwin (3-2, 5.36)
Scouting report:
Pedro has been untouchable against Seattle, so a breakthrough by the Mariners would be man-bites-dog news. He is 8-0 with an 0.89 ERA against them -- and we thought Mussina was dominant against the Twins. Pedro is 4-0 at SAFECO, including a 2-0 victory last May 1. He brought an 0.00 ERA into this road trip and gave up one earned run in his no-decision at Oakland. Five Sox players have homered off Baldwin, and Manny Ramirez is 10 for 30 with one dinger against him. <img border="0" title="" alt="" src="images/icons/grin.gif" />