Wednesday, May 1 | All times ET
Royals @ Tigers | Comerica Park | 2:05 p.m.
D. Reichert (R) 0-3, 6.59 vs. S. Greisinger (R) 0-0, 3.60
Scouting report:
It's problem-fixing week for K.C., and here's the next area to deal with: The Royals are 0-5 when Reichert starts, and he's given up fewer than four earned runs only once. Griesinger pitched well last Friday in his first Tigers' start since 1998, coming up from Double-A to work five innings in a no-decision while allowing two runs and six hits.
Phillies @ Giants | Pacific Bell Park | 3:35 p.m.
T. Adams (R) 0-3, 5.01 vs. R. Ortiz (R) 2-1, 3.09
Scouting report:
The Phillies would love to close out this miserable trip on a good note, and no one would be happier than Adams. All three losses have been on the road. Ortiz, who has gone at least six innings in all five starts, has had little help in Friday's no-decision at Cincinnati. After giving up no homers in his first two starts, Ortiz has been touched for five dingers over the last three.
Orioles @ Red Sox | Fenway Park | 6:05 p.m.
S. Douglass (R) 0-0, 7.36 vs. P. Martinez (R) 3-0, 3.38
Scouting report:
Although Baltimore has been hot, this is a paper mismatch. No need to remind the Orioles what Pedro did to them the last time out -- but we'll mention it anyway. He threw a near no-hitter last week at Camden Yards, leaving after seven with one run allowed. Martinez already had beaten Baltimore once this season there. Douglass struggled in his first start this year Friday at Kansas City, failing to take advantage of a 5-0 first-inning lead before leaving after 3.2 IP, during which he issued six walks.
Angels @ Indians | Jacobs Field | 7:05 p.m.
J. Washburn (L) 2-2, 5.14 vs. R. Drese (R) 2-2, 8.10
Scouting report:
Washburn threw Baseball's first pitch of the season against these same Indians, then lasted five innings in a 6-0 loss. After a slow start, though, he is coming off impressive back-to-back victories at Oakland and Seattle. Drese, conversely, started his season with a complete-game victory at Anaheim, but he's coming off back-to-back losses against Minnesota and Chicago.
A's @ Yankees | Yankee Stadium | 7:05 p.m.
Hiljus (R) 2-1, 4.74 vs. M. Mussina (R) 3-1, 3.71
Scouting report:
Hiljus had a no-decision in the A's loss to New York last Wednesday, and the next day we saw Mussina lose his first game this season as Oakland closed its series with a victory. Bad trend: In his last three starts, Mussina has given up two, four and then six earned runs, respectively. Let's see if Moose returns to form in the confines of Yankee Stadium.
Rangers @ Blue Jays | Skydome | 7:05 p.m.
D. Burba (R) 1-0, 6.57 vs. R. Halladay (R) 1-0, 4.05
Scouting report:
Last Thursday's meeting between these two pitchers at Texas was nothing for either starter to write home about. Burba lasted three innings, Halladay just 4.1. That was an aberration for Halladay, who had been the hope of the Jays' rotation in April. But the fact remains that he has no decisions since opening the season with a victory. When their guy pitches, both teams are 2-3 this year.
Mariners @ White Sox | Comiskey Park | 8:05 p.m.
R. Franklin (R) 2-0, 4.97 vs. J. Garland (R) 3-1, 6.33
Scouting report:
Franklin not only won his only 2002 start on April 23, but he allowed just three hits in 5.2 scoreless innings against Anaheim. Garland has won in his last three starts, but give a lot of the credit to Chisox run support. He was wild in his last outing, and before that Chicago combined for 25 runs in his two starts. Seattle's offense will be a big test for Garland's personal winning streak.
Braves @ Brewers | Miller Park | 8:05 p.m.
T. Glavine (L) 4-1, 0.89 vs. R. Quevedo (R) 1-2, 4.62
Scouting report:
Bobby Cox says Glavine is throwing better than at any point in his career -- and we can't argue. Glavine practically carried this team on his shoulders in April. He's getting the corner call and each time out he's almost a lock for 103 pitches over seven low-score innings. Quevedo is a fly-ball pitcher who lost Thursday in a quality start at Montreal, an outing that followed consecutive personal victories.
Devil Rays @ Twins | Metrodome | 8:05 p.m.
T. Sturtze (R) 0-2, 4.45 vs. R. Reed (R) 2-1, 3.71
Scouting report:
Sturtze gave up only one earned run over eight innings last Thursday at home against Minnesota, but it became a no-decision as the Twins pulled out their first victory at Tampa Bay since Java Man. The D-Rays have posted losses in Reed's last four starts, but he was up for the last one. Reed also had a tough-luck no-decision last week against Detroit: his ERA fell but the Tigers won after he left.
Expos @ Astros | Astros Field | 8:05 p.m.
T. Armas Jr. (R) 3-2, 3.66 vs. S. Reynolds (R) 2-3, 4.50
Scouting report:
Entering Tuesday's Roy Oswalt outing, the Astros' rotation allowed three or fewer runs in 17 of 24 games. Reynolds, nevertheless, has lost three of his last four starts, so let's see if the team he loves to face will provide some relief. Against Montreal, Reynolds is 9-2 with a 3.23 ERA over 19 games, dominance that includes wins in both starts against the Expos last season.
Marlins @ Cardinals | Busch Stadium | 8:10 p.m.
R. Dempster (R) 0-2, 4.42 vs. G. Stephenson (R) 0-2, 6.92
Scouting report:
Dempster is still looking for his first victory of 2002, along with honor of becoming the Marlins' all-time winningest pitcher. But coming off back-to-back losses he is starting to regress. Garrett Stephenson is making his first start back off the DL after back and hamstring trouble.
Pirates @ Rockies | Coors Field | 9:05 p.m.
J. Fogg (R) 3-0, 1.46 vs. D. Neagle (L) 2-1, 5.65
Scouting report:
Fogg has been almost unstoppable, while being the first Pirates' rookie, since Tim Wakefield in 1992, to win his first three decisions. Overall, Fogg has fanned 21 and walked eight. Neagle, who will face his former team, has pitched well lately, but he had to settle for a no-decision in a quality start Thursday at Cincinnati.
Mets @ D-Backs | Bank One Ballpark | 9:35 p.m.
S. Trachsel (R) 1-3, 3.55 vs. T. Stottlemyre (R) 0-1, 5.62
Scouting report:
Randy Johnson was supposed to get the start, but was scratched due to back spasms. Todd Stottlemyre gets the ball instead. Trachsel, following his usually bad April, is coming off a three-inning outing Thursday against St. Louis, where he was lucky to exit with a no-decision.
Cubs @ Padres | Qualcomm Stadium | 10:05 p.m.
J. Lieber (R) 3-0, 1.73 vs. B. Jones (R) 2-1, 3.55
Scouting report:
The rest must have helped Lieber's right elbow, because he was about as good in his last start as we've seen him. His line: Eight innings, one run, six hits, no walks, four strikeouts, 79 pitches (59 strikes) and a big victory over Barry Bonds and the Giants Thursday at Wrigley. He also has a personal six-game winning streak dating back to last Sept. 10, and he's won both of his starts last season against San Diego. For his part, Jones also won Thursday, pitching six fine innings at Philadelphia.
Reds @ Dodgers | Dodgers Stadium | 10:10 p.m.
J. Hamilton (R) 1-1, 3.30 vs. H. Nomo (R) 2-3, 2.35
Scouting report:
Try to figure this: Since last year's All-Star break, Hamilton is 3-0 at Philadelphia and 0-5 against everyone else. As a Padre he used to dominate the Dodgers, but hasn't faced them since 1998. Thursday's outing at Pittsburgh was a tough loss for Nomo, who gave up only three hits and one run over six innings. His control has been shaky, but he isn't giving hitters much lately.
Thursday, May 2 | All times ET
Devil Rays @ Twins | Metrodome | 1:05 p.m.
P. Wilson (1-2, 2.89) vs. M. Kinney (1-1, 4.82)
Braves @ Brewers | Miller Park | 1:05 p.m.
K. Millwood (2-3, 4.50) vs. G. Rusch (1-2, 2.45)
Marlins @ Cardinals | Busch Stadium | 1:10 p.m.
B. Penny (3-1, 4.26) vs. J. Pearce (0-0, 7.27)
Pirates @ Rockies | Coors Field | 3:05 p.m.
R. Villone (2-3, 6.04) vs. J. Thomson (3-2, 4.91)
Expos @ Astros | Astros Field | 4:05 p.m.
C. Pavano (2-2, 4.65) vs. T. Redding (0-2, 16.20)
Cubs @ Padres | Qualcomm Stadium | 5:05 p.m.
K. Wood (2-2, 3.58) vs. B. Tomko (2-1, 1.30)
Rangers @ Blue Jays | Skydome | 7:05 p.m.
D. Davis (2-2, 4.33) vs. M. Smith (0-1, 9.00)
Royals @ Orioles | Oriole Park | 7:05 p.m.
P. Byrd (4-1, 3.06) vs. S. Ponson (1-2, 5.28)
A's @ Yankees | Yankee Stadium | 7:05 p.m.
C. Lidle (1-3, 3.99) vs. R. Clemens (3-2, 4.62)
Angels @ Indians | Jacobs Field | 7:05 p.m.
K. Appier (2-1, 3.49) vs. C. Finley (2-2, 6.75)
Mariners @ White Sox | Comiskey Park | 8:05 p.m.
J. Baldwin (2-1, 5.46) vs. J. Rauch (0-0, 6.91)
Mets @ D-Backs | Bank One Ballpark | 9:35 p.m.
S. Estes (1-2, 3.66) vs. Miguel Batista (1-1, 4.78)
Reds @ Dodgers | Dodgers Stadium | 10:10 p.m.
E. Dessens (1-3, 1.80) vs. O. Perez (3-1, 1.64)
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