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)
Scouting report:
Wilson still ranks among the league leaders in ERA, but he is coming off back-to-back losses. He won his only career start against the Twins last August 10 at Tropicana Field, throwing six strong innings to beat Joe Mays. After winning his first 2002 start on April 20, Kinney fell hard his last time out: 3.0 IP, 5 H, 4 ER in a loss at Detroit. Tampa Bay will be happy to end this trip.
Braves @ Brewers | Miller Park | 1:05 p.m.
K. Millwood (2-3, 4.50) vs. G. Rusch (1-2, 2.45)
Scouting report:
We saw some brilliant outings from both of these starters in April, and some occasional breakdowns. Milwood went 0-1 with a 10.80 ERA in his two starts against Milwaukee last season. Rusch is the only Brewer in the rotation to throw at least 100 pitches each time he gets the ball this season. Look for Javy Lopez to return to the Braves' lineup if all's well in batting practice.
Marlins @ Cardinals | Busch Stadium | 1:10 p.m.
B. Penny (3-1, 4.26) vs. J. Pearce (0-0, 7.27)
Scouting report:
Watch out for Penny -- he started last season 7-1 and now has won back-to-back games against formidable competition. The Cardinals gave Pearce a quick 5-1 lead last Thursday at New York, but he was unable to hold it and left after four-plus innings without a decision. Penny will need to keep Albert Pujols off the bases; Pujols was leading the N.L. with 25 runs scored through Monday.
Pirates @ Rockies | Coors Field | 3:05 p.m.
R. Villone (2-3, 6.04) vs. J. Thomson (3-2, 4.91)
Scouting report:
A new manager, a new Mike Hampton, noise from Todd Helton...maybe Thomson and the Rockies are ready to rumble. Thomson's best start of 2002 was his last one, when he beat Philadelphia by allowing just seven hits and one earned run (8 K, 0 BB) over 7.1 innings at home. This is Villone's first road start since Opening Day. He was tagged in the 10-1 loss Sunday against San Diego, and last one at Coors Field in April 2000.
Expos @ Astros | Astros Field | 4:05 p.m.
C. Pavano (2-2, 4.65) vs. T. Redding (0-2, 16.20)
Scouting report:
The Astros were shut out Friday for the first time in 123 games, and Redding didn't exactly keep it close. Atlanta won, 9-0. He is 2-1 with a 6.49 ERA in eight appearances (seven starts) at Astros Field. This is his first start against Montreal. The Expos will win if Pavano's 2002 trend holds up: L-W-L-W-L-W-L whenever he starts. He had a no-decision Friday against the Cardinals at home.
Cubs @ Padres | Qualcomm Stadium | 5:05 p.m.
K. Wood (2-2, 3.58) vs. B. Tomko (2-1, 1.30)
Scouting report:
Not a promising preview here for Cubs fans. Tomko is coming off a complete-game victory at Pittsburgh and has won back-to-back for the first time since 1998. He last started against the Cubs in September 1999. Wood caught another hot opposing starter his last time out, Odalis Perez, who pitched a 10-0 one-hitter. Wood has lost his last two starts, going in the opposite direction as Tomko, and last season lost his only career start against San Diego.
Rangers @ Blue Jays | Skydome | 7:05 p.m.
D. Davis (2-2, 4.33) vs. M. Smith (0-1, 9.00)
Scouting report:
Don't be surprised if the Rangers get to Toronto early and then coast behind Davis, who has two losses and an ND in his last three starts and needs untracked. Toronto has given up first-inning runs in 16 of its first 24 games (34 runs, eight homers). Smith was crushed in four innings at Anaheim Friday, losing his first Blue Jays start.
Royals @ Orioles | Oriole Park | 7:05 p.m.
P. Byrd (4-1, 3.06) vs. S. Ponson (1-2, 5.28)
Scouting report:
Byrd was denied his bid to match Bret Saberhagen's 6-0 start in 1987, thanks to Tony Batista's three-run homer in the first inning Saturday at Kauffman Stadium. If the Orioles are to beat him back-to-back, then they'll need to keep swinging. Byrd's 0.9 walks per 9 IP was leading the majors through Monday. Ponson got the victory against Byrd the last time out, his first of the season. We'll have fun watching this rematch, with a new manager on the Royals' side.
A's @ Yankees | Yankee Stadium | 7:05 p.m.
C. Lidle (1-3, 3.99) vs. R. Clemens (3-2, 4.62)
Scouting report:
Clemens was leading the American League with 38 strikeouts through Monday, and he'll face an A's team that swings for the fences as hard as anyone. Clemens last faced the A's in May 2001, a no-decision in Oakland. Mariano Rivera entered Tuesday's game two saves away from Dave Righetti's club record for saves (224). After opening 2002 with three weak starts, Lidle has been tough the last two, with a victory and a no-decision. He was 1-0 with an ND vs. the Yanks last season.
Angels @ Indians | Jacobs Field | 7:05 p.m.
K. Appier (2-1, 3.49) vs. C. Finley (2-2, 6.75)
Scouting report:
Here are two old warriors who have pitched a zillion innings against these teams. Appier, typically a .500 pitcher against the Tribe, had a no-decision against Cleveland in his first start this season. Finley is 1-1 with a 5.04 ERA in four starts against his former club. He went five innings to win his last start Friday at Texas.
Mariners @ White Sox | Comiskey Park | 8:05 p.m.
J. Baldwin (2-1, 5.46) vs. J. Rauch (0-0, 6.91)
Scouting report:
The M's average 6.4 runs whenever Baldwin starts, so Chicago will need to come out swinging. Sox manager Charlie Manuel had hinted that Mark Buehrle would go here, but he decided Tuesday that Rauch would keep the spot. The 6-10 right-hander held Oakland to three hits and no earned runs Friday, but he had a no-decision in the loss.
Mets @ D-Backs | Bank One Ballpark | 9:35 p.m.
S. Estes (1-2, 3.66) vs. Miguel Batista (1-1, 4.78)
Scouting report:
New York would love to have an outing even close to the one Estes threw Thursday, when he one-hit Milwaukee for his first victory as a Met. He won his only start at B.O.B. last season, giving up just four runs in eight innings. The D-Backs' rotation changed when Randy Johnson (lower back strain) was scratched Wednesday. Curt Schilling will go Friday, and Johnson could pitch Saturday or be held out for Monday's opener against Pittsburgh.
Reds @ Dodgers | Dodgers Stadium | 10:10 p.m.
E. Dessens (1-3, 1.80) vs. O. Perez (3-1, 1.64)
Scouting report:
Perez nearly made it a no-hit parade last weekend, losing his bid on a bad-hop infield single. This groundball pitcher has won three in a row and has looked better with each start. Dessens again had little run support in his last outing, a no-decision Friday against the Giants. He has allowed just one earned run in his last 20.1 IP.
Friday, May 3 all times ET
Royals @ Orioles | Oriole Park | 7:05 p.m.
B. Rekar (0-2, 15.43) vs. S. Erickson (3-2, 3.57)
Rockies @ Phillies | Veterans Stadium | 7:05 p.m.
S. Chacon (2-3, 6.26) vs. B. Duckworth (1-2, 5.61)
Mariners @ Yankees | Yankee Stadium | 7:05 p.m.
F. Garcia (3-2, 3.93) vs. T. Lilly (0-2, 1.35)
Angels @ Blue Jays | SkyDome | 7:05 p.m.
A. Sele (1-2, 5.65) vs. J. Miller (1-0, 7.27)
Rangers @ Indians | Jacobs Field | 7:05 p.m.
R. Bell (1-0, 1.50) vs. D. Baez (3-2, 4.33)
Red Sox @ Devil Rays | Tropicana Field | 7:15 p.m.
J. Burkett (2-0, 1.64) vs. D. James (0-2, 6.23)
Mets @ Astros | Astros Field | 8:05 p.m.
P. Astacio (4-1, 2.50) vs. D. Mlicki (3-2, 2.20)
Marlins @ Brewers | Miller Park | 8:05 p.m.
J. Beckett (0-2, 3.52) vs. N. Neugebauer (1-3, 4.81)
A's @ White Sox | Comiskey Park | 8:05 p.m.
M. Fyhrie (1-1, 5.40) vs. M. Buehrle (4-2, 3.93)
Tigers @ Twins | Metrodome | 8:05 p.m.
N. Cornejo (1-2, 4.76) vs. B. Radke (2-2, 6.48)
Braves @ Cardinals | Busch Stadium | 8:05 p.m.
A. Lopez (1-2, 3.97) vs. M. Crudale (0-0, 2.70)
Pirates @ Padres | Qualcomm Stsdium | 10:05 p.m.
K. Wells (3-1, 5.11) vs. B. Howard (0-0, 1.80)
Expos @ D-Backs | Bank One Ballpark | 10:05 p.m.
B. Chen (2-1, 3.24) vs. C. Schilling (5-1, 3.07)
Cubs @ Dodgers | Dodger Stadium | 10:10 p.m.
J. Cruz (0-5, 2.33) vs. K. Ishii (5-0, 3.03)
Reds @ Giants | Pacific Bell Park | 10:35 p.m.
J. Rijo (2-0, 1.89) vs. K. Rueter (3-1, 1.89)
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