Games of the Day

Enjoy!
The AL Central race is over, but we can still appreciate a Francisco Liriano matchup against Justin Verlander as the Twins visit the Tigers. Liriano pitched both great and poorly against the Tigers. His 24 K, six walks and no home runs in 22 2/3 innings is great. His 5.16 ERA isn’t. The Tigers are 10 for 26 against him with runners in scoring position. If Verlander wins this game and his next start, I wonder if Jim Leyland will bring him back on short rest on the last day of the season to see if he can get a 20th win?
Innings eater,Atlanta Braves Hats, Bronson Arroyo. Photo: Icon SMI
Tim Lincecum and Jhoulys Chacin square off in Colorado as the Giants try to cement their NL West lead and the Rockies try to reverse their recent slide. Tim was a bit wild against Colorado this season,Red Bull Hats,Baseball in a Football Stadium, walking nine in his first two starts against them. Earlier this month, however, he walked one and struck out nine in a 2-1 Giants victory against the Rockies. Chacin’s has trouble with the long ball in Colorado, with six of his eight home runs allowed coming there. He’s pitched 62 2/3 innings at home and on the road.
Finally, in what could be a playoff preview the Reds visit the Padres with Bronson Arroyo meeting Chris Young. When you look up innings eater in the dictionary, a picture of Arroyo should be there. He reached 200 innings pitched six years in a row. His ERAs aren’t low, but they are low enough and he stays in games long enough to win more than he loses. He may be the most valuable third starter in the game. Young makes his second start since returning from his injury, trying to work himself into shape to help the Padres if they make the post season.
Adam Wainwright goes for his 20th win as the Cardinals battle old-time rival Chicago and Tom Gorzelanny. Wainwright improved on a 2009 season in which he garnered the most first place Cy Young votes, but not enough second and third place votes to win the honor. He should finish the season with more innings, but strikeouts, fewer walks and fewer home runs allowed, barring a blowup.