Post by Deleted on Jun 19, 2011 21:04:34 GMT -5
[shadow=red,left,300]Boston Red Sox (54-38) @ Detroit Tigers (50-41)[/shadow]
BOS: Chaz Roe (10-5, 4.62 ERA)
DET: Josh Johnson (3-0, 0.76)
Tonight's Game of the Week features two successful, record-setting pitchers. One has the record for most expensive contract, the other has the record for most luck in a season.
Josh Johnson, baseball's first and only $44 million dollar man makes his fifth start of the season after missing the last three months with a torn labrum.
After two seasons finishing with subpar records, Johnson has been dominant this season. While the Tigers were heavily criticized for giving Johnson such a gargantuan contract, he was on his way to earning it with spectacular performances against the Twins and Orioles, plus a three-hit shutout against the Indians, to start the season.
He had trouble warming up in his next start though, with his velocity way down against the Indians. After trying to give it a go, he complained of deep pain in his shoulder and left after two batters. He was diagnosed with a slight tear in his labrum and has been recovering for three months, much to the chagrin of his critics.
His return comes at a great time for the Tigers. Detroit had gone only 15-24 before the All-Star break, losing their Al Central lead to the Minnesota Twins. However, the return of Johnson, coupled with the trade for Colorado ace Brandon Webb gives the Tigers a fearsome one-two punch atop the order to match up against elite teams.
One of those elite teams comes in the form of the Boston Red Sox, whose league-leading offense will be a perfect test for Johnson.
After Chris Ianetta and James Loney combined for three home runs against Tyler Matzek---with Loney improving his career numbers against Matzek to 5-9 with three home runs---the Red Sox were able to win Sunday's matchup in Tampa Bay 4-2, bringing the team within 2.5 games of the division lead.
The Red Sox have the depth of hitters to make Johnson work, but what can they expect from former Rockies prospect, 10-game winner Chaz Roe?
Roe has won 10 games this year, despite only five quality starts in 18 outings. One of those quality starts came on April 21st for perhaps his finest start of the season. He allowed only one run over 7 innings. Mostly though, Roe has earned his record by pitching into the sixth inning during blowouts. Three times this year Roe has allowed five runs in a start and won the game.
Roe upped his velocity a few years ago to throw in the league-average low-90's. He complements it with a good changeup he can use for strikeouts, except he has major problems commanding it. When he's forced to rely on just his fastball, and mediocre curveballs, he gets hit. However, Roe will battle and seldom gets knocked out of games when his stuff is off.
Still, to be a 10-game winner with an ERA closer to six than to five is a testament to the adage---it's better to be lucky than good.
Questions for the GM's. For Nick Pickard, with Josh Johnson coming back and Brandon Webb coming over, you instantly become the favorite to win the AL Central. What do these two pitchers do for your staff?
Johnson has been excitingly good to start the season, but he's coming off of labrum surgery. Do you expect him to be dominant right off the start against a lineup like Boston's?
You have a very patient lineup which leads the league in walks. Do you stay patient against Roe, or do you have your guys look for more fastballs to drive?
For Derek Bobola, you just had a convincing performance to take two of three from Tampa Bay. Assess where your team stands relative to Tampa Bay in the East. Do you feel you're the better team?
Nobody has touched Josh Johnson this year. Last year you only scored one run off him in two starts, though you touched him for six runs last September. How is your lineup going to attack him?
Finally, what has been the secret to Chaz Rose's success?
Remember, anyone can ask questions for the GM's here on the PBL Game of the Week!
BOS: Chaz Roe (10-5, 4.62 ERA)
DET: Josh Johnson (3-0, 0.76)
Tonight's Game of the Week features two successful, record-setting pitchers. One has the record for most expensive contract, the other has the record for most luck in a season.
Josh Johnson, baseball's first and only $44 million dollar man makes his fifth start of the season after missing the last three months with a torn labrum.
After two seasons finishing with subpar records, Johnson has been dominant this season. While the Tigers were heavily criticized for giving Johnson such a gargantuan contract, he was on his way to earning it with spectacular performances against the Twins and Orioles, plus a three-hit shutout against the Indians, to start the season.
He had trouble warming up in his next start though, with his velocity way down against the Indians. After trying to give it a go, he complained of deep pain in his shoulder and left after two batters. He was diagnosed with a slight tear in his labrum and has been recovering for three months, much to the chagrin of his critics.
His return comes at a great time for the Tigers. Detroit had gone only 15-24 before the All-Star break, losing their Al Central lead to the Minnesota Twins. However, the return of Johnson, coupled with the trade for Colorado ace Brandon Webb gives the Tigers a fearsome one-two punch atop the order to match up against elite teams.
One of those elite teams comes in the form of the Boston Red Sox, whose league-leading offense will be a perfect test for Johnson.
After Chris Ianetta and James Loney combined for three home runs against Tyler Matzek---with Loney improving his career numbers against Matzek to 5-9 with three home runs---the Red Sox were able to win Sunday's matchup in Tampa Bay 4-2, bringing the team within 2.5 games of the division lead.
The Red Sox have the depth of hitters to make Johnson work, but what can they expect from former Rockies prospect, 10-game winner Chaz Roe?
Roe has won 10 games this year, despite only five quality starts in 18 outings. One of those quality starts came on April 21st for perhaps his finest start of the season. He allowed only one run over 7 innings. Mostly though, Roe has earned his record by pitching into the sixth inning during blowouts. Three times this year Roe has allowed five runs in a start and won the game.
Roe upped his velocity a few years ago to throw in the league-average low-90's. He complements it with a good changeup he can use for strikeouts, except he has major problems commanding it. When he's forced to rely on just his fastball, and mediocre curveballs, he gets hit. However, Roe will battle and seldom gets knocked out of games when his stuff is off.
Still, to be a 10-game winner with an ERA closer to six than to five is a testament to the adage---it's better to be lucky than good.
Questions for the GM's. For Nick Pickard, with Josh Johnson coming back and Brandon Webb coming over, you instantly become the favorite to win the AL Central. What do these two pitchers do for your staff?
Johnson has been excitingly good to start the season, but he's coming off of labrum surgery. Do you expect him to be dominant right off the start against a lineup like Boston's?
You have a very patient lineup which leads the league in walks. Do you stay patient against Roe, or do you have your guys look for more fastballs to drive?
For Derek Bobola, you just had a convincing performance to take two of three from Tampa Bay. Assess where your team stands relative to Tampa Bay in the East. Do you feel you're the better team?
Nobody has touched Josh Johnson this year. Last year you only scored one run off him in two starts, though you touched him for six runs last September. How is your lineup going to attack him?
Finally, what has been the secret to Chaz Rose's success?
Remember, anyone can ask questions for the GM's here on the PBL Game of the Week!