Post by Deleted on Sept 10, 2011 13:00:33 GMT -5
[shadow=red,left,300]Seattle Mariners (32-20) @ Detroit Tigers (31-21)[/shadow]
SEA: Daisuke Matsuzaka (3-3, 5.61 ERA)
DET: Javier Vasquez (6-1, 2.97 ERA)
Big time pitching is the name of the game as two of the league's top teams square off this week.
Javier Vasquez has curtailed his walks this year, he's keeping the ball in the park, and due to that increase in command, he's pitching light's out baseball. Vasquez has allowed only one home run over his last seven starts, and should the trend hold, it'll help is cause against one of the American League's top offenses. Vasquez is no stranger to success on the Game of the Week either. During his last Game of the Week start, he shut down the Rays on a run and three hits over 8 innings.
However, Vasquez' early-season start against Seattle was one of his worst on the season. He allowed four runs on four walks and seven hits over 6.1 innings on April 14. Detroit scored 11 runs that game so Vasquez was let off the hook, but you can't expect your offense to score 11 runs every day.
However, Detroit's offense will get a boost as "King Felix," Felix Hernandez will miss his scheduled start due to a suspension. While Seattle hasn't confirmed a starter yet, sources believe Daisuke Matsuzaka will come out of the pen to make the spot start.
Dice-K has been generally horrendous since a 16-win season in 2011. His command has always been poor, and he has trouble retiring hitters with his fastball. He lost his starting spot earlier in the season when three straight awful outings saw his ERA rise from under two to over five.
Also of note, Dice-K is slow to the plate, and Bryan Anderson isn't a particularly accomplished thrower behind the plate. The top two hitters in Detroit's lineup each have 20 stolen bases and do a great job getting in scoring position for rookie Charlie Wakeley and sluggers Michael Roberts.
If Dice-K can't hold down the fort, the Mariners long relievers have struggled, making it imperative for Matsuzaka to have a strong start.
The Mariners may just have to rely on their potent offense to slug their way to a win with four hitters already tallying double-digit home runs.
Questions for the GM's.
For Sam East, obviously the story is Felix Hernandez' suspension. What's your gameplan for your pitching staff to succeed today.
The Tigers love to run the basepaths, and Dice-K is known to give up baserunners. Any strategy for slowing down Detroit's running game?
Brandon Allen has regained his power stroke in Seattle. What has been your key to revitalizing him?
For Nick Pickard, Eric Riley has been working in mopup duty this year, but he hasn't allowed a run. any chance we'll see him work more prominent roles in the future?
Charlie Wakeley is struggling some with his opportunity to bat third in your lineup. What is your reasoning behind batting him third?
You decided to rest closer Clyde Steffens in Sunday's game and got burned badly. Is he ready to go today, perhaps for more than an inning if need be?
SEA: Daisuke Matsuzaka (3-3, 5.61 ERA)
DET: Javier Vasquez (6-1, 2.97 ERA)
Big time pitching is the name of the game as two of the league's top teams square off this week.
Javier Vasquez has curtailed his walks this year, he's keeping the ball in the park, and due to that increase in command, he's pitching light's out baseball. Vasquez has allowed only one home run over his last seven starts, and should the trend hold, it'll help is cause against one of the American League's top offenses. Vasquez is no stranger to success on the Game of the Week either. During his last Game of the Week start, he shut down the Rays on a run and three hits over 8 innings.
However, Vasquez' early-season start against Seattle was one of his worst on the season. He allowed four runs on four walks and seven hits over 6.1 innings on April 14. Detroit scored 11 runs that game so Vasquez was let off the hook, but you can't expect your offense to score 11 runs every day.
However, Detroit's offense will get a boost as "King Felix," Felix Hernandez will miss his scheduled start due to a suspension. While Seattle hasn't confirmed a starter yet, sources believe Daisuke Matsuzaka will come out of the pen to make the spot start.
Dice-K has been generally horrendous since a 16-win season in 2011. His command has always been poor, and he has trouble retiring hitters with his fastball. He lost his starting spot earlier in the season when three straight awful outings saw his ERA rise from under two to over five.
Also of note, Dice-K is slow to the plate, and Bryan Anderson isn't a particularly accomplished thrower behind the plate. The top two hitters in Detroit's lineup each have 20 stolen bases and do a great job getting in scoring position for rookie Charlie Wakeley and sluggers Michael Roberts.
If Dice-K can't hold down the fort, the Mariners long relievers have struggled, making it imperative for Matsuzaka to have a strong start.
The Mariners may just have to rely on their potent offense to slug their way to a win with four hitters already tallying double-digit home runs.
Questions for the GM's.
For Sam East, obviously the story is Felix Hernandez' suspension. What's your gameplan for your pitching staff to succeed today.
The Tigers love to run the basepaths, and Dice-K is known to give up baserunners. Any strategy for slowing down Detroit's running game?
Brandon Allen has regained his power stroke in Seattle. What has been your key to revitalizing him?
For Nick Pickard, Eric Riley has been working in mopup duty this year, but he hasn't allowed a run. any chance we'll see him work more prominent roles in the future?
Charlie Wakeley is struggling some with his opportunity to bat third in your lineup. What is your reasoning behind batting him third?
You decided to rest closer Clyde Steffens in Sunday's game and got burned badly. Is he ready to go today, perhaps for more than an inning if need be?