| 22 September 2009
With 14 wins, 224 Ks and the MLB's best ERA at 2.14, Zack Greinke is a front runner for the Cy Young Award.
That's going to make things tough on the Red Sox tonight, especially with Paul Byrd as their starter. Thing have been pretty ugly for Byrd since his stunning return to the bigs against the Blue Jays in August. Byrd has allowed 25 hits in 10.2 innings of work since that game and has struggled to get through five innings.
With the bullpen taking a pounding last night, the Red Sox will be hoping for some early success against one of the league's best. Most of the Sox haven't seen much of Zack, but you have to throw out all the pre-2009 numbers on Greinke anyway. Only Victor Martinez has faced Greinke this season, thanks to his time in Cleveland, and V-Mart has actually pounded him for 5 hits in 9 at-bats (.556) this year and a 13 for 38 (.342), 1 HR, 8 RBI line overall.
The rest of the Sox will have their work cut out for them, but Jacoby, Pedey Bay and Gonzo are all hot, and that's enough to make any good starter nervous.
Byrd has some experience with Kansas City, but hasn't faired well against them: 10 GS, 5.74 ERA, .322 BA. Most of the young Royals, however, have not seen Byrd and his old-school wind up. Only David DeJesus (.435) and Mark Teahen (.400) have 15+ at-bats against Byrd and Teahen is day-to-day with a bad back right now.
The Royals are on a roll, but the Sox are still the better team. If Byrd can keep it close for 5 or 6 innings, I think we'll have a shot at winning this one.
Bottom Line: Greinke has held opponents to 3 runs or less in 8 of his last 10 starts. Don't expect the Red Sox, as hot as some of them are, to light this kid up tonight. We're gonna need some magic from the old man...
Byrd is the word.
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