| 22 June 2010
Starters
Jon Lester (8-2, 3.13)
Jhoulys Chacin (3-6, 4.00)
Jon Lester hasn't pitched in Colorado since winnings Game 4 of the 2007 World Series. Since that game, Lester has been one of the best starters on baseball, posting a 39-16 record and a 3.25 ERA and 416 strikeouts. He had a rough start to his 2010 season, but 7-0 since May 4th. He had a hiccup in Cleveland, allowing 6 runs on 9 hits, but the Sox rallied for the win. His last time out, he mowed down the struggling D-backs at Fenway, allowing just 2 runs on 4 hits, while fanning 7. The Rockies don't hit lefties very well (.258, 17th), but they do play well at home: 21-13 home record, .181 OPS at home, 6th). The Rox don't have as much power in the lineup as they used to, but you don't want to see too many fly balls in Coors Field. Lester has only allowed 5 ding dongs this season and his fly ball rate is at a career low 29.5%, down from 34.5 % last year. This is good...
Chacin looked very sharp in his first two starts, lasting 7 inning in both and earning two quick wins. Since then he's gone 1-6 and lost four straight games. He can still rack up the strikeouts (54 in 54 IP), but he's lost the ability to get beyond the 6th inning and walks have been part of the problem. The Red Sox are ranked in the top 3 in OBP, OPS and fee passes, so Chacin is likely to struggle again tonight. He did pitch better his last time out, holding the Twins to 2 runs, but he allowed 7 hits, waked 3 and fanned only one batter, while lasting just 5 2/3 innings. Chacin's ERAon the road is 2.35, but it balloons to 6.17 at Coors Field... look for the Sox to add to that tonight.
Key Matchups
Adrian Beltre spent lots of time at Coors Field as a Dodger, but that was back in the early 2000's. The league has made some changes since then, but his numbers are impressive, .395 15 HR, 1.139 OPS in 55 games. Chacin also struggles with lefties (.273 BAA), so look for David Ortiz to blast a Rocky Mountain Dinger tonight.
For the Rockies, Brad Hawpe has been on fire this week, hitting 3 doubles and a homer while hitting .333. Carlos Gonzalez is also hitting in the .300s this week and hits lefties well also: .324 BA, .778 OPS.
SS Troy Tulowitzki is the Rox best player, but he just hit the DL wit ha broken wrist...
| < Prev | Next > |
|---|
