2-1 so far today for a small winning day.
1st set of plays: 92-54
2nd set of plays: 11-8
LAD @ CWS under 9
I was waiting to see the starting lineups before I make the play. According to mlb.com, Pierzynski and Phillips are the starting catchers in this game. Why is that so important ? Well, Contreras is 3-1 with a 2.52 era (6-2-2 to the under) in 10 starts when he worked with Pierzynski, and 0-2, 8.31 era in three starts when he worked with Vidger. As for Weaver, he is 2-2 (3-1 to the under) in last 4 starts with Phillips, compared to 0-2, 13.70 era in last two starts with Baco. Contreras is comming off of a very bad start (with Vidger catching) but that's no surprise, as all pithers struggled mightly after throwing 100+ pitchers @ Coors Field this year, and he should bounce back today in his second straight home start following the Colorado game. Weaver is finally gaining control with his pitches, as he had 20K and 4 BB in last three starts (all with Phillips). Both Pierzynski and Phillips were catching if first two games of this series for their respective teams and the experience they aquired vs the opposing lineups should help them (and the starters) tonight. The Dodgers don't know a whole lot about Contreras. The only active batter in the lineup who faced Contreras before is Phillips, and he is 0 for 4 lifetime against him. Weaver has been very good in his career vs CWS, going 8-0 to the under in his last 8 starts, with a 2.66 era, lasting 7+ innings in each start (4 times he went 8 or 9 innings). That's probably because he has always much better vs right handed batters and the White Sox have had a mostly righty lineup in recent years, including this year. The only lefties who will play tonight, and who had success vs Weaver before are Pierzinsky, Podsednik and Everett, but all three are struggling right now ( Pierzinsky 1 for 16 in last 4 games, Podsednik 1 for 11 in three games he played on a current home stand and Everett 2 for 12 in his last 3 games). The Dodgers have along trip back to the West after this game and they probably want to leave Chicago and the Interleague as soon as possible. These two teams combined for 14 runs in two games hth and that's actually a few too many given their .219 hitting in the series. The home plate ump Hudson is 9-3 to the over but 3-0 to the under in last 3 R vs R matchups. His last 4 games (all overs) have been screwed with either unearned runs or bullpens, but that should not happen tonight as Weaver and Contreras have allowed only 4 unearned runs (combined) this year. Also, both bullpens have been rock solid when relieving Contreras and Weaver this year.
Good luck,
WS
1st set of plays: 92-54
2nd set of plays: 11-8
LAD @ CWS under 9
I was waiting to see the starting lineups before I make the play. According to mlb.com, Pierzynski and Phillips are the starting catchers in this game. Why is that so important ? Well, Contreras is 3-1 with a 2.52 era (6-2-2 to the under) in 10 starts when he worked with Pierzynski, and 0-2, 8.31 era in three starts when he worked with Vidger. As for Weaver, he is 2-2 (3-1 to the under) in last 4 starts with Phillips, compared to 0-2, 13.70 era in last two starts with Baco. Contreras is comming off of a very bad start (with Vidger catching) but that's no surprise, as all pithers struggled mightly after throwing 100+ pitchers @ Coors Field this year, and he should bounce back today in his second straight home start following the Colorado game. Weaver is finally gaining control with his pitches, as he had 20K and 4 BB in last three starts (all with Phillips). Both Pierzynski and Phillips were catching if first two games of this series for their respective teams and the experience they aquired vs the opposing lineups should help them (and the starters) tonight. The Dodgers don't know a whole lot about Contreras. The only active batter in the lineup who faced Contreras before is Phillips, and he is 0 for 4 lifetime against him. Weaver has been very good in his career vs CWS, going 8-0 to the under in his last 8 starts, with a 2.66 era, lasting 7+ innings in each start (4 times he went 8 or 9 innings). That's probably because he has always much better vs right handed batters and the White Sox have had a mostly righty lineup in recent years, including this year. The only lefties who will play tonight, and who had success vs Weaver before are Pierzinsky, Podsednik and Everett, but all three are struggling right now ( Pierzinsky 1 for 16 in last 4 games, Podsednik 1 for 11 in three games he played on a current home stand and Everett 2 for 12 in his last 3 games). The Dodgers have along trip back to the West after this game and they probably want to leave Chicago and the Interleague as soon as possible. These two teams combined for 14 runs in two games hth and that's actually a few too many given their .219 hitting in the series. The home plate ump Hudson is 9-3 to the over but 3-0 to the under in last 3 R vs R matchups. His last 4 games (all overs) have been screwed with either unearned runs or bullpens, but that should not happen tonight as Weaver and Contreras have allowed only 4 unearned runs (combined) this year. Also, both bullpens have been rock solid when relieving Contreras and Weaver this year.
Good luck,
WS