Sunday: More American League dominance?

It's not just that the AL has won more of the inter-league games these past 2 days, it's that American league teams and players are doing things beyond their normal capabilities- beyond what they normally accomplish when playing AL teams only. An article I read said to blame it on the Yankees. Because they have signed so many high priced free agents, other AL teams have felt pressure to do the same, or to at least strive harder to be at least competitive. Or maybe because of the DH, the AL pitchers have to refine their pitching talents more. For NL pitchers, you can always count on the bottom of the lineup to kill a rally or leave guys stranded on base. Whatever it is, and it's only been 2 days, which is a small sample, note this:

Seattle has held Colorado to 7 hits in 18 innings- in hitter friendly Coors Field. They never pitch that well, even in pitcher friendly Safeco. And have scored 14 runs on 22 hits. Kevin Millwood a 2 hitter, and Vargas held them scoreless for 6 innings. He's a fly ball pitcher who usually only pitches well in Safeco.

KC knocks around Ian Kennedy for 6 runs in 4 IP. His worst pitching line since early July last year. Bruce Chen holds D-Backs scoreless for 6 IP (If you know Chen, 6 IP is his expiration date). Not sure why they gave him more than one batter in the 7th.

Red Sox are slight underdogs to one of the better NL teams, and give Blanton his worst line of the year. Phils did hit Lester pretty well though.

Mets completely dominated by Morrow. Only one meaningful run in 2 games for them. And they were hitting fairly well the last 2 weeks.

Jeanmar Gomez (who?) 3 hits Marlins over 6.1 IPs. Indian BP finishes them off- no hits in last 2.3 IPs. 3 runs for MIami in 18 IPs, and they were 12-4 coming into this series.

Twinkies beat Milwaukee again on the road. Pavano has his best pitching line of the year, and 6 Ks. That's rare for him.

John Danks pitches brilliantly vs. Cubs. Danks has sucked this year, but not today. 6. 1 IPs, 3 hits, 0 ER. His best line of the year.

Now there were some other games, some won by the AL, and some by the NL, but only one game in which the NL dominated- the SF/ Oakland game, 4-0. Vogelsong shut down a pathetic A's lineup(Cespedes and Crisp out). Tyson Ross did pitch pretty well though. But in 28 inter-league games so far, that's the only convincing win I've seen. Now let's see what Sunday brings…..

YTD: 58-46-2, + 26 units

Toronto again. Two units -1 / and one unit -1/2 first 5 innings. Things don't get any easier for Met batters. Henderson Alvarez has great downward movement on his sinker, and doesn't need to strike out batters. Unless you've seen a guy a few times, it is hard to get used to a good sinker or change up. Alvarez has pitched well vs. AL teams, while Gee has been off and on vs. weaker NL lineups(with no DH). It must drive NL pitchers crazy pitching in AL ballparks- no inning killing bottom of the lineup pitcher. And some of these NL teams have other stiffs batting 7th and 8th. Anyways, Jays are getting Gee at a good time- 30IPs, 23 ERs. Maybe David Wright will still be sick?

Chisox: One unit ML. One unit -1. Maholm has pitched well for the Cubs, and pitched okay for the Pirates too. He just loses that's all. He pitches well enough to lose, and that's against the NL. White Sox would love a sweep in Wrigley, and have Peavy on the mound. Peavy is finally healthy, changing speeds very well, and feeling blessed that he is playing baseball again. Sox also have the superior bullpen. Sox do not hit lefties well, but Maholm will only give you 5-6 innings before BP mess relieves him. So I can see a close game for first 5 innings. I also think Konerko will be back Sunday and he can hit lefties.

Baltimore. ML. Another AL- NL matchup I like at + 147. Wei-Yin Chen has pitched very well, beating Texas and the Yankees in his last 2 starts. Has also pitched another game vs. Yanks, one at Boston among other games. He challenges hitters with a low to mid 90s fastball high in the zone or above. He has one of the highest missed swing rates in the AL. Strasburg is a future ace, but has faced weaker lineups in the NL. He depends a little too much on his fastball. Orioles are one of the best coached teams in the AL and playing like contenders under Buck Showalter. Would love to sweep rival Nats and hog the headlines in the DC- Baltimore area.

Cleveland. ML. One unit. Why is Cleveland +101 here? Derek Lowe has found his old self so far with the Indians. Only 2 HRs in 52 IPs. That means his sinker is working well. He also pitched well vs. Marlins last year in the midst of a crappy year with ATL. 19 IPs, 14 hits, only 5 ERs. Josh Johnson has lost some velocity on his fastball, and his command is a little off. Yes, he had 2 good outings recently, vs. Pitt and Houston. But he has also been dreadful at times and is NOT his old self. Indian BP also has the edge. Indians are always a tough game for any team.

o fred said:

Cleveland. ML. One unit. Why is Cleveland +101 here? Derek Lowe has found his old self so far with the Indians. Only 2 HRs in 52 IPs. That means his sinker is working well. He also pitched well vs. Marlins last year in the midst of a crappy year with ATL. 19 IPs, 14 hits, only 5 ERs. Josh Johnson has lost some velocity on his fastball, and his command is a little off. Yes, he had 2 good outings recently, vs. Pitt and Houston. But he has also been dreadful at times and is NOT his old self. Indian BP also has the edge. Indians are always a tough game for any team.

Click to expand...

Ha I just dropped in to ask why thats even. All over this card. I like balt too

Texas TT over 4.5 for one unit. Jordan Lyles has one ugly start against Texas last year. And he wasn't tearing it up in the minors either- AAA hitters were hitting .271, with a hit per inning. Texas does not want to lose this in state series, and I think they play up in these more meaningful game. At least that's been true this year. Not playing Texas RL or otherwise because Colby Lewis has homeritis- 8 HRs in last 3 starts. But if he does pitch well, maybe the over for the game won't hit.

Texas can bang mediocre right- handed pitchers, except for Michael Young.

Tampa one unit -1/2 first 5 innings. David Price is one of the best pitchers in baseball and getting better. He's a hard throwing left-hander who is battle tested- has faced NYY twice, Toronto twice, Texas and Boston. I really like Atlanta, and they have played well enough to compete in the AL. Still, their good fortune is partly due to the weakness of their league. Tampa, meanwhile, plays in the toughest division in all of baseball. Where every game is meaningful because one bad week can put you back in 4th place. Hudson is a wily veteran, but his better days are behind him. Giving up a hit per inning. Like the first 5 IP bet because Braves have edge in BP.

I think my last play, and god forbid, it's on a NL team. Probably will lose. One unit on Phillies -1. Phillies are much better hitting team vs. right-handers. Beckett showed up vs. Seattle last start, but he is no longer a dominant pitcher in my eyes. Maybe too much beer, hot dogs and golf. And only Marlon Byrd hits Cliff Lee well. Lee had great success in the AL and can handle the Red Sox. He can hit too. My only fear is that the Phillies have been playing better as of late vs. some of the NL cupcakes. Lets' hope Ortiz makes an error or 2.