Saturday, June 21, 2008

Red Sox 2008 Game 78 Preview

Stl@ Bos
J. Pineiro2-3, 4.02J. Lester6-3, 3.18
Cardinals44-32Red Sox46-31
Sunday, June 22      Fenway Park  ✠ 1:35 p.m. ET
American League
EastWLGBL 101 R W1 R LX WX L
Boston4631-6-41094532
Tampa Bay4430.56-41384034
New York40355.07-31393936
Baltimore3835 6.06-417113538
Toronto354110.52-811193937


ESPN.Com Preview .
Yahoo's Preview .
ESPN.Com after the game Recap.
MLB.Com Press Pass
From MLB.Com Scouting Report

Cardinals: Exhibit 14,591 on why wins are a bad way to judge a pitcher: Pineiro hasn't won since April 29. In the interim, however, he's pitched well enough to win at least three times, most notably in his most recent start, when he allowed a single run over seven innings. Fenway Park probably isn't high on Pineiro's list of favorite places, but he's going well enough that he might be able to erase the bad memories of a frustrating '07 with the Red Sox.

Red Sox: Lester has been Boston's best pitcher over the last few weeks. He has won his last three starts, giving up a total of three runs in 20 1/3 innings. Lester is holding opponents to a .249 average on the season and has allowed three earned runs or fewer in 10 consecutive starts. Lester has thrived at Fenway this season, going 4-1 with a 2.55 ERA.

As usual all statistics were found at the day by day database at Baseball Musings and at Baseball Reference.

Red Sox Batting History vs Pineiro

PlayerABHits2b3bHR'sRBIBB'sK'sBAOBASlugOPS
J. Ellsbury------------------------------------
D. Pedroia------------------------------------
J. D. Drew62000000.333.333.333.667
M. Ramirez2310003533.435.536.8261.362
M. Lowell-----------------------------------
K. Youkilis92100102.222.222.333.556
J. Varitek130000125.000.125.000.125
C. Crisp114001213.364.417.6361.053
J. Lugo93101111.333.400.7781.178
Totals712120510714.296.375.535.910


Unlike the last two days where the Sox have been facing the pitcher for the first time, they know Pineiro. Boy do they know Peneiro. If I was Terry I would sit Lowell for this game and start Casey at first base. At least Casey has seen this guy and is 1 for 4 with a walk. Will be interesting to see what Terry does.


Pitching Comparisions Career

PitcherGSWLShoIPHERHRBBKERAWHIPIP/GS
Pineiro935050 2/3 6938822406.751.805.63
Lester---------------------------------------

A fragging 6.75 ERA, are you kidding me? Look if the Sox can't torch this guy then this season will be a repeat of 2006. They own this guy, absolutely own this guy. Break out the bats and get ready for a show.


Pitching Comparisions this year

PitcherGSWLShoIPHERHRBBKERAWHIPIP/GS
Pineiro10230565725614334.021.275.60
Lester1663196 1/39034738623.181.336.02

All across the board, except for the K/BB ratio Lester has been better. He needs to challange these Cardinals, especially since the Cards are only 14-12 versus Lefties. He also needs to be a stopper for this team.

Taking a look at espn's scouting / inside edge for Pineiro:

Inside Edge

ALL1st PITCHEARLY2 STRIKESAHEADBEHINDVS RHBVS LHBOPP BA
Fastballs58%63%60%49%49%73%59%57%.294
Curves14%14%14%18%20%5%11%18%.241
Sliders17%16%16%20%18%12%25%6%.287
Change Ups11%7%11%14%13%10%5%19%.211
Totals212558813165938084271209916.273

A fastball pitcher with a pretty good change up and curve ball. Even better is the fact that this year his ERA is over 2 runs higher on the road (2.84 home, 4.99 road) and his ERA during a day game is a horrendous 6.33. I like our chances versus this guy.

♊ - Well, let's hope we get some funny hats too.

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