MLB viewing guide: Wednesday schedule spotlight
Some aces and some 2013 debuts are featured in the days’ best matchups.
Day | Home SP | Visit. SP | Time | Where |
24-Apr | Josh Stinson (2013 debut) | Brandon Morrow (0-2), 5.57 ERA, 5.07 FIP | 12:35 pm ET | RSN, MASN2 |
In the first of three 2013 debuts today, Stinson (no relation to Barney) makes a spot-start for the O's, who had no one to go on full rest due to Saturday's doubleheader. It will be Stinson's 21st game in the pros, but just his second start; Brewers fans might remember that the 25-year-old righty started their season finale last year. The former Mets farmhand was with the A's in spring training, and the O's claimed him off waivers on March 29th. He gave up just one earned run in two starts with Triple-A Norfolk, but sluggers Jose Bautista and Edwin Encarnacion represent a slight upgrade from the Joey Terdoslaviches and Ernesto Mejias of the baseball world.
Day | Home SP | Visit. SP | Time | Where |
24-Apr | Stephen Strasburg (1-3), 2.96 ERA, 3.88 FIP | Jaime Garcia (1-1), 3.22 ERA, 3.69 FIP | 1:05 pm ET | FOX Sports-Midwest, MASN, MLB Network |
Is it too early to be concerned about Stephen Strasburg? Yes. Yes, it is way too early. His strikeouts are down, but all strikeout artists occasionally go through stretches without high K totals. His control is still just as good as it was last year, anyway.
Photo credit: Doug Pensinger
Day | Home SP | Visit. SP | Time | Where |
24-Apr | Tyler Chatwood (2013 debut) | Tim Hudson (2-1), 4.50 ERA, 4.38 FIP | 3:10 pm ET | Sports South, ROOT Sports |
The Rockies call on Chatwood, a former top-100 Prospect and the Angels' second round pick in the still-recent '08 draft, to make his first start in the pros this year in place of the injured Jhoulys Chacin. The 23-year-old has struggled in 46 games and 37 starts at the major-league level, but a 1.84 ERA, a 1.90 FIP, and 10.4 strikeouts per nine innings through his first three Triple-A starts this year suggests that there is hope yet for him. It might be feeding Chatwood to the wolves to let Justin Upton and this homer-happy Braves offense take their cuts against him in Colorado, but he could surprise.
Day | Home SP | Visit. SP | Time | Where |
24-Apr | Matt Harvey (4-0), 0.93 ERA, 2.19 FIP | Ted Lilly (2013 debut) | 7:10 pm ET | KCAL, SNY, ESPN |
After some weird disputes between Lilly and Los Angeles about making another minor-league rehab start, Chris Capuano's injury forced the Dodgers' hands. Limited to eight starts last year due to injury, Lilly seeks to recapture his formerly reliable reputation as the Dodgers try to figure out how to put an end to the Matt Harvey Show. His numbers are just too ridiculously good so far to sustain, and a minuscule .148 BABIP against jibes with that theory. Since Harvey starts are turning into must-see TV, though, fans of the game outside of Los Angeles are certainly hoping he can keep up the terrific work.
Day | Home SP | Visit. SP | Time | Where |
24-Apr | Alex Cobb (2-1), 2.53 ERA, 3.20 FIP | Andy Pettitte (3-0), 2.01 ERA, 3.78 FIP | 7:10 pm ET | YES Network, Sun Sports |
The Yankees' 40-year-old lefty has baffled big-league hitters in three starts so far, providing the Yanks with much-needed rotation stability (even though he missed a start with back spasms). After a game-winning, two-run single by Ichiro Suzuki in the ninth last night against Fernando Rodney, the Yankees get to finally face a Tampa Bay right-hander as they try to steal a road series.
Day | Home SP | Visit. SP | Time | Where |
24-Apr | Michael Roth (1-0), 3.60 ERA 0.82 FIP | Yu Darvish (3-1), 2.03 ERA, 1.40 FIP | 10:05 pm ET | FOX Sports-Southwest, FOX Sports-South |
It’s not technically his 2013 debut since Roth has made four relief appearances already, but Roth will still be the fourth pitcher to make his 2013 starting debut today, and the only one making his first major-league start. Like Lilly and Chatwood, though, Roth’s task of outdueling his mound opponent is probably too much to ask of the Angels’ ninth-round pick from last year’s draft. Darvish’s 2013 numbers in four starts are sensational, especially his 12.8 K/9 and 4.4 hits per nine.
