MOTN!

With a ton of afternoon games today(7) I should probably get this one out early, considering today is chock full of pitchers having great seasons so far, like...

Josh Johnson
Josh Beckett
James Shields
Ricky Romero
Yovani Gallardo
Justin Verlander
Jair Jurrjens
Randy Wells
Jerrod Washburn
Johnny Cueto
Jered Weaver
Kevin Millwood
Matt Cain
Adam Wainwright

The pitching matchup of the day definitely belongs to the Weaver-Millwood battle. Not only are they having phenomenal seasons (with Weaver's being dedicated to Nick Adenhart) but these are the two teams at the top of the AL West. Millwood is definitely going to get an All-Star nod, especially after putting together a sensational June (1.30 ERA in 34.2 innings with 27 K's and 13 BB's and a WHIP of 1.18). Weaver has not been as amazing in June (3.24 ERA in 33.1 innings with 30 K's and 14 BB's WHIP 1.31) but still a solid starter. The Angels are up 1.5 games on Texas after starting June 4.5 games down they went on a 17-9 tear in June while Texas went 11-15 to take the lead.

The other pitching mathcup of the day, once again, involves a Giants starting pitcher. Matt Cain,(9-2 2.57 ERA) for the first time in a few seasons, is finally getting some run support (5.15 runs/game, which is absurd considering the Giants offense is trying their best to recreate the glory days of the deadball Giants). Anyways, Cain is an animal this year, he has given up more than 2 runs (total, not just earned) in only 4 of his 15 starts. Oh, and if that is not sick enough, he gets stronger as the game goes on. In his first 25 pitches batters have a .854 OPS against him, but that drops for each 25 pitch increment from 26-50 pitches (.819) 51-75 (.640) 76-100(.558) and 101+ (.249). I know that is a flawed statistic to look at because if you are dogshit at the start you are not going to last long, but Cain has thrown over 100 pitches in 11 of his 15 starts and has made it through the 5th inning in all 15 (and through the 7th in 9) and while the OPS doesnt drop off like it does with his pitch count (it fluctuates around) it never touches the .920 OPS against he has in the 1st inning. Adam Wainwright has been up and down this season, but has posted a more than respectable 8-5 record with a 3.51 ERA. He, too, has has awesome run support (a whopping 6.45 runs/game).

Other games to watch...

I really like the Jurrjens-Hamels matchup in Atlanta tonight. The Braves won last night 5-4 on a walk-off by Martin Prado and look to give some run support (more than the 3.87 run/game average they have given him so far) to their young stud Jurrjens tonight, who is 5-6 with a 2.93 ERA and a 1.28 WHIP. Cole Hamels is Cole Hamels. If he is fully healed and rested for the stretch run the Phillies will contend, if not, their offense will only carry them so far, especially with that amazing lead-off hitter they have in Jimmy Rollins.

Shields v. Romero, Rays v. Jays. The Rays are looking like the powerhouse team most people thought they would/could be this year. The Jays are happy to see their young ace in waiting not injured (but he was earlier this year) like everyone else on their staff. I think this is the point when the Jays slide comfortably into the 4th spot in the AL BEast.

Of course I will be paying attention to the Sox-Orioles game. After losses this season Josh Becket is 5-0 with a 1.08 ERA and 0.86 WHIP. Now that's an ace.

NOW WATCH SOME BASEBALL!