BAL (Norris) 250/200
-- Baltimore has not been playing their best ball lately, but they are still undefeated (1-0) with Bud Norris on the mound. He was a key pick up for them to help strengthen their starting rotation, and he has been solid this year, tossing 14 Quality Starts in his last 18 outings. His one start for the O's was a 6-3 Win against his former team throwing 6 solid innings allowing only 2 ER's on 4 Hits while racking up 8 K's. In 4 Career starts against the Padres, he has pitched well (2-1, 3.13 ERA, 1.17 WHIP, .188 BAA) and I can see him continuing this trend tonight against a SD team that has struggled against right-handed pitchers this year. On the opposing mound is Volquez, who has been getting rocked this year (8-8, 5.56 ERA, 1.59 WHIP, 103/60 K/BB ratio). He is ranked second in the NL in WALKS and his control has been hurting his outings as he riding a stretch of nine straight games without lasting 7 innings. In his 3 career starts against the O's, they have definitely got the best of him (0-1, 6.43 ERA, 1.93 WHIP, .310 BAA) and I feel that he will be the perfect cure for the ailing Baltimore bats tonight.
*BAL Hits Right-handers (Volquez) MUCH BETTER than Lefties:
--- (5.27 R/9, .271 avg. vs Right's) > (3.81 R/9, .241 avg. vs Lefties)
*SD Hits Right-handers (Norris) MUCH WORSE than Lefties:
--- (3.73 R/9, .238 avg. vs Right's) < (4.65 R/9, .252 avg. vs Lefties)
*BAL is 14-6 in last 20 games vs. right-handed starter.
*BAL is 26-10 in last 36 games following an off day.
*BAL is 29-12 in last 41 after scoring 2 runs or less in previous game.
*BAL is 49-22 in last 71 games following a loss.
*SD is 7-16 in last 23 games vs. right-handed starter.
*SD is 13-27 in last 40 interleague games vs. team with winning record.
*SD is 4-10 in last 14 games following a win.
*SD is 1-5 in Volquez's last 6 starts following a Quality Start.
BOL everyone