Spock,
I am looking at this game also, and have uncovered that CWS are a TERRIBLE road team at 19-32. They are 2-7 in their last 9 games, only batting .256 on the road this season.
Baltimore has played decent since the break, and have won four straight at home, against Seattle and now the ChiSox.
I like the fact that Garland only went 3 innings last night, and if the Birds can jump on Glover early, the can get into that soft bullpen. Sox bullpen has logged 316 innings so far this year!! That is a lot!! With the heat and humidity in B'more, an already tired pen could be sapped of any energy early.
Baltimore hitting .277 in last 10 against righties, so they are swinging a good bat right now. Pale hose have only put up 30 runs in last 9 games, for an avg. of just a shade over 3 a game. Baltimore has put up 33 rums in their last 6 games, against the likes of Pineiro, Lidle, Carpenter, etc. Halladay was the only arm to hold them to under 4 runs in the last 6 games.
Gotta believe that Joe West will favor a more control type pitcher like Ponson, than a less accurate Glover. In Glover's last start he only lasted 5 innings against the lowly hitting Tribe, (sorry NDN), and that's not impressive!! Only gave up 2 runs, but had 95 pitches. The start before that, he lasted just 14 pitches against Cleveland, giving up 0 runs. Baltimore has given up 43 runs in Ponson's last 6 starts.
However, Baltimore has won 8 of the last 10 that Ponson has started. He has given up only 12 earned runs in his last 5 starts. Baltimore has won 4 of last 5 that Ponson has started, with victories against NYY, ARIZ, SEA, and TEX. Baltimore only lost to Phil, in a game that Ponson only went 2 innings, with no earned runs. He only threw 83 pitches last time out, so should be ready to go.
Just my $.02, sorry to jump in your thred NDNFAN. GLTA
