D/Best's Jimmy Sirody's article on this weekend's matchups.....
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MILWAUKEE at PITTSBURGH: The Pirates return home, where they have come up short in 7 of their last 11, to face the streaking Brewers. Pittsburgh has held all the aces at PNC Park, winning 9 of 10 against Milwaukee in 2001. They swept a three-game series in Wisconsin earlier this season with all three contests slipping 'under'. Fourteen of the last twenty meetings in the Steel City have strayed below the number, including six of nine last season. Ben Sheets continues to excel for the Brewers, turning in six consecutive quality outings with a nifty 3.13 ERA. Sheets is only 1-3 in his last four starts, however, as Milwaukee has managed to score just eight runs in his support.
SAN FRANCISCO at NEW YORK YANKEES: The Giants have dominated against American League opposition since the inception of inter-league play five seasons ago, winning at a .581 clip and taking 10 of 15 in 2001. San Francisco swept the board at home last year, sweeping a pair of series against the Angels and A's. The Giants also went 'under' in 12 of their 15 inter-league tests, including seven of nine on the road. The Yankees have also fared well against NL clubs, posting the second highest winning percentage amongst AL teams at .571. Last year they won five of nine, both at home and on the road. They topped the total in 11 of 18, including six of nine at Yankee Stadium.
ARIZONA at BOSTON: Baseball purists are hoping for a Saturday showdown between an irresistible force and an immovable object when Curt Schilling and Pedro Martinez get together. Schilling leads the majors with 11 wins, and in his last five starts has struck out 47 in 37 innings without giving up a free pass. Martinez has been shaky in his last two trips to the hill, surrendering eight earned runs in 12 innings but the Red Sox bailed him out by coming back to win both games. Martinez has received plenty of support this season as Boston has averaged 7.2 runs per game in his 12 starts. Boston is 40-45 in five years of inter-league play thanks to losing 15 of 24 against Atlanta. Last year the Red Sox won five of nine at home and on the road. They slipped 'under' in 11 of 17, including six of eight at Fenway Park. The Diamondbacks have struggled against AL foes, posting a .431 percentage, dropping 9 of 12 against Oakland. Last year the defending champs lost four of six at home while winning five of nine on the road. They dipped below the number in 10 of 14 inter-league tests, including five of six at Bank One Ballpark.
COLORADO at TORONTO: The Rockies are at the bottom of the barrel in inter-league play with a dismal 25-39 mark and last season dropped 10 of 12. Colorado has had an especially tough go against Anaheim, dropping 10 of 12 and it has come up short in 10 of 16 against the Mariners. Last season the Rockies dropped five of six at Coors Field and followed suit in five of six on the highway. They slipped 'under' in 7 of 11 inter-league battles. Toronto is 39-46 against NL clubs, dropping 10 of 18 in 2001. They have thrived against arch rival Montreal, winning 16 of 25 but stunk up the joint against Florida (4-11) and the Mets (3-12). Last year the Blue Jays soared 'over' in eight of 12 inter-league tests at home while dipping 'under' in all six tries on the highway.
LOS ANGELES at BALTIMORE: Los Angeles is 37-37 against American League opposition, dropping 9 of 15 last season, including four of six on the road. Baltimore has a .435 mark in inter-league action, combining to drop 22 of 32 versus Florida and the Mets. Last year the O's came up short in 12 of 18 tries against NL foes, and dropped seven of nine on the road. Baltimore soared 'over' in five of eight on the road while slipping 'under' in seven of nine at Camden Yard.
NEW YORK METS at CLEVELAND: The Mets have posted a .553 mark in inter league play thanks to totally dominating Baltimore (11-5) and Toronto (12-3). They have a tough time against the Yankees (9-15) and Detroit (0-3). In 2001 New York captured six of nine inter-league tests at home while dropping five of nine on the highway. They slipped 'under' in 11 of 18, including seven of nine at Shea Stadium. Cleveland has won 48 of 85 against the NL, dominating the Cubs (6-2) and the Cardinals (8-3). Last year the Indians lost six of nine on the road while taking five of nine at Jacobs Field. They topped the number in six of nine tries in Cleveland.
PHILADELPHIA at DETROIT: The Phillies have posted a .459 mark against the American League, failing in 11 of 18 in 2001, including six of nine on the highway. Philadelphia went 'under' in 11 of 16 inter-league tussles last year, including 8 of 12 at the Vet. The Tigers are one game over .500 against NL opposition in five years of play, including a 2-1 mark against the Phillies. Last year Detroit won five of nine at home and on the road. They soared 'over' in 11 of 16, including all eight games at Comerica Park.
SAN DIEGO at TAMPA BAY: The Padres came up short in 9 of 15 inter-league games in 2001, dropping four of six on the road and five of nine at Qualcomm Stadium. San Diego has held its own the past five seasons, going 36-38, despite dropping 11 of 16 against Oakland. Tampa Bay sits at the bottom against National League opposition, posting a .400 mark despite winning 10 of 18 in 2001. The Devil Rays thrived at Tropicana Field, capturing seven of nine, but came up on the short end in six of nine on the highway. They topped the total in 10 of 16 tries, including seven of nine on the road.
ATLANTA at TEXAS: The Braves have struggled against AL bottom feeders, dropping 8 of 15 against the Orioles and 9 of 15 versus Toronto. Texas has split 86 games against the NL, dropping 11 of 18 in 2001, including six of nine on the highway. The Rangers went 'over' in 11 of 17 last year, five of eight at home and six of nine on the road. The Braves face a familiar foe in the series opener in Chan Ho Park. The former Dodger baffled them at Turner Field last season, turning in a complete game 4-1 victory, allowing five hits while fanning seven. Park has struggled in his last three outings since coming off the DL, however, going 1-2 with a 9.60 ERA.
FLORIDA at MINNESOTA: Florida is the king of the hill in inter-league play, winning 51 of 84 to become the only team in the majors with a winning percentage over .600. The Marlins are a combined 37-15 against Baltimore, Tampa Bay and Toronto. Last year the Marlins captured 12 of 18, including eight of nine at Pro Player Stadium. They also topped the total in seven of nine in Florida. Minnesota is 40-44 against the National League, and have a really tough time against the Cubs (5-10). Last year the Twins won seven of nine at the Metrodome only to reverse that record on the road.
MONTREAL at CHICAGO WHITE SOX: The Expos are 41-44 versus the American League after splitting 18 game last season. Montreal soared 'over' in 11 of 17, including six of eight at Olympic Stadium. The Pale Hose have a winning record against every National League opponent they have faced with the exception of the Cardinals (5-10) to rank third the AL inter-league standings. Last year Chicago came out on top in 12 of 18, taking four of six at home and 8 of 12 on the road.
ST LOUIS at KANSAS CITY: The Royals have won 9 of their last 15 against the Cardinals and swept a three-game set at Kauffman Stadium in 2001. St. Louis is 34-39 in inter-league contests, capturing 8 of 15 last year. The Cardinals won seven of nine at Busch Stadium but faltered in five of six on the road. Kansas City is 37-48 against the National League with its only winning mark against the Cardinals. Last time around the Royals came up short in 12 of 21, including 7 of 12 at home.
HOUSTON at OAKLAND: The Astros have fared well against AL foes, posting a .554 win percentage. They won 9 of 15 decisions last year, capturing six of nine on the road. Oakland sits at the top of the heap against the NL, winning 50 of 86, including 12 of 18 in 2001. The A's thrived at home last year, winning seven of nine. They also slipped 'under' in 15 of 17 tries, turning the trick in eight of nine at home and seven of eight on the highway.
CHICAGO CUBS at SEATTLE: The Cubs prospered at Wrigley Field last year in inter-league fracases, winning six of nine, but came up short in four of six on the road. Chicago is 37-37 versus the AL the last five campaigns. The Mariners are just 44-42 in inter-league frays but won 12 of 18 in their magical 2001 season, including six of nine on the road. Seattle slipped below the number in all eight games at Safeco Field while soaring 'over' in six of nine on the road.
CINCINNATI at ANAHEIM: This should be one of the better series this weekend featuring two of the biggest surprises in baseball. Cincinnati ended up in the dumper against AL teams in 2001, dropping 11 of 15, including seven of nine on the highway. The Reds are 34-39 in inter-league action while the Angels are 42-44. Anaheim won five of nine both at home and on the road last year. They went 'under' in five of eight away from home while soaring 'over' in five of seven at Edison Field.
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MILWAUKEE at PITTSBURGH: The Pirates return home, where they have come up short in 7 of their last 11, to face the streaking Brewers. Pittsburgh has held all the aces at PNC Park, winning 9 of 10 against Milwaukee in 2001. They swept a three-game series in Wisconsin earlier this season with all three contests slipping 'under'. Fourteen of the last twenty meetings in the Steel City have strayed below the number, including six of nine last season. Ben Sheets continues to excel for the Brewers, turning in six consecutive quality outings with a nifty 3.13 ERA. Sheets is only 1-3 in his last four starts, however, as Milwaukee has managed to score just eight runs in his support.
SAN FRANCISCO at NEW YORK YANKEES: The Giants have dominated against American League opposition since the inception of inter-league play five seasons ago, winning at a .581 clip and taking 10 of 15 in 2001. San Francisco swept the board at home last year, sweeping a pair of series against the Angels and A's. The Giants also went 'under' in 12 of their 15 inter-league tests, including seven of nine on the road. The Yankees have also fared well against NL clubs, posting the second highest winning percentage amongst AL teams at .571. Last year they won five of nine, both at home and on the road. They topped the total in 11 of 18, including six of nine at Yankee Stadium.
ARIZONA at BOSTON: Baseball purists are hoping for a Saturday showdown between an irresistible force and an immovable object when Curt Schilling and Pedro Martinez get together. Schilling leads the majors with 11 wins, and in his last five starts has struck out 47 in 37 innings without giving up a free pass. Martinez has been shaky in his last two trips to the hill, surrendering eight earned runs in 12 innings but the Red Sox bailed him out by coming back to win both games. Martinez has received plenty of support this season as Boston has averaged 7.2 runs per game in his 12 starts. Boston is 40-45 in five years of inter-league play thanks to losing 15 of 24 against Atlanta. Last year the Red Sox won five of nine at home and on the road. They slipped 'under' in 11 of 17, including six of eight at Fenway Park. The Diamondbacks have struggled against AL foes, posting a .431 percentage, dropping 9 of 12 against Oakland. Last year the defending champs lost four of six at home while winning five of nine on the road. They dipped below the number in 10 of 14 inter-league tests, including five of six at Bank One Ballpark.
COLORADO at TORONTO: The Rockies are at the bottom of the barrel in inter-league play with a dismal 25-39 mark and last season dropped 10 of 12. Colorado has had an especially tough go against Anaheim, dropping 10 of 12 and it has come up short in 10 of 16 against the Mariners. Last season the Rockies dropped five of six at Coors Field and followed suit in five of six on the highway. They slipped 'under' in 7 of 11 inter-league battles. Toronto is 39-46 against NL clubs, dropping 10 of 18 in 2001. They have thrived against arch rival Montreal, winning 16 of 25 but stunk up the joint against Florida (4-11) and the Mets (3-12). Last year the Blue Jays soared 'over' in eight of 12 inter-league tests at home while dipping 'under' in all six tries on the highway.
LOS ANGELES at BALTIMORE: Los Angeles is 37-37 against American League opposition, dropping 9 of 15 last season, including four of six on the road. Baltimore has a .435 mark in inter-league action, combining to drop 22 of 32 versus Florida and the Mets. Last year the O's came up short in 12 of 18 tries against NL foes, and dropped seven of nine on the road. Baltimore soared 'over' in five of eight on the road while slipping 'under' in seven of nine at Camden Yard.
NEW YORK METS at CLEVELAND: The Mets have posted a .553 mark in inter league play thanks to totally dominating Baltimore (11-5) and Toronto (12-3). They have a tough time against the Yankees (9-15) and Detroit (0-3). In 2001 New York captured six of nine inter-league tests at home while dropping five of nine on the highway. They slipped 'under' in 11 of 18, including seven of nine at Shea Stadium. Cleveland has won 48 of 85 against the NL, dominating the Cubs (6-2) and the Cardinals (8-3). Last year the Indians lost six of nine on the road while taking five of nine at Jacobs Field. They topped the number in six of nine tries in Cleveland.
PHILADELPHIA at DETROIT: The Phillies have posted a .459 mark against the American League, failing in 11 of 18 in 2001, including six of nine on the highway. Philadelphia went 'under' in 11 of 16 inter-league tussles last year, including 8 of 12 at the Vet. The Tigers are one game over .500 against NL opposition in five years of play, including a 2-1 mark against the Phillies. Last year Detroit won five of nine at home and on the road. They soared 'over' in 11 of 16, including all eight games at Comerica Park.
SAN DIEGO at TAMPA BAY: The Padres came up short in 9 of 15 inter-league games in 2001, dropping four of six on the road and five of nine at Qualcomm Stadium. San Diego has held its own the past five seasons, going 36-38, despite dropping 11 of 16 against Oakland. Tampa Bay sits at the bottom against National League opposition, posting a .400 mark despite winning 10 of 18 in 2001. The Devil Rays thrived at Tropicana Field, capturing seven of nine, but came up on the short end in six of nine on the highway. They topped the total in 10 of 16 tries, including seven of nine on the road.
ATLANTA at TEXAS: The Braves have struggled against AL bottom feeders, dropping 8 of 15 against the Orioles and 9 of 15 versus Toronto. Texas has split 86 games against the NL, dropping 11 of 18 in 2001, including six of nine on the highway. The Rangers went 'over' in 11 of 17 last year, five of eight at home and six of nine on the road. The Braves face a familiar foe in the series opener in Chan Ho Park. The former Dodger baffled them at Turner Field last season, turning in a complete game 4-1 victory, allowing five hits while fanning seven. Park has struggled in his last three outings since coming off the DL, however, going 1-2 with a 9.60 ERA.
FLORIDA at MINNESOTA: Florida is the king of the hill in inter-league play, winning 51 of 84 to become the only team in the majors with a winning percentage over .600. The Marlins are a combined 37-15 against Baltimore, Tampa Bay and Toronto. Last year the Marlins captured 12 of 18, including eight of nine at Pro Player Stadium. They also topped the total in seven of nine in Florida. Minnesota is 40-44 against the National League, and have a really tough time against the Cubs (5-10). Last year the Twins won seven of nine at the Metrodome only to reverse that record on the road.
MONTREAL at CHICAGO WHITE SOX: The Expos are 41-44 versus the American League after splitting 18 game last season. Montreal soared 'over' in 11 of 17, including six of eight at Olympic Stadium. The Pale Hose have a winning record against every National League opponent they have faced with the exception of the Cardinals (5-10) to rank third the AL inter-league standings. Last year Chicago came out on top in 12 of 18, taking four of six at home and 8 of 12 on the road.
ST LOUIS at KANSAS CITY: The Royals have won 9 of their last 15 against the Cardinals and swept a three-game set at Kauffman Stadium in 2001. St. Louis is 34-39 in inter-league contests, capturing 8 of 15 last year. The Cardinals won seven of nine at Busch Stadium but faltered in five of six on the road. Kansas City is 37-48 against the National League with its only winning mark against the Cardinals. Last time around the Royals came up short in 12 of 21, including 7 of 12 at home.
HOUSTON at OAKLAND: The Astros have fared well against AL foes, posting a .554 win percentage. They won 9 of 15 decisions last year, capturing six of nine on the road. Oakland sits at the top of the heap against the NL, winning 50 of 86, including 12 of 18 in 2001. The A's thrived at home last year, winning seven of nine. They also slipped 'under' in 15 of 17 tries, turning the trick in eight of nine at home and seven of eight on the highway.
CHICAGO CUBS at SEATTLE: The Cubs prospered at Wrigley Field last year in inter-league fracases, winning six of nine, but came up short in four of six on the road. Chicago is 37-37 versus the AL the last five campaigns. The Mariners are just 44-42 in inter-league frays but won 12 of 18 in their magical 2001 season, including six of nine on the road. Seattle slipped below the number in all eight games at Safeco Field while soaring 'over' in six of nine on the road.
CINCINNATI at ANAHEIM: This should be one of the better series this weekend featuring two of the biggest surprises in baseball. Cincinnati ended up in the dumper against AL teams in 2001, dropping 11 of 15, including seven of nine on the highway. The Reds are 34-39 in inter-league action while the Angels are 42-44. Anaheim won five of nine both at home and on the road last year. They went 'under' in five of eight away from home while soaring 'over' in five of seven at Edison Field.
