Coach Fletcher’s Wednesday Scouting Edge
Wednesday, September 2
Hammel Struggling a Little in Last 7 Games
11:20 am Cincinnati Reds at Chicago Cubs
Jason Hammel is 7-6 with a 3.42 era for the Cubs. But lately he has had a little trouble getting guys out. In fact, in his last 7 games Hammel has an era of 5.44. He’s actually out-performing his career numbers which are 66-76 with a 4.47 era. He appears to be going downhill slowly. He’s been particularly off in his last 3 starts where he has gone 1-1 with a 6.28 era. Hammels is better at home where he is 2-2 with a 3.52 era. Hammel has gone against the Reds twice this year. In 10 innings Cincinnati has touched him up for 3 earned runs and 12 hits. Hammel walked 6 and fanned 8 in those 2015 starts. Hammel and the Cubs opened at -160.
Sonny Gray Takes On Andrew Heaney in Oakland
12:35 pm Los Angeles Angels at Oakland Athletics
The best pitcher for each of the teams will be on the hill tomorrow facing one another. It’s a shame in a way because one will likely lose. Gray is 12-6 on the year with a 2.13 era. Due to poor run support and occasional bad pitching, Gray has only 2 wins in his last 7 games despite owning an era of just 1.73. Gray has gone 2-2 over his last 7 and 6-4 with a 2.34 era in his last 15. Heaney is 5-2 with a 3.11 era for the year. He’s stumbled a bit going 1-2 with a 4.50 era in his last 7. The Angels have almost dropped out of contention in the meantime having lost 17 of their last 20 road games. Heaney is 2-1 away with a 1.72 era and 2-1 with a 1.85 era during the day. Gray and the A’s opened at -145 and a total of 7.5 which was quickly bet down to 7.
Tanaka Tries to Take Down Red Sox for a 3rd Time
1:05 pm New York Yankees at Boston Red Sox
Masahiro Tanaka has not been particularly good against the Bosox. But he has beat them beat them in both of his starts this year due to the NYY offense. Lifetime Tanaka is just 3-2 with a 4.66 era vs the Bronx Bombers. But this year Tanaka has been on the right side of 13-3 and 14-4 games. Tanaka has had a solid year despite missing time due to injuries. He is 10-6 overall with a 3.62 era. HJe’s 4-2 on the road with a 2.98 era and in his last 3 he’s gone 2-1 with a 2.86 era. Tanaka and the Yankees opened at -145.
Rejuvenated Jeff Lock Opposes Zach Davies in MLB Debut
5:10 pm Pittsburgh Pirates at Milwaukee Brewers
22 year old Zach Davies will walk to the mound at Miller Park tomorrow for his major league debut. Zach is listed at 6’0 and 160 lbs., but both of those appear to be exaggerations by those who have seen him. Davies comes out of Arizona High School as the 26th round pick in the 2011 Amateur Draft. He was originally drafted by the Orioles. The most recent stats for Davies are mixed. He has spent 2015 in Triple-A ball with Norfolk and Colorado Springs. In 19 starts for Norfolk in the International League, Zack was 5-6 with a 2.84 era. When he moved to Colorado Springs in the Pacific Coast League, Davies was 1-2 with a 5.00 era in 5 starts. Throughout his minor league career Davies went 28-31 with a 3.55 era. The word is that he doesn’t throw hard but has a great changeup. In the minors he averaged 2.9 walks per game and 7.8 strikeouts. He’s been thrifty against the home run ball throughout his career always averaging less than 1 HR per game.
Hamels and Kennedy Duel In San Diego
7:10 Texas Rangers at San Diego Padres
Two Pitchers in excellent form will go at it in San Diego tonight. Texas is still battling for a chance at the AL West or AL Wild Card. They are sending Cole Hamels to the bump. He is 8-8 on the season with a 3.69 era. He’s been extremely efficient in his last 2 starts going 2-0 with a 1.93 era. Better yet Hamels is a San Diego specialist. He’s 5-1 there with a 1.78 era in 8 starts by the border. Hamels is 9-2 with a 2.15 era lifetime versus the Friars. Kennedy is an unimpressive 8-12 with a 3.94 era. However, since the All-Star break Kennedy has pitched to a 2.32 era and allowed only 13 runs over 8 starts. Kennedy’s era in his last 3 starts is just 1.40 even though he went 1-2. Kennedy went 4 1/3 innings this July in Texas and allowed 3 earned runs, 4 hits and 2 bombs. Texas and Hamels opened at -120.