…… because as much as I try, I really don't care about Hawks-Canucks or Cavs-Hawks
Ten games on tap this evening and here's what the Rotowire army and I will following:
TEX @ CHI-A
John Danks v Kevin Millwood
The Rangers hit Danks hard last week (five runs, 10 hits in 5.1) and he has looked very mortal in his past two starts…. Millwood has a sub-1.00 WHIP on the season, and a strong performance at U.S. Cellular could silence a lot of doubters
Lineup notes: Alexei Ramirez is supposed to return after missing two days… will his bat respond to the benching… he bats ninth Saturday with Scott Podsednik leading off … Michael Young (back stiffness) left Friday's game and will probably miss the rest of the series… Omar Vizquel relieved Young Friday, but Hank Blalock and Chris Davis are also possible replacements… The Rangers recalled Joaquin Arias Saturday
Weather: Chilly… May be in the 40's by the end of the game
CHI-N @ MIL
Ryan Dempster v Yovani Gallardo
Gallardo has 30 strikeouts to six walks over his past four starts… Dempster struck out a season-high seven against the Giants May 4, but has been away from the team due to "family business"
Lineup Notes: The biggest news of the series is Aramis Ramirez's separated shoulder, expected to keep him out four-to-six weeks. Lou Piniella said after Friday's game he was unsure who would start at third, but Ryan Freel, Bobby Scales and Mike Fontenot are the leading candidates…. Fontenot already has 12 starts at third this season and will probably be the main man there, barring a transaction…. As Ramirez exits, Derrek Lee (neck) returns … We're still awaiting a verdict on Milton Bradley's appeal of a two-game suspension… All quiet on the Brewers' front
Weather: Retractable roof
DET @ CLE
Edwin Jackson v Fausto Carmona
Jackson is coming off his worst start of the season (five runs in six innings against the Twins, struck out seven), but he has been stellar in three road starts (.211 BAA, 14:4 K:BB, 1.00 WHIP)… Carmona has struck out more than three batters twice this season… he has not allowed a home run in either of his past two games
Lineup Notes: Tigers pilot Jim Leyland plans to use all the lefthanders he can against Carmona, who allows lefties to hit .329 (righties hit .206)… That means Josh Anderson, Jeff Larish and Clete Thomas are all in the lineup, while Magglio Ordonez sits and Miguel Cabrera DH's… Jhonny Peralta's "mental break" could last into Saturday's game… Asdrubal Cabrera got the start there Friday… Matt LaPorta sat Friday after making four-straight starts
Weather: Very windy this afternoon with gusts as high as 47 mph… Slight chance of showers… Low near 42 tonight
SD @ HOU
Kevin Correia v Brian Moehler
Correia only lasted 3.1 innings in his last start and his yet to record a win in six starts… He nearly strikes out a hitter an inning, but his K:BB ratio is at 1.39… Cha Seung Baek will return from the DL soon, which could spell a return to a reliever role for Correia… Moehler had his best start of the season Monday in his return from the disabled list (eight hits, two runs, five K's in five innings)
Lineup Notes: How will Scott Hairston fare against a right-handed pitcher… Lance Berkman (wrist) was a late scratch Friday and won't play Saturday… Even if he were to return, it probably wouldn't be to the three spot… Miguel Tejada will likely bat third
Weather: Retractable roof
NY-A @ BAL
Philip Hughes v Adam Eaton
Hughes was good in his season debut against the Tigers (two hits, no runs, six strikeouts in six innings), but was roughed up in a rain-delayed rivalry game against the Red Sox Monday (seven hits, four runs, four walks in four innings)… It should be safe to expect a start between the two on Saturday… Eaton has lived up to expectations, allowing at least four runs in all but one start, and posting a 1.671 WHIP… The 7.9 K/9 is a bit surprising.
Lineup Notes: The Yankees order should develop after Alex Rodriguez returned Friday… Nick Markakis is 6-for-27 since snapping a 17-game hit streak on May 2
Weather: Low around 60 with a chance of thunderstorms… 40 percent chance of precipitation
STL @ CIN
Kyle Lohse v Aaron Harang
Loshe posted his worst start of the season Monday (six earned runs, seven hits, two home runs, 4.1 innings) and picked up his first loss… He has walked six over his past two starts… Harang struck out nine for the second time this season on Monday, but picked up a no-decision in a 3-2 loss…. He has 30 strikeouts to nine walks, but has given up a home run in each of his past two starts
Lineup Notes: Colby Rasmus should continue his reign center, but he is 2-for-13 in the four game since Rick Ankiel got injured… The flu bug bit Brandon Phillips and Joey Votto, and both have missed the past two games… Phillips is expected to return Saturday, Votto is not….
Weather: A little cold (low around 48), but there is no threat of rain and there should just be a gentle breeze
SEA @ MIN
Felix Hernandez v Francisco Liriano
This may be the premier pitching matchup of the night… King Felix is coming off his roughest start of the season (six runs, 10 hits, two homers, six innings) but he was still able to strike out nine… He has 18 K's to one BB over his past two starts… His 136 ERA+ is his best since his rookie season… Conversely, Liriano just pitched his best start (and first win) of the season (two runs, four hits, nine strikeouts, 7.1 innings)… Walks are an issue (3.5 per nine)
Lineup Notes: Ken Griffey was seen helping Adrian Beltre with his batting stance Saturday morning…. Brandon Morrow returned from the DL prior to the game and should resume closer duties, pushing David Aardsma to a set-up role… Carlos Silva was placed on the 15-day DL with shoulder inflammation… Jason Vargas takes his rotation spot… Joe Crede sat Friday with a hammy injury and playing Saturday is unlikely… Brian Buscher should man the hot corner…
Weather: Dome
WAS @ AZ
John Lannan v Doug Davis
Lannan picked up his first win on Monday, but failed to pick up a strikeout for the first time this year… He has a 6:5 K:BB and .315 BAA in his past three starts… Davis lasted 4.1 innings in his last start, allowing four runs on five hits (two homer)… He had struck out 18 to five walks in his three previous starts
Lineup Notes: Justin Upton will try to extend his hitting streak to 16… Does Josh Whitesell keep playing at first?… Cristian Guzman has a six-game hitting streak, over which he is 13-for-32 with five extra-base hits
Weather: 100+ degrees in Phoenix this afternoon… Retractable roof
FLA @ COL
Josh Johnson v Jorge De La Rosa
Johnson has not factored in a decision since April 12… He has at least six strikeouts in every game but one… He has walked one over his past two starts… De La Rosa allowed a home run in each of his past two starts… He has pitched into the seventh just once this season… He walks nearly five batters per nine innings
Lineup Notes: Hanley Ramirez has hit in six straight, and is 12 for his last 23 with four home runs… Where can manager Fredi Gonzalez find a place for Chris Coghlan to play… Cameron Maybin sits with Alfredo Amezaga in center… Todd Helton looks to extend an 11-game streak (.476/.521/.690)… Does Seth Smith remain in the leadoff spot?
Weather: 50 percent chance of showers tonight… Low around 39
KC @ LAA
Zack Greinke v Joe Saunders
Greinke has an 1156 ERA+ through six starts… The highest ERA+ for a season was Pedro Martinez' 291 in 2000… Quite simply, his start is one of the best in baseball history… Saunders had a season-high seven strikeouts Monday against the A's, but had a 9:9 K:BB in his first five starts
Lineup Notes: All is relatively quiet on both sides… Jeff Mathis caught the past two games with Mike Napoli in the DH spot
Weather: High around 79 this afternoon…. Low around 59… Fog later in the night