July 31, 2006
Game of the Day
It's a clash that will help decide the AL West race as the Oakland Athletics travel south to face the LAnaheim Angels in a three game set. Dan Haren and Ervin Santana get the call in game 1. Haren is pitching better than his 7-9 record. At 1.92 walks per 9, he ranks seventh in the AL in that category. The things working against him are getting hit with runners in scoring position and a lack of double plays. Last season, Haren induced 26 GDPs; 2/3 through 2006 he's only induced 9. Haren's been lit up by the Angels in his four starts against them.
Ervin Santana does his best work in Anaheim, posting a 6-1 record and a 2.86 ERA there. He keeps the ball in the park at home, allowing just 2 of his 11 home runs at Angels Stadium. For his career, he's pitched well against the A's no matter where he faces them, collecting a 4-0 record with a 1.54 ERA in five starts. Most impressively, he's allowed just one home run.
Enjoy!
Correction: Changed NL to AL.
Posted by David Pinto at
08:54 AM
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Don't you think it's kind of bizarre that Anaheim has to play the Sunday night game -- in Boston -- and then fly back across the country to play Oakland, who've been in California the whole time? It's not like A's-Angels games are usually without import.
I have a mild local interest in the Angels, but it's more that you want both teams to be at their best.
