The race for the AL Central continues this afternoon with Twins hosting the Athletics and the White Sox hosting the Mariners. Francisco Liriano takes the hill for Minnesota. Since returning from the minors he's posted a 1.45 ERA with 15 K in 18 2/3 innings. The only thing he's done poorly so far is walk seven batters. He'll face Dallas Braden. The A's pitcher has an interesting split, giving up a much higher BA with the bases empty, but a higher slugging percentage with men on base.

The White Sox send Gavin Floyd against R.A. Dickey. Despite allowing a majority of his home runs at home, Floyd is 8-2 with a 3.27 ERA in Chicago. For some reason, his strikeouts are much higher at the park formerly known as Comisky. Maybe players swing for the fences in the easy home run stadium? Dickey is averaging two base runners per inning in August.

The Rays go for the sweep of the Angels for the second time this season. The disappointing Jered Weaver faces Matt Garza. I don't quite understand why Weaver's ERA is so high. Most of the damage against him comes with the bases empty. It looks like a case of two seasons balancing out. Last year, his FIP was a little higher than his ERA. This season, it's a little lower. Garza's done a great job of keeping the ball in the park in Tampa Bay. He's allowed just two home runs at home, twelve on the road.

Finally, the best pitching matchup of the day goes to San Diego at Arizona as Jake Peavy faces Dan Haren. Peavy's allowed two runs in 14 innings against the Diamondback this season but still managed to lose a game. Haren's posted a 2.14 ERA against San Diego, but is 2-1 against the division rival.

Enjoy!

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