Jack Flaherty faces Zack Greinke as the Cardinals visit the Diamondbacks. Flaherty combines a high strikeout rate with a decent walk rate to keep opponents off base. Batters reach at a .284 clip against Flaherty. Greinke has not made a relief appearance since the 2007 season. Since the start of the 2008 season, Greinke made 327 starts, the third most of any pitcher in that time frame without a relief appearance. Jon Lester and Justin Verlander both are at 339 starts.
The Angels try to gain on the Mariners as Andrew Heaney takes on Wade LeBlanc. Heaney made one start against Seattle this season, giving up three home runs in three innings. LeBlanc allowed a .215 BA at home this season, .299 on the road. He both strikes out and walks more batters in Seattle.
Enjoy!
Not really anything to do with this, but I was just wondering–is batting the pitcher eighth no longer a thing? I heard about it all the time last year, and this year very little. I don’t know that it makes a lot of difference, really, but with my Twins playing interleague games lately I just started wondering about it.
Jeff A » Yes, it is still a thing. I’ve seen the Nationals do it, and I believe other teams as well.