Talksox - Red Sox Forum / Message Board - View Single Post - 5/17 vs. Milwaukee Brewers

Jayhawk Bill · 05-16-2008, 05:34 PM

Tonight's pitchers:

Boston:

Daisuke Matsuzaka
RHP
(6-0) 2.45 ERA

Milwaukee:

Jeff Suppan
RHP
(2-2) 4.63 ERA

Jeff Suppan's 2008 ERA is only 0.01 runs different from his 2007 ERA. More to the point his xFIP has varied only from 4.55 to 4.86 from 2004-2008. What we're seeing is his true level of performance.

As an NL starting pitcher.

Suppan has a 6.10 ERA over his career in Fenway. The AL has better talent than the NL; Fenway is a hitter's park. Suppan had a 10.12 ERA in Interleague games last year: he struggles against the AL.

Boston with Matsuzaka pitching has a better chance to win this game than Milwaukee with Suppan pitching. Keys to the Game:

1) No rainout; no long rain delay.
2) Boston scores early and continues to score late rather than scoring three times and trying to defend that lead.
3) Matsuzaka avoids the long ball and walks less than half as many batters as he strikes out.
4) Fair and accurate game-calling by the new umpire team.

05-16-2008, 05:34 PM	#3 (permalink)
Jayhawk Bill All-Star Join Date: Oct 29 2007 Posts: 1,914	Re: 5/16 vs. Milwaukee Brewers Tonight's pitchers: Boston: Daisuke Matsuzaka RHP (6-0) 2.45 ERA Milwaukee: Jeff Suppan RHP (2-2) 4.63 ERA Jeff Suppan's 2008 ERA is only 0.01 runs different from his 2007 ERA. More to the point his xFIP has varied only from 4.55 to 4.86 from 2004-2008. What we're seeing is his true level of performance. As an NL starting pitcher. Suppan has a 6.10 ERA over his career in Fenway. The AL has better talent than the NL; Fenway is a hitter's park. Suppan had a 10.12 ERA in Interleague games last year: he struggles against the AL. Boston with Matsuzaka pitching has a better chance to win this game than Milwaukee with Suppan pitching. Keys to the Game: 1) No rainout; no long rain delay. 2) Boston scores early and continues to score late rather than scoring three times and trying to defend that lead. 3) Matsuzaka avoids the long ball and walks less than half as many batters as he strikes out. 4) Fair and accurate game-calling by the new umpire team.