ST. LOUIS CARDINALS vs PHILADELPHIA PHILLIES - GAME 1
Kyle Lohse (14-8, 3.39 ERA)
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| Photo Credit: zimbio.com |
Lohse has pitched in 4 previous postseasons, with the Twins and Phillies, but he's made just one playoff start which he lost back in 2003. He certainly hasn't pitched poorly in the postseason though logging an ERA of 3.38 and allowing less than a baserunner per inning. Lohse split a pair of decisions against the Phillies this year, but his ERA in his two starts was just 1.76.
Roy Halladay (19-6, 2.35 ERA)
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| Photo Credit: zimbio.com |
The 34 year old Halladay just narrowly missed his 4th 20 win season this year, and if not for the amazing season had by Clayton Kershaw, you'd probably be hearing a lot more about the numbers he put up: 19 wins, 2.35 ERA, 220 strikeouts, 8 complete games... Halladay threw a no-hitter in his postseason debut last year and finished 1-1 with a 2.45 ERA in 3 starts. Against St. Louis this year, Halladay was 0-1 with a 3.21 ERA in 2 starts.
ARIZONA DIAMONDBACKS vs MILWAUKEE BREWERS - GAME 1
Ian Kennedy (21-4, 2.88 ERA)
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| Photo Credit: zimbio.com |
Kennedy is 12-1 with a 2.11 ERA in 14 starts since the All-Star break as he tied for the National League lead in wins with 21. Kennedy won more than twice as many games this year than he did in his first four seasons COMBINED (10) as he really came into his own at the age of 26. Kennedy made one start against Milwaukee this season and threw 7 shutout innings while earning the win.
Yovani Gallardo (17-10, 3.52 ERA)
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| Photo Credit: zimbio.com |
Gallardo eclipsed 200 strikeouts for the 3rd straight season and set career highs in games started (33), innings (207 1/3), strikeouts (207), wins (17), WHIP (1.22) and ERA (3.52). He made two appearances for Milwaukee in the 2008 postseason logging 7 innings and while he didn't allowed an earned run, he was saddled with a loss. Gallardo beat the D-Backs twice this year and had a 1.38 ERA against them in his two starts.
TAMPA BAY RAYS vs TEXAS RANGERS - GAME 2
James Shields (16-12, 2.82 ERA)
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| Photo Credit: zimbio.com |
Shields had 11 complete games this year and 4 shutouts as he lived up to the monicker Big Game James. This will be Shields' 6th postseason start and so far he's 2-3 with a 3.68 ERA. He faced the Rangers last year in the Divisional Round and didn't make it through the 5th inning in a Game 2 loss, but the results this year were a little different as he beat Texas twice during the regular season allowing just 1 run in 17 innings of work.
Derek Holland (16-5, 3.95 ERA)
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| Photo Credit: zimbio.com |
In 14 second half starts, Derek Holland is 9-1 with a 3.06 ERA, and like Shields, Holland also finished the year with 4 shutouts. After spending the 2010 playoff run as a reliever appearing in 6 games with a 4.76 ERA, this year's strong second half earned him a spot in the Rangers playoff rotation. Holland was 1-0 against the Rays during the regular season, but he had a 5.84 ERA in his two starts against them.
DETROIT TIGERS vs NEW YORK YANKEES - GAME 1 Cont'd
Doug Fister (11-13, 2.83 ERA)
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| Photo Credit: zimbio.com |
Doug Fister will pick up where Justin Verlander left off in the bottom of the 2nd tomorrow, weather permitting. A midseason acquisition from Seattle, Fister really flourished after being acquired by the Tigers going 8-1 with a 1.79 ERA in 11 appearances (10 starts) for Detroit after a 3-12 start for the M's. In his only start against the Yankees this season, Fister allowed 3 runs in 7 innings of work and took the loss.
Ivan Nova (16-4, 3.70 ERA)
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| Photo Credit: zimbio.com |
Rookie Ivan Nova will get the ball in the top of the 3rd tomorrow in relief of CC Sabathia. Nova is 12-0 in his last 16 starts and hasn't lost since June 3rd against the Angels. Nova did not face the Tigers during the regular season.
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