6/28: What To Look For?

Probable Starters: Pat Maholm (2-6, 4.90) vs. Freddy Garcia (9-4, 4.66)

This does not look like much of a match-up. Garcia has a lower ERA while pitching in a tougher league for pitchers. Garcia has struggled lately and has posted a 4.88 ERA in June. However, Maholm is winless this month with a 5.52 ERA.

The key in this game is for Freddy to keep the ball in the park. He has allowed 8 homeruns this month over 27.2 IP. In the exact same number of innings, he allowed 4 dingers in April. In May he only allowed 5 over 41.1 IP. His walk and hit rates have not been bad this year. He just needs to avoid the long ball. The Pirates rate sixth in the National League in homeruns so this is no easy task.

Maholm has allowed 46 walks and 138 hits over 127.2 IP. He has only allowed 10 homeruns. This suggests that Maholm is a nibler. He isn't getting enough of the plate to get hit hard, but he is walking people and giving up hits. The Sox need to stay patient and look to use the opposite field. Maholm will take care of the rest.