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Game 10: A pitching treat

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7 comments

Game 10: A pitching treat

POSTED: Monday, April 16, 2012, 5:57 PM
(Eric Risberg/AP)

SAN FRANCISCO — Welcome to AT&T Park, where the Phillies and Giants have shared plenty of moments in the last two seasons. Ryan Madson kicked a chair in the clubhouse and broke his toe. There was Roy Oswalt pitching in relief, surrendering a sacrifice fly to Juan Uribe that won Game 4 of the 2010 NLCS. Two nights later, Roy Halladay pitched six innings with a strained groin to preserve the Phillies' season. Then, last season, the benches cleared after a beanball.

In the opener of this series, we are treated to a fine pitching matchup. Halladay will face Tim Lincecum, the first time in three years that two multiple Cy Young Award winners are squaring off.

Charlie Manuel typically puts his best defense behind Halladay, who has struggled here, but he will go with a different look Monday.

1. Juan Pierre 7
2. Placido Polanco 5
3. Jimmy Rollins 6
4. Hunter Pence 9
5. Shane Victorino 8
6. Laynce Nix 3
7. Carlos Ruiz 2
8. Freddy Galvis 4
9. Roy Halladay 1

Why is Pierre starting over John Mayberry Jr., who is the superior defender, in a big ballpark? It probably has to do with these career numbers vs. Lincecum:

  PA AB H 2B 3B HR RBI BB SO BA OBP SLG OPS
Shane Victorino 37 35 6 1 0 1 3 2 7 .171 .216 .286 .502
Jimmy Rollins 31 29 6 2 0 0 0 2 7 .207 .258 .276 .534
Hunter Pence 27 26 3 1 0 0 0 1 8 .115 .148 .154 .302
Carlos Ruiz 22 18 5 2 0 1 1 3 5 .278 .409 .556 .965
Juan Pierre 13 12 6 1 2 0 3 1 1 .500 .538 .917 1.455
Placido Polanco 13 12 4 1 0 0 1 1 1 .333 .385 .417 .801
Laynce Nix 6 6 2 0 0 1 3 0 2 .333 .333 .833 1.167
Brian Schneider 6 5 0 0 0 0 0 1 1 .000 .167 .000 .167
Roy Halladay 4 3 1 0 0 0 0 0 2 .333 .333 .333 .667
Ty Wigginton 2 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 .000 .000 .000 .000
John Mayberry 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .000 .000 .000 .000
Total 175 161 36 9 2 3 11 11 40 .224 .277 .360 .638

Halladay has never defeated the Giants in the regular season. In three starts, he has a 7.23 ERA in 18 2/3 innings.


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7 comments
Comments  (7)
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 6:37 PM, 04/16/2012
    Nice job taking the second guess out of Pierre & Nix instead of Mayberry. We'll see if anyone listens. Go Roy!
    Ed3
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 6:49 PM, 04/16/2012
    Matty, Matty,Best Ball Park In Baseball? I know it is pretty in S.F. But the best park is Citizens Bank
    DUDESKINS
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 6:49 PM, 04/16/2012
    Matty, Matty,Best Ball Park In Baseball? I know it is pretty in S.F. But the best park is Citizens Bank
    DUDESKINS
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 7:15 PM, 04/16/2012
    I'm sure you're right that that's the reason Pierre is starting, but it's frustrating that a sample size of 12 at bats from 2007-2009 is the basis for the decision.
    mitchgoldich
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 9:23 PM, 04/16/2012
    Only sample available & nothing else seems to have worked against Lincecum the past few years.
    Ed3
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 9:45 PM, 04/16/2012
    who on the east coast can watch this game? i might see 1 inning if lucky. go phils
    phillysportsnut
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 10:00 PM, 04/16/2012
    Has anyone watched Lincecum this year? No control or velocity just put guys up there who will take some pitches. Oh, and if it is ever time to give Pence the night off why not tonight? 3 for 27 with 8 ks is ugly.
    lazyboy


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