Welcome to the dawn of the Alcides Era.
Alcides Escobar makes his first career start today, as the Brewers take on Cesar Carrillo, also making his first major league start, and the Padres at 1:05. Follow the jump for today's pitching matchup, lineup and conversation on today's game!
Cesar Carrillo might be one of the more unlikely candidates to make a major league start this season. He's 25 years old, missed most of 2007 after undergoing Tommy John surgery, pitched poorly in high A after returning in 2008, and is being promoted to the big leagues to make today's start despite posting a 4.47 ERA in the minors in 2009, and a 6.19 ERA in just three AAA starts. He's struggled with baserunners both before and after surgery, posting WHIPs of 2.298, 1.779 and 1.314 over the last three seasons. The 137 innings he's already pitched this season are more than twice and nearly three times as many as he's ever pitched in a pro season.
Meanwhile, Manny Parra (7-8, 6.26) takes the mound today for the Brewers, looking for his fifth straight win. Somehow, the Brewers are 4-1 in his last five starts despite the fact that he's only pitched past the sixth inning one time and posted a 5.04 ERA in that time. David Eckstein is the only Padre with significant experience against him, and has gone 0-for-4 with three walks for the rare .000/.375/.000 line.
If you're waiting to see Escobar's first 2009 AB today, you may be waiting a while as he's starting at the bottom of the order (h/t Tyler Barnes):
Felipe Lopez 2B
Craig Counsell 3B
Ryan Braun LF
Prince Fielder 1B
Mike Cameron CF
Jody Gerut RF
Mike Rivera C
Manny Parra P
Alcides Escobar SS
Every arm in the bullpen has pitched in the last two days, and three guys have been used twice in that time:
Claudio Vargas pitched 1.2 innings (26 pitches) last night, and also pitched on Tuesday.
Todd Coffey pitched .2 innings (19 pitches) last night, and also pitched on Tuesday.
Mitch Stetter faced three batters (14 pitches) last night, and also pitched on Tuesday.
Trevor Hoffman pitched one inning (8 pitches) last night.
Jesus Colome pitched 1.2 innings (23 pitches) Tuesday.
Mark DiFelice pitched .2 innings (22 pitches) Tuesday.
David Weathers pitched one inning (17 pitches) Tuesday.
Enjoy the game!