Everyone loves a Yovani-day, right!
Follow the jump for today's pitching matchup, lineup and conversation on today's game!
Collin Balester (1-3, 6.75) is making his seventh start, but is averaging slightly more than four innings pitched in each of his first six games. His only win in 2009 was against the Brewers on July 28. He's posted a 10.97 ERA and allowed six home runs in his last three starts. Last time out, he allowed three earned runs on three hits and five walks in just 1.1 innings of work, lasting just 51 pitches.
Meanwhile, Yovani Gallardo (11-10, 3.56) comes into today's start in the top ten in the NL in hits per nine innings (fourth), strikeouts (third) and walks (third). Opposing batters are hitting just .197/.295/.364 off of him in his last three starts, but he's just 1-2 in that time. He beat the Nationals on July 30, allowing three earned runs over seven innings and striking out eleven.
Here's today's lineup, courtesy of Tyler Barnes:
Felipe Lopez 2B
Frank Catalanotto RF
Ryan Braun LF
Prince Fielder 1B
Casey McGehee 3B
Mike Cameron CF
Jason Kendall C
Yovani Gallardo P
Alcides Escobar SS
And in the bullpen:
Mark DiFelice pitched 1 inning (12 pitches) yesterday, and also pitched on Saturday.
Carlos Villanueva pitched 2.2 innings (56 pitches) yesterday.Chris Narveson pitched 2.2 innings (34 pitches) SaturdayTodd Coffey pitched one inning (18 pitches) Saturday.Trevor Hoffman pitched one inning (9 pitches) Saturday
Claudio Vargas pitched one inning (7 pitches) Saturday.David Weathers pitched one inning (14 pitches) yesterday.
Mitch Stetter last pitched on Sunday, August 16.