Spring Training Game Thread #-30: Brewers (1-1) at White Sox (0-1)

The long awaited debut of Zack Greinke!

Follow the jump for today's pitching matchup and more!

 

Finally, we can stop talking about Zack Greinke's (4.17 ERA, 3.34 FIP in 2010) personality long enough to discuss his pitching. Greinke makes his Brewer debut today and, like Shaun Marcum yesterday, he'll likely pitch two innings or 35 pitches, whichever comes first. 

If you're not familiar with Greinke, he's pretty good. It's unlikely he'll break out his full arsenal in his first spring training start, but when he's at full speed he throws four pitches: A low-to-mid 90's fastball, a slider, change and curve. The fastball and slider were both above average pitches in 2010 according to FanGraphs, and the curve was below average but has been above over the course of his career.

As you might expect from a pitcher who's spent his entire career in the AL Central, Greinke is pretty familiar with the White Sox. He faced them twice last season, posting a 4.50 ERA in 16 innings, walking one and striking out 12. Greinke has pitched against them 14 times since the start of the 2007 season.

Today, he'll face off against White Sox ace Mark Buehrle (4.28 ERA, 3.90 FIP in 2010). Buehrle is easily one of the game's most durable pitchers: He's averaged 222 innings and never thrown less than 201 over the last ten seasons, but he's also led the AL in hits allowed in four of the last six years.

Buehrle will primarily throw three pitches: A mid-to-high 80's fastball, a change and a cutter. He'll also mix in the occasional curve and slider. None of his pitches are especially spectacular, but none are terrible either: FanGraphs says they're all better than -1 run per 100.

Buehrle has never faced the Brewers during the regular season.

I haven't seen today's lineup yet, but maybe you have? If so, please mention it in the comments.

Enjoy the game!