Today's Matchup: Giants (Sanchez) vs. Brewers (Wolf)

The Giants will be sending Jonathan Sanchez (3-3, 3.47) to the mound today.  Sanchez has been remarkably consistent over his career:  Over the past three years, his K/9s have been 9.75, 9.54 and 9.95 while his BB/9s have been 4.85, 4.47, and 4.74.  His HR/9 rate has gone down from 1.05 in 2009 to 0.79 this year(though he's given up a home run in all of his May starts), and both his FIP and xFIP have lowered by about half a run over the same time period.  This year, his FIP stands at 3.57 and his xFIP is equivalent to his ERA. 

The last time Sanchez faced Milwaukee, the Giants won 6-1 on July 5, 2010.  Sanchez pitched six innings and allowed the sole Brewer run on five hits while giving up six walks and striking out six.

Sanchez throws three different pitches: a high 80s/low 90s four seamer (which he throws 3/5 of the time), a low 80s changeup, and a low 80s slider.  This year, fangraphs has both the change and the fastball at above average value though over his career it has been his fastball/slider combo that has garnered the most positive value.

Four different Brewers have faced Sanchez at least 10 times.  Here's how they've fared:

Opposing him will be Randy Wolf (4-4, 3.70) who currently sports a 4.50 FIP.  The quick number rundown on Wolf in 2011:  A 6.63 K/9, a 3.09 BB/9 and a 1.23 HR/9. He had one of the best outings of his season so far in his last start against the Rockies when he went seven innings and allowed just one run on four hits.  He also walked three and struck out five--tied for his second highest strikeout total on the year.

Wolf has five pitches that he mixes up pretty well.  His most used pitch is his four seamer, and he only throws that around 25% of the time.  Over his career, his most valuable pitch (and, indeed, his ONLY positive value pitch) has been the fastball.  However, this season, it's his curveball that has been the most effective for Wolf. 

Wolf has faced five different Giants at least 10 times.  Here is how they've done against him:

Lineups today:

Nyjer Morgan and Carlos Gomez both get to play today as Wolf, a fly ball pitcher, is on the mound.  Defensively that sounds great, but their positions in the batting order should really probably be swapped.  Oh well, I'll just be glad to have more Plush in my day.

2B Rickie Weeks
CF Carlos Gomez
LF Ryan Braun
1B Prince Fielder
3B Casey McGehee
SS Yuniesky Betancourt
C Wil Nieves
RF Nyjer Morgan
P Randy Wolf

And in the Bullpen:

Mike McClendon pitched 2 innings (35 pitches) yesterday.
Marco Estrada pitched 1 inning (12 pitches) yesterday.
Kameron Loe pitched 1.1 innings (12 pitches) on Wednesday.
LaTroy Hawkins pitched .2 innings (16 pitches) on Wednesday.
Sergio Mitre and John Axford last pitched on Tuesday.
Tim Dillard last pitched on Monday.