Friday, May 30, 2014

Liriano v Beckett, Lineup, The Kid, Closers...

Francisco Liriano (0-5, 5.06 ERA) faces Josh Beckett (3-1, 2.43 ERA) tonight. Frankie is still looking for that first win, and with the way he's been going, this will be a tough opponent to claim victory #1 from tonight. He does have the element of surprise on his side; Frankie's only met LA once, and that was in 2006 while with the Twins.

On Sunday in Philadelphia, Beckett held the Phillies hitless on the way to a 6-0 victory, and after missing much of last year because of shoulder surgery, he looks like he's back with a vengeance this season. He doesn't have much of a track record against Pittsburgh, either. Beckett hasn't faced the Pirates since July 5th, 2004, as a Marlin, and is 1-1/1.54 in just two career starts against the Bucs.

The lineup: Josh Harrison RF, Neil Walker 2B, Cutch CF, Ike Davis 1B, Russ Martin C, Pedro 3B, Starling Marte LF, Clint Barmes SS and Liriano P. Clint goes with the hot hand of Barmes at short again.

The game begins at 10:10 and will be aired by Root Sports and 93.7 The Fan.

  • Even with yesterday's win, which snapped a nine game losing streak, the Bucs have dropped 17 of the last 20 games played in Dodgerland.
  • Neil Walker's 10 game hitting streak is the second-longest active streak among NL players. He's just behind St. Louis’ Matt Carpenter, who has an 11-game hitting streak.
  • Clint Hurdle said Jason Grilli was back in the closers' role as of this series. We suspect he'll be carefully monitored since he's had health issues in the past two seasons, giving Mark the Shark a shot at closing a few more times during the year. Grilli earned last night's save.
  • Blue OF Yasiel Puig has reached base in 30 consecutive games, the longest active streak in the majors.
  • Dodger C Drew Butera is in an interesting position. Butera caught a no-hitter by Liriano when the two were with the Minnesota Twins in 2011 and then caught Beckett's no-hitter Sunday against the Philadelphia Phillies. Guess the guy knows both pitchers, and how to call a game.

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