Series preview - Chicago

Note: The stats next to the pitchers are as follows (IP,SO/BB,WHIP,VORP)

Game 1

Monday July 28th @ 7:10pm (FSN)

K. Slowey (87.7, 64/15, 1.14, 11.2)
vs
M. Buehrle (139, 81/34, 1.26, 21.3)

The first of three left handers the Twins will face this series, Mark Buerhle is having a typical Mark Buerhle year, which is a pretty good year. Slowey hasn't had a good start since June 29th. He's walking more hitters and striking out less and the results have been predictable.

Game 2

Tuesday July 29th @ 7:10pm (FSN)

G. Perkins (90.3, 46/23, 1.42, 12.4)
vs
C. Richard (4, 7/1, 2.00, -2.4)

Clayton Richard struck out 7 while walking 1 in 4 innings in his first start. That's good. The defense behind him wasn't. While the Yankee's beat him up in his last start, Perkins has been the Twins most consistent pitcher. I would look for him to continue that trend against Chicago.

Game 3

Sunday July 30th @ 7:10pm (FSN)

L. Hernandez (135.7, 53/27, 1.60, -3.9)
vs
G. Floyd (123.7, 85/53, 1.23, 10.9)

Gavin Floyd is having his best year as a pro although his strikeout to walk ratio has regressed since last year, he walked 7 in a game at Texas recently. Livan is simply one of the worst pitchers in MLB this year. He doesn't strike anyone out and gives up a ton of hits, the only good thing you can say about him is that he doesn't issue a lot of walks, but when people are hitting .336/.363/.499 against you, it doesn't really matter if they're not getting walked.

Game 4

Sunday July 31st @ 7:10pm (FSN)

S. Baker (96, 81/18, 1.11, 22.9)
vs
J. Danks (124.7, 102/33, 1.21, 32.4)

Danks is having a pretty good second year, his walks and hits are down and his strikeouts are up. He hasn't fared well against the Twins though and in his first start after the break he had trouble with an anemic Royals offense. Scott Baker has been the Twins best starter all year, though his last start was his shortest since June 5th. He's touted as being a better second half pitcher because of a lower career ERA in the second half. This is actually incorrect, his ERA is lower mostly because his BABIP is lower which is due to luck, his SO/BB ratio is actually worse in the second half.