Series preview - New York

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

Game 1

Monday August 11th @ 7:10pm (FSN)

G. Pekins (102.7, 52/26. 1.47, 12.0)
vs
S. Ponson (95.7, 42/22, 1.56, 3.9)

Sidney Ponson hasn't been horrible this year. He hasn't been good either. Since arriving in New York he's walked as many as he's struck out and he's allowing more than one hit per inning.

After shutting out the Texas Rangers through six innings in his first start after the All-Star game Perkins has had three rocky starts in a row, the first coming in New York. Two of those games were late inning meltdowns, so we'll see if the hook comes quicker as a result.

Game 2

Tuesday August 12th @ 7:10pm (FSN)

N. Blackburn (140, 71/21, 1.27, 21.1)
vs
M. Mussina (140.3, 96/20, 1.20, 26.3)

Mike Mussina is having a typical Mike Mussina year, which seems to happen less frequent nowadays, but are good years when they do happen.

Nick Blackburn didn't have a great outing last time through against Seattle, but it wasn't that bad either. He's putting together a very nice first season and has even been a little unlucky in doing so; he's got a BABIP of .306 on the year.

Game 3

Wednesday August 13th @ 12:10pm (FSN)

K. Slowey (108.3, 78/16, 1.10, 19.2)
vs
D. Rasner (87, 54/28, 1.55, 0.7)

Darrell Rasner hasn't been any great shakes this year, although his last decent game came against the Twins. His .7 VORP in 87 innings gives you an idea of his contribution to the team.

Slowey can look dominating in one game and average in the next. His last outing against Kansas City, he only allowed one run, but also seven hits in 5 and 2/3 while only striking out two. He had the least bad start of the Twins pitchers in the last series against the Yankees.