Yankees RHP Phil Hughes (4-9, 4.58 ERA) at Padres RHP Ian Kennedy (3-8, 5.23 ERA), 4:05 EST.
Line: NYY -110, SDP -110
As we predicted yesterday almost like we had todays newspaper the Yankees came away with a win last night in Game 2 at Petco Park. Nova was brilliant for 7 innings then Robertson for the 8th and Mariano for the save. We thought the Yankees would put across more than 2 runs, but 2 runs are usually enough in San Diego.
In today’s rubber match the Yankees send Phil Hughes to the bump to try and work a win before the Yankees take off for Chicago. Phil Hughes has been average all year but the interesting thing with him this season are his home/away splits. At home this season Hughes has a 6.02 ERA while posting a 1-7 record, opponents hit him for a .304 average. On the road he’s a respectable 3-2 but his ERA is a full 3 runs lower at 3.02 holding opponents to a .235 average.
Newly acquired Ian Kennedy makes his first start for the Padres since the trade which saw the Diamondbacks acquire middle man extraordinaire Joe Thatcher from San Diego. Thatcher will give the Diamondbacks an immediate boost in the bullpen which they desperately needed. Kevin Towers must think Kennedy is done to trade him away for a middle reliever. We concur with the Diamondbacks GM on this one. The Diamondbacks were 1-9 in Kennedy’s last 10 starts. To his defense a lot of those games were on the road against quality teams but we’re confident it’ll be more of the same for Kennedy in San Diego.
The Yankees should have no problem getting to their old teammate Kennedy in this one and Phil Hughes should do just enough to get Yankees over the hump on getaway day.
Prediction: Yankees 5, Padres 3
PLAY ON: Over 7.5
Line: NYY -110, SDP -110
As we predicted yesterday almost like we had todays newspaper the Yankees came away with a win last night in Game 2 at Petco Park. Nova was brilliant for 7 innings then Robertson for the 8th and Mariano for the save. We thought the Yankees would put across more than 2 runs, but 2 runs are usually enough in San Diego.
In today’s rubber match the Yankees send Phil Hughes to the bump to try and work a win before the Yankees take off for Chicago. Phil Hughes has been average all year but the interesting thing with him this season are his home/away splits. At home this season Hughes has a 6.02 ERA while posting a 1-7 record, opponents hit him for a .304 average. On the road he’s a respectable 3-2 but his ERA is a full 3 runs lower at 3.02 holding opponents to a .235 average.
Newly acquired Ian Kennedy makes his first start for the Padres since the trade which saw the Diamondbacks acquire middle man extraordinaire Joe Thatcher from San Diego. Thatcher will give the Diamondbacks an immediate boost in the bullpen which they desperately needed. Kevin Towers must think Kennedy is done to trade him away for a middle reliever. We concur with the Diamondbacks GM on this one. The Diamondbacks were 1-9 in Kennedy’s last 10 starts. To his defense a lot of those games were on the road against quality teams but we’re confident it’ll be more of the same for Kennedy in San Diego.
The Yankees should have no problem getting to their old teammate Kennedy in this one and Phil Hughes should do just enough to get Yankees over the hump on getaway day.
Prediction: Yankees 5, Padres 3
PLAY ON: Over 7.5