[Razz]

It's Fade Bartolo Colon Day! Here we have a former Cy Young winner, 6-3 on the year, and still a quality pitcher in the public's eye (#1 public play for tomorrow at wagerline). But this is a huge pitching matchup in favor of the Pirates. Here are their numbers, posted together for emphasis:

Colon - 6.17 ERA, 1.51 WHIP, .315 BAA
Gorzo - 3.01 ERA, 1.26 WHIP, .257 BAA

Colon isn't right. I'm amazed he hasn't been put on the DL, forced to make some rehab starts, or something. Here are his last five starts:

6.0 IP, 11 hits, 7 runs, 7 ER, 2 HR (Houston)
6.0 IP, 7 hits, 4 runs, 4 ER, 2 HR (@ Cincinnati)
4.0 IP, 7 hits, 4 runs, 4 ER, 3 HR (@ STL)
6.1 IP, 11 hits, 9 runs, 8 ER, 2 HR (Seattle)
4.1 IP, 10 hits, 6 runs, 6 ER, 2 HR (@ Detroit)

26.2 IP, 46 hits, 31 runs, 29 ER, 11 HR, 9.79 ERA, WHIP of basically 2.00, at least two homers allowed every start. Against two good offensive teams, two bad offensive teams, and one mediocre offensive team. These numbers aren't a mirage.

Tom Gorzelanny, on the other hand, has been one of the most consistent pitchers in baseball. He's pitched at least 6 innings in 13 of 14 starts, and given up 2 or fewer ER in 10 of those starts. He's also 5-2 with a 2.94 ERA on the road. Even thought the Angels have every advantage in this game except SP, if Gorzo can go 6 or 7 innings, the Pirates should build a nice lead on Colon.

Typical case of the heralded poor pitcher laying the big price to the unheralded strong pitcher. Win or lose, I'll take it every time.

2* Pirates +148
1* Will play Pirates 1st five innings tomorrow.

[onlooker]

Razz, I am with you on the Pirates and Gorzelanny tomorrow.

Lets hope the Angels left all their hits on the field tonight (17).

[moses millsap]

Too many demoralizing losses this week by useless bullpens. I was going to pass on the entire card tomorrow, but this one does look decent off the surface.

[rjt721]

I like it as well.

It's a little disconcerting seeing what the Halos did to Snell tonight, even if his blister was a factor. However, I agree Razz, Colon certainly doesn't justify being that big a fav. over Gorzellany.

[MonkeyF0cker]

I'm laying off this one. The Angels bats are pretty hot right now. Can't say much for the Pirates offense. As shaky as Colon's been, the Pirate bats are even more intermittent.

[cobra_king]

This Pirate play does look to be solid.....Hopefully Tom G will go as deep into the game as he can, or else it will be another one left to the Pirate bullpen that killed the +180 play from friday nite up 4-1 in the 7th. But with this matchup it's definately tempting to go back and bite the bait again.

[imgv94]

Hope you are right RAZZ... Looks very good.

[JBC77]

Looks like a good dog.....Pitt is averaging 1.67 runs over the last three games. Maybe Colon will throw meatballs to them. Good luck guys.

[AC1318]

lets go pirates lets go

[Razz]

Jeez, 7 hits and 4 BB in 6 innings and can only manage a couple runs. Frustrating, but if the Pirates, Astros, Cardinals, and Reds can get two baserunners an inning, BC is going to get absolutely annihilated when he gets back into the AL.