Chris Bahr, Sporting News
What to expect in the major leagues today:
Out, in, out
First, he wasn’t an All-Star. Then, he was (as the replacement for the Yankees’ CC Sabathia). But when he steps on the mound this afternoon in Oakland, Angels right-hander Jered Weaver will forfeit his chance to pitch in Tuesday’s midsummer classic in his home park. Because he won’t be rested to pitch again so quickly, Weaver will be replaced on the roster.
Jered Weaver has All-Star numbers, but lousy timing will keep him from playing in the game.
Sponsored link: Athletics tickets available
Regardless, Weaver has put together an All-Star-caliber first half. He should go into the break with the major league lead in strikeouts, and he also ranks among the AL leaders with a 2.97 ERA and 1.07 WHIP. The last time Weaver started in Oakland, however, he allowed six earned runs and a season-high 12 hits in a loss.
Royal revival
This past week, Royals manager Ned Yost told the Kansas City Star that his team isn’t out of the AL Central race. Given the White Sox’s amazing turnaround earlier this season and the Royals’ improved play recently, perhaps Yost’s comments shouldn’t be dismissed.
This afternoon, Kansas City will wrap up a three-game series at U.S. Cellular Field against Chicago. Zack Greinke, who beat the White Sox on June 30 despite allowing six earned runs in eight innings, will be on the mound for the Royals. Rookie Daniel Hudson, replacing the injured Jake Peavy in Chicago’s rotation, is expected to make his first start of the season this afternoon.
So long, legends?
In the final game—it’s the Sunday night matchup—of the first half of the major league season, the Dodgers will host the Cubs. With Cubs manager Lou Piniella and Dodgers manager Joe Torre both in the last year of their contracts, this also could be the final time they manage against each other (Chicago and Los Angeles won’t play again this season, barring a playoff matchup).
Chris Bahr is Sporting News’ baseball editor. E-mail him at cbahr@sportingnews.com.
Chris Bahr, Sporting News
What to expect in the major leagues today:
Out, in, out
First, he wasn’t an All-Star. Then, he was (as the replacement for the Yankees’ CC Sabathia). But when he steps on the mound this afternoon in Oakland, Angels right-hander Jered Weaver will forfeit his chance to pitch in Tuesday’s midsummer classic in his home park. Because he won’t be rested to pitch again so quickly, Weaver will be replaced on the roster.
Jered Weaver has All-Star numbers, but lousy timing will keep him from playing in the game.
Sponsored link: Athletics tickets available
Regardless, Weaver has put together an All-Star-caliber first half. He should go into the break with the major league lead in strikeouts, and he also ranks among the AL leaders with a 2.97 ERA and 1.07 WHIP. The last time Weaver started in Oakland, however, he allowed six earned runs and a season-high 12 hits in a loss.
Royal revival
This past week, Royals manager Ned Yost told the Kansas City Star that his team isn’t out of the AL Central race. Given the White Sox’s amazing turnaround earlier this season and the Royals’ improved play recently, perhaps Yost’s comments shouldn’t be dismissed.
This afternoon, Kansas City will wrap up a three-game series at U.S. Cellular Field against Chicago. Zack Greinke, who beat the White Sox on June 30 despite allowing six earned runs in eight innings, will be on the mound for the Royals. Rookie Daniel Hudson, replacing the injured Jake Peavy in Chicago’s rotation, is expected to make his first start of the season this afternoon.
So long, legends?
In the final game—it’s the Sunday night matchup—of the first half of the major league season, the Dodgers will host the Cubs. With Cubs manager Lou Piniella and Dodgers manager Joe Torre both in the last year of their contracts, this also could be the final time they manage against each other (Chicago and Los Angeles won’t play again this season, barring a playoff matchup).
Chris Bahr is Sporting News’ baseball editor. E-mail him at cbahr@sportingnews.com.
