Post by nesince92 on Aug 18, 2006 15:29:03 GMT -5
Preview of tonight's double-header
OAK: RHP Joe Blanton (13-9, 4.53 ERA)
In his last start, Blanton held the Devil Rays to two runs over 6 1/3 innings. The right-hander has five wins in his last six outings and leads the A's in victories. The 25-year-old is 3-0 against Kansas City with a 1.33 ERA in 27 innings.
KC: RHP Luke Hudson (5-4, 6.39 ERA)
The Royals hope Hudson's last outing was an aberration. It couldn't get much worse. Hudson won five straight decisions, three in as many starts, before giving up 11 runs in the first inning on Sunday at Cleveland. His last pitch was a Travis Hafner grand slam.
GAME 2:
OAK: RHP Esteban Loaiza (6-7, 5.97 ERA)
Loaiza had arguably his best performance of the year in his last start against the Devil Rays. He held Tampa Bay to three hits and one run over eight innings. Loaiza brought his ERA below 6.00 for the first time this season and has won two of his last three starts.
KC: LHP Jorge De La Rosa (3-3, 8.24 ERA)
De La Rosa has looked good, bad and just OK in three starts since coming over from Milwaukee. He won his first start against Texas, giving up two runs in six innings, before taking an early beating (five runs in 1 1/3 innings) against Minnesota on Aug. 3. His last outing was a no-decision, giving up four runs in six innings at Cleveland on Aug. 12.
Player to watch
Payton is 8-for-22 against the Royals this season with a homer and three RBIs.
In his last start, Blanton held the Devil Rays to two runs over 6 1/3 innings. The right-hander has five wins in his last six outings and leads the A's in victories. The 25-year-old is 3-0 against Kansas City with a 1.33 ERA in 27 innings.
KC: RHP Luke Hudson (5-4, 6.39 ERA)
The Royals hope Hudson's last outing was an aberration. It couldn't get much worse. Hudson won five straight decisions, three in as many starts, before giving up 11 runs in the first inning on Sunday at Cleveland. His last pitch was a Travis Hafner grand slam.
GAME 2:
OAK: RHP Esteban Loaiza (6-7, 5.97 ERA)
Loaiza had arguably his best performance of the year in his last start against the Devil Rays. He held Tampa Bay to three hits and one run over eight innings. Loaiza brought his ERA below 6.00 for the first time this season and has won two of his last three starts.
KC: LHP Jorge De La Rosa (3-3, 8.24 ERA)
De La Rosa has looked good, bad and just OK in three starts since coming over from Milwaukee. He won his first start against Texas, giving up two runs in six innings, before taking an early beating (five runs in 1 1/3 innings) against Minnesota on Aug. 3. His last outing was a no-decision, giving up four runs in six innings at Cleveland on Aug. 12.
Player to watch
Payton is 8-for-22 against the Royals this season with a homer and three RBIs.
