Freddy Garcia faces his former team on Sunday. The White Sox are coming off a series vs the Indians in which they won two of three games. They are currently tied with Minnesota for 1st place in the AL Central. The Mariners are tied for 1st with the Angels at 5-4. They swept the Royals earlier this week. Joel Piniero was activited from the DL and will start in the opening game of this series.
By the Numbers:
.317- Mariners On Base Percentage this season. Yes its pathetic.
.265- White Soxs On Base Percentage this season. To put this in perspective Wilson Valdez's SLUGGING percentage is higher that this.
Players to Watch from the White Sox:
Carl Everett - OF - Currently is hitting .367 with 8 RBIs and 4 Runs Scored.
Damsto Marte and Dustin Hermanson- Setup Men- they are out performing the closer with a combined 8 IP, 6 H, 1.12 ERA (1 ER), 10 Ks and 3 BB.
Players to Watch from the Mariners:
Ichiro Suzuki - RF - He only got 13 Hits in 8 games and is on pace for 263 hits. yeah that would be a record for hits in a single season. Currently hitting .406
Bullpen - not including Thornton - currently has a combined (not including Thorton): 20.3 IP, 13 H, 2 ER (0.88 ERA), 17 Ks, 10 BB, 2 HRs allowed (both by Eddie G)
Probable Starters
Friday - Joel Pineiro (NR) vs Jon Garland (1-0, 4.50 ERA)
Its Piniero's 1st start of the season and he was solid in a rehab stint in AAA. Garland was lit up for 10 Hits but only allowed 3 ERs in his only start in the season.
Saturday- Ryan Franklin (1-0, 2.13 ERA) vs Mark Buherle (1-1, 3.00 ERA)
Ryan Franklin's 1st start was brilliant going 8 and 2/3 Inning allowing 2 ER on 5 H and a BB vs the Royals. Buherle was tagged for 5 ER in 7 IP vs the Twinkies in his last start but had only allowed 2 H in his only other start going 8 on opening day vs the Indians. Should be a good pitching duel if it falls to form.
Sunday- Gil Meche (0-0, 7.88 ERA) vs Freddy Garcia (1-0, 1.93 ERA)
These 2 were supposed to the top half of the M's Rotation for years to come. Freddy Garcia has been the White Sox's best pitcher so far this season. Meche has been the Mariners worst starter and hes been tagged for 13 H and 4 BB (2.13 WHIP in 2 Starts that spanned over 8 IP).
Outlook- I think this is going to be an even series. Pineiro should win game one if hes effective. Garcia will probably win on Sunday over Meche. The 2nd game will be the most piviotal and the best game in the series. Ill go with 1-1 with the 2nd game being a push.