Erik Bedard, LH Carlos Silva, RH
(5-1, 2.08) (7-3, 3.53)
2B B Roberts RF L Ford
3B M Mora C J Mauer
SS M Tejada LF S Stewart
1B R Palmeiro DH M LeCroy
RF S Sosa CF T Hunter
LF B Surhoff 2B B Boone
DH J Gibbons 1B M Cuddyer
CF L Matos 3B N Punto
C S Fasano SS J Castro
Game time is 8:10 on CSN (and ESPN in "select areas," apparently).
Yes. Yes. It is time. Today is such a day, and it might only get better.
Earlier this year I said Silva is the Kirk Rueter of the AL, where his success is almost staggering given his really weak K-rate and alarming amount of hits given up. But Silva has been pretty damn good this year for a very simple reason: he doesn't walk anybody. In 114 innings, he's walked five batters. He has just 41 strikeouts. Batters are hitting .301 against him. But he doesn't put anyone on unless they hit their way there, and that's a big, big plus.
Considering most of our guys don't walk anyway, this shouldn't affect our gameplan much. On May 9 at Camden Yards, Silva went seven, giving up nine hits and three earned runs. The Twins didn't score, so he took the loss.
Bedard should be taking it slow and easy tonight, don't expect more than six innings. If he's even close to his early season form the rest of the way this year, it's a huge step up for our pitching and the team overall.