Jeremy Guthrie, RH Justin Germano, RH (3-1, 2.57) (5-0, 2.36) 2B B Roberts 2B M Giles RF N Markakis RF J Cruz, Jr. 1B K Millar 1B A Gonzalez SS M Tejada CF M Cameron 3B M Mora C J Bard LF J Gibbons SS K Greene CF J Payton LF R Branyan C P Bako 3B C Headley P J Guthrie P J Germano
Two rookies with the initials J.G. square off in San Diego. Germano has made seven starts for the Padres and been outstanding. He was drafted by the Padres in the 13th round of the 2000 draft, and came up at age 21 in 2004, then was promptly hammered by major league hitters.
In 2005, he was involved in the Joe Randa trade, being sent with Travis Chick to Cincinnati. He made two appearances in 2006 for the Reds before being traded again, this time to the Phillies for Rheal Cormier. He never pitched for the Phillies, and then came back to San Diego. Now he's 5-0 over seven starts with a 2.36 ERA. His strikeout rate (3.64 K/9) is so low that he's going to be very lucky to continue this success, even with Greg Maddux mentoring him.
Guthrie is the AL's best rookie, stamina or not. He's been fantastic and one of the only guys on the team that has been enjoyable to watch. He's been given zero run support by his teammates.
Should be a barnburner! The games mean nothing.