Didn't the last baseball game, like, JUST end? Feels that way.
Both teams will be looking for their starter to go deep into today's game, given the bullpen marathon last night. Hm. James Shields vs. Brad Bergesen. I wonder which one is more likely to pitch into the late innings?
Remember when someone decided to give Shields the nickname, "Big Game James?" That was kind of weird. Shields' numbers don't look that impressive on first glance (ERA of 4.86, leads the league in HR allowed and gives up over 10 hits per nine innings), but both his FIP and xFIP tell a bit of a different story. He's striking out more than he ever has at 8.4 K/9 and and walking as few as he normally does (2.1 BB/9). In 19 starts this year, Shields has averaged about 6.1 innings per start.
Brad Bergesen is...Brad Bergesen. Your guess is as good as mine.