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Saturday's Mlb Play Of The Day
4/10/04 - 1:15 PM EST
MLB - Pittsburgh Pirates (+105) over Cincinatti Reds
After shining in the first Opening Day start of his career on Monday, Kip Wells takes the hill at Great American Ball Park Saturday afternoon in an attempt to bring the Pirates record to 3-2. Wells threw six shutout innings on Opening Day in Pittsburgh, scattering five hits against Philadelphia while striking out seven. He looked unphased going up against Kevin Millwood and a stacked Philly lineup, looking absolutely dominant at times throughout the six frames. His composure in his final inning of work was the most impressive. After surrendering leadoff singles to Pat Burrell and Bobby Abreu, he then struck out three in a row to put out the fire.
The Pirates have had some pop in their lineup this week, led by Craig Wilson (.438, 2 HR, 3 RBI) and catcher Jason Kendall. After taking 2 out of 3 against the Phillies in which they defeated two tough pitchers in Vincente Padilla (14-12, 3.62 ERA in 2003) and Millwood (89-59, 3.78 ERA career), they were defeated by the Reds on Friday night by a final of 5-1.
Cincinatti has also had a successful start to the '04 season, going 3-1 in their first four games. They took two out of three at Wrigley Field before winning on Friday. The biggest bright spot for the Reds so far has been the play of Ken Griffey Jr. (.400, 2 HR, 4 RBI). Griffey being healthy is absoultely necessary for the Reds to have any degree of success this year. Cincinatti sends right-hander Corey Lidle to the hill against the Bucs in this matchup. Lidle was defeated on Opening Day against the Cubs (5.0 IP, 6 H, 5 R, 5 ER, 1 BB, 4 SO). He was tagged quickly, giving up a home run to the second batter he faced in Corey Patterson. After showing promise with Oakland in 2001 and 2002, Lidle seemed to lose a step last year with the Blue Jays, giving up 216 hits in 192.2 innings and allowing a career-high 24 home runs. The only reason he got the Opening Day nod is because of the pathetic lack of depth in Cincinatti's rotation.
Pittsburgh's big boppers -- Kendall, Raul Mondesi, Randall Simon, and Wilson -- can hit Lidle hard if they show a little patience at the plate. The last time Lidle faced the Pirates was during interleague play last June and he gave up twelve base hits in six innings. Wells, on the other hand, had great success against Cincinatti last year, going 2-1 in three matchups against them (21.0 IP, 6 ER, 18 H, 14 SO). The Pittsburgh hurler has a fastball that hits 95-96 MPH and also features what has turned into a solid curveball. He doesn't crumble in pressure situations (opposing batters hit just .169 against him with runners in scoring position in 2003) as he showed on Monday in the sixth inning. He should be able to hold off Griffey, Adam Dunn, and Co. long enough to hand the game over to Jose Mesa who had a solid spring and is beginning to look more like the devastating closer he used to be a few years ago.
We like Kip Wells and the road underdog on Saturday. Take the Pirates to win the game.
CLICK HERE FOR THE REST OF SATURDAY'S MLB PLAYS
MLB - Pittsburgh Pirates (+105) over Cincinatti Reds
After shining in the first Opening Day start of his career on Monday, Kip Wells takes the hill at Great American Ball Park Saturday afternoon in an attempt to bring the Pirates record to 3-2. Wells threw six shutout innings on Opening Day in Pittsburgh, scattering five hits against Philadelphia while striking out seven. He looked unphased going up against Kevin Millwood and a stacked Philly lineup, looking absolutely dominant at times throughout the six frames. His composure in his final inning of work was the most impressive. After surrendering leadoff singles to Pat Burrell and Bobby Abreu, he then struck out three in a row to put out the fire.
The Pirates have had some pop in their lineup this week, led by Craig Wilson (.438, 2 HR, 3 RBI) and catcher Jason Kendall. After taking 2 out of 3 against the Phillies in which they defeated two tough pitchers in Vincente Padilla (14-12, 3.62 ERA in 2003) and Millwood (89-59, 3.78 ERA career), they were defeated by the Reds on Friday night by a final of 5-1.
Cincinatti has also had a successful start to the '04 season, going 3-1 in their first four games. They took two out of three at Wrigley Field before winning on Friday. The biggest bright spot for the Reds so far has been the play of Ken Griffey Jr. (.400, 2 HR, 4 RBI). Griffey being healthy is absoultely necessary for the Reds to have any degree of success this year. Cincinatti sends right-hander Corey Lidle to the hill against the Bucs in this matchup. Lidle was defeated on Opening Day against the Cubs (5.0 IP, 6 H, 5 R, 5 ER, 1 BB, 4 SO). He was tagged quickly, giving up a home run to the second batter he faced in Corey Patterson. After showing promise with Oakland in 2001 and 2002, Lidle seemed to lose a step last year with the Blue Jays, giving up 216 hits in 192.2 innings and allowing a career-high 24 home runs. The only reason he got the Opening Day nod is because of the pathetic lack of depth in Cincinatti's rotation.
Pittsburgh's big boppers -- Kendall, Raul Mondesi, Randall Simon, and Wilson -- can hit Lidle hard if they show a little patience at the plate. The last time Lidle faced the Pirates was during interleague play last June and he gave up twelve base hits in six innings. Wells, on the other hand, had great success against Cincinatti last year, going 2-1 in three matchups against them (21.0 IP, 6 ER, 18 H, 14 SO). The Pittsburgh hurler has a fastball that hits 95-96 MPH and also features what has turned into a solid curveball. He doesn't crumble in pressure situations (opposing batters hit just .169 against him with runners in scoring position in 2003) as he showed on Monday in the sixth inning. He should be able to hold off Griffey, Adam Dunn, and Co. long enough to hand the game over to Jose Mesa who had a solid spring and is beginning to look more like the devastating closer he used to be a few years ago.
We like Kip Wells and the road underdog on Saturday. Take the Pirates to win the game.
CLICK HERE FOR THE REST OF SATURDAY'S MLB PLAYS