One Night Only: Hot Game Previews for April 14th

Do take LeVar Burton’s word for it: there are baseball games today.

Note: the numbers you see for pitchers are the updated ZiPS projections for 2011, which take into account early season performance and which are available on every player card.

Philadelphia at Washington | 7:05pm ET
Starting Pitchers
Phillies: Cliff Lee
201.1 IP, 8.00 K/9, 1.25 BB/9, 2.73 FIP

Nationals: Jordan Zimmermann
98.1 IP, 7.41 K/9, 3.20 BB/9, 3.67 FIP

Notes
• Here’s a thing: Jordan Zimmermann’s original ZiPS projection was for 89.0 innings.
• Now it’s for 98.1 IP — as you can see.
• Here’s another thing: Zimmermann has a 2.79 FIP through (the very small sample of) 11.1 innings. His xFIP? 4.92.
• Which most represents his expected ERA?
• The suspense is terrific.

Notes: Cliff Lee Edition
• While, cosmetically, Lee’s performance to date looks poor (1-1, 7.48 ERA), he’s actually been The Real Cliff Lee.
• To wit: 10.1 IP, 12.19 K/9, 0.87 BB/9, 51.3 GB%, 2.17 xFIP.
• The two main conspirators in his inflated ERA? A .433 BABIP and 51.3 LOB%.

Florida at Atlanta | 7:10pm ET
Starting Pitchers
Marlins: Ricky Nolasco
192.0 IP, 8.06 K/9, 1.73 BB/9, 3.47 FIP

Braves: Brandon Beachy
106.0 IP, 7.64 K/9, 2.89 BB/9, 3.58 FIP

Notes
• Some friends of mine are visiting from Atlanta right now. I’m gonna ask them if they have Brandon Beachy Fever, wait a sec.
• Okay, I just asked them.
• The wife said, “Is that a dangerous thing we should be worrying about?”
• “In a way it is,” I told her.
• “In a way it is,” I repeated poignantly.

If I Had My Druthers
• Brandon Beachy Fever would be an actual, like, condition.
• It wouldn’t be dangerous, though.
• And the main symptom would be “unflappability.”

St. Louis at Los Angeles Nationals | 10:10pm ET
Starting Pitchers
Cardinals: Jaime Garcia
127.0 IP, 8.22 K/9, 3.26 BB/9, 3.17 FIP

Dodgers: Hiroki Kuroda
168.2 IP, 6.35 K/9, 1.97 BB/9, 3.57 FIP

Notes
• I remember, listening to a Cardinal radio broadcast in March, there was some concern over Garcia’s performance in spring training.
• It’s true: Garcia had a 6.26 ERA through 23 spring innings.
• Unsurprisingly, his peripherals weren’t that bad: 23.0 IP, 13 K, 8 BB, 2.33 GO/AO.
• Now, he’s done this through two starts: 15.0 IP, 10.80 K/9, 1.80 BB/9, .258 BABIP, 60.0 GB%, 1.96 xFIP.
• Fact!

Two Other Notes
On Bud Norris
• Houston (and Team Joy Squad) starter Bud Norris is pitching tonight at 8:05pm ET against San Diego. He has a 2.82 xFIP through his first 10.0 innings (two starts) but a terrifying 8.10 ERA.

Charlie Blackmon Watch
• Charlie Blackmon is a mon among men.
• He went 0-for-4 with 0 BB and 0 K yesternight against Reno.
• His line to date: 29 PA, 2 HR, 5 BB, 4 K, .174/.345/.435 (.118 BABIP).