One Night Only: Previews for Weekend of April 15th

Actual poster above Dave Cameron’s bed.

This edition of One Night Only contains sexy, updated Team NERD scores (without the POFF variable).

Friday, April 15th
Chicago Nationals (3) at Colorado (9) | 8:40pm ET
• Matt Garza pitches tonight for the Cubs.
• He has a 5.68 ERA through two starts, but has also done this: 12.2 IP, 14.21 K/9, 2.13 BB/9, .541 BABIP, 40.0 GB%, 1.28 xFIP.
• What?
• Also, don’t look this second, but Troy Tulowitzki’s doing this through 57 PA: .364/.491/.909 (.273 BABIP), .552 wOBA, 235 wRC+.
• Without defense included, he’s posted a 1.3 WAR. Already.

San Francisco (5) at Arizona (10) | 9:40pm ET
• Per Team NERD, Arizona’s the most interesting team possible right now.
• Why?
• Because they’re young, pretty, and can’t possibly be beat have a pretty excellent bullpen (2.91 xFIP) so far.
• Oh, pitchers for tonight: Matt Cain (13.0 IP, 4.85 K/9, 1.38 BB/9, 53.8 GB%, 3.37 xFIP) versus Daniel Hudson (13.0 IP, 9.00 K/9, 3.46 BB/9, .281 BABIP, 38.7 GB%. 3.40 xFIP).
• Matt Cain HR/FB Watch: 10.0%. (League average is currently about 9.0%.)

Saturday, April 16th
Pittsburgh (4) at Cincinnati (8) | 1:10pm ET
• Team Joy Squad ace Edinson Volquez starts today for the Reds.
• Volquez so far: 17.0 IP, 9.53 K/9, 5.29 BB/9, 61.4 GB%, 3.66 xFIP.
• And yet Fate gives him only a 5.82 ERA!

St. Louis (5) at Los Angeles Nationals (3) | 10:10pm ET
• Have you heard Dave Cameron talk about Clayton Kershaw yet?
• Here’s how I’d describe his (i.e. Cameron’s tone): totes exuberant.
• Or, as totes exuberant as the cold-hearted Dave Cameron can get.
• Anyway, boom: Kerhsaw’s three starts: 19.2 IP, 10.98 K/9, 1.83 BB/9, 48.9 GB%, 2.20 xFIP.
• I agree completely with you, reader: that is a spicy meatball.

Sunday, April 17th
Seattle (4) at Kansas City (9) | 2:10pm ET
• So, two things about this game.
• First, is Michael Pineda.
• Regard: 13.1 IP, 7.43 K/9, 2.03 BB/9, 18.9 GB%, 3.86 xFIP (and 95.5 mph average fastball velocity).
• The other thing is, the Royals appear to be watchable in these early stages.
• They’re cheap, young, and actually not terrible*, are three reasons why.

*Base Runs says they’re more of a 6-6 team than 8-4 one. Still, not horrific.

Texas (6) at New York Americans (7) | 8:05pm ET
• The Alexi Ogando Show continues this evening.
• Ogando so far: 13.0 IP, 5.54 K/9, 2.08 BB/9, 29.4 GB%, 3.89 xFIP.
• Those numbers are less gushing than his 0.00 ERA.
• Three reasons: .118 BABIP, 100.0 LOB%, 0.0% HR/FB.
• Also, consider his splits. Ogando versus LHB: 31 TBF, 4.49 xFIP. Versus RHB: 14 TBF, 2.54 xFIP.