Key Questions for April 3, 2007

BAL v. MIN: Will Daniel Cabrera have the control he's been working towards? How will the youngster, Boof Bonser, handle being the number 2 starter behind Johan Santana?

Cabrera did not pitch that terribly giving up only 3 ER and striking out 9 through 7 innings, but he gave up 4 walks. His main issue that has prevented him from being the dominating starter is his control. He had over 100 walks last season and that number needs to be cut down. He was able to get out of most trouble, but walks did him in the 5th inning and 7th inning where two of his walks scored. The Orioles lost 3-2, where 2 of the Twins runs were scored because they were put on with walks.
Bonser pitched decently giving up 2 ER through 6 innings with striking out 6. Bonser also had some control issues by issuing 3 walks, but giving up 2 ER is what you ask from your starting pitcher. He was able to pitch around the trouble because none of his walks came around to score. Bonser seemed today to be a good number 2 starter, but again, like Cabrera, command of the strike zone needs improvement.

SD v. SF - Will Barry Bonds hit a homerun? How will Barry Zito begin his National League career? Will Jake Peavy return to his form before his subpar 2006 season? How will the Padres rookie third baseman, Kouzmanoff perform?

Barry Bonds remains at homerun total 734, going 1 for 3 and shocked the world when he stole a base. Bonds has shown that he is fully healthy. Zito kept the Giants in the game only putting 6 men on base over 5 innings and giving up 3 R (2 ER). The Giants decided not to show up at the plate sporting Zito 0 runs of support.
Peavy looked like his old self again 6 IP, 6 K, 3 H, completely stymieing the Giants.
Kouzmanoff went 1 for 5 in his first game with the Padres. He probably had the Opening Day jitters, which are much worse for younger players or those trying to prove what they can do with a new team. The number that jumps out is he left 5 men on base in his at bats. That's a large number (not that the Padres needed those extra runs tonight winning 7-0) but he may be needed to come through in other games. He's young, no need to worry yet.

FLA v. WSH: Will Scott Olsen continue his strides toward being a dominating pitcher? Will the Nationals' pitching staff recover from the clobbering they got from the Florida offense yesterday, giving up 9 runs?

Olsen gave up 2 ER over 5-1/3 innings pitched, which is a solid start, but he gave up 5 walks. It didn't hurt him terribly, but that's about 1 walk per inning.
Nationals' pitching staff came far from recovering from the clobbering they got from the Florida Marlins yesterday. They came out for a second game and allowed another 9 runs. Even with Jon Rauch pitching a perfect inning today, the Nationals' team ERA is 9.00. I assume that will decrease as the season goes on.

LAD v. MIL: Is Milwaukee that good? Although, still to early to tell, but after winning with a great performance from Ben Sheets, can they do it behind other pitchers (today Capuano)? Who will step up as the Dodgers power in their lineup?

Milwaukee pulls off another win against the Dodgers, although their game was much closer than yesterdays. Chris Capuano kept the Brewers in the game by giving up only 3 runs and the Brewers scored 4. Kevin Mench's go ahead 2-run homerun in the 6th inning and the Brewers bullpen pitching 4 scoreless innings, lead them to victory. It seems they have to tools to win, but we'll still have to wait and see.
After Jeff Kent sported the power for the Dodgers yesterday, Russell Martin hit the lone home run for the Dodgers today. It's good to see that more than one batter is capable of hitting the long ball, but the Dodgers need to find who will step up and have the consistent threat.

PIT v. HOU: Will Houston use Lidge as closer today (if needed) after he gave up the game tying home run to Xavier Nady yesterday in the 9th innning and resulting in a Houston loss in extra innings?

The Astros were not in position to bring in their closer, Lidge, today because Xavier Nady destroyed their day again by hitting a go-ahead 2 run home run in the 8th to give the Astros a 2nd loss this season.

NYM v. STL: Will Orlando Hernandez return to form after being injured last postseason? How will Kip Wells fit into the St. Louis rotation that has been completely reshuffled from that of their championship team?

Hernandez gave up only 1 ER over 7 innings and posted a WHIP of 1.00 today leading the Mets to a victory. Excellent job for his first start this season and he looks like he's back to form from his nagging injuries last season and spring training.
Wells gave up 4 R, 2 earned, in 6 innings. Defense was not played behind Wells and you can't completely blame him for the loss. He struck out 7, he had command of his pitches. He did what was asked him, but he received only 1 run of support and it's tough to win with such little support.

(It is still early in the season and for all of these starters it is their first outings of the season. Walks will be high because of excitement and still putting together some finishing touches on their technique from Spring Training.)