The Baysox travel to the northern reaches of Red Sox Nation for three games against the Portland Sea Dogs from May 9 to 11.
Friday, May 9 – 7:05 p.m. RHP Chris Tillman (3.25 PERA) vs. LHP Dustin Richardson (2.84 PERA)
Saturday, May 10 – 1:00 p.m. RHP Kyle Schmidt (3.61 PERA) vs. RHP Justin Masterson (3.01 PERA)
Sunday, May 11 – 1:00 p.m. RHP Brad Bergesen (2.11 PERA) vs. RHP Matt Goodson (4.48 PERA)
It happens that the pitching match-ups are the same as the teams’ April 29 to May 1 series in Bowie, except that Kyle Schmidt has replaced Chris Waters in the Baysox rotation. It also happens that the Sea Dogs lead the Eastern League in ERA, strikeouts, runs and hits allowed, as they did last time around.
What has changed is that the Sea Dogs have reached the middle of the pack in most of the Eastern League’s interesting/useful offensive categories. Portland is also getting on base more often (.350 team OBP for second in the EL), which might be expected from a Red Sox affiliate.
Catcher Mark Wagner (.294 EqA) has made his case to be Jason Varitek’s successor stronger by going 19 for 47 (.404) in the last 13 games. His success is going a ways toward proving last year’s career high .939 OPS (.770 league average OPS) in the California League wasn’t a fluke. Of course, Wanger’s K/AB has slipped to 1 K/5.36 AB from last year’s 1 K/9.37 AB, when he was hardest player to strike out in the CL.
Michael Bowden warms up before game in Bowie, May 1 (baysoxblog.com)
The Baysox will miss the Sea Dogs two hottest starters RHP Michael Bowden (2.27 PERA) and LHP Kris Johnson (5.06 PERA). Johnson is 3-0, 0.38 ERA (23.1 IP/4 R, ER) in his last four starts. Bowden tightened his delivery during the off-season with a little Pilates and has the top Stuff score (37) in the EL.
