It's just about that time when MLB starting rotations go through their second turn and on Tuesday we have five pitchers making their second start of the season. Our hot and cold pitching report will be a mix of success from past April's as well as success against their current opponent. The one pitcher we are highlighting today has been written off and many even think his season last year was a fluke, but we are backing him tomorrow as we recommend the following:
I'm not going to say Kyle Lohse is really an ace, but he sure has the look of one right now. He held the Marlins to 1 ER over 7.1 IP and his success in April is no coincidence. Last year he had a 1.64 ERA in April and over the last 3 years combined he posts a 2.92 ERA and a 7-2 record. Many feel his xFIP from a season ago suggests he will come back to life as he posted a 4.04 xFIP and an ERA of 3.39. Lohse did struggle down the stretch posting a 7.82 ERA in the post season, but as far as April goes he really is an Ace and I'll back him as an under dog especially since he was solid on the road with a 3.13 ERA. The Reds also have just a .231 average in 117 combined at bats for a .642 OPS.
Mike Leake will take the mound for the Reds and that is another reason to back the Cardinals who were #5 last year with a .765 OPS vs. RHP which was the best in the National League. They did lose Pujols, but Pujols had a down year vs. RHP posting a .897 OPS while his replacement at least from the acquisition side posted a .903 OPS in Carlos Beltran who is already off to a great start with a .350 average and 2 HR batting in the #2 spot. Leake had a rough time with the Cardinals in his last start giving up 9 hits and 6ER in just 3.2 IP. Cardinals should be just as good if not better vs. RHP in 2012 and are now #3 in 2012 with a .926 OPS and are 40-18 in their last 58 games vs. a RH starter.
Kevin Correia (6GS, 2.91 ERA - April 2011)
Justin Masterson (5GS, 2.18 ERA - April 2011) & (1.52 ERA & 1.16 WHIP L6GS vs. White Sox)
Tommy Hanson (2.57 ERA - April 2011) (Solid in 1st start vs. NYM 1 ER)
(4-1, 0.97 ERA, 0.59 WHIP 5 Career Starts vs. Astros)
Trevor Cahill (6GS, 1.88 ERA, 1.12 WHIP - April 2011)
Yesterday we gave you Ivan Nova as the best cold pitcher with a shot at win and he delivered a great performance giving up 2 ER over 7 IP as the Yankees currently lead 6-2 in the 8th. Tuesday's cold starter with the best shot to win for me is Dillon Gee. Gee posted a 4.73 ERA in April last year but it was only through 2 starts and he's off a solid Spring where posted a 3.16 ERA. He also had a 3.17 ERA at home and a 3.60 ERA vs. the Nationals in 4 starts last year.
Russ Detwiler (Last 3 years 1-9 with a 5.92 ERA on the road)get more every day!
