Love the Yankees after they blew the save last night as they look to bounce back against a pitcher they've had plenty of success against in David Price. Price did not enjoy pitching at home last year as he went 4-9. Price had a 6.61 ERA and 1.47 WHIP in 3 home starts vs. the Yankees who have a .785 OPS in 234 AB with 10 HR vs. Price. The long ball has been his weakness vs. the Yankees who were #1 in 2011 in OPS vs. LHP with A .827. TB was just average at home and vs. RHP who they face on Saturday. They were 18th in OPS vs. RHP and 21st with a measly .705 OPS at home.
Kuroda comes over from the Dodgers and I expect nothing but quality starts from Mr. Consistent. He's consistent at home and on the road in his career and the Rays are facing him for the first time which to me gives Kuroda the edge. Kuroda has a 6-3 April record with a 2.71 ERA over 11 starts the last 3 years and he enjoyed a 2.92 ERA over 6 starts this spring posting a 1.09 WHIP. I'm interested to see him facing AL teams especially in the AL East, but the Yankees again dominate lefties and that continues here as they build on their 35-16 record over their last 51 games vs. a LH starter.
A day off is exactly what this Marlins team needed and now they can get back to their goal. They definitely had a hangover Thursday night traveling to play a day game after they opened up their new stadium. I was not shocked to see them come out flat and I expect them to bounce back today against Latos who has a 9.26 ERA in two starts vs. the Marlins. Hanley Ramirez is 2-6 with a HR and he needs some confidence as he along with Stanton are hitless so far this young season. Bonifacio/Reyes are a combined 3-5 vs. Latos who in 8 career April starts has a 5.57 ERA.
On the flip side Nolasco gets the start for the Marlins and he pitched a full Spring and looked solid at times. Nolasco is 2-0 with a 3.65 ERA vs. the Reds in his career and the Reds were only 15th with a .717 OPS vs. RHP last year. The Reds are going to be an up and down team that goes as far as their pitching takes them and I'm not a believer in Latos and this team is a better hitting team vs. LHP where I will back them but I'll fade them vs. RHP.
