Texas Ranger vs. Boston Red Sucks

Rangers vs. BoSox

Kevin Austin Millwood goes up against the Boston Red Sox (Red Sucks). He's been tagged as a pitcher that stinks in April, but I think it's just a frame of mind. It is the same that goes with Dirk Nowitzki, if you want to believe you choke in certain situations, you most definitely will. And what better team to choke against the the Red Sucks. And Kevin has every excuse to choke today. Cold weather, it's still April, Alfonseca has twelve fingers... I mean, why not use that as an excuse to not pitch well. It's his fault!!! Anyway, I guess we can look at some numbers, but I don't think it will change my opinion on the outcome, which is the Rangers loose because Millwood is in an April state of mind.

His previous start, he lost against the Angels, giving up three runs in five innings of work. He doesn't have horrendous numbers in April, but he carries with himself a complex that he is a horrible pitcher in April, and the media thus labels himself as one right along with him. He has a career ERA of 3.86 coming into this game. From 2004-06, Millwood has a record of 4-7 in April in 16 starts, pitching 101 1/3 innings. In case you are wondering, that is averaging over 6 1/3 innings per start coming into this season, in April alone. His worst month of batters hitting off of him is September/October, where they almost knock him for a .300 batting average (it's actually .299, pretty darn close). April is second with a .287 average, May comes in a close third with a .284. Granted, these numbers are from the previous three seasons and not 2007. I'm sure Kevin is grateful for that. I'm just not sure why the final month of the season isn't his "complex" month instead of the first month in... oh well.

Against Boston, Millwood is 1-2 over the previous three seasons (spanning four starts) and averaging just under 6 innings per start against them (5.75 over four starts). They've hit .261 against him, splattered four homers, 24 hits, and crossed the plate 13 times, where only 12 counted against him. Kevin did give eight free passes. The current roster, however, is batting .286 and still has 8 homers, but has 30 RBIs against ol' Kev. Here are some players Kevin should consider giving a "BEAN" to:

• David Ortiz: 7 for 13 (5 homers, 11 RBIs, 3 walks)
• Mike Lowell: 14 for 49 (1 homer, 1 triple, 4 doubles, 10 RBIs, 6 walks)
• Eric Hinske: 6 for 13
• Jason Varitek: 8 for 22 (3 doubles, 3 RBIs)

I know, Hinske and Varitek didn't have "great" numbers, and Hinske didn't even have an RBI, but his average is worthy of putting on this. I'm sure he moved the runners, at the very least.

Julian Tavarez is pitching for the "Sucks", and he's an EXCELLENT choice, if you don't mind me saying so... our hitters can touch the guy, at least by what the previous history tells me. This game is screaming BOSOX all the way. Case in point:

• Sammy Sosa: 4 for 15 (1 homer, 4 RBIs)
• Brad Wilkerson: 1 for 9
• Frank Catalanotto: 2 for 8 (1 RBI)
• Kenny Lofton: 0 for 3
• Jerry Hairston Jr.: 2 for 3
• Michael Young: 0 for 2 (1 RBI)
• Mark Teixiera: 0 for 2
• Ian Kinsler: 1 for 2 (2 RBIs)
• Hank Blalock: 1 for 2

And that's really it. There's a few more with one at-bat... but really, not too much success against this guy. The current Rangers bat a WHOPPING .235 against him.

Forecast: Misty skies in Arlington as Boston wins this one 6-2.