Game 11: Rangers vs. Blue Jays

The 'Jays are going down. Padilla had a bad start last night... and I don't know if Fukumori is really ready for the Majors. Three games and a 32.40 ERA to show for it. Can we say: Chan Ho Park? He's already starting to look like him, at least with effectiveness.

Luis Mendoza makes his debut after starting the season on the disabled list with a blister on his pitching hand. The rookie has never faced Toronto, and was 1-0 with a 2.25 ERA in three starts and six overall appearances in 2007. Nice.

Mendoza has been pitching for the AAA Redhawks. I almost called them the Rednecks. He threw 7.1 innings, giving up one run on seven hits. His WHIP was a weak 0.95 (HOW AWESOME IS THAT?). He snagged one win in his only start.

Mendoza faces off against Roy Halladay, who has some interesting stats. It depends on the source as to what you will read on Halladay vs. the Rangers. Take it from me. First off, Halladay's career hasn't been golden vs. the Rangers. That is true. His career numbers: 6-5 with 2 complete games. 98.1 innings, a 5.86 ERA, 1.52 WHIP, and the Rangers bat .295 against him. Now, the last three years? 4-1 with 2 complete games, 39.2 innings, and the Rangers bat .261 against him. So, his career numbers are very decieving.

Now, Halladay has been harder against the Rangers in Toronto than in the Ballpark. He's thrown a 4.38 ERA in Arlington, a 2-1 record, while allowing a .287 batting average. And when did that loss come? Why, last year. Halladay posted a 15.19 ERA in Arlington and busted out a .444 batting average for the Rangers. So, what trend do I go with? The Queen says the Rangers are going to win...

On a side note, my little family is going to the Rangers game tonight. So, tonight more than ever, I want the Rangers to win. Will Mendoza be all kinds of sharp? I think Mendoza is going to play sharp. I also feel the same way about Halladay. This could be a game decided by how good the bullpen does... if that is the case... well, who really knows. I will side with the Queen on this one. Forecast: Rangers win 4-2.

Home Plate