Chickens on the Run: Game 29: KC Royals at Texas Rangers

Zack Greinke goes up against Sidney Ponson. This is an interesting matchup in that Sidney has one start in which he gave up five runs, but only one earned in a game in which the Rangers would eventually lose. Greinke has pitched well enough to be 5-0 going into this game.

Ponson hasn't been much to look at the last few seasons. In fact, since the 2004 season, Ponson hasn't posted an ERA under 5.24. His career ERA is 4.93 and his career vs. Kansas City is 4.60. That is a span of 19 starts in which he is 9-7 (one complete game) and 119.1 innings (an average of 6.1 innings). Kansas City hits .301 against him. Ponson is 3-1 at the Ballpark and his opponents hit .335 (but, that is normally the Rangers doing that damage).

Ponson's career record is 82-101, but in his 10 seasons of work, he's only had one season in which he finished with a winning record (2003; 17-12 record).

Players to watch out for:

David DeJesus: .588 BA; 1 HR and 2 RBIs
Mark Grudzielanek: .385 BA; 3 doubles; 1 HR and 4 RBIs
Mark Teahen: .333 BA; 2 doubles; 4 RBIs

The current Royals roster bats .314 against Ponson. Last season, Ponson started twice against Kansas City and went 0-2 with a 8.71 ERA, in which he pitched 10.1 innings, gave up 10 runs and 4 homeruns. Last year, Kansas City hit .378 against Kansas City. He’s 0-2 with a 13.81 ERA in his last four games against them dating to May 17, 2005.

Donald Zackary "Zack" Greinke has a 1.25 ERA with a 3-0 record. He's already posted one complete game in his five starts and everyone is hitting a .226 batting average this season. His career against Texas isn't all too awesome. He has 7 appearances, five starts, and has a record of 2-2. The Rangers have been hitting a .291 batting average against Zack, who has put up a 4.50 ERA in all his games against Texas.

Last season, Greinke pitched three games against the Rangers, one start, totalling 7 innings of work and an ERA of zero. He gave up five hits and struck out 8 and held the Rangers to a .192 batting average. He was 1-0 last season against Texas.

Players to look for:

Ben Broussard: 333 BA; 1 double; 1 HR and 4 RBIs
Chris Shelton: .364 BA; 1 HR and 1 RBI

And that is it. There are several other players who do well against Zack, but they will not be playing due to injury. Now, the Rangers have won 3 out of their last 5, so they have a little something going. Tomorrow, the Rangers play in Oakland. Just an FYI...

No matter how I try to justify it, the Rangers just don't size up quite right for this game. I don't know if I can say that the Rangers are going to win, at least with what is written above. Forecast: Kansas City doesn't score another 9 runs, but does walk away with a win of the game/series. Score: 5-2. Johnny Out.