Projected Matchups
Game 1: Kevin Millwood vs. Matt Morris
Game 2: John Rheinecker vs. Noah Lowry
Game 3: John Koronka vs. Jason Schmidt
Game 1 Notes:
Millwood: Has been dominant on the road this season going 5-0 with a 2.44 ERA and is 5-2 with a 3.88 ERA lifetime against the Giants. Also his only career no-hitter came against the Giants back in 2003.
Morris: After 2 bad months in April and May, Morris has had a very solid June thus far going 2-1 with a 2.79 ERA. Morris has only been mediocre at home this season though going 2-4 with a 4.56 ERA.
Prediction: Millwood outduels Morris and the Rangers win the game with timely hitting.
Game 2 Notes:
Rheinecker: Has had a solid showing in the Ranger rotation this year posting a 3-1 record with a 3.57 ERA so far, but has struggled his last 3 starts going 1-1 with an ERA of 6.00.
Lowry: He has struggled his last 2 starts allowing 8 runs on 17 hits over 9 innings but is having a solid season overall. Currently 2-5 with a 4.23 ERA.
Prediction: Both pitchers have struggled as of late but I still pick the Rangers to win this one due to their offensive edge.
Game 3 Notes:
Koronka: Seems to be rebounding from a tough stretch having gone 2-0 with a 4.35 ERA in his last 2 starts, and is now 6-4 with a 5.02 ERA on the season.
Schmidt: Jason is easily the Giants ace posting a 6-3 record with a 2.82 ERA so far on the season. He has pitched well in June. Excluding his start against the Mariners where he gave up 6 runs, he has allowed just 4 earned runs in 22 innings in his other 3 starts including a complete game, 16 strikeout performance against the Marlins.
Prediction: Regardless of how well Koronka might be pitching, Schmidt has pitched like the Giants ace of late. Giants win this one to avoid a series sweep.