Updated Playoff Pitching Matchups

STL vs. SD (reg. season head-to-head record: SD 4-2)
Game 1: at SD
Tue, Oct 3 - 4:05 pm EDT
C. Carpenter vs. J. Peavy
Game 2: at SD
Thu, Oct 5 - 4:05 pm EDT
J. Weaver vs. D. Wells
Game 3: at STL
Sat, Oct 7 - TBA
C. Young vs. J. Suppan
*Game 4: at STL
Sun, Oct 8 - TBA * - If necessary
W. Williams vs. C. Carpenter
*Game 5: at SD
Mon, Oct 9 - TBA * - If necessary
J. Weaver vs. J. Peavy

NOTE: STL will use Carpenter as their Game 4 starter at home if they return home for the game in the series. They are taking advantage of the extra day rest between the 1st & 2nd games. Carpenter will have his normal-5-day/game rest for Game 4. If STL moves on to the League Championship series, he will be able to start the 1st game, as well.

Wells was moved up to start Game 2 for Padres. The decision was made prior to Game 1, which SD lost. The move to pitch Young at home may help the young pitcher's first playoff experience.


LAD vs. NYM (reg. season head-to-head record: NYM 4-3)
Game 1: at NYM
Wed, Oct 4 - 4:05 pm EDT
D. Lowe vs. J. Maine
Game 2: at NYM
Thu, Oct 5 - 8:05 pm EDT
H. Kuo vs. T. Glavine
Game 3: at LAD
Sat, Oct 7 - TBA
S. Trachsel vs. G. Maddux
*Game 4: at LAD
Sun, Oct 8 - TBA
O. Pérez vs. B. Penny
*Game 5: at NYM<br>Mon, Oct 9 - TBA
D. Lowe vs. T. Glavine

NOTE: Hernández of NYM is out for the Division Series, thus, Maine will be used as Game 1 starter. Glavine is not avaialable for the 1st game, because he would've been on a less-than-normal 4-day rest. Game 4 starter for Mets should be an open slot, that will be determined in coming days.

Maddux was pushed back to start Game 3 at home and Kuo will be starting in Game 2 in New York. It's a rather risky move to start a rookie on the road, in a determining game. Maddux would be on a 5-day rest if he were to pitch Game 2. The decision to start Kuo, who has never pitched a full season could possibly change if LAD loses Game 1.


OAK vs. MIN (reg. season head-to-head record: MIN 6-4)
Game 1: at MIN
Tue, Oct 3 - 1:05 pm EDT
B. Zito vs. J. Santana
Game 2: at MIN
Wed, Oct 4 - 1:05 pm EDT
E. Loaiza vs. B. Bonser
Game 3: at OAK
Fri, Oct 6 - 4:05 pm EDT
B. Radke vs. D. Haren
*Game 4: at OAK
Sat, Oct 7 - TBA * - If necessary
C. Silva vs. R. Harden
*Game 5: at MIN
Sun, Oct 8 - TBA * - If necessary
B. Zito vs. J. Santana

NOTE: A's pushed up Loaiza to start Game 2 instead of Haren. The decision possibly came after winning Game 1. Loiaza has been shaky all season, thus using him after having one win in the series already spread out the risk and leverage better starters for later games when OAK returns home.

MIN might use Santana on short-rest in Game 3 if they were down 0-2 in the series. Twins have good matchups from Bonser and Radke in Game 2 & 3, respectively. Using experienced Radke on the road instead of rookie Bonser is wise choice.


DET vs. NYY (reg. season head-to-head record: NYY 5-2)
Game 1: at NYY Tue, Oct 3 - 8:05 pm EDT
N. Robertson vs. C. Wang
Game 2: at NYYr>Wed, Oct 4 - 8:05 pm EDT
J. Verlander vs. M. Mussina
Game 3: at DET Fri, Oct 6 - 8:05 pm EDT
R. Johnson vs. K. Rogers
*Game 4: at DET Sat, Oct 7 - TBA * - If necessary
J. Wright vs. J. Bonderman
*Game 5: at NYY Sun, Oct 8 - TBA * - If necessary
N. Robertson vs. C. Wang

NOTE: NYY's Johnson is a probably starter for Game 3. Different status reports on his injured back have not been confirmed with certainty. Lidle could be used to replace either Johnson or Wright in the rotation.

DET using Verlander on the road in Game 2 after being down 0-1 in the series is not the optimal choice. Rogers & Bonderman pitched on Sunday, and would have been on short-rest if either were to start on Wed. DET would need to win one in New York to take advantage of Rogers' experience and playing at home. The pressure would be too great to overcome to have a shot at winning the series if they were down 0-2 going back to Detroit. Tigers do have the best road-record in Major League, 49-32.