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NL Pitching Studs and Duds 4/23/11

We'll finish up with the best and worst pitching the National League produced this week. The Cardinals make another appearance and we check in on this week's most impressive performance of futility.

While the Cardinal's recent turnaround has had a lot to do with their offensive surge, the pitching has also played its part. Chris Carpenter and Kyle McClellan have performed well for the club, but another starter is this week's NL pitcher of the week. Kyle Lohse won twice this week, going 16.1 innings and allowing only 2 ERs. Lohse gave up a mere 8 hits while striking out 12 over this span. Lohse has given the Cards at least 7 innings in his 4 starts so far this year. He gave up 4 ER in his debut against the Pirates, but since then over his last 3 starts he has only given up a combined 3 ERs. Lohse and St. Louis look to continue their winning ways against their NL Central rivals the Cincinnati Reds this weekend.

kyle lohse
Lohse has gone at least 7 innings in each of his starts


There's not too much to say for this week's NL pitching dud, the numbers pretty much speak for themselves. James McDonald of the Pittsburgh Pirates had an ugly week. He started two games and only lasted a combined 7.1 innings. Over those painful innings, McDonald allowed 15 hits and 5 walks, resulting in 14 ERs and a whopping 17.18 ERA. McDonald came into the week sporting an ERA of 5.56 and was able to nearly double that number, moving his mark up to the danger zone of double digits, 10.13. The former top prospect has shown glimpses in the past, but may find his true calling is coming out of the pen. With such a ridiculous ERA, even the Pirates have to be searching for alternatives.

james mcdonald
McDonald has posted an ugly 10.13 ERA this season


There's the best and worst of baseball this week. Some were amazing, some just downright ugly. Check back in to find out who makes the cut and who just deserves to be cut next week.
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Performance Pitching

Monday brought its share of dominant pitching performances. Yesterday alone, seven pitchers went at least 7 innings and gave up no more than 1 earned run. This stat isn't even including the Pirate's Kevin Correia who threw a complete game against the Reds, only surrendering 2 earned runs.

Daisuke Matsuzaka
Red Sox find hope in Monday's outing


The Red Sox Daisuke Matsuzaka started off the day holding the Blue Jays to only one hit over seven innings. Matsuzaka only needed 89 pitches to get through his 7 innings of work, in which he struck out 3 and walked 1.

As the day turned into night, MLB's evening schedule began, and the strong pitching continued. David Price shut out the offensive force of the White Sox over 8 innings, giving up only 4 hits while striking out 9.

david price
Price helps Rays continue hot streak


C.J. Wilson of the Rangers faced off against the team's AL West rival Angels. While his counterpart Ervin Santana did not add to the list of performances, Wilson had a good night. He was able to scatter 9 hits and limit the damage, only allowing 1 earned run and striking out 9.

In a West vs. East battle, Ted Lilly led the Dodgers to a victory over Tim Hudson and the Braves. The Dodgers gave Lilly an early 3 run lead and that's all that he needed, going 7 scoreless innings. Lilly allowed only 4 hits and punched out 6 Braves.

While most games offered one strong pitching performance, there was one match up where both pitchers wanted to get in on the action. The Cubs faced off against the Padres and both sides pitched so well that extra innings was needed to decide the outcome. Both starters were very solid, Tim Stauffer of the Padres going 7 scoreless, allowing only 4 hits. However, Stauffer was bested by Cub’s enigma Carlos Zambrano, who struck out 10 over 8 scoreless innings.

tim lincecum
Lincecum has been dominant


While these were certainly some great match ups and performances, Monday saved its best show for last. The Freak Tim Lincecum faced off against the red hot Colorado Rockies. The Rockies and Coors Field were no match for the former Cy Young winner as Lincecum held the Rockies hitless over 6 innings. Colorado was able to get to Timmy in the 7th but they only managed one run. Lincecum finished the night going 7.2 innings; he allowed a single run and struck out 10.

On Monday, pitching was king. We will see what Tuesday brings, if the pitching continues or if the offense controls the night.
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