Once again the pitching matchup for tonight’s game has changed so here is an update for all you loyal followers out there so you will have the correct information on tonight’s starters.
Axelrod has been good in Fenway Park and Yankee Stadium this year. Credit: AP
Dylan Axelrod (1-2, 5.63 ERA) will make his return to the White Sox and will face Joe Saunders (6-10, 4.22 ERA).
Saunders was acquired by the Orioles from Arizona in a post deadline waiver deal a couple days ago and will be making his first start for the O’s tonight against the White Sox. It will mark a return to the American League for Saunders who spent his first 5+ seasons with the Angels before being traded to Arizona near the 2010 deadline as part of the Dan Haren trade. His last two starts with Arizona were not very good as he gave up 5 runs in 6 innings against St Louis and 9 runs in 3.2 innings against the Marlins. He is 1-3 in the month of August with a 7.02 ERA and has allowed 5 home runs in 23 innings of work. He has had some success against the White Sox when he was with the Angels, compiling a 4-3 record with a respectable 3.63 ERA in 8 starts.
Kevin Youkilis (.286, 2 HR, 3 doubles), Alex Rios (.292, 1 HR, 1 double), Paul Konerko (.333, 1 HR, 1 double), and AJ Pierzynski (3-10, 1 double) have all had success against Saunders. Lately teams have been able to get some hits off Joe, opponents are hitting .280 against him this year, but he still doesn’t walk many, just 2.1 BB/9 innings.
For the Sox, Dylan Axelrod returns from the minors with Gavin Floyd going on the Disabled List. Axelrod will be making his 7th start for the Sox and is 0-2 with a 5.91 ERA as a starting pitcher. However in his last start against the Red Sox in Fenway Park he was very good, allowing just 1 run over 6.2 innings with 8 strikeouts and no walks. The Sox will be hoping for a similar performance tonight as they hope to snap a 5 game road losing streak.
Axelrod has never faced the Orioles nor has he faced any of the Oriole hitters before. Since being sent back down by the Sox in late July Axelrod was 2-1 with a 2.17 ERA in 5 starts and only allowed more than 1 earned run in one game.