Game Notes For Friday
* The Jays have played the White Sox tough at U.S. Cellular Field, splitting 26 games with the Sox at The Cell since 1999. Toronto’s success has usually been due to good pitching.
Best ERA at US Cellular Field, Visiting AL Tms – Since 1999
Blue Jays 4.02 (101/226.0)
Athletics 4.06
Yankees 4.44
Twins 4.63
Red Sox 4.65
* At least in the early going, however, this year’s Jays team has been more about hitting than pitching. Toronto’s team batting average of .328 is one of the best through the first nine games in the divisional play era.
Highest BA Through First 9 Games – Since 1969
Cleveland Indians, 1999 .352
Chicago White Sox, 2000 .339 Chicago White Sox, 1981 .334
Colorado Rockies, 1997 .330
Toronto Blue Jays, 2006 .328 (105/320)
* While Bengie Molina is off to a great start, the Jays may be tempted to give veteran Sox-killer Gregg Zaun some at-bats in this series.
Gregg Zaun vs. White Sox – Since 8/23/01
Games 16
Average .472 (25/53)
Home Runs 4
RBI 11
On-Base Pct. .541
Slugging Pct. .755
The last time “Babe” Zaun faced the White Sox on August 4 of last year, Sox pitchers walked him four times in five trips to the plate, helping end a 19-game hitting streak by Zaun vs. the South Siders which was spread out over nearly five calendar years (9/29/2000 through 8/3/2005).
* Although he hasn’t gone deep in a lot of games, Scott Downs has posted some nice numbers in a starting role for the Jays since mid-August of last year.
Scott Downs – Last 11 Starts (Since 8/11/05)
Won-Lost 4-1
ERA 3.57 (25/63.0)
Opp BA .246 (60/244)
SO/BB 50/19
The only negative for Downs is that he hasn’t made it past the sixth inning in any of his last six starts dating back to September 7 of last year.
* Jim Thome is easily off to the best start of his stellar career.
Thome Through Team’s 1st 9 Games – 2006 vs. Rest of Career
2006 Previous Best Average .379 .371 (2004)
Home Runs 6 3 (2000)
RBI 10 9 (2002-03)
On-Base Pct. .561 .511 (1999)
Slugging Pct. 1.103 .606 (1999)
* Thome and the rest of the Sox offense will be even more effective once Scott Podsednik is completely healthy and gets untracked.
Podsednik vs. Rest of White Sox Offense – 2006
Podsednik Rest of Team Batting Avg. .059 .277
On-Base Pct. .135 .368
Runs Scored 3 47
Stolen Bases 0 3
In 2005 including the postseason,, the White Sox were 33-11 (.750) when Podsednik stole a base and 49-16 (.754) when he scored one or more runs.
* Javier Vazquez is one of MLB’s most reliable innings-eaters.
Most Innings Pitched, MLB – Since 2000
Livan Hernandez 1435.1
Randy Johnson 1363.2
Greg Maddux 1350.0
Bartolo Colon 1323.2
Javier Vazquez 1323.0