[Moriarty9]

TODAY IN BASEBALL
A LOOK AROUND THE LEAGUE
May 20, 1998


A quick look at today's ballgames across the big leagues.

Oakland Athletics at Anaheim Angels
Steve Wojciechowski (0-7, 9.24) v. Mark Langston (4-2, 4.10)
The Angels have the best record in baseball and Oakland pitcher Steve Wojciechowski is on pace to 0-25 with an ERA over 9.00 this year. This one doesn't sound like it should be a very good matchup.

Colorado Rockies at Atlanta Braves
Kevin Ritz (3-2, 6.04) v. John Smoltz (5-4, 3.90)
The NL East leading Braves host the Rockies, owners of one of the worst records in baseball. Atlanta's John Smoltz has been inconsistent this year, and did give up five runs on 10 hits over just 5 2/3 innings at Colorado last month, but did manage to pick up the win. How will he fare at home against the Rockies?

Chicago White Sox at Boston Red Sox
Bobby Witt (1-3, 5.68) v. Brian Meadows (0-5, 4.95)
Neither Sox squad has done particularly well this year, and the starting pitchers for both teams in tonight's matchup reflect that with their combined 1-8 record on the young season.
Who will come out on top tonight? The 22-year-old rookie Meadows or the 34-year-old veteran Witt?


Los Angeles Dodgers at Chicago Cubs
Tim Belcher (4-1, 4.10) v. Steve Trachsel (1-5, 6.04)
The 32-12 Dodgers own baseball's best record, and it should only improve as they take on the struggling Steve Trachsel and the 20-25 Cubs. LA pitcher Tim Belcher is 2-0 with a 2.40 ERA in two starts against the Cubs already this year, while Trachsel was hit for six runs in 1 1/3 innings in his lone start against the Dodgers this season.

Arizona Diamondbacks at Florida Marlins
Tony Saunders (3-4, 5.12) v. Kevin Brown (7-1, 1.89)
The expansion Diamondbacks have baseball's worst record at 17-28, and with Florida's Kevin Brown working on a Cy Young-caliber season, things don't look good tonight for Arizona.
Brown is 2-0 with a 1.20 ERA in 15 innings against Arizona this year so far while Saunders gave up six runs, four earned, in 2 2/3 innings versus the Marlins last month.

Cleveland Indians at Kansas City Royals
Bartolo Colon (2-3, 5.95) v. Kerry Wood (7-1, 2.33)
With only a half game between them in the standings, tonight's matchup is as important as any late May ballgame can be. Kerry Wood, the AL's top candidate for the Cy Young award, gives the Royals the definite advantage in this one.

San Francisco Giants at Milwaukee Brewers
Mark Gardner (3-3, 5.63) v. Ben McDonald (2-3, 5.36)
The Giants and Brewers are both struggling mightily this year, and tonight's starters are not faring much better individually.
Gardner is 0-1 with a 6.00 ERA in two starts against Milwaukee this year while McDonald is 1-0 with a 4.12 ERA in two starts against San Francisco.

Detroit Tigers at Minnesota Twins
Scott Elarton (6-2, 3.23) v. Frank Rodriguez (5-0, 3.26)
Tied for first place in the American League Central, the Tigers and Twins will lock up at the Metrodome in Minneapolis with the division lead on the line. Minnesota's Rodriguez brings his unblemished record into the matchup and, though he's been solid at home, he is better on the road and on grass diamonds.

Baltimore Orioles at New York Yankees
Shane Reynolds (8-1, 2.90) v. Kenny Rogers (2-4, 4.61)
The Orioles look to extend their division lead over the Yankees to 3 1/2 games with a win tonight, and bringing Reynolds to the mound helps their cause a good deal.

St. Louis Cardinals at Philadelphia Phillies
Todd Stottlemyre (5-4, 4.96) v. Mike Grace (2-6, 6.19)
The Phillies have a slightly better record, but St. Louis' Stottlemyre, while inconsistent, has performed much better than Philadelphia's Mike Grace this year. Stottlemyre has not performed well against the Phils, however, going 0-1 with a 10.29 ERA in two starts. Grace gave up six runs, five earned, in five innings in an 11-3 loss to the Cards last month.

San Diego Padres at Pittsburgh Pirates
John Halama (1-1, 2.57) v. Jason Schmidt (3-4, 5.32)
With Fernando Valenzuela suspended after a brawl last week, the Padres being southpaw John Halama to the mound tonight against the Pirates. Halama pitched well in his only start of the season, giving up one run on three hits in eight innings against the Diamondbacks on April 11. He has thrown 2 1/3 scoreless innings of relief against Pittsburgh this year.

Seattle Mariners at Texas Rangers
Randy Johnson (5-2, 3.13) v. Darren Oliver (4-4, 4.48)
The Mariners are off to a strong start at 27-18 and hope the Big Unit will lead the club to another victory tonight. The two southpaws will square off but Johnson is clearly the better pitcher.

Tampa Bay Devil Rays at Toronto Blue Jays
Steve Cooke (1-4, 4.50) v. Brian Moehler (1-3, 9.25)
The Blue Jays sit 2 1/2 back in the division at 24-21, but the 17-27 Devil Rays are hopeful they'll be able to get enough offense against starter Brian Moehler, who has struggled at the big year level this year.