When the Diamondbacks traded Max Scherzer in that big three-team deal in 2009, the supposition was that Edwin Jackson – coming over from Detroit – was going to be the major addition. Instead, it appears that the longer term jewel of that trade for Arizona is turning out to be Ian Kennedy. After not getting too much of a chance in New York, Kennedy has thrived with a starting spot out west. With his solid seven innings pitched against the Mets yesterday, Kennedy has tied Roy Halladay (I hear he’s pretty good) for the NL lead with 15 wins. He’s dropped his walk rate from last year (3.3 BB/9 to 2.4 BB/9), which has helped him lower his ERA to 3.12 – 13th in the league.
As a not overpowering pitcher – his fastball averages only around 90 mph – I think there were some questions about if Kennedy could transfer his good minor league numbers to the majors. Well, he’s not striking out batters left and right, but a good change-up and a solid curve have helped allow his fastball to play up and K an above average number of batters. A pitcher who many probably thought of as a #4/5 guy when he went to Arizona, Kennedy has gone a long way towards establishing himself as at least a good #3. It will be interesting how much a component of that – his low .266 career batting average on balls in play – will persist going forward.
Also last night: CC Sabathia gave up solo home runs to 5 different Rays, getting outdueled by David Price; Dan Uggla homered twice to extend his hitting streak to 32 games (and helped beat the Cubs); both teams ended regulation scoreless, but the Dodgers picked up the walk-off 1-0 win in the 10th over the Astros; and much more.
What to watch tonight: Ricky Romero has a very good 2.94 ERA, and it’s still not within a run of his opponent – Jered Weaver (1.78); same deal with Felix Hernandez (3.31) and Josh Becket (2.17) in Seattle; and Tim Lincecum tries to get the Giants back towards first place, by beating Javier Vazquez and the Marlins. Full schedule with probable pitchers here.
