ALDS Orioles-Yankees Game 4 preview: Joe Saunders vs. Phil Hughes
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| Game 4 will feature Joe Saunders against Phil Hughes (Getty Images) |
The Yankees came back from the dead in Game 3, and now the upstart Orioles are on the brink of elimination.
Game 4 in Bronx (first pitch, 7:30 pm ET) pits O's lefty Joe Saunders (9-13, 4.07) against Yanks right-hander Phil Hughes (16-13, 4.23) ...
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Saunders vs. Yankees
The lefty is coming off a strong wild-card outing against the Rangers, and now he'll attempt to tame another hard-hitting lineup on the road in an elimination game.
For his career, Saunders has a fairly grisly 5.82 ERA in six career starts against the Yankees, although those numbers include one solid start against the Yanks this season (5.1 IP, 2 R, 5 H on Sept. 8). Current Yankee hitters have combined to hit .314/.377/.532 against Saunders.
Also worth noting is that the Yankees this season have been somewhat less effective against lefties than they have against right-handers.
Hughes vs. Orioles
Hughes is no stranger to the 2012 Orioles, as he's made four starts against them, including two in the month of September. For the season, he's got a 4.76 ERA in 22 2/3 innings pitched. While he's struck out 19 against just four walks over that span, he's also given up five bombs.
Orioles hitters for their careers have a batting line of .237/.277/.446 in 148 plate appearances. From Hughes' standpoint, it's been a mixed bag, to say the least.
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