More photos » by Tom Mihalek - AP

5 months ago: Philadelphia Phillies' Jayson Werth, right, steals second base as Los Angeles Dodgers second baseman Orlando Hudson waits for the throw from home in the seventh inning of a baseball game Tuesday, May 12, 2009, in Philadelphia. The Phillies won 5-3. (AP Photo/Tom Mihalek)

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Dodgers vs Phillies

Lineups

Pregame analysis

I don't have the lineups yet and might not be able to run an analysis on them before the start of the game, but here is some general lineup information:

Dodgers:

Joe Torre does not run out a very consistent lineup at all.  I went back into July and never found a lineup against LHP that was the same.  So I ran a run estimator using his last lineup against a LHP.  Here is the lineup and the estimated runs scored (against LHP):

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More photos » by Jack Dempsey - AP

27 days ago: Colorado Rockies' Yorvit Torrealba, right, reacts after striking out in the third inning of Game 3 in a National League baseball division series against the Philadelphia Phillies in Denver on Sunday, Oct. 11, 2009. Phillies catcher Carlos Ruiz, left, throws the ball back to the pitcher. (AP Photo/Jack Dempsey)

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I am finally feeling a better and have some use of my left hand so when I type, I am not pecking every key.  I am going to make a few changes.  I will go ahead and give the umpire information, but will provided links to the projected stats and defensive data.  If I have time, I will then add the exact lineup and defensive information.

Rockies vs Phillies

Umpire

Ron Kulpa - I have Ron as being exactly middle of the road, rated 36th out of 72.  His right handed zone is fairly symmetrical while the zone for left handers favors called strikes inside and not many strikes away.   Of the 72 umpires that umpired over 20 games in 2009, he ranked 37th in runs scored per game, allowed the 26th highest total in BB/game and the 44th lowest number of strikeouts per game (thanks to The Spread for this data).  Here is a look at his strike zone for left and right handed hitters:

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More photos » by Tony Gutierrez - AP

Pretty much the same set up on my shoulder right now.

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Well, I figured I would have a nice day of listening and writing about baseball today on my 35th Birthday  Instead I am dealing with a shoulder I messed up playing Ultimate Frisbee last night and a clogged toilet main.   Good times in the Zimmerman house hold right now.  I will try to get some information available since I am back from the doctor.

Rockies vs Phillies

Umpire

Bob Davidison - I have Bob as the 21st of 72 hitter friendly home plate umpire this season- low strikeout rate, high walk rate.  I hope to get the graphics up soon.

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BtB is going with one thread for all of today's games, scheduled for seven minutes past 2:30, 6:00, and 9:30 EDT.  Feel free to jump in and out throughout the day.

Philadelphia Phillies vs Colorado Rockies

Home Plate Umpire - Gerry Davis

Gerry is a hitter's umpire.  Of the 72 umpires that umpired over 20 games in 2009, he ranked 20th in runs scored per game, allowed the 29th highest total in BB/game and the 7th lowest number of strikeouts per game (thanks to The Spread for this data).  Here is a look at his strike zone for left and right handed hitters:

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Welcome to BtB's pre-game analysis of the playoff game between the Minnesota Twinkies and the the Detroit Tiggers (sorry, the Royals fan in me is still bitter both teams just beat us out for a playoff chance).  This postseason, BtB plans on having a gameday thread for each game along with some advanced analysis.  I will be putting up umpire, lineup and defensive analysis.

Lineups

TIGERS (86-76)

1. Curtis Granderson, CF
2. Placido Polanco, 2B
3. Magglio Ordonez, RF
4. Miguel Cabrera, 1B
5. Carlos Guillen, DH
6. Ryan Raburn, LF
7. Brandon Inge, 3B
8. Gerald Laird, C
9. Ramon Santiago, SS

TWINS (86-76)

1. Denard Span, CF
2. Orlando Cabrera, SS
3. Joe Mauer, C
4. Jason Kubel, RF
5. Michael Cuddyer, 1B
6. Delmon Young, LF
7. Jose Morales, DH
8. Matt Tolbert, 3B
9. Nick Punto, 2B

Full analysis after the jump.

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I'm getting some serious deja vu here.  ESPN's showing a Red Sox/Yankees game?  This has happened before, right?

Tonight's game thread is once again for discussing the game or anything else going on in the baseball world.  Can we make a deal and spare each other not only from all the NYY-BOS propoganda promoted by ESPN, but also the anti-propoganda promoted by, well, everyone else?  Let's just enjoy some baseball played by two very good teams.

Your starting pitchers are two high quality lefties, one ramping up his career and one winding it down.

Selective memory note of the week: I told you Jon Lester's ERA would come down after his early season "struggles".

The Braves are my pick to challenge the Phillies for the NL East if the Phillies leave themselves open to any sort of challenge.  Their outfield has been upgraded with Nate McLouth and Ryan Church, the rotation remains stellar, and many of the hitters are due for second-half (third-third?) rebounds.  Atlanta also has a shot at the Wild Card, but even though they're only four games back, they'd need to leap-frog four teams -- including the Rockies, whom Justin rates as the second-best team in the National League -- and there are three other teams within 2.5 games.  (Two if you leave out the Mets, like most Mets fans do.)

The Dodgers are a lock for the playoffs.

Even if you're not a fan of either team, tonight's pitching matchup should be fun to watch.  Jair Jurrjens, who leads all MLB starters in avoiding home runs on pitches over the heart of the plate, goes up against Chad Billingsley, who through July 10th had the fourth-best curve ball in the majors based on whiffs per swing. 

* I really don't understand this number, as Billingsley's never posted a FIP this low during his career.

ESPN's Sunday Night Evening Game of the Week is actually at 6pm EDT this week, as it looks like they've decided to ditch an American League matchup featuring two competitive teams in favor of a National League matchup featuring two somewhat competitive teams (although the Braves are my darkhorse pick in the NL East.)  While I'd like to see Francisco Liriano pitch against the Rangers lineup, Javier Vazquez and his ginormous whiff rates should also be entertaining.  All the creative speculation as to why the Mets are underperforming?  Not so entertaining.  I am hoping Jeff Francoeur hits a walk-off home run, though.  Your starting pitchers:

* - Please note that while Nieve has a 3.03 ERA, his K/BB ratio is 1.3.  Vazquez's K/BB ratio is 5.9.  Day-um.

Pre-game discussion suggestions:

• Holes that should be addressed on teams in contention but that probably won't be.
• Players deemed off limits in deadline deals but who probably shouldn't be.
• Trade targets who aren't getting enough attention.
• A trade rumor you'd like to get started.