Pitching matchups; Game of the Day 5/31/11

5:05pm
Portland Sea Dogs (Chris Balcolm-Miller NR) GAME 1
vs. New Britain Rock Cats (Brett Jacobson 1-0, 2.93)

Portland Sea Dogs (Miguel Gonzalez 0-2, 8.22) GAME 2
vs. New Britain Rock Cats (N/A)

7:00pm
New Hampshire Fisher Cats (Henderson Alvarez 2-0, 1.50)
vs. Harrisburg Senators (Brad Peacock 7-1, 2.13)

7:05pm
Norfolk Tides (Michael Ballard 2-4, 5.08)
vs. Pawtucket Red Sox (John Lackey NR)

Game of the Day – Tides vs. PawSox – A lot of local eyes will be on Pawtucket tonight, at least for a few innings, as John Lackey goes in his first rehab start since injuring his ability to pitch…er, straining his elbow. The plan is to have him toss 70 pitches or four innings, whichever comes first (if he even makes it that far). Boston is aiming to have him back in their starting rotation by Sunday, so this is an important step back for the struggling Lackey. Those in attendance will also get a rehabbing Darnell MacDonald in his first action since hitting the DL with a quad strain. The PawSox have dropped four of their last five and will hope to jump on Norfolk starter Michael Ballard early and often, so that maybe they will have a large enough lead late to where they won’t blow things up, as has been the case lately. Ballard’s last win came back on May 3rd versus Louisville and he has allowed 15 runs and 30 hits over his last four starts. His 1.66 WHIP is 8th worst in the International League.

Side note prediction (6-15) – I’m going for another stab at a double header! Tonight, I predict a split in the Rock Cats/Sea Dogs twin bill. I already have a bad feeling about this!

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