Las Vegas 51s @ Tucson Padres, 10:05pm EST
Jacob deGrom (0-0, 0.00 ERA) vs. Burch Smith (2-1, 2.25 ERA)
With a shortage of starting pitchers for Wally Backman to choose from, deGrom has been promoted to Triple-A to take the bump with the 51s. deGrom earned a no decision in his last start on June 9th against Altoona, but he turned in his third quality start of the season with Binghamton. The right-hander went seven innings and allowed two runs on six hits, one walk, and one strikeout. While this was the longest he’d lasted in a game since throwing seven on May 15th against Akron, it’s also the least amount of strikeouts he’s collected since May 3rd against Harrisburg (one strikeout, as well).
Binghamton Mets @ Richmond Flying Squirrels, 6:35pm EST
Erik Goeddel (6-2, 4.27 ERA) vs. Carlos Teller (1-2, 2.20 ERA)
Goeddel last took the mound a week ago against the Trenton Thunder, winning his second straight start. The right-hander went six innings, allowing two runs on eight hits, two walks, and eight strikeouts. It was the seventh time in his 12 starts that he walked more than one hitter, but the eight punch outs are a season-high. This is Goeddel’s 13th start of 2013, and it will be his 12th underneath the night lights. He”ll try to get his seventh victory under the lights this year.
Charlotte Stone Crabs @ St. Lucie Mets, 6:30pm EST
TBD vs. Alex Panteliodis (2-2, 3.03 ERA)
Panteliodis turned in his longest outing of the season on June 11th against Clearwater. He earned the no decision, but went 6.1 innings and allowed two runs on nine hits, two walks, and two strikeouts. In fact, four of his last five starts have seen him pitch into the sixth inning. His last four starts include eight walks and nine strikeouts. Left-handed hitters are batting .317 off him, yet Panteliodis owns a tiny 0.87 ERA against them. Meanwhile. he’s faced more righties this season, and even though they’re hitting .224 off him, he owns a 3.81 ERA.
The first half champs are enjoying their mid-season break. They pick things back up on Thursday at Lexington against the Legends.
Staten Island Yankees @ Brooklyn Cyclones, 7:00pm EST
John Gant (0-0, 0.00 ERA) vs. Miller Diaz (0-0, 0.00 ERA)
It hasn’t been announced yet, but Miller Diaz should be getting his first start of 2013 for the Cyclones in their home opener. Last season, Diaz spent most of his time in Kingsport, with one start coming for Savannah. In 11 appearances (five starts), the right-hander went 2-1 with a 3.56 ERA, 45 strikeouts, and 18 walks in 43 innings pitched. His lone start with Savannah last 4.2 innings and he allowed six runs (three earned), while allowing only one walk and eight strikeouts.