And While We're on the Subject...
The contest is going to be a particularly big one for Outlaw starting pitcher Nick Singleton. The 24-year-old righty entered this year slated to be the team's top arm after a 7-6 season in 2006 that many times bordered on brilliant. So far to start 2007, he's 0-0 in two starts with a 5.76 ERA (a far cry from last season's 2.79.) It's not like he's been awful -- with 15 strikeouts, he's second only to his opponent tonight, Reed Dickert, who has 16.
In his last start, he had a nightmarish trip out of the gate and found himself down 3-0 before he could even record a second out after Reno cleanup hitter J.J. Johnson tagged him for a three-run home run. Singleton settled to finish out his six-inning appearance with 11 strikeouts and only one additional earned run.
Talking to him the next day, I was made aware he had aleady diagnosed his problem in the rough opening inning: The lack of a fluid windup due to being a bit charged up for his first home start of the year at Nettleton Stadium. He said his lower body was a good step ahead of his throwing motion and affected his velocity/movement considerably.
So it will be worth focusing on how Singleton begins things tonight against the Flyers. My guess is it'll be much easier to hone in on hitters without the distractions large home crowds at Nettleton can bring. Singleton's biggest problem will likely be finding enough offensive support from Outlaws hitting that brings a .230 season average against Dickert (1-1, 8.38 ERA), who has a chance to be the latest pitcher to feast on punchless Chico hitting that has been all kinds of inconsistent.