The man who tamed Coors Field

Paul Maholm faces off against the titular character of this post tonight, Joe Francis. This year he's got a 3.30 ERA, a 1.28 WHIP, and a .209 BAA. All of those numbers aren't just good, they're better than his road numbers. His career numbers at Coors ain't shabby either, and they're also better than his career road numbers. Unfortunately for him, he's left handed. That means he gets to face the Pirates best lineup (the one that features Craig Wilson, of course), which only gets trotted out the one or two times a week we face a lefty. He also drew Maholm tonight, who's been pitching pretty well of late. Dare I say that this game at Coors Field should be a low scoring affair? Nah, I definitely just jinxed it.

UPDATE: Remember that thing I said about our best lineup being on the field tonight? Nix that, JOSE EFFING HERNANDEZ IS PLAYING RIGHT FIELD. Jim Tracy is certifiably insane... and he clearly has no idea that Casey has an inverted right/left split. Sheesh, if Casey was going to break out of his slump it would be against a lefty at Coors Field.