The Oakland Athletics open up a three game series with the Chicago White Sox at US Cellular Field tonight in a contest featuring the last two pitchers to throw perfect games in the majors. Dallas Braden threw a perfect game last year on May 9, while Buehrle threw his perfect game on July 23, 2009. It’s the 21st time two perfect pitchers matched up after the fact. Braden wasn’t exactly optimistic that we might see an historic pitchers’ duel tonight:
“I’m venturing to say this matchup is going to be a far cry from perfection,” Braden said. “I’m not a math major, but the numbers say I got mine out of the way already.”
The A’s have had a sizable amount of experience against Buehrle. David DeJesus has 80 plate appearances, Mark Ellis has 46, and Coco Crisp has 42. DeJesus and Ellis are both hitting under .200 for their careers against Buehrle. However, Crisp has a solid .366/.381/.561 line, and Kurt Suzuki has a line of .389/.368/.667 in 19 plate appearances.
Oakland Athletics
1. Coco Crisp, CF
2. Daric Barton, 1B
3. David DeJesus Conor Jackson, RF
4. Josh Willingham, LF
5. Mark Ellis, 2B
6. Hideki Matsui, DH
7. Kurt Suzuki, C
8. Kevin Kouzmanoff, 3B
9. Andy LaRoche, SS
The White Sox don’t have a ton of experience against Braden, with Alexis Rios leading the way with 18 plate appearances. However, he’s only hitting .188/.222/.375 in his time against Braden. Juan Pierre has had the most success among White Sox hitters, batting .375/.500/.375 in 10 plate appearances against Braden.
Chicago White Sox
1. Juan Pierre – LF
2. Gordon Beckham – 2B
3. Alex Rios – CF
4. Paul Konerko – 1B
5. Carlos Quentin – DH
6. Alexei Ramirez – SS
7. Brent Morel – 3B
8. Ramon Castro – C
9. Brent Lillibridge – RF