Here's a man who needs no introduction. That said, let's know our enemy.
*Zambrano's fastball so far this season has averaged 89mph - down about 1mph from 2010, and down 3mph from his career average. His split-finger fastball has sat at 81.8mph - down from 83.1mph in 2010. He also throws a cutter at 88.6mph (this season), with a slider, and a curve.
*In two 2011 starts, Zambrano is 1-0 with a 5.25 ERA/1.50 WHIP.
*In his last five starts against Houston, Zambrano is 2-1 with a 2.27 ERA/1.29 WHIP, and has thrown four quality starts in those five games.
*RHBs have a .788 OPS, and though LHBs aren't getting as many hits (.240 Avg for Lefties, .333 for Righties), both of the homers Zambrano has given up have been to LHBs.
*With the batter ahead in the count, they've got a .611 OPS. When Zambrano is ahead, that's a 1.154 OPS.
*Leading off an inning is a good sign. He's allowed five hits - two of them the homers - to the leadoff batter, for a 1.378 OPS. And hitting with no outs, batters are 7x17 with three walks.
*Carlos Lee is 22x58 (.379/.446/.741) against Zambrano, with five homers and seven walks.
*Bill Hall is your opposite end of the spectrum, hitting .195/.298/.341 with 18Ks in 47 plate appearances.
*Chris Johnson and Brett Wallace are each 1x3.
We didn't come out here to play tiddlywinks, son.
-Hal Smith
