Perez, Duke (MLB.com)
1:35 PM, FSNP, KDKA
Odalis Perez (0-0, 21.00) vs. Zach Duke (0-0, 1.50).
Perez is a pretty standard lefty, throwing a fastball, change and breaking pitch. He allegedly throws harder than most of the starters the Bucs have faced so far this year, but not by much. I say "allegedly" because I just watched most of his first start - a drubbing at the hands of the Braves - and he wasn't getting anything above 86 MPH, at least not according to the gun, which seemed to be working pretty much correctly. (The gun measured higher speeds for opposing starter Horacio Ramirez, who himself isn't a flamethrower.) Anyway, Perez didn't really look impressive either - his breaking ball wasn't moving much. Perhaps he, like our own O. Perez, is having trouble getting into shape after pitching in the WBC.
Other things you'll hear a whole lot about if you happen to watch this one on TV: it's the home opener, it's sold out, and the Dodgers are Jim Tracy's former team. Oh, and apparently J.D. Drew and Bill Mueller won't start this one, which is fine by me.
Box Score: The Bucs are already down 5-0 in the second inning.