Scott Kazmir and Tim Hudson are two of the better veteran pitchers in the major leagues at the moment, sitting high on leaders list for ERAs. Written off at one point, both pitchers are having comeback seasons and their teams are benefitting as a result. The Oakland Athletics and San Francisco Giants square off with their strong arms to try and split a four-game series.
Kazmir is headed to his first All-Star game in six years as he currently carries a 2.53 ERA as one of the American League's best arms. With a 10-3 record, he has already matched his win totals of last season while giving up no more than two runs in his last eight starts. Against Toronto over the weekend, he gave up just three singles. In his last two starts, he has totaled just seven hits and 15 strikeouts.
Hudson has seen his share of All-Star appearances. He got nods in both 2000 and 2004 with Oakland. He is having a resurgence himself after ending last season early with a gruesome ankle injury. His 2.53 ERA is identical to Kazmir's as he figured out how to bounce back from a rough stretch. Hudson was leading the MLB with a 1.93 ERA before hitting a stretch where he gave up 11 earned runs and 21 hits over 10 innings. However, he came back against the Padres with a one run and three hits performance. Not to mention he is receiving five runs of support in his last four starts.
Hunter Pence is helping that effort. He has one home run in two atbats against Kazmir. He is helping the Giants sit in first place in the National League West by a percentage point over the Dodgers. The runs will be needed today as the Athletics look to continue their 6-4 record in the last 10 games. Coco Crisp and Nick Punto have seen the most action against the Giants, combining to go 5 for 26 against him.
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