Charlie Morton has made four starts this season for the Pirates, and has taken a beating all four times. In those four starts, he has pitched a total of 13 1/3 innings, and has given up 25 runs, including five home runs. He is 0-4, with a 16.20 ERA. Opposing hitters are hitting .418/.480/.746, albeit with a .460 BABIP. He has started 15 different innings this season, and the opposing team has put up a crooked number in eight of those innings. No matter how you slice it, Morton has been awful this year.
However, this is the perfect week for ugly ducklings to book an appointment with the best Hollywood plastic surgeon around, the Dodger offense. The Dodgers have faced a variety of starting pitchers over the last week -- some good, some bad -- but almost all have had their numbers tucked and their egos lifted by facing the Dodgers:
| Day | Player | ERA Before | IP | H | R | ER | BB | K | ERA After |
| Fri | Luis Atilano | n/a | 6.0 | 5 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 1.50 |
| Sat | Craig Stammen | 8.16 | 7.0 | 6 | 3 | 3 | 0 | 3 | 6.75 |
| Sun | Scott Olsen | 11.74 | 7.0 | 6 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 8 | 6.14 |
| Tue | Johan Santana | 2.59 | 6.0 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 6 | 2.08 |
| Tue | Oliver Perez | 3.71 | 3.2 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 4 | 2 | 4.35 |
| Wed | John Maine | 8.64 | 6.0 | 4 | 3 | 2 | 3 | 9 | 7.15 |
| Thu | Brian Burres | 9.31 | 5.1 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 3 | 6.00 |
The Dodgers have lost to a guy with one strikeout in six innings, making his MLB debut. They have lost to a guy who threw more balls than strikes, who has the nickname "The Blade." Would losing to Mr. 16.20 ERA really be a shock?
If you haven't already picked up Charlie Morton for your fantasy team, tonight's the night.
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