For the most part, I don’t put too much stock into “hitter vs. pitcher” statistics. I think I’ve explained why in the past, but the short version is that most matchups are over far too small of a sample size to be meaningful, and the very few which have enough plate appearances to appear relevant often aren’t because they’ve come over such a long period that the initial matchups are long past their expiration date as far as delivering any important information.

That being said, I still can’t help but point out that Juan Uribe has come to the plate against Ervin Santana 17 times dating back to 2005. Uribe has exactly… zero hits. (He’s walked three times, at least.) There have been 119 hitters who have stepped to the plate against Santana 17 times or more over his eight-year career, and not a single one has failed to get a hit other than Uribe. Uribe is, of course, in tonight’s lineup at third base, batting eighth ahead of A.J. Ellis. Dee Gordon, 0 for his last 17 since his walkoff hit on Father’s Day last week, remains in the leadoff spot, while Tony Gwynn takes a seat and Elian Herrera gets another start in center.

Santana is having something of a down year, but he’s also been nearly as schizophrenic as Chad Billingsley; after starting June by allowing seven earned runs in back-to-back starts against Seattle & Colorado, he tossed a one-hit shutout against Arizona last Saturday.