St. Louis Cardinals @ Arizona Diamondbacks (K. Lohse vs. D.Haren)
This is one of the rare opportunities Arizona will likely get to beat the Cardinals because of a favorable pitching matchup- St. Louis has won their last 2, and have been getting run production in the late innings, both games were catch ups for them (vs. the Mets prior, AZ yesterday). Haren has the potential to shut them out despite St. Louis hitters like Holliday starting to heat up. Pujols hasn't done much the last 2 games, but they are getting offensive contributions from a couple other spots in the lineup (Ludwick, Rasmus etc.). Cardinals starter Lohse has good #s vs. Arizona as well. My thoughts are that Dan Haren is the shutdown corner here-however, if the Cardinals get to him early, I think its a done deal. It won't be easy-I think Arizona will take a 1 run game and snap their 4 game skid.
Arizona Diamondbacks (-138)
Tampa Bay Rays @ Chicago White Sox (D. Price vs. J. Danks)
What Tampa is doing right now shouldn't be too much of a surprise-4 game sweep in Boston-breezing through that Red Sox rotation like a natural disaster...and for that matter take a look at the Rays rotation: Garza could get a CY if he keeps this up-well capable, and the run support is always there. The rest of the rotation carries their weight as well, they are going to be a tough catch in the AL East. Tonight the Rays take on a slumping White Sox team that got swept out in Cleveland. This series will determine whether White Sox manager Ozzie Guillen will have something degrading/entertaining to say to the national media about his team, to try and restore some kind of a spark. I will say this, the White Sox are not as bad as their record would indicate- and they will likely lose this home series to the Rays. Sox starter John Danks has had the Rays # the last few years- his numbers are outstanding against this lineup. Rays starter Price has pitched once in U.S Cellular and the White Sox hit him around a bit scoring 4 in 6 innings. Scare tactic here is that Price is progressively getting better, this is only his 2nd year. The Rays are probably the best team at manufacturing runs but Danks has the potential to keep them all off base today. If Chicago is going to take any game in this series, tonight is their best shot.
Chicago White Sox (+103)
Florida Marlins @ Houston Astros (C.Volstad vs. B. Myers)
In the off-season, pitchers make adjustments-in Brett Myers case, you would hope he did in relation to tonight's game in Minute Maid Park. A new ballpark and change of scenery can also be helpful, but your playing with fire running with it unless you see the adjustments 1st hand. What Im saying is, the Marlins absolutely destroyed newly acquired Astros starter Brett Myers when he was with the Phillies. The last 3 seasons vs. Florida, he is 1-6 in 7 games started, with an 8.01 ERA. Of course you now have to exclude ex-Florida hitters like Josh Willingham (Nationals) and Jeremy Hermida (Red Sox) who are no longer in the lineup but they have been replaced-and Florida's big dogs, Ramirez, Uggla and Cantu all smash Myers around. Its a scary time to bet against the Astros because they are starting to win a bit and will probably end up finishing closer to .500 than people would think. If Volstad can keep his cool tonight and not get shelled he will probably get all the run support he needs to pick up a W.
Florida Marlins (-109)
The Board:
I agree with the D-Backs and the Marlins but I have to disagree with the Chisox. I think the Chisox can only go as far as their pitching takes them. I wouldn't start betting on them until their hitting shows some sort of indication that they are heating up. I think David Price is a mature sophomore because of his playoff experience. He has been hot to start the year, and I look for that to continue. The Sox struggled with the Jays, I don't see them taking out the Rays. I could almost see a Rays sweep en route to one hell of a winning streak.
ReplyDeleteAlso, who do you think the NL "semi-big name" picther is that has been busted with PED's?
EDINSON VOLQUEZ.
ReplyDeletehttp://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?id=5119303
2/3 On Features. 5-5 (2 pushes) On The Board
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