Chris Jordan
Friday's Winners ...
200♦ FLORIDA MARLINS RUN LINE - Volstad over Morton - Nice little three-game streak after a home sweep of the Nationals, and after taking travel-Thursday off, Florida is going to dismantle a Pittsburgh team that was in a marathon of a make-up game yesterday at home against the Mets.
New York appeared to be freefalling earlier this week, and most certainly didn’t need to play a write-in game at PNC Park after a three-game set in Milwaukee, where they were outscored 16-10 and lost two of three. Nevertheless, the makeup of a June 3 rainout undoubtedly took a lot out of the Pirates, who would have rather had their first day off since June 22.
Now they’ll bring a bit of a skid into this one, having lost four of five and nine of 14, and play their 11th straight game in as many days, and 17th in 18 days against a red-hot team that has not only won three in a row, but 12 of 18 since mid-June.
I’m sending Chris Volstad to the hill tonight, and though he had been struggling throughout June, he looked like an entirely different pitcher his last two starts. In Tampa Bay, on Saturday, against the defending American League champs he turned in a blue-collar six innings but ended up with a no-decision. The 22-year-old right-hander surrendered just two runs and scattered five hits while striking out five. And let’s not forget prior to that he won right here at home against the Yankees.
He’s a much better choice than Pittsburgh’s Charlie Morton, who has been battling a nagging left hamstring strain that has limited from making regular starts in the rotation. And because of that injury the Pirates are cautious to push him deep into games. And since he made three starts against the Marlins last year and allowed 10 earned runs over 15 innings, I think I certainly have the edge in this matchup.
Florida will be revved up for this weekend, and I wouldn’t be surprised if it sweeps the Bucs too and runs the winning streak to six. With a West Coast trip coming up next week, the Marlins are a team to watch the next three days, beginning with this blowout winner right here.
50♦ DETROIT TIGERS - LIST French only - This is as close to Major League pitching debut as it gets, so even though Lucas French was called up last Sunday and has worked out of the bullpen twice and tossed a minimal three innings, I’m going to roll with the southpaw at this big price tonight.
The 23-year-old lefty has produced some workmanlike innings for the Tigers’ farm system, as he’s given up just four earned runs on 16 hits over 23 innings, while striking out 26 in his last three starts. Going back even further, French has lasted a minimum of 6-2/3 innings with two earned runs or less in five of his last six starts. I’m taking a shot with this pup tonight, as I’ve built a nice little bankroll for the weekend and can afford to take a look at this kid at this price and with this rating.
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