Eric Schroeder
While the Washington Nationals would love nothing more than to put some distance between themselves and New York, in the National League East, I think the Mets have other ideas.
My free winner is on the Mets tonight, after they snapped a six-game losing streak with a 7-5 victory over Washington on Friday.
I couldn't care less about the pitchers, and I'm not scared of Stephen Strasburg. He's not intimidating to me, and the Mets have the hitters who can challenge him.
There are hitters who have seen success against the flame thrower, and today they're going to attack him early.
Take the big underdog.
2* METS
While the Washington Nationals would love nothing more than to put some distance between themselves and New York, in the National League East, I think the Mets have other ideas.
My free winner is on the Mets tonight, after they snapped a six-game losing streak with a 7-5 victory over Washington on Friday.
I couldn't care less about the pitchers, and I'm not scared of Stephen Strasburg. He's not intimidating to me, and the Mets have the hitters who can challenge him.
There are hitters who have seen success against the flame thrower, and today they're going to attack him early.
Take the big underdog.
2* METS
Oskeim Sports
Atlanta at Milwaukee
Play: Atlanta +116
Milwaukee right-hander Jimmy Nelson toes the rubber in terrible form with a 5.61 ERA and 1.47 WHIP over his last three starts. The issue for Nelson has always been his lack of command as he posted a 4.32 BB/9 rate in 2016, including a 13% walk rate against left-handed batters (4th-worst in the league).
The 27-year-old also owned the 23rd-highest hard-hit rate last season due to the fact that batters chased pitches out of the zone at career-low rates against him.
Nelson enters Saturday's contest with a pedestrian 4.56 ERA, together with a 4.11 FIP, 4.37 xFIP and a 4.17 SIERA. Batters continue to square up on Nelson's pitches as evidenced by his 32.4% hard contact rate.
Let's also note that the Brewers are 7-18 in Nelson's last 25 starts, including 2-6 in Nelson's last eight home outings and 1-6 in his last seven starts versus teams with a losing record.
Milwaukee is just 4-10 in game 2 of a series, whereas the Braves are 9-3 in game 2 of a series and 9-4 in their last thirteen games versus .501 or greater opposition.
Atlanta southpaw Jaime Garcia is 11-7 with a 2.98 ERA and 1.16 WHIP in 22 career starts against the Brewers and takes the mound in decent form (3.64 ERA L/3 starts).
Atlanta at Milwaukee
Play: Atlanta +116
Milwaukee right-hander Jimmy Nelson toes the rubber in terrible form with a 5.61 ERA and 1.47 WHIP over his last three starts. The issue for Nelson has always been his lack of command as he posted a 4.32 BB/9 rate in 2016, including a 13% walk rate against left-handed batters (4th-worst in the league).
The 27-year-old also owned the 23rd-highest hard-hit rate last season due to the fact that batters chased pitches out of the zone at career-low rates against him.
Nelson enters Saturday's contest with a pedestrian 4.56 ERA, together with a 4.11 FIP, 4.37 xFIP and a 4.17 SIERA. Batters continue to square up on Nelson's pitches as evidenced by his 32.4% hard contact rate.
Let's also note that the Brewers are 7-18 in Nelson's last 25 starts, including 2-6 in Nelson's last eight home outings and 1-6 in his last seven starts versus teams with a losing record.
Milwaukee is just 4-10 in game 2 of a series, whereas the Braves are 9-3 in game 2 of a series and 9-4 in their last thirteen games versus .501 or greater opposition.
Atlanta southpaw Jaime Garcia is 11-7 with a 2.98 ERA and 1.16 WHIP in 22 career starts against the Brewers and takes the mound in decent form (3.64 ERA L/3 starts).
Wunderdog
Pittsburgh @ Washington
Pick: Over 5.5
A pair of speed-oriented offenses clash in Game 2. Pittsburgh is tops in the NHL in goals scored, third on the power play, and 33-16-2 OVER the total when playing on one day of rest. Sidney Crosby is riding a five-game point streak (four goals, five assists) and has collected 17 points (10 goals, seven assists) in 14 playoff contests against the Capitals. Pittsburgh is not a stellar defensive team at #17 in goals allowed, and #20 in penalty killing. Washington is just as explosive but with better balance at third in goals scored and on the power play, and tops in goals allowed.
Pittsburgh @ Washington
Pick: Over 5.5
A pair of speed-oriented offenses clash in Game 2. Pittsburgh is tops in the NHL in goals scored, third on the power play, and 33-16-2 OVER the total when playing on one day of rest. Sidney Crosby is riding a five-game point streak (four goals, five assists) and has collected 17 points (10 goals, seven assists) in 14 playoff contests against the Capitals. Pittsburgh is not a stellar defensive team at #17 in goals allowed, and #20 in penalty killing. Washington is just as explosive but with better balance at third in goals scored and on the power play, and tops in goals allowed.
Harry Bondi
COLORADO +13O over Arizona
Chicago Cubs looked like an easy winner over the struggling Boston Red Sox last night and 90% of the action was on the Cubbies. But not America’s Greatest Baseball Handicapper Frank Drake who had all Steam Team members on Boston and the Sox held on for the win. Tonight in Arizona Greinke looks like a sue thing over the struggling Anderson and the Rockies but not so fast! It’s another Vegas trap and we will take the generous +130 with Colorado and be one of the few at the pay window!
COLORADO +13O over Arizona
Chicago Cubs looked like an easy winner over the struggling Boston Red Sox last night and 90% of the action was on the Cubbies. But not America’s Greatest Baseball Handicapper Frank Drake who had all Steam Team members on Boston and the Sox held on for the win. Tonight in Arizona Greinke looks like a sue thing over the struggling Anderson and the Rockies but not so fast! It’s another Vegas trap and we will take the generous +130 with Colorado and be one of the few at the pay window!
