Drew Gordon
Today's Game... 1. 200,000♦ Diamondbacks
1. Diamondbacks- Let's make a couple things clear here: Yes, the Phillies offense is red-hot, coming off back-to-back games where they destroyed the Cardinals in their last series. HOWEVER, do not sleep on this Diamondbacks offense either, as they've caught fire as well, scoring 30 runs on 47 hits in their 4-game series with the Pirates! This contest comes down to which pitcher can slow down the opposing offense, and the answer is clear...
Loving Garland at home in this contest, as he's pitched extremely well in July, tossing 5 straight quality starts, posting a 2.73 ERA in the process! True, his record over that span is just 1-2, but that was due to lack of run support more than anything else. With the Diamondbacks finally starting to produce, I say Garland finally gets rewarded tonight, for what has been a stellar month on the mound. Also of note, critics of this play will argue that he's 0-1 with a 9.90 ERA in 2 career starts against the Phillies, BUT he hasn't faced them since 2004, so you can throw that stat out the window!
Opposing Garland is the Phillies veteran Jamie Moyer... If I can use one word to describe his season, it would be: inconsistent. Forget about the 7 scoreless innings he tossed against Florida, because he ALWAYS beats Florida, what's more important are the pathetic efforts he gave before and after that start, getting roughed up by the Reds sub-par offense, and then once again by the ho-hum Cubs offense in his last one. Arizona's hitters are seeing the ball better than either one of those teams right now, so the soft-throwing lefty could find himself in REAL trouble tonight on the road. Note, Arizona is batting .302 against lefties over their last 10 games!
Finally, there's no question the Phillies are road warriors (29-15 away), but rest-assured, the D-Backs are no pushovers at Chase Field (lately), where they've won 8 of their L11 games, including crushing the Pirates in 3 of their L4 games there. People who know Arizona, know that they produce a hell of a lot better at home, and with all the hoopla surrounding the Phillies right now (Halladay trade and all), this is a prime spot to go against the public and go grab some of that plus money. Don't be fooled by Garland's record over his L5 starts (1-2), because he's pitched well enough to win ALL 5 games! In the end, the Diamondbacks circle the wagons at home, as Garland easily outpitches Moyer in this contest.
Take the Diamondbacks behind Garland over the Phillies and Moyer as your top-rated play of the day.
BOUGHT,PAID AND CONFIRMED BY IRONHORSE AND ME---------GL GUYS
Today's Game... 1. 200,000♦ Diamondbacks
1. Diamondbacks- Let's make a couple things clear here: Yes, the Phillies offense is red-hot, coming off back-to-back games where they destroyed the Cardinals in their last series. HOWEVER, do not sleep on this Diamondbacks offense either, as they've caught fire as well, scoring 30 runs on 47 hits in their 4-game series with the Pirates! This contest comes down to which pitcher can slow down the opposing offense, and the answer is clear...
Loving Garland at home in this contest, as he's pitched extremely well in July, tossing 5 straight quality starts, posting a 2.73 ERA in the process! True, his record over that span is just 1-2, but that was due to lack of run support more than anything else. With the Diamondbacks finally starting to produce, I say Garland finally gets rewarded tonight, for what has been a stellar month on the mound. Also of note, critics of this play will argue that he's 0-1 with a 9.90 ERA in 2 career starts against the Phillies, BUT he hasn't faced them since 2004, so you can throw that stat out the window!
Opposing Garland is the Phillies veteran Jamie Moyer... If I can use one word to describe his season, it would be: inconsistent. Forget about the 7 scoreless innings he tossed against Florida, because he ALWAYS beats Florida, what's more important are the pathetic efforts he gave before and after that start, getting roughed up by the Reds sub-par offense, and then once again by the ho-hum Cubs offense in his last one. Arizona's hitters are seeing the ball better than either one of those teams right now, so the soft-throwing lefty could find himself in REAL trouble tonight on the road. Note, Arizona is batting .302 against lefties over their last 10 games!
Finally, there's no question the Phillies are road warriors (29-15 away), but rest-assured, the D-Backs are no pushovers at Chase Field (lately), where they've won 8 of their L11 games, including crushing the Pirates in 3 of their L4 games there. People who know Arizona, know that they produce a hell of a lot better at home, and with all the hoopla surrounding the Phillies right now (Halladay trade and all), this is a prime spot to go against the public and go grab some of that plus money. Don't be fooled by Garland's record over his L5 starts (1-2), because he's pitched well enough to win ALL 5 games! In the end, the Diamondbacks circle the wagons at home, as Garland easily outpitches Moyer in this contest.
Take the Diamondbacks behind Garland over the Phillies and Moyer as your top-rated play of the day.
BOUGHT,PAID AND CONFIRMED BY IRONHORSE AND ME---------GL GUYS
Craig Davis
Monday's Lineup
20 Dime ---- RANGERS (With Hunter as listed pitcher)
10 Dime ---- REDS (With Geer and Bailey as listed pitchers)
RANGERS --- I'm not here to over-analyze this game because I think it's quite simple. Texas is way overdue for a win against Detroit, the starting pitching matchup favors the Rangers, and I just don't trust the Tigers on the road. Those three factors (combined with Detroit's inept bullpen) makes me realize the Texas Rangers are clearly the right play here today.
Texas starter Tommy Hunter hasn't been used as much as he should be, but when given the chance to perform he has done nothing but shine. In five starts this year, Hunter hasn't allowed more than 3 earned runs in any game, stifling teams like Boston, Tampa Bay and Seattle along the way. His last three starts have been stellar, allowing just two earned runs in 17 1/3 innings of work, beating the Red Sox and Rays in the process. It doesn't seem to matter if he's pitching at home or on the road, Hunter has given the Rangers a ton of quality innings and could be a permanent fixture in the Rangers rotation with a solid performance today.
For Detroit, they limp into another road game, having dropped five straight games on the road (and 9 of their last 12). Armando Galarraga toes the rubber for the Kitties this evening, having pitched much better at home than on the road. The problem is, he's pitching at the Ballpark In Arlington, which is already known as a hitter's haven to begin with. Galarraga's ERA on the road is 5.24, his WHIP is 1.68 and his K to BB ratio is barely over 1:1 (26 walks in 44 innings).
I realize the Tigers have owned the Rangers this year (winning all six games), but those games were ALL played in Detroit where the Tigers dominate. On the road (in Texas where the Rangers dominate) it will be a different story. Texas takes care of business from the opening minutes and cruises to an easy win.
REDS --- Very simple bonus play in my opinion. The Padres are absolutely HORRIBLE on the road (14-35); they don't score many runs, their pitchers allow too many runs, and they just don't play a lick of defense anymore. It's as if they realize they have no shot at the playoffs, so they've already packed it in for the season. I guess no one really cares if they have a job next season or not. The Reds, on the other hand, are still fighting for their playoff lives. If they were in any other division, there would be literally no chance for them to make the post-season... but in the dismal NL Central, any one of five teams still has a legitimate shot. The Reds know this and will continue to work to get over .500 while challenging for the division crown.
Home Bailey faces Josh Geer in a battle of pitchers who just haven't figured it out yet. I realize Bailey is a tough pitcher to back, but Geer is equally as bad... especially on the road. He's won just one game all season (1-6) and has an ERA of 9.00 vs. the Reds in his one appearance against them. On the road, Geer's ERA is a paltry 7.15 and he has yet to win a single game away from San Diego. With the Reds scoring nearly two runs more per game at home than on the road, it doesn't bode well for Geer this evening. The Padres are 0-9 in Geer's last 9 road starts as the underdog and 2-10 in their last 12 when their opponent scored two runs (or less) in their previous game. Cincy bats are just itching to explode, and they'll definitely get the chance to do so against the young righty tonight. Bonus play of the day on Cincinnati over San Diego.
BOUGHT,PAID AND CONFIRMED BY IRONHORSE AND ME--------GL GUYS
Monday's Lineup
20 Dime ---- RANGERS (With Hunter as listed pitcher)
10 Dime ---- REDS (With Geer and Bailey as listed pitchers)
RANGERS --- I'm not here to over-analyze this game because I think it's quite simple. Texas is way overdue for a win against Detroit, the starting pitching matchup favors the Rangers, and I just don't trust the Tigers on the road. Those three factors (combined with Detroit's inept bullpen) makes me realize the Texas Rangers are clearly the right play here today.
Texas starter Tommy Hunter hasn't been used as much as he should be, but when given the chance to perform he has done nothing but shine. In five starts this year, Hunter hasn't allowed more than 3 earned runs in any game, stifling teams like Boston, Tampa Bay and Seattle along the way. His last three starts have been stellar, allowing just two earned runs in 17 1/3 innings of work, beating the Red Sox and Rays in the process. It doesn't seem to matter if he's pitching at home or on the road, Hunter has given the Rangers a ton of quality innings and could be a permanent fixture in the Rangers rotation with a solid performance today.
For Detroit, they limp into another road game, having dropped five straight games on the road (and 9 of their last 12). Armando Galarraga toes the rubber for the Kitties this evening, having pitched much better at home than on the road. The problem is, he's pitching at the Ballpark In Arlington, which is already known as a hitter's haven to begin with. Galarraga's ERA on the road is 5.24, his WHIP is 1.68 and his K to BB ratio is barely over 1:1 (26 walks in 44 innings).
I realize the Tigers have owned the Rangers this year (winning all six games), but those games were ALL played in Detroit where the Tigers dominate. On the road (in Texas where the Rangers dominate) it will be a different story. Texas takes care of business from the opening minutes and cruises to an easy win.
REDS --- Very simple bonus play in my opinion. The Padres are absolutely HORRIBLE on the road (14-35); they don't score many runs, their pitchers allow too many runs, and they just don't play a lick of defense anymore. It's as if they realize they have no shot at the playoffs, so they've already packed it in for the season. I guess no one really cares if they have a job next season or not. The Reds, on the other hand, are still fighting for their playoff lives. If they were in any other division, there would be literally no chance for them to make the post-season... but in the dismal NL Central, any one of five teams still has a legitimate shot. The Reds know this and will continue to work to get over .500 while challenging for the division crown.
Home Bailey faces Josh Geer in a battle of pitchers who just haven't figured it out yet. I realize Bailey is a tough pitcher to back, but Geer is equally as bad... especially on the road. He's won just one game all season (1-6) and has an ERA of 9.00 vs. the Reds in his one appearance against them. On the road, Geer's ERA is a paltry 7.15 and he has yet to win a single game away from San Diego. With the Reds scoring nearly two runs more per game at home than on the road, it doesn't bode well for Geer this evening. The Padres are 0-9 in Geer's last 9 road starts as the underdog and 2-10 in their last 12 when their opponent scored two runs (or less) in their previous game. Cincy bats are just itching to explode, and they'll definitely get the chance to do so against the young righty tonight. Bonus play of the day on Cincinnati over San Diego.
BOUGHT,PAID AND CONFIRMED BY IRONHORSE AND ME--------GL GUYS
Russ Laribee
Tigers at Rangers
Pick: Rangers -130
The Texas Rangers have a gem in Tommy Hunter, who has solidified a rotation that was certainly in need. Hunter has delivered a 2.17 ERA in his 5 starts for the Rangers, and seems to be getting better as he has allowed a total of 2 runs in his last 3, pitching to a 1.04 ERA. He will be opposed by the Tigers Armando Galarraga, who has pitched better, but the Tigers are still 5-10 in his last 15 starts. The Tigers have been as good as anyone at home, but on the road have been a less than average team at 21-29, and overall, the Tigers have been just 28-60 in their last 88 in the role of an underdog. Rangers cashing in at 21-9 in their last 30 at home vs a team with a losing road record, and I'm going with Texas here.
Tigers at Rangers
Pick: Rangers -130
The Texas Rangers have a gem in Tommy Hunter, who has solidified a rotation that was certainly in need. Hunter has delivered a 2.17 ERA in his 5 starts for the Rangers, and seems to be getting better as he has allowed a total of 2 runs in his last 3, pitching to a 1.04 ERA. He will be opposed by the Tigers Armando Galarraga, who has pitched better, but the Tigers are still 5-10 in his last 15 starts. The Tigers have been as good as anyone at home, but on the road have been a less than average team at 21-29, and overall, the Tigers have been just 28-60 in their last 88 in the role of an underdog. Rangers cashing in at 21-9 in their last 30 at home vs a team with a losing road record, and I'm going with Texas here.
