Nick "BookieKiller" Parsons
Dodgers vs. Washington
Play: Under 9.5
For a number of different reasons I feel the value in this game is on the "under": The Dodgers are in the hunt for their second straight playoff berth Thursday as they travel to Washington to take on the leagues worst team. LA hands the ball to Vicente Padilla (3-0, 2.96); the right-hander, who began this season with Texas, allowed two or fewer runs in four straight starts after his contract was purchased from Triple-A Albuquerque on Aug. 27. Padilla is searching for his fourth straight win over the Nationals dating back to Aug. 18, 2005, and has a 2.37 ERA in those outings; although he struggled his last time out, I look for him to be sharp today. Trying to avoid their second straight 100-loss season, Washington will turn to J.D. Martin (5-4, 4.21), who is seeking a career-high third win in a row. Martin, who has never faced the Dodgers, has allowed two earned runs in four straight starts, including Friday’s 6-5 win in New York. The right-hander pitched 5 1-3 innings as Washington held on for the victory. It's important to point out that the total has gone under the number in six of Washington's last nine games overall while the Dodgers have seen it go under the number in 15 of 25 games vs. teams with losing records in the second half of the season. I look for a strong game from Padilla as he continues his push to try and crack into the starting rotation and in his teams bid to finish the season strong and lock down a playoff spot, and when taking into account how well Martin has pitched lately and coupled with these strong O/U trends, I believe the sharp money is on the UNDER!
Dodgers vs. Washington
Play: Under 9.5
For a number of different reasons I feel the value in this game is on the "under": The Dodgers are in the hunt for their second straight playoff berth Thursday as they travel to Washington to take on the leagues worst team. LA hands the ball to Vicente Padilla (3-0, 2.96); the right-hander, who began this season with Texas, allowed two or fewer runs in four straight starts after his contract was purchased from Triple-A Albuquerque on Aug. 27. Padilla is searching for his fourth straight win over the Nationals dating back to Aug. 18, 2005, and has a 2.37 ERA in those outings; although he struggled his last time out, I look for him to be sharp today. Trying to avoid their second straight 100-loss season, Washington will turn to J.D. Martin (5-4, 4.21), who is seeking a career-high third win in a row. Martin, who has never faced the Dodgers, has allowed two earned runs in four straight starts, including Friday’s 6-5 win in New York. The right-hander pitched 5 1-3 innings as Washington held on for the victory. It's important to point out that the total has gone under the number in six of Washington's last nine games overall while the Dodgers have seen it go under the number in 15 of 25 games vs. teams with losing records in the second half of the season. I look for a strong game from Padilla as he continues his push to try and crack into the starting rotation and in his teams bid to finish the season strong and lock down a playoff spot, and when taking into account how well Martin has pitched lately and coupled with these strong O/U trends, I believe the sharp money is on the UNDER!
