Matt Rivers
75,000* NL NO-BRAINER Plus Bonus Lock
Your winners here are on:
1. 75,000♦ Cubs
2. 50,000♦ Royals (Nightcap and maybe change of pitcher but stay with play as I think Chen will be in that game creating a nice takeback...Stay with second game no matter what)
1. I am not a moron and certainly understand how Rich Harden is not the consistent bona fide stud that he used to be but he does show flashes at times and when all is said and done is definitely still better than the not bad but very mediocre Joe Blanton.
The Cubbies had a rough first half partially due to injuries but with Aramis Ramirez back have looked better of late. Combine the third baseman's health along with Alfonso Soriano finally remembering how to hit a Homerun plus a semi baller in Derrek Lee and you have a Chicago club that is formidable and dangerous right now, just ask the Nationals about that.
No doubt the Phillies are the clear superior offense with total studs in Utley, Howard and Ibanez along with Rollins, Victorino and Werth. Charlie Manual's club is scary good when on and they have been just that over the past month or so. Things have been better of late at Citizens Bank for sure but this team still does not have as good of a mark at home as on the road and there may be a little something to that. There may not but there may.
The bottom line is that I just cannot pass up the Cubs flamethrower today plus some jack. Harden can be lights out if he brings that A game and I just see this as a total no-brainer.
2. Bruce Chen obviously frightens me and the Royals have been struggling ever since the solid first month to the season but Ervin Santana is far from the really good pitcher he used to be and at home to get this takeback with the at least capable enough boys from Kansas City is fine with me.
Anaheim is still a beat up club with both Guerrero and Hunter hurting and with the lack of pop right now I can see Mike Scioscia's club not perform up to expectations today. Chen is far from good but he has looked alright a few times in this, his 89th or so comeback, and up against what is a fairly punch and judy offense could make the former Brave/Met/well everything almost hold his own for six or seven innings.
The Royals have guys like DeJesus, Butler, Guillen, Teahen and a few others that do not equate to a good offense in 162 game season but there is a high enough upside to back them in this always quality home dog role.
If Santana all of a sudden looks like the hurler from last season then we are in some trouble but until that happens consistently I will gladly fade him in this spot. Yes he was better last time out in Oakland but the A's are an offense that can totally crap on themselves so I do not put all that much stock onto that eight inning one run performance.
The price is right, period!
Trace Adams
1000* - Tampa Bay w/Niemann over Richard, 50
PAID AND CONFIRMED BY MYSELF AND CORK