David Malinsky
4* MILWAUKEE over CHICAGO CUBS
The chance to take some loose change with the better team, better starting pitcher and much-better positioned bullpen is impossible to pass up in this one, as the floundering Cubs sink deeper into a season of huge disappointment. But we will have to sit back patiently as the edges unfold, since it is the latter stages of the game where we get this one.
There is nothing special to say about Chris Narveson and the Milwaukee bullpen, except that Narveson is more than functional at this price point, and the relief corps does not bring a single fatigue rating. For Narveson the key is to throw strikes, and in 17 IP over three starts since the All Star break he has only issued two W’s. That helps to keep the Brewers in the game while their bats gradually bring it home.
Lou Piniella will return to Chicago today after missing Monday’s game to attend a funeral in Florida, but he will not likely be in any hurry. His team has been out-scored by 46 runs in a current 0-5 slide, and the pitching is simply a mess. Now it is up to journeyman Minor Leaguer Thomas Diamond to get his first start, at the age of 27, and he is not in the right place at the right time for this setting. Diamond is more of a middle reliever being tried in a starter’s role, averaging only 5.1 IP per start at the AAA level, and his four July starts lasted only 17 frames. Now he is being asked to eat a big chunk of innings to salve the wounds from a bullpen that is bleeding badly, and that is not his game.
Where does Piniella turn after Diamond tonight? You certainly scratch Casey Coleman (63 pitches last night), Brian Schlitter (44), and Justin Berg (24 last night, off of a full inning at Colorado on Sunday). Carlos Zambrano is a no-go after working both Saturday and Sunday, including 53 pitches in the latter, and they may be holding him back for a start anyway. James Russell would be a reach, 27 pitches on Friday and 46 more on Sunday. Andrew Cashner threw 18 on Friday and 25 on Sunday, yet becomes one of the freshest options available. It leaves basically Sean Marshall, who threw 22 pitches on Friday and 18 on Saturday, as the only one near a clean fatigue rating from the middle relief corps, and of course Carlos Marmol if they can patch the game to that point, which we doubt. After what had been an under-achieving Milwaukee offense got a confidence boosting breakout last night (seven different Brewers had multiple hits), the door is wide open for plenty of good swings once again.
4* MILWAUKEE over CHICAGO CUBS
The chance to take some loose change with the better team, better starting pitcher and much-better positioned bullpen is impossible to pass up in this one, as the floundering Cubs sink deeper into a season of huge disappointment. But we will have to sit back patiently as the edges unfold, since it is the latter stages of the game where we get this one.
There is nothing special to say about Chris Narveson and the Milwaukee bullpen, except that Narveson is more than functional at this price point, and the relief corps does not bring a single fatigue rating. For Narveson the key is to throw strikes, and in 17 IP over three starts since the All Star break he has only issued two W’s. That helps to keep the Brewers in the game while their bats gradually bring it home.
Lou Piniella will return to Chicago today after missing Monday’s game to attend a funeral in Florida, but he will not likely be in any hurry. His team has been out-scored by 46 runs in a current 0-5 slide, and the pitching is simply a mess. Now it is up to journeyman Minor Leaguer Thomas Diamond to get his first start, at the age of 27, and he is not in the right place at the right time for this setting. Diamond is more of a middle reliever being tried in a starter’s role, averaging only 5.1 IP per start at the AAA level, and his four July starts lasted only 17 frames. Now he is being asked to eat a big chunk of innings to salve the wounds from a bullpen that is bleeding badly, and that is not his game.
Where does Piniella turn after Diamond tonight? You certainly scratch Casey Coleman (63 pitches last night), Brian Schlitter (44), and Justin Berg (24 last night, off of a full inning at Colorado on Sunday). Carlos Zambrano is a no-go after working both Saturday and Sunday, including 53 pitches in the latter, and they may be holding him back for a start anyway. James Russell would be a reach, 27 pitches on Friday and 46 more on Sunday. Andrew Cashner threw 18 on Friday and 25 on Sunday, yet becomes one of the freshest options available. It leaves basically Sean Marshall, who threw 22 pitches on Friday and 18 on Saturday, as the only one near a clean fatigue rating from the middle relief corps, and of course Carlos Marmol if they can patch the game to that point, which we doubt. After what had been an under-achieving Milwaukee offense got a confidence boosting breakout last night (seven different Brewers had multiple hits), the door is wide open for plenty of good swings once again.
Evan Altemus
3 Units Florida +185
Roy Halladay is a great pitcher, but his recent road outings have been worse than he is used to. His performance has dipped away from home, and Florida has extensive experience against him this season. The Marlins haven’t hit him well but they are improving against him. In addition, Philadelphia is banged up entering this game, as they will be without Ryan Howard, Shane Victorino, and Chase Utley. Also, Raul Ibanez is banged up as well. Left hander Sean West will get the start and has done fairly well in the minor leagues. Philadelphia faced him once last year, and West performed reasonably well. Florida’s line-up hit well on their recent road trip as well. I look for the Marlins to get enough runs off of Halladay to get the win, and I expect West to pitch well in his first start from the minor leagues. The Phillies also will be without their best hitters, and I expect the Marlins to get a low scoring win.
3 Units Florida +185
Roy Halladay is a great pitcher, but his recent road outings have been worse than he is used to. His performance has dipped away from home, and Florida has extensive experience against him this season. The Marlins haven’t hit him well but they are improving against him. In addition, Philadelphia is banged up entering this game, as they will be without Ryan Howard, Shane Victorino, and Chase Utley. Also, Raul Ibanez is banged up as well. Left hander Sean West will get the start and has done fairly well in the minor leagues. Philadelphia faced him once last year, and West performed reasonably well. Florida’s line-up hit well on their recent road trip as well. I look for the Marlins to get enough runs off of Halladay to get the win, and I expect West to pitch well in his first start from the minor leagues. The Phillies also will be without their best hitters, and I expect the Marlins to get a low scoring win.
The Duke's Sports
Cincinnati Under (8) for 2 Units
Pitching should take precedence in this matchup tonight; after all, Mike Leake sports a solid 2.51 ERA in 2 starts vs Pitt. And although he has been vulnerable on the road and to the long-ball, the light hitting Pirates (.225 vs righties last 10) shouldn't take advantage of it; moreover, if the Bucs do manage a few runs, surely the strong Cincinnati bullpen (0.74 ERA last 10) is sure to shut them down late. On the other hand, struggling Paul Maholm has been brilliant vs Cincinnati with a 2.25 ERA vs them since 2007; furthermore, he controls a 1.32 ERA in 2 starts vs them this season. The Reds have struggled on the road vs lefties this season (.248 BA) and are batting just .237 over the last 10 times facing lefties. Cincinnati is 1-5 O/U on the road vs lefty starters. And they're 5-12 O/U on the road in this 'total' range. With the Pirates at 3-7 O/U in Maholm's last 10 as a home dog, we'll stay "under" here.
Cincinnati Under (8) for 2 Units
Pitching should take precedence in this matchup tonight; after all, Mike Leake sports a solid 2.51 ERA in 2 starts vs Pitt. And although he has been vulnerable on the road and to the long-ball, the light hitting Pirates (.225 vs righties last 10) shouldn't take advantage of it; moreover, if the Bucs do manage a few runs, surely the strong Cincinnati bullpen (0.74 ERA last 10) is sure to shut them down late. On the other hand, struggling Paul Maholm has been brilliant vs Cincinnati with a 2.25 ERA vs them since 2007; furthermore, he controls a 1.32 ERA in 2 starts vs them this season. The Reds have struggled on the road vs lefties this season (.248 BA) and are batting just .237 over the last 10 times facing lefties. Cincinnati is 1-5 O/U on the road vs lefty starters. And they're 5-12 O/U on the road in this 'total' range. With the Pirates at 3-7 O/U in Maholm's last 10 as a home dog, we'll stay "under" here.
Randizzle14 (GamblersFinalWord)
New Baseball System (10-5 Record)
***** Unlocked & Loaded Picks *****
Game #1 Start Time: 8:05 PM *19% Of Cappers Reporting*
To Win 15Units:MILWAUKEE&CUBS OVER9.5 (-120)
*MEMBERS "Free" PICK*
Game #2 Start Time: 8:15 PM *29% Of Cappers Reporting*
To Win 20Units: GIANTS&COLORADO OVER9.5 (+100)
New Baseball System (10-5 Record)
***** Unlocked & Loaded Picks *****
Game #1 Start Time: 8:05 PM *19% Of Cappers Reporting*
To Win 15Units:MILWAUKEE&CUBS OVER9.5 (-120)
*MEMBERS "Free" PICK*
Game #2 Start Time: 8:15 PM *29% Of Cappers Reporting*
To Win 20Units: GIANTS&COLORADO OVER9.5 (+100)
