SEAN MURPHY
8* MLB Game of the Night ~ HOT 15-3 (83%) run!* Atlanta Braves -109 ML
REASON FOR PICK: If you've followed my plays over the last couple of seasons, you know that we've made a lot of money fading Joe Saunders.
We have another fine opportunity to do so on Wednesday, as the Atlanta Braves head to the desert with a four-game winning streak in tow.
The Braves have managed to win four games in a row despite scoring only 14 runs over that stretch. Their lineup is too talented to be held down for long, and I'm expecting a breakout performance in this spot.
That has a lot to do with the aforementioned Saunders taking the hill for the D'Backs. He's actually been relatively effective in three consecutive starts, but I wouldn't count on him making it four in a row on Wednesday. In fact, he hasn't allowed four earned runs or less in four consecutive starts since May of last year.
Note that Saunders had allowed at least four earned runs in three of his first five starts this season. Despite pitching relatively well lately, he's still 0-5 with a 5.48 ERA and 1.65 WHIP in 2011.
Saunders has been downright awful in four starts here at Chase Field, going 0-2 with a 7.59 ERA and 2.11 WHIP with opponents reaching base at a ridiculous .455 clip.
The Braves will counter with rookie right-hander Julio Teheran. The 20-year old's nerves got the best of him in his big league debut, as he needed 86 pitches to get through 4 2/3 innings, allowing three earned runs in a 3-0 loss to the Phillies back on May 7th.
When the Braves organization is high on a young pitcher, I take notice, as they've groomed some of the best young pitchers in baseball over the years. They're certainly high on Teheran, and for good reason. In six starts at triple-A Gwinnett this season, he's 3-0 with a 1.91 ERA and 1.06 WHIP.
The bullpens are virtually a wash in this matchup, but again, I expect the Braves to jump on Saunders early. The Braves 'pen is one of the best in the majors at protecting a lead. An early lead would also go a long way toward settling down Teheran in his second major league start.
The D'Backs have won three of their last four games overall, but remain five games under .500 on the season, and a mediocre 11-10 here at home.
The Braves on the other hand, have been playing solid baseball all month, posting a 12-4 record since May 1st. They're 3-1 when listed as a favorite in this ball park dating back to the start of the 2009 season. Take Atlanta (8*).
8* MLB Game of the Night ~ HOT 15-3 (83%) run!* Atlanta Braves -109 ML
REASON FOR PICK: If you've followed my plays over the last couple of seasons, you know that we've made a lot of money fading Joe Saunders.
We have another fine opportunity to do so on Wednesday, as the Atlanta Braves head to the desert with a four-game winning streak in tow.
The Braves have managed to win four games in a row despite scoring only 14 runs over that stretch. Their lineup is too talented to be held down for long, and I'm expecting a breakout performance in this spot.
That has a lot to do with the aforementioned Saunders taking the hill for the D'Backs. He's actually been relatively effective in three consecutive starts, but I wouldn't count on him making it four in a row on Wednesday. In fact, he hasn't allowed four earned runs or less in four consecutive starts since May of last year.
Note that Saunders had allowed at least four earned runs in three of his first five starts this season. Despite pitching relatively well lately, he's still 0-5 with a 5.48 ERA and 1.65 WHIP in 2011.
Saunders has been downright awful in four starts here at Chase Field, going 0-2 with a 7.59 ERA and 2.11 WHIP with opponents reaching base at a ridiculous .455 clip.
The Braves will counter with rookie right-hander Julio Teheran. The 20-year old's nerves got the best of him in his big league debut, as he needed 86 pitches to get through 4 2/3 innings, allowing three earned runs in a 3-0 loss to the Phillies back on May 7th.
When the Braves organization is high on a young pitcher, I take notice, as they've groomed some of the best young pitchers in baseball over the years. They're certainly high on Teheran, and for good reason. In six starts at triple-A Gwinnett this season, he's 3-0 with a 1.91 ERA and 1.06 WHIP.
The bullpens are virtually a wash in this matchup, but again, I expect the Braves to jump on Saunders early. The Braves 'pen is one of the best in the majors at protecting a lead. An early lead would also go a long way toward settling down Teheran in his second major league start.
The D'Backs have won three of their last four games overall, but remain five games under .500 on the season, and a mediocre 11-10 here at home.
The Braves on the other hand, have been playing solid baseball all month, posting a 12-4 record since May 1st. They're 3-1 when listed as a favorite in this ball park dating back to the start of the 2009 season. Take Atlanta (8*).
FANTASY SPORTS GAMETIME
MLB Baseball Wednesday
Play Philadelphia (-150) over Colorado (Top Play of the Day)
Colorado pitcher, Jorge De La Rosa is 0-3 vs. Philadelphia over his career with an ERA of 11.84 and he has an ERA of 5.60 over the last three starts.
Play St. Louis (-165) over Houston (Top Play of the Day)
St. Louis pitcher, Kyle Lohse has won 8 of the last 9 games as a favorite of -150 to -175 and he has an ERA of 2.31 in all starts this season.
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Play Oakland (-170) over Minnesota (Bonus)
MLB Baseball Wednesday
Play Philadelphia (-150) over Colorado (Top Play of the Day)
Colorado pitcher, Jorge De La Rosa is 0-3 vs. Philadelphia over his career with an ERA of 11.84 and he has an ERA of 5.60 over the last three starts.
Play St. Louis (-165) over Houston (Top Play of the Day)
St. Louis pitcher, Kyle Lohse has won 8 of the last 9 games as a favorite of -150 to -175 and he has an ERA of 2.31 in all starts this season.
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Play Oakland (-170) over Minnesota (Bonus)
