1. #1
    Chance Harper
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    MLB Weekend Betting: Brewers at Phillies

    MLB Weekend Betting: Brewers at Phillies

    Trying to figure out the NL Playoffs right now is as tough as forecasting the path of a hurricane. Then again, it might be tougher since we know the path of Hurricane Ike that will interrupt the Cubs-Astros series in Houston this weekend. Meanwhile the Brewers' recent slide is cause for concern with Milwaukee fans who are growing nervous after dropping their series opener to the Phillies last night in Philadelphia.


    Milwaukee Brewers at Philadelphia Phillies
    If the Milwaukee Brewers (83-64) don’t start winning some more games, they’re going to find themselves on the outside looking in come October. That’s especially the case if they continue dropping paydays to the Philadelphia Phillies (80-67), the team poised to overtake them in the NL Wild Card race.

    Philadelphia doubled Milwaukee 6-3 on Thursday night to win the opener of their four-game series this weekend, and are now three games behind the Brew Crew for the NL Wild Card. Ryan Howard went 2-for-3 with a two-run homer and three runs batted in for the Phillies, who cashed as +100 home underdogs on the betting odds in the win.

    Phillies lefty Jamie Moyer allowed three runs over 5.2 innings on three days rest to get the victory, while Ben Sheets was tagged for five runs over six innings to take the loss for the Brewers.

    Game 2 of the series goes Friday night, and features a battle of southpaws. Manny Parra (10-7, 3.97 ERA) takes the mound for the Brewers, as ace Cole Hamels (12-9, 3.12 ERA) throws for the Phillies. Hamels took the loss in Philadelphia’s 5-4 defeat to Milwaukee on April 23 as -137 road favorites, giving up five runs over seven innings of work.

    Oddsmakers have Hamels and Philly as -188 faves, with Milwaukee priced as +183 underdogs. The total is set at 8.5.

    Joe Blanton (2-0, 4.61 ERA) gets the call for the Phillies on Saturday, while the Brew Crew counters with Dave Bush (9-10, 4.23 ERA). Brewers backers are 7-3 against the moneyline in Bush’s last 10 starts, while totals bettors have gone 2-8 O/U over the same span.

    Sunday’s series finale is a battle between Milwaukee’s Jeff Suppan (10-8, 4.63 ERA) and Philadelphia’s Kyle Kendrick (11-9, 5.44 ERA), although there are reports out of Philly that have Brett Myers making a start on three days rest. Chances are manager Charlie Manuel doesn’t want to bank on Kendrick’s awful 0-2 record and 13.06 ERA over his last three starts.


    Tampa Bay Rays at New York Yankees
    Before the season, handicappers thought we’d be betting on important baseball games during Yankee Stadium’s final days. No one thought that meant games involving the AL East-leading Tampa Bay Rays, however.

    The profitable Rays (87-57, +26.84 units, 34-36 away) continue their unlikely quest for the postseason when they take on the New York Yankees (77-69, -14.21 units, 40-31 home) this weekend at the house that Ruth built.

    Sportsbooks have Tampa Bay as -123 faves for Friday’s opener, with New York listed at +118. Hard throwing Matt Garza (11-9, 3.55 ERA) goes for the Rays, while the struggling Sidney Ponson (8-5, 5.10 ERA) takes the hill for the Yankees. Ponson has an 11.49 ERA over his last four outings, as the Yankees have played over in 15 of Ponson’s 22 starts this season.

    B.J. Upton is questionable for Friday with a quadriceps injury, and closer Troy Percival is day-to-day with stiffness in his back. The good news for Rays bettors is that Evan Longoria could return to the lineup after missing five weeks with a broken wrist.

    Yankees catcher Ivan Rodriguez will miss the game as he continues to serve a suspension for his part in a brawl involving Torii Hunter and the Los Angeles Angels earlier this week.

    Saturday afternoon is a matchup between two of the best bets in the AL. James Shields (12-8, 3.64 ERA) gets the start for Tampa Bay, as New York sends Mike Mussina (17-8, 3.48 ERA) to the bump. The Rays are 19-10 against the moneyline when Shields is on the mound, while the Yanks are 20-10 when Moose digs in.

    Game 3 sees Rays righty Edwin Jackson (11-10, 4.06 ERA) go up against porcelain doll Carl Pavano (2-1, 5.31 ERA) for the Yankees. New York won 8-4 as +106 road dogs on August 3 the last time these two starters dueled, as Jackson was tagged for six runs over 3.1 innings in the loss. Pavano picked up a no-decision after giving up three runs over four innings in the payday.

  2. #2
    Willie Bee
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    Very tough for me to pull for the Phils, but that's what I have to do I guess.

  3. #3
    MonkeyF0cker
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    Some decent value in the Brewers today...

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