Nationals +115 to spoil Phillies playoff hopes
Game Time: 09/20/2007 07:05 PM -
By: LT Profits Sports Group | who2beton.com
The Phillies get to experience what the Mets dealt with the last three nights, the fact that the Nationals are the one also-ran that none of the contenders want to face right now. Sure, Lohse has a winning record for the Phils, but he has been bailed out by good run support, and if the bullpens come into play, the Nats have the edge.
The Philadelphia Phillies had to travel to the nation’s capital after a disappointing loss in St. Louis last night, and they now must contend with a Washington Nationals team that has relished the spoiler’s role.
The Phillies have to be disappointed about losing 2-1 in 10 innings to the Cardinals last night on a night where the division leading New York Mets won. This drops the Phils to three games back in the loss column in the National League East, as well as three games behind both Arizona and San Diego in the loss column in the wild card hunt.
Now Philadelphia has gone 7-2 in all starts made by Kyle Lohse since they acquired him from the Cincinnati Reds. However, that has been mainly due to the excellent run support he has gotten, and Lohse still has a very high 5.80 ERA and 1.54 WHIP on the road this season. He did allow only three earned runs in his last outing vs. the New York Mets, but he lasted only five innings in that contest as he required 112 pitches, thanks to four walks to go with the seven hits he allowed.
Now the consensus among National League contenders was that the one also-ran they did not want to face down the stretch was these Nationals, and the Mets just found that out first hand, as the Nats took two out of three games this week. Yes, Washington may be behind the other clubs in terms of ability, but this team always gives it their all, and they are probably the most fundamentally sound team in the league.
Their starter tonight, Jason Bergmann, has done his best pitching here at home this season, where he is 4-2 with a fine 3.60 ERA and an excellent 1.08 WHIP. Bergmann has also pitched well in three starts vs. the Phillies, allowing one, two and three earned runs respectively.
Finally, the Nationals have a huge edge in the bullpen, where they rank seventh in the entire Major Leagues with a 3.71 team ERA. Conversely, if the Phillies do not make the playoffs, the blame can be squarely placed on a bullpen that has posted a dismal 4.69 ERA for the year.
Free Pick: Nationals +115
Game Time: 09/20/2007 07:05 PM -
By: LT Profits Sports Group | who2beton.com
The Phillies get to experience what the Mets dealt with the last three nights, the fact that the Nationals are the one also-ran that none of the contenders want to face right now. Sure, Lohse has a winning record for the Phils, but he has been bailed out by good run support, and if the bullpens come into play, the Nats have the edge.
The Philadelphia Phillies had to travel to the nation’s capital after a disappointing loss in St. Louis last night, and they now must contend with a Washington Nationals team that has relished the spoiler’s role.
The Phillies have to be disappointed about losing 2-1 in 10 innings to the Cardinals last night on a night where the division leading New York Mets won. This drops the Phils to three games back in the loss column in the National League East, as well as three games behind both Arizona and San Diego in the loss column in the wild card hunt.
Now Philadelphia has gone 7-2 in all starts made by Kyle Lohse since they acquired him from the Cincinnati Reds. However, that has been mainly due to the excellent run support he has gotten, and Lohse still has a very high 5.80 ERA and 1.54 WHIP on the road this season. He did allow only three earned runs in his last outing vs. the New York Mets, but he lasted only five innings in that contest as he required 112 pitches, thanks to four walks to go with the seven hits he allowed.
Now the consensus among National League contenders was that the one also-ran they did not want to face down the stretch was these Nationals, and the Mets just found that out first hand, as the Nats took two out of three games this week. Yes, Washington may be behind the other clubs in terms of ability, but this team always gives it their all, and they are probably the most fundamentally sound team in the league.
Their starter tonight, Jason Bergmann, has done his best pitching here at home this season, where he is 4-2 with a fine 3.60 ERA and an excellent 1.08 WHIP. Bergmann has also pitched well in three starts vs. the Phillies, allowing one, two and three earned runs respectively.
Finally, the Nationals have a huge edge in the bullpen, where they rank seventh in the entire Major Leagues with a 3.71 team ERA. Conversely, if the Phillies do not make the playoffs, the blame can be squarely placed on a bullpen that has posted a dismal 4.69 ERA for the year.
Free Pick: Nationals +115