Game Time: 08/23/2007 08:35 PM -
By: LT Profits Sports Group | who2beton.com
The Rangers played a game for the ages at Baltimore last night, scoring 30 runs in Game 1 of a doubleheader. Most of the damage came vs. the beleaguered Orioles bullpen though, and their insane output has actually served to inflate this total tonight. Look for Weaver and the Seattle pen to quiet Texas tonight, keying an Under.
The Texas Rangers set a modern day Major League Baseball record by scoring 30 runs in the first game of a doubleheader with the Baltimore Orioles last night, and then proceeded to score nine more runs in the nightcap.
Now, does this have a bearing on tonight’s matchup back at home against the Seattle Mariners? Well id does, but not in the way you might think. While one school of thought is that the Texas bats will continue their onslaught tonight, our take is that scoring 39 runs on Wednesday has served to artificially inflate this total to its current number of 11.
After all, do not forget that the Rangers did most of their damage vs. the horrible Orioles bullpen last night. Well, they are now facing a Seattle bullpen that ranks fifth in the American League with a 3.70 pen ERA, so Texas is not expected to be as successful offensively late in the game. Also consider that prior to the Baltimore series, in which the first game Pushed the total and both games last night obviously went Over, the Under had gone a perfect 8-0 in the previous eight Rangers games!
Texas must also contend with Mariners starter Jeff Weaver here, who has rounded to form very nicely after a horrible start this year. Weaver has a stellar 2.78 ERA and a microscopic 0.97 WHIP in his last three starts, and he has now allowed one earned run or less in five of his last 10 starts.
Now, Kameron Loe has been inconsistent for the Rangers, although he is coming off of a nice outing where he tossed five scoreless innings while allowing just three hits in Minnesota. Perhaps most importantly, he may have Seattle’s number, as he has allowed three earned runs or less in three of his four career starts against them.
Finally, do not forget about the Texas bullpen, which ranks third in the American League in pen ERA at an excellent 3.47.
Game Time: 08/23/2007 08:10 PM -
By: Marc Lawrence | playbook.com
With a win tonight, the Cardinals will sweep the series from the Marlins and move to .500 for the first time since April 16. Side with St. Louis this evening over Florida.
The Cards wrap up three game series with the Marlins in St. Louis knowing they are 12-4 at home in Game 3 of a series this season.
Though St. Louis starter Anthony Reyes has not had a great season, his numbers at home are much better than when he throws on the road. Reyes' ERA is more than a run-&-a-half lower at the new Busch Stadium compared to his ERA on the road, and he's pitched better overall in his last six starts, chopping more than a full run off his season ERA.
With Florida's Rick Vanden Hurk sporting a miserable 7.77 ERA away from home in his team starts this season, we'll stay at home with the Red Birds here tonight.
Game Time: 08/23/2007 03:35 PM -
By: Al McMordie | bigal.com
Chicago's Carlos Zambrano has been something of an enigma this season with his ups and downs. But he should be on this afternoon when the Cubs go for a sweep in San Francisco.
Our Thursday MLB selection is on the Chicago Cubs over the San Francisco Giants in an afternoon special at AT&T Park.
Cubs ace Carlos Zambrano has had a very strange year. He's been very good at times and he's been very bad at times. His overall numbers are very good, and the team will need him to step and pitch like the "good" Zambrano as they make their run for the postseason down the stretch over the next five-plus weeks.
One of things that I noticed is that Zambrano was cruising along until his start on August 3 when he only went five innings and gave up seven walks in the process, although he only allowed one earned run in that one. His next two subsequent starts of August 8 and 14 were not very good at all, and then he pitched three innings which didn't count on August 19 as the game was postponed.
But I also noticed that the he finally came to terms with the Cubs on a major contract extension on or about August 17, and the poor starts he had just prior to that could very well be attributed to what must have been some pretty stressful negotiations. Now that this is all behind him, and he doesn't have to wonder where he's going to play for the remainder of his career, look for Zambrano to buckle down a focus in his next few starts and don't be surprised if he puts up his best numbers of the year over the next several weeks.
The Giants are a dismal 6-19 in games which righty Matt Cain has started and although they have won three of his last eight, those came against the Nationals and Marlins (twice), and this will be a much tougher spot for him and San Francisco. Take the Cubs.
Game Time: 08/23/2007 03:35 PM -
By: Mike Rose | who2beton.com
The Cubs have their big man Carlos Zambrano on the mound this afternoon in San Francisco, and that should go a long way to helping the Under to cash in their game with the Giants.
The Cubbies picked up another late inning win last night in San Francisco, and look to wrap up the series in style with their 90 million dollar man on the hill.
Carlos Zambrano looked brilliant in his short stint on Sunday night vs. STL, but rain forced the postponement of the game and he's back on just three days rest. That being said, the limited rest is nothing for El Toro and he should be able to carve through this aging Giants lineup like a warm knife through butter.
Matt Cain has pitched very well of late, and pretty good all season long for that matter. He just never gets any run support, and it's affected his W/L mark dramatically. However, he comes into today's game 2-1 with a 2.70 ERA in his last three starts. He's only allowed 15 hits in 20 innings of work, and boasts an impressive 17/4 K/BB ratio.
The Cubbies have been hard pressed to get much offense going of late, and they'll be challenged today by a determined Matt Cain looking to atone for his earlier start at Wrigley vs. the Cubs this season. I'd also take a flyer on the Giants as small home pups, but this game just has 2-1 or 1-0 written all over it. Look for both starters to dominate and for this one to come in comfortably under this posted number.
Chicago's Carlos Zambrano might have just signed a fat contract, but it's San Francisco's Matt Cain who has the better ERA this season. Take the Giants has home dogs today.
A quick glance at Matt Cain's record indicates he's had a horrible season at 5-13. But Cain’s ERA is actually a touch lower than tonight’s opposing starter Carlos Zambrano who just signed a $91.5 million contract and is regarded as one of the best in baseball.
Cain has been sharp in recent outings with just 11 earned runs in his past five starts, and the Giants are playing better ball overall with wins in five of the last six games. Some scouts are saying Zambrano’s arm looks tired and his recent performances would justify that assessment. Zambrano has allowed 13 runs while posting just six strikeouts in his last two starts.
The Giants have a great opportunity to deliver a series ending win on Thursday afternoon.
Game Time: 08/23/2007 01:05 PM -
By: Ben Burns | sportspic.com
The top two squads in the AL Central are set for battle this afternoon in Motown as the Tigers host the Indians. Back Detroit behind Nate Robertson to come away with the win over Cleveland.
Jake Westbrook has put up some solid numbers lately. However, I expect him to struggle this afternoon in Detroit.
Westbrook is 1-3 with a 4.97 ERA during the day this season and is 2-3 with an ugly 6.05 ERA in seven road starts. He is also 4-8 with a horrible 7.14 ERA and 1.623 WHIP in 15 starts vs. the Indians.
Tigers left-hander Nate Robertson is 5-3 at home and 4-3 with a relatively respectable 4.17 ERA in eight afternoon starts. Despite yesterday's victory, the Indians remain just 6-13 in 19 second half games against teams with a winning record. Consider a play on Detroit.
Game Time: 08/23/2007 08:10 PM -
By: Scott Spreitzer | sportspic.com
With Albert Pujols swinging a hot bat and Anthony Reyes finding a groove pitching at home in St. Louis, the Cardinals are the best play tonight at home versus the Florida Marlins.
I'm laying the price with the Cardinals on Thursday. The defending champs were my GOM last night and came through. Tonight, I look for them to cruise again.
First of all, Anthony Reyes is finally finding his game at home. In his last three starts at this venue, Reyes has allowed just five earned runs and 19 base runners in 19 IP for a very nice 2.37 ERA & 1.00 WHIP. He'll face a struggling Marlins lineup that's lost eight straight games.
Meanwhile, the surging Redbirds will face Rick VandenHurk. The righty has been punished away from home for 23 earned runs, 18 walks, and 27 hits in just 26.2 IP. It's another tough night for the Marlins and I expect St. Louis to garner the series sweep.
Game Time: 08/23/2007 08:35 PM -
By: Jimmy the Moose | sportspic.com
The Texas Rangers are sky-high after a huge doubleheader sweep in Baltimore on Wednesday. They're also tired from the overnight travel back home. Back the Seattle Mariners.
Seattle is 9-3 in their last 12 games played on grass. The Mariners are 12-4 in their last 16 games vs. teams with losing records. Seattle has won five of their last six games overall.
The Mariners are 7-3 in Jeff Weaver's last 10 starts. Weaver has an ERA of 2.78 over his last three starts and he's won all three games.
Texas will be tired for this one after playing a doubleheader on the road Wednesday, especially from running around the bases after they plated 39 runs in the two games in Baltimore. In their last 16 games played on Thursday, the Rangers are 3-13. Look for an exhausted Rangers team to not put up much of a fight tonight. Play on the Mariners.
Game Time: 08/23/2007 08:10 PM -
By: Joe Gavazzi | thegreengorilla.com
The Cardinals are starting to smell it, and can close out the series with the Marlins tonight with a sweep to get to .500 on the season. Side with St. Louis in this one vs Florida.
The been-there, done-that Cardinals are the hottest team in the National League. They look to close the three-game divisional gap even more tonight as they host the bottom-feeding Marlins. All signs point to victory.
Anthony Reyes has been more than serviceable since his return to the rotation five games ago. He has allowed just 24 hits in 30 IP and has a 3.79 ERA in his last three starts.
Marlin’s starter Rick VandenHurk has an ERA of 7.36 for the year. In his last seven appearances he has allowed 63 baserunners in only 33 IP. Despite the chalk, there is still value in laying it with St. Louis who has far more motivation.
SBR Top-Rated Sportsbooks
Thursday's Front Page Picks (Aug 23)
Reply With Quote