Game Time: 09/01/2007 10:05 PM -
By: Al McMordie | bigal.com
The total for this one has been set low due to it being played in San Diego's Petco Park and the two strong starting pitchers on the hill. Too low, in fact. Back the Over.
Our Saturday night MLB selection is on the Los Angeles Dodgers and San Diego Padres scoring Over the total at Petco Park.
Padres right-hander Jake Peavy has definitely hit his stride and could very well win the National League Cy Young award. He has 11 strikeouts in each of his last three starts, but more important than that, he has been getting exceptional run support lately. That alone -- never mind the fact that his ERA is a microscopic 2.18 runs -- may help him get to 20 wins this season, which would pretty much make him a lock for the award. Of course what he really wants is a pennant and some time pitching in the postseason, and he may very well get it, even though the Padres still have the Diamondbacks to catch in the NL West.
The Dodgers will send out right-hander Derek Lowe, who, like Peavy, usually gets very good run support. But Lowe has an ERA in the mid-3's, and although that is very good these days, it is not good enough to get him past a .500 record, at least not on this team. His problem hasn't been a lack run support as much as it's been a shaky bullpen coming in and giving up unnecessary runs.
Indeed, runs have been plentiful in Lowe's recent starts as the 'over' is 7-2-1 in his last 10 trips to the mound. Similarly, in Peavy's last eight starts, nine total runs have been scored in five of those eight. Take the Over.
With New York trotting out Ian Kennedy for his MLB debut and Tampa Bay's improving Edwin Jackson taking the pill for them, the Devil Rays have great value this afternoon in the Bronx.
Tampa Bay is a dangerous team for the Yankees to run into coming off the big sweep of Boston.
The Devil Rays enter the series having won six of the past seven games while averaging over nine runs scored per game. Edwin Jackson allowed five runs total over five consecutive starts until allowing four runs in a no decision on Monday. In that game Jackson had completely shut down Chicago for six innings but then inexplicably allowed back-to-back-to-back home runs. Over the last month Jackson has pitched extremely well and he will be a tough matchup for the Yankees.
New York will send out rookie Ian Kennedy for today’s matchup and this will be his major league debut. The Yankees offense has been a bit cold despite the recent wins with just 18 runs scored in the past five games. With a huge underdog status given to a hot team and a rapidly improving pitcher, the Rays are definitely worth a shot Saturday.
Game Time: 09/01/2007 07:05 PM -
By: Dave Price | touthouse.com
Philadelphia is on the rise and looking to catch the Mets in the NL East. Play the Phillies this evening on the road in Florida versus Byung-Hyun Kim and the Marlins.
Florida is only 1-9 in their last 10 home games. The Phillies are on a mission after completing a 4-game sweep of their rivals, the New York Mets.
Philadelphia took Game 1 of this series 9-2 over Florida. We look for the bats to stay hot and Chase Utley to continue to add a boost to this already dangerous offense. Phillies hitters are batting .313 in their last 10 games.
Florida is down at .245 during the same span. Byung-Hyun Kim has a 10.12 ERA in his last three starts, giving up 16 hits in only eight innings. J.D. Durbin is averaging 8.9 runs of support in his seven starts for Philadelphia. Take the Phillies.
Game Time: 09/01/2007 03:55 PM -
By: Jimmy Boyd | touthouse.com
Detroit has been a bit inconsistent lately, but they'll have their ace Justin Verlander on the bump in this one. Take the Tigers on the road in Oakland against the A's this afternoon.
Justin Verlander is the clear ace of this Detroit staff with his 14-5 record and 3.77 ERA on the season. If there’s one guy that can get the Tigers our of the funk they are in, it is definitely Verlander.
The Tigers are 8-3 in Verlander’s last 11 road start and 21-5 in Verlander's last 26 starts vs. a team with a losing record.
Oakland is hitting .236 at home this season while Detroit is putting up a .288 average on the road. Dan Haren is only 2-6 in his last 8 starts against the AL Central Division. Haren doesn’t get the run support that accompanies Verlander. Verlander is averaging 6.4 runs of support this season, including 10.7 runs of support in his last 3 starts. Take Detroit at even money.
Game Time: 09/01/2007 09:40 PM -
By: Jeff Alexander | touthouse.com
The Diamondbacks are struggling presently, especially on offense over the last 10 games. Back the Colorado Rockies this evening against the Diamondbacks.
The Rockies have won three straight over the Diamondbacks. Arizona is hitting a horrible .209 in their last 10 games overall. It is tough to win ball games doing this.
The Rockies are 5-0 in their last five games as a favorite. The Rockies are 16-5 in their last 21 games as a favorite of -110 to -150. The Diamondbacks are 1-4 in their last five overall. Dana Eveland is making his first start of the season for Arizona today. It won’t be pretty against a Colorado team that hits the cover off of the ball. Take Colorado.
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