Good morning, folks, and happy Sunday! Here’s a look at today’s baseball slate, July 18th. My blogging has been focused on the Phils and Cubs series of late, and I dont see any reason to change that up, especially since we’ve gotten nothing but ridiculously tight games in each of the first three.
This is the only night game on the list, and is the Sunday Night ESPN game being televised nationally. Just another reason to place a little wager. Right?
PHI Roy Halladay -175 @ CHC Gorzelanny +155. The Phillies look to Roy Halladay to get them another stellar outing and hope to tie this series that they were 3 outs and Marmol away from being down 3-0. Doc has been outstanding again this season and there is no reason to think that he will do anything but dominate the Cubs’ lineup tonight. Clearly the oddsmakers agree, but there are several factors that have kept this line low, and should keep it low. I think it would be a big mistake to assume the Phils dominate and to make a killing at this surprisingly low line. It’s just not really that surprising. Sure, in his last 3 starts Halladay has gone 26 innings, posted a 1.73 ERA and struck out a batter per inning, but in those three starts the Phils have scored a total of 7 runs. And this trend has been going on all season. In 19 starts, Halladay is 10-7 while having a phenomenal 2.19 era. The “amazing” Philly lineup has only scored more than 5 runs in 4 of those 19 starts. I wouldn’t expect anything else today. The Cubs send Tom Gorzelanny to the bump. This 2010 tough lefty has been great of late, winning his last two decisions and only giving up 5 earned runs in his last 4 appearances. Lefties always seem to pitch well against the lefty loaded Philadelphia lineup. Ibanez and Howard could really struggle to get on today. Perhaps Manuel looks to Francisco today in left to shake it up a little bit.
Obviously the Phillies are the play here. They have the best pitcher of the past decade taking the hill in another must win contest. Just don’t expect them to do it running away. I would look for another really low scoring affair and would avoid the -1.5 at all costs. The money line is going to be low enough to be worth a look and the Phils’ track record against lefties and lack of offense in Doc’s starts makes this an o/u play.
Other Sunday Notables:
TAM +125 David Price @ NYY -145 Andy Pettitte: This is the matchup of the day. Both of these starters are unbeatable and dominant against the run line. This is exactly why this is a no-play for me. I will just be watching two superstars go at it in a playoff-like atmosphere.
TOR -144 Marcum @ BAL +124 Matusz: Another pretty good AL East matchup. We love Matusz’s upside in the Fantasy world and I am never surprised when this kid does well. With that being said, he hasn’t really done that well. But they are home and Marcum has been DL’ed. I really like the Orioles to get one of these games in this series, and this seems like the one. The u8.5 sure seems like a winner, too.
BOL today, folks. I hope you have a lucky Sunday.
ps Im a homer. Go Phils!
This is the only night game on the list, and is the Sunday Night ESPN game being televised nationally. Just another reason to place a little wager. Right?
PHI Roy Halladay -175 @ CHC Gorzelanny +155. The Phillies look to Roy Halladay to get them another stellar outing and hope to tie this series that they were 3 outs and Marmol away from being down 3-0. Doc has been outstanding again this season and there is no reason to think that he will do anything but dominate the Cubs’ lineup tonight. Clearly the oddsmakers agree, but there are several factors that have kept this line low, and should keep it low. I think it would be a big mistake to assume the Phils dominate and to make a killing at this surprisingly low line. It’s just not really that surprising. Sure, in his last 3 starts Halladay has gone 26 innings, posted a 1.73 ERA and struck out a batter per inning, but in those three starts the Phils have scored a total of 7 runs. And this trend has been going on all season. In 19 starts, Halladay is 10-7 while having a phenomenal 2.19 era. The “amazing” Philly lineup has only scored more than 5 runs in 4 of those 19 starts. I wouldn’t expect anything else today. The Cubs send Tom Gorzelanny to the bump. This 2010 tough lefty has been great of late, winning his last two decisions and only giving up 5 earned runs in his last 4 appearances. Lefties always seem to pitch well against the lefty loaded Philadelphia lineup. Ibanez and Howard could really struggle to get on today. Perhaps Manuel looks to Francisco today in left to shake it up a little bit.
Obviously the Phillies are the play here. They have the best pitcher of the past decade taking the hill in another must win contest. Just don’t expect them to do it running away. I would look for another really low scoring affair and would avoid the -1.5 at all costs. The money line is going to be low enough to be worth a look and the Phils’ track record against lefties and lack of offense in Doc’s starts makes this an o/u play.
Other Sunday Notables:
TAM +125 David Price @ NYY -145 Andy Pettitte: This is the matchup of the day. Both of these starters are unbeatable and dominant against the run line. This is exactly why this is a no-play for me. I will just be watching two superstars go at it in a playoff-like atmosphere.
TOR -144 Marcum @ BAL +124 Matusz: Another pretty good AL East matchup. We love Matusz’s upside in the Fantasy world and I am never surprised when this kid does well. With that being said, he hasn’t really done that well. But they are home and Marcum has been DL’ed. I really like the Orioles to get one of these games in this series, and this seems like the one. The u8.5 sure seems like a winner, too.
BOL today, folks. I hope you have a lucky Sunday.
ps Im a homer. Go Phils!