PHI (Kendrick) +138 v COL (Jimenez) -158
Today the Phillies look to officially get it going. They showed glimpses of that championship offense last night, knocking Aaron Cook out early, which hasn’t been tough to do this season, but I am still convinced that he has had the Phils’ number even if the numbers don’t say so. I think the magnitude of his starts versus the Phils in the playoffs in recent years has always upped the ante, made it bigger and more important than it actually turned out to be. Regardless, it looks like Jimmy Rollins may be getting it going, who said yesterday he was getting really close, went 2-4 last night, hitting the ball on the screws twice. Everything depends on JRoll. (And the health of Utley, of course.) Ibanez had two timely hits last night as well, and the league leader in runs batted in has his average up to .303.
Today, they are going to need to keep it going as they face another dominant starter, arguably the best started in the National League, in Ubaldo Jimenez.
Ubaldo has been a little more humanly over his last five starts, with the Rockies losing two of his last three outings, but neither of those Ls were hung on Jimenez who still has a dominant set of numbers next to his name: 15-1, 2.38, 118k/49bb, 1.07 WHIP.
The Phils look to do to Jimenez what they always do to Jimenez and that is hit him hard and often. Ubaldo has never faired well against the Phils, taking the ball twice, and lasting only 10 innings and giving up a hefty 9 earned and issuing 5 walks. When looking at his last five outings, there is no indication that he will have an easier time today at Citizen’s Bank. Especially since I’m sure he is aware of what he is up against. Jimenez has allowed 22 earned in his last 31IP, and has given out more than his fair share of free passes which clearly are related to his success. He better stay ahead and put these Phils away, because they are one more offensive outburst from getting back on track. This is just about the time of the year that it starts really coming together.
The Phils are coming off back-to-back wins for the first time in what seems like ages and both were in really impressive fashion. Cole Hamels single handedly beat some of Jimenez’s Cy Young award competition, in Adam Wainwright, when he went 8 innings and issued only one hit. The Phils then really looked locked in last night’s contest. Hopefully the dismissal of Milt Thompson really opened some eyes.
They are still getting love from the oddsmakers, getting a +138 line at home versus Jimenez, with Kyle Kendrick on the hill today, who honestly shouldn’t even be getting on the Major League roster after his implosion in St. Louis and subsequent demotion, but Moyer felt a snap in his elbow and we welcome Kyle back. Hopefully he keeps the ball down today, pitches to contact, and gives his Phils a chance to stay in this one. Hopefully the Phils don’t look foolish today against Jimenez and cower back into their slump as he dazzles the disapproving 35 thousand at the park.
Based on the numbers alone, I gotta like the Phils at home against Jimenez, especially getting that +138 line. Or that o8.5 which is paying even money.
Any minute now the Phils are going to completely bust out, welcome Chuts back, and make a serious run at this thing. Don’t crown the Bravos just yet. We’ve seen this movie before.
Parlay pieces:
Mat Latos is also one of the best pitchers in the game. He is in Pitt today.
Jon Lester is back on the hill vs that dreadful Seattle offense. The sox look for 3 straight.
Bumgarner in AZ is pretty lovable. His numbers have been pretty great.
David Price and his Rays look to get this one in Cleveland tonight after the soaked, shortened, disappointment last night. (take a look at Price’s season.)
Have a great weekend.
Today the Phillies look to officially get it going. They showed glimpses of that championship offense last night, knocking Aaron Cook out early, which hasn’t been tough to do this season, but I am still convinced that he has had the Phils’ number even if the numbers don’t say so. I think the magnitude of his starts versus the Phils in the playoffs in recent years has always upped the ante, made it bigger and more important than it actually turned out to be. Regardless, it looks like Jimmy Rollins may be getting it going, who said yesterday he was getting really close, went 2-4 last night, hitting the ball on the screws twice. Everything depends on JRoll. (And the health of Utley, of course.) Ibanez had two timely hits last night as well, and the league leader in runs batted in has his average up to .303.
Today, they are going to need to keep it going as they face another dominant starter, arguably the best started in the National League, in Ubaldo Jimenez.
Ubaldo has been a little more humanly over his last five starts, with the Rockies losing two of his last three outings, but neither of those Ls were hung on Jimenez who still has a dominant set of numbers next to his name: 15-1, 2.38, 118k/49bb, 1.07 WHIP.
The Phils look to do to Jimenez what they always do to Jimenez and that is hit him hard and often. Ubaldo has never faired well against the Phils, taking the ball twice, and lasting only 10 innings and giving up a hefty 9 earned and issuing 5 walks. When looking at his last five outings, there is no indication that he will have an easier time today at Citizen’s Bank. Especially since I’m sure he is aware of what he is up against. Jimenez has allowed 22 earned in his last 31IP, and has given out more than his fair share of free passes which clearly are related to his success. He better stay ahead and put these Phils away, because they are one more offensive outburst from getting back on track. This is just about the time of the year that it starts really coming together.
The Phils are coming off back-to-back wins for the first time in what seems like ages and both were in really impressive fashion. Cole Hamels single handedly beat some of Jimenez’s Cy Young award competition, in Adam Wainwright, when he went 8 innings and issued only one hit. The Phils then really looked locked in last night’s contest. Hopefully the dismissal of Milt Thompson really opened some eyes.
They are still getting love from the oddsmakers, getting a +138 line at home versus Jimenez, with Kyle Kendrick on the hill today, who honestly shouldn’t even be getting on the Major League roster after his implosion in St. Louis and subsequent demotion, but Moyer felt a snap in his elbow and we welcome Kyle back. Hopefully he keeps the ball down today, pitches to contact, and gives his Phils a chance to stay in this one. Hopefully the Phils don’t look foolish today against Jimenez and cower back into their slump as he dazzles the disapproving 35 thousand at the park.
Based on the numbers alone, I gotta like the Phils at home against Jimenez, especially getting that +138 line. Or that o8.5 which is paying even money.
Any minute now the Phils are going to completely bust out, welcome Chuts back, and make a serious run at this thing. Don’t crown the Bravos just yet. We’ve seen this movie before.
Parlay pieces:
Mat Latos is also one of the best pitchers in the game. He is in Pitt today.
Jon Lester is back on the hill vs that dreadful Seattle offense. The sox look for 3 straight.
Bumgarner in AZ is pretty lovable. His numbers have been pretty great.
David Price and his Rays look to get this one in Cleveland tonight after the soaked, shortened, disappointment last night. (take a look at Price’s season.)
Have a great weekend.
