San Francisco -110 (Cain) @ Philadelphia -110 (Blanton)
Tonight on Wednesday Night baseball, in South Philadelphia, the San Francisco Giants visit Citizen’s Bank Park for the second game of a three game set.
The Giants jumped out to a quick 2-0 lead in game one of the series, but failed to hold off the red hot Phillies as they loaded on 5 extra runs in the 8th to win running away, 9-3. Roy Oswalt got his fourth start as a member of the Phils and also got his second consecutive W and the third for the Phils in his last three starts.
Tonight, however, the Phils will look to Joe Blanton (9-10, 5.69) to get yet another win in an important spot as this series between serious playoff contenders continues.
Big Joe has alternated 4 earned and 2 earned allowed in each of his last four starts, most recently giving up 4 earned on 8 hits at home against the Dodgers in that incredible 7 run, comeback, walkoff win on August the 12th. Blanton walked more than he struck out in that affair, and if this trend is anything worth noting, then Blanton should be better tonight. He has not allowed a long ball since the 21st of July, something he had done in 4 straight and 5 of 6. Even though Blanton’s ERA is astronomical and he seems to be only good for getting rocked around the ball park, he still always seems to give the Phils a chance to win. And now with Utley back and the Phils recent offensive success leading to wins in 19 of their last 24 contests, it is safe to assume that Blanton will only be more difficult to beat for the opposition.
Matt Cain (12-12, 3.11) will have the honor of trying to shut down the Phils tonight. His season has been a bit of a roller coaster ride, to say the least, with 2 3-loss streaks and one 5-loss streak, but finds himself in the midst of a 5 outta six winning streak. Cain has not allowed more than 3 earned runs in any start in his last six. He is coming off of a 9 strikeout performance against the Cubs, and has retired 20 by strikeout over his last three outings in 18.2 innings while only walking 4. Cain seems to have regained some of that form of 2009, but facing off against a red hot Philadelphia team can be a beast of a task no matter who the pitcher is. Ask Ubaldo Jimenez.
The pitching advantage certainly tilts in the favor of the Giants, no question. The hitting advantage, however, is clearly in the favor of the Phils. Matt Cain will have to shut the Phils down on his own and hope for a little meltdown again from Blanton if he is to get this done today with that -110 chalk. However, if the Phils can bang it out a little against the Giants today, I would have to give the edge to the Phils who have had a fantastic bullpen over the past couple of weeks anchored by Lidge who hasn’t allowed an earned run in over two weeks.
I have no idea what to expect from the total tonight, as 9 is basically unpickable for me. I will be on the Phillies again, as usual, as they are on some kind of roll. 19-5 over their last 24. I want to make sure I stay on this ride.
best of luck.
Tonight on Wednesday Night baseball, in South Philadelphia, the San Francisco Giants visit Citizen’s Bank Park for the second game of a three game set.
The Giants jumped out to a quick 2-0 lead in game one of the series, but failed to hold off the red hot Phillies as they loaded on 5 extra runs in the 8th to win running away, 9-3. Roy Oswalt got his fourth start as a member of the Phils and also got his second consecutive W and the third for the Phils in his last three starts.
Tonight, however, the Phils will look to Joe Blanton (9-10, 5.69) to get yet another win in an important spot as this series between serious playoff contenders continues.
Big Joe has alternated 4 earned and 2 earned allowed in each of his last four starts, most recently giving up 4 earned on 8 hits at home against the Dodgers in that incredible 7 run, comeback, walkoff win on August the 12th. Blanton walked more than he struck out in that affair, and if this trend is anything worth noting, then Blanton should be better tonight. He has not allowed a long ball since the 21st of July, something he had done in 4 straight and 5 of 6. Even though Blanton’s ERA is astronomical and he seems to be only good for getting rocked around the ball park, he still always seems to give the Phils a chance to win. And now with Utley back and the Phils recent offensive success leading to wins in 19 of their last 24 contests, it is safe to assume that Blanton will only be more difficult to beat for the opposition.
Matt Cain (12-12, 3.11) will have the honor of trying to shut down the Phils tonight. His season has been a bit of a roller coaster ride, to say the least, with 2 3-loss streaks and one 5-loss streak, but finds himself in the midst of a 5 outta six winning streak. Cain has not allowed more than 3 earned runs in any start in his last six. He is coming off of a 9 strikeout performance against the Cubs, and has retired 20 by strikeout over his last three outings in 18.2 innings while only walking 4. Cain seems to have regained some of that form of 2009, but facing off against a red hot Philadelphia team can be a beast of a task no matter who the pitcher is. Ask Ubaldo Jimenez.
The pitching advantage certainly tilts in the favor of the Giants, no question. The hitting advantage, however, is clearly in the favor of the Phils. Matt Cain will have to shut the Phils down on his own and hope for a little meltdown again from Blanton if he is to get this done today with that -110 chalk. However, if the Phils can bang it out a little against the Giants today, I would have to give the edge to the Phils who have had a fantastic bullpen over the past couple of weeks anchored by Lidge who hasn’t allowed an earned run in over two weeks.
I have no idea what to expect from the total tonight, as 9 is basically unpickable for me. I will be on the Phillies again, as usual, as they are on some kind of roll. 19-5 over their last 24. I want to make sure I stay on this ride.
best of luck.