San Francisco +130 (Zito) @ Philadelphia -150 (Oswalt); o/u7.5
Today a series begins in Philadelphia between two of the three leading wild card teams in the National League. The Giants have headed east to begin a three game set with the Phillies who will look to get every win they can before they themselves head to the other coast.
Certainly every game for every team within the playoff races is an important one, but here a series win would put either of these teams right where they want to be. A sweep would be even sweeter, so you can be sure that both team will be giving it their all in this one.
The Phightin’ Phils look to Roy Oswalt (2-1, 2.79 14:8 with the Phils) to get game one of this series and get that half game back that the Braves stole last night in the 9th inning against Kuo who dominated in the eighth. The Phils still have their eyes on the division title, of course, but winning this series here and taking a commanding lead (depending on the Cards, of course) in the Wild Card may be just enough to relax the Phils and keep them rolling. Oswalt has always seemed to struggle a little bit against the Giants, posting a lifetime losing record (5-8) and an ERA almost half a run higher than his career number (3.24). In his last outing, however, Roy pitched very well, going 7 strong innings, allowing only 6 hits and 2 earned while striking out 5 in yet another loss. If he can get the same kind of line today with the offense he has behind him tonight which should include Chase Utley, who is returning almost 2 weeks early from his thumb surgery. That should be another little boost for the Phils who have been winning like crazy of late, and who should get Howard back over the next few games to add another spark.

You have to love what’s happening in South Philly. The Phils are winning with great regularity (18/23) and are exactly where they want to be heading into the final 6+ weeks of the regular season. The bullpen has been better of late, Madson’s numbers over the last month have been incredible and Lidge has been lights out over his last handful of outings.
Tonight, the Phils face the Giants and Barry Zito (15-9, 3.44) who has been impressive this season to say the very least. Zito has not received a decision since the back-to-back losses on the 21st and 26th of July. However, in the three starts since those decisions, Zito has allowed a total of 7 earned in 20.1 innings and although Zito hasn’t gotten a decision, the Giants haven’t lost, winning home games against the Cubs and the Dodgers and at Atlanta impressively against the Braves, who are seemingly unbeatable at home. Zito struck out 10 in Atlanta, and that is exactly the kind of pitching effort it takes to beat the Braves at Turner Field.
As we all know, nothing is a lock when it comes to betting on sports, but I just dont see any reason why anyone would go against the Phils right now. Sure, the Giants are serious and have some fantastic pitching, but traveling to the opposite coast to play against a team with an equal record and an equal staff doesn’t lend itself to success. This will be my same message when the Phils travel out west to take on their west coast swing.
Today’s play: Phils and the over.