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Wandy Rod +158 against Kendrick.
Houston Astros +158 (Wandy Rodriguez) @ Philadelphia Phillies -178 (Kendrick); ou8.5
Once again the Astros get a plus-money line in a game agains the Phils. And as I give you this advice on Thursday, I’m sure it’ll be the day that the Phils bats decide to wake up and finally put a hurting on someone. For the Astros, Wandy Rodriquez (10-15, 4.00) gets the start and has an opportunity to get something done that is never easy to accomplish: sweep a four game series, on the road, against a team that is supposed to be way better. Im sure it won’t come easy, just as every other game has been in this series. But, we’ll take a look at the numbers.
Wandy hasn’t gotten a win for his team since the three straight wins stretching from 7/19-7/31. Since that time, the Astros have lost 4 straight Wandy starts. In those 4 losses, Wandy pitched 6+ in each (26.1 total), struck out 32, walked five, allowed 24 hits and five earned runs. That’s an ERA of 1.72 and an 0-1 record in 4 starts. Talk about not getting any run support. Today Wandy has a road series win in his pocket, and has nothing to lose today in Philly. He gets the Phils’ youngest, least experienced, most inconsistent starter in Kyle Kendrick. It seems to me, especially at +158, the play here this afternoon is Wandy and the Astros, again.
Wandy has allowed a combined 5 earned runs in his last 5 outings, 41.1 innings pitched. He is striking out pitchers with great regularity, has harnessed his control, and has been absolutely dealing since he rectified his season on June 24. By looking at the W-L totals, and the ERA on the season, it is a little misleading, but that is simply because he got off to an absolutely miserable start. That, I can assure you, is a thing of the past. It’s really too bad that the Phils have to go up against Wandy today. I think they are in serious trouble. Especially since they can’t score against anyone, and now they get one of the hottest starters in the game.
Kyle Kendrick (14-10, 4.58) gets the start for the Phil, looking to avoid the four game sweep to the lowly Astros. He will probably pitch well, just like Blanton and Hamels and Halladay, but these guys just cant get any support and it seems like they will fall to the same fate today. I seriously doubt Kendrick will go out and shut them out. And, honestly, that’s the only way it seems like they are going to get any win right now. -178 is incredibly steep for a team with no offense, who faces a surging k-machine, and sends out their 5th starter. Kendrick is due for his win today, though, as he has alternated wins and losses over his last four (his only four August starts). And in those losses, Kendrick allowed 5 earned in each, and pitched very well in the two wins. Hopefully today he will give the Phils more of the same as he did on the win days. But it is going to take his best. I just don’t see the flat-lining Phils getting anything together today. They have had entirely too many opportunities in this series and have failed every time.
Today’s play: Astros +158 and the under.
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Originally Posted by Regul8er
I see Kendrick giving up some runs today and Astros bullpen is horrible too.
