[rthoughton]

Washington Nationals +139 (Zimmerman) @ Philadelphia Phillies -159 (Kendrick); Total 9.5

In the second game of the three game, weekend series, the Philadelphia Phillies will look to continue their absolute dominance in the month of September. Nothing new really from this Phillies team as has been for the past 3 seasons, but this one seems a little more impressive for one reason and one reason only: pitching.
Roy Halladay is on pace for the Cy Young award, leading the National League in Wins, Ks, and Innings Pitched, and ranking 2nd in ERA and .02 off the WHIP pace. Cole Hamels has the second best ERA in the majors since the all-star break, allowing just 1 earned run in his last 35+ innings. Roy Oswalt is tied for the NL lead in WHIP, has won 6 consecutive decisions for the Phils, and has the best ERA in the majors over the last 6 weeks. Big UK Joe Blanton hasn’t lost a decision since mid-July.
Fortunately for the Nats tonight in Philadelphia, they get a break from these superstars. They will not, however, get a break from the smokin’ hot Philadelphia bats, which have the highest batting average in the majors for the month of September, over .325.. It seems like they are putting double digit runs on the board every night, and are getting huge hits with RISP, with the bases always seeming to be jam packed with fellows in red pin-stripes. The Phils have scored 7 runs or more in half of their September starts and are 13-3 this month, which has led to a lovely 3 game cushion in the NL East.
Tonight they get the chalk in the middle game of the set against the Nats, but this will most assuredly be the biggest struggle of the three. There were rumblings of a complete removal of Kyle Kendrick from the starting rotation, especially since the Phils have every Thursday off for the rest of the way, but with the new found lead, they will give Kendrick the start, look for the bats to carry them and get some much needed rest for their super starters.
Kyle Kendrick (9-9 4.85) has been pretty dreadful in his last 5 starts, allowing 20 earned in 25.2 innings, with the Phils losing four of those five starts. He also has struggled in his career against the Nationals, posting a 1-3 mark and an ERA over 7. His last outing against the Nats was no different, in which he last 5.2 while giving up 5 earned on 9 hits.
The Nationals should definitely post some runs today against Kendrick. The over 9.5 here tonight, with Kendrick’s consistent struggles against the NAts and the Phils’ amazing offense of late, looks really inviting.
Jordan Zimmerman (0-1 5.29, 2:1 k:bb) gets the start for the Nats tonight. Just another reason to hammer the over. In his lone start against the Phils, he was drilled for 5 runs on 7 hits in 5 innings. Not a huge sample size to draw from, but based on his last start and career against the Phils, coupled with the recent Philadelphia success, runs seem to available for everyone tonight.
I really would not bet against a team that is 13-3 in the month of September, with offensive numbers during that stretch like the Phils have. But the Phils always seems to struggle with the Nats. Last night, that clearly was not the case, but if there was a game I would take the Nationals in Philly, it would be tonight against the struggling Kendrick. With that being said, I strongly advise stay off of a side on this one, and just play that over.
Tonight at Citizen’s Bank Park, the temperature will be in the 60’s and the wind will be light out of the south, which means blowing out. This should be a homer fest for big studs like Howard, the scorching Utley, Werth, Adam Dunn and the always deadly Ryan Zimmerman.
Tonight’s play in So. Philly: OVER 9.5

[cecil127]

you know it bro. got a 3 teamer waiting for this over to cash (twinks rl/rocks rl/nats-phils over 9.5)
also: will chase hit a homer? yes (+500)