PHI -130 (Blanton) v COL +110 (Hammel)
Today in Philadelphia, the resurgent Phils look to finish off an impressive 4 game sweep of a serious playoff spot contender in the Colorado Rockies. After dominating Ubaldo Jimenez, knocking him out in 2+ IP in game 2, the Phils stayed loose during a lengthy rain delay and overcame a one run deficit and a tight, one-sided strike zone which squeezed J. Happ, raised his pitch count and he exited after 5 innings to get another tough win on Sunday. It seems like they have regained some of that swagger from the previous three seasons and it is no secret that most of that swagger is Jimmy Rollins, who has clearly busted out of his hitting slump induced most-assuredly from nagging, season-long injuries, but nonetheless, he is hitting with great regularity and it is showing in the win column. When JRoll goes, so goes the Phils and in that 7 run 3rd inning on Saturday, he was more prevalent than ever, going 2-2 in the inning with a triple and single. He is the spark to the offensive fire in Philly and that fire is basically an explosion.
The Phils send Joe Blanton back to the hill and get the favor from the oddsmakers at -130. Serviceable to say the very least. Expect 3 runs in about seven innings from Big UK Joe tomorrow afternoon, as he is the walking controversial “quality start.” He seems to eat innings, but never does it in impressive fashion. In his last 7 starts, in reverse order, Joe has allowed 3, 3, 5, 5, 3, 3, 3 earned, going less than 6 once and less than 7 twice. Expect him to keep the Phils in the game, and with their bats going the way they have been in this series, it’s not a stretch to expect them to win.
Even though the Phils made a mockery of Ubaldo in game two, this one is going to be the most difficult to finish off in my opinion. Happ looked great in game 3 and the Phils overcame a lot to get the win there, but facing a possible four game sweep of a real playoff team seems almost unfathomable.
In his last 5 starts, Hammel has done his best Joe Blanton impression. He has gone at least six innings in each of those five and has received credit for a QS in each of those starts except the most recent: a 5-2 loss in Florida, in which he allowed 5 earned in 7 innings pitched. Hammel really struggles on the road, however. Which is unexpected from a starter who plays half his games at Coors Field. His era is 2.61 higher away from his home field. He has a .265 BAA vs lefties, which he will get a hefty helping of tomorrow starting at 1pm. His only real hope is a full rest day for the majority of the red hot Phils. Not likely though, as the Phils are desperate for wins, and there is no way Charlie takes any chance cooling off his bats at this point.
Blanton will give up his share of runs, too. This is a definite over game, and especially at o9.
I still like the Phillies, and not just because I’m a homer, but because this is just about the time the Phightin’ Phils become basically unbeatable. My only concern is... What the hell happens when Utley comes back in a couple weeks?
Ride the Phillies until they let you down and show glimpses of that post all-star break 8 game stretch vs the NL central where they lost 7 of 8. But now they are in the midst of a 4 game win streak in which they flat out beat Wainwright and Jimenez. Don’t forget about that 4 game sweep of the Reds right before the break.
I think Ill be on them every day from here on out. They will be 15+ over .500 the rest of the way and I absolutely expect them to take the NL East crown again.
Monday notables:
Minn -110 (Liriano) @ KC -110 (Greinke): Fantastic pitching matchup in KC tonight. Game start time 810 pm. Zack has only allowed 4 earned in his last 21 innings and may be back. He should have more support considering his team has the highest BA in the bigs. Liriano seems to struggle a little bit on the road. We’ll see what shakes down tonight. I still like the Twinkies, but it should be a low scoring affair. u7.5 is tough, though.
Bos -120 (Buchholz) @ LAA ev (Pineiro): Pineiro never loses and Buchholz has as good’a numbers as anyone out there. I expect more from Clay today as this is his second start after his short stint on the DL. u9 is pretty lovable here.
Have a good Money Monday.
Today in Philadelphia, the resurgent Phils look to finish off an impressive 4 game sweep of a serious playoff spot contender in the Colorado Rockies. After dominating Ubaldo Jimenez, knocking him out in 2+ IP in game 2, the Phils stayed loose during a lengthy rain delay and overcame a one run deficit and a tight, one-sided strike zone which squeezed J. Happ, raised his pitch count and he exited after 5 innings to get another tough win on Sunday. It seems like they have regained some of that swagger from the previous three seasons and it is no secret that most of that swagger is Jimmy Rollins, who has clearly busted out of his hitting slump induced most-assuredly from nagging, season-long injuries, but nonetheless, he is hitting with great regularity and it is showing in the win column. When JRoll goes, so goes the Phils and in that 7 run 3rd inning on Saturday, he was more prevalent than ever, going 2-2 in the inning with a triple and single. He is the spark to the offensive fire in Philly and that fire is basically an explosion.
The Phils send Joe Blanton back to the hill and get the favor from the oddsmakers at -130. Serviceable to say the very least. Expect 3 runs in about seven innings from Big UK Joe tomorrow afternoon, as he is the walking controversial “quality start.” He seems to eat innings, but never does it in impressive fashion. In his last 7 starts, in reverse order, Joe has allowed 3, 3, 5, 5, 3, 3, 3 earned, going less than 6 once and less than 7 twice. Expect him to keep the Phils in the game, and with their bats going the way they have been in this series, it’s not a stretch to expect them to win.
Even though the Phils made a mockery of Ubaldo in game two, this one is going to be the most difficult to finish off in my opinion. Happ looked great in game 3 and the Phils overcame a lot to get the win there, but facing a possible four game sweep of a real playoff team seems almost unfathomable.
In his last 5 starts, Hammel has done his best Joe Blanton impression. He has gone at least six innings in each of those five and has received credit for a QS in each of those starts except the most recent: a 5-2 loss in Florida, in which he allowed 5 earned in 7 innings pitched. Hammel really struggles on the road, however. Which is unexpected from a starter who plays half his games at Coors Field. His era is 2.61 higher away from his home field. He has a .265 BAA vs lefties, which he will get a hefty helping of tomorrow starting at 1pm. His only real hope is a full rest day for the majority of the red hot Phils. Not likely though, as the Phils are desperate for wins, and there is no way Charlie takes any chance cooling off his bats at this point.
Blanton will give up his share of runs, too. This is a definite over game, and especially at o9.
I still like the Phillies, and not just because I’m a homer, but because this is just about the time the Phightin’ Phils become basically unbeatable. My only concern is... What the hell happens when Utley comes back in a couple weeks?
Ride the Phillies until they let you down and show glimpses of that post all-star break 8 game stretch vs the NL central where they lost 7 of 8. But now they are in the midst of a 4 game win streak in which they flat out beat Wainwright and Jimenez. Don’t forget about that 4 game sweep of the Reds right before the break.
I think Ill be on them every day from here on out. They will be 15+ over .500 the rest of the way and I absolutely expect them to take the NL East crown again.
Monday notables:
Minn -110 (Liriano) @ KC -110 (Greinke): Fantastic pitching matchup in KC tonight. Game start time 810 pm. Zack has only allowed 4 earned in his last 21 innings and may be back. He should have more support considering his team has the highest BA in the bigs. Liriano seems to struggle a little bit on the road. We’ll see what shakes down tonight. I still like the Twinkies, but it should be a low scoring affair. u7.5 is tough, though.
Bos -120 (Buchholz) @ LAA ev (Pineiro): Pineiro never loses and Buchholz has as good’a numbers as anyone out there. I expect more from Clay today as this is his second start after his short stint on the DL. u9 is pretty lovable here.
Have a good Money Monday.