Stephen Nover
Marlins vs. Brewers
Play: Brewers
The Brewers lead the NL in homers and have the superior pitcher going in Zach Davies. Ryan Braun should be back in Milwaukee's lineup, too, after resting yesterday.
Marlins starter Tom Koehler has a 7.04 ERA and 1.64 WHIP in less than 39 innings. He's back up from the minors for a spot start here and needs to be faded.
Executive Sports
San Francisco at Pittsburgh Pirates
Play: San Francisco +118
Giants are 5-5 the last 10 thanks to now having won 4 in a row. Their best efforts have come against the NL Central Division where they are 9-10 on the season. Pirates are only 5-9 vs. the NL West. Giants could sweep this series.
Bob Balfe
White Sox -105
The White Sox have the best batting average in baseball against left handed pitchers while the Rangers are dead last in the American League. The Texas Bullpen has been a train wreck this year on the road and at even money I like Chicago as the home team and being able to hit lefties much better.
Bruce Marshall
Mariners vs. Angels
Play:Mariners +104
In the shocker department, Ricky Nolasco pitched 6 1/3 shutout innings in his last6 start vs. the Dodgers, cooling off what had been MLB's hottest team en route to a 4-0 win. The shock part was that the Angels had lost in Nolasco's previous ten starts. Not expected lightning t0o strike in the same place again, we look at the Mariners, off of a 10-1 rout last night, and starter Sam Gaviglio, the ex-Oregon State Beaver who continues to impress (3.38 ERA) and with Seattle winning 6 of his last 7 starts.
Carmine Bianco
Toronto at Dallas
Play: Under 2.5
The Reds are having a great season and sit atop the East and overall in the league having lost only twice all season and defense has been a strong part of the reason with the 2nd lowest goals allowed all season and they are tied at that number with this FC Dallas side. Away from home they are allowing an average of 1 GPG. Midfield has been a big part of that for Toronto with Bradley and Vasquez helping solidify a stronger defensive game. Dallas are last seasons Shield holders and are coming around again after a slow start but scoring is still an issue with this side. Expect a tight one on Saturday night and the total is the play here and the Under.
TONY STOFFO
Miami Marlins vs. Milwaukee Brewers
Play: Milwaukee Brewers -116
Miami has lost three in a row for the first time since the middle of May and will be activating RH Tom Koehler, 1-2, 7.04 ERA, who has been on the disabled list due to shoulder bursitis. He gave up eight runs in three frames against Houston in his last start. The Marlins are 1-4 in their last 5 road games vs. a team with a winning record and 3-13 in Koehler's last 16 starts.
Milwaukee, winners of their last two will send RH Zach Davies, 8-4, 4.96 ERA, to the hill. Davies is 2-1 with a 3.71 ERA in three career starts against the Marlins. The Brewers are 4-0 in Davies' last 4 starts with 5 days of rest and 19-9 in the last 28 meetings against Miami in Milwaukee.