SPORTS ADVISORS
NFL PRESEASON
New England (1-1 SU and ATS) at Washington (1-1 SU and ATS)
Tom Brady leads the Patriots into FedEx Field to take on the Redskins as the preseason continues with Week 3 games, when coaches typically have their starters on the field for the longest stretches prior to the regular season.
New England mustered just a pair of first-half field goals on Aug. 20, losing 7-6 at home to Cincinnati as a 6½-point favorite. Brady was in for two possessions, leading a 57-yard drive that ended with a field goal on the Pats’ first drive. Tonight, Brady and the rest of the starters are expected to play into the second half, giving the quarterback his biggest test yet on his surgically repaired knee. Brady will be followed by Kevin O’Connell, with rookie Brian Hoyer perhaps seeing some mop-up time.
Washington held off Pittsburgh 17-13 Saturday to cash as a 3½-point home chalk, as the Steelers played without injured QB Ben Roethlisberger. Coach Jim Zorn said he expects to play his starters at least two quarters, and QB Jason Campbell may need the extra work after going just 1-for-7 for 10 yards over three possessions last week. Zorn said his three backup QBs – Todd Collins, Colt Brennan and rookie Chase Daniel – will also see action. Last week, the undrafted Daniel threw two TD passes in the second half to guide Washington’s comeback win.
New England is now 1-5 SU and ATS in preseason action since the start of last year, and it is 1-5 SU and 1-4-1 ATS in its last six exhibition road games. The Patriots are 5-2 ATS in Week 3 of preseason play the last seven years, including a 41-0 home rout of the Redskins in 2006.
Despite last week’s win, the Redskins are still just 6-12 SU and ATS in their last 18 exhibition outings, including 2-4 SU and ATS at home. Washington is also in a 1-3 SU and ATS rut in Week 3 action, not including a 2007 contest at Baltimore that was canceled in the third quarter because of lightning. The Redskins’ last three Week 3 defeats have been by a combined score of 116-6.
The under is 3-1 in New England’s last four preseason road contests, and the under is 5-1 in Washington’s last five August games overall and 5-0 in its last five at FedEx Field.
ATS ADVANTAGE: NEW ENGLAND and UNDER
Green Bay (2-0 SU and ATS) at Arizona (0-2 SU and ATS)
The Packers aim to keep their perfect preseason going when they travel to the desert to take on the defending NFC champion Cardinals at University of Phoenix Stadium.
Green Bay dumped Buffalo 31-21 Saturday as a three-point home chalk, scoring touchdowns on its first three possessions behind QB Aaron Rodgers (8 of 9, 98 yards, 2 TDs) en route to a 21-0 lead. Coach Mike McCarthy said Rodgers and the starters will play the entire first half and perhaps into the third quarter. Matt Flynn is the No. 2 QB, but he is doubtful with a minor shoulder injury, so fellow second-year pro Brian Brohm will finish out the game after Rodgers exits.
Arizona lost to San Diego 17-6 Saturday giving three points at home, getting just two Neil Rackers field goals in the first and third quarters. QB Kurt Warner (6 of 13, 80 yards, 1 INT) was in for four possessions, but the Cards’ only score came entirely due to LaRod Stephens-Howling’s 89-yard return of the opening kick. Warner and the starters are expected to play the first half, with Matt Leinart replacing Warner. It’s uncertain if third-string QB Brian St. Pierre (back) will play.
The Packers, who haven’t had a winning preseason since 2002, have now cashed in four straight games in August (3-1 SU), but they’re still just 6-8 SU and 7-7 ATS in three-plus years of preseason play under McCarthy, including 2-4 SU and ATS on the road. Additionally, Green Bay is 2-4 SU and ATS in Week 3 over the past six summers.
Arizona has now lost all five preseason home games since Ken Whisenhunt took over (1-4 ATS) and is just 2-7 ATS in its last nine as a preseason chalk, including 0-4 ATS the last two-plus years. However, unlike Green Bay, the Cardinals have been a strong play in Week 3 over the last six years, cashing in all six games while going 4-2 SU.
The over is 10-4 in Green Bay’s 14 preseason contests under McCarthy, with the last three on the highway topping the total. Meanwhile, Arizona has stayed low in its first two preseason games after a 7-3 “over” stretch in August competition.
ATS ADVANTAGE: ARIZONA
NATIONAL LEAGUE
Atlanta (67-60) at Philadelphia (73-52)
Pedro Martinez (2-0, 5.14 ERA) toes the slab for the Phillies when they open a three-game set at Citizens Bank Park against the N.L. East rival Braves, who will counter with rookie Tommy Hanson (9-2, 3.12).
Philadelphia just dropped two of three at Pittsburgh, needing 10 innings to get a 4-1 win Wednesday before blowing a 2-1, eighth-inning lead in Thursday’s finale, losing 3-2. However, the Phillies remain one of the hottest teams in baseball, having won 12 of their last 16, and they are on further streaks of 36-18 overall, 5-1 against winning teams and 19-7 at home.
Atlanta dropped the first two games of its home series with the Padres before getting back on track with a 9-1 win Thursday. The Braves are just 2-8 in their last 10 series openers, but they are on upticks of 5-1 on the highway and 4-1 in division play. Also, in this rivalry, Atlanta is 8-4 this season against the Phillies, going 6-2 in the last eight overall and 6-2 in the last eight in Philly.
The Phillies are 3-0 since Martinez joined the rotation, despite the former Cy Young winner’s mediocre ERA. On Sunday against the Mets, the right-hander gave up four runs on seven hits (two homers), getting a 9-7 road victory. Both of Martinez’s wins have come on the road, as he gave up a run in three innings in his first home start (5-1 win over Arizona). The 37-year-old is 11-10 with a 3.70 ERA in 30 career outings (23 starts) against Atlanta.
Hanson, who turns 23 today, has won his last four starts, allowing eight runs in 25 2/3 innings for a 2.80 ERA, and he has 23 strikeouts over his last three outings, all at home (19 2/3 innings). On Saturday, he allowed three runs on four hits and three walks in seven innings of a 4-3 victory over Florida, striking out seven. Hanson is 3-1 with a 2.70 ERA in six road starts this year, and this will be his first career start against Philadelphia.
With Hanson dealing, the Braves are on runs of 6-2 against winning teams and 5-2 in series openers.
The under for Philadelphia is on tears of 10-4 overall, 4-0 against wining teams, 6-1 in the N.L. East and 17-5 against righty starters, and in this rivalry, the total has stayed low in four straight games. However, with the Braves on the road, the over is on rolls of 7-2 overall and 5-1 against winning teams.
ATS ADVANTAGE: PHILADELPHIA
Colorado (72-56) at San Francisco (69-59)
The top two teams in the N.L. wild-card chase get together for the second time in a week, this time at AT&T Park, where the Giants will send ace Tim Lincecum (12-4, 2.43 ERA) against Ubaldo Jimenez (12-9, 3.36) and the Rockies to open a three-game series.
San Francisco bounced back from losing three of four at Colorado last weekend by taking two of three at home against Arizona, though it got hammered 11-0 last night in the series finale. The Giants are just 2-5 in their last seven outings against winning teams, but they are on streaks at home of 38-19 overall and 9-5 against winning squads.
Colorado lost two of three at home to the Dodgers, including a 3-2 setback Thursday that left the Rocks four games behind N.L. West-leading Los Angeles and three games ahead of San Francisco for the wild card. The Rockies are 52-25 in their last 77 games, and on the road, they are on upswings of 4-0 overall and 21-6 against righty starters, but they’ve lost five straight as a road pup.
The Rockies have won five of the last six in this rivalry and are on further runs against the Giants of 4-1 behind Jimenez and 4-1 facing Lincecum. The same two pitchers squared off Sunday, with Jimenez allowing two runs in eight innings to outduel Lincecum (three runs in seven innings) in a 4-2 Colorado victory.
San Francisco has won four of its last six behind Lincecum, but the 25-year-old has allowed eight runs in 13 innings over his last two starts (5.53 ERA). In Sunday’s 4-2 setback at Colorado, he held the Rockies hitless for 5 1/3 innings and ended up allowing three runs on three hits – including the decisive two-run homer -- with five walks and seven strikeouts.
Lincecum is 7-1 with a sterling 1.98 ERA in 13 home starts this season, but he’s just 3-3 with a 4.33 ERA in nine career starts against Colorado. The Giants are on runs behind the right-hander of 5-1 at home and 8-2 with the right-hander favored.
Jimenez has won his last five starts, allowing just seven runs over 38 2/3 innings for a 1.62 ERA, and he’s gone eight innings in four of those outings, including the last three in a row. Against the Giants on Sunday, he scattered six hits and two walks over his eight innings, striking out nine.
Jimenez is 5-5 with a 3.48 ERA in 14 road starts this year, and he’s 3-2 with a 2.41 ERA in eight career starts against San Francisco. Still, the Rockies are on slides behind Jimenez of 10-23 on the highway and 1-5 in roadies against winning teams.
The under for San Francisco is on a bundle of rolls, including 27-11-2 with the Giants favored, 6-2 behind Lincecum and 4-0 with the reigning Cy Young winner facing a winning team. For Colorado, the under is on a 7-2-1 overall stretch, and with Jimenez throwing, the under is on runs of 5-0 overall, 5-0 against winning teams and 10-3 on the road against winning units.
Finally, in this rivalry, the total has stayed low in four straight meetings at AT&T Park, and the under is 6-2 in Jimenez’s last eight starts against the Giants.
ATS ADVANTAGE: UNDER
DUNKEL
Texas at Minnesota
The Twins look to build on their 5-1 record in the last 6 games overall. Minnesota is the pick (+120) according to Dunkel, which has the Twins favored by 1/2 a run. Dunkel Pick: Minnesota (+120)
Game 951-952: NY Mets at Chicago Cubs
Dunkel Ratings: NY Mets (Misch) 15.356; Cubs (Lilly) 14.299
Dunkel Line: NY Mets by 1; 11 1/2
Vegas Line: Chicago Cubs (-250); No Run Line
Dunkel Pick: NY Mets (+230); N/A
Game 953-954: Atlanta at Philadelphia
Dunkel Ratings: Atlanta (Hanson) 15.124; Philadelphia (Martinez) 15.914
Dunkel Line: Philadelphia by 1; 9
Vegas Line: Philadelphia (-110); 9 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Philadelphia (-110); Under
Game 955-956: LA Dodgers at Cincinnati
Dunkel Ratings: LA Dodgers (Billingsley) 15.421; Cincinnati (Bailey) 16.108
Dunkel Line: Cincinnati by 1/2; 9 1/2
Vegas Line: LA Dodgers (-180); 9
Dunkel Pick: Cincinnati (+170); Over
Game 957-958: San Diego at Florida
Dunkel Ratings: San Diego (Correia) 14.245; Florida (Volstad) 15.293
Dunkel Line: Florida by 1; 8 1/2
Vegas Line: Florida (-150); 9
Dunkel Pick: Florida (-150); Under
Game 959-960: Pittsburgh at Milwaukee
Dunkel Ratings: Pittsburgh (Duke) 15.234; Milwaukee (Parra) 14.108
Dunkel Line: Pittsburgh by 1; 8 1/2
Vegas Line: Milwaukee (-130); 9
Dunkel Pick: Pittsburgh (+120); Under
Game 961-962: Washington at St. Louis
Dunkel Ratings: Washington (Lannan) 14.511; St. Louis (Smoltz) 15.463
Dunkel Line: St. Louis by 1; 10
Vegas Line: St. Louis (-180); 9
Dunkel Pick: St. Louis (-180); Over
Game 963-964: Houston at Arizona
Dunkel Ratings: Houston (Bazardo) 15.087; Arizona (Scherzer) 16.132
Dunkel Line: Arizona by 1; 8 1/2
Vegas Line: Arizona (-160); 9
Dunkel Pick: Arizona (-160); Under
Game 965-966: Colorado at San Francisco
Dunkel Ratings: Colorado (Jimenez) 14.348; San Francisco (Lincecum) 15.488
Dunkel Line: San Francisco by 1; 7 1/2
Vegas Line: San Francisco (-135); 6 1/2
Dunkel Pick: San Francisco (-135); Over
Game 967-968: Cleveland at Baltimore
Dunkel Ratings: Cleveland (Carmona) 15.028; Baltimore (Berken) 16.618
Dunkel Line: Baltimore by 1 1/2; 11
Vegas Line: Cleveland (-115); 10
Dunkel Pick: Baltimore (+105); Over
Game 969-970: Tampa Bay at Detroit
Dunkel Ratings: Tampa Bay (Garza) 14.475; Detroit (Porcello) 15.803
Dunkel Line: Detroit by 1 1/2; 7 1/2
Vegas Line: Tampa Bay (-125); 9
Dunkel Pick: Detroit (+125); Under
Game 971-972: Chicago White Sox at NY Yankees
Dunkel Ratings: White Sox (Buehrle) 15.437; NY Yankees (Sabathia) 16.216
Dunkel Line: NY Yankees by 1; 8
Vegas Line: NY Yankees (-210); 9
Dunkel Pick: NY Yankees (-210); Under
Game 973-974: Toronto at Boston
Dunkel Ratings: Toronto (Richmond) 14.173; Boston (Beckett) 15.269
Dunkel Line: Boston by 1; 8
Vegas Line: Boston (-230); 9
Dunkel Pick: Boston (-230); Under
Game 975-976: Texas at Minnesota
Dunkel Ratings: Texas (Hunter) 15.810; Minnesota (Duensing) 15.930
Dunkel Line: Minnesota by 1/2; 8 1/2
Vegas Line: Texas (-130); 9 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Minnesota (+120); Under
Game 977-978: Oakland at LA Angels
Dunkel Ratings: Oakland (Tomko) 14.189; LA Angels (Bell) 15.396
Dunkel Line: LA Angels by 1; 8 1/2
Vegas Line: LA Angels (-145); 10
Dunkel Pick: LA Angels (-145); Under
Game 979-980: Kansas City at Seattle
Dunkel Ratings: Kansas City (Bannister) 14.487; Seattle (Hernandez) 15.920
Dunkel Line: Seattle by 1 1/2; 7
Vegas Line: Seattle (-230); 7 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Seattle (-230); Under
NFL
Game 257-258: New England at Washington
Dunkel Ratings: New England 118.687; Washington 118.722
Dunkel Line: Even; 32 1/2
Vegas Line: Washington by 3; 37 1/2
Dunkel Pick: New England (+3); Under
Game 259-260: Green Bay at Arizona
Dunkel Ratings: Green Bay 117.323; Arizona 124.781
Dunkel Line: Arizona by 7 1/2; 44
Vegas Line: Arizona by 3; 42
Dunkel Pick: Arizona (-3); Over
CFL
Calgary at Toronto
The Stampeders look to build on their 4-0-1 ATS record in their last 5 games following a bye week. Calgary is the pick (-7) according to Dunkel, which has the Stampeders favored by 9 1/2. Dunkel Pick: Calgary (-7)
Game 441-442: Calgary at Toronto
Dunkel Ratings: Calgary 112.943; Toronto 103.422
Dunkel Line: Calgary by 9 1/2; 58
Vegas Line: Calgary by 7; 53 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Calgary (-7); Over
WNBA
New York at Chicago
The Liberty look to build on their 3-0 ATS record in their last 3 road games as an underdog of 3 points or less. New York is the pick (+2 1/2) according to Dunkel, which has Chicago favored by only 1. Dunkel Pick: New York (+2 1/2)
Game 651-652: Sacramento at Minnesota
Dunkel Ratings: Sacramento 111.811; Minnesota 109.862
Dunkel Line & Total: Sacramento by 2; 160
Vegas Line & Total: Minnesota by 2; 163
Dunkel Pick: Sacramento (+2); Under
Game 653-654: New York at Chicago
Dunkel Ratings: New York 110.208; Chicago 111.252
Dunkel Line & Total: Chicago by 1; 156
Vegas Line & Total: Chicago by 2 1/2; 145
Dunkel Pick: New York (+2 1/2); Over
Frank Jordan
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New England Patriots vs. Washington Redskins
Play: New England Patriots -3.5
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New England is 1-1 during the preseason thus far and played a couple of close games that one win did come on the road as they head to DC. Washington is also 1-1 and that win did come at home, but was a tight win after they got blown out in their first game. Look for a close battle with the starters playing at least the first half and New England coming out on top in the end. Play New England
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Green Bay Packers vs. Arizona Cardinals
Play: Green Bay Packers +3.5
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Green Bay is finally past the Favre stuff from last year as it looked like he was retiring, but instead he went to a rival. The Packers are expecting big things from Aaron Rodgers this year and their convincing 2-0 start by a combined 48-21 margin is nice. Arizona is looking to get back to the big show and maybe win it this time, but have been dominated this preseason as they are 0-2 and have been outscored 16-37. Look for Rodgers and company to clip the wings of the Cardinals and make it a 3-0 preseason start. Play Green Bay
Doc's Sports
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Green Bay Packers vs. Arizona Cardinals
Play: Arizona Cardinals -3.5
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We have collected with the Packers in each of their first two games of the season but fell that their luck will run out in Week 3. Back-up QB Matt Flynn is banged with a shoulder injury and that means Brian Brohm will have to play a lot in this game. To make no bones about it, he is terrible and has thrown three interceptions in the first two games. It is hard not to luck Arizona’s QB rotation with Kurt Warner, Matt Leinart, and Brian St Pierre and if they can keep it close early, expect them to easily cover this number. Green Bay was up 24-0 last week and only won that game by 10 points. Aaron Rogers will play a lot in this game, but they cannot afford to get him hurt or their season would be over. This is the Packers first road game of the season and I highly doubt then can look outstanding yet again. In fact, no coach wants his team to peak in the exhibition season. Buffalo and Cleveland do not have the type of offense that Arizona does and we expect the Cards to dominate the second half and cruise to a victory.
Marc Lawrence
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Colorado Rockies at San Francisco Giants
Prediction: San Francisco Giants
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The Giants host the Rockies in the opener of a three-games series when former Cy Young winner Tim Lincecum takes the hill at AT&T Park in San Francisco tonight. Lincecum enters tonight game 10-4 in his home team starts this season, including 5-1 the last 6 starts. He's also 9-3 his last 12 team starts in August, including 6-1 his last 7 at home. With that we'll stay at home with Lincecum and the Giants here this evening.
MTi Sports
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Toronto Blue Jays at Boston Red Sox
Prediction: Over
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The Red Sox are a big favorite here and they are off a 9-5 loss to the White Sox yesterday. They get to face Scott Richmond in this series opener, who has lost his last two starts 7-5 and 7-3. All signs point to a high scoring affair today. Toronto is 5-0 OU as a 140+ dog when they lost the last two games their starter started flying over by an average of a whopping 6.6 runs per game. The Red Sox are 5-0 OU at home after a loss in which they allowed at least six runs, scoring an average of 9.6 runs per game, which is over todays OU line.
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Finally, Boston is 6-0 OU in the first game of a series when they are off a loss, going over by an average of 6.2 runs per game. Take these two OVER.
Rob Vinciletti
Pittsburgh Pirates vs. Milwaukee Brewers
Play: Milwaukee Brewers
Tonight we go with the Brewers who are a dominant 20-1 at home vs the Pirates.Milwaukee has fallen on hard times this month,as they are under .500 on the year.Tonight they get their remedy.The Pirates have been playing surprisingly well after trading most of their experienced roster.They have won 7 of the last 9.Tonight they send Z.Duke to the mound in Milwaukee.He is 3-9 with a 4.70 era vs the Brewers and has been a horrendous road dog in his career.The Pirates are just 6-20 on the road when the total is 9 to 9.5 this year.The Brewers have lefty M.Parra going tonight and he has a 1-1 record vs the Bucs with a decent 2.31 era.Milwaukee hits leftys better than rightys this year.They average 5.4 runs vs southpaws.Milwaukee should continue their dominance over the Pirates tonight and get the call as Fridays comp side.
Robert Ferringo
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Take Boston -1.5 over Toronto
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Josh Beckett got lit up by the Yankees in his last start so I don’t think that he’s going to be messing around on Friday. The Red Sox are a perfect 6-0 on the run line in Beckett’s next start following a game in which he pitched and the Sox lost. Beckett gave up seven runs in his last start against the Blue Jays last Tuesday. Again, I am looking for a big bounce back performance from one of the best in the game.
DAVE COKIN
TEXAS RANGERS / MINNESOTA TWINS
TAKE TEXAS RANGERS
Tommy Hunter continues to be a revelation for the amazing Rangers. Texas is still right in the playoff hunt off a good series against the Yankees, and Hunter has to rate a good sized edge tonight against Twins rookie lefty Duensing. Lay the short spot on the road with Texas.
JIM FEIST
PITTSBURGH PIRATES / MILWAUKEE BREWERS
TAKE PITTSBURGH PIRATES
The Pirates were undefeated last week, a perfect 5-0. Then they upset the Phillies this week, 6-4. Lefty Zach Duke (10-11) has been their best starters, with a 3.38 ERA and few walks. His last three starts: 2.91 ERA, only 2 walks in 21.2 innings. It's tough to have any kind of faith in Milwaukee wild man starter Manny Parra (8-10, 6.54 ERA), giving up a whopping 153 hits in 117 innings. And he's getting worse, with an 8.40 ERA his last three starts. Play the Pirates.
Bob Harvey
New England and Washington UNDER 37.5
The Washington Redskins first-team offense has yet score a touchdown this pre-season and that failure to produce has QB Jason Campbell and head coach Jim Zorn squarely on the hot seat entering tonight’s game against Tom Brady and the Patriots.
Washington hasn’t given us much to go by as far as what to expect tonight but if the first two games are any indication, the Skins could be in for a long night against Bill Belichick’s team. Last week, the Redskins didn’t even attempt a field goal, let alone find the end zone, in an embarrassing 23-0 setback in Baltimore. Campbell in particular was horrible going 1-of-7 for 10 yards. There wasn’t much to be happy about either on the other side of the ball as the Skin’s defense was torched for 500 total yards by a mediocre Ravens offense. Zorn has said that all four QBs on the roster: Campbell, Todd Collins, Colt Brennan and Chase Daniel will see action tonight. But Campbell will handle the entire first half of play. The real battle is between Brennan and Daniel for the #3 spot.
Truth be known, Belichick could care less about pre-season games. However his teams do seem to get up for them especially in Week 3. The Patriots are 5-2 SU and 5-1-1 in their last seven Week 3 battles.
This year’s pre-season games have taken on slightly more importance because of Tom Brady and how he would fare after having the year off. So far the reviews on Brady have been mixed. Brady was strong solid in his first outing, completing 10 of 15 passes for 100 yards and a pair of scores in just over a quarter against Philadelphia. However last week he was roughed up by the Bengals who held him to four of eight passing for 57 yards and one sack. The plan tonight is for Brady to play the first-half with backups Kevin O’Connell and Andrew Walter finishing up.
The Redskins are 5-2 to the UNDER in their seven games under Zorn while the Pats are a whopping 26-16 to the UNDER with Belichick calling the shots.
Scott Spreitzer
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Pittsburgh Pirates at Milwaukee Brewers
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I'm playing the Over between the Pirates and Brewers on Friday night. The Bucs may not own strong numbers in road action against lefthanders, but southpaw Manny Parra should take care of that. Parra has been absolutely horrible over his last seven starts. He's allowed 30 earned runs and a whopping 80 base runners in 39 1/3 IP, for a 6.87 ERA and 2.04 WHIP. Zach Duke has had a strong season, but that's offset a bit by his serious struggles at Miller Park in his career, not to mention Milwaukee's propensity for hitting lefties. The Brewers plate 6 rpg in home night games against southpaws this season. I believe this total has been set too low, and I'm playing the Over between the Pirates and Brewers on Friday night.
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Play on: Over
Brad Diamond Sports
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Cleveland at Baltimore
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The Orioles showed again last night losing (5-4) George Sherrill in a trade to the Dodgers has severely hurt their late season hopes of making a positive run. Friday was the first game off a road trip for the Birds after playing Thursday in Minnesota. Jason Berken throws for Baltimore this evening and the pitcher is starting to come apart with a 6+ ERA on the season, again getting pitches up in the strike zone. He threw a limited affair last time out. Against quality teams are where the right-hander has had problems, Tampa Bay, New York and Boston, just name a few American League East foes. The Indians have gone OVER in the last 5 Carmona road outings, while going 9-2 OVER versus a losing team. With Umpire Tim Tschida behind the plate the Indians are 9-1 OVER.
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Play: OVER
Bobby Maxwell
Atlanta at PHILADELPHIA +110
Tonight's FREE winner comes from Philadelphia as I go with the Phillies at home to dominate the Braves tongiht.
The Phillies are certainly the play in this one as they return home after a seven-game road trip. Philadelphia has established itself as the favorite in the National League, having won 12 of their last 16, including three straight at home.
They lost Thursday in Pittsburgh, 3-2, but this team is absolutely rolling lately, on current streaks of 19-7 at home, 36-18 overall and 4-1 agaisnt teams from the N.L. East. On the opposite side, the Braves are just 2-8 in their last 10 series openers.
On the mound today for the Phillies is veteran Pedro Martinez (2-0, 5.14 ERA) making his fourth start in a Philadelphia uniform. The Phils are 3-0 in his first three outings, having beaten the Cubs, D'Backs and Mets. Sunday in New York, he allowed four runs in six innings but his offense got the job done, winning the game 9-7.
For the Braves, it's Tommy Hanson (9-2, 3.12) on the mound. They have lost three of his last four roadies, and really does a win in San Diego against that offense count? Atlanta lost two of three to the Padres to start this week and looked pretty bad in the two losses.
Philadelphia is establishing itself as the top dog in the N.L. Play the Phillies tonight to bang out some offense and get the job done.
4♦ PHILADELPHIA
Jeff Benton
Pittsburgh +120 at MILWAUKEE
Took a shot with the Padres as a huge underdog on Thursday and it didn’t pan out – oddly enough, San Diego was the only underdog that didn’t come through in MLB yesterday. Still, I’m on a 32-19 run with freebies, including 6-3 over the past nine days. For Friday, we’ll take a shot with another pup, backing the Pirates at Milwaukee.
That Milwaukee is actually favored in this game is pretty astonishing. The Brewers just got swept at home by the lowly Reds, all as a chalk, and they gave up 20 runs in the three defeats. Meanwhile, Pittsburgh just took two of three from the defending-champion Phillies, with the two wins coming in late-inning, come-from-behind fashion. The Pirates completed a nine-game homestand with a 7-2 record, starting with a three-game sweep of Milwaukee last week.
In fact, while Pittsburgh has won seven of nine, the Brewers have lost eight of 11, including six of nine at home (where Milwaukee is now under .500 for the season at 30-32). And since ripping off 17 consecutive wins over the Pirates, the Brewers have now lost five of the last six meetings (including the last four in a row).
As for this pitching matchup, you’ve got Pittsburgh lefty Zach Duke facing Milwaukee southpaw Manny Parra. Duke, who was the Pirates’ lone All-Star, has a 3.33 ERA and a 1.24 WHIP in 25 starts and a 2.91 ERA and a 1.20 WHIP in his last three outings. Parra is 8-10 with a 6.54 ERA overall and 1-2 with an 8.40 ERA in his last three (including a 5-2 loss at Pittsburgh 10 days ago).
So to summarize, you’ve got the hotter team (Pittsburgh) with the superior pitcher (Duke) and you’re giving me plus money to boot? Good enough for me!
3♦ PITTSBURGH