Chris Jordan
My free winner for tonight is going to be on the Pittsburgh Pirates over the Chicago Cubs, and I want you listing both Francisco Liriano and Jeff Samardzija. I think the Bucs are going to rebound from yesterday's loss to the Philadelphia Phillies, by taking out frustration on the lowly baby bears.
As for all you haters who have said to yourselves: "The Pirates do this every year, and they will tank in the 2nd half of the season..." you're not paying attention to what's going on in Steeltown.
Last season, and in the previous ones, when the Bucs were winning early in the season they didn't have the pitching staff they do this year.
This season, the relief staff ranks fifth in baseball and the starters rank third. But this staff leads the bigs in ERA (3.16) as a whole. And barring injuries, there's nothing going to change about this pitching staff.
And part of that rotation is veteran Francisco Liriano, who performed superbly in June, allowing just nine earned runs over 37-2/3 innings. He lasted at least six innings in each of those six starts while he's allowed two runs or fewer in all but two of his 10 trips to the rubber this season.
The Pirates have dominated Baseball Tonight, and MLB.TV's topic of conversation, as they boast a 52-32 record and tthat means they're on pace for their first 100-win season since 1909, when the Bucs won the World Series
Play Pittsburgh here, and list both pitchers.
4♦ PITTSBURGH
Scott Delaney
Lost my free play yesterday on the Minnesota Twins, as they were hammered by the New York Yankees in Minneapolis. Tonight I am taking the Toronto Blue Jays over those same Minnesota Twins, who have lost five straight now, and won't be feeling like traveling for three games to close out the first half. There's just no motivation to play when you're losing, and you have to play on the road.
Now as you may already know, all Run Line plays automatically list the pitchers with the starters who are scheduled to go at the time of the wager. But make note I am not concerned with who goes for either team tonight and want you playing this game on the Run Line regardless. So be aware that if either Kevin Correia or Mark Buehrle are scratched, IT IS YOUR RESPONSIBILITY to be sure you have action by re-wagering the game if that takes place.
While the Twins are reeling right now, this might be the right spot for Toronto to get back to the dominating form it displayed in during a red-hot mid-June streak that saw them win 14 of 16 games. I know the Jays have stumbled since an 11-game win streak came to a close, having lost eight of 11 games since June 24, but again, this visit from the Twins opens the door to close the first half on a winning spree.
Look for the Jays to open the series with a blowout win.
2♦ TORONTO -1.5