Hot & Not - NL Edition
By Mike Rose
VegasInsider.com
Labor Day is here, and that means that there are just a few weeks left for teams to jockey for position in the NL playoff race. Some are playing well, and some aren't doing so hot, while others across the National League are playing spoiler roles or are just playing out the string. We've got them all covered today in this edition of Show Me The Money in the NL.
Money-Makers
Los Angeles Dodgers (4-0, +$400 in L/4) – As you can tell, there aren't many teams that are literally on fire at this point, but the Dodgers are definitely a tremendous side. They've got four straight 'W's and are streaking towards having the best record in baseball.
On Deck: There really aren't any tremendously difficult series left for the Dodgers either. Take away three road games against the Reds this week, and all that's left are series against teams that are long since out of the chase. Colorado is where this week starts off for the holiday.
Atlanta Braves (6-1, +$398 in L/7) – The only reason LA doesn't have the best record in the NL right now is because the Braves are so darn hot as well. They were beaten as huge favorites by the Marlins on Sunday, but that can't take away their prior six-game winning streak.
On Deck: Just like LA, the schedule is very easy for Atlanta the rest of the way. There's three with the Mets at home followed by another 10 games against teams below .500. The only series left that might present any challenge is the one against Washington on the road on September 16-18.
New York Mets (3-1, +$344 in L/4) – At least the Mets have a bit to smile at. They lost RHP Matt Harvey and RHP Jeremy Hefner to elbow problems down the stretch of the season, but at least winning three of their last four games has moved them into third place in the NL East.
On Deck: These last few series are crucial for the future of this team and for Manager Terry Collins. He's probably safe, but wins over the Braves or the Indians would really help out his cause this week.
Money-Burners
Miami Marlins (2-10, -$703 in L/12) – The Fish are continuing to flounder, and there is a chance that they don't even score 500 runs this season. Their longest losing streak is 10 out of 12 coming into Labor Day.
On Deck: Does it really matter? There are three on the North Side of Chicago, where the Cubs have only won one series since the middle of June, and then there are seven at home in the second to last home stand of the season.
Cincinnati Reds (3-6, -$484 in L/9) – What a bad time for the Reds to falter! The Pirates and Cardinals both have looked mortal of late, but Cincinnati seems to just mirror everything that both of those teams are doing. It seems like a road game just to get into the main portion of the playoffs is on tap for the Reds this year.
On Deck: These games against the Cardinals at home this week are vital. The Reds had better take at least two of these if they want any chance whatsoever to contend for the NL Central crown in the last three weeks of the year.
San Diego Padres (1-5, -$340 in L/6) – San Diego, like so many of the other bad teams in the western portion of the US, have no offense whatsoever. The team has gone completely into the tank and has lost five out of six games, and anything good that comes from the rest of the year is going to have to come from the pitching staff.
On Deck: There are six at home against the Giants and Rockies, and we can pretty much assure that those are going to all be relatively low scoring games. After that, there is a real nuisance of a 10-game road trip, one that we are glad will make no difference in the pennant chase in the NL West.