Thursday's Streaking and Slumping Starting Pitchers
Streaking
Ryan Dempster (14-10, 3.50 ERA), Chicago Cubs
Dempster hasn’t allowed a run over his last two starts, a pair of seven-inning wins. He dropped Milwaukee 1-0 on Sept. 11, giving up three hits while striking out two and then beat the Florida Marlins 2-0 in his last start. Dempster allowed four hits and struck out five in that outing. He has allowed more than four runs in only two of his last 20 starts.
Slumping
Sean O’Sullivan (2-6, 6.58 ERA), Kansas City Royals
O’Sullivan has allowed 21 runs and eight long flies over his last four starts. He hasn’t pitched past the fifth inning in any of those outings and is coming off a 6-4 loss against Cleveland. O’Sullivan allowed five runs and six hits over 68 pitches through four innings and has just one win in 11 starts for K.C. since coming over from the Yankees in late-July.
Dallas Braden (9-13, 3.65 ERA), Oakland Athletics
Braden has dropped four straight starts heading into Thursday’s matchup with the Texas Rangers. He took a hard-luck loss against the Yankees to start the slide, allowing only one run over five innings in a 5-0 loss. Since then he has deserved each of the next three losses, allowing at least four runs in all of them.
Tips and Trends
San Diego Padres at Los Angeles Dodgers
PADRES: (-110, O/U 7) San Diego is relatively new to meaningful September baseball, as it's been quite some time since this team was in a pennant chase. The Padres are showing some fortitude on this extended road trip, thus far going 5-5 SU. San Diego is 84-66 SU, including 42-34 SU on the road this season. The Padres are +20.10 and +8.88 units both SU and on the RL overall this year. This Padres pitching staff has only allowed 5 runs to the Dodgers over their past 5 meetings. Ace Mat Latos will look to extend that streak, as he is 14-7 SU with an ERA of 2.84 and a WHIP of 1.05 this year. The Padres are 20-8 in their last 28 games against a team with a losing record. San Diego is 5-12 in their last 17 games against a right-handed starter. The Padres are 5-0 in Latos' last 5 Thursday starts overall. The Padres are 9-1 in Latos' last 10 road starts against a team with a losing record. San Diego is 6-1 in Latos' last 7 starts during game 3 of a series. The Padres are 6-2 in Latos' last 8 starts with 5 days of rest.
Padres are 17-7 last 24 games during game 3 of a series.
Over is 4-1 last 5 games against the National League West.
Key Injuries - 3B Jerry Hairston (leg) is out.
Projected Score: 3 (UNDER-Total of the Day)
DODGERS: Los Angeles has sure let down their fan base, as so much was expected of this team this season. Unfortunately, the Dodgers are all but assured a 4th place finish in the National League West. Los Angeles is 73-78 SU this year, including 42-34 SU at home. The Dodgers are -15.63 and -19.65 units both SU and on the RL respectively this season. Hiroki Kuroda will make the home start tonight, as he is 10-13 SU with an ERA of 3.36 and a WHIP of 1.18 this year. The Dodgers are 2-5 in their last 7 games during game 3 of a series. Los Angeles is 2-5 in their last 7 Thursday games overall. The Dodgers are 8-20 in their last 28 games against a right-handed starter. Los Angeles is 1-5 in their last 6 games against a starter with a WHIP less than 1.15. The Dodgers are 4-1 in Kuroda's last 5 Thursday starts. Los Angeles is 2-6 in Kuroda's last 8 starts following a Quality Start in his last appearance. The Dodgers are 0-7 in Kuroda's last 7 starts against the National League West.
Dodgers are 8-20 last 28 games against the National League West.
Under is 21-7 last 28 games against a starter with a WHIP less than 1.15.
Diamond Trends - Thursday
By Vince Akins
Rangers at Athletics – The Athletics are 6-0 since September 03, 2010 and it is the first game of the series for a net profit of $605.
Mariners at Blue Jays – The Mariners are 7-0 since May 26, 2010 as a favorite when they won by one run in their starter's last start for a net profit of $700.
Marlins at Brewers – The Marlins are 8-0 since May 19, 2010 as a road dog after a win and it is the first game of the series for a net profit of $1225. The Brewers are 6-0 since May 28, 2010 at home vs a team that has won at least their last two games and it is the first game of a series for a net profit of $625.
Giants at Cubs – The Cubs are 0-6 since June 30, 2010 at home after a win and it is the last game of the series for a net profit of $775 when playing against. The Cubs are 0-6 since May 26, 2010 at home after scoring 3 runs or less and winning for a net profit of $720 when playing against.
Rockies at Diamondbacks – The Rockies are 7-0 since May 02, 2010 and it is the last game of a three game series when they lost the first two for a net profit of $795. The Diamondbacks are 0-7 since May 12, 2010 at home within 20 cents of pick ‘em and it is the last game of the series for a net profit of $710 when playing against.
Padres at Dodgers – The Dodgers are 0-10 since April 28, 2010 after a loss in which they had 6 or fewer hits and it is the last game of a series for a net profit of $1050 when playing against.
Royals at Indians – The Royals are 0-10 since July 09, 2010 on the road and it is the first game of the series for a net profit of $1045 when playing against. The Indians are 0-6 since April 14, 2010 as a favorite when they are off a loss in which they held the lead for a net profit of $705 when playing against.
Astros at Nationals – The Astros are 6-0 since May 05, 2010 after a loss in which they had a higher team-left-on-base than their opponent as a favorite for a net profit of $685. The Nationals are 0-7 since June 06, 2010 at home within 20 cents of pick ‘em and it is the last game of the series for a net profit of $705 when playing against.
Rays at Yankees – The Rays are 0-7 since June 04, 2010 on the road after a win in which they had 12+ hits for a net profit of $735 when playing against. The Rays are 0-6 since July 18, 2010 on the road after a 5+ run win for a net profit of $700 when playing against. The Yankees are 11-0 since June 06, 2010 when they are off a loss in which they had at least three times as many hits as runs and it is not the first game of a series for a net profit of $1150. The Yankees are 9-0 since June 22, 2010 after a 5+ run loss for a net profit of $900.