Thursday's Streaking and Slumping Starting Pitchers
Streaking
Chris Volstad (11-9, 4.93 ERA), Florida Marlins
Florida has won six of Volstad’s last seven starts and the 6-foot-8 right-hander is coming off back-to-back shutouts after suffering through two tough outings before that. Volstad fired a complete-game five-hitter on Sept. 20 in booking a 4-0 win over the Cardinals and then followed that up with 6 2/3 innings of shutout ball in a 4-0 victory over Milwaukee.
Slumping
Barry Enright (6-6, 3.73 ERA), Arizona Diamondbacks
Enright has been streaky lately. He won three straight starts, allowing just three total runs, between Aug. 21-Sept. 1, but has lost four consecutive outings since then. During the skid he gave up at least five runs in three of those games with only five total strikeouts. Enright gave up two earned runs over eight innings in a tough 3-1 loss to the Los Angeles Dodgers the last time he took the hill.
Chris Carpenter (15-9, 3.31 ERA), St. Louis Cardinals
Carpenter is usually stuck up higher in this piece in the Streaking section, but the big right-hander has dropped four consecutive starts and five of his last six heading into Wednesday’s start against Colorado. He lasted just four innings in his last outing against the Chicago Cubs, giving up five runs – two earned – while walking four.
Tips and Trends
Tampa Bay Rays at Kansas City Royals
RAYS: (-130, O/U 7.5) Tampa Bay has clinched a playoff berth, but there is still plenty at stake as we enter the final weekend of the regular season. Tampa is still playing for both the American League East division title, as well as the overall best record in the American League. With so much still at stake, the Rays are likely to be focused and motivated against the Royals. The Rays are 94-63 SU this season, including 45-32 SU on the road. Tampa is +5.52 and -3.17 units both SU and on the RL this year. Matt Garza will make the road start today, as he is 15-9 SU with an ERA of 3.92 and a WHIP of 1.26 this season. The Rays are 10-4 in their last 14 Thursday games overall. The Rays are 35-16 in their last 51 road games against a team with a losing record. Tampa is 1-4 in their last 5 road games against a right-handed starter. The Rays are 14-6 in Garza's last 20 starts against a team with a losing record. Tampa is 5-11 in Garza's last 16 starts against the American League Central. The Rays are 3-8 in Garza's last 11 starts with 4 days of rest.
Rays are 21-8 last 29 games against the American League Central.
Over is 12-3-1 last 16 road games.
Key Injuries - 3B Evan Longoria (quad) is questionable.
Projected Score: 3 (UNDER-Total of the Day)
ROYALS: Kansas City is ending their season in a very familiar place, at the bottom of the American League Central division. This was supposed to be the year the Royals made a quantum leap, but it simply didn't happen. Kansas City is 65-92 SU this year, including 36-40 SU at home. The Royals are -8.46 and -8.12 units both SU and on the RL respectively this season. Ace Zack Greinke will make his final start of the season today. Greinke is 9-14 SU this season, with an ERA of 4.23 and and a WHIP of 1.26 this year. The Royals are 4-1 in their last 5 home games against a team with a winning road record. The Royals are 5-2 in their last 7 home games against a right-handed starter. Kansas City is 5-18 in their last 23 games during game 1 of a series. The Royals are 7-1 in Greinke's last 8 home starts against a team with a winning record. Kansas City is 1-7 in Greinke's last 8 starts following an outing of less than 4 innings in his last appearance.
Royals are 5-2 last 7 games against the American League East.
Over is 19-7 last 26 home games against a right-handed starter.
Key Injuries - RF Mitch Maier (knee) is questionable.
Projected Score: 2
Diamond Trends - Thursday
By Vince Akins
Rockies at Cardinals – The Rockies are 5-0 since May 15, 2010 after a loss in which they had at least five more team-left-on-base than their opponent as a favorite for a net profit of $615.
Diamondbacks at Giants – The Diamondbacks are 0-8 since May 26, 2010 as a road 170+ dog vs a team that has won at least their last two games for a net profit of $800 when playing against.
Athletics at Mariners – The Mariners are 0-10 since April 09, 2010 as a dog vs a team that has lost at least their last two games and it is the first game of a series for a net profit of $1000 when playing against.
Pirates at Marlins – The Marlins are 0-7 since May 28, 2010 as a favorite after a loss and it is the first game of the series for a net profit of $790 when playing against.
Brewers at Mets – The Brewers are 0-6 since July 02, 2010 on the road after a win in which they had fewer team-left-on-base than their opponent for a net profit of $620 when playing against.
Tigers at Orioles – The Tigers are 6-0 since May 10, 2010 as a dog after a loss and it is the first game of the series for a net profit of $811.
Cubs at Padres – The Cubs are 5-0 since August 28, 2010 as a dog after a loss in which they had 6 or fewer hits for a net profit of $710. The Padres are 0-5 since August 26, 2010 as a favorite and it is the last game of the series for a net profit of $660 when playing against.
Angels at Rangers – The Rangers are 0-4 since June 25, 2010 after a one run win and it is the first game of a series for a net profit of $685 when playing against.
Astros at Reds – The Astros are 5-0 since August 22, 2010 as a road dog when they came back from a deficit to win in their starter's last start for a net profit of $720. The Reds are 9-0 since April 11, 2010 at home after a loss in which they had a higher team-left-on-base than their opponent as a favorite for a net profit of $920.
Rays at Royals – The Royals are 0-6 since April 28, 2010 at home when their starter went less than four innings in his last start for a net profit of $600 when playing against.
Blue Jays at Twins – The Blue Jays are 0-7 since June 11, 2010 on the road when they won by one run in their starter's last start for a net profit of $700 when playing against. The Twins are 6-0 since July 30, 2010 as a home 140+ favorite and it is the first game of the series for a net profit of $600.
Red Sox at White Sox – The Red Sox are 6-0 since May 09, 2010 after a loss in which they allowed 12+ hits and it is the last game of a series for a net profit of $725.