Tuesday's Streaking and Slumping Starting Pitchers
Streaking
Roy Halladay (19-10, 2.49 ERA), Philadelphia Phillies
Halladay has won three straight and nine of his last 11, but hasn’t exactly been his untouchable self over the last little while. He has given up at least three runs in each of his last five starts while also serving up nine home runs. He is coming off a 10-5 win over Florida in which he gave up three runs on 10 hits over six innings while striking out nine.
Carlos Zambrano (9-6, 3.75 ERA), Chicago Cubs
Zambrano has been a completely different pitcher since returning to the Cubs after he attended anger-management treatment. He’s 6-0 over eight starts since Aug. 9 and has allowed only three runs over his last four outings. Zambrano has only allowed seven home runs this season.
Slumping
Philip Hughes (16-8, 4.31 ERA) New York Yankees
Hughes has dropped two of his last three starts and has allowed 10 runs over his last two starts. He dropped a 4-3 decision his last time out against Tampa Bay, giving up four runs and a pair of homers over six hits. He went 6 2/3 innings over 106 pitches.
Tuesday MLB Tips
By Kevin Rogers
The two races in the Eastern divisions continue to heat up in the final two weeks of the season. The Phillies have opened a slight advantage over the Braves in the NL East, but Atlanta is still in the driver's seat for the NL Wild Card. We'll start in the Bronx with a similar scenario between New York and Tampa Bay, as the gap in the division is razor-thin.
Rays at Yankees - 7:05 PM EST
Both these rivals will be playing October baseball, but the issue of who will potentially get home-field advantage throughout the AL playoffs is still unsettled. The top two teams in the AL East continue their four-game set as this is the final series between these two clubs in the regular season.
Philip Hughes (16-8, 4.31 ERA) takes the mound for the Yankees, looking for his first quality start in five outings. Hughes was on the losing end of a 4-3 setback at Tropicana Field last Wednesday, allowing four earned runs in 6.2 innings of work. The righty gave up a pair of homers to Dan Johnson, as the Yankees were able to hang in that game thanks to the now infamous Derek Jeter acting job on a hit by pitch. Hughes is winless in a pair of starts against Tampa Bay, but both outings came on the road.
The Rays send out James Shields (13-12, 4.86 ERA), who was on the winning side of last Wednesday's one-run triumph over Hughes and the Yankees. Shields scattered eight hits and one earned run in 6.1 innings to cash as a short home favorite. Tampa Bay is 5-1 in Shields' last six starts, including crucial home victories over the Yankees, Red Sox, and Rangers. Three of Shields' previous four starts on the road have finished 'over' the total, as the righty owns an ERA of 5.40 on the highway.
Tampa Bay owns a slight 8-6 edge over New York in the season series, while all five matchups in the Bronx cashed the 'over.' The Rays have claimed three of those five games over the Yankees in New York, as Tampa Bay plated eight runs or more in each of the wins.
Braves at Phillies - 7:05 PM EST
Atlanta led the NL East for most of the season, thanks to Philadelphia's multitude of injuries throughout the summer. However, the Braves have gone backwards over the last month, while the Phillies have caught fire to retake the lead inside the division. Bobby Cox's team is still in control of the Wild Card, but the Braves would like to win their first division title since 2005.
It's a mismatch on the mound as former Cy Young Award winner Roy Halladay opposes rookie southpaw Mike Minor. Halladay (19-10, 2.49 ERA) is making a late case for another Cy Young honor, as Philadelphia is 8-2 in his previous 10 starts. The Phillies' ace lasted less than seven innings for the first time in 11 outings in last Wednesday's victory over the Marlins, his fourth win against Florida this season. Halladay has dominated the Braves in two starts, tossing a pair of complete games, while allowing 10 hits and one earned run combined.
Minor (3-1, 5.84 ERA) has struggled after a nice start with Atlanta, giving up 14 earned runs in his last three outings. The left-hander began his Braves' tenure with three straight quality starts, but it also included wins over the Mets, Nationals, and Cubs. Minor has not faced a team that is currently in playoff contention, as the best team he's seen is St. Louis, allowing seven hits and four earned runs in seven innings of an 8-6 triumph.
Atlanta leads the season series, 7-5, with the two teams splitting the six meetings at Citizens Bank Park. Four of the six matchups in Philadelphia have finished 'under' the total, including Halladay's complete-game gem on July 5 to beat the Braves, 3-1.
What else to watch for:
One of the hottest teams in baseball is one of the most disappointing. The Cubs played themselves out of the race early on, but are finishing the season strong following an 8-1 road trip at Milwaukee, St. Louis, and Florida. Chicago returns to the Friendly Confines of Wrigley Field to host the NL West-leading Giants. Carlos Zambrano has been dynamic since his return following a suspension, leading the Cubs to wins in each of his last five outings.
The Padres begin the night a ½ game behind the Giants in the NL West, as San Diego makes the short trip up I-5 to battle the Dodgers. Los Angeles avoided a sweep with its extra-innings victory over Colorado on Sunday, as Chad Billingsley goes his 12th win. The Dodgers will be looking to avenge a three-game sweep by the Padres at Petco Park in early September as the 'under' is a strong 11-4 this season between these NL West rivals.
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Tips and Trends
Chicago White Sox at Oakland Athletics
WHITE SOX: Chicago has had a very nice year, going 79-70 SU. Unfortunately, there is little chance that the White Sox faithful will see their team in the post-season this year. Chicago trails the Twins by 10 games in the American League Central division. The White Sox haven't done themselves any favors, as they've gone 2-8 SU in their past 10 games. Chicago is +4.01 and +3.00 units both SU and on the RL this season. Lefty Mark Buehrle will make the road start tonight, as he is 12-11 with an ERA of 4.16 and a WHIP of 1.38 this season. The White Sox are 7-3 last 10 road games against a right-handed starter. Chicago is 6-2 in their last 8 games against a starter with a WHIP less than 1.15. The White Sox are 7-3 in their last 10 road games. The White Sox are 5-1 in Buehrle's last 6 road starts overall. Chicago is 5-1 in Buehrle's last 6 starts with 4 days of rest. The White Sox are 14-5 in Buehrle's last 19 starts overall.
White Sox are 16-5 last 21 games against the American League West.
Over is 4-1 last 5 road games against a team with a winning home record.
Key Injuries: 2B Gordon Beckham (hand) is questionable.
Projected Score: 2
ATHLETICS: (-150, O/U 7) Oakland has been only mediocre of late, when they really needed a significant winning streak. The Athletics were still hopeful of catching the Texas Rangers in the American League West division standings, but they are now 9 games behind with 14 games to go this season. Oakland is 74-74 SU, including 44-30 SU at home this year. The A's are +0.97 and -11.04 units both SU and on the RL respectively this year. Offensively, Oakland has only scored more than 3 runs once in their past 6 games. Righty Trevor Cahill will make the home start tonight, as he looks to build on his Cy Young caliber season. Cahill is 16-7 SU, with an ERA of 2.84 and a WHIP of 1.08 this year. The Athletics are 4-1 in their last 5 home games against a left-handed starter. Oakland is 9-2 in Cahill's last 11 starts with 5 days of rest. The Athletics are 19-7 in Cahill's last 26 home starts. Oakland is 4-1 in Cahill's last 5 starts during game 2 of a series.
Athletics are 2-6 last 8 Tuesday games.
Under is 13-3 last 16 games against the American League Central.
Key Injuries - 3B Kevin Kouzmanoff (back) is questionable.
Projected Score: 3 (UNDER-Total of the Day)
San Diego Padres at Los Angeles Dodgers
PADRES: San Diego is in the midst of a critical road trip, as they try to stay in both the National League West division lead, as well as the NL Wild Card standings for insurance. Either way, it's exciting and nervous time for anyone associated with the San Diego organization. The Padres are 83-66 SU, including 41-34 SU on the road this season. San Diego is happy to see the Dodgers uniform, as they've won their past 4 meetings with the Dodgers. In those 4 wins, the Padres pitching staff limited the Dodgers to a total of 3 runs. San Diego is +18.93 and +7.88 units both SU and on the RL this season. Clayton Richard will take the mound tonight, as he is 12-8 SU with an ERA of 3.70 and a WHIP of 1.40 this year. The Padres are 5-1 in their last 6 Tuesday games overall. The Padres are 2-5 in their last 7 games during game 1 of a series. San Diego is 3-8 in their last 11 games against a starter with a WHIP greater than 1.30. The Padres are 4-12 in their last 16 games following a loss. The Padres are 4-12 in their last 16 games against a right-handed starter. San Diego is 4-0 in Richard's last 4 starts with 5 days of rest. The Padres are 9-4 in Richard's last 13 starts against the National League West. The Padres are 0-4 in Richard's last 4 starts on grass.
Padres are 1-4 last 5 road games against a team with a winning home record.
Under is 17-5-1 last 23 games following an off day.
Key Injuries - CF Tony Gwynn (wrist) is out.
Projected Score: 2
DODGERS: (-125, O/U 7) Los Angeles has been in a colossal slide of late, and it appears the slide has affected Coach Torre. Torre is rumored to be on the way out, as the Dodgers have dropped all the way down to 73-77 SU this year. With the talent this team has, there is simply no doubt that this team has underachieved this season. The Dodgers are -14.39 and -18.65 units both SU and on the RL overall this season. Los Angeles has really struggled on offense this year, and their struggles against San Diego are well documented this year. Ace pitcher Chad Billingsley will try to pick up a home win tonight, as he is 11-10 SU with an ERA of 3.55 and a WHIP of 1.31 this year. The Dodgers are 35-16 in their last 51 Tuesday games overall. Los Angeles is 2-9 in their last 11 games against the National League West. The Dodgers are 6-1 in Billingsley's last 7 starts during game 1 of a series. Los Angeles is 2-5 in Billingsley's last 7 starts following a Quality Start in his last appearance. The Dodgers are 1-5 in Billingsley's last 6 starts against the National League West.
Dodgers are 5-0 last 5 games following an off day.
Over is 4-0 last 4 games against the National League West
Key Injuries - LF Scott Podsednik (foot) is out.
Projected Score: 4 (SIDE of the Day)
Diamond Trends - Tuesday
By Vince Akins
Rangers at Angels – The Rangers are 6-0 since May 12, 2010 after a loss in which they had 12+ hits for a net profit of $640.
White Sox at Athletics – The White Sox are 8-0 since May 24, 2010 after a loss in which they were shut out in the first 6 innings for a net profit of $975.
Mariners at Blue Jays – The Blue Jays are 6-0 since April 15, 2010 as a home favorite after a 5+ run loss for a net profit of $600.
Reds at Brewers – The Reds are 6-0 since May 18, 2010 after a win in which they were tied at the end of 6 innings and it is not the first game of a series for a net profit of $620. The Brewers are 0-6 since April 25, 2010 within 20 cents of pickem when they are off two losses in which they never led for a net profit of $620 when playing against.
Giants at Cubs – The Giants are 6-0 since April 07, 2010 as a road favorite after a win in which they allowed 6 or fewer hits for a net profit of $600. The Cubs are 0-6 since May 04, 2010 after a 5+ run win and it is the first game of a series for a net profit of $695 when playing against.
Rockies at Diamondbacks – The Rockies are 9-0 since July 30, 2010 as a favorite vs a team that has lost at least their last two games for a net profit of $900.
Padres at Dodgers – The Padres are 7-0 since April 06, 2010 as a dog after a loss in which they were shut out in the first 6 innings for a net profit of $900. The Dodgers are 0-6 since May 19, 2010 as a home favorite after scoring 6+ runs win for a net profit of $795 when playing against.
Mets at Marlins – The Mets are 6-0 since April 28, 2010 within 20 cents of pickem when they came back from a deficit to win in their starter's last start for a net profit of $610. The Marlins are 0-7 since June 24, 2010 as a favorite vs a team that has lost at least their last two games for a net profit of $800 when playing against.
Astros at Nationals – The Astros are 5-0 since August 28, 2010 as a dog when they won the last time they faced this starting pitcher for a net profit of $600. The Nationals are 0-6 since June 19, 2010 at home vs a team that has won at least their last two games and it is not the first game of a series for a net profit of $630 when playing against.
Braves at Phillies – The Braves are 7-0 since April 18, 2010 after a loss in which they had fewer than five team-left-on-base as a dog for a net profit of $791. The Phillies are 12-0 since May 09, 2010 as a 200+ favorite vs a divisional foe that is behind them in the divisional standings for a net profit of $1200.
Cardinals at Pirates – The Cardinals are 0-5 since August 20, 2010 as a favorite after a loss in which they were shut out in the first 6 innings for a net profit of $750 when playing against. The Pirates are 0-6 since May 24, 2010 as a dog when they are off a win in which they came back from a deficit and it is the first game of a series for a net profit of $600 when playing against.
Orioles at Red Sox – The Orioles are 4-0 since September 06, 2010 after a win in which they drew 5+ walks for a net profit of $710.
Royals at Tigers – The Tigers are 14-0 since May 01, 2010 as a home favorite when they are off a win in which they came back from a deficit for a net profit of $1400.
Indians at Twins – The Indians are 0-7 since June 03, 2010 on the road when they won the last two games their starter started for a net profit of $700 when playing against.