Tuesday's Streaking and Slumping Starting Pitchers
Streaking
Roy Oswalt (13-13, 2.80 ERA), Philadelphia Phillies
The Philadelphia Phillies haven’t lost with Oswalt on the hill since July 30, his first start with the Phillies after coming over from the Houston Astros – a stretch of 10 consecutive wins. The veteran right-hander has been nearly unhittable over the last three, giving up a single run over 22 innings while striking out 21.
Slumping
Mat Latos (14-8, 2.91 ERA), San Diego Padres
Latos has been a huge part of San Diego’s dominant rotation for most of the season, but he’s struggling down the stretch. He has lost his last three starts and has an ugly 13.94 ERA in those outings. Latos had 10 strikeouts in three of four starts before the slump, but hasn’t had more than four in his three starts since then.
Jonathon Niese (9-10, 3.95 ERA), New York Mets
Niese heads into Tuesday’s start against the Milwaukee Brewers having lost three straight starts and five of his last six. He gave up six runs over 5 2/3 innings the last time he toed the rubber, taking a 7-5 loss against the Florida Marlins. He struck out seven but walked six in that one while throwing 115 pitches.
Tuesday MLB Tips
By Kevin Rogers
Less than a week remains in the baseball regular season with several things undecided heading into October. The AL East is still up in the air, while the NL West and NL Wild Card are in flux. The Rays and Yankees are each taking on division counterparts out of contention, as both teams are basically in the postseason. Meanwhile, the Braves looked to be a team that was a lock to make the playoffs, but they may be sitting at home watching postseason baseball next week.
Marlins at Braves - 7:05 PM EST
Atlanta is 10 games better than Florida this season in the win column, but betting on one or the other all season would have you at even money. Bobby Cox's team is playing for its playoff lives at this point, after dropping five of six at Philadelphia and Washington. The Marlins have played spoiler before on the road, ending the Mets' hopes at the playoffs twice in two seasons (2007-08).
A pair of young arms takes the mound as Mike Minor opposes Anibal Sanchez. Minor (3-2, 6.18 ERA) seems like the veteran arm in this matchup, as the Braves' southpaw makes his ninth start of the season. The ex-Vanderbilt Commodore has struggled in his last four outings, allowing 17 earned runs as the Braves are 1-3 in this span. What makes things worse for this stumbling Atlanta squad is Minor hasn't pitched past the fifth inning in any of his last five starts, meaning the Braves' bullpen will see plenty of action.
Sanchez (12-11, 3.60 ERA) take the mound for Florida, as the right-hander tries to rebound off two subpar starts against the Brewers and Cubs. The 26-year old is 1-3 in his previous four outings as a road underdog, including an 8-3 setback at Milwaukee his last time out. The Marlins are 1-2 in Sanchez's three starts against the Braves this season, as the Fish dropped his lone outing in Atlanta back in July.
The Braves are 8-7 this season against the Marlins, including a 4-2 mark at Turner Field. Florida plated just 10 runs at Milwaukee, as shortstop Hanley Ramirez will likely be out with an elbow injury.
Yankees at Blue Jays - 7:10 PM EST
New York and Tampa Bay continue to go back-and-forth atop the AL East, as the Yankees finish the regular season on the road. The Bombers play the second game of their series at Toronto, as the Jays try to put a damper on New York's hopes of winning the division.
It's a battle of superstar against rookie on the mound as CC Sabathia and Kyle Drabek toe the rubber at Rogers Centre. Sabathia (20-7, 3.26 ERA) is on pace to win his second Cy Young Award winner, even though New York is 1-3 in his last four starts. Interestingly, Sabathia has not faced the Blue Jays this season, as the southpaw won at Toronto last May in his lone start against the Jays as a member of the Yankees. Sabathia has been a solid play as a road favorite recently, going 7-2 his last nine starts.
Drabek (0-2, 4.91 ERA) is still searching for his first Major League victory after coming up short against the Orioles and Mariners. The right-hander was tagged for two homers against the offensively-inept M's in a 6-3 loss as a $1.70 home favorite. Run support is key to Drabek's success, as the Jays have scored just four runs in his first two starts.
The Jays are 8-7 against the Yankees this season, while Toronto has grabbed four of six home meetings. Toronto is 4-0 in its last four games as a home favorite, while riding a 5-1 run on its current homestand.
Orioles at Rays - 7:10 PM EST
Baltimore has played extremely well since Buck Showalter's arrival, winning 29 of 49 games. However, the O's may be running out of gas with four consecutive losses as Baltimore tries to avoid a 100-loss season. On the flip side, the Rays will try to lock up their second-ever division title, but it will come down to this weekend to decide things.
David Price (18-6, 2.84 ERA) is pitching his best baseball at the right time, as Tampa Bay has won the ace's last five starts, all quality outings. It may be tough to lay the run-line with Price in this spot, with the Rays winning each of his last home starts by one run each over the Angels, Yankees, and Blue Jays. Price is unbeaten in four career outings against the Orioles, including a 9-1 drubbing of Baltimore back in April.
The O's counter with Brad Bergesen (8-10, 4.90 ERA), who has been fantastic over his previous three starts. Bergesen has given up one earned run in each of his last three outings, as Baltimore cashed as nearly $2.00 road underdogs at Boston last Tuesday night. The right-hander will go for his first career win over the Rays following a pair of home losses to Tampa Bay this season.
Tampa Bay has grabbed 10 of 15 meetings this season with Baltimore, including a 4-2 mark at Tropicana Field. The 'under' has profited at the Trop between these teams, cashing in five of six matchups.
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Tips and Trends
Los Angeles Dodgers at Colorado Rockies
DODGERS: Unless Los Angeles wins their remaining games this season, they will finish the season with a losing record. The Dodgers are 75-81 SU this season, including 32-46 SU on the road. Los Angeles has been one of the biggest team letdowns in baseball, considering when you look at this roster you see huge talent. The Dodgers have been terrible offensively, leaving the pitching staff with too little help far too often. The Dodgers are -16.88 and -18.95 units both SU and ATS this season. Right hander Hiroki Kuroda will take the road mound tonight, as he is 11-13 SU with an ERA of 3.27 and a WHIP of 1.16 this year. The Dodgers are 35-17 in their last 52 Tuesday games overall. The Dodgers are 4-13 in their last 17 games against the National League West. Los Angeles is 1-4 in their last 5 road games overall. The Dodgers are 0-4 in their last 4 games during game 2 of a series. Los Angeles is 7-1 in Kuroda's last 8 Tuesday starts. The Dodgers are 3-9 in Kuroda's last 12 starts as an underdog. Los Angeles is 1-7 in Kuroda's last 8 starts against the National League West. The Dodgers are 0-7 in Kuroda's last 7 starts as a road underdog.
Dodgers are 5-21 last 26 road games against a team with a winning record.
Under is 9-4 last 13 games against a team with a winning record.
Key Injuries - LF Scott Podsednik (foot) is out.
Projected Score: 3
ROCKIES: (-140, O/U 9) Colorado is still alive in the National League West standings, as they currently trail the Giants by 4.5 games. The Rockies have lost 6 of their past 10 games, and they are down to their final 6 games of the season. Colorado has been dominant at home this season, going 52-26 SU this season. The Rockies are -2.70 and +6.55 units both SU and on the RL respectively this season. Lefty Jeff Francis will make the home start tonight, as he is 4-6 SU with an ERA of 4.71 and a WHIP of 1.33 this year. The Rockies are 5-2 in their last 7 games during game 2 of a series. Colorado is 46-19 in their last 65 home games against a right-handed starter. The Rockies are 2-7 in their last 9 Tuesday games overall. Colorado is 1-6 in their last 7 games against the National League West. The Rockies are 4-1 in Francis' last 5 starts during game 2 of a series. Colorado is 7-3 in Francis' last 10 home starts against a team with a losing record. The Rockies are 0-8 in Francis' last 8 starts against the National League West.
Rockies are 36-15 last 51 home games overall.
Over is 9-3 last 12 games against the National League West.
Key Injuries - C Miguel Olivo (head) is questionable.
Projected Score: 5 (SIDE of the Day)
Oakland Athletics at Los Angeles Angels
ATHLETICS: Oakland has started to swing the bats a bit better of late, yet it's not really adding any wins to their record. Oakland is widely considered to have the pitching rotation of the future, yet they've been struggling as this season comes to a close. In the past 3 games alone, the A's pitching staff has allowed 30 runs to their opposition. Oakland is 77-78 SU this season, including 30-44 SU on the road. The Athletics are -1.81 and -10.78 units both SU and on the RL this year. Lefty Dallas Braden will make the start tonight, as he is 10-13 SU with an ERA of 3.49 and a WHIP of 1.15 this season. The Athletics are 18-37 in their last 55 games as a road underdog. Oakland is 1-4 in their last 5 games against a right-handed starter. The Athletics are 3-7 in Braden's last 10 road starts overall. Oakland is 2-6 in Braden's last 8 starts as a road underdog. The Athletics are 1-4 in Braden's last 5 starts with 4 days of rest.
Athletics are 6-16 last 22 games as an underdog.
Under is 7-2 last 9 road games against a team with a losing record.
Key Injuries - CF Coco Crisp (finger) is questionable.
Projected Score: 1
ANGELS: (-130, O/U 7) Los Angeles is trying to finish their season with a winning record, as they are currently 75-80 SU on the season. Unfortunately, the Angels have lost their past 4 games, and must win their final 7 games to succeed in their latest goal. The Angels offense has been anemic of late, scoring 2 runs of fewer in 5 of their last 6 games. The Angels are -11.44 and -15.06 units both SU and on the RL respectively this year. Ace Dan Haren will make the home start tonight, as he is 3-4 SU with an ERA of 2.85 and a WHIP of 1.16 with the Angels. The Angels are 4-0 in their last 4 home games against a team with a losing record. Los Angeles is 5-11 in their last 16 games against a left-handed starter. The Angels are 3-7 in their last 10 games during game 2 of a series. Los Angeles is 8-20 in their last 28 Tuesday games. The Angels are 1-4 in their last 5 games against a starter with a WHIP less than 1.15. The Angels are 2-5 in Haren's last 7 starts as a home favorite. Los Angeles is 2-5 in Haren's last 7 starts following a Quality Start in his last appearance.
Angels are 6-1 last 7 games against the American League West.
Under is 9-3-1 last 13 home games against a left-handed starter.
Key Injuries - SS Erick Aybar (leg) is out.
Projected Score: 2 (UNDER-Total of the Day)
Diamond Trends - Tuesday
By Vince Akins
Athletics at Angels – The Angels are 0-6 since June 24, 2010 when they are off a win in which they came back from a deficit and it is not the first game of a series for a net profit of $715 when playing against.
Marlins at Braves – The Braves are 0-5 since July 11, 2010 when they are off a win 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 $675 when playing against.
Diamondbacks at Giants – The Diamondbacks are 0-8 since April 13, 2010 as a road 140+ dog after a win in which they had fewer team-left-on-base than their opponent for a net profit of $800 when playing against. The Giants are 0-5 since July 26, 2010 at home after a win and it is the first game of the series for a net profit of $600 when playing against.
Tigers at Indians – The Tigers are 6-0 since August 11, 2010 as a favorite when they lost the last time they faced this starting pitcher for a net profit of $600. The Indians are 5-0 since June 28, 2010 as a home dog after a win in which they had fewer team-left-on-base than their opponent for a net profit of $610.
Brewers at Mets – The Brewers are 0-6 since August 01, 2010 on the road when they came back from a deficit to win in their starter's last start for a net profit of $625 when playing against. The Mets are 0-9 since July 05, 2010 at home after a win in which they drew 5+ walks for a net profit of $1125 when playing against.
Phillies at Nationals – The Phillies are 12-0 since July 22, 2010 on the road when they won the last two games their starter started for a net profit of $1300.
Cubs at Padres – The Cubs are 5-0 since July 06, 2010 on the road after a win in which they allowed 5+ walks for a net profit of $655.
Mariners at Rangers – The Mariners are 0-6 since June 24, 2010 as a favorite after scoring 6+ runs for a net profit of $795 when playing against.
Orioles at Rays – The Orioles are 5-0 since August 27, 2010 on the road when they won the last two games their starter started for a net profit of $780.
Astros at Reds – The Astros are 6-0 since July 19, 2010 after a loss in which their opponent left 18+ men on base for a net profit of $715. The Reds are 0-5 since September 03, 2010 after scoring 6+ runs for a net profit of $620 when playing against.
Dodgers at Rockies – The Rockies are 6-0 since July 30, 2010 as a favorite when they lost by one run in their starter's last start for a net profit of $600.
Twins at Royals –The Royals are 0-7 since April 08, 2010 at home after a win in which they used 5+ pitchers for a net profit of $785 when playing against.
Red Sox at White Sox – The White Sox are 0-6 since September 14, 2010 at home after allowing 6+ runs for a net profit of $690 when playing against.