Wednesday's Streaking and Slumping Starting Pitchers
Streaking
Tommy Hanson, Atlanta Braves (6-3, 3.69 ERA)
The Braves young righty hasn’t lost a start since the middle of May and carries an ERA of 2.63 in his last four outings. Hanson has given up just seven total runs in his last 24 innings of work and is coming off a two-run, four-hit outing against the Arizona Diamondbacks last Thursday. He struck out 10 batters in that start, giving him 80 Ks on the year.
Jason Vargas, Seattle Mariners (4-2, 3.05 ERA)
The Mariners’ south paw hasn’t tasted defeat since early May but only has two wins in his last seven trips to the hill. Seattle is 4-3 in that span but has spoiled Vargas solid outings the last two times the pitcher has taken the mound. Vargas has allowed three or fewer runs in each of his last 11 starts despite giving up a home run in six of those appearances.
Slumping
Zach Duke, Pittsburgh Pirates (3-7, 5.30 ERA)
The Bucs’ lefty hasn’t won since May 18, picking up three straight losses heading into Wednesday’s start against the Chicago White Sox. Duke settled down in his most recent start, giving up just two runs on eight hits versus the Washington Nationals. The two outings before that produced 13 earned runs on 22 total hits. Duke’s sinker, which has been his go-to pitch, just hasn’t been there for him in 2010.
Wednesday Tips
By Kevin Rogers
Interleague play continues with a loaded Wednesday slate, including a rematch of last season's World Series in the Bronx. We'll also take a look at the showdown in the southeast between the Braves and Rays along with the Rangers continuing their trip in Florida. Let's begin with the struggling Phillies taking on the streaking Yankees.
Phillies at Yankees - 7:05 PM EST
The Bronx Bombers have cleaned up lately with wins in five of six games against the Orioles and Astros to reclaim first place in the AL East. The Phillies are not a fan of interleague play, owning a 2-5 mark against AL opponents this season following Tuesday's 8-3 loss to the Yankees..
A.J. Burnett (6-4, 3.86 ERA) is coming off consecutive road losses to the Blue Jays and Orioles, while allowing 14 hits and 10 earned runs in those defeats. Burnett's numbers at home have been strong as expected, with the Yankees winning four of five starts in the Bronx. In last season's World Series, the righty silenced the Philadelphia bats in Game 2 by scattering four hits in seven innings of a 3-1 win. The Phillies got to Burnett in Game 5 with six earned runs in two innings as Philadelphia held off New York, 8-6.
Philadelphia counters with southpaw Jamie Moyer (6-6, 5.03 ERA), who should be well-rested after tossing just one inning in a 12-2 drubbing at Boston. The veteran gave up nine hits and nine earned runs in the shortest outing of his 24-year career, not being able to escape the second inning at Fenway Park. Moyer's road ERA climbed to 6.69 with the loss to the Sox, while the Phillies have scored two runs in his last three away starts.
The Phillies have had many problems against the American League, winning just 10 of 31 meetings dating back to 2009. The Yankees are only 8-5 in interleague play since the start of last season, including five losses as favorites of least $1.60.
Rays at Braves - 7:10 PM EST
A pair of talented, young pitchers takes the hill at Turner Field as Tampa Bay and Atlanta continue its series. The Braves are 14-2 the previous 16 games at home dating back to late April, including four sweeps. The Rays own the top road mark in the league at 22-8, losing only two series on the highway.
Tommy Hanson (6-3, 3.69 ERA) has allowed two earned runs or less in four straight starts, with Atlanta winning each game. The righty has pitched better on the road (4-1, 2.34 ERA) than at home (2-2, 5.40 ERA), while seeing the 'over' hit in eight straight outings. Atlanta's offense hasn't disappointed Hanson in this stretch, tallying at least seven runs in seven of his last eight starts, contributing to this incredible 'over' streak. Hanson won all three interleague starts in his short career, including home victories over the Red Sox and Yankees last season.
The Rays hope that Wade Davis (5-6, 4.91 ERA) can find some consistency on the mound, putting together quality starts in five of his last ten outings. Davis fell behind early against the Jays, despite tossing seven innings and giving up three earned runs in a 3-2 setback. Tampa Bay is 2-5 in Davis' last seven starts, including losses at Texas and Oakland on the road.
Each team owns a strong 15-6 mark in the second game of a series this season, while the Rays are 10-3 this season as an underdog. The Braves have drilled the 'over' in eight of their last 12 home games, as Atlanta is riding a 7-3 'over' run the previous ten games overall.
Rangers at Marlins - 7:10 PM EST
Texas and Los Angeles keep going back and forth atop the AL West, as the Rangers look to solidify their spot in the division against the Marlins. Florida has played better recently, but blew a ninth-inning lead in a 3-2 loss to Texas in the series opener last night.
The Marlins have always been a strong team in interleague, coming off a 6-3 campaign in 2009 against the junior circuit. Florida sends out Anibal Sanchez (6-3, 3.36 ERA), who looks to rebound from a pair of shaky starts his last two times out. Sanchez picked up a victory at Tampa Bay last Friday, despite allowing seven hits and four earned runs in seven innings. The righty's home numbers are solid, winning three of four decisions, including victories over division rivals Philadelphia, New York, and Atlanta in this stretch.
Tommy Hunter (2-0, 1.80 ERA) makes his first road start of the season for the Rangers, as the right-hander is coming off wins over the Mariners and Rays. Hunter delivered a complete-game victory against Tampa Bay in his season debut, scattering five hits and one run for a home underdog victory. Texas won four of Hunter's nine road starts last season, but went 0-4 as an away underdog.
After dropping six of seven games to wrap up May, the Rangers have won 10 of 14, including five of seven on the road. The Marlins have been money as a home favorite, grabbing 10 of the last 13 as 'chalk' at Sun Life Stadium.
vegasinsider.com
Diamond Trends - Wednesday
By Vince Akins
Brewers at Angels – The Angels are 8-0 since May 07, 2009 at home after a loss in which their opponent left 18+ men on base and it is the last game of a series for a net profit of $815. The Angels are 7-0 since May 07, 2009 as a 140+ favorite when they are off a loss in which they had at least three times as many hits as runs and it is the last game of a series for a net profit of $700.
Rays at Braves – The Rays are 9-0 since May 01, 2009 as a dog after a win in which they drew 5+ walks for a net profit of $1135. The Braves are 8-0 since May 10, 2010 when they came back from a deficit to win in their starter's last start for a net profit of $850.
Mariners at Cardinals – The Mariners are 0-10 since August 23, 2009 when they are off a loss in which they held the lead and it is the last game of a series for a net profit of $1050 when playing against. The Mariners are 0-9 since May 12, 2009 when Jason Vargas starts as a dog when the bullpen has allowed at least one run for two straight games for a net profit of $900 when playing against.
Athletics at Cubs – The Athletics are 0-6 since July 30, 2009 when Gio Gonzalez starts on the road after throwing more than 100 pitches for a net profit of $600 when playing against.. The Cubs are 0-5 since June 11, 2009 when Ryan Dempster starts as a favorite when the team is seeking immediate revenge for a loss as a favorite for a net profit of $840 when playing against.
Orioles at Giants – The Giants are 7-0 since August 25, 2009 at home when their starter went at least eight innings in his last start for a net profit of $700.
Mets at Indians – The Mets are 0-9 since June 06, 2009 on the road after a win in which they left 18+ men on base for a net profit of $910 when playing against. The Mets are 0-8 since May 24, 2009 on the road when they are off a win in which they came back from a deficit for a net profit of $800 when playing against. The Indians are 0-7 since April 12, 2010 within 20 cents of pickem when they are off a loss in which they held the lead for a net profit of $710 when playing against.
Rangers at Marlins – The Rangers are 8-0 since May 02, 2010 after a win in which they allowed 5+ walks for a net profit of $880. The Marlins are 11-0 since May 30, 2009 as a favorite after a loss in which they had 6 or fewer hits and it is not the first game of a series for a net profit of $1100. The Marlins are 0-7 since May 02, 2009 when Anibal Sanchez starts within 20 cents of pickem vs a team that has hit more grounders than fly balls season-to-date for a net profit of $710 when playing against.
Blue Jays at Padres – The Blue Jays are 8-0 since September 04, 2009 as a favorite after a loss in which they had 6 or fewer hits for a net profit of $800. The Blue Jays are 5-0 since July 22, 2009 when Ricky Romero starts as a favorite after his team lost the last time he started for a net profit of $500.
White Sox at Pirates – The White Sox are 0-13 since August 02, 2009 after a win in which they drew 5+ walks and it is not the first game of a series for a net profit of $1485 when playing against. The White Sox are 0-7 since April 13, 2010 on the road when they are off a win in which they came back from a deficit for a net profit of $700 when playing against. The Pirates are 0-7 since July 10, 2009 when Zach Duke starts as a dog after losing as an away dog in his last start for a net profit of $700 when playing against.
Diamondbacks at Red Sox – The Red Sox are 7-0 since August 02, 2009 as a 140+ favorite when they blew a lead in their starter's last start and lost for a net profit of $700. The Red Sox are 7-0 since July 05, 2009 when Jon Lester starts at home when he is off a start in which he needed more than 4 pitches per batter for a net profit of $700.
Dodgers at Reds – The Dodgers are 6-0 since April 18, 2010 when Clayton Kershaw starts after his team won the last time he started vs this opponent for a net profit of $610. The Reds are 7-0 since April 26, 2009 at home within 20 cents of pickem after a loss in which they were shut out in the last 6 innings for a net profit of $730.
Astros at Royals – The Astros are 0-8 since July 29, 2009 on the road when they won by one run in their starter's last start for a net profit of $835 when playing against. The Royals are 0-10 since May 27, 2009 as a dog after a 5+ run win and it is not the first game of a series for a net profit of $1000 when playing against.
Nationals at Tigers – The Nationals are 4-0 since July 11, 2009 as a road 140+ dog after a loss in which they allowed 12+ hits for a net profit of $705. The Tigers are 8-0 since May 03, 2009 when Justin Verlander starts as a favorite after going at least 6 innings and giving up no home runs at home for a net profit of $800.
Rockies at Twins – The Twins are 9-0 since May 08, 2009 when Scott Baker starts after facing 25 or fewer hitters and they lost in his previous start for a net profit of $900. The Twins are 7-0 since October 04, 2009 as a 140+ favorite after a win in which they allowed 1 or fewer walks for a net profit of $700.
Phillies at Yankees – The Phillies are 0-6 since July 22, 2009 when Jamie Moyer starts when he is off a start in which he needed more than 4 pitches per batter for a net profit of $720 when playing against. The Yankees are 7-0 since April 30, 2009 when A.J. Burnett starts at home after his team lost the last time he started vs this opponent for a net profit of $700.