Wednesday's Streaking and Slumping Starting Pitchers
Streaking
Roy Oswalt, Philadelphia Phillies (13-13, 2.90 ERA)
Oswalt is a big part of the Phillies postseason push in September. Since joining Philadelphia, the right hander is 7-1 with a 1.94 ERA and in his last three starts, Oswalt is 3-0 with 20 total strikeouts. In his last trip to the bump, he allowed one run on six hits in six innings for a 9-1 win over the Nationals.
Brett Anderson, Oakland Athletics (6-6, 2.83 ERA)
The A’s southpaw is 3-0 with a 1.69 ERA in his last three trips to the bump. Anderson appears to be fully recovered from a knee injury and is coming off a 6 2-3-innings performance in which he allowed one run on just four hits while striking out five batters. He’s collected 14 Ks in his last three starts.
Slumping
Charlie Morton, Pittsburgh Pirates (1-11, 8.61 ERA)
For all those pitchers who have been featured in Streaking and Slumping, take conciliation in this: At least you’re not Charlie Morton. The Bucs righty has just one win on the year and it’s been eight starts since that lone victory, posting a 0-6 record in that span. Morton is making some improvement. He took two no-decisions in his most recent trips to the bump, giving up only five total runs through 11 1-3 innings, and is toying with his delivery.
Jon Lackey, Boston Red Sox (12-11, 4.63 ERA)
It’s safe to say Lackey’s first year in Beantown was a disappointment, especially after the veteran pitcher dropped his last three start and posted a 4.91 ERA in that stretch. The right hander was beat up in his most recent appearance, giving up six runs on eight hits in just over four innings of so-called work.
Tips and Trends
Atlanta Braves at Philadelphia Phillies
BRAVES: Atlanta is still in the drivers seat for the National League wild card, as they currently have a 2 game lead over San Diego. The Braves have lost the NL East division lead to their opponent today, but thanks to Coach Cox this team still has plenty to play for. The Braves have been one of the most consistent teams all year. Atlanta is 86-65 SU this year, including 34-42 SU on the road. The Braves are +4.04 and +15.13 units both SU and on the RL respectively this season. Atlanta has held their own against the Phillies this year, winning 7 of the 13 meetings so far. Righty Tommy Hanson will make the road start tonight, as he is 10-11 SU with an ERA of 3.62 and a WHIP of 1.20 this year. The Braves are 5-2 in their last 7 games against a right-handed starter. Atlanta is 10-4 in their last 14 games during game 3 of a series. The Braves are 6-2 in their last 8 Wednesday games overall. Atlanta is 6-1 in Hanson's last 7 Wednesday starts overall. The Braves are 5-1 in Hanson's last 6 road starts against a team with a winning record. The Braves are 7-2 in Hanson's last 9 starts against the National League East.
Braves are 2-8 last 10 road games against a team with a winning record.
Under is 9-3 last 12 games against the National League East.
Key Injuries - None Reported.
Projected Score: 2
PHILLIES: (-147, O/U 7.5) Quite simply, there is no team hotter than the Philadelphia Phillies right now. The Phillies have won 8 straight games, and have built an impressive 4 game lead over the Braves in the NL East division. Philadelphia has come from pretty far back in the standings, to where they are now the likely team to finish with the best record in the National League. The Phillies are +7.73 and -2.82 units both SU and on the RL overall this year. Pitcher Roy Oswalt will make the home start, and he's been unhittable of late. Oswalt has an ERA of 2.05 and a WHIP of 0.86 over his past 3 starts combined. The Phillies are 4-0 in their last 4 home games against a team with a losing road record. The Phillies are 7-1 in their last 8 Wednesday games overall. Philadelphia is 27-9 in their last 36 games against a right-handed starter. The Phillies are 7-0 in Oswalt's last 7 starts following a Quality Start in his last appearance. Philadelphia is 5-0 in Oswalt's last 5 starts against the National League East. The Phillies are 5-0 in Oswalt's last 5 starts with 4 days of rest. Philadelphia is 9-0 in Oswalt's last 9 starts overall.
Phillies are 22-5 last 27 games against the National League East.
Under is 8-3 last 11 games during game 3 of a series.
Key Injuries - SS Jimmy Rollins (hamstring) is questionable.
Projected Score: 4 (SIDE of the Day)
Baltimore Orioles at Boston Red Sox
ORIOLES: Few teams in baseball have been as dangerous as an underdog since the All-Star break than the Baltimore Orioles. Since their managerial change, the Orioles have really gelled into a team. The future is bright for this team, as they are loaded with relatively young players. Baltimore is 60-90 SU this year, including 26-47 SU on the road. The Orioles have won 7 of their past 10 games, with 4 of those wins coming as the listed underdog. Baltimore is -2.17 and -11.65 units both SU and on the RL this season. The biggest disappointment for this team very well might be pitcher Kevin Millwood. Millwood was projected to be the ace of this staff, yet he is only 3-15 SU with an ERA of 5.14 and a WHIP of 1.54 this season. The Orioles are 11-4 in their last 15 games overall. Baltimore is 8-3 in their last 11 games against a right-handed starter. The Orioles are 4-1 in their last 5 games against a starter with a WHIP greater than 1.30. The Orioles are 3-11 in Millwood's last 14 road starts. Baltimore is 3-15 in Millwood's last 18 starts against a team with a winning record. The Orioles are 1-10 in Millwood's last 11 starts with 4 days of rest. Baltimore is 0-5 in Millwood's last 5 starts following a Quality Start in his last appearance. The Orioles are 0-6 in Millwood's last 6 starts against the American League East.
Orioles are 10-3 last 13 games against a team with a winning record.
Under is 8-2 last 10 games against the American League East.
Key Injuries - SS Julio Lugo (concussion) is questionable.
Projected Score: 4
RED SOX: (-205, O/U 8.5) Boston very well might finish the season as the team with the best record in baseball that doesn't make the playoffs. Boston has had a good year, 83-67 SU overall, yet that's not good enough in the brutally difficult AL East. The Red Sox have dealt with injuries to their stars since Day 1 of this season. The Boston pitching staff ultimately kept this team afloat, despite the numerous injuries. The Red Sox are -2.14 and +0.66 units both SU and on the RL respectively this season. Veteran righty John Lackey will take the home mound tonight, as he is 12-11 SU with an ERA of 4.63 and a WHIP of 1.48 this year. The Red Sox are 4-0 in their last 4 games during game 3 of a series. Boston is 6-1 in their last 7 Wednesday games overall. The Red Sox are 5-1 in their last 6 games against a right-handed starter. Boston is 3-8 in their last 11 home games overall. The Red Sox are 4-1 in Lackey's last 5 Wednesday starts overall. Boston is 10-4 in Lackey's last 14 home starts. The Red Sox are 0-6 in Lackey's last 6 starts against the American League East.
Red Sox are 5-1 last 6 games against a team with a winning percentage below .400%.
Under is 8-2-1 last 11 home games against a right-handed starter.
Key Injuries - 2B Dustin Pedroia (foot) is out.
Projected Score: 6 (OVER-Total of the Day)
Diamond Trends - Wednesday
By Vince Akins
White Sox at Athletics – The White Sox are 5-0 since May 18, 2010 as a road dog when they are off a loss in which they had at least three times as many hits as runs for a net profit of $700.
Mariners at Blue Jays – The Mariners are 0-7 since June 25, 2010 as a road dog after a loss in which they had a higher team-left-on-base than their opponent for a net profit of $700 when playing against. The Blue Jays are 8-0 since May 14, 2010 as a home favorite after a win in which they had fewer team-left-on-base than their opponent for a net profit of $800.
Reds at Brewers – The Reds are 0-5 since September 05, 2010 and it is the last game of the series for a net profit of $680 when playing against. The Brewers are 0-7 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 $720 when playing against.
Giants at Cubs – The Giants are 12-0 since May 29, 2010 as a favorite after a win in which they allowed 6 or fewer hits and it is not the first game of a series for a net profit of $1200. The Cubs are 5-0 since August 28, 2010 when they are off a loss in which they never led for a net profit of $655.
Rockies at Diamondbacks – The Rockies are 9-0 since April 22, 2010 on the road after a loss in which they had a higher team-left-on-base than their opponent as a favorite for a net profit of $1015. The Diamondbacks are 0-9 since April 13, 2010 as a 140+ dog when they are off a win in which they scored in at most two separate innings for a net profit of $900 when playing against.
Padres at Dodgers – The Dodgers are 7-0 since April 18, 2010 at home after a loss in which they were shut out in the last 6 innings and it is not the first game of a series for a net profit of $710.
Mets at Marlins – The Mets are 10-0 since April 17, 2010 within 20 cents of pickem when they are off a loss in which they held the lead and it is not the first game of a series for a net profit of $1040. The Marlins are 8-0 since July 18, 2010 after a win in which they left fewer than 10 men on base for a net profit of $960.
Astros at Nationals – The Astros are 5-0 since June 28, 2010 after a loss in which they allowed 5+ walks for a net profit of $650. The Nationals are 0-6 since May 15, 2010 when they are off a game in which they scored more runs off the bullpen than they did off their opponent$B!G(Bs starter win for a net profit of $625 when playing against.
Braves at Phillies – The Phillies are 19-0 since July 23, 2010 after a win in which they left 18+ men on base for a net profit of $1990.
Cardinals at Pirates – The Cardinals are 0-6 since August 24, 2010 as a road favorite vs a divisional foe that is behind them in the divisional standings for a net profit of $853 when playing against.
Orioles at Red Sox – The Orioles are 4-0 since August 31, 2010 after a win in which they were tied at the end of 6 innings for a net profit of $785.
Royals at Tigers – The Royals are 0-8 since July 09, 2010 as a dog when they are off a win in which they came back from a deficit for a net profit of $800 when playing against. The Tigers are 8-0 since June 13, 2010 as a home 140+ favorite when they came back from a deficit to win in their starter's last start for a net profit of $800.
Rays at Yankees – The Yankees are 6-0 since April 30, 2010 at home when they are off two wins in which they never trailed for a net profit of $600.