Wednesday's Streaking and Slumping Starting Pitchers
Streaking
Joe Blanton (8-6, 4.94 ERA), Philadelphia Phillies
Blanton has done his part by pulling his weight for Philadelphia’s stellar starting rotation. He hasn’t lost a start since July 21 and Philadelphia has won 10 of his last trips to the hill. Blanton threw seven innings of two-run ball against the New York Mets in his last outing striking out six while walking one. He has had some problems with the long ball lately, allowing seven homers over his last five outings.
Justin Verlander (18-8, 3.31 ERA), Detroit Tigers
Verlander has thrown to consecutive complete games and has won four straight outings. He gave up a single unearned run against the Twins the last time he took the ball, giving up four hits while striking out 11. He has 37 strikeouts over his last four and is 5-0 in his last seven starts.
Slumping
Jason Vargas (9-12, 3.91 ERA), Seattle Mariners
Vargas needs a break in a bad, bad way. He was looking good with a 9-5 record midway through August, but the wheels have fallen off since then with the lefty losing seven straight starts heading into Wednesday’s matchup with the Texas Rangers. Vargas has allowed five runs in three of his last four starts including a 4 1/3-inning effort in 5-3 loss to the Tampa Bay Rays the last time he took the hill.
Tips and Trends
Boston Red Sox at Chicago White Sox
RED SOX: Boston is clinging to the their post-season hopes by the thinnest of margins. The Red Sox must win their final 6 games of the season, while the Yankees would have to lose each game. Unlikely to happen, but until this veteran team is mathematically eliminated, they will keep fighting. Boston is 87-69 SU this season, including 43-35 SU on the road this year. The Red Sox are -0.58 and +5.57 units both SU and on the RL respectively this year. Ace Josh Beckett will make the road start tonight, as he is 6-5 SU with an ERA of 5.77 and a WHIP of 1.49 this year. The Red Sox are 4-0 in their last 4 Wednesday games. The Red Sox are 5-1 in their last 6 games during game 3 of a series. Boston is 5-2 in their last 7 road games agaisnt a right-handed starter. The Red Sox are 4-0 in Beckett's last 4 Wednesday starts. Boston is 19-7 in Beckett's last 26 starts against the American League Central. The Red Sox are 1-4 in Beckett's last 5 starts with 4 days of rest.
Red Sox are 7-1 last 8 road games overall.
Under is 6-2 last 8 games against a right-handed starter.
Key Injuries - 2B Dustin Pedroia (foot) is out.
Projected Score: 4
WHITE SOX: (unknown, O/U ?) Chicago is 10 games over .500 at 83-73 SU, yet they have been eliminated from post-season play due to the strong American League play. As the White Sox finish up the final week of the season, it will be interesting to see what players are on the line up cards. Chicago is +6.85 and +2.51 units both SU and on the RL this season. The White Sox continue to have one of the best pitching staffs in baseball, both with their starting pitching and their relief corps. Veteran Freddy Garcia will take the mound tonight, as he is 11-6 SU with an ERA of 4.74 and a WHIP of 1.41 this year. The White Sox are 4-1 in their last 5 games on grass. Chicago is 3-10 in their last 13 games against a right-handed starter. The White Sox are 5-1 in Garcia's last 6 home starts against a team with a winning record. The White Sox are 4-1 in Garcia's last 5 starts during game 3 of a series. Chicago is 8-3 in Garcia's last 11 starts following a Quality Start in his last appearance. The White Sox are 16-7 in Garcia's last 23 starts.
White Sox are 0-6 last 6 home games against a team with a winning road record.
Over is 6-1 last 7 home games against a right-handed starter.
Key Injuries - CF Alex Rios (knee) is out.
Projected Score: 5
Florida Marlins at Atlanta Braves
MARLINS: Florida is a rather young team that is building for the future. That's why this final week of the regular season is so important to this team. The Marlins are trying to finish the season with a winning record, and currently stand 77-79 SU on the year. The Marlins are -0.06 and -1.11 units both SU and on the RL respectively this year. Florida has scored 2 runs or fewer in 3 of their past 4 games. Lefty Andrew Miller will make the road start tonight, as he is 1-4 SU with an ERA of 8.19 and a WHIP of 2.33 this season. The Marlins are 5-2 in their last 7 Wednesday games overall. Florida is 2-5 in their last 7 road games against a right-handed starter. The Marlins are 1-4 in Miller's last 5 starts against the National League East. Florida is 2-11 in Miller's last 13 starts with 4 days of rest. The Marlins are 0-7 in Miller's last 7 starts during game 3 of a series. Florida is 0-4 in Miller's last 4 road starts against a team with a winning record.
Marlins are 1-7 last 8 games against a team with a winning record.
Over is 8-1 last 9 ga,es during game 3 of a series.
Key Injuries - SS Hanley Ramirez (elbow)is questionable.
Projected Score: 5
BRAVES: (-230, O/U 9) Atlanta is battling for the National League Wild Card, as they are in a close battle with San Diego. The Braves are 88-69 SU this year, including 53-23 SU at home. Atlanta had dominated the NL East for most of the year, but have since relinquished that lead to the Phillies. Atlanta is +0.96 and +13.05 units both SU and on the RL this season. Righty Derek Lowe will make the home start tonight, as he is 15-12 SU with an ERA of 4.07 and a WHIP of 1.37 this season. The Braves are 43-17 in their last 60 home games. Atlanta is 14-6 in their last 20 Wednesday games overall. The Braves are 2-5 in their last 7 games against the National League East. Atlanta is 2-5 in their last 7 games against a left-handed starter. The Braves are 4-0 in Lowe's last 4 starts against a team with a losing record. Atlanta is 4-0 in Lowe's last 4 starts against the National League East. The Braves are 17-8 in Lowe's last 25 home starts.
Braves are 24-10 last 34 home games against a team with a losing record.
Under is 10-3 last 13 games against a team with a losing record.
Key Injuries - 2B Martin Prado (hip) is questionable.
Projected Score: 7 (OVER-Total of the Day)
Diamond Trends - Wednesday
By Vince Akins
Athletics at Angels – The Athletics are 0-6 since August 10, 2010 as a dog 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 $600 when playing against.
Yankees at Blue Jays – The Yankees are 0-5 since July 30, 2010 on the road after a 5+ run win for a net profit of $685 when playing against. The Blue Jays are 6-0 since April 29, 2010 at home after a loss in which they were shut out in the last 6 innings for a net profit of $660.
Marlins at Braves – The Braves are 0-5 since June 27, 2010 as a home favorite vs a team that has lost at least their last two games and it is the last game of a series for a net profit of $780 when playing against.
Pirates at Cardinals – The Pirates are 0-7 since July 19, 2010 after a 5+ run win for a net profit of $710 when playing against. The Cardinals are 6-0 since August 04, 2010 after a loss in which they used 5+ pitchers for a net profit of $695
Diamondbacks at Giants – The Diamondbacks are 0-6 since May 26, 2010 as a road 140+ dog after a loss in which they had 6 or fewer hits for a net profit of $600 when playing against. The Giants are 9-0 since May 29, 2010 at home 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 $910.
Phillies at Nationals – The Phillies are 9-0 since July 22, 2010 on the road and it is the last game of the series for a net profit of $975.
Cubs at Padres – The Cubs are 6-0 since July 06, 2010 on the road vs a team that has lost at least their last three games for a net profit of $665.
Mariners at Rangers – The Mariners are 0-10 since April 09, 2010 as a road dog vs a team that has lost at least their last two games for a net profit of $1000 when playing against.
Orioles at Rays – The Orioles are 0-9 since April 17, 2010 on the road 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 $900 when playing against.
Astros at Reds – The Astros are 0-7 since May 01, 2010 on the road after a loss in which they left fewer than 10 men on base and it is not the first game of a series for a net profit of $735 when playing against. The Reds are 8-0 since April 29, 2010 when their starter went less than four innings in his last start for a net profit of $910.
Dodgers at Rockies – The Dodgers are 0-6 since April 17, 2010 after allowing 6+ runs win for a net profit of $660 when playing against. The Rockies are 7-0 since April 11, 2010 after a loss in which they allowed 12+ hits and it is the last game of a series for a net profit of $770.
Twins at Royals - The Twins are 5-0 since July 18, 2010 as a dog and it is the last game of the series for a net profit of $620.
Red Sox at White Sox – The White Sox are 7-0 since June 16, 2010 after a win in which they drew 5+ walks for a net profit of $750.