MLB Stat Check
By Bodog
With the league’s trade deadline looming, fringe teams are trying to decide whether they should be buyers or sellers - no easy task in a season as wide open as this one. In this week’s 10-pack of stats and factoids, we take a look at some of baseball’s top moneymakers, as well as a recurring theme in Wednesday’s action of trying to keep streaks alive.
Cincinnati at Milwaukee (Wednesday, 2:10 p.m.)
Some teams simply have certain opponents pegged, and that appears to be the case with the Cincinnati Reds’ dominance over the Milwaukee Brewers. Dating back to last season, the Reds have won seven of their last eight meetings against the Brewers, and will attempt to keep their playoff push alive by stretching that streak to eight of nine.
Florida at San Francisco (Wednesday, 7:05 p.m.)
Tuesday night, rookie star Buster Posey continued his impressive campaign by extending his hitting streak to 20 games, tying Cory Hart for the longest streak of the 2010 season. Posey will attempt to top Hart’s streak with a hit against Florida’s Alex Sanabia on Wednesday night. Heading into the game, Posey has a .449 batting average in July.
NY Yankees at Cleveland (Wednesday, 7:05 p.m.)
Alex Rodriguez has been stuck on home run number 599 for five homerless games now. Fausto Carmona takes the mound for the Tribe on Wednesday night, and will try to prevent ARod from becoming only the seventh player in league history to reach the 600 mark. Rodriguez is currently 10 home runs behind sixth place Sammy Sosa (609) on the all-time list.
Seattle at Chicago White Sox (Wednesday, 8:10 p.m.)
The Chicago White Sox have received outstanding pitching from their bullpen this season, and no one has been better over the last few months than J.J. Putz. Putz has strung together 26 straight scoreless appearances, recording nine holds, five wins, two saves, and 27 strikeouts over that span. The last time Putz surrendered a run was on May 7.
Atlanta at Washington (Thursday, 12:35 p.m.)
No team in baseball has made bettors more money as a favorite than the Atlanta Braves. The Braves are currently at +15.20 units when favored, and with Derek Lowe (10-8, 4.48 ERA) taking the mound against Craig Stammen (2-4, 5.50 ERA) Thursday afternoon, the Braves will likely be favorites once again.
Pittsburgh at Colorado (Thursday, 3:10 p.m.)
Ubaldo Jimenez has come crashing back to earth after a brilliant start to the season, sporting a brutal 7.59 ERA in four July starts. His two-inning, six earned run game against Philadelphia marked the first time he failed to pitch five innings this season. Jimenez will attempt to get back on track against the lowly Pirates, who he has excelled against in his career (four starts, 28 IP, 1.61 ERA, 0.96 WHIP)
Arizona at NY Mets (Friday, 7:10 p.m.)
The Arizona Diamondbacks have been hopeless on the road this season (13-34 SU) and have won only four of their last 25 road games, leaving them a league-worst -16.88 units away from home. Friday they start a series against the Mets, who happen to be the second best moneymaker in the league at home, currently at +11.97 units at Citi Field.
Oakland at Chicago White Sox (Friday, 8:10 p.m.)
Oakland starter Brett Anderson is tentatively penciled in to make his return from his second stint on the DL Friday night. In six starts this injury-shortened season, Anderson is 2-1 with a 2.35 ERA and a 1.04 WHIP. If he can stay healthy, he could put together a nice second half.
Florida at San Diego (Saturday, 8:35 p.m.)
The San Diego Padres have been one of the biggest surprises of the 2010 season, and have rewarded bettors handsomely, up an MLB best 19.93 units on the moneyline. The Padres will look to continue to punish the non-believers this weekend against the Florida Marlins.
Texas at LA Angels (Sunday, 3:35 p.m.)
As if the Texas Rangers' offense isn’t scary enough, Cliff Lee has been pitching like a man possessed. Lee’s masterful performance Tuesday night (complete game, no earned runs, 13 strikeouts) was remarkably his sixth complete game in his last eight starts, and his eighth straight game going at least eight innings. The Angels will try their luck against the ace Sunday afternoon.