Steve Janus
Colorado Rockies -115
Even though the Padres took 2 of three at Arizona over the weekend, I don't like their chances of going into Colorado and bringing home a win tonight. These two teams will send out starters who are heading in different directions. Colorado starter Kevin Milwood is 2-1 with a 3.89 ERA in his last three starts, while Padres starter Cory Luebke is 0-2 with a 5.06 ERA.
The Rockies are 7-1 in their last 8 home games vs. a team with a losing record, while the Padres are 0-10 in road games after scoring 1 or less runs in a loss to a division rival this season. BET THE ROCKIES!
Dave Price
1 Unit on Arizona Diamondbacks -1.5 -120
Going to get behind NL Cy Young candidate Ian Kennedy tonight. The D-backs have won his last 5 starts and 12 of his last 13. They've won 4 of his last 5 starts by 2 runs or more. The Pirates have lost each of Jeff Karstens last 3 starts and 7 of his last 9. Their last 4 losses with Karstens on the hill have come by at least 2 runs. We'll take Arizona on the run line.
Black Widow
1* on Florida Marlins +105
he Atlanta Braves have watched their NL wild-card lead take a severe hit over the past two weeks. After leading the wild-card race by 8 1/2 games Sept. 4, Atlanta has lost nine of 14 and is now only 3 1/2 games ahead of St. Louis. The Braves, who dropped two of three to the New York Mets over the weekend, have a magic number of seven with nine games to play. The Florida Marlins have the edge on the mound tonight with Ricky Nolasco over Mike Minor. Nolasco sports a 4.01 ERA in 16 home starts this year, while Minor has posted a 5.40 ERA and 1.547 WHIP in six road starts. Nolasco held Atlanta scoreless through six innings last Wednesday, but was tagged for four runs in the 7th. He limited the Braves to one run in 6 2/3 innings in his previous start against Atlanta on July 31st. Minor has posted a 6.51 ERA and 1.758 WHIP in two lifetime starts versus Florida. The Braves are 1-7 in their last 8 during game 1 of a series. Florida is 5-1 in their last 6 home games vs. a left-handed starter. We'll fade the struggling Braves as they are feeling the pressure late in the season. Take the Marlins on the Money Line.
Jeff Alexander
1 Unit on Toronto Blue Jays -139
I'm backing Toronto starter Ricky Romero with this play. The Angels are just 12-26 in their last 38 road games vs. a left-handed starter, and they'll certainly have it rough against Romero this evening. The Blue Jays are 10-1 in Romero's last 11 starts, 6-0 in his last 6 home starts and 7-0 in his last 7 starts as a favorite. Bet the Blue Jays.