The San Francisco Giants try and avoid their seventh straight loss tonight when they host the Atlanta Braves.
Atlanta have won five of their last six overall and own the best record in baseball at 81-43 (.653). They have been excellent on the road this season going 36-24 (.600).
Russ Ortiz heads to the mound for the Braves looking to continue a career year. His 17 wins lead the majors and he ranks first in the NL in winning percentage (.773) and eighth in batting average against (.200). Ortiz has won ten of his last 11 starts and must be a favorite for the Cy Young Award. He will be particularly focused tonight against his former team and in 32 career starts at Pacific Bell Park he is 19-12 with a 3.32 ERA.
San Francisco have dropped seven of their last eight to fall back to 73-50 (.593). Following their sweep by the Expos they created some unwanted history - the first time in the franchise's 121 year history that they have been swept in a season series involving more than three games. And they admit to being more than a little banged up with manager Felipe Alou saying "I'm concerned about the health of my team. If we had all our guys and lost I'd be concerned, but now the No. 1 concern is that half our regulars are out." While Barry Bonds may return to the line-up tonight it is doubtful whether his presence alone can turn around the fortunes of the slumping Giants.
San Francisco's excellent record at home this season (41-18) is the primary reason they are only a small underdog tonight.
Rookie Jerome Williams (5-3, 3.38) gets the ball for the Giants and the 21 year-old right-hander is just 0-2 in his last five starts. That's not good news when you're facing a team that is hitting .276 and averaging 5.8 runs per game on the road this season. Williams did not allow a home run in his first 55 2/3 innings comprising 10 starts, yet has been crushed for one long ball in each of his last four starts.
The Braves are a dominating 20-6 against the NL West while the Giants have struggled against the NL East going just 9-16.
We'll go with the better team and pitcher to get the win as a small road favorite tonight.
Recommended Play: Braves -121
Good luck
Mike Thomas
Champion Plays
Atlanta have won five of their last six overall and own the best record in baseball at 81-43 (.653). They have been excellent on the road this season going 36-24 (.600).
Russ Ortiz heads to the mound for the Braves looking to continue a career year. His 17 wins lead the majors and he ranks first in the NL in winning percentage (.773) and eighth in batting average against (.200). Ortiz has won ten of his last 11 starts and must be a favorite for the Cy Young Award. He will be particularly focused tonight against his former team and in 32 career starts at Pacific Bell Park he is 19-12 with a 3.32 ERA.
San Francisco have dropped seven of their last eight to fall back to 73-50 (.593). Following their sweep by the Expos they created some unwanted history - the first time in the franchise's 121 year history that they have been swept in a season series involving more than three games. And they admit to being more than a little banged up with manager Felipe Alou saying "I'm concerned about the health of my team. If we had all our guys and lost I'd be concerned, but now the No. 1 concern is that half our regulars are out." While Barry Bonds may return to the line-up tonight it is doubtful whether his presence alone can turn around the fortunes of the slumping Giants.
San Francisco's excellent record at home this season (41-18) is the primary reason they are only a small underdog tonight.
Rookie Jerome Williams (5-3, 3.38) gets the ball for the Giants and the 21 year-old right-hander is just 0-2 in his last five starts. That's not good news when you're facing a team that is hitting .276 and averaging 5.8 runs per game on the road this season. Williams did not allow a home run in his first 55 2/3 innings comprising 10 starts, yet has been crushed for one long ball in each of his last four starts.
The Braves are a dominating 20-6 against the NL West while the Giants have struggled against the NL East going just 9-16.
We'll go with the better team and pitcher to get the win as a small road favorite tonight.
Recommended Play: Braves -121
Good luck
Mike Thomas
Champion Plays
