We'll go with the San Francisco Giants in the role of road underdog tonight against the Houston Astros.
The Giants have taken the NL West title and are 95-59 overall. They have won six of their last eight despite losing to the Dodgers Sunday when they rested all of their regular starters except Jose Cruz Jr. San Francisco have owned Houston recently winning 10 of their last 12 contests including five of six at Minute Maid Park.
Tonight they start rookie Jerome Williams who is 7-4 with a 3.30 ERA this season. The 21 year-old has allowed a total of just eight earned runs in his last four starts, striking out 17 batters while walking just six. Williams has been very consistent in his rookie season, working at least six innings in 14 of his 19 starts.
The Astros achieved a split on their six game road trip to Colorado and St Louis and are now 84-71 overall, just a half game in front of the Cubs. They have struggled against the NL West this season posting a 13-14 record, while the Giants have dominated the NL Central going 21-12. It's also worth noting Houston is just 29-35 against teams with a winning record this season while San Francisco is 44-30.
While almost all of the Giants team had the entire day off yesterday, the Astros may be a little fatigued right now having played 16 of their last 19 games on the road. "We've been on a long road trip" says manager Jimy Williams. "Three in LA, an offday with four days in San Diego, four days in Milwaukee, then just to continue the road trip we went to Houston for three. Then we went to Colorado for three and then St. Louis for three. That's what we've been doing the last three weeks. I'm not complaining, that's just the way the schedule's been."
Ron Villone (6-5, 3.99 ERA) heads to the hill for Houston looking to avoid his fourth straight loss. He has allowed at least three earned runs in each of his last five starts and his career numbers of 39-42 with a 4.91 ERA point to him being a mediocre pitcher at best. Against a San Francisco team that has pounded southpaw starters all season long (23-10, +10.5 units) we believe he is a false favorite tonight. Villone is 0-1 with a 10.38 ERA in two career starts against the Giants.
San Francisco need to keep winning to gain home field advantage against Atlanta for the NLCS and we believe they offer excellent value as an underdog tonight.
Recommended Play: Giants +115
Good luck
Mike Thomas
Champion Plays
The Giants have taken the NL West title and are 95-59 overall. They have won six of their last eight despite losing to the Dodgers Sunday when they rested all of their regular starters except Jose Cruz Jr. San Francisco have owned Houston recently winning 10 of their last 12 contests including five of six at Minute Maid Park.
Tonight they start rookie Jerome Williams who is 7-4 with a 3.30 ERA this season. The 21 year-old has allowed a total of just eight earned runs in his last four starts, striking out 17 batters while walking just six. Williams has been very consistent in his rookie season, working at least six innings in 14 of his 19 starts.
The Astros achieved a split on their six game road trip to Colorado and St Louis and are now 84-71 overall, just a half game in front of the Cubs. They have struggled against the NL West this season posting a 13-14 record, while the Giants have dominated the NL Central going 21-12. It's also worth noting Houston is just 29-35 against teams with a winning record this season while San Francisco is 44-30.
While almost all of the Giants team had the entire day off yesterday, the Astros may be a little fatigued right now having played 16 of their last 19 games on the road. "We've been on a long road trip" says manager Jimy Williams. "Three in LA, an offday with four days in San Diego, four days in Milwaukee, then just to continue the road trip we went to Houston for three. Then we went to Colorado for three and then St. Louis for three. That's what we've been doing the last three weeks. I'm not complaining, that's just the way the schedule's been."
Ron Villone (6-5, 3.99 ERA) heads to the hill for Houston looking to avoid his fourth straight loss. He has allowed at least three earned runs in each of his last five starts and his career numbers of 39-42 with a 4.91 ERA point to him being a mediocre pitcher at best. Against a San Francisco team that has pounded southpaw starters all season long (23-10, +10.5 units) we believe he is a false favorite tonight. Villone is 0-1 with a 10.38 ERA in two career starts against the Giants.
San Francisco need to keep winning to gain home field advantage against Atlanta for the NLCS and we believe they offer excellent value as an underdog tonight.
Recommended Play: Giants +115
Good luck
Mike Thomas
Champion Plays
