Yesterday 2-0 +3.76 units
Y-T-D (on this site) 38-58 (-7.37 units)
Atlanta +1.05 over LOS ANGELES
Give Jose Lima his due props, the guy has done way more then even the Dodgers could have expected. He’s had one foot in the gutter on more then one occasion and keeps bouncing back. That’s all very nice, however, that doesn’t change the fact that Lima doesn’t overpower anyone and is always a big inning waiting to happen. The Braves are the perfect enemy to do just that. This is a team that has been on a serious run the past month to open up a big lead in the division. They’ve now won 20 of their past 26 games and are headed to the playoffs for about the 100th time in a row. John Thompson has been consistent all year no matter where he pitches and we’re certainly not going with the second best pitcher here. Furthermore, the Dodgers may not be in the best frame of mind. Two blown games in the past two nights will do that to you, especially when their most reliable guy, Eric Gagne blew them. They lost two out of three to the Fish and they lost the first game of this set last night. Losing is contagious and anytime we can get a take-back with this intruder right now against a team that appears headed for trouble, you can pencil us in with no questions asked. Play Atlanta +1.05 (Risking 1.6 units).
Chicago +1.10 over HOUSTON
It took a dose of the Phiiles and Expos for the Astros to get healthy but don’t let that fool you. This is the exact same team that everyone over-estimated and we’re going to need to see much more then wins over those two weak rivals, to convince us that they’ve turned it around. Pete Munro has just two wins in 13 starts and the team, as a whole, has a 4-9 record when Pete takes the mound. He’s had just one win since June 19. Munro has allowed 20 hits and 11 runs over his past three games, covering just 15.1 innings, for a dismal 5.87 ERA. His last two games were against Montreal and the Mets and still, Munro came out with nothing. The Cubbies have won two straight and scored 16 times in doing so. They’ll send Glendon Rusch to the mound, who’s been used as both a reliever and a starter. In fact, in 22 appearances Rusch has split his role evenly with 11 starts and 11 jogs out of the pen. Rusch is pitching in the shadows of Maddux, Zambrano, Prior and Wood so it’s no surprise that he’s been used as a spot starter. He’s learned plenty watching those guys every day and he’s put his lessons to good use. He’s 5-1 thus far with a 4.04 ERA. He’s walked just 22 batters all year in 92 innings while striking out 63. Bottom line here is that the Cubs are the superior squad with the better pitcher, taking back some juice, and that’s all the incentive we need for this one. Play Chicago +1.10 (Risking 1.6 units).
Y-T-D (on this site) 38-58 (-7.37 units)
Atlanta +1.05 over LOS ANGELES
Give Jose Lima his due props, the guy has done way more then even the Dodgers could have expected. He’s had one foot in the gutter on more then one occasion and keeps bouncing back. That’s all very nice, however, that doesn’t change the fact that Lima doesn’t overpower anyone and is always a big inning waiting to happen. The Braves are the perfect enemy to do just that. This is a team that has been on a serious run the past month to open up a big lead in the division. They’ve now won 20 of their past 26 games and are headed to the playoffs for about the 100th time in a row. John Thompson has been consistent all year no matter where he pitches and we’re certainly not going with the second best pitcher here. Furthermore, the Dodgers may not be in the best frame of mind. Two blown games in the past two nights will do that to you, especially when their most reliable guy, Eric Gagne blew them. They lost two out of three to the Fish and they lost the first game of this set last night. Losing is contagious and anytime we can get a take-back with this intruder right now against a team that appears headed for trouble, you can pencil us in with no questions asked. Play Atlanta +1.05 (Risking 1.6 units).
Chicago +1.10 over HOUSTON
It took a dose of the Phiiles and Expos for the Astros to get healthy but don’t let that fool you. This is the exact same team that everyone over-estimated and we’re going to need to see much more then wins over those two weak rivals, to convince us that they’ve turned it around. Pete Munro has just two wins in 13 starts and the team, as a whole, has a 4-9 record when Pete takes the mound. He’s had just one win since June 19. Munro has allowed 20 hits and 11 runs over his past three games, covering just 15.1 innings, for a dismal 5.87 ERA. His last two games were against Montreal and the Mets and still, Munro came out with nothing. The Cubbies have won two straight and scored 16 times in doing so. They’ll send Glendon Rusch to the mound, who’s been used as both a reliever and a starter. In fact, in 22 appearances Rusch has split his role evenly with 11 starts and 11 jogs out of the pen. Rusch is pitching in the shadows of Maddux, Zambrano, Prior and Wood so it’s no surprise that he’s been used as a spot starter. He’s learned plenty watching those guys every day and he’s put his lessons to good use. He’s 5-1 thus far with a 4.04 ERA. He’s walked just 22 batters all year in 92 innings while striking out 63. Bottom line here is that the Cubs are the superior squad with the better pitcher, taking back some juice, and that’s all the incentive we need for this one. Play Chicago +1.10 (Risking 1.6 units).
