MLB Mon, Aug 1, 2005
Game of the day: Astros at Diamondbacks
Brian Covert
The line: Oddsmakers have Houston at -162.
The Arizona Diamondbacks have taken two of three from the Houston Astros this year. The Astros were favored in every game with the largest spread being –170 when Brad Halsey beat Roger Clemens 6-1 on May 19.
The total: Set at 7 1/2.
The under has cashed in eight of Houston’s last 10 games and six of Arizona’s last 10.
Astros like what they got
The trade deadline has come and gone and the Houston Astros were noticeably absent from any wheeling and dealing. There were talks of the Astros pursuing a big bat but nothing materialized in time.
“I`m not really disappointed, everyone feels good about this club,” said general manager Tim Purpura. “We`re producing enough offense now, we`ve got great starting pitching, we`ve got great relief pitching, and we`ve got the best closer, I think, in baseball. Now, we just have to keep it up."
You really can’t fault the Astros for feeling so positivie. They are 8-2 over their last 10 games, putting an extra 6.00 units in backers` pockets. They are far and away the best pitching team in the National League with a 2.15 ERA and teams are hitting a paltry .217 against them since the All-Star break. Meanwhile, their offense has averaged almost five runs per game since July 14.
Ageless wonder
Rogers Clemens has a thing for birthdays.
Clemens hasn`t lost the last start before his birthday since the 2000 season. He`ll celebrate his 43rd on August 4. Last year he pitched a six-strikeout, one-run gem against the Atlanta Braves August 3, carrying the Astros to a 3-2 win as –120 favorites.
“I haven`t seen him in awhile,” Atlanta manager Bobby Cox told the Associated Press after that game, “and it`s OK with me if I don`t see him anymore.”
There is another obscure stat working in the Astros favor. Houston is 13-4 in games to start a month and are even better with a 6-1 record on the road. Their only road loss came last season against Mark Prior and the Chicago Cubs as +160 underdogs.
Arizona on the rise
The Arizona Diamondbacks are tied for first place with the San Diego Padres in the National League West for the first time since May 25. The D-Backs have played decent baseball recently, posting a 6-4 record in their last 10 games. Four of those wins came on the road.
Their starting pitching is the main reason they are back on top, with today’s starter Claudio Vargas being one of their most dependable starters. Arizona has won six of the last seven Vargas has started, including a 3-0 win over the Milwaukee Brewers as +130 underdogs his last time out. Vargas gave up no runs while striking out six against the Brewers.
“I feel good,” said Vargas. “I got my confidence back. I`m focused. I`ve been pitching like I know I can.”
Arizona bullpen gets vote of confidence
Arizona`s bullpen is working on a league-worst 5.72 ERA, while opposing batters are smacking the relievers around at a .287 clip. They pen`s also blown 12 saves in 30 opportunities.
But despite their struggles, manager Bob Melvin told them in a meeting last week he believed in them and he was sticking with them for the rest of the season.
"It`s nice to hear that,” said closer Brian Bruney, “especially when you`re struggling a little bit and you come in and the manager says, `You`re my guys and you`re doing a good job,` even if you don`t think it."
The pen responded by giving up six runs in 13 innings with one blown save in five games since the talk. Four of those runs came in the eighth inning of Arizona’s 13-6 win over the Chicago Cubs on Sunday.
Who do you like in theis game??
Game of the day: Astros at Diamondbacks
Brian Covert
The line: Oddsmakers have Houston at -162.
The Arizona Diamondbacks have taken two of three from the Houston Astros this year. The Astros were favored in every game with the largest spread being –170 when Brad Halsey beat Roger Clemens 6-1 on May 19.
The total: Set at 7 1/2.
The under has cashed in eight of Houston’s last 10 games and six of Arizona’s last 10.
Astros like what they got
The trade deadline has come and gone and the Houston Astros were noticeably absent from any wheeling and dealing. There were talks of the Astros pursuing a big bat but nothing materialized in time.
“I`m not really disappointed, everyone feels good about this club,” said general manager Tim Purpura. “We`re producing enough offense now, we`ve got great starting pitching, we`ve got great relief pitching, and we`ve got the best closer, I think, in baseball. Now, we just have to keep it up."
You really can’t fault the Astros for feeling so positivie. They are 8-2 over their last 10 games, putting an extra 6.00 units in backers` pockets. They are far and away the best pitching team in the National League with a 2.15 ERA and teams are hitting a paltry .217 against them since the All-Star break. Meanwhile, their offense has averaged almost five runs per game since July 14.
Ageless wonder
Rogers Clemens has a thing for birthdays.
Clemens hasn`t lost the last start before his birthday since the 2000 season. He`ll celebrate his 43rd on August 4. Last year he pitched a six-strikeout, one-run gem against the Atlanta Braves August 3, carrying the Astros to a 3-2 win as –120 favorites.
“I haven`t seen him in awhile,” Atlanta manager Bobby Cox told the Associated Press after that game, “and it`s OK with me if I don`t see him anymore.”
There is another obscure stat working in the Astros favor. Houston is 13-4 in games to start a month and are even better with a 6-1 record on the road. Their only road loss came last season against Mark Prior and the Chicago Cubs as +160 underdogs.
Arizona on the rise
The Arizona Diamondbacks are tied for first place with the San Diego Padres in the National League West for the first time since May 25. The D-Backs have played decent baseball recently, posting a 6-4 record in their last 10 games. Four of those wins came on the road.
Their starting pitching is the main reason they are back on top, with today’s starter Claudio Vargas being one of their most dependable starters. Arizona has won six of the last seven Vargas has started, including a 3-0 win over the Milwaukee Brewers as +130 underdogs his last time out. Vargas gave up no runs while striking out six against the Brewers.
“I feel good,” said Vargas. “I got my confidence back. I`m focused. I`ve been pitching like I know I can.”
Arizona bullpen gets vote of confidence
Arizona`s bullpen is working on a league-worst 5.72 ERA, while opposing batters are smacking the relievers around at a .287 clip. They pen`s also blown 12 saves in 30 opportunities.
But despite their struggles, manager Bob Melvin told them in a meeting last week he believed in them and he was sticking with them for the rest of the season.
"It`s nice to hear that,” said closer Brian Bruney, “especially when you`re struggling a little bit and you come in and the manager says, `You`re my guys and you`re doing a good job,` even if you don`t think it."
The pen responded by giving up six runs in 13 innings with one blown save in five games since the talk. Four of those runs came in the eighth inning of Arizona’s 13-6 win over the Chicago Cubs on Sunday.
Who do you like in theis game??
