Got John Smoltz -130 at my book for a big chunk of change against Kyle Kendrick of the Phillies.
A rookie in front of his home crowd in a pressure packed situation against one of the games all time greats?
Smoltz is a competitor too, he's not rolling over just because the Braves are out of it. The spotlight is on this game and he LOVES the spotlight and he HATES to lose.
Everytime the Phillies get close they tighten up and start playing shaky ball. Home field advantage is actually a disadvantage IMO in baseball.
Pitching is kind of like a golf swing. Mechanics need to be right or you're missing the zone or leaving flat heaters out over the plate. Home field and playoff-type pressure for a young kid is going to throw Kendrick into disarray and he's going to get LIT UP by a frightening Braves lineup.
Kendrick is already feeling September pressure, 1.47 WHIP in his last 3 outings.... In his last home outing, September 12th vs Colorado, he got LIT UP as a -167 favorite for 7 H, 4 ER in 3 IP. You think he felt the heat of the crowd looking for a big win in a tight pennant race?
Braves are going to roll in this one.. 6-1.
A rookie in front of his home crowd in a pressure packed situation against one of the games all time greats?
Smoltz is a competitor too, he's not rolling over just because the Braves are out of it. The spotlight is on this game and he LOVES the spotlight and he HATES to lose.
Everytime the Phillies get close they tighten up and start playing shaky ball. Home field advantage is actually a disadvantage IMO in baseball.
Pitching is kind of like a golf swing. Mechanics need to be right or you're missing the zone or leaving flat heaters out over the plate. Home field and playoff-type pressure for a young kid is going to throw Kendrick into disarray and he's going to get LIT UP by a frightening Braves lineup.
Kendrick is already feeling September pressure, 1.47 WHIP in his last 3 outings.... In his last home outing, September 12th vs Colorado, he got LIT UP as a -167 favorite for 7 H, 4 ER in 3 IP. You think he felt the heat of the crowd looking for a big win in a tight pennant race?
Braves are going to roll in this one.. 6-1.