<TABLE cellSpacing=1 cellPadding=3 width=500 border=0><TBODY><TR><TD class=rs_value vAlign=top align=left width="50%">Yesterday</TD><TD class=rs_value vAlign=top align=right width="10%">1</TD><TD class=rs_value vAlign=top align=right width="10%">2</TD><TD class=rs_value vAlign=top align=right width="10%">0</TD><TD class=rs_value vAlign=top align=right width="20%">-2.00 Units</TD></TR><TR><TD class=rs_value vAlign=top align=left width="50%">Last 30 Days</TD><TD class=rs_value vAlign=top align=right width="10%">28</TD><TD class=rs_value vAlign=top align=right width="10%">32</TD><TD class=rs_value vAlign=top align=right width="10%">2</TD><TD class=rs_value vAlign=top align=right width="20%">+1.46 Units</TD></TR><TR><TD class=rs_value vAlign=top align=left width="50%">Season To Date (Since March 2009)</TD><TD class=rs_value vAlign=top align=right width="10%">57</TD><TD class=rs_value vAlign=top align=right width="10%">67</TD><TD class=rs_value vAlign=top align=right width="10%">6</TD><TD class=rs_value vAlign=top align=right width="20%">-3.30 Units</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>
HOME TEAM IN CAPS
All games are listed pitchers unless stated otherwise.
Atlanta +1.14 over ARIZONA
Dan Haren is the ace of this staff but so what. He pitches for a team that is offensively challenged in a big way and the team is just 4-5 when Haren starts. One of those team wins came against the A’s in which Haren allowed five runs but the Snakes won 8-7. A close look comparing Haren to Derek Lowe reveals that Lowe has been sharper and induces quite a bit more ground balls than Haren and at this park that’s a key stat. In fact, Haren has induced just 38% of his outs on the ground while Lowe has induced 59% and that’s a significant edge in Lowe’s favor. Also consider LD% (line drive percentage), which reveals that Haren has allowed 23% of balls hit to be line drives while Lowe has allowed just 14%. The D-Backs are just 10-17 at home, the bullpen has been a complete disaster this past week and frankly, I just don’t see where the D-Backs have an edge. Play: Atlanta +1.14 (Risking 2 units). <?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com
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Tampa Bay –½ +1.09 over CLEVELAND (1<SUP>st</SUP> 5 innings)
The blew a seven run lead on Tuesday and a five run lead yesterday and if nothing else, the Rays have to be tired of hearing how they’ve lost 17 straight games at the Jake (or is it Progressive Field?). Anyway, Jeff Niemann definitely looks like a keeper. This guy is getting better with each passing start and in fact, has allowed just four earned runs over his last 14 innings pitched. When he first arrived he was issuing far too many walks but it appears he trusts his stuff more, as he’s only issued one walk over his last two starts in 14 frames. The number of jacks he’s allowed is a bit concerning but the opposing pitcher is not. David Huff has allowed 14 hits, three bombs and 13 runs in his two starts covering just 6.2 innings. His WHIP and ERA over those two starts is 2.85 and 17.55, respectively. Ouch. He has yet to make it out of the fourth inning in either start and one of those starts came against these Rays just 11 days ago. Huff can’t be feeling too confident and his ticket back to the minors will very likely get punched after this one. Note the 12PM start. Play: Tampa Bay -½ +1.12 in the first five innings (Risking 2 units).
HOME TEAM IN CAPS
All games are listed pitchers unless stated otherwise.
Atlanta +1.14 over ARIZONA
Dan Haren is the ace of this staff but so what. He pitches for a team that is offensively challenged in a big way and the team is just 4-5 when Haren starts. One of those team wins came against the A’s in which Haren allowed five runs but the Snakes won 8-7. A close look comparing Haren to Derek Lowe reveals that Lowe has been sharper and induces quite a bit more ground balls than Haren and at this park that’s a key stat. In fact, Haren has induced just 38% of his outs on the ground while Lowe has induced 59% and that’s a significant edge in Lowe’s favor. Also consider LD% (line drive percentage), which reveals that Haren has allowed 23% of balls hit to be line drives while Lowe has allowed just 14%. The D-Backs are just 10-17 at home, the bullpen has been a complete disaster this past week and frankly, I just don’t see where the D-Backs have an edge. Play: Atlanta +1.14 (Risking 2 units). <?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com
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></o>Tampa Bay –½ +1.09 over CLEVELAND (1<SUP>st</SUP> 5 innings)
The blew a seven run lead on Tuesday and a five run lead yesterday and if nothing else, the Rays have to be tired of hearing how they’ve lost 17 straight games at the Jake (or is it Progressive Field?). Anyway, Jeff Niemann definitely looks like a keeper. This guy is getting better with each passing start and in fact, has allowed just four earned runs over his last 14 innings pitched. When he first arrived he was issuing far too many walks but it appears he trusts his stuff more, as he’s only issued one walk over his last two starts in 14 frames. The number of jacks he’s allowed is a bit concerning but the opposing pitcher is not. David Huff has allowed 14 hits, three bombs and 13 runs in his two starts covering just 6.2 innings. His WHIP and ERA over those two starts is 2.85 and 17.55, respectively. Ouch. He has yet to make it out of the fourth inning in either start and one of those starts came against these Rays just 11 days ago. Huff can’t be feeling too confident and his ticket back to the minors will very likely get punched after this one. Note the 12PM start. Play: Tampa Bay -½ +1.12 in the first five innings (Risking 2 units).
