Royals/Nationals over 9, 2 wins 2
I lean towards the Royals as far as the side goes as the Nationals have been terrible in all facets of the game during their recent seven game losing streak, but with Dunn and Zimmerman struggling this past week, it certainly makes sense. I expect those two, as well as the .190 hitting (during the losing streak) Nationals line up to get going against Bruce Chen. Though formidable thus far, his performances have been nothing to write home about and I expect him to falter here tonight. On the other side of the coin, Livan Hernandez has been pretty good this season, but has lucked out as far as BABIP goes more so than any starter in baseball. Today, facing one of the more productive line ups in baseball (especially of late), I think he'll get hit.
We're getting 9 here because of the Nationals embarrassing struggles at the plate and because Livan Hernandez has been a decent starter thus far this season. Even though the Nationals offense will never be a tops in the league, they aren't .190 bad making both of the aforementioned notions unsustainable.
I expect an over here and like it more so than taking my chances on the Royals.
I lean towards the Royals as far as the side goes as the Nationals have been terrible in all facets of the game during their recent seven game losing streak, but with Dunn and Zimmerman struggling this past week, it certainly makes sense. I expect those two, as well as the .190 hitting (during the losing streak) Nationals line up to get going against Bruce Chen. Though formidable thus far, his performances have been nothing to write home about and I expect him to falter here tonight. On the other side of the coin, Livan Hernandez has been pretty good this season, but has lucked out as far as BABIP goes more so than any starter in baseball. Today, facing one of the more productive line ups in baseball (especially of late), I think he'll get hit.
We're getting 9 here because of the Nationals embarrassing struggles at the plate and because Livan Hernandez has been a decent starter thus far this season. Even though the Nationals offense will never be a tops in the league, they aren't .190 bad making both of the aforementioned notions unsustainable.
I expect an over here and like it more so than taking my chances on the Royals.
Athletics -123, 3.69 wins 3
Gio Gonzalez has been bad on the road and great at home. I'm not writing off his last two starts, only that the Reds struggled over the weekend to score in spacious Safeco field; I was willing to chalk it up to facing Cliff Lee and Felix Hernandez before they were shut down by Ryan Rowland-Smith who really hasn't had a good start all season. Additionally, the young Mike Leake will not be able to maintain his current success and in his last start, a shellacking if you really look beyond the cliche numbers, showed that he is prone to hiccups, as most youngsters are.
The line is so low based on the Reds being a division leader (at one point) and the fact that Mike Leake has been outstanding thus far this season. I see great value in the A's at home with Gonzalez on the mound here.
Gio Gonzalez has been bad on the road and great at home. I'm not writing off his last two starts, only that the Reds struggled over the weekend to score in spacious Safeco field; I was willing to chalk it up to facing Cliff Lee and Felix Hernandez before they were shut down by Ryan Rowland-Smith who really hasn't had a good start all season. Additionally, the young Mike Leake will not be able to maintain his current success and in his last start, a shellacking if you really look beyond the cliche numbers, showed that he is prone to hiccups, as most youngsters are.
The line is so low based on the Reds being a division leader (at one point) and the fact that Mike Leake has been outstanding thus far this season. I see great value in the A's at home with Gonzalez on the mound here.
Tough.
0-2, -5.69
18-26, -1.23 ytd
If you look into both of these games, I had them pegged right. Oaklands offense just couldn't do anything (not surprising) nor could Washington's anemic bunch and I came up on the wrong side. The Royals batting average continues to soar, but they're struggling to get runs in. 11 hits. Yikes.
Turn the page tomorrow.
0-2, -5.69
18-26, -1.23 ytd
If you look into both of these games, I had them pegged right. Oaklands offense just couldn't do anything (not surprising) nor could Washington's anemic bunch and I came up on the wrong side. The Royals batting average continues to soar, but they're struggling to get runs in. 11 hits. Yikes.
Turn the page tomorrow.
