MLB
Tuesday, July 6
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Hot Lines: Today's best MLB bets
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St. Louis Cardinals at Colorado Rockies (-136, 9.5)
Motivation can come from a number of different places. A recent source that could drive MLB players to perform was the announcement of the All-Star Game rosters.
The Rockies organization feels that two of its players were snubbed after being left off the NL team. Fans could make amends for outfielder Carlos Gonzalez’s oversight by voting him in for the final roster spot but catcher Miguel Olivo still contends that he should be in Anaheim next week.
"In my mind, I thought I put the numbers (up) and (with) all my hustling and all my energy, I think I have (the credentials for) being there and playing in the All-Star Game," Olivo said.
Olivo is hitting .307 with 11 homers and 39 RBIs while leading all catchers in slugging percentage (.540). The eight-year veteran is having a career year and has never been voted in as an All-Star.
Gonzalez, who is hitting .295 with 14 home runs, 52 RBIs and 12 stolen bases, has to contend with Heath Bell, Billy Wagner, Ryan Zimmerman and Joey Votto in the final online vote.
Now that Colorado closer Huston Street is back to shore up the bullpen problems, the Rockies have started to roll. The team is 5-2 in its last seven games and the two aforementioned hitters should help continue that winning trend while wanting to prove they should be among MLB’s best.
Pick: Rockies
San Diego Padres at Washington Nationals (-105, 7.5)
Neither of these teams produces runs at a ridiculous rate, but one is in first place and the other is in last place.
San Diego ranks 22nd in scoring this season (339 runs) and have the fifth-to-worst team batting average (.245). But the Friars lead their NL West foes by 3.5 games because of incredible pitching and timely hitting.
Despite having the most-lauded arm in The Show, the Nats aren’t supplying their hurlers with much run support, having amassed only 337 runs this year.
To put things in a simplified perspective, the Pads have not scored more than three runs in nine of their last 13 outings but only lost four of those games. On the flip side, Washington has not plated more than three runners in 12 of its last 18 games but went 5-13 in that stretch.
The Padres have won five of their last six road games and all but one of those contests played under the total. Look for that trend to continue Tuesday.
Pick: Under
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Streaking and Slumping Pitchers
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Streaking
Clayton Richard (6-4, 2.74), San Diego Padres
San Diego’s southpaw struck out a career-high 10 Rockies batters in his last start. Richard fanned five of the first six hitters in that game and finished with a stat line of one walk, two earned runs and five hits over 7.0 innings of work.
"It was a lot of fun today," Richard said after the 13-3 win. "We had a pretty good approach going into it and attacked the strike zone, and when you get that type of run support, it makes it a lot easier to pitch.
In his previous outing, Richard held the Marlins scoreless through 6.0 innings on the bump while striking out five. Both of his last two starts have led to Padres victories.
Slumping
Jeff Francis (2-3, 4.67), Colorado Rockies
The Franchise only lasted three innings last Wednesday against a San Diego club that many consider to be offensively challenged. The Friars lit Francis up for a career-high eight earned runs on seven hits. He walked three hitters and failed to strike out a single Padre.
"Nobody likes to give up eight runs," said Francis. "I've had days like this before and this obviously ranks up there. I missed on a lot of pitches. I was falling behind so many batters."
Francis has yielded no less than three earned runs in each of his last three starts. The lefty made six June appearances for Colorado and went 1-2 with 22 runs allowed over a span of 35.1 innings. The over has cashed in three of Francis’ last four starts.
Returning
Erik Bedard (0-0, 0.00), Seattle Mariners
The M’s are hoping to see some returns on that hefty contract they signed Bedard to a few years back. The left-hander is coming off surgery of a torn labrum and hasn’t pitched in the majors since July 25 of last year.
"I talked to (Triple-A manager) Darren Brown and he said [Bedard] was fine," manager Don Wakamatsu said. "His changeup command was so-so and his velocity was 88 to 93, but the biggest thing for us is that he felt good after."
Bedard will no doubt be on a tight pitch count in his first game back. In his only minor league start, Bedard allowed three hits and one earned run over 4.1 innings.
Felix Doubront (1-0, 5.40) Boston Red Sox
Doubront earned a win in his major league debut on June 18 against the Dodgers but feels he is more prepared for the second start of his career.
"I feel more confident, more relaxed this time," said Doubront, who surrendered three earned runs in 5.0 innings during the win over Los Angeles. "I know how it works now."
Before being called up, the 22-year-old Venezuelan had a 6-1 record and 2.11 ERA between Double- and Triple-A ball this season. Doubront is taking the rotation spot of Clay Buchholz who was placed on the 15-day DL Monday. The lefty could be a candidate for the bullpen once Buchholz returns.
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This Day in Baseball
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On July 6 in Baseball History...
1919 - William Veeck, former sportswriter, replaces Fred Mitchell as Cubs president, but Mitchell remains manager for Chicago.
1932 - Cubs shortstop Billy Jurges is shot twice in his Chicago hotel room by a spurned girlfriend, Violet Popovich Valli. In a scuffle for the gun, Jurges is hit in the shoulder and hand. Jurges fails to prosecute, and Valli will be signed to a 22-week contract to sing in local nightclubs.
1933 - The first major-league All-Star Game is played at Comiskey Park, and Babe Ruth is the star. His two-run home run is the margin of victory in the American League's 4-2 win. John McGraw comes out of retirement to manage the National League.
1942 - First-inning home runs by Lou Boudreau and Rudy York off Mort Cooper lead the A.L. to a 3-1 triumph over the N.L. in the All-Star Game at the Polo Grounds. Mickey Owen's pinch home-run is the N.L.'s only score. He does not hit a single home run during the regular schedule.
1956 - Ford Frick inaugurates the Cy Young Award, to honor one outstanding pitcher each year. The Baseball Writers Association will do the voting. Only one pitcher will be honored each year until 1967, when a pitcher in each league will be selected.
1980 - Steve Carlton (14-4) becomes the all-time lefthanded strikeout king, fanning seven Cardinals in an 8-3 Phillies win to bring his major-league career total to 2,836. Mickey Lolich had held the record with 2,832.
1983 - In the 50th anniversary All-Star Game at Chicago's Comiskey Park, the A.L. routs the N.L. 13-3 for its first win since 1971. The A.L. breaks the game open with seven runs in the fourth inning, highlighted by Fred Lynn grand slam - the first ever in All-Star competition. It is Lynn's fourth All-Star homer, tying him with Ted Williams for the A.L. record.
1986 - Bob Horner becomes the 11th player to hit four home runs in a game, but it isn't enough as the Braves fall to the Expos 11-8. Horner is the first to hit four home runs in a losing cause.
1989 - Despite having retired May 29, Mike Schmidt is elected to start at third base for the N.L. in the All-Star Game. A's outfielder Jose Canseco, who has not played all season because of a wrist injury, is picked to start for the A.L.. Neither will play in the game.
