7/11/14<o
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Nationals @ Phillies <o></o>
Recommendation: Nationals -133<o></o>
TheNationals now lead the NL East by the slimmest of margins, but they are a muchbetter team than they’ve been showing thus far. With all the talent on thatroster, it’s mindboggling that they aren’t producing more runs. Bryce Harperneeds to pick it up with the stick, but there’s plenty of underachievers to goaround. I have to think that they will step on the gas pedal at some point,because this squad has the potential to make a real push come playoff time. <o></o>
Pitchinghas not been a concern for Washington, and Jordan Zimmermann will look to keephis phenomenal run going. Zimmermann has a 1.26 ERA in his last 7 starts. He’salso had great recent success against the Phillies. The All-Star has gottenvirtually no run support, and as a result his win total is way below where itrealistically should be. <o></o>
ThePhillies are coming off a sweep of the Brewers, who are not playing goodbaseball right now. Philadelphia continues to con its fans into thinking thatit can make a push in the division. What they really ought to be doing isunloading some talent like Chase Utley before the trade deadline. It will setthem back at least a year if they fail to do so. Keep in mind that Philly hadlost 9 of 10 before this sweep of the Brew Crew. The Phillies are also one ofthe worst home teams in baseball. <o></o>
A.J.Burnett has pitched well this season. But the Phillies have lost his last 3starts and he got absolutely lit up the last time he pitched against Washingtonin early June. With a FIP north of 4 against the Nationals roster, I expectWashington to roll here. Take the Nationals. <o></o>
Mets vs. Marlins <o></o>
Recommendation: UNDER 7<o></o>
HendersonAlvarez heads to Citi Field to take on the Mets tonight with a bit of a chip onhis shoulder. That’s because he was snubbed for his first All-Star selection.This guy has been as dominant as anyone in the game recently. The Marlins havewon each of the last 10 times this guy has taken the hill. In his last 9starts, Alvarez has a 1.04 ERA! Numbers just don’t get much better than that.Alvarez has an overpowering fastball that he uses as his primary pitch and thenwill throw in a filthy changeup that tails off at the last minute and baffleshitters. <o></o>
Not tobe outdone, Zach Wheeler will take the ball opposite Alvarez. This young,dominant, pitcher out of the Giant’s organization has all the makings of anace. His stuff is incredible, but his one problem has been his command. Heneeds to keep the walks to a minimum. Wheeler has a 0.96 ERA in his 4 careerstarts against the Marlins including 3 hitting them on June 19[SUP]th[/SUP]. <o></o>
Afterputting together a decent string of victories, the Mets dropped the seriesfinale against the Braves while only putting up 1 run last night. The Marlins,on the other hand, went 1 for 21 with RISP in their series against the D’Backs.With these two dominant pitchers on the hill runs will be hard to come by thisevening. Take the Under. <o></o>
Tigers @ Royals <o></o>
Recommendation: Tigers -113<o></o>
TheTigers are putting up football numbers these days. They’ll look to continuethat offensive surge tonight after putting up 16 runs against the Royals lastnight. Detroit has scored 34 runs in just their last 3 games, all victories.They’re jumping out to a commanding lead in the division heading into the All-Starbreak behind a ton of red hot bats. There’s simply no way to play against thisteam right now with the current form that they’re in. <o></o>
It canbe argued that Anibal Sanchez has actually been Detroit’s most productivepitcher this season. He gets overshadowed by some of the bigger names ahead ofhim in the rotation but this guy is a very solid starter. He’s struggled in hislast 3 starts, which is why we see the line where it’s currently at. Sanchez’sbiggest problem has been finishing off hitters. He works them into pitcherscounts and then makes costly mistakes. This problem has been brought to his attentionand he should be much more effective tonight. Sanchez also has great numbersagainst the Royals, where he has a 1.04 career ERA while never giving up morethan 1 run in an appearance. <o></o>
The Royals are trending in the oppositedirection, losing 4 of their last 6. Danny Duffy got lit up in his last outingby Cleveland, giving up 10 hits and 4 runs. He had been alright prior to that,but familiarity will come into play here as he doesn’t have anything that theTigers haven’t seen before. There’s also rumblings about some possible turmoilgoing on inside the Kansas City locker room. Whether that’s the case or not,look for the Tigers to remain hot and take care of business tonight. Take theTigers. <o></o>
></o>Nationals @ Phillies <o
></o>Recommendation: Nationals -133<o
></o>TheNationals now lead the NL East by the slimmest of margins, but they are a muchbetter team than they’ve been showing thus far. With all the talent on thatroster, it’s mindboggling that they aren’t producing more runs. Bryce Harperneeds to pick it up with the stick, but there’s plenty of underachievers to goaround. I have to think that they will step on the gas pedal at some point,because this squad has the potential to make a real push come playoff time. <o
></o>Pitchinghas not been a concern for Washington, and Jordan Zimmermann will look to keephis phenomenal run going. Zimmermann has a 1.26 ERA in his last 7 starts. He’salso had great recent success against the Phillies. The All-Star has gottenvirtually no run support, and as a result his win total is way below where itrealistically should be. <o
></o>ThePhillies are coming off a sweep of the Brewers, who are not playing goodbaseball right now. Philadelphia continues to con its fans into thinking thatit can make a push in the division. What they really ought to be doing isunloading some talent like Chase Utley before the trade deadline. It will setthem back at least a year if they fail to do so. Keep in mind that Philly hadlost 9 of 10 before this sweep of the Brew Crew. The Phillies are also one ofthe worst home teams in baseball. <o
></o>A.J.Burnett has pitched well this season. But the Phillies have lost his last 3starts and he got absolutely lit up the last time he pitched against Washingtonin early June. With a FIP north of 4 against the Nationals roster, I expectWashington to roll here. Take the Nationals. <o
></o>Mets vs. Marlins <o
></o>Recommendation: UNDER 7<o
></o>HendersonAlvarez heads to Citi Field to take on the Mets tonight with a bit of a chip onhis shoulder. That’s because he was snubbed for his first All-Star selection.This guy has been as dominant as anyone in the game recently. The Marlins havewon each of the last 10 times this guy has taken the hill. In his last 9starts, Alvarez has a 1.04 ERA! Numbers just don’t get much better than that.Alvarez has an overpowering fastball that he uses as his primary pitch and thenwill throw in a filthy changeup that tails off at the last minute and baffleshitters. <o
></o>Not tobe outdone, Zach Wheeler will take the ball opposite Alvarez. This young,dominant, pitcher out of the Giant’s organization has all the makings of anace. His stuff is incredible, but his one problem has been his command. Heneeds to keep the walks to a minimum. Wheeler has a 0.96 ERA in his 4 careerstarts against the Marlins including 3 hitting them on June 19[SUP]th[/SUP]. <o
></o>Afterputting together a decent string of victories, the Mets dropped the seriesfinale against the Braves while only putting up 1 run last night. The Marlins,on the other hand, went 1 for 21 with RISP in their series against the D’Backs.With these two dominant pitchers on the hill runs will be hard to come by thisevening. Take the Under. <o
></o>Tigers @ Royals <o
></o>Recommendation: Tigers -113<o
></o>TheTigers are putting up football numbers these days. They’ll look to continuethat offensive surge tonight after putting up 16 runs against the Royals lastnight. Detroit has scored 34 runs in just their last 3 games, all victories.They’re jumping out to a commanding lead in the division heading into the All-Starbreak behind a ton of red hot bats. There’s simply no way to play against thisteam right now with the current form that they’re in. <o
></o>It canbe argued that Anibal Sanchez has actually been Detroit’s most productivepitcher this season. He gets overshadowed by some of the bigger names ahead ofhim in the rotation but this guy is a very solid starter. He’s struggled in hislast 3 starts, which is why we see the line where it’s currently at. Sanchez’sbiggest problem has been finishing off hitters. He works them into pitcherscounts and then makes costly mistakes. This problem has been brought to his attentionand he should be much more effective tonight. Sanchez also has great numbersagainst the Royals, where he has a 1.04 career ERA while never giving up morethan 1 run in an appearance. <o
></o>The Royals are trending in the oppositedirection, losing 4 of their last 6. Danny Duffy got lit up in his last outingby Cleveland, giving up 10 hits and 4 runs. He had been alright prior to that,but familiarity will come into play here as he doesn’t have anything that theTigers haven’t seen before. There’s also rumblings about some possible turmoilgoing on inside the Kansas City locker room. Whether that’s the case or not,look for the Tigers to remain hot and take care of business tonight. Take theTigers. <o
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