7/18/14 Monday's results: 2-0 July record: 16-13 (55.17%)
Marlins vs. Giants <o
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Recommendation: UNDER 7.5<o></o>
TheGiants head down to Florida after a much needed vacation. After being 9 ½ gamesahead of the Dodgers in the division, the Giants now find themselves a gamebehind. They’ll obviously need a strong second half and an immediateturnaround. San Fran’s 2[SUP]nd[/SUP] half schedule does favor themtremendously over the Dodgers, with most of their contests against LA beinghome games and finishing the season with the D’Backs and Padres. Nonetheless,this team is struggling mightily offensively right now. <o></o>
They’llbe up against Nathan Eovaldi, who went into the All-Star break in good formallowing just one ER in 7 innings against Arizona. The flamethrower has not hadgreat success against the Giants, but the current spot suggests he will containthis offense and use his 98 mph fastball to keep Buster Posey and the rest ofthese guys cold. <o></o>
TheMarlins are struggling almost as much as San Fran right now. They’ve lost 11 oftheir last 16 games and have only totaled 12 runs in the past 6 contests.Leader Giancarlo Stanton struggled going into the break and his participationin the home run derby likely won’t help his cause. The derby alters player’sswings which is why guys such as Mike Trout are advised to stay away from it. <o></o>
Bumgarnerhas not been as sharp on the mound lately as we’ve come to expect from him buthe still is far and away the best hurler the Giants have to offer. His minivacation and rest give us reason to believe that he will come out in solid formtonight. He also has a 2.87 FIP against the Marlins current roster. 7 ½ seems abit high here and we’ll look to play this one UNDER the total. <o></o>
Cardinals vs. Dodgers<o></o>
Recommendation: Cardinals -125<o></o>
DanHaren has been a “bet against” pitcher all season, and with the way he’sthrowing that’s not likely to change anytime soon. Haren is 0-2 with an 11.57ERA in his last 2 starts. The worst part is that he only lasted 4 innings lasttime out against the anemic Padres. The Dodgers have a solid ball club, cominginto the All Star break hot, but this is the one guy in the rotation who youshould look to “fade” nearly every time he takes the hill. <o></o>
TheCardinals will be looking for some revenge after not showing up in their seriesat Dodger Stadium earlier this year. St. Louis also comes into this game hot,winning 8 of their last 12 games. This team will likely overtake the Brewers inthe division and will have their minds set on getting off to a good start outof the break. <o></o>
Theunderrated Lance Lynn will be looking to win his 3[SUP]rd[/SUP] straight start.He’s only allowed 2 earned in over 13 innings in his last 2 starts. Lynn isgreat at missing bats with his fastball, with players swinging and missingnearly 23% of the time. It will also be interesting to see the mindset ofYasiel Puig, who was blanked in the home run derby before pulling a “hat trick”in the All Star game. He likely won’t be focused and the Cards should have notrouble pulling this one out in front of the home crowd. Take the Cardinals. <o></o>
Marlins vs. Giants <o
></o>Recommendation: UNDER 7.5<o
></o>TheGiants head down to Florida after a much needed vacation. After being 9 ½ gamesahead of the Dodgers in the division, the Giants now find themselves a gamebehind. They’ll obviously need a strong second half and an immediateturnaround. San Fran’s 2[SUP]nd[/SUP] half schedule does favor themtremendously over the Dodgers, with most of their contests against LA beinghome games and finishing the season with the D’Backs and Padres. Nonetheless,this team is struggling mightily offensively right now. <o
></o>They’llbe up against Nathan Eovaldi, who went into the All-Star break in good formallowing just one ER in 7 innings against Arizona. The flamethrower has not hadgreat success against the Giants, but the current spot suggests he will containthis offense and use his 98 mph fastball to keep Buster Posey and the rest ofthese guys cold. <o
></o>TheMarlins are struggling almost as much as San Fran right now. They’ve lost 11 oftheir last 16 games and have only totaled 12 runs in the past 6 contests.Leader Giancarlo Stanton struggled going into the break and his participationin the home run derby likely won’t help his cause. The derby alters player’sswings which is why guys such as Mike Trout are advised to stay away from it. <o
></o>Bumgarnerhas not been as sharp on the mound lately as we’ve come to expect from him buthe still is far and away the best hurler the Giants have to offer. His minivacation and rest give us reason to believe that he will come out in solid formtonight. He also has a 2.87 FIP against the Marlins current roster. 7 ½ seems abit high here and we’ll look to play this one UNDER the total. <o
></o>Cardinals vs. Dodgers<o
></o>Recommendation: Cardinals -125<o
></o>DanHaren has been a “bet against” pitcher all season, and with the way he’sthrowing that’s not likely to change anytime soon. Haren is 0-2 with an 11.57ERA in his last 2 starts. The worst part is that he only lasted 4 innings lasttime out against the anemic Padres. The Dodgers have a solid ball club, cominginto the All Star break hot, but this is the one guy in the rotation who youshould look to “fade” nearly every time he takes the hill. <o
></o>TheCardinals will be looking for some revenge after not showing up in their seriesat Dodger Stadium earlier this year. St. Louis also comes into this game hot,winning 8 of their last 12 games. This team will likely overtake the Brewers inthe division and will have their minds set on getting off to a good start outof the break. <o
></o>Theunderrated Lance Lynn will be looking to win his 3[SUP]rd[/SUP] straight start.He’s only allowed 2 earned in over 13 innings in his last 2 starts. Lynn isgreat at missing bats with his fastball, with players swinging and missingnearly 23% of the time. It will also be interesting to see the mindset ofYasiel Puig, who was blanked in the home run derby before pulling a “hat trick”in the All Star game. He likely won’t be focused and the Cards should have notrouble pulling this one out in front of the home crowd. Take the Cardinals. <o
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