7/27/14 July Record: 28-25 (52.83%)
Nationals @ Reds <o
></o>
Recommendation: Nationals -108<o></o>
TheReds picked up their first win since the All-Star break on Saturday, winning1-0 behind Johnny Cueto. Today will be a different story, as Mat Latos takesthe mound for the slumping Reds. Latos is 0-1 with a 5.25 ERA in his last 2starts. He gave up 5 runs while losing to the Brewers his last time out. Healso has a 5.59 FIP against the Nat’s current roster, indicating he’s notlikely to have much more success today. <o></o>
Despitegoing 1-7 in their last 8, Cincinnati remains an overvalued commodity in themarketplace. This offense is ice cold, and I can’t emphasize enough how muchthe losses of Joey Votto and Brandon Phillips impact this team in a negativeway. Even with the victory today, the Reds have scored 3 runs or less in everygame since the break. The bullpen ranks 25[SUP]th[/SUP] in the league, so Latoscan’t expect any help after he exits. <o></o>
DougFister should have no trouble working through this injury depleted lineup as he’sbeen great no matter who he’s faced. Fister has gone 4-0 with a 2.67 ERA in hislast 5 starts. His command has been great and he’s working the corners of theplate. After Fister exits the Nat’s need not worry as they possess one of thebest bullpens in the majors. This line is an absolute gift so let’s takeadvantage of it today. Take the Nationals. <o></o>
Diamondbacks @ Phillies<o></o>
Recommendation: Diamondbacks +100<o></o>
We havetwo teams playing for exercise today as the D’Backs toe the rubber in Philadelphia.This may be the last home game for a few Phillies players, as they’re expectedto unload with the trade deadline approaching. The idea of being traded is ahuge distraction for players so winning this particular game is not likely tobe at the forefront of their minds. This squad of veterans doesn’t appear to betrying hard anyways, as many are not accustomed to losing. There is just nosense of urgency to win in Philly right now. <o></o>
TheDiamondbacks are also a team that may be looking to make some moves. The differencewith this team is that they have a handful of prospects that are excited to beplaying. Vidal Nuno is strictly a back of the rotation type starter. He pitchedwell in his debut before losing form his last few starts. It’s not Nuno that we’rebacking in this game, but rather the “spot.” It’s clearly one that favors the D’Backsas it should be a somber mood in the Phillies clubhouse. <o></o>
Wenever really know what we’re going to get out of Roberto Hernandez. This guycan be awful at times and pitch quite well others. When his sinker ball isworking, things tend to go well for Hernandez. When his command is off, thingscan get ugly in a hurry. Ryan Howard may also be on the bench due to the factthat Nuno is a lefty. Howard has no chance of hitting lefties these days, andquite frankly, isn’t doing the best job of hitting righties either. I’ll sidewith the team that will do what it takes to get the victory in this one. Takethe Diamondbacks. <o></o>
Mets @ Brewers<o></o>
Recommendation: Mets +133<o></o>
Theseteams on paper are headed in opposite directions. We have the Brewers, lookingto pick up another starter and expand their lead in the NL Central. Then wehave the Mets, who are strictly planning for the future. The future looksbright for young prospect Jacob Degrom. <o></o>
Degromhas won 3 straight starts behind a stellar 0.86 ERA. He’s been striking outbatters left and right and put on another clinic against the Mariners last timeout, allowing only 1 run with 7 K’s. Degrom’s “bread and butter” is his powersinker, which he uses to induce a lot of ground balls. It comes in hard anddrops off late which makes it very tough to get under for hitters. He also hasvery good command, so we don’t have to worry about him giving up many freepasses. <o></o>
He’ll be opposed by fellow rookieJimmy Nelson, who will be making his 3[SUP]rd[/SUP] start since being called upfrom AAA Nashville. Speaking of command, Nelson hit 3 batters his last time outagainst the Reds! The funny part is that start was actually better than hisfirst one, where he allowed 8 runs in just over 4 innings against theCardinals. This guy looks completely out of his element right now.<o></o>
We’ll need some help from New York’s offense, but this “spot”definitely favors the underdog Mets. <o></o>
Nationals @ Reds <o
></o>Recommendation: Nationals -108<o
></o>TheReds picked up their first win since the All-Star break on Saturday, winning1-0 behind Johnny Cueto. Today will be a different story, as Mat Latos takesthe mound for the slumping Reds. Latos is 0-1 with a 5.25 ERA in his last 2starts. He gave up 5 runs while losing to the Brewers his last time out. Healso has a 5.59 FIP against the Nat’s current roster, indicating he’s notlikely to have much more success today. <o
></o>Despitegoing 1-7 in their last 8, Cincinnati remains an overvalued commodity in themarketplace. This offense is ice cold, and I can’t emphasize enough how muchthe losses of Joey Votto and Brandon Phillips impact this team in a negativeway. Even with the victory today, the Reds have scored 3 runs or less in everygame since the break. The bullpen ranks 25[SUP]th[/SUP] in the league, so Latoscan’t expect any help after he exits. <o
></o>DougFister should have no trouble working through this injury depleted lineup as he’sbeen great no matter who he’s faced. Fister has gone 4-0 with a 2.67 ERA in hislast 5 starts. His command has been great and he’s working the corners of theplate. After Fister exits the Nat’s need not worry as they possess one of thebest bullpens in the majors. This line is an absolute gift so let’s takeadvantage of it today. Take the Nationals. <o
></o>Diamondbacks @ Phillies<o
></o>Recommendation: Diamondbacks +100<o
></o>We havetwo teams playing for exercise today as the D’Backs toe the rubber in Philadelphia.This may be the last home game for a few Phillies players, as they’re expectedto unload with the trade deadline approaching. The idea of being traded is ahuge distraction for players so winning this particular game is not likely tobe at the forefront of their minds. This squad of veterans doesn’t appear to betrying hard anyways, as many are not accustomed to losing. There is just nosense of urgency to win in Philly right now. <o
></o>TheDiamondbacks are also a team that may be looking to make some moves. The differencewith this team is that they have a handful of prospects that are excited to beplaying. Vidal Nuno is strictly a back of the rotation type starter. He pitchedwell in his debut before losing form his last few starts. It’s not Nuno that we’rebacking in this game, but rather the “spot.” It’s clearly one that favors the D’Backsas it should be a somber mood in the Phillies clubhouse. <o
></o>Wenever really know what we’re going to get out of Roberto Hernandez. This guycan be awful at times and pitch quite well others. When his sinker ball isworking, things tend to go well for Hernandez. When his command is off, thingscan get ugly in a hurry. Ryan Howard may also be on the bench due to the factthat Nuno is a lefty. Howard has no chance of hitting lefties these days, andquite frankly, isn’t doing the best job of hitting righties either. I’ll sidewith the team that will do what it takes to get the victory in this one. Takethe Diamondbacks. <o
></o>Mets @ Brewers<o
></o>Recommendation: Mets +133<o
></o>Theseteams on paper are headed in opposite directions. We have the Brewers, lookingto pick up another starter and expand their lead in the NL Central. Then wehave the Mets, who are strictly planning for the future. The future looksbright for young prospect Jacob Degrom. <o
></o>Degromhas won 3 straight starts behind a stellar 0.86 ERA. He’s been striking outbatters left and right and put on another clinic against the Mariners last timeout, allowing only 1 run with 7 K’s. Degrom’s “bread and butter” is his powersinker, which he uses to induce a lot of ground balls. It comes in hard anddrops off late which makes it very tough to get under for hitters. He also hasvery good command, so we don’t have to worry about him giving up many freepasses. <o
></o>He’ll be opposed by fellow rookieJimmy Nelson, who will be making his 3[SUP]rd[/SUP] start since being called upfrom AAA Nashville. Speaking of command, Nelson hit 3 batters his last time outagainst the Reds! The funny part is that start was actually better than hisfirst one, where he allowed 8 runs in just over 4 innings against theCardinals. This guy looks completely out of his element right now.<o
></o>We’ll need some help from New York’s offense, but this “spot”definitely favors the underdog Mets. <o
></o>
