7/31/14<o
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Nationals vs. Phillies <o></o>
Recommendation: Nationals -150<o></o>
The Nationals are coming off a 4-3 victory Wednesday and nowreturn home to take on the Phillies. The Nat’s have had great success at homeagainst Philly, winning 12 of their last 14 meetings there. Gio Gonzalez haspitched much better than his record indicates, as he’s received virtually norun support. He has a 1.66 ERA in his last 6 starts and pitched a gem againstthe Reds last time out, giving up only 1 ER. Gonzalez also has a very goodstrikeout to walk ratio against the current Phillies roster with 31 K’s to just13 walks. He has a FIP of 2.80 against that same group, so he shouldn’t haveany problem continuing his dominance tonight. <o></o>
The Phillies have a ton a distractions right now with thetrade deadline here. With players changing uniforms it will definitely be hardto focus on the game. The “eye test” suggests that these guys are not playinghard right now. We have a veteran laden lineup who’s not accustomed to beingthis bad, and they just flat own aren’t showing the desire to win. Ryan Howardhas tailed off tremendously, and it will be hard to move him due to how muchmoney he’s still owed on his contract. <o></o>
It looks like Cliff Lee came back a bit too soon from hiselbow injury, as he’s been very poor in his 2 starts since coming off the DL.He’s lacking arm strength and command, something the Nationals bats will beable to take advantage of. The Nat’s score 4.2 rpg which ranks near the top inthe NL. They also have a solid bullpen that is near the top in most statisticalcategories. Look for the Nationals to finally provide Gonzalez with some runsupport in this one. Take the Nationals. <o></o>
></o>Nationals vs. Phillies <o
></o>Recommendation: Nationals -150<o
></o>The Nationals are coming off a 4-3 victory Wednesday and nowreturn home to take on the Phillies. The Nat’s have had great success at homeagainst Philly, winning 12 of their last 14 meetings there. Gio Gonzalez haspitched much better than his record indicates, as he’s received virtually norun support. He has a 1.66 ERA in his last 6 starts and pitched a gem againstthe Reds last time out, giving up only 1 ER. Gonzalez also has a very goodstrikeout to walk ratio against the current Phillies roster with 31 K’s to just13 walks. He has a FIP of 2.80 against that same group, so he shouldn’t haveany problem continuing his dominance tonight. <o
></o>The Phillies have a ton a distractions right now with thetrade deadline here. With players changing uniforms it will definitely be hardto focus on the game. The “eye test” suggests that these guys are not playinghard right now. We have a veteran laden lineup who’s not accustomed to beingthis bad, and they just flat own aren’t showing the desire to win. Ryan Howardhas tailed off tremendously, and it will be hard to move him due to how muchmoney he’s still owed on his contract. <o
></o>It looks like Cliff Lee came back a bit too soon from hiselbow injury, as he’s been very poor in his 2 starts since coming off the DL.He’s lacking arm strength and command, something the Nationals bats will beable to take advantage of. The Nat’s score 4.2 rpg which ranks near the top inthe NL. They also have a solid bullpen that is near the top in most statisticalcategories. Look for the Nationals to finally provide Gonzalez with some runsupport in this one. Take the Nationals. <o
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