Thursday Night MLB Series Wrap-ups
Often referred to as getaway day in baseball, Thursday’s normally offer an array of afternoon and evening encounters in the big leagues.
2008-07-10
Often referred to as getaway day in baseball, Thursday’s normally offer an array of afternoon and evening encounters in the big leagues. Today we’ll focus our attention on night-time action as the team’s wrap-up series before getting ready for the next opponent.
L.A. Angels at Texas
Angels manager Mike Scioscia is known for keeping his demeanor on an even keel, however no former player, manager or whoever sleeps very well after seeing team lose with two outs in the bottom of the ninth on a walk-off home run. The gut-wrenching loss is made all the worse knowing Francisco Rodriguez, who leads the league in saves, served it up to Josh Hamilton, who is having dream season from remarkable recovery. The losses the last two nights by the Halos have to sting a little more since in both cases, they were held in check to lose by first major league starters for Texas.
Los Angeles will turn to their best starter John Lackey (6-2, 1.93, 0.924 WHIP) to even this four game series. Lackey has been spectacular after starting the year on the DL and is 26-9 against the money line after a loss over the last two seasons. (Halos Record) After slow start that had many wondering about manager Ron Washington continued employment in Texas, the Rangers have become formidable foe, even with patchwork pitching staff. Texas has taken advantage of the Angels lack of hitting and is 20-11 vs. an AL team with an on base percentage .320 or worse this season.
Sportsbook.com has the Rangers as +135 home underdogs, with total ay U9.5. The Angels might be 28-13 after two or more consecutive losses, yet it is not wise to give up on Texas who can hit and is 34-22 (+17.1 Units) in home games off an upset win over a division rival as a home underdog.
Arizona at Washington
This is an important contest for the Arizona Diamondbacks, now tied for first place in the NL West. With the D-Backs and the Dodgers owning the same record and having 71 games left in the regular season, Arizona would not enjoy the thought of losing the division by a game or two, knowing they lost two series to the Washington Nationals. Dan Haren (8-5, 2.83, 0.977 WHIP) will try to place the Snakes in position to win this road series and square up season series with the Nats. Arizona’s failures are traced to lack of offense scoring more than four runs three times in last 19 games. No wonder the D-Backs are 3-10 in road games after three or more consecutive Unders this season.
The posted total is Un7.5, which makes a lot of sense. Haren has a baseball best 1.50 ERA since June 1 and despite Washington’s Jason Bergmann sporting a 1-6 record, he has a 1.73 ERA in last four starts. Take into consideration Arizona is 12-3 UNDER in road games after scoring four runs or less three straight games in 2008 and the Nationals are 24-10 UNDER vs. a starting pitcher whose throws more than 6.5 innings per start.
Chicago at Kansas City
Kansas City is finding out two things playing the White Sox this week, they never quit and the Royals bullpen stinks like…manure (close one). Chicago battled back from five runs down for a 7-6 win over Kansas City on Wednesday, one day after rallying from an early three-run hole for an 8-7, 13-inning victory. All-Star left fielder Carlos Quentin hit a pair of two-run homers Wednesday, then scored the go-ahead run on an eighth-inning balk to lead the White Sox to their 11th win in 13 contests. Mark Buehrle (6-7, 3.91, 1.346 WHIP) will take the ball for the Pale Hose, who look to continue dominance of Kansas City, seeking 6-0 start versus AL Central foe.
Zack Grienke (7-5, 3.62, 1.274 WHIP) takes the pill for the Royals at Kauffman Stadium where he is 3-0, with 2.57 ERA. K.C. has won five of his six starts at home, nevertheless is up against terrible trend that has them at 2-15 against the money line vs. teams outscoring opponents by 0.5 or more runs a game on the season. Though this contest is listed as a “Pick” at press time, it doesn’t feel like it, with Buehrle and the White Sox having won 12 of their last 14 contests against the Royals.
Latest News
