Washington and Arizona combined for five runs in the final two innings to blow away the UNDER and hand me the loss last night. It hasn’t been my best week, but I plan on salvaging it with a nice weekend finish to the regular season.
Speaking of finishing the season strong, a lot of blame will go to Ron Washington for the late-season collapse and it will quite possibly cost him his job with the Texas Rangers, but it’s not JUST that the Rangers hit the skids. In fact, they’ve won five games in a row and not gained a single game on the wildcard position, because of the ridiculous hot close of the Indians. Last night the Tribe won it’s eighth game in a row and ninth in ten tries. They still hold a slim one-game lead with two games to play, but the way they are rolling, I’d be cautious betting against them.
Most of today’s action is in the afternoon, so make sure you plan your plays accordingly.
Colorado Rockies +210 at Los Angeles Dodgers -220 (Total: 7)
Juan Nicasio (8-9, 5.32 ERA) vs. Zack Greinke (15-3, 2.67 ERA)
It’s kind of funny, as all the attention has gone to Clayton Kershaw, somewhat “quietly” Zack Greinke has amassed a pretty Cy-worthy season. His 15-3 record gives him the best winning percentage among NL Pitchers with at least 12 wins, and his 2.67 ERA and WHIP of 1.13 are stellar, and in his last ten starts he has not given up more than 2 runs a single time! He has been absolutely lights out, which is why, despite some recent struggles by the Dodgers, they have to be considered the favorite in the National League.
Meanwhile, Juan Nicasio has been getting shelled. His last three outings have lasted a combined 10 innings and he has complied an ERA of 14.40. That’s not exactly good news for a team facing one of the hottest pitchers in baseball. I like the Dodgers to jump all over him at home and absolutely cruise tonight.
The mismatch seems almost unfair tonight, and is appropriately reflected in the -220 line tonight. I’d usually like Greinke and the UNDER, but I’m not sure that the Dodgers won’t cover the OVER by themselves.
My official play is the Dodgers on the runline -1.5. It’s really difficult to see them losing tonight’s game, and it’s really difficult to even see it being real competitive. It should be a fun night to be in Dodger blue. Expect some runs and some dominant pitching in Greinke’s final tune-up before his return to the postseason.
Free Pick: Los Angeles Dodgers -1.5 (-105)