Thursday's Tip Sheet

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Thursday's Tip Sheet


As the All-Star Break fades away and the second half begins, there are plenty of betting options on Thursday night. Despite the American League card having only two games, the National League has six games on its card, giving the gaming public opportunities to win before the weekend. Several division matchups highlight the slate, including a pair of showdowns inside the NL East.

Phillies at Marlins (7:10 PM EST)

The World Champion Phillies have caught fire at the right time, winning nine of ten on their most recent homestand. Philadelphia heads south to Florida to battle a Marlins team that plays four home games before hitting the road for a pair of series at Los Angeles and San Diego. The Fish just returned from the West Coast, splitting six games with the Giants and Diamondbacks.

The one pitcher the Marlins do not want to see is southpaw Jamie Moyer. The Phillies ageless lefty has owned Florida over the years, as Philadelphia is 12-2 in Moyer's last 14 starts against the Marlins. Luckily for Florida, one of those victories came earlier this season in Philadelphia, a 5-3 win started by Chris Volstad.

The tall Marlins righty gets the ball tonight, trying to capitalize on his first career complete game his last time out at San Francisco. Volstad has struggled at home this season, with Florida going 3-6 in his nine starts at Landshark Stadium. The 'over' has been a profitable play for Volstad at home, hitting seven of nine times. Volstad has delivered two quality starts against the Phillies this season, splitting the two outings.

The Phillies are 4-2 against the Marlins this season, as the road team has won five of the six meetings. LVSC has opened the Fish as $1.25 favorites, with the total set at 9.

Mets at Braves (7:10 PM EST)

Two sub-.500 division rivals meet up at Turner Field, as both teams are hanging around the Wild Card race. The Mets and Braves are both banged up offensively, sending out two veteran pitchers off wins in their last start.


Derek Lowe rebounded from a rough start at Washington to beat Colorado on the road, 4-1. Following a 7-3 team record in Lowe's first ten starts as a Brave, Atlanta is just 3-6 in the right-hander's last nine outings. The Braves are 5-4 in Lowe's nine home favorite starts, but four of those victories have come by just one run.

Oliver Perez makes his second start after a lengthy DL stint. The Mets lefty is coming off a five-inning effort in a home victory over the Dodgers. Perez was anything but spectacular, walking seven and striking out only two, but managed the win. The Mets have taken three of Perez's last four starts against the Braves, dating back to 2007.

Jerry Manuel's club is 3-2 in the season series this year, while the Mets are 2-0 at Turner Field. The Braves are a substantial $1.65 home favorite, with the total listed at 8 ?, according to LVSC.

Angels at Athletics (10:05 PM EST)

The AL West division race was led by the upstart Texas Rangers for the duration of the first half, until the Angels pulled off a series sweep of the Yankees to take over the reigns of the division. The A's, meanwhile, are coming off a 3-3 finish on their road trip at Boston and Tampa Bay after dropping two of three at Cleveland.

These two teams meet up for the first time in over two months, as Ervin Santana looks to regain his form from last season. Santana, who won 16 games in 2008, is just 1-5 in eight starts this season, owning an ERA of 7.81. If there's one time to actually back Santana, it's against Oakland. The Angels righty has won eight of his last ten starts against the A's, with every start being a quality outing.

Dallas Braden remains one of the more underrated pitchers in baseball. The A's southpaw is 7-7, but owns an ERA of 3.12. Braden is coming off a pair of wins over solid opponents, the Tigers and Rays. The Angels have beaten Braden twice this season, despite both starts being quality appearances.

The Angels have been solid recently in series openers, winning 10 of their past 11. The A's, meanwhile, have hit the 'under' in 12 of their past 14 against right-handed starters. The Halos are 3-2 in the season series, while four games have been won by the road team.

LVSC has opened up Oakland as a $1.40 favorite, while the total is listed at 8 ?.

Astros at Dodgers (10:10 PM EST)

Los Angeles returns home following a nine-game road trip, in which Joe Torre's club went 6-3. The Dodgers come back to Chavez Ravine for a ten-game homestand, which begins with the feisty Astros.

Houston sits right at .500 in the NL Central, 3 ? games behind St. Louis to start the second half. The Astros will send out lefty Wandy Rodriguez, who is having a career season. Rodriguez, despite an 8-6 record, ranks 8th in the NL in ERA (2.96), and 9th in the NL in strikeouts (106). Rodriguez has always been known as a great play at home and a bad play on the road, but that has changed this season. The Astros have won five of Rodriguez's nine away starts, while he owns a respectable road ERA of 3.83.

Randy Wolf, the king of the no-decision, goes for his fifth win of the season. The Dodgers lefty, who spent the last half of 2008 with the Astros, has yet to officially pick up a home victory this season. Thanks to plenty of late wins by the Dodgers, L.A. is 7-2 in Wolf's nine home starts, but the southpaw has one home decision to his name, an early June loss to the Phillies.

The Astros took two of three from the Dodgers earlier this season at Minute Maid Park, but the lone defeat went to Rodriguez, who was outdueled by Chad Billingsley, 2-0. The Dodgers are a $1.40 home 'chalk,' with the total listed at 7 ?, according to LVSC.

 

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Mannywood: Ramirez set for L.A. return

Mannywood: Ramirez set for L.A. return

Mannywood: Ramirez set for L.A. return



LOS ANGELES (AP) -Mannywood is back. So is its tenant.




Manny Ramirez returns to Dodger Stadium on Thursday to play his first game there since being suspended, with fans expecting to embrace the slugger like they would any superstar.

Just don't expect the Dodgers to throw a party.

Besides reopening Mannywood - a section of seats in left field named in honor of the team's left fielder - the team isn't planning anything special for Ramirez, who was suspended 50 games for violating baseball's drug policy.

Ramirez made his return to the lineup on July 3 in San Diego, and now returns home as the Dodgers open a 10-game homestand against the Houston Astros on Thursday.

``We're keeping the focus on the team of which Manny is an integral part,'' said Charles Steinberg, the team's executive vice president.

``We welcome him back with open arms, but we aren't glorifying his return. The magic of the return is the embrace from the fans that will see him again.''

Fans flocked to San Diego to watch Ramirez, donning dreadlock wigs modeled after his signature hair style. And throughout his suspension, some in Los Angeles still wore Manny's No. 99 jersey and T-shirts that read ``Free Manny.''

Mike De Land, a graduate student at UCLA, has no problem welcoming Ramirez back.

``I support Manny 100 percent. I would buy tickets in Mannywood,'' De Land said.

``In some way, LA sports teams have been teams with superstars on them and they come with drama and that's just become part of the LA sports land. I knew he brought some drama with him, but he was one of the most exciting hitters in the American League and that proved to be true here. I think it would be fun to sit in the Manny section.''

So what about his suspension?

``Manny is a human being like every other baseball player and there's probably a culture beneath the surface that we don't know about. I guess it didn't totally surprise me that he participated in something like that, but I was by no means ready to drop him. I feel like there's more that we don't know about with other players, too, that hasn't been reported,'' De Land said.

In nine games since his return, Ramirez is batting .379 with 11 hits and three home runs. The Dodgers didn't flail without their 12-time All Star, with Juan Pierre proving to be a key fill-in during Ramirez' time away.

Los Angeles went 29-21 in his absence, taking a seven-game lead in the NL West ahead of the San Francisco Giants.

``It was very tough having been on the sidelines for a long time, but the guys did a great job, they're professional players, they know how to play the game and I think everybody expected the team to be in first place and that's where we are right now,'' Ramirez said. ``Juan did a great job, he also deserved to be an All-Star. He did a great job in the time that I was gone and I'm just happy he's on my team.''

Dodgers manager Joe Torre was surprised with the first-half results.

``I think record wise, I'm probably surprised we are where we are, but when you watch the way these guys have played day in and day out, at times they look flat and then about the sixth inning, something happens and they're in there,'' Torre said.

``Teams have come back on us a number of times and we respond real well to that. Just the personality of this club has really been a positive for us.''

Steinberg said there were a significant number of requests to bring Mannywood back. For $99, fans get Mannywood T-shirts and two tickets to sit in field level seats that are located on the fair side of the foul pole and closest to Ramirez' playing position.

``The gists of calls and e-mails were certainly supportive of reopening it,'' Steinberg said, stressing that the team wasn't willing to single out Ramirez any time in the near future besides a Manny bobblehead night on July 22 that had already been planned.

On Thursday, the first 20,000 fans who walk through the gates will get a collection poster of the ``comeback kids,'' which celebrates the team's nine first-half walkoff wins.

 

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Bullpen Banter

Bullpen Banter

Bullpen Banter


Thriving ? New York Yankees

The Yankees loaded up on numerous big names over the off-season spending hundreds of millions of dollars in the process. Starters C.C. Sabathia and A.J. Burnett were expected to give New York the top starting staff in all of baseball. However, the one concern most fans and experts had was the bullpen. As a whole, the Yankee relievers didn?t look up to par compared to their A.L. East brethren, Boston and Tampa Bay. That being said, this group of relievers was on an up tick entering the All Star break putting up very solid numbers.

The Yanks were swept in LA entering the break and all facets of their pitching staff blew up, in a bad way that is, during that series. That includes the bullpen. However, in the nine games leading up to that series vs. the Angels, the relievers were as solid as they had been all season long. In that nine game span, the bullpen did not allow more than one earned run in any game and featured an ERA of just 1.42.

A glance at New York?s ERA numbers out of the bullpen and you won?t have much to write home about. They are 22nd in the league with an ERA of 4.19. However, that number was much higher over the first few months of the season and has been dropping as of late. A closer look at the overall reliever numbers actually shows me that this bullpen has the potential to be very good just as they were leading into the break. They have the second lowest batting average against at just .228. The only team that tops the Yankees in that category is the L.A. Dodgers. They are third in the Majors in bullpen strikeouts at 258. They have successfully saved 25 of their 33 attempts this year. Closer Mariano Rivera remains elite with 23 saves in 24 attempts.

Actually getting to Rivera with a lead looks as if it is also an improving situation. After failing as a starter, Phil Hughes has reinvented himself as a solid set up man. His ERA is 3.91 including five holds. Phil Coke and Jonathan Albaladejo lack overall great numbers but they have been pitching much better as of late. There are rumblings in New York that current starter Joba Chamberlain may move to a relief role which will really bolster their bullpen.

Not only that, New York?s starting situation is bound to improve which will really help the bullpen. C.C. Sabathia is a ?second half? of the season pitcher so look for him to improve on his 3.86 ERA. A.J. Burnett really kicked it in gear over his last five starts (1.35 ERA) so look for that to continue. Chien Ming Wang can?t be any worse than he has been and fill in starter Alfredo Aceves has a chance to be really good. Finally, the Yankees are always looking to add players so picking up another solid starter soon would simply strengthen the bullpen by moving another arm to relief.

While I?m not about to compare this bullpen with arch-rival Boston?s, they have the potential to be pretty good. Their ERA numbers were coming down as we neared the All Star break and I look for that to continue.

Struggling ? New York Mets

While the Yankees bullpen was thought to be a liability but is now on the rise, their cross town counterpart is currently in the exact opposite situation. The Mets bullpen, with several high priced additions, was thought by most to be a big time strength. In truth, it has been just that for much of the season, however as of late, this group of relievers has not been reliable.

The Mets have had enough problems with injuries to their everyday line up, they did not need to see their bullpen falter. Again, unfortunately for them, that has been the case as of late. In the last 10 games leading into the break, the New York relievers have allowed 15 earned runs. They are 7th overall in bullpen ERA at 3.69, however they were in the top three until recent weeks so the numbers have been slipping. Their bullpen record has been quite poor in comparison to their ERA numbers. The Met relievers already have 16 losses on the year compared to only 9 wins. While K-Rod has been a very good acquisition with 23 saves in 26 attempts, the rest of the relievers have a combined two saves while blowing nine.

Speaking of Francisco Rodriguez, even he has not been pitching up to his lofty standards in recent appearances. Despite his 1.90 ERA on the season, he has actually allowed at least one earned run in four of his last six appearances. Another key bullpen acquisition, JJ Putz is on the disabled list and will most likely remain there for at least a few more weeks. New York?s top reliever in appearances is lefty Pedro Feliciano and he has been very good. However, Bobby Parnell (4.37 ERA, 1.77 WHIP) and Sean William Green (5.54 ERA, 1.44 WHIP) are second and third respectively in appearances and their numbers leave a lot to be desired.

The bullpen struggles recently have not been stand alone in nature. Let?s face it, the Mets? starters have contributed to the problem. Santana has been very good but his numbers aren?t even up to what they?ve been in the past. Other than Santana, Michael Pelfrey has been inconsistent at best, Livan Hernandez eats up innings but has an ERA north of 5.00, John Maine is hurt and Tim Redding and Oliver Perez have been disasters. Fernando Nieve has been a pleasant surprise, however he hasn?t been able to make up for the other problems in the starting rotation.

A team hitting .270 as the Mets are, should not be sitting three games below .500 at the break. That is unless their pitching isn?t coming through. It seems as if at least once every series, a Met starter gets shelled and they have to waste a good portion of the bullpen because of that. If that doesn?t change in the second half of the season, an already over worked relief corps could slip even further.

 

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Cain, Lincecum, Johnson fuel each other

Cain, Lincecum, Johnson fuel each other

Cain, Lincecum, Johnson fuel each other



SAN FRANCISCO (AP) -Matt Cain and Tim Lincecum are engaged in a friendly competition when it comes to their success with the San Francisco Giants.




``I've got to stay ahead of him,'' Cain said with a smile. ``He finds ways to do it. I've got to tell him to slow down so I can catch up to him in innings.''

These two, both 10-2 heading into the second half, are a big reason surprising San Francisco holds the NL wild-card lead with the second-best record behind the rival Los Angeles Dodgers in the NL West.

They are at the top of a talented pitching rotation. Injured left-hander Randy Johnson won his 300th game last month, then Jonathan Sanchez threw an improbable no-hitter last Friday night against San Diego.

Both Cain and Lincecum - with 2.38 and 2.33 ERAs, respectively - were supposed to be All-Stars together this week. But Cain injured his elbow during his start Saturday and was replaced on the NL roster. Still, it marked the first time since Hall of Famers Juan Marichal and Gaylord Perry in 1966 that two Giants' starters have been named to the Midsummer Classic.

The shaggy-haired Lincecum, the reigning NL Cy Young Award winner who started for the NL on Tuesday night in St. Louis, jams through the clubhouse to the blaring music he chooses on the sound system. He moves to the beat in his clubhouse chair before a start or chomps an ice cream bar for fuel. He doesn't ice his arm afterward.

Cain, on the other hand, typically stays to himself on the other side of the room. They'd have to shout to communicate from such a distance. Their pitching is taking care of itself.

The health of these pitchers will be a big factor in the second half as the Giants try to make a playoff push following a five-year drought and four straight losing seasons.

Cain's bruised elbow wasn't considered serious, but it's unclear how long it will take for the 45-year-old Johnson to return from a strained throwing shoulder.

``The break's always a challenging time for a coach,'' pitching coach Dave Righetti said. ``You never know what you're going to get when they come back.''

Sanchez, for one, appears to be back on track after pitching the majors' first no-hitter of 2009, seemingly poised to turn things around after a rough first half. He'll certainly be more attractive to other teams leading up to the trading deadline, too.

``Wow, I can't believe he did that,'' Righetti said. ``With Cain coming up with a lot of fanfare and Timmy doing what he did, there's some pressure. There's a burden you carry when you have some talent.''

Even Johnson has been as happy as can be this season - at least before the injury landed him on the disabled list last week.

It's not just because he recently became the 24th and newest member of the 300 club. Or because he's back home in the Bay Area.

Johnson is loving watching these young pitchers do well, feeding off that.

``He's been so good for them, and I'm sure it works the other way, too,'' manager Bruce Bochy said. ``He's got so much pride. He didn't come here just to win 300. He's pitching well. It's incredible at his age what he's doing.''

The Big Unit's move from the Arizona Diamondbacks to the Giants not far from his hometown of Livermore has been the right one so far for many reasons.

Those back problems are no longer ailing him the way they did during recent years. The pressure of playing in pinstripes is long gone, too. And San Francisco is in the hunt, the reason he came here in the first place - to help turn this franchise back into a winner.

``I'm enjoying this year as much as any year I've ever enjoyed,'' he said before getting hurt on July 5.

While he's not ready to talk seriously of the postseason, Johnson sees the Giants doing a lot of things right.

Padres manager Bud Black isn't surprised they're in the thick of it.

``I think you could see it from the pitching side start to come together last year with a guy winning the Cy Young and Cain,'' Black said. ``He was a victim of low run support for a number of years. Service time and experience is a big teacher. ... They put together a pitching staff that's poised to do a lot of good things.''

If San Francisco keeps this up, it very well could be the contender new owner Bill Neukom thought the team would be. And the job security of general manager Brian Sabean and Bochy might not be in question anymore.

The Giants haven't reached the playoffs since 2003.

A pennant race would be perfect for Johnson, who hasn't said what his post-2009 plans will be.

``That's why I came here,'' Johnson said. ``Some of these young kids are going to find out what it's all about. This team hasn't finished .500 in five years.

Everybody can see how the pitchers feed off each other, and Barry Zito also will be looking to establish some consistency after the break.

``I think regardless of age, awards or past, these guys need to drive each other,'' infielder Rich Aurilia said. ``Randy's 45, but he's as competitive as there is. We're only going to see more of that.''

 

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Totals Report

Totals Report

Totals Report

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TOTALS REPORT
Team Total Home Away Streak
Arizona Diamondbacks 44 - 40 31 - 18 13 - 22 Over-1
Atlanta Braves 36 - 49 17 - 23 19 - 26 Over-1
Baltimore Orioles 43 - 41 19 - 26 24 - 15 Under-4
Boston Red Sox 36 - 44 16 - 25 20 - 19 Under-1
Chicago Cubs 36 - 47 21 - 24 15 - 23 Under-1
Chicago White Sox 37 - 51 14 - 31 23 - 20 Over-4
Cincinnati Reds 36 - 48 19 - 19 17 - 29 Over-1
Cleveland Indians 47 - 40 19 - 24 28 - 16 Over-1
Colorado Rockies 41 - 44 22 - 18 19 - 26 Over-1
Detroit Tigers 34 - 51 18 - 21 16 - 30 Over-1
Florida Marlins 44 - 40 26 - 17 18 - 23 Over-1
Houston Astros 36 - 47 17 - 27 19 - 20 Under-1
Kansas City Royals 37 - 46 23 - 20 14 - 26 Under-1
Los Angeles Angels 46 - 35 24 - 18 22 - 17 Over-3
Los Angeles Dodgers 44 - 40 18 - 21 26 - 19 Over-1
Milwaukee Brewers 43 - 42 19 - 25 24 - 17 Over-1
Minnesota Twins 38 - 46 28 - 18 10 - 28 Over-4
New York Mets 39 - 44 20 - 24 19 - 20 Over-1
New York Yankees 45 - 38 23 - 16 22 - 22 Over-4
Oakland Athletics 38 - 48 17 - 23 21 - 25 Over-2
Philadelphia Phillies 39 - 42 17 - 26 22 - 16 Under-1
Pittsburgh Pirates 37 - 48 14 - 24 23 - 24 Under-1
San Diego Padres 43 - 42 19 - 21 24 - 21 Over-1
San Francisco Giants 40 - 42 22 - 20 18 - 22 Over-1
Seattle Mariners 35 - 52 17 - 25 18 - 27 Under-2
St. Louis Cardinals 39 - 46 17 - 25 22 - 21 Under-1
Tampa Bay Rays 41 - 45 23 - 20 18 - 25 Over-2
Texas Rangers 33 - 52 16 - 27 17 - 25 Under-2
Toronto Blue Jays 43 - 45 20 - 21 23 - 24 Under-4
Washington Nationals 40 - 43 19 - 22 21 - 21 Under-1


Updated Thu Jul 16 9:00 AM EDT

 

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Umpire Report

Umpire Report

Umpire Report

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MLB UMPIRE REPORT
UMPIRE AVG RUNS GAMES UNDER OVER K/GAME BB/GAME K/BB
ADRIAN JOHNSON 8.89 19 7 9 12.4 7.5 1.7
ALFONSO MARQUEZ 10.00 2 1 1 14.5 7.5 1.9
ANDY FLETCHER 7.21 19 14 3 14.5 7.9 1.8
ANGEL CAMPOS 8.86 14 8 6 15.8 5.9 2.7
ANGEL HERNANDEZ 9.15 20 10 9 13.0 7.3 1.8
BILL HOHN 8.53 17 9 7 13.3 6.1 2.2
BILL MILLER 8.79 19 12 6 15.7 5.9 2.7
BILL WELKE 10.32 19 9 9 14.5 5.9 2.5
BOB DAVIDSON 8.76 17 8 8 14.1 7.1 2.0
BRIAN GORMAN 7.42 19 12 4 14.2 6.5 2.2
BRIAN KNIGHT 8.68 19 11 7 13.8 7.1 2.0
BRIAN O'NORA 7.42 19 11 7 14.0 6.0 2.3
BRIAN RUNGE 8.22 18 12 4 13.5 5.9 2.3
BRUCE DRECKMAN 9.75 16 6 8 12.0 7.6 1.6
BUCKNOR 9.84 19 8 11 13.4 7.5 1.8
CASEY MOSER 4.00 2 2 0 12.5 4.0 3.1
CHAD FAIRCHILD 9.06 18 10 8 14.2 6.4 2.2
CHARLIE RELIFORD 7.56 18 12 6 13.7 5.1 2.7
CHRIS GUCCIONE 8.47 19 10 8 14.7 7.1 2.1
CHRIS TILLER 6.00 2 2 0 11.0 7.0 1.6
CHUCK MERIWETHER 9.94 18 9 9 13.6 6.9 2.0
DALE SCOTT 9.89 19 7 11 13.6 5.9 2.3
DAMIEN BEAL 9.50 2 1 1 14.5 5.0 2.9
DAN BELLINO 4.67 3 3 0 16.7 3.3 5.0
DAN IASSOGNA 10.39 18 8 10 12.6 6.9 1.8
DANA DEMUTH 9.94 17 8 8 13.5 6.8 2.0
DELFIN COLON 7.33 3 2 0 12.0 4.7 2.6
DERRYL COUSINS 8.22 18 10 7 12.6 7.7 1.6
DOUG EDDINGS 9.39 18 8 10 14.7 6.2 2.4
ED HICKOX 14.33 3 2 1 10.7 10.0 1.1
ED MONTAGUE 11.80 5 1 4 14.4 6.8 2.1
ED RAPUANO 9.05 19 8 9 13.7 7.5 1.8
ERIC COOPER 10.71 21 7 14 14.4 6.7 2.1
FIELDIN CULBRETH 8.28 18 11 6 13.7 7.3 1.9
GARY CEDERSTROM 9.79 14 8 6 13.6 6.3 2.2
GARY DARLING 8.29 14 8 6 13.2 6.0 2.2
GERRY DAVIS 10.26 19 8 8 13.0 7.7 1.7
GREG GIBSON 10.58 12 5 7 10.9 6.7 1.6
HUNTER WENDELSTEDT 9.42 19 9 10 13.9 7.3 1.9
JAMES HOYE 9.23 22 14 7 12.0 7.3 1.7
JEFF KELLOGG 7.95 19 12 7 13.3 8.3 1.6
JEFF NELSON 10.59 17 6 10 13.2 7.1 1.9
JERRY CRAWFORD 11.57 14 6 7 14.9 9.1 1.6
JERRY LAYNE 8.29 17 9 7 14.4 6.8 2.1
JERRY MEALS 9.68 19 7 11 14.5 7.2 2.0
JIM JOYCE 8.58 19 12 7 13.8 8.6 1.6
JIM REYNOLDS 8.77 13 5 8 14.2 7.0 2.0
JIM WOLF 10.00 18 7 10 13.1 6.9 1.9
JOE WEST 9.32 19 9 9 13.7 7.7 1.8
JOHN HIRSCHBECK 8.50 20 14 6 13.9 6.6 2.1
KERWIN DANLEY 8.50 4 2 2 13.5 6.5 2.1
KEVIN CAUSEY 3.00 1 1 0 12.0 5.0 2.4
LANCE BARKSDALE 9.72 18 7 10 11.9 7.7 1.6
LARRY VANOVER 8.50 18 9 8 12.5 6.7 1.9
LAZ DIAZ 10.22 18 6 11 13.4 6.1 2.2
MARK CARLSON 9.06 16 9 7 13.8 7.3 1.9
MARK WEGNER 10.00 18 9 9 13.4 6.7 2.0
MARTY FOSTER 9.11 18 9 8 13.4 7.0 1.9
MARVIN HUDSON 8.05 20 10 10 15.5 7.2 2.2
MIKE DIMURO 9.17 18 9 9 14.7 6.6 2.2
MIKE ESTABROOK 8.25 8 4 4 13.0 5.1 2.5
MIKE EVERITT 10.42 19 8 11 12.8 7.4 1.7
MIKE MUCHLINSKI 8.00 2 1 0 14.5 8.5 1.7
MIKE REILLY 9.42 19 9 10 15.4 7.9 1.9
MIKE WINTERS 10.56 16 7 9 12.6 7.0 1.8
PAUL EMMEL 9.00 16 9 6 12.8 6.6 1.9
PAUL NAUERT 9.28 18 9 9 14.8 6.4 2.3
PAUL SCHRIEBER 9.72 18 7 7 14.6 8.4 1.7
PHIL CUZZI 9.45 20 11 8 14.9 7.2 2.1
RANDY MARSH 10.47 19 6 12 11.9 8.4 1.4
REYBURN 6.33 3 2 1 10.7 2.3 4.6
ROB DRAKE 9.42 19 9 10 14.5 6.1 2.4
RON KULPA 8.60 10 7 3 14.2 6.5 2.2
SAM HOLBROOK 8.29 17 10 7 14.2 7.1 2.0
SCOTT BARRY 7.95 20 14 6 12.3 7.0 1.8
TED BARRETT 8.58 19 12 6 12.8 6.6 1.9
TIM MCCLELLAND 12.05 20 4 12 13.4 8.3 1.6
TIM TIMMONS 11.00 19 7 10 14.1 7.5 1.9
TIM TSCHIDA 10.53 19 8 10 13.7 8.3 1.7
TIM WELKE 10.47 19 9 10 13.6 7.3 1.9
TODD TICHENOR 9.06 17 10 7 13.5 7.5 1.8
TOM HALLION 8.40 20 9 10 13.0 6.5 2.0
TONY RANDAZZO 8.55 20 11 8 12.4 5.3 2.4
WALLY BELL 9.10 20 11 8 13.8 7.3 1.9



Updated Tue Jul 14 6:00 AM EDT

 

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Thursday's streaking and slumping starters

Thursday's streaking and slumping starters

Thursday's streaking and slumping starters

Streaking

Dallas Braden (Oakland Athletics)

Braden (7-7, 3.12 ERA) has delivered a quality start in nine of 10 games since May 16. During that span, he has allowed no more than three earned runs in a game and lasted at least six innings in all but one start. He also yielded two or fewer runs in eight straight starts.

In two starts this month, Braden has given up just three runs in 13 innings. Braden?s most recent start was a 7-2 win over the Rays in which he allowed only two runs on five hits in six innings. He missed time earlier this month to be with his ailing grandmother.

"These guys are absolutely throwing the snot out of the ball and you just want to go out there and do your job," Braden said of the team?s pitching staff to the Associated Press. "As a whole we want to put together a nice body of work and I think we're kind of on the right track to doing so."

Homer Bailey (Cincinnati Reds)

A month ago, Bailey would have thought his chances of solidifying a spot in the Reds rotation to be a long shot. But after turning in three straight strong starts, the 23-year-old has muscled himself back into the team?s plans.

Bailey (1-0, 5.16 ERA) has allowed just seven runs in his past 18 1-3 innings, including no more than three in each of his previous three starts since being recalled from Triple-A Louisville on June 27. In Bailey?s most recent start, a 3-2 loss at Philadelphia, the right-hander allowed two runs in six innings. He struke out six and didn't hand out any free passes in the outing as well.

The improved control has been the key for Bailey. He has 11 strikeouts against just two walks in his past two starts after issuing seven base on balls in a game earlier this year.

Slumping

Ervin Santana (Los Angeles Angels)

Santana probably should have stayed on the DL.

The right-hander has been hammered in his past two outings, allowing 11 runs in just nine innings. In his most recent start, an 8-1 loss to Texas, Santana (1-5, 7.81 ERA) allowed five runs on seven hits in four innings. The Rangers took advantage of Santana's location problems by tagging him with three long balls.

"It's simple pitching,? Angels manager Mike Scioscia told reporters. ?It's getting ahead and putting guys away and tonight he struggled with that. Pitchers are going to go through stages like that, but they still find ways to win. That's what Ervin is searching for."

Rich Harden (Chicago Cubs)

The right-hander has been consistent for Chicago this season. However, that was before July.

Harden (5-6, 5.47 ERA) was roughed up in each of his previous two games ? an 11-2 loss to Milwaukee and an 8-3 loss to St. Louis. The Brewers lit him up for seven runs on eight hits in only two innings, the shortest outing of his career. Against the Cardinals, Harden gave up four runs on seven hits and walked four in just five innings.

When asked to describe his recent performance, Harden had only two words: ?Batting practice.?

 

[Lumi]

Hot lines: Thursday's best MLB bets

Hot lines: Thursday's best MLB bets

Hot lines: Thursday's best MLB bets

New York Mets at Atlanta Braves (-175, 9)



The Atlanta Braves probably used the three-day All-Star break to recover from the painful 8-7 loss they suffered at Colorado on July 12. The Braves were leading 7-3 going into the seventh inning when the bullpen collapsed and allowed five runs in the last three frames.



Right-handed reliever Luis Valdez, who was appearing in his first Major League game, gave up an RBI double to Brad Hawpe in the ninth inning allowing the Rockies to take an 8-7 lead and win the game.



A win would have allowed the Braves to make it to the .500 mark for the first time since June 12.



Although Atlanta does not hold a stellar record, it has managed to keep games low scoring. The under is 7-2 in the Braves? last nine games and 7-3 in their last 10 at home.



The Mets have also been a solid under bet. They have failed to surpass the total in six of their last nine games.



Pick: Under



Chicago Cubs at Washington Nationals (+100, 8.5)



The Washington Nationals? disappointing first half of the season and MLB worst 26-61 record prompted manager Manny Acta?s firing on Monday.



?We feel that with a different voice and possibly a different feel in the ballclub, we can have a more successful second half of the season,? acting general manager Mike Rizzo told reporters.



?We think we have pieces in place here to have some type of success. We also acknowledge our flaws as a ballclub, and we're working hard before the trade deadline to address the flaws and make prudent baseball deals to address the flaws.?



The flaws that new manager Jim Riggleman adopts are numerous. The bullpen is a mess, the starting rotation is young and untested, and the club's defence is among the worst in the majors.



Riggleman will need more than a few days to correct the problems.



Pick: Cubs