Chris Jordan
Friday's Trifecta ...
600♦ RANGERS RUN LINE (As long as Millwood is your Texas pitcher at the time of bet, you're fine) - Texas finished up in a thriller in Arizona last night while the Padres were in the Emerald City. And since the Rangers found their offense in the desert, and we’re dealing with one of the worst teams in the league – both offensively and defensively – I’m going to lay the run line in this one in Arlington and expect the Rangers to blow things out for us.
We’re going up against Walter Silva, who wasn't exactly sharp in his last start last Saturday against the A's - his first start since enduring a forearm strain in April. Silva, who rehabbed at Triple-A Portland, allowed three runs in 5-1/3 innings on five hits while walking two against a bleak lineup like Oakland’s. Now we’re talking about one of the most potentially lethal lineups in the league.
Remember, Texas led the majors with 901 runs last season, and thought this year’s team ranks 15th in the league it has a better record this season. And the fact it is scoring nearly a full run less per game, I think we’re going to see a nice little run by this team right up to the All-Star Break.
Warming up against the Diamondbacks was perfect for this weekend set with the Padres, who have lost 17 of 24.
And once we have the lead in this one, we’ll have Kevin Millwood stifling the worst hitting team in the league. The Padres’ batting average is .236 will be up against a right-hander who is 3-1 with a 0.94 ERA in his last four starts. Millwood is 5-1 with a 2.08 ERA in eight starts at Rangers Ballpark in Arlington.
And in the event he gets into trouble, he’s shown a knack for working out of jams, as opponents are hitting a bleak .188 against him with runners in scoring position, including .111 with two outs. The veteran hurler is also 5-1 with a 2.95 ERA against the Padres in 13 career starts and has a 29-12 mark with a 3.01 ERA in 56 games (55 starts) in his career against National League West teams.
We pick our spots boys, and tonight is the right time for a 600♦ Blowout Winner. Take the Rangers on the run line as they drill the visiting Padres with no problem whatsoever.
100♦ ANGELS RUN LINE (LIST Weaver and Buckner) - In doing radio last Sunday, I mentioned how surprised I was at watching Jered Weaver become emotionally detached in the dugout after unraveling against the Dodgers. Facing his older brother, Jeff, for the first time, the younger Weaver had his worst outing of the season, giving up more than four runs for the first time in 14 starts. Lasting just 5-1/3 innings, Weaver surrendered six earned runs on 10 hits and three walks. To put it in perspective, he had given up six earned runs at home in his previous 53-2/3 innings this season. Weaver, who is facing Arizona for the first time, will be pissed off for this one, and I wouldn’t be surprised to see Arizona get shut out.
100♦ DODGERS RUN LINE (LIST Kershaw) - I think we’ve seen Clayton Kershaw find a nice rhythm in his last two starts, in which he has thrown 12-2/3 consecutive scoreless innings, including seven shutout innings against the Angels last Sunday. He remained poised in overcoming a bases-loaded, no-out jam and four walks, while he's been showing that potential dominance managers hope to see in 21-year-olds. It’s not normal, but this kid has it. The best way to describe him is the same way Angels center fielder Torii Hunter portrayed him: "effectively wild." Seattle won’t stand a chance in this one, as the Dodgers will rip the M’s at Chavez Ravine, while Kershaw will hold serve for us.
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