Orioles @ Blue Jays
Play: Blue Jays -136
Comment:
Pros:
This match consists of two good pitchers off to a rough start. In my opinion, this game provides a better opportunity for Chacin to return to form. After facing several difficult lineups this year, Chacin now gets the opportunity to face the worst hitting lineup against left handers this year. Much like last year, the Orioles have struggled immensely this year against left handed pitching. They come into today’s game hitting .167 against them, and have only managed 9 runs against them. Chacin has always pitched this Orioles team well in his career, including last year. He comes into today’s game with an ERA well under 3 against this lineup. So far this year, Tejada is the only Orioles hitter hitting left handed pitching well. However, he still has yet to figure out Chacin, as he has only managed 3 hits in 15 at bats against him in his career. Mora remains hitless in 12 tries against him. In the past, Chacin lacked run support when facing the Orioles. However, this year, the Blue Jays lineup is much improved, and should supply him the adequate run support this time around. He is also backed by an improved bullpen that got the day off yesterday, including a lefty closer that should handle this lineup rather easily.
Heading into the weekend, the Orioles lineup was one of the hottest in the league. But they finally came back to earth, only managing one run in each of their last two games.
Lopez is also off to a slow start. But unlike Chacin, Lopez is owned by his opponent today, lacks the quality bats to provide him run support, and lacks a decent bullpen to back him up once he leaves the game. No other team has hit Lopez better in his career than the Blue Jays. He comes into today’s game with an era well over 7 against the Blue Jays, which includes a couple of bad outings last year. Lopez is a much better pitcher at home, and has never faired well when pitching in Rogers Centre. It’s hard to assume he will now start pitching the Blue Jays better, as they are now a much more dangerous lineup than the ones he faced in years past. Lopez is also backed by a poor bullpen that also should be overmatched by this lineup. There are several hitters in today’s lineup that have faired well against both Lopez and a couple of Orioles bullpen pitchers.
Cons:
Chacin has yet to resemble the impressive pitcher he was last year. His walk total is up, and he is coming off two starts where he allowed a couple of home runs. Until he shows he could pitch to his ability, betting on him may be a bit of a risk. The Blue Jays lineup has been helped out a lot by the two new additions, Glauss and Molina. However, both have struggled against Lopez in their career. Lopez has been known to bounce back rather well from consecutive poor outings, know matter the lineup he faces. Even though he has some horrid career totals against the Blue Jays, there isn’t one player in today’s lineup that has owned him. The Orioles have played well on the road this year, and have faced a difficult schedule so far. They have proven they could compete with the better teams in the American League.
Conclusion:
In my opinion, there is good value on the home favorite today. The Blue Jays remain one of the more under priced teams in baseball year to date, while the public is putting to much stock into how well the Orioles have played in the last week. I will gladly bet on one of the premier young left handers against this Orioles lineup. At this price, I am getting the overall better team, the home team, the better lineup, the better pitcher and better bullpen. What a bargain.
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Play: Blue Jays -136
Comment:
Pros:
This match consists of two good pitchers off to a rough start. In my opinion, this game provides a better opportunity for Chacin to return to form. After facing several difficult lineups this year, Chacin now gets the opportunity to face the worst hitting lineup against left handers this year. Much like last year, the Orioles have struggled immensely this year against left handed pitching. They come into today’s game hitting .167 against them, and have only managed 9 runs against them. Chacin has always pitched this Orioles team well in his career, including last year. He comes into today’s game with an ERA well under 3 against this lineup. So far this year, Tejada is the only Orioles hitter hitting left handed pitching well. However, he still has yet to figure out Chacin, as he has only managed 3 hits in 15 at bats against him in his career. Mora remains hitless in 12 tries against him. In the past, Chacin lacked run support when facing the Orioles. However, this year, the Blue Jays lineup is much improved, and should supply him the adequate run support this time around. He is also backed by an improved bullpen that got the day off yesterday, including a lefty closer that should handle this lineup rather easily.
Heading into the weekend, the Orioles lineup was one of the hottest in the league. But they finally came back to earth, only managing one run in each of their last two games.
Lopez is also off to a slow start. But unlike Chacin, Lopez is owned by his opponent today, lacks the quality bats to provide him run support, and lacks a decent bullpen to back him up once he leaves the game. No other team has hit Lopez better in his career than the Blue Jays. He comes into today’s game with an era well over 7 against the Blue Jays, which includes a couple of bad outings last year. Lopez is a much better pitcher at home, and has never faired well when pitching in Rogers Centre. It’s hard to assume he will now start pitching the Blue Jays better, as they are now a much more dangerous lineup than the ones he faced in years past. Lopez is also backed by a poor bullpen that also should be overmatched by this lineup. There are several hitters in today’s lineup that have faired well against both Lopez and a couple of Orioles bullpen pitchers.
Cons:
Chacin has yet to resemble the impressive pitcher he was last year. His walk total is up, and he is coming off two starts where he allowed a couple of home runs. Until he shows he could pitch to his ability, betting on him may be a bit of a risk. The Blue Jays lineup has been helped out a lot by the two new additions, Glauss and Molina. However, both have struggled against Lopez in their career. Lopez has been known to bounce back rather well from consecutive poor outings, know matter the lineup he faces. Even though he has some horrid career totals against the Blue Jays, there isn’t one player in today’s lineup that has owned him. The Orioles have played well on the road this year, and have faced a difficult schedule so far. They have proven they could compete with the better teams in the American League.
Conclusion:
In my opinion, there is good value on the home favorite today. The Blue Jays remain one of the more under priced teams in baseball year to date, while the public is putting to much stock into how well the Orioles have played in the last week. I will gladly bet on one of the premier young left handers against this Orioles lineup. At this price, I am getting the overall better team, the home team, the better lineup, the better pitcher and better bullpen. What a bargain.
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