Streaking and Slumping Pitchers
Streaking
CC Sabathia (16-7, 3.48 ERA), New York Yankees
CC Sabathia is showing Yankees fans why he was worth the millions of dollars New York paid to get him. The Yanks are 9-1 in the big lefty’s last 10 starts, including last week’s 10-2 'W' over the Orioles.
“I’ve been saying it for a long time, I’ll take a World Series trophy over a Cy Young any day,” Sabathia told Newday after allowing one run and striking out nine against the Orioles. “That’s my goal, to win a World Series.”
If you think the price is too steep to back the Yanks Monday, consider the runline. The Bronx Bombers have covered the number in seven straight Sabathia starts.
Brian Moehler (8-10, 5.11), Houston Astros
Value hunters pay attention to this journeyman righty. The 37-year-old big league vet has strung together three consecutive impressive starts for the Astros. Although he came up on the losing end of Tuesday’s 4-1 setback to the Cubs, Moehler gave his club a good chance for the win.
“I thought [Moehler] deserved a better fate,” Houston manager Cecil Cooper told the club’s web site. “I thought he threw the ball well, hit his spots well and moved the ball around. He did a good job.”
The Astros are still 2-1 in Moehler’s last three appearances. The under is 4-0 in his last four trips to the mound.
Slumping
Josh Beckett (14-5, 3.87), Boston Red Sox
We took some slack for not including Beckett in the slumping section in his last start and the criticism was validated soon afterwards.
The former World Series MVP went six innings and struck out nine without issuing a walk, but the long ball was the big story again. Beckett was tagged for four earned runs along with two solo bombs.
It marked the fifth straight start that the righty allowed multiple homers. Opposing batters have taken Beckett out of the park 14 times over his last 26 1-3 innings pitched.
“He’s not hurt. He’s not throwing 79 mph,” Red Sox manager Terry Francona told reporters a little over a week ago. “He’s had a couple of outings that aren’t up to his standards.”
Betting against the Sox with Beckett on the bump is still risky (Boston is 3-2 in his last five starts). If you’re looking for a more reliable bet, as far as trends are concerned, take a peek at the total. The over is 5-0 in Beckett’s last five outings.
Scott Richmond (6-8, 4.61), Toronto Blue Jays
If you are looking for a possible parlay pitcher, the young righthander may fit the bill.
In his last six starts, Richmond is 0-4 with a 6.81 ERA. He has 18 walks in that span, inflating his WHIP to 1.85.
And in his last five outings, the total has gone over, with a minimum of 10 runs scored in each game.
Dave Bush (3-6, 6.47), Milwaukee Brewers
The righthander is listed as questionable with a triceps injury. Questionable is also a good word to describe his recent performances.
Bush was sidelined nearly two months with arm woes before returning late last month. He has lost both his starts, allowing 13 runs, 15 hits and five walks in eight innings. That's a staggering 2 1-2 baserunners per inning.
Going back to before his injury, Bush is winless in his last seven starts, lasting more than five innings just once.
This is his second straight start against the Cardinals, who tattooed him for 11 hits and eight runs in 3 1-3 innings last time.
