Sunday 4-2, + 4.9 units Post May 20th: 70-56, + 30.9 units
Although I'm noticing that some teams seem to thrive on the road..Seattle, KC, Milwaukee, Oakland, and others (and there are good reasons for this- lack of distractions from being near family, fans, the media… maybe teams bond better on the road), I'm going with the Brewers coming home after a very successful road trip. In fact, Milwaukee has held up well this year with very few long slumps/ losing streaks, and I think this team might finally be turning the corner. They have 35 extra base hits in just the past week. That's pretty impressive.
Milwaukee ML -121. 2 units. I also think the Nats are a very good home team, with great pitching and a weak offensive attack. They have been able to win because their BP and starters have been so good. But they have hit just .225 in the past week, and for the year are at .235 vs. RHP. Zimmerman has lost his power, Span the leadoff guy doesn't walk much, and they don't have anything to spark the team at the bottom third of the lineup. Garza has pitched well at home, and really seems to love playing baseball for the Brewers this year. He hasn't had a bad start since April and keeps the ball in the ballpark at Miller Field. His ground ball pct. has been climbing.
Gio Gonzalez has not been dominant since 2012. He is coming off of shoulder inflammation, his control and command is not quite there, and right now is the weak link in the Nats starting pitching. He has also pitched well at home over the years, and less so on the road. Mostly though, I like how the Brewers have been able to sustain 2-5 run rallies consistently. When they have a good inning it is not usually scratching a run over with a Sac. Fly or infield single. Their BP has also been much improved after years of being a train wreck. The optimism is helping them win, and making Rickie Weeks a part time player helps too.
Although I'm noticing that some teams seem to thrive on the road..Seattle, KC, Milwaukee, Oakland, and others (and there are good reasons for this- lack of distractions from being near family, fans, the media… maybe teams bond better on the road), I'm going with the Brewers coming home after a very successful road trip. In fact, Milwaukee has held up well this year with very few long slumps/ losing streaks, and I think this team might finally be turning the corner. They have 35 extra base hits in just the past week. That's pretty impressive.
Milwaukee ML -121. 2 units. I also think the Nats are a very good home team, with great pitching and a weak offensive attack. They have been able to win because their BP and starters have been so good. But they have hit just .225 in the past week, and for the year are at .235 vs. RHP. Zimmerman has lost his power, Span the leadoff guy doesn't walk much, and they don't have anything to spark the team at the bottom third of the lineup. Garza has pitched well at home, and really seems to love playing baseball for the Brewers this year. He hasn't had a bad start since April and keeps the ball in the ballpark at Miller Field. His ground ball pct. has been climbing.
Gio Gonzalez has not been dominant since 2012. He is coming off of shoulder inflammation, his control and command is not quite there, and right now is the weak link in the Nats starting pitching. He has also pitched well at home over the years, and less so on the road. Mostly though, I like how the Brewers have been able to sustain 2-5 run rallies consistently. When they have a good inning it is not usually scratching a run over with a Sac. Fly or infield single. Their BP has also been much improved after years of being a train wreck. The optimism is helping them win, and making Rickie Weeks a part time player helps too.
