Robert Ferringo
5-Unit Play
Atlanta (-1.5, +110) over Colorado (7 p.m., Saturday, Aug. 4)
Note: This is our Runline of the Week.
The Braves are further out of first place than at any point in the last few months. I see them bringing their A-game today behind Tim Hudson. They’ve won 13 of his 16 starts against the N.L. West and have won his last seven straights. Also, the Braves are 6-0 when he has an extra day of rest. Colorado won Game 1 behind Jeff Francis, but they are still 31-71 on the road against a team with a winning record and 4-10 as a road dog. Colorado does not play well in Atlanta, winning just three times in their last 13 trips to the ATL. And like I said, this is nearly a ‘must’ game for the Braves.
1-Unit Play
Detroit (-155) over Chicago White Sox (7 p.m., Saturday, Aug. 4)
You have to expect the Tigers to snap out of it at some point, especially with the Indians leaping past them last night into first place. Javy Vasquez is shaky, at best, and Chicago is 5-11 in his last 16 road starts, 3-9 with him as a dog, and 2-6 behind him against a team with a winning record. Detroit has one of its aces, Jeremy Bonderman, on the bump and are 12-3 in his last 15 outings and 7-0 behind him with an extra day of rest.