Thursday's service plays can be found in the college football section or by clicking this link>>>Service Plays Thursday 8/28/08
Ben Burns
Game: Los Angeles Dodgers at Washington Nationals
Prediction: Los Angeles Dodgers
The price on this play makes it too expensive to qualify as one of my guaranteed selections. That being said, the Dodgers desperately need a victory and this "all southpaw" matchup figures to be just what the doctor ordered. The first two games of the series featured only right-handed starters. The Nationals won both by one run. This should work out better for the visitors though. For starters, the Dodgers are hitting .273 against southpaws and averaging 4.9 runs. That's significantly better than the Nationals mark of 4.1 runs with a .256 average. While the Dodgers are 23-17 against left-handers on the season, the Nats are a dismal 17-31. Overall, the Nats are averaging a mere 3.5 runs per game in this park this season, hitting a mere .238. Kershaw struggled his last time out, at Philadelphia, but had previously been pitching very well. Conversely, Lannan has struggled at home all season long. In 10 home starts, he's gone 2-7 (Nats were 2-8) with a terrible 6.27 ERA and 1.587 WHIP. Lannan's lone start against the Dodgers came on 7/25. He was solid but still lost. Two days later, Kershaw made his lone start against the Nats. He was dominant, allowing just four hits through six shutout innings. He picked up the victory and the Dodgers won by a score of 2-0. Behind another big game from their young southpaw, the Dodgers should snap their skid here. Consider LA
Game: Los Angeles Dodgers at Washington Nationals
Prediction: Los Angeles Dodgers
The price on this play makes it too expensive to qualify as one of my guaranteed selections. That being said, the Dodgers desperately need a victory and this "all southpaw" matchup figures to be just what the doctor ordered. The first two games of the series featured only right-handed starters. The Nationals won both by one run. This should work out better for the visitors though. For starters, the Dodgers are hitting .273 against southpaws and averaging 4.9 runs. That's significantly better than the Nationals mark of 4.1 runs with a .256 average. While the Dodgers are 23-17 against left-handers on the season, the Nats are a dismal 17-31. Overall, the Nats are averaging a mere 3.5 runs per game in this park this season, hitting a mere .238. Kershaw struggled his last time out, at Philadelphia, but had previously been pitching very well. Conversely, Lannan has struggled at home all season long. In 10 home starts, he's gone 2-7 (Nats were 2-8) with a terrible 6.27 ERA and 1.587 WHIP. Lannan's lone start against the Dodgers came on 7/25. He was solid but still lost. Two days later, Kershaw made his lone start against the Nats. He was dominant, allowing just four hits through six shutout innings. He picked up the victory and the Dodgers won by a score of 2-0. Behind another big game from their young southpaw, the Dodgers should snap their skid here. Consider LA
Trapp
Craig Trapp
Cincinnati Reds vs. Houston Astros
Play: Cincinnati Reds
What value play. Take CIN here over HOU. With Cincinnati starter Aaron Harang (4-13, 5.35 ERA) having a subpar season, the Astros' lineup will have a good opportunity to build some momentum. One of Harang's worst starts of the season came against Houston on Aug. 10, when he allowed eight runs and nine hits in four innings as Cincinnati lost 13-4. Harang is 8-6 with a 4.49 ERA in 18 career starts versus the Astros. The veteran right-hander snapped a three-start losing streak in his last outing, though, giving up six hits in six shutout innings as Cincinnati beat Colorado 8-5 on Friday night. He had been 0-4 with a 10.74 ERA in his previous six starts. Think Harang is finally healthy and will have another great game. Houston will counter with Brandon Backe (8-12, 5.54 ERA), who won his last start, allowing three runs and five hits in seven innings as Houston beat the New York Mets 8-3 on Saturday night. Look for CIN to win a close one. SCORE CIN 5 - HOU 3
Craig Trapp
Cincinnati Reds vs. Houston Astros
Play: Cincinnati Reds
What value play. Take CIN here over HOU. With Cincinnati starter Aaron Harang (4-13, 5.35 ERA) having a subpar season, the Astros' lineup will have a good opportunity to build some momentum. One of Harang's worst starts of the season came against Houston on Aug. 10, when he allowed eight runs and nine hits in four innings as Cincinnati lost 13-4. Harang is 8-6 with a 4.49 ERA in 18 career starts versus the Astros. The veteran right-hander snapped a three-start losing streak in his last outing, though, giving up six hits in six shutout innings as Cincinnati beat Colorado 8-5 on Friday night. He had been 0-4 with a 10.74 ERA in his previous six starts. Think Harang is finally healthy and will have another great game. Houston will counter with Brandon Backe (8-12, 5.54 ERA), who won his last start, allowing three runs and five hits in seven innings as Houston beat the New York Mets 8-3 on Saturday night. Look for CIN to win a close one. SCORE CIN 5 - HOU 3
JIM FEIST
MARLINS / BRAVES UNDER
These teams are in the middle of the pack in the NL in offense, with the Braves ranked 10th in runs. Atlanta's offense is slumping, scoring 3 runs or less in 10 of 15 games. "Terrible road trip — not good at all," said manager Bobby Cox, whose Braves have lost 12 of their past 14 games. They won't find the going easy here as Florida unveils a terrific young righty in Anibal Sanchez (3.99 ERA). He's punched out 27 in 29 innings and has a career 1.80 ERA against the Braves. Florida is on a 14-8-1 run under the total with an improved defense and pitching staff. The last 4 starts by Sanchez the Marlins are 3-1-1 under the total. This is a high total for an NL game and a decent pitcher's park. Don't look for many runs, play the Marlins/Braves under the total.
MARLINS / BRAVES UNDER
These teams are in the middle of the pack in the NL in offense, with the Braves ranked 10th in runs. Atlanta's offense is slumping, scoring 3 runs or less in 10 of 15 games. "Terrible road trip — not good at all," said manager Bobby Cox, whose Braves have lost 12 of their past 14 games. They won't find the going easy here as Florida unveils a terrific young righty in Anibal Sanchez (3.99 ERA). He's punched out 27 in 29 innings and has a career 1.80 ERA against the Braves. Florida is on a 14-8-1 run under the total with an improved defense and pitching staff. The last 4 starts by Sanchez the Marlins are 3-1-1 under the total. This is a high total for an NL game and a decent pitcher's park. Don't look for many runs, play the Marlins/Braves under the total.
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