2 Run Line Plays

[mickey]

Chicago W/S at NY Yankees

On the mound tonight for Chicago is Mark Buehrle who is 11-7 with a 3.92 ERA this season. A situational stat that is worth mentioning is that Buehrle has gone 7-2 with a 3.47 ERA in 13 night starts as opposed to day time outing. In his one outing against the Yankees this season he got simply tattooed lasting 4.1 innings allowing seven runs on 12 hits. So, while most people will be spotting that stat line and jumping on the under, I wouldn’t be so quick to do that. This is a do or die series for the White Sox as they can not afford to drop further behind Detroit as stated above. Look for Jim Thome to have a very big game tonight and for Scott Podsednik to be a big factor on the base paths. Chicago will come to play and Buehrle will pitch well.

On the mound for the Yanks tonight is CC Sabathia who is quietly entering the CY Young talks with a record of 15-7 and a 3.59 ERA. Sabathia has 10 of his 15 wins on the road as his run support at home has been remarkably bad. In five August starts, C.C. has gone 5-0 with a 2.65 ERA. Now, this is the same situation as Buehrle’s numbers.I hopefuly expect Sabathia to throw his worst game since the break. In his only start against Chicago he went 7 innings allowing 5 runs on 10 hits (two of them being homers).

The White Sox are 6-16 in their last 22 road games. The Yankees are 19-7 in their last 26 Friday games and 50-21 in their last 71 home games. Hold the phone though, I smell the stench of a trap. The Yankees go through periods like this every year in the second half. Buehrle is a big game pitcher in a game they so desperately need.

Chicago W/S +1.5 Run Line

Atlanta at Philadelphia

ATL: Hanson (9-2, 3.12)
PHI: Martinez (2-0, 5.14)

On the rubber for the Braves is Tommy Hanson,who has been great this year, but I have to give the edge to the Philadelphia offense. The Phillies average 5.4 runs per game at home and have one of the most dangerous lineups in baseball.
Pedro Martinez makes his second home start and 3rd start overall for the Phillies. Pedro hasn’t impressed so far with his numbers, but the Phillies are 3-0 in his starts for them. The Braves’ offense is geared to hit left-handed starters, while they have struggled against righties. As a team they hit .259 as a team and score 4.1 runs per game when they face right-handed starters, both numbers well below their season average. Here you have one of the top 3 teams in the National League at even money or better at home.

Philadelphia +1.5 Run Line (Insurance Policy)

[Slyce]

GL MIck!! Although I'm not wagering on bases right now....it doesn't seem impossible to see a White Sox win and a Tiger loss to tighten up the Central "race"....or would crawl be more of an appropriate term...worst div in B-ball