Shutouts MLB Friday With Big Play

Shutouts14 · #1 05-06-2011, 04:41 AM

Hey guys 0-2 yesterday looking to bounce back with a few games including my big play! 4-0 last 4 big plays. Good luck today everyone

Houston Astros vs Pittsburgh Pirates

Houston will start Wandy Rodriguez who is 1-3 with a 4.26 era. Pittsburgh will start Paul Maholm who is 1-4 with a 4.14 era. Pittsburgh comes into today looking to finally give the home crowd something to cheer for. They have not been good at home this year averaging 2.9 runs, where they are hitting a major league worst .199 and have gone 4-8 at PNC Park. Paul Maholm looks to continue his good streak against the Astros as he has gone 6-1 with a 1.52 era in his last seven home starts against Houston. Rodriguez has gotten used to the bullpen blowing is chance at a possible win for him. Meanwhile, Wandy will look to continue his success against the Pirates as he is 3-0 with a 0.77 ERA in his last three starts versus Pittsburgh with 28 strikeouts in 23 1/3 innings but all three of the have been at Minute Maid Park. The Astros can score runs and with the Pirates having troubles scoring at home Wandy will shut down the Pirates today. Astros are 19-9 in Rodriguezs last 28 starts with 5 days of rest. Pirates are 7-19 in Maholms last 26 starts.

Take:

Houston Astros +100

$50/$50

Big Play:

Cincinnati Reds vs Chicago Cubs

Cincinnati will start Edison Volquez who is 2-1 with a 5.67 era. Chicago will start Matt Garza who is 1-3 with a 3.96 era. Garza is a strikeout monster already reaching 51 K's this season with his lowest in a game being 5. The Cubs have struggled with Garza on the mound this year only supporting him with 14 runs in Garza's six starts and being shutout twice. Garza has never faced the Reds. Cincinnati continues to rake, as they are 2nd in the majors in runs after putting up 10 runs last night against the Astros. Starter Edison Volquez struggles greatly in the first inning of ballgames but steadys out throughout the game. Volquez pitches very well against Chicago as he is 2-0 with a 0.96 era and 19 strikeouts in three career starts versus the Cubs. Volquez is coming off of his best outing the season holding the hot hitting Marlins to one run. Cincinnati tends to play very well against the Cubs playing them 16 times in 2010 winning 12 of them. Edison struggles with his command quite a bit averaging 6.8 walks per game but the Cubs cant seem to score many runs. The Cubs rank high in batting average and on-base percentage but have only managed to score 120 runs raking them 22nd in the majors. The Cubs are also off to a slow start at home going 6-8 but the Reds seem to bring the bats when playing at Wrigley averaging 6.9 runs and going 6-1 in Chicago last year. The Reds back Volquez on the road as they are 19-7 in Volquezs last 26 road starts. The Cubs are 8-21 in their last 29 home games vs. a right-handed starter. Although Garza know how to strike guys out Volquez strikes out his share of batters as well striking out five or more in all of his starts the season but one. Volquez allowed a 1.63 era in the month of May last year going 3-2 in six games. The Reds are 4-0 in the last 4 meetings in Chicago. I look for this to be a great pitching matchup with lots of strikeouts but the Reds bats are just to hot right now and the Cubs just cant score runs. If Volquez can get out of the first inning he will be able to maintain the Cubs lineup the rest of the way.

Take:

Cincinnati Reds +110

$250/$275

Atlanta Braves vs Philadelphia Phillies

Atlanta will start Derek Lowe who is 2-3 with a 3.72 era. The Phillies will start Cliff Lee who is 2-2 with a 3.66 era. Lowe struggled a bit in his last start against St. Louis giving up four runs over five innings. Lowe has pitched much better than his record shows, allowing just two earned runs or less in 5 of his seven starts this year, but the Braves have only given him 1.4 runs of support. Lowe has given up just five runs in his last 22 innings against the Phillies in three starts. Meanwhile Cliff Lee has gone deep into every game except one this year going 6 or more but was held to 3 1/3 in his only start against the Braves. Lee does not fare well against the Braves going 1-2 with a 6.98 ERA in four career starts against them. The Phillies have won seven of nine against the Braves, including three straight at home but the Braves bats are very hot right now as they have won five in a row. I hate betting on my Braves (afraid to jinx them) but they always play the Phillies tough and with Prado and the Braves hitting the way they are I think Lee will have another short outing against them. Lowe will get some run support FINALLY and will continue to pitch well. Lowe held the Philles to two runs in a loss earlier this season. The Braves will pull one out today but the Phillies could take the win in the series. Braves are 7-3 in their last 10 during game 1 of a series.

Take:

Atlanta Braves +140

$50/$70