[mp5070]

40 Dime ---- GIANTS (With Cain) -1 1/2 RUN LINE over PIRATES (With Duke)

Sometimes you simple can't avoid the writing on the wall. Matt Cain is better than Zach Duke. San Francisco's bullpen is better than Pittsburgh. Without Adam LaRoche, Pittsburgh's offense is just one step above San Diego (a small step). San Francisco plays better defense and they're playing at home, coming in off a 3-2 win on Tuesday night.

Today's affair has all the makings of a San Francisco blowout. Everything, and I mean everything, points to the Giants, and that's the reason I'm stepping up my play today. I just love Matt Cain too much NOT to back him, especially when he's pitching at home during the day. Remember, this game is a 1:45 pm local start in San Francisco, and when Cain pitches during the daylight, he's nearly impossible to score on. Cain's numbers during the day are quite impressive in six starts... 4-1 record, 1.93 ERA, 1.00 WHIP and a .176 opponent's batting average against. These numbers sound eerily similar to what Cain did to the Pirates the last time he faced them in Pittsburgh (just 10 days ago).

Look, I understand Tim Lincecum is still considered the ace of this staff and the face of the franchise, but Matt Cain has been just as consistent and I'm not sure, if I had to pick between them to pitch for me for one game, who I'd pick. Cain has been "that good" this season and should have no problem shutting down a team that hits just .240 against right-handed pitchers and .239 on the road.

San Francisco, on the other hand, hits better in their own backyard (.278) than they do on the road and they would much rather face lefties than righties (.269 vs. .295). Guess what... they get their wish today as 9-game winner (and southpaw) Zach Duke takes the hill for the Pirates, ironically enough, against the same team and pitcher he faced just 10 days ago... Matt Cain and the SF Giants. Cain beat him in Pittsburgh (dominated him statistically) 4-3 and should have no problem doing it to him again this afternoon. Duke has lost four of his last five starts and hasn't allowed less than three earned runs in any of those games. This one might not be pretty, but it'll end in our favor as Cain will dominate the Pirates for at least seven innings and the Giants will roll the Pirates, 8-2.

[G-men]

Craig Davis

Today's Complimentary Selection

Oh well, I guess all good things have to come to an end sometime. It hardly dampens what I've done in the month of July and it means that I have to come back stronger tonight. Pitching and defense did their job for the Reds last night, but the bats fell asleep and the Reds failed to deliver over hapless San Diego. It happens. Shoot, even our free play failed to come through, meaning I have "only" hit 7 of the last 9 I've released. Let's turn that around on both fronts. My dime play is going to win by at least five runs today and my free play, on Cincinnati, is going to make it 8 out of 10.

The Reds were not the team they should have been last night and let lowly San Diego come into their house and steal a 3-2 win. That simply won't happen tonight with Aaron Harang on the hill. Cincinnati was fortunate that Houston was able to knock off Chicago, keeping their playoff hopes alive. Tonight they have to take care of business and take two of three from a team like San Diego before the competition becomes too stiff. Mat Latos (1-1, 3.72 ERA) takes the hill for the Padres making only his third start of the season, and although he's been decent, the sample size is still too small. He'll be lucky to go five innings today, giving the Reds ample opportunity to not only score on him but also the bullpen. Take the Reds as your free play winner number 8 of 10.

3♦ CINCINNATI on a 1♦ to 5 Scale