Thursday's play 10 Dime -- BREWERS (Gallardo) -1 1/2 runs over Nationals(Martin)
BREWERS
NOTE: List only Gallardo as Milwaukee's starting pitcher
The Brewers have been a big disappointment in July after entering the month in first place in the NL Central. They have lost 16 of their last 24 games, including two of the last three to the lowly Nationals.
Milwaukee ace Yovani Gallardo (9-7, 3.09 ERA) has not been one of the reasons Milwaukee has slipped, however. The right-hander, despite a 1-3 record in July, has pitched relatively well. He has a 3.86 ERA in five starts this month, and pitched 7 1/3 scoreless innings Saturday against Atlanta in his last outing.
Gallardo also drove in the first run in the 4-0 victory, the third time this year he has driven in the winning run.
The Nationals will send rookie J.D. Martin (0-1, 7.50 ERA) to the mound. The right-hander, who will be making his third major league start, pitched two scoreless innings Saturday against San Diego before a rain delay ended his night. In his only other big-league outing, he allowed five runs and eight hits in four innings against the Mets.
Washington is 11-50 in its last 61 games vs. right-handers, and despite two road against the Brewers this week, the Nationals are 2-8 in their last 10 games in Milwaukee. And the Brewers have a hell of a lot more offensive firepower than either the Padres or Mets, so I expect Milwaukee to score quite a few runs today. Take the Brewers on the run line.
The Angels’ easy 9-3 victory on the Indians on Wednesday gave me three consecutive wins on my complimentary selections. What’s to stop me from making it four straight? Absolutely nothing.
Marlins right-hander Rick VandenHurk (1-0, 2.45 ERA) has pitched well since being recalled from Triple-A New Orleans. He has allowed three runs and 10 hits in 11 innings over two starts, including one run and five hits in five innings against the Dodgers in his last outing.
VandenHurk faces the Braves today, and he has been effective in his last three starts against them, going 2-0 with a 0.56 ERA. In his last outing vs. Atlanta, just over a year ago, he didn’t allow a hit in five scoreless innings, while striking out seven.
Braves starter Javier Vazquez (8-7, 2.98) has been red hot in his last six outings, going 4-1 with a 1.99 ERA, and has won his last three starts. In his last outing, he allowed four runs and seven hits with nine strikeouts in seven innings in a 9-4 win over Milwaukee.
While Vazquez has been sharp lately, he has struggled in recent starts against Florida. The hard-throwing right-hander is 0-4 with a 6.95 ERA in his last four outings vs. the Marlins, and 6-6 with a 4.67 ERA in 17 career starts.
Florida is 5-2 in its last seven meetings with Atlanta, and 5-1 in its last six games vs. right-handers. I expect those trends to continue today. Take the Marlins in this one.
This guy is on the run of all runs right now! Have tailed him for 11 days and only one loss, even the wins have been comfortable, never sitting around sweating it out!
Dominic Fazzini 7/30
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