Sam Clayton 8/3
SAM CLAYTON
**4-0 this year with 30 dime selections, going for No. 5 tonight!**
30 dime - Cubs
Losing a game the way Kevin Gregg and the Cubs did last night is a swift kick to the teeth. Those dramatic, last inning losses are bitter and they warrant revenge -- and the North Siders will be fired up to come out tonight and kick some Cincinnati ass. Knowing full well that a victory places the Cubs in a first place tie with the hated Cardinals, you have to believe Lou Piniella's bunch will be determined and the offense will be amped to put runs on the board to try and prevent a close game for the bullpen. Sometimes, it's losses like Sunday's that prove what your team is all about. I'm extremely confident that the Cubs will bounce back strong and take care of business.
Chicago is 8-3 their last 11 games and they've beaten the Reds 6 of 9 games so far this season, including a three-game sweep July 24-26. Cincinnati is mirrored in its worst slump of the season having dropped 12 of their last 13 games. These two ball clubs are going in completely different directions what with the Cubbies playing for first place and Cincinnati wallowing in the cellar of the division. The Cubs will have an added boost offensively as Fukudome, Bradley and Ramirez (all who DNP Sunday) will be in the lineup, fresh and rested for tonight's game.
Lucky for the Cubs, they face a struggling pitcher that has had a mediocre past against them. Aaron Harang (9-7, 4.61 lifetime vs. Chicago) is fresh off an atrocious July, where he posted a 0-4 record with a 6.00 ERA. Since the All-Star break, Harang is 0-3 with a 6.30 marker and a 1.60 WHIP. The right-hander hasn't won a start since May 25 and the Reds have lost 6 of the last 8 times he's taken the mound. Randy Wells gets the call for the Cubs and he's been taking care of business all year long. Wells is 3-1 with a 2.62 ERA on the highway this season and he's undefeated (3-0, 3.32) in the second half.
In this divisional mismatch, we're siding with the hotter team, hotter pitcher and better offense. Play the Cubs as your Monday top play and fifth 30 dime winner in five chances.
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