Thursday's play 10 Dime -- Braves (Lowe) over DODGERS (Wolf)
BRAVES
NOTE: List only Lowe as Atlanta's starting pitcher
I won with this same pitching matchup Saturday, and I expect the same result today.
Former Dodger Derek Lowe (11-7, 4.21 ERA) has been throwing the ball as well as he has all season, going 4-0 with a 3.00 ERA over his last five starts. He allowed three runs and five hits in six innings in Saturday's 4-3 victory over Los Angeles.
The veteran sinkerballer has pitched well at Dodger Stadium in his career, going 33-23 with a 3.21 ERA in 66 starts, including 9-5 with a 2.30 ERA in 17 outings there last year.
Dodgers starter Randy Wolf (5-6, 3.47) didn't pitch too badly Saturday at Atlanta, allowing four runs and nine hits with seven strikeouts in six innings to take the loss.
The left-hander hasn't fared too well against the Braves in his career, going 4-12 with a 5.32 ERA lifetime against them. He is 0-5 with a 7.31 ERA in his last 10 starts against them, including 0-3 with a 7.41 ERA in his last three starts.
With Lowe's success lately and at Dodger Stadium, this one seems like too good a value to turn down. Take the Braves today.
The Phillies rolled to a 7-0 victory Wednesday as a run-line pick to give me my fourth win in my last five complimentary selections. Let's keep this train a rollin' with another run-line winner today!
It's been well documented that the Yankees are 0-8 against the Red Sox this season. Well, that's all going to change today.
New York right-hander Joba Chamberlain (7-2, 3.58 ERA) has blossomed as a starter since the All-Star break, going 3-0 with a 0.83 ERA in three outings. He allowed three hits in eight shutout innings against Tampa Bay on July 29.
Chamberlain is 2-1 with a 3.49 ERA in eight career games (four starts) against the Red Sox, and 2-2 with a 4.37 ERA in 11 home starts this year.
Boston starter John Smoltz (2-4, 7.12) has really struggled in seven starts this season, and he has gotten worse lately, going 1-2 with a 9.18 in three outings since the All-Star break.
The veteran right-hander won his last start, but he wasn't even sharp then, allowing five runs and eight hits in six innings at Baltimore.
Smoltz, who hasn't faced the Yankees since 2006, is 1-2 with a 7.40 ERA in four road starts this season.
The Yankees are entering this series on a three-game winning streak, while the Red Sox have dropped two straight and could be without left fielder Jason Bay, who aggravated a hamstring injury Wednesday. Everything is pointing in one direction with today's matchup: Take the Yankees on the run line.
Dominic Fazzini 8/6
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