Saturday's play 10 Dime -- Diamondbacks (Haren) -1 1/2 runs over NATIONALS (Mock)
DIAMONDBACKS
NOTE: List only Haren as Arizona's starting pitcher
The Nationals have won six straight games coming into today, and are 12-11 since Jim Riggleman replaced Manny Acta as manager. They'll have their work cut out for them today, however, in facing Diamondbacks ace Dan Haren (11-6, 2.38 ERA).
Haren has struggled in his last three outings, going 1-1 with a 5.82 ERA. The All-Star right-hander was 7-1 with a 1.44 ERA in his 10 starts before that, however.
Haren has thrived in 11 road starts this season, going 6-1 with a 2.61 ERA. He allowed five runs and eight hits in seven innings Monday in a 6-5 victory at New York.
Right-hander Garrett Mock (0-4, 6.75) will take the mound for Washington. He will be making his fifth start of the season after 13 relief appearances.
Mock is 0-2 with a 6.62 ERA in his four starts. He allowed three runs (two earned) on seven hits and four walks in four-plus innings Monday at Pittsburgh. The damage could have been worse, as he left the game with the bases loaded and no outs, but reliever Tyler Clippard prevented any more runs from scoring.
Arizona is 6-2 in its last eight games in Washington, and 6-0 in Haren's last six road starts. Mark Reynolds, who has homered nine times in his last 11 games for the Diamondbacks, should help make things painful for Mock today. Take the Diamondbacks on the run line.
Blue Jays rookie Brett Cecil (5-1, 4.36 ERA) has been awesome since the All-Star break, going 3-0 with a 1.67 ERA in his last four outings. The left-hander allowed four runs and six hits in seven innings last Saturday in a 6-5 victory over Oakland.
Cecil was sharp against the Orioles on July 10, giving up four hits and two walks in six scoreless innings.
He also has been solid in six home games (five starts) this season, going 2-0 with a 3.03 ERA over 29 2/3 innings.
Baltimore will send 21-year-old right-hander Chris Tillman (0-0, 6.75) to the mound for his third major league start. The rookie allowed five runs and seven hits in six innings Monday at Detroit.
Tillman has given up eight runs and 14 hits in 10 2/3 innings.
Even with the Orioles' 7-5 win over Toronto on Friday, Baltimore is 6-15 since the All-Star break, and has not won consecutive road games since July 7 and 8 at Seattle.
With Cecil gaining confidence on the mound and Tillman still trying to establish himself, I think Toronto is going to run away with this one. Take the Blue Jays on the run line.
Dominic Fazzini 8/8
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