[tinfw17]

Jim Feist's 5* Inner Circle High Heat Dominator!
08/30 01:10 PM PT / 4:10 PM ET

MLB (965) HOUSTON ASTROS at (966) ARIZONA DIAMONDBACKS
Take: (966) ARIZONA DIAMONDBACKS (5* Inner Circle)

Reason: Houston surprised a lot of people this year as they contended for the NL Central lead for a good part of the season. However, they have fallen back now and trail St Louis by 13 games in the division and have too many teams to climb over for the Wild Card. As for the Diamondbacks, well the good news is they are in the same division as the Padres so that means they are not in last place just yet. Both teams will toss their aces today as Wandy Rodriquez starts for the Astros and Dan Haren for the D'backs. Rodriquez is 12-8 on the season with a 2.82 ERA. Rodriguez got bombed for 10 earned runs on August 14th against the Brewers. However, if you toss that game out, he hasn't allowed more than one earned run since June 26th. There is a slight chance here that the Cubs will not start Rodriquez and save him for the Cubs. If that happens, we like our play on the D'backs even more. Still, Rodriquez and the Astros face Haren. Haren has a 2.73 ERA this season. Haren typically struggles in the 2nd half of the season, but is coming off a fine outing at San Francisco where he gave up just two earned runs over seven innings. What we love about Haren is his control and KO to BB ratio. Not only does Haren have 173 K's on the season, but he has walked just 27 batters in 181 innings. Taking Haren you know you are in the game. Take the D'backs.