Monday's play 10 Dime -- MARLINS (Johnson) -1 1/2 runs over Braves (Kawakami)
MARLINS NOTE: List only Johnson as Florida's starting pitcher
Heading into one of the biggest series of the season for both the Braves and Marlins, Florida has exactly who it wants on the mound today.
Marlins ace Josh Johnson (13-3, 3.04 ERA) is 6-1 with a 3.58 ERA in his last eight starts. The right-hander allowed three runs and nine hits with seven strikeouts in six innings Wednesday to beat the Mets 5-3.
Johnson wasn't at his best in that outing, and that's what makes it so impressive. If he can throw a quality start without his best stuff, he'll probably shut down Atlanta's offense today if he's on his game. He is 2-0 with a 3.00 ERA in three starts vs. the Braves in the past two seasons.
Tim Hudson originally was scheduled to start for Atlanta, but he has been pushed back to Tuesday, making way for Kenshin Kawakami (6-10, 4.08) to get the ball today.
Kawakami is probably finished in the rotation once Hudson gets back in the mix after coming off of the disabled list. Kawakami gave up four runs and seven hits in 5 1/3 innings Wednesday in a 12-5 loss to San Diego.
The rookie right-hander is 0-2 with an 8.44 ERA in two outings against Florida this year, and 4-5 with a 4.54 ERA in 12 road starts.
Johnson is 7-1 with a 2.26 ERA in 13 outings at Land Shark Stadium this season. With the two NL East rivals in the hunt for the wild-card spot, I expect the All-Star hurler to come up with a big game against Atlanta. Take the Marlins on the run line tonight.
I scored a winner with my complimentary play Sunday as the Marlins topped San Diego 6-4. That boosted my record over my last 30 free plays to 18-12. Let's keep things rolling into the work week now!
Angels starter Joe Saunders (10-7, 5.27 ERA) pitched pretty well Wednesday in his first outing since spending 2 1/2 weeks on the disabled list with tightness in his throwing shoulder. The left-hander allowed two runs and four hits with six strikeouts in five innings of a 4-2 victory over Detroit.
Saunders pitched well the first two months of the season, but struggled after that before finally admittiing his shoulder wasn't right and going on the DL. The 2008 AL All-Star is 5-0 with a 2.40 ERA in six starts against Seattle over the past two seasons, including going 2-0 with a 0.64 ERA in two outings earlier this year.
Luke French (4-3, 3.92) is 3-1 with a 4.50 ERA in five starts with the Mariners since being acquired from Detroit on July 31. The rookie left-hander gave up three runs and six hits in 5 2/3 innings Wednesday in a 5-3 win over Oakland.
I expect Los Angeles, which is 28-14 against southpaws, to have a big night against French, who has never faced the Angels. If Saunders pitches like he was in April and May, when he was 6-3 with a 3.26 ERA, Los Angeles should have an easy time tonight. Take the Angels in this one.
Dominic Fazzini 8/31
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