300♦ SAN DIEGO PADRES - This time of year I’m not fond of looking at games like this – ones with cellar dwellers, but the Padres look like an absolute steal tonight, against what has to be a tremendously tired baseball team. Washington, which has lost 24 of its last 32 in San Diego, is playing its 15th game in as many days and eighth straight on the road.
The Nationals’ road trip began in Chicago, moved to St. Louis and is now in San Diego … not exactly a regionally conducive junket for the worst team in baseball. And while this is a battle of two of the National League’s worst teams, the Padres are in after taking two of three on the road in each of their last two series, against postseason-hopefuls Atlanta and Florida.
Overall, San Diego is dominating the Nats no matter where the two meet, as it’s on a 27-8 run in this series. On the other hand, the Nationals own the league’s worst record, they’ve lost four straight, they’re mired on a 19-55 skid on the highway and have lost 11 of 14 most recently.
All Padres tonight, as they should be laying a lot more than the prices I am seeing.
100♦ MINNESOTA TWINS - I had them yesterday, I’ll take the Twins tonight once again. Much of this will be repetitive, but that’s because this pick is for many of the same reasons. For instance, I told you the South Siders have struggled in Minnesota, and after last night they’re 2-14 in their last 16 in the Twin Cities.
Chicago came into series after being outscored 23-5 in a three-game sweep by the Yankees, in the Bronx and come into tonight’s clash on losing streaks of 1-8 overall, 7-20 on the highway and 1-7 overall in this series.
Seems to me the upper brass has waved the white flag, in shipping Jim Thome and Jose Contreras out of town … basically saying “we’re done for the season.” Chicago is playing their ninth straight road game in as many days and 12th straight overall. Physically tired and mentally drained, I say this is an easy underdog winner, as the Twins get by their visiting rivals.
Chris Jordan
Reply With Quote