While the wild fires burn hot outside of Los Angeles, the Dodgers' offense remains ice cold.
Los Angeles is posting a .251 BA in the past week and, heading into Thursday's finale with the D-backs, has scored just 11 total runs in the past four games. Things hit rock bottom at the plate Wednesday, when the Dodgers managed a single run in a 4-1 loss to Arizona as -166 home favorites. In the first three games with the Diamondbacks, L.A. is 2-for-19 with runners in scoring position.
"Right now, everyone is aware of the fact that we haven't been producing," manager Joe Torre told the media. "They may be squeezing the bat a little too much."
That power outage has produced a 0-3-1 over/under mark in the last four games heading into Thursday. Add to that, San Diego’s basement hitting numbers and three straight under results against the Nationals this week.
Pick: Under 8
Chicago Cubs at New York Mets (+153, 8.5)
The Mets aren’t used to the role of spoiler. But they got a taste for it after defeating the Rockies Thursday afternoon. New York downed the Wild Card chasers 8-3 as big +220 road underdogs.
New York’s usual September slate has them fighting for their lives – and choking – for a playoff spot. But after a disastrous year filled with injuries to star players, the Mets can only settle for ruining others' postseason dreams.
One of those clubs with playoff aspirations are the Chicago Cubs, who sit six games out of the NL Wild Card and 10.5 games behind St. Louis in the Central. The Cubbies are coming off a 5-0 loss to the rival White Sox Thursday in which they managed just six hits and committed two errors.
The Mets got a boost from the return of third baseman David Wright this week. He led the way Thursday, driving in three runs, in a game where every starting position player registered a hit.
The last time New York faced Cubs ace Carlos Zambrano, it hung 11 hits on the hefty right-hander. Zambrano lasted only 3 1-3 innings last Sunday, leaving with three earned runs and a pitch total of 75. That was the second straight outing Zambrano struggled against New York. He was knocked around for five runs in under five innings back in September of last year.
The way Wainwright is pitching in the second half of the year, the Cardinals could have two Cy Young contenders on their staff.
The right-hander has lead St. Louis to five straight wins in his recent starts and carries a 1.29 ERA since the break. In his most recent trip to the bump, Wainwright gave up one run through six innings, striking out seven batters, against the Nationals – on his 28th birthday.
His efforts are only outdone by teammate Chris Carpenter, who won the NL Pitcher of the Month for August with an 8-0 record and ERA just north of 2.00.
Bronson Arroyo, Cincinnati Reds
Bronson Arroyo will never stop rockin’ as long as there are games to pitch.
While the Reds are showing life in the home stretch of the season, they are still stuck in the NL Central basement. Arroyo is hoping some of those wins can come when he is on the mound. Cincy has ruined the righty’s efforts with poor run support and a feeble bullpen.
Since the All-Star break, Arroyo is just 2-4 in nine starts but boasts a 2.53 ERA. In his last three starts, the veteran pitcher is 0-1 with a 1.61 ERA. His most recent effort, a two-run, six-hit display, resulted in a 3-2 loss to the Dodgers and another no-decision for Arroyo.
Cincinnati has won four straight games heading into Friday’s game, scoring over six runs per game during this stretch.
Slumping
Roy Halladay, Toronto Blue Jays
When Roy Halladay hits the slumping side of this article, you know things are bad in Toronto. The Doctor was beat up – by Doc standards - again in his most recent outing, allowing four runs on seven hits in six innings against the Red Sox.
In his last three appearances, Halladay has an ERA just under 8.00 and has allowed four home runs. He’s also watched his command suffer during this skid, with pitch counts soaring despite only going six innings at most.
Bobby Parnell, New York Mets
Don’t blame all the Mets' woes on Parnell. You can, however, blame some of them. The right-hander has blown leads in his last three games, going 0-3 with an ERA above 15.00. In his most recent nightmare, Parnell served up eight earned runs in just over four innings, including a grand slam.
After a promising showing against the Giants in the middle of August, in which Parnell pitched a six-inning shutout while striking out seven batters, he was walked more batters than he has whiffed and has struggled to find the strike zone with pitch counts above 100 despite short showings.
But, in Parnell’s defense, the team didn’t expect him to still be pitching in the bigs at this time of year. And neither did he.
Football is underway, but still plenty of intriguing storylines exist in baseball, as the Friday card provides bettors with a number of good pitching matchups. Ten pitchers with at least 12 victories toe the rubber on Friday night, including a pair at Tropicana Field, when the Detroit and Tampa Bay hook up.
Tigers at Rays (7:38 PM EST)
These two teams split a four-game set at Comerica Park last weekend, with the Rays capturing the final game on Monday, 11-7. Detroit remains atop the AL Central, while Tampa Bay is trying to climb up the AL Wild Card ladder.
Justin Verlander (15-7, 3.38 ERA) continues to be in the running for the AL Cy Young Award, coming off consecutive victories over the Angels and Rays. Verlander's numbers have slipped a bit away from the Motor City, going 7-5 on the road, with an ERA of 4.39. Detroit is 5-0 in Verlander's five career starts against Tampa Bay, but he will be making only his second career start at Tropicana Field.
Jeff Niemann (12-5, 3.80 ERA) has been solid at home all season, winning five of seven decisions at the Trop. The Rays have dominated those contests, outscoring the opposition by nearly four runs a game in his eight home outings. Niemann is coming off a strong effort at Detroit, despite taking a no-decision in a 4-3 loss to Verlander on Sunday. Niemann allowed five hits and two earned runs in seven innings, but Placido Polanco's eighth-inning homer off Grant Balfour proved to be the difference for Detroit.
Las Vegas Sports Consultants has opened the Tigers as a $1.10 road favorites, with the total set at 8 ˝ (Bet $1.20 to win $1.00 on the 'under').
Yankees at Blue Jays (7:08 PM EST)
Toronto doesn't have much to play for over the final weeks of the season, but ace Roy Halladay looks to rebound off three straight bad starts. Joba Chamberlain, meanwhile, is coming off a 35-pitch effort against the White Sox his last time out.
Halladay (13-8, 3.13 ERA) has compiled a bloated ERA of 7.94 his last three outings, all losses, including two to the Red Sox. The Jays' ace did have a bit of success against the Yankees in 2008 and his first start this season. However, the Bronx Bombers have knocked around Halladay his last two outings, racking up 19 hits and ten runs in 16 innings, including six home runs.
The Yankees are being careful with Chamberlain (8-4, 4.38 ERA) down the stretch, trying to keep him fresh for the postseason. Chamberlain has not lasted past the fifth inning in any of his last three starts, while not compiling a quality outing since July 29 at Tampa Bay (8 IP, 3 H, 0 R). The 'over' has hit in six of Chamberlain's last seven starts, and 11 of 15 outings at night this season. Chamberlain has taken care of his business against division opponents, with the Yankees winning seven consecutive starts by Joba against the AL East.
The Jays open up as a $1.20 home 'chalk,' with the total listed at 8 ˝ (Bet $1.20 to win $1.00 on the 'under').
Phillies at Astros (8:05 PM EST)
Amazingly, Philadelphia and Houston are meeting up for the first time this season, as the two clubs send out their respective southpaw aces, with Cliff Lee and Wandy Rodriguez taking the mound.
Lee (5-1, 1.80 ERA) got knocked around in his last outing by the Braves, allowing six runs and ten hits, including three home runs in a 9-1 drubbing. Prior to that start, Lee was nearly unhittable since his trade from Cleveland at the end of July. The lefty gave up three earned runs in his first five starts with the Phillies, while striking out 39 in that span. Dating back to mid-July, Lee has won his last five road starts, all quality outings.
Rodriguez (12-9, 2.93 ERA) has been stellar at home, going 7-2, with an ERA of 1.73 at Minute Maid Park. The Astros won just two of Rodriguez's six August outings, despite losing the last two starts to Adam Wainwright and Dan Haren. In Rodriguez's last four home starts, the lefty has allowed two runs (one earned), all Houston victories. The 'under' has hit in eight of Rodriguez's 12 home starts this season.
The Phillies won four of seven meetings last season against the Astros, but Houston took two of three at home. Each team has been a good 'under' play recently, with both nailing the 'under' in seven of their past nine games.
LVSC has listed the Phillies as $1.50 road favorites, while the total is listed at 7 ˝.
Back to the futures: Betting the MLB award winners
By JON KUIPERIJ
There’s only a month to go in the baseball season, but it’s prime time to make futures bets on this year’s MVP and Cy Young Award winners.
Take a look at the top candidates for the hardware:
MVP
American League
Joe Mauer, Minnesota Twins -150
The Gold Glove catcher (.367 BA, 26 home runs, 80 RBI) leads the majors in average, slugging percentage and on-base percentage. His numbers would be even better had he not missed the first month of the season. His MVP chances will take a hit if the Twins don’t make the playoffs.
Mark Teixeira, New York Yankees +200
Teixeira (.281 BA, 32 HR, 101 RBI) hit .200 in April but has been money ever since. He leads the AL in RBI, is second in homers and has committed only one error at first base. However, Teixeira might be hurt by the fact he has another MVP candidate on his team.
Derek Jeter, New York Yankees +300
At age 35, the Yankees captain (.333 BA, 17 HR, 60 RBI) is still a spark at the top of the order. He is second in the AL in runs scored (94) and 12th in steals (23). Jeter is also a media darling, particularly in New York, which could swing a few votes his way.
Other notables: Miguel Cabrera (+400), Jason Bay (+2000), Justin Morneau (+2000), Kevin Youkilis (+2000), Evan Longoria (+4000), Field (+1000)
National League
Albert Pujols, St. Louis Cardinals -2000
A more interesting bet might be whether or not Pujols (.320 BA, 42 HR, 111 RBI) gets all the first-place votes. He leads the NL in homers, runs, on-base percentage, slugging percentage and is third in RBI and walks. Surprisingly, he is “only” hitting .296 with 24 RBI in the second half.
Field +500
Prince Fielder (.298 BA, 36 HR, 119 RBI) has had an excellent season, but the Brewers have not. Ryan Howard (.275 BA, 37 HR, 112 RBI) and Hanley Ramirez (.355 BA, 19 HR, 85 RBI) have also been stellar, but it’s hard to get out of Pujols’ shadow.
Other notables: Adrian Gonzalez (+1000)
Cy Young
American League
Zack Greinke, Kansas City Royals -150
Greinke (13-8, 2.32 ERA) has a mediocre win-loss record for a Cy Young candidate, but look who the poor guy's pitching for. In July, Greinke posted a 2.53 ERA but still went 0-3 that month. He is 5-7 in his last 12 decisions, thanks in large part to the 3.63 runs per game the Royals offence has averaged in his starts.
Justin Verlander, Detroit Tigers +300
After getting shelled for 21 runs in his first 21 innings of the season, Verlander (15-7, 3.38 ERA) quickly turned things around. The league leader in strikeouts went 6-0 in his next nine starts, holding opponents scoreless in four of those outings. He’s been quietly consistent since then but doesn’t get as much media attention as Greinke or Sabathia.
C.C. Sabathia, New York Yankees +400
The second-half numbers of Sabathia (15-7, 3.56 ERA) might be freshest in the minds of voters. He's 7-1 with a 2.95 ERA since the All-Star break, a vast improvement on his 8-6, 3.86 ERA first-half numbers. Sabathia benefits from 5.64 run support per game from the Yankees.
Other notables: Josh Beckett (+700), Roy Halladay (+1200), Field (+400)
National League
Tim Lincecum, San Francisco Giants -200
Lately, wins haven’t come as frequently for the defending NL Cy Young winner (13-4, 2.33 ERA), who was 10-2 at the break. The league’s runaway leader in strikeouts (222) also leads the league in complete games (four). Lincecum could get an extra start in September as the Giants chase the NL Wild Card.
Chris Carpenter, St. Louis Cardinals +200
Carpenter (14-3, 2.20 ERA) has baseball’s lowest ERA and best winning percentage. He also ranks second in the NL in wins and WHIP. Carpenter’s been just filthy since the break, going 7-0 with a 1.85 ERA. Playoff-bound Cardinals may limit his innings in the final month, however.
Field +150
Carpenter’s Cardinals teammate Adam Wainright (16-7, 2.47 ERA) leads the NL with wins and ranks third in ERA. He’s 6-2 with a 1.29 ERA in the second half. Giants’ Matt Cain (12-4, 2.50 ERA) was a frontrunner for the Cy Young at the break, but is only 2-2 with a 2.71 ERA since.
Hot lines: Friday's MLB 9/4
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