Jim Feist: 5-Star Inner Circle MLB Situational Bookie Buster! MLB (917) TEXAS RANGERS VS (918) CLEVELAND INDIANS Take: 5-Star (917) TEXAS RANGERS Reason: Texas has a few injury concerns, but they are still a talented motivated team in a pennant race. They get to go with a terrific young arm in Brandon McCarthy, at 6-2 on the season. He doesn't walk anyone and the team is 4-2 his last 6 starts. Cleveland is going nowhere and starter Aaron Laffey has a decent ERA, but walks way too many batters: 45 in 96 innings. He is also hittable, allowing 139 base runners in 96 innings. Play the Rangers.
------------------------------------------------------------ Jim Feist's Road Warrior Wipeout! MLB (903) CHICAGO CUBS VS (904) PITTSBURGH PIRATES Take: 3-Star (903) CHICAGO CUBS Reason: With the pressure off, Chicago righty Ryan Dempster has been throwing smoke, with a 1.80 ERA and a 2-1 record his last three starts. He has fanned 19 with only 4 walks! The Cubs assured the Pirates of a record-breaking 17th consecutive losing season, getting two homers from Derrek Lee and an effective start from Ted Lilly while winning 4-2 on Monday. By losing their 10th in 11 games, the Pirates will finish below .500, just as they have every season since 1993. Lefty Zach Duke tries to get them going here, but he's been weak, with a 6.75 ERA his last three starts. Play the Cubs.
With the pressure off, Chicago righty Ryan Dempster has been throwing smoke, with a 1.80 ERA and a 2-1 record his last three starts. He has fanned 19 with only 4 walks! The Cubs assured the Pirates of a record-breaking 17th consecutive losing season, getting two homers from Derrek Lee and an effective start from Ted Lilly while winning 4-2 on Monday. By losing their 10th in 11 games, the Pirates will finish below .500, just as they have every season since 1993. Lefty Zach Duke tries to get them going here, but he's been weak, with a 6.75 ERA his last three starts. Play the Cubs.
ATLANTA BRAVES at HOUSTON ASTROS
Take ATLANTA BRAVES
Braves shortstop Yunel Escobar missed his second consecutive game after turning his right ankle lunging at first base Friday night trying to beat out a throw, but is expected back here. The day off Monday will help, too, as Atlanta needs to regroup. They have an ace here in Javier Vazquez (3.18), who may only be 11-9 but he's had a great season with 199 Ks, just 36 walks in 181 innings. Throw in 157 hits allowed, and he has been outstanding all year. His last three starts: 2 walks, 21 Ks in 19 innings. Houston is going nowhere, and righty Felipe Paulino is slumping, at 0-3 with a 10.95 ERA his last three. Play the Braves. Felipe Paulino
Jim Feist 9/8
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