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Two key National League games are on Sportsbook.com’s betting board tonight.
In the West, the Padres survived a 10-game losing streak and rebounded with a three-game sweep of the Dodgers. The Giants took advantage of the Padres slide, winning six of their last eight games, and enter play just two games behind San Diego for first place in the NL West. The two clubs open a crucial four-game series Thursday at Petco Park.
In the East, the Braves recent struggles (2-5 in last seven games) have seen them lose their first-place position for the first time since June. They enter play 0.5 games back of the Phillies in the NL East and two games ahead of the Giants for the NL Wild Card lead. Atlanta, which owns the majors’ best home record (49-19), hosts the Cardinals Thursday to start a four-game set at Turner Field.
St. Louis (72-65) at Atlanta (80-60), 7:10 p.m. EDT
Sportsbook.com Line: St. Louis –120, Atlanta EVEN Total: 7
Time is running out for the Cardinals. If St. Louis has any hope at catching the Reds, they can’t afford many more losses. Entering play Thursday, the Cards sit six games behind Cincinnati in the NL Central. The Braves lost their division lead in the NL East this week and desperately want to get back to first place.
The Cardinals will throw Adam Wainwright (17-10, 2.34 ERA). Wainwright has struggled in his last four starts going 0-4 with a 4.88 ERA and 1.50 WHIP. This is the longest losing streak for Wainwright since becoming a full-time starter in 2007. Wainwright is thrilled to see the Braves on the schedule, as he is 5-0 with a 2.25 ERA in five career starts against Atlanta.
The Braves counter with Jair Jurrjens (7-4, 4.10 ERA). Jurrjens is 4-0 with a 3.38 ERA over his last seven starts (Braves are 6-1 in those starts). He has not been successful in the win column in his career against the Cardinals (1-3 in four starts), but has posted a strong 3.27 ERA in those starts.
Both pitchers are heading in opposite directions as far as their recent performances. However, considering their careers against each opponent, Wainwright and the Cardinals are the pick to make.
WAINWRIGHT is 15-4 (+11.1 Units) against the money line when the money line is +125 to -125 over the last 2 seasons. (Team's Record) The average score was WAINWRIGHT 6.6, OPPONENT 2.6 - (Rating = 2*).
San Francisco (78-62) at San Diego (79-59), 10:05 p.m. EDT
Sportsbook.com Line: San Diego –115, San Francisco -105 Total: 6.5
The Giants and Padres start a huge four-game series Thursday night at Petco Park. The Padres pitching was dominant in their series sweep against the Dodgers, allowing just three runs on 17 hits while striking out 29 and walking just six.
The Giants will start Matt Cain (10-10, 3.18 ERA). Since going 0-4 with a 7.45 ERA in his final five starts before the All-Star break, Cain has regained his form. He is 4-2 with a 2.91 ERA in his 10 starts since the break (Giants have won eight of those 10 games). Cain, however, has not enjoyed much success recently in beating the Padres. He is 1-8 with a 3.64 ERA in his 18 starts against San Diego since 2007, including going 0-5 with a 3.21 ERA in eight starts at Petco Park.
Jon Garland (13-10, 3.31 ERA) will start for the Padres. Garland has not allowed more than three runs in any of his last eight starts, but is just 4-4 over that span. He has pitched very well in his career against the Giants, going 3-0 with a 2.15 ERA and 1.13 WHIP in his four starts.
Look for the Padres to get the jump in this series with a win.
Play On - Home teams (SAN DIEGO) - below average hitting team (AVG <=.255) against a good starting pitcher (ERA <=3.70) -NL, with an excellent bullpen whose ERA is 3.00 or better on the season. (104-57 since 1997.) (64.6%, +50.7 units. Rating = 3*).
The OVER is also recommended, especially with a sub-seven total to play on. SAN FRANCISCO is 33-7 OVER (+25.4 Units) vs. NL teams allowing 3.8 or less runs/game in the second half of the season since 1997. The average score was SAN FRANCISCO 4.4, OPPONENT 5.7 - (Rating = 4*).
