FLORIDA ?103:
Over and above the normal handicapping stats, sometimes the stats and situations that we don?t pay enough attention to end up playing the biggest role in deciding the outcome of the game. I think this is definitely the case today in the Cleveland-Florida match-up and is also something that must be taken into consideration for the rest of this series as well.
What am I talking about? Well, I think stolen bases and overall team speed plays a major role in this series?especially tonight. Please understand both starters seem to have very bright futures as both have shown flashes of brilliance, but today I?ll have to lean with Dontrelle Willis and the Florida Marlins because of that team speed.
Simply put, Cleveland?s starter, Cliff Lee, has had a hard time keeping runners in check. The coaching staff is actually content with this for now as they realize he is young and want him to concentrate on the hitters for now, but the fact is, it might hurt him tonight. I?m pretty sure only 1 runner has been thrown out trying to steal off him this season and this coupled with Cleveland?s catcher, Victor Martinez, who has only thrown out 25 of 95 runners in his young career, I?m sure the Florida base runners are well aware of this and will look to take advantage if the opportunity arises.
Both teams will be facing these starters for the first time and with Dontrelle Willis?s funky delivery, he can be extremely tough the first time any team faces him which is one more reason I?ll edge with the Marlins in this game. Florida also has a better overall bullpen than Cleveland.
If you have confidence in the Tribe?s bullpen, you may also want to take a look at the Under, but I definitely Do NOT have any faith in their pen and think your best bet in this game is to take the Florida Marlins at a very reasonable price.
Good luck to everyone!
-ndnfan
Over and above the normal handicapping stats, sometimes the stats and situations that we don?t pay enough attention to end up playing the biggest role in deciding the outcome of the game. I think this is definitely the case today in the Cleveland-Florida match-up and is also something that must be taken into consideration for the rest of this series as well.
What am I talking about? Well, I think stolen bases and overall team speed plays a major role in this series?especially tonight. Please understand both starters seem to have very bright futures as both have shown flashes of brilliance, but today I?ll have to lean with Dontrelle Willis and the Florida Marlins because of that team speed.
Simply put, Cleveland?s starter, Cliff Lee, has had a hard time keeping runners in check. The coaching staff is actually content with this for now as they realize he is young and want him to concentrate on the hitters for now, but the fact is, it might hurt him tonight. I?m pretty sure only 1 runner has been thrown out trying to steal off him this season and this coupled with Cleveland?s catcher, Victor Martinez, who has only thrown out 25 of 95 runners in his young career, I?m sure the Florida base runners are well aware of this and will look to take advantage if the opportunity arises.
Both teams will be facing these starters for the first time and with Dontrelle Willis?s funky delivery, he can be extremely tough the first time any team faces him which is one more reason I?ll edge with the Marlins in this game. Florida also has a better overall bullpen than Cleveland.
If you have confidence in the Tribe?s bullpen, you may also want to take a look at the Under, but I definitely Do NOT have any faith in their pen and think your best bet in this game is to take the Florida Marlins at a very reasonable price.
Good luck to everyone!
-ndnfan
