Stu Feiner
10,000 Dime MLB Game of the Week
ATLANTA BRAVES
I know the Braves have had some serious struggles on the road this year, but their opponent this afternoon are N.L. Central division cellar dwellers, the Cincinnati Reds. This is a serious bounce back game for Atlanta, which is a nice 13-6 in day games and 3-1 versus the Reds this year despite last night?s extra inning loss. Atlanta has the better offensive lineup and they have the better starting pitcher in this one. Jair Jurrjens (5-3, 2.86) is 1-0 with a 2.16 ERA in his last three starts overall. And he?ll be backed by a pen that has a nice 3.36 ERA.
Then there?s Cincy?s Josh Fogg, who has been terrible both as a starter and as a reliever this season. He began the year as the team?s No. 5 starter, but was sent to the pen after posting a 13.09 ERA in his first three starts. In his most recent start, he allowed nine earned in just two frames against at the Cubs and allowed six earned in four innings in his last home start against the Phillies. Back on May 4 in Atlanta, he was battered for five runs in 2 2/3 innings. His teams are 1-4 in his five career starts against the Braves and he?s facing an Atlanta lineup that is batting .288 and averaging 5.5 runs per game against righty starters. Meanwhile, the Reds have a losing mark versus right-handed starters. Chipper Jones had a bad Friday night, but he?ll have a big Saturday as the Braves bounce back big time.
1,000 Dime MLB Winners
TIGERS
ANGELS
The Tigers are 4-0 versus the M?s this year after Friday?s 7-4 win. They?ll make it five straight with a win tonight against a Seattle team that has dropped eight of its last 10 overall. The Mariners will start Felix Hernandez, who is 1-3 with a 4.08 ERA in seven home starts this year and has a 4.12 ERA in his last three starts overall, and he?ll be followed a pen that has a 4.23 ERA. After a slow start, Detroit starter Justin Verlander is beginning to heat up with a 1.89 ERA in his last three starts in allowing just four earned in 19 innings. In five career starts against Seattle, he?s 5-0 with a 2.43 and he?ll handcuff this M?s outfit that is batting a mere .250 versus righty starters. Tigers get it done.
After last night?s setback, look for the Angels to rebound behind the arm of starter John Lackey, who is 6-0 with a 3.31 ERA lifetime against the Blue Jays. Eleven days ago in Toronto, he earned the win in allowing just one run in seven innings as he?s sporting a 2.05 ERA in his last three starts overall. Toronto is playing better of late, but Shaun Marcum has a 4.20 ERA in his last three starts after giving up four earned in 6 2/3 innings versus the visiting Halos 10 days ago. He took the loss in that game and he?ll absorb another tonight as the Angels bounce back at home.
