By Totals 4 U
Florida: The Marlins (49-49, 21-23 road) come off a 7-3 home stand, taking series wins over the Nationals, Rockies, and Braves, and now hit the highway with RHP Ricky Nolasco (10-7, 4.50 ERA) on the mound. Known as a 2nd-half guy, Ricky’s grooved right now with 27 hits and 7 walks over his last 5 starts (3.41 ERA) compared to 42 strikeouts over those 34 1/3.
Numbers for sluggers 1B Cantu (.260, 10 HR, 54 RBI) and SS Ramirez (.291, 13 HR, 54 RBI) have slid the last couple years but 2B Uggla (.275, 18 HR, 58 RBI) is again a big time threat while 1B Gaby Sanchez (.305, 11 HR, 45 RBI) is making a Rookie of the Year case. Injuries plus the July (.151 batting) struggles of C Ronny Paulino, gave rookie Brad Davis his first career start Sunday and he responded with 2 hits and his first Major League RBI in a 5-4 extra-inning victory over the Braves.
San Francisco: The Giants (55-43, 28-18 home) have sprinted to the top of the wildcard race with a nifty 14-3 run in which they allowed opposing squads just 2.76 runs per contest while surging leadoff man RF Andres Torres (.278, 9 HR, 38 RBI, 17/21 SB) has provided a spark to compliment 1B Huff (.309, 19 HR, 59 RBI) and C Posey (.358, 8 HR, 32 RBI in 173 AB). LHP Barry Zito (8-5, 3.45 ERA) gets the call tonight for his 21st start. Also known as a 2nd-half pitcher, Zito ran out of gas heading into the break but has bounced back after the rest with just 8 hits and 2 earned runs allowed over a pair of starts. Zito will give up free passes (51 in 130 1/3 innings) and aggressive running can turn them into doubles (82 stolen bases allowed). With Pablo “Kung Fu Panda” Sandoval taking a personal leave to Venezuela, expect Sanchez at 2B, Renteria at SS, and Uribe at 3B.
FREE SELECTION: Both crews are hot, have similar offenses, and send sharp arms to the hill currently throwing well. There isn’t a ton of meat on the bone here but with 30% bonus on the pooch we’ll go with the Marlins +130 and be sure to pick up your Free Daily Selections at Freeplays.com
- TD at Totals 4 You!