Hockey Mex

Inter league play finishes this weekend, and we’re back to regular old boring league play this Tuesday (note the sarcasm). Let’s look at some of the more intriguing (and possibly profitable) match ups.

St. Louis at Milwaukee. Didn’t seem so long ago the Cardinals had a good hold on the NL Central, and any and all competitors were going to be looking up at them the majority of the season. Well that changed quickly, and now the Brew crew is perched atop the still-competitive division while the Cards are in a dogfight for second place with the pesky Cubs. Neither Wainwright nor Suppan (the starting pitchers) have amazing numbers this year, but both have sub-4 ERA’s and can get the job done. In this regard, the MLB betting pitching game on paper is an even match. The Brewers, despite their recent momentum are still only 10th in the NL in batting average and a horrible 15th in stolen bases. The Cards fare a little better in both categories, but neither team is known for its offensive power nor it’s incredible speed. So where will this game be won? Probably depends on whether Pujols is in the lineup. Pick ‘em line: -110 for each team. I’ll take the Brewers because they’re playing better right now, but if the over/under is 8 or less, I’d take the over as a safer bet than the line.

Florida at Philadelphia. Speaking of not so long ago…once upon a 2009, the Marlins were 11-1. Boy did that turn around quick. The fish are lingering in sub-.500 category and seem to have completely lost their early-season spark. The Phillies have returned to first-place form, and are building momentum each week. Of the two World Series teams from a year ago, the Phillies are looking like the one that deserved to be there right now according to sportsbook.com. Joe Blanton and his 6.8 ERA stumble to the mound for the world champs, who will face a currently undecided pitcher (the Marlins rotation is in such disorder, though, this might not be a bad thing, especially since they’re not exactly matching up against an ace from the opponent). These are also teams headed in different directions, not only sporting different records. Florida can’t buy a win, and the Phillies are above .500 in their last dozen games. That’ll probably take care of the Marlins, but Philly will have to improve on their 15th in the NL ERA if they’re going to make anyone scared the rest of the season and beyond. The line will make it a tough pick, though, as I expect the Phillies to be a sizable favorite going in despite Blanton on the mound. Phillies -185, Marlins +155. Depending on who Florida actually throws, I might be inclined to give the newcomer a chance and take the Marlins in an upset.