The Arizona Diamondbacks notched a 6-1 triumph in Friday’s opener against the Chicago Cubs, cashing as 159 home favorites. Saturday night’s rematch has Diamondbacks right-hander Ian Kennedy slated to oppose Cubs southpaw Paul Maholm.
Kennedy outdueled in Anaheim
Kennedy logged a second straight loss in Sunday’s 2-0 defeat for Arizona as a 110 road dog against the Los Angeles Angels. The sixth-year hurler allowed both of Los Angeles’ runs over eight innings, including a homer from Angels slugger Albert Pujols.
Arizona’s Jason Kubel finished with a 2-for-4 day from the designated hitter spot while striking out once. Kubel’s mates Aaron Hill and Josh Bell were held to hit 0-for-7, leaving six men on base.
The contest’s two runs plunged below the ‘total’ of eight, making the UNDER 7-3 in Kennedy’s last 10 starts. Arizona was edged out in hits, 6-4, while Diamondbacks first baseman Paul Goldschmidt recorded his squad’s sole error.
MLB sports books opened Kennedy as a minus 185 choice, while first setting the ‘total’ at 9 ½.
Maholm goes six at Wrigley
Maholm picked up a no-decision in Sunday’s 7-4 setback for Chicago as a 115 home dog against the Boston Red Sox. The 29-year-old gave up three runs in six frames, while tossing six strikeouts.
Cubs shortstop Starlin Castro drove in a pair of his squad’s runs, notching a triple and double as part of a 3-for-4 night. Chicago’s Alfonso Soriano was held to 0-for-4 from the cleanup spot, uniting with mate Darwin Barney to leave eight men on base.
The battle’s 11 runs leaped above the ‘total’ of nine, bringing the OVER to 2-1-1 in Maholm’s last four outings. Both clubs combined for 20 hits, while each side logged two errors.
Back the OVER in PhoenixSaturday’s first pitch is scheduled for 10:10 p.m. (ET). Diamondbacks outfielder Justin Upton (28 RBIs, .343 OBP) is listed as “probable” after Friday’s return to action following a calf injury.
I am adding the OVER in this duel to my MLB picks for the night’s card, looking for both starters to face their share of tough bats. Kennedy’s last seven home starts have seen the OVER cash at 5-2, while Maholm has allowed eight earned runs over his last 9 1/3 IP on the road.
Kennedy has had some recent inconsistency at Chase Field, including four homers surrendered among his last three outings (18 2/3 IP). Chicago’s Alfonso Soriano has cracked one long ball in a 2-for-6 lifetime mark against the California native, while mates Starlin Castro and Geovany Soto have combined for four extra-base hits in 14 at-bat’s.
Maholm has allowed a sizable 1.57 WHIP and .370 OBP over his six road outings, leading to the OVER going 3-2-1 in that span. Arizona’s Jason Kubel and Willie Bloomquist have poked a long ball and triple, respectively, in six at-bat’s each against the lefty.
Umpire Paul Emmel is listed to call the balls and strikes, with the OVER collecting at 17-5 in the 44-year-old’s last 22 outings behind the plate. Arizona has notched a .485 slugging percentage at home, while bringing in a lofty 6.42 runs per nine innings when facing southpaws.
Look for the octane to be at a higher mark here than Friday’s opener, with both lineups having their share of chances en route to OVER tickets cashing.