5*
graded play on the Nationals as they take on the Mets. Washington is gaining the respect of their fans and
more importantly are legitimate bona fide contenders to reach the playoffs. They enjoy a one game
lead over the Marlins for first place in the NL East.
Last night, the Nationals needed extra innings to get a clutch two-out hit in the 12th
inning by rookie phenom Bryce Harper to defeat the Mets 7-6. The Mets took the
lead in the eighth inning, but the Nats came right back in the bottom of the
inning with their own run to tie the game. Then, the Mets took
the lead in the 12th, scoring one run. The Nats will to win was greater, however, scoring two runs in the bottom of
the inning for a most dramatic win. This type of win will only add to the
growing confidence of the entire team.
The Nationals Team Rankings
The disparity between the
Nationals’ offense and defense is quite evident in the four major statistical
categories. The Nationals rank just 26th in MLB scoring with 203 runs, 24th with a
.242 team batting average, 22nd with a .312 on-base-percentage, and 18th with a
.392 slugging percentage. The Nationals rank first, however, in MLB with a 2.99 team ERA,
fourth with 35 quality starts, first with a 1.14 WHIP, and first allowing a
.223 opponents batting average. Despite a below average offense, the Nats have
outscored their opponents by 27 runs, which ranks sixth best in baseball.
MLB odds makers currently have the Nationals as -157 favorites. The total has remained at 8.
Supporting System
Supporting this graded play is a
system that has produced a record of 53-14 for 79% winners since 2006. Play
against road dogs with a money line of +100 or higher and that has lost three
straight games to current opponent (triple revenge), and is starting a over-rested pitcher who is working on seven or more days rest.
Mets Bullpen
The Mets' bullpen is in complete
disarray, posting a 5.45 ERA, 1.506 WHIP, and blowing eight of 24 save
opportunities. Moreover, in 24 road games, they have posted a 6.67 ERA with a
1.621 WHIP, and allowed 97 hits in 78 ? innings of work.
Washington is the
better team and I am confident they will win this game tonight.
San
Diego Padres 5* Titan Play
5* graded play on the San Diego
Padres as they take on the San Francisco Giants set to start at 6:35 PM ET.
With the injury to Matt Kemp, the Giants have been able to get within reach of
the National League West-leading Dodgers. The Giants trail them by four games
entering tonight’s game against the Padres.
Along with the Chicago Cubs, the Padres have been one of the
weakest teams in the National League, but no team
loses them all. This is an excellent spot for the Padres to get a win.
Supporting System
Supporting this graded play is a
system that has produced a record of 31-12 for 72% winners and has made 19.9
units per one unit wagered since 2006. Play on NL home teams in
games played in June, that have posted an on-base-percentage of .300 or worse
on the season. This system reflects a contrarian tone where poor teams that
have endured losing ways for the first two months reach an ‘oversold’
situation. This is certainly the case with the Padres based on my research, but
you still must be extremely careful when you play these ‘ugly dogs’.
Game Situations Favoring the
Padres
The Padres starting pitcher
Clayton Richard has been pitching well of late and has posted a 5-3 record in
nine career starts with a solid 3.35 ERA and a 1.249 WHIP facing the Giants. He
may be 2-6 for the season, but he has pitched vastly better with each
successive start. He is a fasball and slider-type of left-handed pitcher. He
does mix in a curve ball to both right and left-handed batters where the
hitters are hitting just .229 on that pitch.
He is a dominating type of
starter as well when he gets ahead in thecount. The best pitch in baseball is
not a 95 MPH fastball or a knee buckling curveball. It is simply strike one
because a batter’s average will decline a minimum of 75 points after 0-1 has
been established at the MLB level.
Of the 248 batters he has faced,
145 have been been delivered strike one on the first pitch. Those batters have
hit just .207 after an 0-1 count has been estbalished, and I feel very confident
he will work ahead tonight and dominate the Giants lineup.
Take the Padres.