We ran our listing to 6-2 in the playoffs this year with another win last night in the late game. For you East Coast people that might not have stayed up the Houston Astros took a 2-0 series lead over the Tampa Bay Rays, driven with a dominant performance by starter Gerrit Cole. Nevertheless, it was a game and the Rays managed to make a game of it as they scored in the inning, and left the bases loaded, prior to losing 3-1.
We were on the under seven and a half runs, as both pitching staffs brought a games and our bet was never in jeopardy. Cole had one of those postseason begins in recent memory as he threw seven and also two-thirds of the inning of shutout ball. It turned out to be a loss for the Rays, since they trail two matches to none in this show as they head back into Tampa Bay for game three.
Would they be in a position to strike Verlander or Cole coming into this collection, the issue for Tampa Bay was. And that has been answered with a resounding no, since the two aces have pitched a joint two and two-thirds of an inning and havent allowed even a single run. Tampa will seem to salvage a minumum of one match of the series at home, but waiting at Tampa Bay for them is yet another Cy Young Award winner in Zack Greinke. Will anyone be able to slow down of starting pitching this Houston juggernaut? For todays pick, Well check on the show between the Washington Nationals and the Los Angeles Dodgers.
The Washington Nationals host the Los Angeles Dodgers tonight in game of this National League Divisional Series. Because theyve utilized yours Max Scherzer and Stephen Strasburg both from the bullpen, the Nationals have employed an pitching team up to now in this years play. Washington is forced to lean in their powerful rotation, because their bullpen is a complete mess. Theyre expected to perform something since they shocked the entire world this morning by declaring they would begin Anibal Sanchez, instead of Scherzer, if necessary, which Strasburg and Scherzer both would likely be available from the bullpen.
For the Dodgers, they have to find a way to take advantage of the starting pitching matchup now, since they have lost home-field advantage, and need to discover a way to win in Washington if they would like to bring the show back home to LA and give themselves a chance to advance.
Starting for the Dodgers is Hyun-jin Ryu (14-5 2.32 ERA), also for the Nationals it is Anibal Sanchez (11-8 3.85 ERA). The game complete over-under is put in runs. The Dodgers are -139 road favorites. First pitch is scheduled for 4:45 PM PST from Nationals Park in Washington DC.
Wow. What a choice the Nationals have created to start Anibal Sanchez over Max Scherzer in game three. To me, this seems like they are going to essentially tank this match in hopes of stealing game four at home, then having a Scherzer or Strasburg in game 5. And to be honest, it is not a strategy. After the confidence was acquired by the Nationals I believe they arent frightened of having to perform it. So, instead of attempting to rope on no rest, along Strasburg or Scherzer, they setup for games four and five and have decided to rest them. I like it.
Like Sanchez is bad, and it is not. The man had a solid season for Washington, but many of all did not believe as the rotation of Washington is indeed top-heavy with the likes of Scherzer, Strasburg, and Corbin, hed be starting a match within this series. Sanchez was strong down the stretch as he pitched seven innings in 3 of his past four starts, along with the Nats won his final three starts of the season. And contrary to the Dodgers he published strong results too, because his ERA was only 3.18 in 2 starts against LA..
Tonight will be countered Hyun-jin Ryu by the Dodgers on the road. Before falling in August, ryu seemed like a lock for the NL CY Young Award. Before the All-Star break, Ryu was 10-2 with a league-leading ERA of simply 1.73. But in August, he really struggled because he went 1-3 with a 7.48 ERA in four starts. But in September, Ryu managed to get his act back together because he finished the year on a high note, as he went 2-0 with a 2.13 ERA in four September starts. The three of which saw him toss seven innings in each beginning and he allowed a total of three earned runs.
I believe that the Nats are setting up in this one for matches four and five, as I mentioned previously. Thats not to say they arent likely to play in the home, and they could pull off the major upset, but to methey are playing the game. And that makes them hard to back. The Dodgers understand they must win this game, or the series is essentially over. Should they move down two games and also need to deal with some combo of Corbin, Scherzer, and Strasburg either out or beginning of their bullpen, they are in plenty of trouble.
That means LA will probably be pulling the stops out all tonight. I believe Ryu is good, and theyll yank him fast if not. And I believe Sanchez will be decent too. However, when all is said and done, the Dodgers are likely to discover a way to win this game and take the series direct, and that looks okay with Washington. Give that the Los Angeles Dodgers as street favorites in game from Washington DC to me!
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