MLB Thursday Preview – Philadelphia vs Florida
Before baseball gambling fans turn their attention to other sports betting events this week, we have the Thursday MLB game of the day pick for you. It’s time for our weekly baseball picks for online MLB betting action.
Season Record:
Philadelphia: 59-48 SU
Florida: 53-54 SU
Oswalt Hopes Encore Is Better Than Debut
MLB Betting – Philadelphia Phillies @ Florida Marlins
Roy Oswalt (6-13) vs. Chris Volstad (5-8)
Oswalt vs. Marlins Hitting
The Roy Oswalt experiment in Philadelphia didn’t exactly start out the way any Philly fan wanted it to. Oswalt was knocked around in his Philly debut, allowing four runs on seven hits in just six innings. He looked very beatable on the mound, not the adjective Philadelphia wants from their new number two starter. Oswalt proved with a pair of shutouts in early July that he can still be an elite pitcher; he needs to find that talent again soon as the Phillies are in a major divisional race.
The loss of Jorge Cantu to the trade deadline put a hamper on the Florida offense, although there is still enough talent to give a struggling starter fits. Dan Uggla and Gaby Sanchez can rake, although online bettors should keep an eye on Hanley Ramirez. Ramirez is second on the Marlins in batting average, home runs and RBI’s, and has a very successful history against Oswalt. Ramirez is 10-for-22 (.455) with two homers and five RBI’s against the right-hander.
Volstad vs. Phillies Hitting
Chris Volstad hasn’t been terrible in 2010, but he hasn’t exactly been great either. The righty is 5-8 with a 4.71 ERA and a less-than-stellar strikeout-to-walk ratio. Endurance has been a problem for Volstad as of late, as he hasn’t been able to pitch threw the sixth inning since pitching seven innings on May 7th. Volstad is hoping the momentum from his last start can carry over; he went five innings, allowing just two runs against the NL-West leading Padres.
Volstad is facing the Phillies at the best possible time. Chase Utley and Shane Victorino have been on the DL for a while, and have recently been joined on that list by MVP candidate Ryan Howard. The Phills offense still includes Jimmy Rollins and Jayson Werth, but the group is clearly on the mend and needs its big boppers back to make a postseason push. Volstad may not ever have a more vulnerable Phillies team to face in his career.
Bullpen Comparison
Brad Lidge has regained his job as Phillies closer, even if his numbers don’t scream “elite.” Lidge has an ERA over five and has blown four of 15 save chances (almost 25%). However, there may not be a much better option. Almost all of the Phillies regular relievers sport ERA’s over 3.50, not exactly dominant closer material.
Closer Leo Nunez leads this middle-of-the-pack group of relievers. Nunez (26 saves, 2.64 ERA), Clay Hensley (3.02) and Brain Sanches (3.31) are the talented ones, while the rest of the ‘pen is littered with high ERA’s and low strikeout rates.
Outlook
Roy Oswalt is going to do everything he can to avoid another embarrassment in a Philly uniform. A motivated Oswalt is bad news for the Fish, who are hanging onto their slim playoff hopes by a thread. Even without their top sluggers, I’m betting the Phillies take this one.
Pick: Philadelphia Phillies
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Poolside Rants hails from beautiful Bozeman Montana by way of Toronto, Canada. (Blame his wife for the move). He’s a Dallas Cowboys football honk. But please….don’t hold that against him. The man knows his sports and has uncanny knowledge when it comes to picking games.
