The Milwaukee Brewers need to get hot in a hurry. The competition has become too fierce in the National League Central to allow for a slump. <\/p>\n
MLB Betting \u2013 Brewers vs Diamondbacks Preview & Pick<\/strong> Milwaukee Brewers (51-46 through July 17)<\/strong> The Brew Crew was already contending with St. Louis and Cincinnati for first place \u2013 but now the Pittsburgh Pirates have leapfrogged all three teams? Huh?<\/p>\n For Milwaukee to win the Central, it will have to improve on its pitiful 18-32 road record. But the deck may be stacked against the Brewers Wednesday night in Arizona. Chris Narveson has one win in 10 starts away from Miller Park this year. He also has serious trouble retiring Chris Young, who has a pair of homers over just eight at-bats against him.<\/p>\n Arizona Diamondbacks (52-44 through July 17)<\/strong> Every National League West team has bowed down to San Francisco except the Arizona Diamondbacks, who continue to pursue the Giants closely. The home cooking of the All-Star Game did them well; they\u2019d won three straight through Monday\u2019s action. [dfads params=’groups=10&limit=1&return_javascript=0′]<\/p>\n It certainly helps that the D-backs haven\u2019t missed a beat since closer J.J. Putz went down; David Hernandez is 7 for 7 in save opps since taking over the closer\u2019s role and might not relinquish it.<\/p>\n The D-backs will send Joe Saunders to the hill. I\u2019m not sure how he does it \u2013 he walks guys left and right and serves up homers galore \u2013 but he finds a way to be effective. Saunders has seven quality starts in his last 10 tries.<\/p>\n Over is 9-3 in MIL last 12 Wed. games. Saunders has struggled at Chase Field this season, posting a 4.89 ERA and winning twice over nine starts. In his lone career start against Milwaukee, he got torched for six runs and two homers over 5.2 innings. <\/p>\n One of the guys to tag him was Ryan Braun; it\u2019s no surprise, as righties hit .284 off Saunders this season compared to .212 for lefties.<\/p>\n Narveson won\u2019t be much better but I think the Brewers can outslug the D-backs in what should be a slugfest on Wednesday night. Hernandez has been amazing but I simply don\u2019t think he\u2019ll get the save chance. <\/p>\n If you\u2019ve read my work over the last few years, you\u2019ll know that I can\u2019t stand Saunders. He\u2019s so lucky, so overrated, and I pretty much refuse to bet on him.<\/p>\n
\nDate: <\/strong>Wednesday, July 20, 2011
\nVenue: <\/strong>Chase Field, Phoenix, AZ
\nBroadcast: <\/strong>FSWI, FSAZ
\nMilwaukee Brewers at Arizona Diamondbacks Betting Lines from Justbet.com<\/strong>
\nMoney Line: D-Backs -110<\/strong>
\nOver\/Under: 9<\/strong>
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\nChris Narveson (6-6, 4.74)<\/p>\n
\nJoe Saunders (6-8, 3.89)<\/p>\nMLB Trends<\/h3>\n
\nMIL are 4-9 in their last 13 road games.
\nOver is 11-5 in MIL last 16 overall.
\nARI are 7-3 in Saunders’ last 10 starts on grass.
\nMIL are 7-1 in the last 8 meetings in Arizona.<\/p>\nMLB Free pick: <\/h3>\n