It\u2019s business as usual for the Philadelphia Phillies, who look like baseball\u2019s best team far and away. <\/p>\n
Bet On MLB Baseball \u2013 Phillies vs. Giants Preview & Pick<\/strong> Philadelphia Phillies (72-39 through August 4)<\/strong> They\u2019d won seven straight contests through Thursday. They already had the game\u2019s top rotation, leading the majors in ERA, WHIP and quality starts. <\/p>\n Now, with Hunter Pence joining the lineup, the bats are catching up to the arms.<\/p>\n Pence hasn\u2019t missed a beat since arriving via Houston in last week\u2019s trade, batting .360 with a homer and five RBI in six games.<\/p>\n The Phillies\u2019 improved offense is music to Cole Hamels\u2019 ears. Though he\u2019s been as good as any pitcher in baseball this season, allowing two or fewer runs in nine of his last 10 starts, he has a so-so 4-3 record and 4.38 ERA over nine career starts against San Francisco.<\/p>\n San Francisco Giants (62-50 through August 4)<\/strong> It\u2019s gut-check time for the San Francisco Giants. The defending World Series champs are fighting the Arizona Diamondbacks tooth-and-nail for control of the National League West and the Giants appear to be wilting in the process. <\/p>\n Through Thursday, they\u2019d lost six of seven. [dfads params=’groups=10&limit=1&return_javascript=0′]<\/p>\n The Giants\u2019 pitching staff is just about the only one in baseball that can keep pace with Philadelphia\u2019s but their anemic offense continues to weigh them down. During their 1-6 run, they\u2019ve scored two runs or fewer five times. Trade-deadline acquisition Carlos Beltran is off to a ho-hum start, batting .265 with two RBI in eight games.<\/p>\n PHI are 38-15 in their last 53 overall. Starter Matt Cain has to be sweating about Saturday\u2019s matchup. He\u2019s struggled historically against the Phillies, winning once in six starts, posting a 4.91 ERA and allowing seven homers over 33 innings. <\/p>\n Chase Utley in particular has Cain\u2019s number, batting .389 with three homers in 18 at-bats against him.<\/p>\n Even if Cain keeps the Phillies in check \u2013 he did shut them out the last time he faced them \u2013 he may not get the run support he needs. The Giants just aren\u2019t scoring on anyone right now.<\/p>\n
\nDate: <\/strong>Saturday, August 6, 2011
\nVenue: <\/strong>AT&T Park, San Francisco, CA
\nBroadcast: <\/strong>FOX
\nPhiladelphia Phillies at San Francisco Giants Betting Lines from BetOnline.com<\/strong>
\nMoney Line: Phillies -140<\/strong>
\nOver\/Under: 6.5<\/strong>
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\nCole Hamels (12-6, 2.62)<\/p>\n
\nMatt Cain (9-7, 3.10)<\/p>\nMLB Trends<\/h3>\n
\nPHI are 12-5 in their last 17 Sat. games.
\nPHI are 39-18 in their last 57 games on grass.
\nUnder is 10-4 in SF last 14 Sat. games.
\nUnder is 30-13-1 in SF last 44 home games.
\nUnder is 22-6-1 in Cains last 29 Sat. starts.<\/p>\nMLB Free pick: <\/h3>\n