1-1, +0.06 on rated plays, as well as an unrated play winner on the Braves +136.
Baseball Plays (52-53, +3.50*)
Atlanta Braves +117 (Ramirez/Weaver)
Well, I've been saying for awhile how well the Braves are starting to play, and now they are getting some national recognition for that, which scares me. But, the fact that they are an underdog in this game is all but inexplicable.
I mean, I realize the game is in St. Louis, but what else do the Cardinals have going for them? The Braves offense is scoring at an incredible rate, especially against RHP's. Atlanta is averaging just under 9 runs per game last 10 (9-1 record), and their team on base percentage is over .400 (as compared to the Cardinals .329, which isn't bad). Here they face a true bum in Jeff Weaver, who they should tee off on. Weaver's 6.33 ERA isn't a mirage, he's that bad. His home ERA is amazingly 9.22.
Ramirez has been very good with the exception of 2 starts (2.2 IP, 13 ER) - no one really has an explanation for that. This whole Braves team either pitches really well or terribly. Anyway, he is 2-1 (the Braves are 3-1) in his 4 road starts, and his ERA is nearly 2 runs better per game than Weaver's. The Cardinals have had next to no success against LHP this season, and they are 4 games under .500 against LHSP - their last win was 2-1 in extra innings at home against Hendrickson, and they couldn't touch the lefty all day. The Cardinals have been winning lately - not as much as Atlanta, but a pretty good bit - but they haven't been scoring nearly as much.
Obvious bullpen edge to St. Louis, but it's not enough to make them the favorite here.
Good luck guys.
Baseball Plays (52-53, +3.50*)
Atlanta Braves +117 (Ramirez/Weaver)
Well, I've been saying for awhile how well the Braves are starting to play, and now they are getting some national recognition for that, which scares me. But, the fact that they are an underdog in this game is all but inexplicable.
I mean, I realize the game is in St. Louis, but what else do the Cardinals have going for them? The Braves offense is scoring at an incredible rate, especially against RHP's. Atlanta is averaging just under 9 runs per game last 10 (9-1 record), and their team on base percentage is over .400 (as compared to the Cardinals .329, which isn't bad). Here they face a true bum in Jeff Weaver, who they should tee off on. Weaver's 6.33 ERA isn't a mirage, he's that bad. His home ERA is amazingly 9.22.
Ramirez has been very good with the exception of 2 starts (2.2 IP, 13 ER) - no one really has an explanation for that. This whole Braves team either pitches really well or terribly. Anyway, he is 2-1 (the Braves are 3-1) in his 4 road starts, and his ERA is nearly 2 runs better per game than Weaver's. The Cardinals have had next to no success against LHP this season, and they are 4 games under .500 against LHSP - their last win was 2-1 in extra innings at home against Hendrickson, and they couldn't touch the lefty all day. The Cardinals have been winning lately - not as much as Atlanta, but a pretty good bit - but they haven't been scoring nearly as much.
Obvious bullpen edge to St. Louis, but it's not enough to make them the favorite here.
Good luck guys.
Comment