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**StarDust Bum** · 07-23-2010, 12:23 PM

CFL Week 4 Betting Action

The CFL schedule rolls on with another three games from Week 4 on Friday and Saturday. The resurgent Argonauts host British Columbia, Edmonton and Winnipeg will get together with each team trying to end losing skids, and Saskatchewan, the league’s lone remaining unbeaten team, will be in Calgary for a tough contest versus the 2-1 Stampeders. Let’s take a look at the games, and the current prices according to Bookmaker.com.

British Columbia (-2, 47) at Toronto, Friday, 5:30 p.m., TSN
Seems strange to think about now, but just a few short weeks ago, oddsmakers had Toronto (2-1) as 13.5-point underdogs in the season opener at Calgary. The Argos’ lines have dropped in each successive week since, as they’ve managed to put together upset wins over Winnipeg and Calgary. The latter was a home game and they’ll be back in Toronto for a second straight week with this game against B.C. (1-2)

The Argos still aren't getting a whole lot of respect from the oddsmakers though. They're at home and riding a two-game winning streak, while the Lions have lost two in a row. Yet, it is the Lions that are the favored team.

With the total set at 47, it could be a low-scoring game as neither team has been able to move the ball, the Argos are last with 287 yards of offense per game and Lions aren't much better with just 330. In addition, the B.C. defense ranks at or near the top of the league in scoring allowed (21.0) and yards per play allowed (6.7).

Most of the trend angles seem to favor B.C. here, as the Lions have been very good against opportunistic teams and bouncing back from losses…

BRITISH COLUMBIA is 19-6 ATS (+12.4 Units) against teams with a turnover margin of +0.75 per game or better since 1996. The average score was BRITISH COLUMBIA 29.7, OPPONENT 26.6 - (Rating = 1*)

Buono is 16-3 ATS (+12.7 Units) in road games after 1 or more consecutive straight up losses as the coach of BRITISH COLUMBIA. The average score was BRITISH COLUMBIA 33.5, OPPONENT 26.7 - (Rating = 4*)

Toronto has forced nine turnovers in the first three games and if it can continue that pace has a good shot at winning this one as well.

Edmonton at Winnipeg (Pk, 54), Saturday 4:30 p.m., TSN
The biggest story surrounding the Edmonton-Winnipeg game is on the injury front for the Blue Bombers. Steven Jyles will start at quarterback for Winnipeg (1-2), with Buck Pierce out with a knee injury. Jyles didn't look out of place last week against Hamilton, but Pierce's experience will be missed. This will be Jyles’ second career start in five seasons in the CFL.

The Eskimos (0-3) failed to close out their past two games and have yet to score a single fourth-quarter point this year, this coming despite the fact that they are outgaining opponents by 15 YPG.

Arguably, the Eskimos have faced the three toughest teams in the league up till this point, and seem to be ready to break out on Saturday. The ball hasn’t exactly bounced their way this season yet either, as they are minus-5 in turnover ratio after three games.

There is one key thing to watch regarding the line for this game, since it has moved towards Edmonton since opening at Winnipeg favored by two. If it moves any further before kickoff to where the Eskimos are favored, this trend will be in place:

WINNIPEG is 18-5 ATS (+12.5 Units) as a home underdog of 3 points or less since 1996. The average score was WINNIPEG 29.8, OPPONENT 23.7 - (Rating = 2*)

Edmonton is 3-1 SU & 2-2 ATS in its L4 games vs. Winnipeg.

Get more details on this game from ******* as it is our FREE CFL FoxSheet of the Week!

Saskatchewan at Calgary (-1, 56.5), Saturday 7:30 p.m., TSN
The Saskatchewan Roughriders are the only undefeated team in the league, yet are road underdogs against a Stampeders’ team that looked awful in Toronto last week.

Still, this game pits the league's best offense (Saskatchewan) against the best defense (Calgary). The Roughriders lead in eight major offensive categories, while the Stampeders are ranked No. 1 in six defensive categories.

Oddsmakers are giving defense the edge, or perhaps home field, installing Calgary as the 1-point favorite.

Saskatchewan quarterback Darian Durant is the league’s MVP to this point and is leading an offense that has been both potent and balanced. The Roughriders are gaining 523 YPG on offense, 200 on the ground, 323 through the air. The 38.3 PPG they are averaging are reflective of that potency. However, the Saskatchewan defense has had a world of trouble stopping teams and is allowing a brutal 8.2 yards per play. That sets up Calgary for a nice opportunity according to this ******* Power Trend:

CALGARY is 11-3 ATS (+7.7 Units) versus poor defensive teams - allowing >=7.2 yards/play over the last 3 seasons. The average score was CALGARY 33.3, OPPONENT 20.1 - (Rating = 0*)

However, head-to-head history is on the side of the visitors here, as Saskatchewan is 7-2-1 SU & 7-3 ATS in the L10 meetings with Calgary.

The ******* Power Ratings indicate the wrong team is favored here, showing Saskatchewan should be minus-2.

**Kaptain** · 07-23-2010, 01:08 PM

give em L Bum...as always, thanks

**StarDust Bum** · 07-23-2010, 07:18 PM

Friday Tips

The Friday baseball card heats up in the dead of summer with eight new series starting. The Angels and Rangers continue to tangle in Texas, while the Jays try to keep the Tigers down in the Motor City. We'll start with a playoff rematch from last October as Colorado tries to avenge a series loss to Philadelphia.

Rockies at Phillies - 7:05 PM EST

Philadelphia has been in a major funk, as the two-time defending NL Champions are slowly falling out of the NL East race. The Phillies have dropped six of seven since the All-Star Break to fall seven games behind the Braves in the division. The Rockies are in the midst of the crowded NL West race, sitting 4 ½ games behind the Padres.

The Phillies eliminated the Rockies in four games of the 2009 NLDS, including a pair of one-run wins at Coors Field. Roy Halladay (10-8, 2.40 ERA) should be thrilled to return home after suffering an 11-6 defeat at Chicago this past Sunday as a $1.70 road favorite. The former Cy Young Award winner has won three straight starts at Citizens Bank Park, including a 9-0 shutout of the Blue Jays as Toronto was listed as the home team due to the G-20 Summit that kicked Cito Gaston's team out of Rogers Centre. Halladay owns an ERA of 2.03 at home, despite a 5-4 mark in Philadelphia. The ace received a no-decision at Coors Field as $1.80 'chalk' on May 12 as the Rockies rallied past the Phillies, 4-3 in extra-innings.

Aaron Cook (4-5, 4.53 ERA) has picked things up after a tough June as Colorado is 3-0 in his three July starts. The Rockies' right-hander is fresh off his best effort of the season, tossing seven scoreless innings in a 1-0 victory at Cincinnati as a $1.35 road underdog. Coming off a quality start has not been a good thing for Cook, as the Rockies are 3-6 in this spot, including an 0-5 mark off a quality outing in which Colorado won. The Rockies own a 2-4 ledger in Cook's previous six road outings, but picked up a win at Philadelphia during last season's NLDS as Cook beat the Phillies in Game 2 by a 5-4 count.

The Phillies' offense has sputtered recently by batting .222 in their last 10 games, but has allowed at least five runs in five instances since the All-Star Break. These two clubs split a two-game set at Coors Field in May, while the Phillies grabbed seven of 10 meetings last season.

Braves at Marlins - 7:05 PM EST

Atlanta looks to stay hot as the NL East leaders head south to battle Florida. The Braves took two of three from the best in the NL West Padres, while extending their advantage inside the division. The Marlins managed to win their second straight home series by knocking off the Rockies three of four times, including a pair of walk-off victories.

Derek Lowe (10-8, 4.39 ERA) has not been a solid play on the road, as Atlanta is 1-4 in his last five away starts since June. Lowe was listed as a favorite only once in this stretch, coming in a 2-0 setback to the White Sox during interleague play. Another issue with Lowe recently has been his inability to go far in starts, as the righty has pitched past the sixth inning only once in his last four outings. The Braves managed to beat the Marlins two of three times in Lowe's starts last season, but not one of those outings was a quality one, with the veteran allowing 15 runs (13 earned).

Rookie Alex Sanabia (1-1, 2.12 ERA) goes for his second career victory, as the Marlins' right-hander beat the Nationals his last time out, 1-0. Sanabia is the lone Florida starter that probably appreciates his shaky bullpen, as the relief staff tossed 9.1 innings of scoreless baseball in his two starts. Relying on the Marlins' bullpen can only take one so far with Sanabia not throwing more than 78 pitches in any of his first two starts.

The Braves are 4-2 against the Marlins this season, including a series victory at Turner Field over 4th of July weekend. All three meetings at Sun Life Stadium finished 'over' the total as Atlanta grabbed two of three in late May.

Blue Jays at Tigers - 7:05 PM EST

Detroit captured the series opener over Toronto in comeback fashion by scoring five unanswered runs in a 5-2 victory on Thursday. The Tigers have won their last two games, which doesn't seem like a big deal, but Detroit needed to bounce back following a seven-game skid. The Jays have struggled after a three-game sweep at Baltimore by losing three of their last four.

The Tigers send out Rick Porcello (4-7, 5.63 ERA), who looks for his first win in two months. The 21-year old was sent down to Triple-A Toledo to work on his mechanics, but failed to register a win in his first start back with the big club in a 2-1 defeat at Cleveland. Porcello pitched well in that loss, tossing eight innings of six-hit ball and allowing one earned run. The Tigers are 1-5 in Porcello's last six starts as a favorite, but the righty managed a 7-2 home victory over the Jays last September.

Shaun Marcum (8-4, 3.36 ERA) has pitched on the highway in five of his previous six starts, coming off a 10-1 thrashing of Baltimore on Sunday. Toronto is 6-3 in Marcum's nine road outings this season, but half of those wins are at Baltimore and Arizona. Marcum hasn't faced the Tigers in nearly two years, as the righty picked up a 7-2 win at Comerica Park on August 11, 2008, scattering eight hits and two earned runs in six innings of work.

Six of Detroit's last seven games have finished 'under' the total, while the Tigers are 18-3 the previous 21 games as a home favorite. Toronto's offense has been hit-or-miss since the break, plating at least 10 runs twice, but also being limited to four runs or less five times.

Angels at Rangers - 8:05 PM EST

The top two dogs in the AL West get together for the second of a four-game set in Arlington. The Rangers have opened up a six-game lead over the Angels, as Texas picked up series victories at Boston and Detroit to begin the second half. The Halos were able to keep pace with four wins in six games against the Mariners and Yankees, but fell short in the series opener last night, 3-2.

A pair of left-handers takes the mound as C.J. Wilson and Joe Saunders hit the hill. Wilson (8-5, 3.23 ERA) picked up a win as a nice road underdog at Boston his last time out, striking out 10 in 6.2 innings of a 4-2 victory. The former closer has turned in his best efforts at home, as the Rangers are 8-3 in his 11 starts at Ameriquest Field. This is the first time in five home starts that Wilson is listed as less than a $2.00 favorite, as he faced Baltimore, Houston, Cleveland, and Seattle in his previous four home outings.

Saunders (6-9, 4.83 ERA) continues to baffle bettors with his inconsistent ways, allowing 20 hits and 10 runs in his last two starts. Prior to those two horrible outings, the Angels' lefty gave up just three runs in 15 innings to the Royals and Rockies. The one team Saunders doesn't want to see is the Rangers, who racked the southpaw for 20 runs in three losses to Texas last season.

Texas is a solid 20-11 in Game 2's this season, but hopes to improve on a 3-7 record the last 10 games at home. The Angels haven't been much better on the highway, losing eight of ten dating back to late June.

**StarDust Bum** · 07-23-2010, 07:19 PM

Diamond Trends - Friday

Reds at Astros – The Astros are 3-0 since September 06, 2009 when Bud Norris starts as a 140+ dog after the team lost his last two starts for a net profit of $600.

White Sox at Athletics – The White Sox are 7-0 since May 25, 2009 as a dog when they are off a loss in which they held the lead and it is the first game of a series for a net profit of $885. The Athletics are 8-0 since May 07, 2009 as a home favorite when they won by one run in their starter's last start for a net profit of $800.

Nationals at Brewers – The Brewers are 0-5 since April 28, 2010 when Christopher Narveson starts when the bullpen has allowed at least one run for two straight games for a net profit of $540 when playing against.

Cardinals at Cubs – The Cardinals are 11-0 since July 23, 2009 after a loss in which they had fewer than five team-left-on-base for a net profit of $1120. The League is 11-0 since May 31, 2010 as a home 140+ favorite vs a divisional foe that is ahead of them in the divisional standings for a net profit of $1100.

Giants at Diamondbacks – The Diamondbacks are 0-17 since May 05, 2009 within 20 cents of pickem after a loss in which they had 6 or fewer hits for a net profit of $1730 when playing against.

Mets at Dodgers – The Mets are 0-11 since July 22, 2009 as a road dog after a loss in which they were shut out in the last 6 innings for a net profit of $1100 when playing against. The Dodgers are 9-0 since May 10, 2010 as a favorite vs a team that has lost at least their last three games for a net profit of $900.

Rays at Indians – The Rays are 6-0 since April 13, 2010 when Jeff Niemann starts as a road favorite for a net profit of $600.

Braves at Marlins – The Braves are 6-0 since August 20, 2009 as a dog when they came back from a deficit to win in their starter's last start for a net profit of $740.

Twins at Orioles – The Orioles are 0-8 since September 13, 2009 when Jeremy Guthrie starts as a dog after a quality start for a net profit of $800 when playing against.

Rockies at Phillies – The Rockies are 0-5 since April 19, 2010 when Aaron Cook starts on the road in the first game of a series for a net profit of $540 when playing against. The Phillies are 6-0 since April 16, 2010 when Roy Halladay starts as a favorite after giving up no walks for a net profit of $600.

Padres at Pirates – The Padres are 10-0 since August 28, 2009 on the road after a loss in which they allowed 12+ hits for a net profit of $1250. The Padres are 7-0 since June 06, 2009 when Kevin Correia starts after giving up 2 or more home runs for a net profit of $855.

Angels at Rangers – The Angels are 6-0 since April 12, 2009 as a 140+ dog after a one run loss for a net profit of $1045. The Rangers are 11-0 since July 31, 2009 as a home favorite after a win in which they allowed 6 or fewer hits and it is not the first game of a series for a net profit of $1100. The Rangers are 8-0 since April 22, 2010 when C.J. Wilson starts after going at least 6 innings and giving up no home runs for a net profit of $880.

Blue Jays at Tigers – The Blue Jays are 0-8 since May 23, 2009 on the road after a loss in which they were shut out in the last 6 innings and it is not the first game of a series for a net profit of $855 when playing against. The Tigers are 12-0 since April 29, 2010 at home when they are off a win in which they came back from a deficit for a net profit of $1255.

Royals at Yankees – The Royals are 0-13 since May 13, 2009 when Brian Bannister starts as a dog after going at least 6 innings and giving up 6 or fewer hits for a net profit of $1300 when playing against. The Yankees are 9-0 since May 31, 2010 as a 140+ favorite after a win in which they had 12+ hits for a net profit of $900.

**StarDust Bum** · 07-23-2010, 07:20 PM

Throwing Down on Pitchers

They’re calling it the Year of the Pitcher in Major League Baseball. Whether it’s just a blip on the long-term radar of the game or it’s the end of the steroids era showing through, hitters have become the victims in 2010.

Now, normally a drop in offence is bad for the betting business. Sports bettors like excitement and high scores with lots of hits and homers are usually considered just that: exciting. But this year people seem more appreciative of the pitching talent in the majors than disappointed with the sluggers.

At Bodog’s online sportsbook, the top three pitchers when it comes to drawing action in each of the following leagues are the following:

American League

1) C.C. Sabathia

2) Cliff Lee

3) Jon Lester

National League

1) Stephen Strasburg

2) Tim Lincecum

3) Ubaldo Jimenez

The top three names in the National League are particularly interesting when you consider their ages. Strasburg is just 22 while Lincecum and Jimenez are only 26. Pretty impressive when you consider Roy Halladay is in the NL as well, not to mention he plays for a major market team in Philadelphia.

"It's the time of the pitcher now," said Yankees manager Joe Girardi at the All-Star break. "It seems 15 years ago it was the time of the young shortstop. Other times it's an influx of young outfielders.

"And they're not just guys with stuff. They're guys who have learned to pitch and win in the division from an early age."

There are all sorts of consequences to consider for bookmakers when a trend like this develops. Not only do we have to account for the popularity of these young stars and make sure that we’re not too exposed when they take to the mound, we also have to adjust our thinking when it comes to totals and props. Baseballs fans are some of the most educated of any sport and they know what’s going on. Not surprisingly, we’ve seen a marked increase in the number of bettors taking the under on total runs. We’ve also seen increased action on props like total strikeouts (over or under) for particular pitchers, especially young fire-ballers like Strasburg and Lincecum. Those lines become a real moving target with nobody really knowing for sure how people will react to them or where they’ll end up. As a bookmaker and bettor, you have to stay on your toes if you want to come out on the winning end of things.

**StarDust Bum** · 07-23-2010, 07:21 PM

Watch the Stragglers

Except for perhaps dealing a quality part that might come in handy for a contending team, conventional wisdom would indicate that the likes of the Orioles, Mariners, Diamondbacks, and Pirates would have little or nothing to do with the pennant races as the stretch drive of the 2010 MLB campaign looms on the horizon. Which would seem pretty obvious considering that the quartet is a combined 104 games below .500 as of July 21.

Yet, even short of being the proverbial "sellers" at the trade deadline, we suggest that these stragglers will have a lot of say-so in how the various division and wild card races play out in both leagues.

A quick look at the remaining MLB schedule can prove enlightening, if only because we can see which teams are going to benefit by facing this collection of punching bags in the final 2+ months of the season. And some squads are going to be able to take advantage more than others as the campaign approaches its conclusion. Those looking at "futures" bets for the remainder of the season would also be well-advised to take note of which of these soft touches are going to show up most often on the schedules of the contenders over the next ten or so weeks.

Of course, as always, things can change, and if by chance the Pirates or Orioles catch an updraft, they might not prove the easy touches they have mostly been for the first three and a half months of the campaign. Keep in mind that we would have been quick to include Cleveland in any such grouping of stragglers just a few weeks ago, but the Tribe has caught fire lately, evidenced by a recent 4-game sweep of the Tigers and similar problems caused to the Twins this week. If anything, Cleveland now looms as a definite spoiler as the stretch drive approaches. Likewise, we recall last season's Padres, who for a while looked as if they were en route to a 100-loss season before playing some inspired ball after the All-Star break, which has ironically carried over to this season. Pay attention to current form, as even the most subpar of teams can change course.

For the moment, however, there's no reason to expect much of a renaissance in Baltimore, Seattle, Pittsburgh, or Arizona. Following is a look at these aforementioned stragglers, and which teams will benefit from facing them the most often over the remainder of the season.

BALTIMORE...Although that brief and unexpected revival at Texas before the All-Star break (when the Rangers were shockingly swept over a 4-game series) suggested that it might be dangerous for the Orioles to be overlooked, subsequent form indicates that uprising in Arlington was just a blip on the radar screen. Baltimore rallied Tuesday night vs. the Rays, but it was its first win after 4 straight losses after the break, swept again at home by the Blue Jays before losing the first of a midweek set at home vs. Tampa Bay. Moreover, Baltimore is losing touch in most of its recent losses, as its beleaguered pitching staff continues to suffer, and the managerial situation figures to be a question mark the rest of the way, with Juan Samuel the most interim of skippers, and the Angelos' apparently courting almost anyone who will listen (Buck Showalter among the many rumored targets) to take over next season. With the team also a likely seller as the trade deadline approaches (Ty Wigginton, Miguel Tejada, and even Nick Markakis being mentioned as possible "movers" by July 31), don't expect any meaningful reinforcements to show up. The one entry that could really make some hay at the O's expense is Tampa Bay, which, including today's game, still has a whopping 10 games still to go vs. Baltimore, six of those at The Trop (although the Rays have offered better value on the road this season). Meanwhile, the Yankees and Red Sox both only get to see the O's six more times in home-and-home series. Within the division, the O's entered July 21 with a 10-31 record. Outside of the AL East, Texas will have a chance to avenge its 4-game sweep at home when it visits Camden Yards for another 4-game set August 19-22, and the Angels still have six games remaining with the O's. Baltimore also figures to have something to say about the AL Central race as it faces Detroit (7 times) and the White Sox (7 times) in a pair of series, as well as a 4-game set vs. the Twins at Camden Yards.

Games remaining for contenders vs. Orioles: Rays-10 (at Baltimore July 21, Sept. 3-4-5; at Tampa Bay August 13-14-15, September 27-28-29); Red Sox-6 (at Baltimore Aug. 31, Sept. 1-2; at Boston Sept. 20-21-22); Yankees-6 (at New York Sept. 6-7-8. at Baltimore Sept. 17-18-19); Tigers-7 (at Detroit Sept. 10-11-12, at Baltimore Sept. 30, Oct. 1-2-3); White Sox-7 (at Baltimore Aug. 6-7-8-9, at Chicago Aug. 24-25-26); Twins-4 (at Baltimore July 22-23-24-25); Angels-6 (at Baltimore Aug. 3-4-5, at Anaheim Aug. 27-28-29); Rangers-4 (at Baltimore Aug. 19-20-21-22).

SEATTLE...The Mariners, arguably baseball's most disappointing team, appear to be unfurling the white flag, with hopes for this season long since extinguished, and the trade of Cliff Lee to the Rangers further confirming Seattle's declining intentions for 2010. The futures of manager Don Wakamatsu and GM Jack Zduriencik could also be on the line between now and the start of October; given that this year's team continues to make baserunning mistakes, possesses no power, and has a clubhouse on edge with the potential powderkeg of Milton Bradley lurking in the corner, we'd say that the Seattle braintrust ought to be worried. The Mariners have been particularly wretched on the road as of July 21 (15-32), although they've been a bit better at Safeco Field (21-26) through the same date. AL West leader Texas gets ten more cracks at the Mariners, although seven of those will be coming in Seattle; the Angels get only a pair of three-game series vs. the M's. Yet the team that could really take advantage of Seattle isn't even in the West, as the Red Sox still have a whopping ten games to go vs. Seattle, with seven of those at Safeco Field. The Yankees and Tampa Bay, by comparison, get only three each. Meanwhile, the Twins have six to go vs. Seattle, the White Sox have five left, while the other AL Central contender, Detroit, is finished with the Mariners for the season.

Games remaining for contenders vs. Mariners: Rangers-7 (at Arlington Aug. 3-4-5, at Seattle Sept. 17-18-19), Angels-6 (at Seattle Aug. 30-31, Sept. 1; at Anaheim Sept. 10-11-12); White Sox-5 (at Seattle July 21, at Chicago July 26-27-28-29), Twins-6 (at Minnesota July 30-31-Aug. 1,) Red Sox- 10 (at Seattle July 22-23-24-25, Sept. 13-14-15, at Boston Aug. 23-24-25), Yankees-3 (at New York Aug. 20-21-22), Rays-3 (at St. Pete Sept. 24-25-26),

PITTSBURGH...The Pirates have been playing worse than even the Orioles since the beginning of May, and are well on their way to an American pro sports record 18th consecutive losing season. The Bucs seem a very good bet to crack to 100-loss barrier, too, considering their awful 11-38 mark away from home. Pittsburgh has also been a big seller at past trade deadlines, although the word is that only reliever Octavio Dotel is likely to be on the move later this July. The Bucs' youth movement began in earnest last month when touted youngsters such as OF Jose Tabata and 3B Pedro Alvarez were allowed to sink or swim in the everyday lineup. So, we're not expecting any stretch rally like the Padres provided last season. The real beneficiary of the Pirates down the stretch will be St. Louis, with 12 games still remaining vs. the Bucs split between Busch Stadium and PNC Park. That's twice as many as the other NL Central contender, Cincinnati, has left with the Pirates. Meanwhile, Pittsburgh could have a role to play in both other division races, where the Rockies (seven games) and Padres (six games) from the NL West both have multiple series remaining with Pittsburgh, while the Mets are the only NL East contender that has games remaining vs. the Pirates, with four at Citi Field vs. the Bucs.

Games remaining for contenders vs. Pirates: Cards-12 (at St. Louis July 30-31, Aug.1, Sept. 27-28-29, at Pittsburgh Aug. 23-24-25, Sept. 21-22-23); Reds-6 (at Pittsburgh Aug. 2-3-4, at Cincinnati Sept. 10-11-12); Padres-6 (at Pittsburgh July 23-24-25, at San Diego Aug. 10-11-12); Rockies-7 (at Denver July 27-28-29, at Pittsburgh Aug. 5-6-7-8); Mets-7 (at Pittsburgh Aug. 20-21-22, at New York Sept. 13-14-15-16); Braves-3 (at Pittsburgh Sept. 6-7-8).

ARIZONA...Perplexing as always, the dysfunctional D-backs seem a long, long way from the promising group that won the NL West and made it to the NLCS as recently as 2007. Now, Arizona is a poster child for how not to play baseball, a team apparently weaned from a generation of players who were overly influenced by Sports Center highlights featuring homers. No team displays less discipline at the plate than Arizona, which can hit homers but also is on pace to set an MLB record for strikeouts in a single season; seven players are on pace to record 100 or more whiffs. We're also not expecting interim skipper Kirk Gibson to land the job on a permanent basis; with A.J. Hinch fired earlier this season, it would be no surprise for Arizona to be employing its fourth manager in less about 18 months by November. Could be a seller at the deadline, where 1B Adam LaRoche figures to be made available. The D-backs are also not much better than the Pirates on the road, having fashioned a 13-33 mark away from Chase Field thru July 21. The lucky team that gets to see Arizona the most in the remaining 10 1/2 weeks will be charging San Francisco, still with a whopping 13 to go vs. the D-backs; NL West pacesetter San Diego gets to face Arizona nine more times, as does Colorado. Outside of the division, the Reds make up for their Pirates deficiency in relation to the Cards by getting to host Arizona in a four-game set at Great American Ballpark, while the Mets (though losing the first two of a current midweek set at Chase Field) are the only NL East contender still involved with the D-backs, with four games to go.

Games remaining for contenders vs. D-backs: Giants-13 (at Phoenix July 22-23-24-25, Sept. 6-7-8, at San Francisco Aug. 27-28-29, Sept. 28-29-30); Padres-9 (at Phoenix Aug. 6-7-8, Aug. 30-31 & Sept. 1, at San Diego Aug. 24-25-26); Rockies-9 (at Phoenix Aug. 20-21-22, Sept. 21-22-23, at Denver Sept. 10-11-12); Dodgers-6 (at Phoenix Sept. 24-25-26, at Los Angeles Oct. 1-2-3); Reds-7 (at Phoenix Aug. 17-18-19, at Cincinnati Sept. 13-14-15-16); Mets-4 (at Phoenix July21, at New York July 30-31, Aug. 1); Phillies-3 (at Philadelphia July 27-28-29).

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