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Seattle Mariners In Texas For Memorial Day
Two of the best young National League pitchers square off in ESPN's Sunday broadcast when the Washington Nationals and Atlanta Braves close out a weekend series in prime time at Turner Field. Gio Gonzalez is on tap for the NL East-leading Nats with the Braves just a game behind beginning the holiday weekend and scheduled to throw Brandon Beachy in opposition.
Don Best Sports is sending this game out with the Braves $1.40 favorites, and favoring the 'under' on a 7½-run total.
Kenny White says the weather might be the most important factor in this battle between division rivals.
"Check the weather," the Don Best analyst noted Friday in the Las Vegas studios. "Beachy's last outing in Cincinnati where the temperature approached 90, he gave up three home runs. He'd only allowed one in his first 54 innings."
The Weather Channel projected the low-to-mid 80s for first pitch (8:00 p.m. ET) for Atlanta in its Friday forecast.
That might be warm enough to shy away from Beachy, but Don Best Sports' Pat Williams thinks Washington's pitcher is already hot enough on his own.
"Gio Gonzalez, you know I've been high on this guy all season long," Williams said. "I mean, this train is rolling down the tracks and it ain't coming off anytime soon."
The Washington lefty is 6-1 with a 1.98 ERA, and has allowed just one home run in nearly 55 innings of work. Seven quality starts are among Gonzalez' nine trips to the mound, tied for second on the team with Stephen Strasburg entering weekend play behind Jordan Zimmermann's eight.
Williams sees value on both the Nats and 'under' for the game, but White reminds players that Beachy is tough at home.
Mariners At Rangers For Memorial Day Contest
Two-time defending American League Champion Texas will be at home for the unofficial start of summer on Memorial Day as the Rangers host the Seattle Mariners. The battle between AL West foes will begin at 8:05 p.m. (ET).
Don Best projects Texas as a $1.90 favorite with left-hander Matt Harrison on the mound. Seattle goes with Kevin Millwood in the matchup. The total is 10 and shaded to the 'over,' which doesn't suggest a pitching duel.
White called Millwood "the ageless wonder" despite checking in with a 3-4 record. Three straight wins have helped lower his ERA to 3.72, and Millwood threw six innings of shutout ball against the Rangers in Seattle on Wednesday. He is currently working on a 20-2/3 innings scoreless streak.
The solid streak should come to an end in this start, White believes, projecting Millwood to "get hit...and get hit hard" in Monday's game.
Williams believes Harrison to be just as easily vulnerable on Monday, and that sets up the expected high-scoring game the oddsmakers are anticipate.
Don Best Sports wishes everyone a safe and prosperous Memorial Day Weekend.
Two of the best young National League pitchers square off in ESPN's Sunday broadcast when the Washington Nationals and Atlanta Braves close out a weekend series in prime time at Turner Field. Gio Gonzalez is on tap for the NL East-leading Nats with the Braves just a game behind beginning the holiday weekend and scheduled to throw Brandon Beachy in opposition.
Don Best Sports is sending this game out with the Braves $1.40 favorites, and favoring the 'under' on a 7½-run total.
Kenny White says the weather might be the most important factor in this battle between division rivals.
"Check the weather," the Don Best analyst noted Friday in the Las Vegas studios. "Beachy's last outing in Cincinnati where the temperature approached 90, he gave up three home runs. He'd only allowed one in his first 54 innings."
The Weather Channel projected the low-to-mid 80s for first pitch (8:00 p.m. ET) for Atlanta in its Friday forecast.
That might be warm enough to shy away from Beachy, but Don Best Sports' Pat Williams thinks Washington's pitcher is already hot enough on his own.
"Gio Gonzalez, you know I've been high on this guy all season long," Williams said. "I mean, this train is rolling down the tracks and it ain't coming off anytime soon."
The Washington lefty is 6-1 with a 1.98 ERA, and has allowed just one home run in nearly 55 innings of work. Seven quality starts are among Gonzalez' nine trips to the mound, tied for second on the team with Stephen Strasburg entering weekend play behind Jordan Zimmermann's eight.
Williams sees value on both the Nats and 'under' for the game, but White reminds players that Beachy is tough at home.
Mariners At Rangers For Memorial Day Contest
Two-time defending American League Champion Texas will be at home for the unofficial start of summer on Memorial Day as the Rangers host the Seattle Mariners. The battle between AL West foes will begin at 8:05 p.m. (ET).
Don Best projects Texas as a $1.90 favorite with left-hander Matt Harrison on the mound. Seattle goes with Kevin Millwood in the matchup. The total is 10 and shaded to the 'over,' which doesn't suggest a pitching duel.
White called Millwood "the ageless wonder" despite checking in with a 3-4 record. Three straight wins have helped lower his ERA to 3.72, and Millwood threw six innings of shutout ball against the Rangers in Seattle on Wednesday. He is currently working on a 20-2/3 innings scoreless streak.
The solid streak should come to an end in this start, White believes, projecting Millwood to "get hit...and get hit hard" in Monday's game.
Williams believes Harrison to be just as easily vulnerable on Monday, and that sets up the expected high-scoring game the oddsmakers are anticipate.
Don Best Sports wishes everyone a safe and prosperous Memorial Day Weekend.
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