Pirates couldn't get it done late Saturday. Going with a home dog Sunday.
Baseball Play of the Day (34-34, +3.47)
Atlanta Braves +110 (Smoltz/Schilling)
Even as a Braves fan, I was silently hoping the first two games of this series would pan out as they did. This is an absolutely incredible situation for Atlanta. Everyone is talking about how terrible they are, while Boston's struggles have been overlooked.
The Braves have won 3 out of 19 games. The Red Sox are a little better, 7-10 last 17. But, you're only as good as you're next day's starting pitcher. Smoltz has been incredible for the Braves whenever they are in a funk, and he has been pitching well lately. Also, his home ERA is 2.93 - as opposed to Schilling's 4.26 road ERA.
Smoltz faces a struggling lineup here. The Red Sox have only scored more than 5 runs three times the last couple weeks - against Wasdin, Jaret Wright, and Miner.
Even with the wins in the first two games of this series, the Red Sox are only a game over .500 on the year away from home. Their lineup isn't noticeably better than Atlanta's, and the Red Sox should not be favored in this game.
From a personnel standpoint:
I like that Youkilis either won't play (in a lineup full of overrated players, he is one guy who is vastly underrated), or he will replace Ortiz, Manny, or Lowell. The Braves have actually hit Papelbon, a couple defensive gems are all that have stopped them from scoring a couple runs off him - either way, he shouldn't be available here. I don't think he would have a save situation either way, hopefully we'll never know.
Baseball Play of the Day (34-34, +3.47)
Atlanta Braves +110 (Smoltz/Schilling)
Even as a Braves fan, I was silently hoping the first two games of this series would pan out as they did. This is an absolutely incredible situation for Atlanta. Everyone is talking about how terrible they are, while Boston's struggles have been overlooked.
The Braves have won 3 out of 19 games. The Red Sox are a little better, 7-10 last 17. But, you're only as good as you're next day's starting pitcher. Smoltz has been incredible for the Braves whenever they are in a funk, and he has been pitching well lately. Also, his home ERA is 2.93 - as opposed to Schilling's 4.26 road ERA.
Smoltz faces a struggling lineup here. The Red Sox have only scored more than 5 runs three times the last couple weeks - against Wasdin, Jaret Wright, and Miner.
Even with the wins in the first two games of this series, the Red Sox are only a game over .500 on the year away from home. Their lineup isn't noticeably better than Atlanta's, and the Red Sox should not be favored in this game.
From a personnel standpoint:
I like that Youkilis either won't play (in a lineup full of overrated players, he is one guy who is vastly underrated), or he will replace Ortiz, Manny, or Lowell. The Braves have actually hit Papelbon, a couple defensive gems are all that have stopped them from scoring a couple runs off him - either way, he shouldn't be available here. I don't think he would have a save situation either way, hopefully we'll never know.
Comment