Baseball Betting: Lowe gives Braves edge against Dodgers

MLB / Nick Shiambouros / 31 July 2009 / Leave a Comment

Nick Shiambouros selects the best bets from the weekend's Major League baseball action...

Manny Ramirez and the LA Dodgers face the Atlanta Braves on Saturday in a mouth-watering clash in the National League. Ramirez was responsible for the play of the week on Wednesday with a superb defensive effort denying Brendan Ryan of St. Louis a three run homer. This charismatic slugger caught the ball with a flying leap against the wall to stun the home crowd.

This will not be an easy game for the Dodgers who have to face Braves pitcher Derek Lowe who has an ERA of 4.2. Lowe played for the Dodgers until last season and his knowledge will give Atlanta the slight edge on Saturday. This right handed pitcher is very solid and does not make many mistakes.

On the hill for Los Angeles is Randy Wolf who has a record of 5-5 and an ERA of 3.43. Wolf has a poor record against Atlanta with a record of 4-11 lifetime.
　
On Sunday the Colorado Rockies visit the Cincinnati Reds in an interesting National League game. The Rockies are very much in the play-off race just eight games behind the Dodgers in the NL West. My money will be on Colorado to win this with Jason Marquis on the mound. This talented pitcher has a record of 12-7 and a very impressive 3.47 ERA for the year.

The Reds are in a slump at the moment and are 9.5 games behind Chicago in the NL Central division. Bronson Arroyo gets the call for Cincinnati and has a record of 10-10 with an ERA of 5.17. Arroyo has a tendency to wobble at critical moments and the Rockies could exploit this element early in the game. The Rockies are a franchise that has done very well with limited resources and I think they will have a strong finish to the year.

Later on Sunday the Philadelphia Phillies play the San Francisco Giants in a very important National League game in California. Pitcher Barry Zito is on the hill for the Giants and this left handed veteran is coming good at the right time. Zito has an ERA of 4.54 and has a winning record against the Phillies.The Giants are fighting for a wildcard with Colorado and are just seven games behind NL West leaders Los Angeles.

The Phillies will be formidable opponents and have some outstanding hitters in Jimmy Rollins, Ryan Howard and Chase Utley. Philadelphia are having another superb year and are leading the NL East by five games over the Marlins.

My money will be on the Giants to cause the mild upset in this one. If pitcher Zito can last at least six innings and contain the Philadelphia hitters then they will have a real chance.

All three games are scheduled to be shown live on ESPN America which is currently on Sky (417).