MLB Interleague Weekend Preview (Part 2 – NL Parks)
Here’s the second part of my preview of this weekend’s MLB action, as I take a look at all of the series taking place in National League parks.
The big headliners are happening in the AL parks, and you can check out that preview here, but there are some very intriguing matchup at the NL parks as well.
The only series that’s not included is the Cubs-Indians series, which has already gotten underway, but there are seven other series that I give my predictions for. Don’t forget to check out the regularly-updated MLB odds throughout the weekend, and as always, if you’re going to doing some wagering, good luck, and wager responsibly.
Florida Marlins v. New York Yankees
The Marlins are going up against the strongest part of the Yankees’ rotation in Pettitte, Burnett, and Sabathia.
I like Josh Johnson (6-1, 2.76 ERA) on Saturday against former Marlin Burnett, but that’ll be sandwiched around two Yankee wins.
New York Mets v. Tampa Bay Rays
The Mets have lost their last three series, and instead of being on the verge of overtaking the Phillies in the NL East, they’re three games back heading into this series.
But, I like them to get back to winning ways this weekend at home against the Rays, who have struggled on the road this season. For my shoe-in pick, I’ll go with Johan Santana on Saturday against James Shields. Great pitchers have short memories, and expect Santana to have his best stuff on Saturday night after getting hammered in a career-worst start against the Yankees last Sunday.
Philadelphia Phillies v. Baltimore Orioles
If the Nationals can take two of three at Yankee Stadium, then the Orioles have reason to be confident going into Philadelphia. Baltimore may be 8-20 on the road, but they are coming off of a series win over the Mets, and it certainly doesn’t hurt that the Phillies are a woeful 13-19 at home after a sweep at the hands of Toronto.
But I’m going to have to go with the defending World Series champs here, and with Antonio Bastardo, J.A. Happ, and Cole Hamels going for the Phils, a series win should be no problem, as long as the bullpen doesn’t blow it. If you are going to take the Orioles at any time this weekend though, go with them on Saturday, with Brad Bergesen on the mound. Bergesen is 3-0 in his last four starts, and he’s gone at least seven innings in each of those starts, including eight shutout innings against Seattle and a complete-game five-hitter in his last start, an 11-2 win over Atlanta on Sunday.
Washington Nationals v. Toronto Blue Jays
Time to make some money on the Nationals?
It just might be. The Blue Jays showed by their sweep of Philadelphia that they’re still plenty good even with Roy Halladay and several key pitchers laid up, but the Nats should have plenty of confidence after their series win over the Yankees. Toronto’s Friday and Saturday pitchers, Brian Tallet and Brett Cecil, struggled in their last starts (Cecil’s a month ago), and I like Shairon Martis to outduel Ricky Romero on Sunday in a game in which taking the under is strongly recommended.
Cincinnati Reds v. Chicago White Sox
The Reds are fresh off of taking two of three against the Braves at home, and I like them to remain over .500 by taking this series against the White Sox.
They’ve got Bronson Arroyo and Johnny Cueto going in the first two games, and I’ve got those penciled as Reds wins. Arroyo has been fantastic at home in his last three home starts, and Cueto has been excellent all season, though his 6-4 record might say otherwise.
San Francisco Giants v. Texas Rangers
If this one goes according to San Francisco’s last two series, the Giants are going to sweep this series. They swept Oakland last weekend, then followed it up by getting swept by the streaking Los Angeles Angels.
I don’t know about a sweep, but I like the Giants to win this series, with Randy Johnson and Matt Cain going on Friday and Saturday. I do like the Rangers on Sunday with Kevin Millwood (7-4, 2.62 ERA) going against Barry Zito (3-7, 4.72 ERA), but that’ll be nothing more than a win to salvage a lost series.
Colorado Rockies v. Pittsburgh Pirates
The Rockies are streaking right now, having won 13 of 14 to pull to .500 heading into this series, and I don’t see them slowing down this weekend.
Keep an eye on the Sunday pitching matchup between Colorado’s Jorge de la Rosa and Pittsburgh’s Paul Maholm. De la Rosa is 0-5 with an 8.28 ERA at home this season, and in his last start, he gave up seven runs on eight hits in 2.1 innings against Tampa Bay on Tuesday. Maholm has been inconsistent since starting the season 3-0, but he’s been alternating good and bad starts over the last month. He’s coming off of a terrible start (5 IP, 14 hits, 8 runs v. Minnesota on Tuesday), so he could be in line for a solid Sunday outing. I’m a Mississippi State guy, and I’m going to have to go with the former Bulldog Maholm to win that one and salvage something for the Pirates.
San Diego Padres v. Oakland A’s
The Padres haven’t won any of their last six series, and they’ve lost 13 of their last 18 games, but here’s a great time to bust out of the slump. The A’s are 12-22 on the road, and they’re also 2-7 in interleague play.
However, I’m going to have to go with the A’s to win this series. After a hot streak last month briefly put them over the .500 mark, they have struggled mightily, and with a couple of inexperienced starters and a struggling one going for the Padres + their underperforming offense, I like the A’s chances, even though they’re far from world-beaters themselves. Josh Outman (today) and Dallas Braden (Sunday) have been good about not giving up many runs, and being in pitcher-friendly PETCO Park bodes well for them picking up wins this weekend.
Dont Agree? Let us Know. We love hearing your thoughts and picks!
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