NL East Picks: July 8, 2013
With just a week to play before the All-Star break, teams in the NL East – except for the Atlanta Braves – will need to try and make a push to gain some ground in the division. All five East squads are in action today, so the opportunity will certainly be there, as will the opportunity for bettors to get some winnable wagers in before the annual break in the MLB season next week. Here are our picks for all three games in the NL East today to help you out!
Washington Nationals +1.5 at Philadelphia Phillies -1.5
With the Washington Nationals finally finding some offensive lately, bettors have been reminded of just how good they can be.
Hot bats and solid pitching have led to a four-game winning streak for the Nats, but they’ll need to continue to swing it well with Dan Haren on the hill, as Haren enters tonight’s game against the Philadelphia Phillies with a 6.15 ERA.
Philly’s John Lannan (1-3, 5.15 ERA) hasn’t been much better, so fans should be in for a high-scoring contest at Citizen’s Bank tonight.
The Phillies are at home, but it doesn’t seem like they have much of an edge against a hot Nationals squad. I’d take Washington to cover +1.5 in this one.
Atlanta Braves -1.5 at Miami Marlins +1.5
The Braves have cooled down a bit recently, but with Mike Minor (8-4, 3.15 ERA) taking the mound, they should have little problem dispatching of the last-placed Miami Marlins.
Of course, Minor did get roughed up by the fish in his last outing, as he gave up four earned runs in a loss on July 3. Then again, Kevin Slowey (3-6, 4.24 ERA)- who is getting the ball for Miami today – also lost his last outing and only lasted two innings against the Braves on July 2.
Even if Minor’s not on his “A” game, I still like the Braves to put up some runs against Miami today. Look for Atlanta to cover -1.5 in the win here.
New York Mets -1.5 at San Francisco Giants +1.5
As winners of two of their last 10 games, the defending World Series champions haven’t looked much like themselves lately and things won’t get any easier as they face off against one of the NL’s best young arms.
The New York Mets are sending out rookie phenom Matt Harvey (7-2, 2.27 ERA) to the mound today against San Fran’s Tim Lincecum (4-9, 4.66 ERA). Lincecum, once a rising star like Harvey, hasn’t had his mojo in a long time and it’s hard to see him getting it back tonight.
The Mets aren’t used to being on the favorite line, but they certainly deserve it here against the slumping Giants. Take New York to cover -1.5 in the win.
