ATL/PHI, make your pick

[Jackstraw]

Odds for this game:

ATL J. Vazquez +104

PHI J. Blanton -114

O/U 9 (+105o/-125u)



After reading Bullgod's post this morning, you have to think the public sentiment in Philadelphia is a lot of hatred all wrapped up in massive disappointment. Those Philly bats should be smoking, not cooling off from all of the whiffs. Bullgod thinks that all Philly players should be dropped. I think everyone should just be patient because the truth is that they just got some really tough matchups to start the season. If Manuel had rolled out Hamels on Day 1, things might be a little different. But that didn't happen, so we just need to wait until they start moving back to the norm.



Is Philly bad? No, Atlanta is just a team with a lot of hope this year. And hope breeds strong play.



So, what about this game? Philadelphia is a good team with some questionable pitchers. Atlanta is at least fair across the board. Blanton only has one start ever against the Braves, and it only lasted 2 innings with 2 ER. Vazquez has only seen Philadelphia once every other year over the past four years. Both times in the recent past have been at Citizens Bank Park, neither of which is remarkable to the good side. So let's forget about the pitching on this one. In my mind it points to an over. Bullgod's comments let me know public sentiment is leaning toward a Philly loss and probably an under.



Both pitchers are righties, and Philly is lefty strong. Atlanta is strong from the left side of the plate, too. The weather will be pretty comfortable along Philadelphia standards, wind to the WSW at 15 mph, cloudy with a 20% chance of rain. Now with the wind blowing to the WSW, lefties are going to have to hit into the wind. Will it be enough to knock down any long balls to right field? Atlanta isn't built for power though. Philadelphia is, but this is their park and they should know how to hit around in it.



Garret Anderson and Casey Kotchman have seen Blanton more than any other Brave, both with above .300 BA against him. Neither has a homer. Rollins and Ibanez have the most experience against Vazquez. Rollins has a couple of homers tied up with a .186 BA and 12 K over 43 AB. Ibanez is a completely different tale, 2 HR in 14 AB with a .357 BA. What is special is that Howard has only seen Vazquez 3 times and has a homer against him.



Okay, guys... My ol' optimistic self says take the over in this game. Philly needs to get hot at the plate to avoid a sweep. Atlanta wants that sweep. Neither pitcher is going to be able to stop the offenses from doing everything they can to get that win. The defense on both sides will need to play hard today to keep the score down. Watch Howard and Rollins both take Vazquez yard, and watch the Braves bloop hit all over the place. This will be a fun game to watch. There is no telling who is going to win out, but I will say this: This game will tell a lot about the destiny of the NL East. Both teams know it too.



Take the over 9 and let's try to get a little more weight on the winning side of things!

[sportsbettingman]

I think I lean toward the under here.



NOT!



Nice call.