MLB Games of the Week: (5-26 through 6-1)

Written by Red Coffman on May, 29th 2008 | 0 Comments

Week 9 MLB Baseball Betting Odds

Have I got some dandies for you… A couple super-rookies find themselves as the highlights of my games of the week. There are a couple old guys coming around that I expect to do some big things as well - check out my games of the week!

LA Dodgers @ New York Mets:
7:10pm EST: 5-30-2008

Probably Starters: Clayton Kershaw (L) vs. John Maine (R)

Records/Recent Action: The Dodgers have been up and down and mediocre to start the season, and it’s no surprise that they are 5-5 in their last 10 games. With a money line of -183, LA is close to even on the year - they possess a 26-24 W/L mark on the season. After sweeping the Reds earlier last week, LA lost 2 of 3 at home against St. Louis. The Mets have fallen in 7 of their last 8 games, and naturally, many are calling for Willie Randolph’s job. After winning both inter league games against the Yankees, the Mets have just one win. During that stretch, they’ve scored 3 runs or less in 5 of their 8 games.

Significance: John Maine may not be getting all the hype that he was getting last season, but don’t be fooled, he is pitching like the staff ace despite the acquisition of Johan Santana. But it’s not Maine that demands my attention, it’s the big 20 year-old lefty recently brought up in Dodger-town. Kershaw allowed 2 runs in 6 innings, striking out 7 and walking just 1. The Dodger bullpen ruined Clayton’s chances at a win in his debut, but he’ll have plenty of opportunities to tally those. He’ll get his second chance in the big leagues when the Dodgers head to New York to play the Mets for a weekend series. Kershaw is known as one of the most talented prospects in baseball, and I can’t say I disagree. Watch on Friday to see if the Mets can get back on track or if it’s Kershaw stealing the show in New York and prolonging the Mets’ slide.

Hot Bats: Ryan Church still leads the team in HRs and batting average, though David Wright has tied Ryan’s 9 HRs on the year. Church is the only Met above .300, hitting .309. Wright leads the team in RBI while Jose Reyes’s 15 SBs lead the club in that category. Rafael Furcal leads the team with a .366 batting average for the Dodgers, though he’s been out for a few weeks now. Furcal leads the club with 5 HRs as well, tied with James Loney. 6 Dodger starters are batting over .292. Loney’s 29 RBI lead the team.

Atlanta Braves @ Cincinnati Reds:
1:15pm EST: 6-1-2008

Probably Starters: Tim Hudson (R) vs. Johnny Cueto (R)

Records/Recent Action: Atlanta has won 8 of their last 12 games, winning a series against Oakland before sweeping a 4 game tilt with the Mets and splitting a 4 game series with Arizona. Atlanta is now 28-23 on the season, and just two games back of the Marlins in the NL East. The Reds have lost 5 of their last 7 games, but are just 5-5 over their last 10 overall. On the season, they are 23-28 heading into Tuesday’s action. After getting swept by the Dodgers, the Reds split a 4 game series with the floundering Padres. The Reds have a money line total of -533 on the season.

Significance: I don’t need to justify my admiration for Johnny Cueto - just watch the youngster pitch, his stuff is magic. He hasn’t had the best start to the season, but he’ll come around, I guarantee it. Tim Hudson has been straight dealing for the streaking Braves, but this dynamic pitching match-up has little to do with my interest in this game. I just can’t wait to see Jay Bruce, the five-tool super outfielder, bring his stuff to Sunday afternoon in the big leagues. There’s been a lot of excitement surrounding his call up to the big leagues, and now that he’s finally here, we’re going to get a couple shots of the Red’s future. With Cueto on the bump, Joey Votto manning first base, and Bruce in the outfield, Cincinnati is suddenly chalked full of future stardom. I’m intrigued.

Hot Bats: Chipper Jones is leading the universe in hitting, still raking at a combustible .416 - his 35 RBI and 12 HRs also lead the team. The Braves have 7 starters with 21+ RBI. After a slow start, Adam Dunn’s 13 HRs lead the team. Though he’s been out for the last couple of weeks, Jeff Keppinger still leads the club with a .318 batting average. Dunn’s 32 RBI are a team high.

Name:(required)

Email:

URL: