The Milwaukee Brewers and
Los Angels Dodgers are working conspicuous streaks, each in different manners. As each team wraps up brief two game series against opponent, they continue the pursuit of the record books, which would place them among the all-time leaders in what they have been able to accomplish.
You have heard the expression “We own these guys”, which is often an overstated boast, having come from confidence real or imagined, In the case of Milwaukee (14-12, +2 units), any sentiment felt by players or fans would be absolutely 100 percent accurate. The Brewers have beaten Pittsburgh 16 consecutive times, the last team to do that was Arizona over Cincinnati from 2001-03.
Milwaukee is edging ever closer to Baltimore’s dominance over Kansas City in 1969-70, when the Orioles won 23 straight over the Royals. This has not been an easy streak to ride by sports bettors either, unless you started near the beginning. The Brewers have picked up +16 units during this streak, but have been a -180 or higher money line favorites 10 times, meaning to come in various points, would have been a costly loss.
The Brew Crew will start Jeff Suppan (1-2, 5.88 ERA, 1.462 WHIP), who has enjoyed great success against the Bucs (12-13, +1.2). The veteran right-hander is rounding back into form, with 2.95 ERA in last three starts, which Milwaukee won each time. Suppan is super 12-3 with a 4.20 ERA versus the Pirates, including 5-0 in his last seven starts against them.
He will face Ian Snell (1-3, 3.72, 1.621) who has been throwing well with 1.89 ERA in last trio of trips to the mound, though has more walks than strikeouts (12 vs 11), which problematic against a team that was won this many in a row.
Maybe Pittsburgh’s luck will change as the game is a Pick at DiamondSportsbook.com with total Un8.5. The Pirates haven’t been hitting, however are 18-11 (+11.2 Units) against the money line after batting .225 or worse over a five-game span over the last two seasons. Milwaukee is sharp 25-8 vs. a mediocre bullpen whose WHIP is 1.450 to 1.550.
Later tonight, the Dodgers look to a tie a record, which Chicago Cubs fans can appreciate, in terms of time. Los Angeles (19-8, +10.1) broke the National League record for most home wins to start the season with 11 last night in downing Arizona 7-2. That broke the league record shared by the 1918 New York Giants, 1970 Chicago Cubs, and 1983 Atlanta Braves who started 10-0. Ironically, Dodgers manager Joe Torre was the skipper of that Braves team.
Next is the record that is almost a century old (Cubs’ fans are you paying attention), as the Detroit Tigers of 1911 started the year with a dozen victories at Bennett Park, which was destroyed after the season, because of the threat of fire, being made entirely of wood.
The Dodgers haven’t been squeaking by opponents either, outscoring them by 4.3 runs per game at Dodger Stadium, being the top scoring team in the National League in home ball park. Los Angeles is batting .332 with 15 homers at home and has 2.52 ERA, having held opponents to a .190 batting average there. “It’s sweet. We just have to keep adding on now,” catcher Russell Martin said.
All of these figures don’t bode well for Arizona (11-15, -5.7), who have lost six straight at Dodger Stadium and 10 of 12 to L.A. The Dodgers are 11-1 at home after allowing four runs or less in four straight games and will start Jeff Weaver. The ordinary right-hander will make first start since Sept. of 2007, after he pitched four scoreless innings of relief against San Diego in his season debut Thursday.
Arizona’s Max Scherzer (0-2, 3.48, 1.306) is still seeking elusive first major league victory, despite pitching above average. The hard throwing right-hander is 0-6 with a 3.17 ERA in 20 career games. In his 11 starts, the Diamondbacks have managed one victory.
As the Dodgers chase history, they are -125 money line favorites, with total Un9. The D-Backs lack of hitting (.226 BA and 3.8 RPG) has them at 5-15 in road games after three or more consecutive Unders since last year.
Milwaukee and L.A. can add to the coffers of loyal followers tonight.
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