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July, 12 2008 3:55pm EST
MONEYLINE: Philadelphia Phillies -122
LOSS for -2 unit(s)

Arizona Diamondbacks at Philadelphia Phillies

(MONEYLINE: Philadelphia Phillies -122)

PHILLIES – Arizona has scored just four runs or less in 47 of their last 63 games. That is amazing but true as the Diamondbacks offense just has not been the same since they got off to their fantastic start in April. Also, Arizona has the worst batting average on the road out of all thirty MLB teams so far this season. Facing the Phillies Adam Eaton is unlikely to help the Dbacks road woes! Eaton is coming off of a very ugly outing against the Mets but, prior to this, the Phils right-hander had allowed three earned runs or less in 14 of his 17 starts this season. That’s some solid consistency and with one of the best bullpens in baseball supporting him, Eaton and Company will force the Diamondbacks into a game where they will find the runs hard to come by this afternoon. Eaton’s ERA is a solid 3.90 in day games this season so don’t be fooled by his 0-2 mark under the sun as he has pitched quite well in his five daytime starts this season! Look for Eaton to notch his first daytime win of the season as, although Randy Johnson of the Diamondbacks is coming off of a strong start, he still can’t be totally trusted here! Though he may pitch better today than he had been throwing prior to his strong start against the Padres, it’s not going to take many runs for the Phillies to outscore the Dbacks. While the Diamondbacks road woes are detailed above, the Phillies generally hit the ball very well at hitter-friendly Citizens Bank Park. The Phils slugging percentage at home ranks 6th among the 16 NL teams and they are ranked #1 in the NL for homers at home and #2 in the majors for the long ball at home! Johnson has given up four homers in his last two starts and that could be a key difference maker today. In a game where Arizona will continue to struggle at the plate, the Phillies potent lineup gets enough for the win!

July, 12 2008 3:55pm EST
TOTAL: Under 9.5 (-110)
LOSS for -2 unit(s)

TOTAL: Under 9.5 (-110)

UNDER Phillies – Yesterday’s game got over the total but note that, prior to Friday, 13 of the Phillies last 19 games had ended with total runs scored of nine or less! In other words, despite a reputation as an “over” team Philadelphia’s games just have not been playing out that way recently. Their offense, other than Ryan Howard, has mostly been mired in a funk over the last three weeks and they now deal with Randy Johnson who might be getting back on track now. Johnson was dominating in his win over San Diego Sunday and he has also been dominant in his career against the Phillies. Indeed this one is shaping up to be a pitchers duel because the Diamondbacks southpaw is unlikely to get a lot of run support here. Arizona has scored just four runs or less in 47 of their last 63 games. That is amazing but true as the Diamondbacks offense just has not been the same since they got off to their fantastic start in April. Also, Arizona has the worst batting average on the road out of all thirty MLB teams so far this season. Facing the Phillies Adam Eaton is unlikely to help the Dbacks road woes! Eaton is coming off of a very ugly outing against the Mets but, prior to this, the Phils right-hander had allowed three earned runs or less in 14 of his 17 starts this season. That’s some solid consistency and with one of the best bullpens in baseball supporting him, Eaton and Company will force the Diamondbacks into a game where they will find the runs hard to come by this afternoon. Eaton’s ERA is a solid 3.90 in day games this season so don’t be fooled by his 0-2 mark under the sun as he has pitched quite well in his five daytime starts this season! In a low-scoring battle with great line value, this one should easily stay UNDER!