Two contenders in the National League start the month of August looking to capture a series victory.
Atlanta Braves at Cincinnati Reds
Atlanta continues to lead the NL East division, but its lead has been cut due to losing five of eight games on its current road trip. The Braves did make a couple moves at the trade deadline, picking up outfielder Rick Ankiel and relief pitcher Kyle Farnsworth from Kansas City. “Ankiel’s a tremendous outfielder, a great athlete,” Chipper Jones said. “Hopefully he helps solidify things out there.” The club is still a tremendous 18-9 against the NL Central, which is their best winning percentage against any division this season. Atlanta is also 20-15 in day games this season (+380) and the total is 19-16 O/U in those contests. The team is averaging 4.0 runs per game under the sun and hitting for a combined .256 average, while opponents are scoring 3.8 and batting .236. Atlanta has gone 26-31 in August the last three years (-820).
Florida took game one of this three-game series against the first-place Padres, 4-2, at Petco Park. The club had dropped five of its first six games against San Diego this season, but they have won 10 of 13 at today’s venue. Since going 2-7 against the Friars in 2000, the Fish have tallied a winning 32-29 mark against them. It marked the 12th win in their last 18 games, as they continue a seven-game road trip (3-2) tonight. The Marlins are 32-39 against right-handed starters (-630) compared to 20-12 versus lefties this season. On the season, Florida has gone 15-18 versus NL West clubs and have gone 205-318 against Western foes in their 18 years in the league. Playing on Saturdays has been a bit problematic for the young club, posting a 6-11 record this season (-690), but they are 34-32 over the last three years.
New York has acquired Astros first baseman Lance Berkman for the playoff push, but it’s unclear if he will be available for tonight’s contest. “That’s great,” said first baseman Mark Teixeira. “It’s going to be good for the clubhouse.” The Yankees may have started feeling the pressure of the race, as tonight’s opponent is just a game behind them. The club still owns the best record in baseball, but dropped to 31-21 on the road this season with least night’s loss (+210). New York has been a road underdog of +100 to +125 just seven times this season (+180), with the total being 4-3 O/U in those games. The Bronx Bombers are an even 8-8 when playing on Saturdays (-520), while sporting a healthy 22-13 mark against the division (+440). The Yankees are 4-5 versus the Rays this season, but have won 26 of the last 43 meetings.
Los Angeles has fallen 4.5 games back in the NL Wild Card race after last night’s 6-5 road defeat against the Giants at AT&T Park. “I don’t know if we were playing a little soft earlier, but tonight I liked the way we fought back,” said catcher Russell Martin. The club is 5-10 since the All-Star break and has managed to score just 35 runs in that span. Don’t expect things to improve offensively this afternoon, as the Dodgers are averaging just 3.3 runs and hitting for a combined average during the day, leading to a 13-14 daytime record (-290). Outfielder Matt Kemp is the only Dodger with a batting average over .290 in the second half of the season. The Dodgers are not only 4.5 games behind the second-place Giants in the division, they are now seven games out of first place. The starting rotation has done its best to give the club an opportunity to win, posting a 1.54 ERA over the last 13 games, which is the lowest mark in Major League Baseball. Los Angeles is 14-18 against southpaw starters (-930) this season and the total is 17-15 O/U in those contests.
Cleveland has lost six of seven games and the starting rotation has given up 16 runs over 10 innings during a current three-game skid. The Indians’ offense managed to collect just five hits, while allowing a six-run fourth inning in a 8-1 loss to the Blue Jays at the Rogers Centre last night. “I think the night belonged to Shaun Marcum,” said manager Manny Acta. “He was fantastic.” Today’s game will be the second of a seven-game road trip that has the club traveling to Toronto and Boston. The Tribe is 19-34 in road games this year (-530) and the total is 24-26 O/U in those contests. Cleveland is also 12-21 against the AL East division, while having a winning 20-18 mark against their own division. The club has been very successful playing on Saturdays, notching a 10-7 record (+660).
