Ben Burns

I'm playing on SD (10* PERS FAV). While the Angels took yesterday's game, they're not nearly the same team without Trout in the lineup. Even at the best of times, they're also not very good against southpaws. Factoring in a victory in the series opener, they're still a poor 14-21 (-11.3) against left-handers on the season. Note that Pena is 0-2 with a 9.53 ERA his last three starts. Erlin goes for the home team. While he's obviously not going to win any Cy Young awards, I like the fact that he's got 9 K's against only two walks his last three starts (Pena has a 6/5 K/W ratio his last three.) and that he's kept the ball in the park each of his last two starts. (Pena has served up 3 long balls his last two starts.) He's also allowed just three combined runs his last two starts. the Padres won those games by scores of 8-4 and 6-1, beating the Brewers and Cubs. Expect the Padres to bounce back and avoid the sweep.

I'm playing on HOUSTON (6* VIOLATOR). Enough is enough. Even without Altuve in the lineup, the Astros are too strong to continue losing. They won 8-2 when these same pitchers opposed each other last month, at Colorado. True, the wasn't Anderson's fault. However, he does still have a 4.48 ERA on the road, which is less than impressive. He's also got a 6.75 ERA his last three starts. Even with some recent losses, Cole is still 10-5 with a 2.75 ERA. Expect him to lead the way, the Astros bouncing back with an important win. 

I'm playing on LA (6* ANNIHILATOR). Holland gave up 10 hits last time out and now he faces a Dodger team which has dominated him. In four career starts vs LA, he's 0-3 with an ugly 6.38 ERA and 1.637 WHIP. Ryu returns and he had a 1.29 ERA and 0.786 WHIP in his three starts before going on the DL. In fact, he has a 0.00 ERA in two home starts. While we obviously can't expect him to go too deep, he'll very likely outpitch Holland while he's in. Expect the Dodgers to stop the bleeding, bouncing back with a much needed victory. 

I'm playing on Detroit/Chicago to finish UNDER the total (8* BREAKFAST CLUB). While we saw some offense in the first two games of this series, I expect pitching to take center stage for this afternoon's finale. In case you haven't been paying attention, Carlos Rodon has been in oustanding form for quite a few weeks. He's got a dominant 0.83 ERA his last three starts. Going back further finds him with a 1.27 ERA since the start of July. That happens to be the best mark in all of baseball. Zimmerman has also been throwing the ball very well recently. Two starts ago, he limited the A's to two earned runs through 6 1/3 innings. Last time out, he allowed 0 earned runs through 6 1/3 innings. For the season, he's got a solid 3.10 ERA and 1.06 WHIP through seven home starts. Look for another well-pitched affair, the final combined score staying below the number.