Chicago White Sox at Washington Nationals
Things aren’t looking as bleak these days for the South Siders. Chicago is 7-1 over its last eight games heading into Friday’s tilt and closing in on .500.
Jake Peavy, who looked awful for most of the season’s first two months, is finally starting to pitch like the hurler bettors saw in San Diego. He recently put together two strong, seven-inning outings but missed his last start because of a sore shoulder.
An MRI revealed that Peavy has fluid in his shoulder, but there is no risk for further injury. The former Cy Young winner is looking forward to his start on Saturday.
“At times you just think there’s got to be something wrong if it hurts,” Peavy told the Chicago Sun-Times. “But it’s a little fluid here and there could cause some discomfort and pain and you go get fully checked out the way we did and find out your shoulder is structurally sound.
“That’s such a huge mental block that’s out of the way that you just battle some inflammation and fluid so you can go out there and fear or jeopardize your career.”
We still aren’t in the habit of backing a team who’s sending out a wounded hurler to the mound.
Pick: Nationals
Oakland A’s at St. Louis Cardinals
Is Matt Holliday the root of the Cards’ offensive struggles? That’s what St. Louis Today columnist Jeff Gordon says and it’s hard to argue with him.
Holliday began the season batting behind Albert Pujols in the cleanup spot after signing a $120 million contract in the offseason.
But manager Tony La Russa recently moved the outfielder into the two-hole because of Holliday’s inability to come up with the timely base hit. He’s hitting .344 with none on, .217 with runners on and just .189 with runners in scoring position.
The under (26-40) has been a great bet with the Cards all season. The over is just 4-9 in St. Louis’ last 13 games.
Pick: Under