By Greg Dempson
Pinnacle Sports: Arizona +105 vs Pittsburgh -114 Total O8 -115 U8 +101
Arizona was trounced in game one of this series, (12–1,) and they attempt to even the series sending Ruddy De La Rosa to the mound in this 7:05 ET start.
De La Rosa has pitched well vs. the Pirates, albeit in limited innings, going 1–1 in two starts with an ERA of 1.38. He’s pitched on seven days rest and sometimes rest equates to rust, more on that shortly.
As for the Pirates, they hand the ball to Jeff Locke, (2–3,) with an ERA of 5.00. In three starts vs. the Diamondbacks, Locke/Team is 1–2 with an ERA of 7.88 with a WHIP of 2.063 but hasn’t faced the D–Backs since July 31, 2014.
Around the Diamonds
· Gregory Polanco is crushing it vs. the Diamondbacks batting .333, going 25 out of 75 in 17 games including 12 RBI’s. Polanco hit a home run last night and went 3 for 5 with 5 runs batted in. Since manager Hurdle moved him to the #3 slot in the line-up he’s hitting . (Ultram) 317 with 3 homers and 13 RBIs in 15 games.
· Arizona is 31–18 to the over vs. lefties the past two seasons including 8–5 to the over this season averaging 4.8 RPG including 15 home runs with an OBP of 0.348 with 20 doubles and 4 triples.
· Jeff Locke/Team is 35–19 to the over the past three seasons as well as 15 – 06 to the over in night games the past two seasons. Locke is also 7–0 to the over in his last seven home games.
· The Diamondbacks are averaging 5.7 RPG while allowing 5.1 RPG in their last seven games while going 6–1 to the over.
· The Pirates are 12–1 to the over 12–01 to the over and +11.0-units when the total is 8 to 8.5 this season.
· The Diamondbacks are 4–2 to the over in their last six when on the road with Chris Guccione behind home plate while the Pirates are 4–2–1 to the over at home in their last seven with Guccione as the home plate umpire.
Play all National League teams with a batting of .275 or better to sail over the total when the O/U is 8 to 8.5 runs, (applies to the Pirates,) and facing an over rested pitcher who is working on 7 or more days rest. This system is 61–25 = 71% to the over since 1997.
MLB Pick
My Every Edge MLB selection for tonight is to take the Diamondbacks and Pittsburgh Pirates to sail over 8 runs at –115 (available at Pinnacle.)
For additional winning systems and selections visit www.gregdempson.com.