2007-08-16

Last Night’s Recap:
Pick – Braves over Giants
Result – Win
Amount - 50 units
Season Bankroll - +$250

Today’s forecast.

Yesterday’s Braves win gave me 6 straight wins and my confidence is through the roof. I’m trying very hard to not get cocky or complacent, as luck is a very fickle thing. For today, I look for win #7 in a row as I take Dan Haren and the A’s over Javy Vazquez and the White Sox.

Dan Haren looks to help the Oakland Athletics complete another three-game sweep of the Chicago White Sox in Oakland as for some reason Chicago struggles out there. Haren is enjoying the best season of his career while leading the AL in ERA. He's been outstanding at home, going 8-1 with a 2.53 ERA in 13 outings while not yielding more than three earned runs in any of his starts. Pretty solid stuff huh? The right-hander won 14 games in each of his two previous seasons, but is 0-1 with a 3.65 ERA in two outings since winning his 13th game this year. He gave up three runs over 6 1-3 innings on Saturday in a 5-2 loss at Detroit. He has however struggled against the White Sox going 0-1 with a 5.56 ERA in two career starts against the White Sox, though he has not faced them this season.

In terms of domination, Oakland has won 26 of its last 32 home meetings with Chicago, losing only one series in that span - dropping two of three from April 9-11. The A's have recorded four three-game sweeps in that stretch. Meanwhile, the White Sox offense has been sputtering, scoring more than four runs just once in their last nine games in Oakland after a 3-2 loss on Wednesday.

Chicago closer Bobby Jenks didn't get into the game, although he was available one day after he was ruled out due to a right ankle problem. Jenks has matched a major league record by retiring 41 straight batters, tying the mark set by Jim Barr in 1972 for San Francisco.

Javier Vazquez takes the mound for Chicago and he’s been solid lately, going 7-1 with a 2.97 ERA in his last nine starts. He won his second straight outing Friday when he gave up three runs over seven innings in a 5-3 win over Seattle. It marked the eighth straight season Vazquez has won at least 10 games. He's on pace to record his lowest ERA since he went 13-12 with a 3.24 ERA for Montreal in 2003. But Oakland gives him trouble as he is 0-2 with a 7.50 ERA in three career starts at Oakland, as he's walked 10 and given up four homers in 18 innings.

The signs are pointing to the A’s and my 7th straight win. Jump on while I’m hot!

Good luck with your action tonight!