Joseph D'Amico
Tom Stryker
A professional handicapper at Team Stryker Sports since 1984, Tom Stryker offers you 25 years of experience.
Matt Fargo
Matt Fargo is becoming recognized as one of the best and most consistent handicappers in the world.
Ray Monohan
What you see is what you get. No Game of the month, game of the year, game of the decade mumbojumbo, just winning selections.
Rocky Atkinson
My Handicapping and Betting Philosophy: I use my own unique power ratings for each sport along with trend analysis, stats and line value.
National League Game Capsules by The Sports Network
Final Score: San Diego 3, Atlanta 2 (10 innings)
Atlanta, GA (Sports Network) – Kyle Phillips hit his first career home run to lead off the 10th inning to give San Diego a 3-2 victory over Atlanta in the opener of a three-game series. Phillips hit the second pitch George Sherrill (1-1) threw over the right-field wall to give the Padres a 3-2 lead. Phillips took over behind the plate for Rob Johnson in the top of the ninth after Jorge Cantu pinch-hit for Johnson in the eighth. Chad Qualls (3-2) earned the win when he pitched a scoreless ninth inning and Heath Bell hurled a perfect 10th to earn his 13th save of the season and give the Padres their fourth win in five games. Brian McCann had three hits and knocked in both of the Braves’ runs as they had their brief, two-game win streak snapped.
Final Score: Philadelphia 5, Washington 4
Washington, DC (Sports Network) – Raul Ibanez plated the go-ahead run with a sacrifice fly in the seventh inning, as the Philadelphia Phillies beat Washington, 5-4, in the opener of a three-game series at Nationals Park. Ryan Howard and Ibanez hit back-to-back home runs to highlight a three-run fourth for the National League East-leading Phillies, who have won five of their last six games. Roy Halladay (7-3) won his 11th consecutive decision against the Montreal/Washington franchise despite allowing three homers — all solo blasts — for the 11th time in his career. The right-hander gave up four runs total on 10 hits with no walks and five strikeouts in seven innings. Mike Morse, Danny Espinosa and Laynce Nix all went deep for the Nationals, who have lost three straight and fell to 1-8 in their last nine outings. Washington starter Livan Hernandez earned a no-decision after yielding four runs, eight hits and two walks over 6 1/3 innings.
Final Score: Houston 12, Chicago 7
Chicago, IL (Sports Network) – A season-high four home runs and five solid innings from the bullpen helped the Houston Astros earn a 12-7 victory over the Chicago Cubs in the first of a three-game set from Wrigley Field. Clint Barmes, Hunter Pence, J.R. Towles and Jeff Keppinger each went yard for the Astros, which won the series opener after suffering a three-game sweep at the hands of the Diamondbacks. The club’s 12 runs and 16 hits also marked season highs. Sergio Escalona (1-0) picked up the win after spelling Aneury Rodriguez in the fifth. Escalona worked a scoreless frame, while Rodriguez allowed six runs — four earned — on seven hits and two walks with four strike outs. Rodrigo Lopez, in his first start with Chicago after arriving from Atlanta via trade, allowed six runs on 10 hits in 4 2/3 innings. Jeff Samardzija (3-1) allowed two runs on two hits, including one home run, over 1 2/3 innings of relief to suffer the loss. Carlos Pena blasted a two-run homer for the Cubs, who have dropped three of four.
Final Score: San Francisco 7, St. Louis 3
St. Louis, MO (Sports Network) – Madison Bumgarner went seven strong innings and Andres Torres blasted a grand slam as the San Francisco Giants downed the St. Louis Cardinals, 7-3, in the first of a four-game set from Busch Stadium. Bumgarner (2-6) allowed two runs on six hits and two walks, while striking out five. It was his second win in three outings. Torres added a double to finish 2-for-4, while Cody Ross hit a solo shot and scored twice for the Giants, who snapped a two-game losing streak. Kyle McClellan (6-2) lasted just four innings in the loss, surrendering seven runs on seven hits and two walks. Albert Pujols blasted his ninth home run of the season for the Cardinals, who have lost three of five.
Final Score: New York 7, Pittsburgh 3
Flushing, NY (Sports Network) – Josh Thole hit a go-ahead, two-run double in the seventh inning and Dillon Gee stayed undefeated on the season, as the Mets defeated the Pirates, 7-3, to open a four-game series. Gee (5-0) gave up three runs on five hits while striking out a career-high eight batters for the Mets, who posted 15 hits despite their leadoff hitter, Jose Reyes, being placed on the bereavement list before the game. Ruben Tejada, Angel Pagan and Daniel Murphy all had three hits and drove in a run for the victors. Daniel McCutchen (1-1) took the loss behind Charlie Morton, who got through six innings and was charged with three runs — one earned — on 11 hits. Chris Snyder hit a two-run homer in the loss, Pittsburgh’s fifth in seven games.
Final Score: Cincinnati 7, Milwaukee 3
Cincinnati, OH (Sports Network) – Jay Bruce hit a three-run home run and added a triple to send the Cincinnati Reds to a 7-3 victory over the Milwaukee Brewers in the opener of a three-game series. Paul Janish chipped in with two hits and an RBI for the Reds, who snapped a two-game losing streak. Jonny Gomes knocked in a run and scored once. Travis Wood (4-3) threw six strong innings to pick up the win, giving up three runs on seven hits while striking out two and walking none. Carlos Gomez and Josh Wilson homered for the Brewers, and Prince Fielder added three hits as Milwaukee had their two-game win streak halted. Chris Narveson (2-4) went only four innings in defeat, giving up five runs on five hits. He walked two and fanned seven.
Final Score: Arizona 15, Florida 4
Phoenix, AZ (Sports Network) – Justin Upton went 5-for-5 with a home run and three RBI, and the Arizona Diamondbacks annihilated the Florida Marlins, 15-4, to continue their recent tear. Upton was just one of the many highlights for Arizona: Kelly Johnson homered twice and drove in three during a four-hit game, Miguel Montero also went deep and knocked in five and the team recorded 19 hits in the rout. The offensive barrage backed Joe Saunders (2-5), who gave up four runs on seven hits over six innings to earn the win, Arizona’s 15th in 17 games. Chris Volstad (2-4) was touched for five runs on eight hits in just 3 1/3 innings for the Marlins, who were coming off a series loss to the Dodgers over the weekend. Gaby Sanchez went 2-for-4 with a home run and three RBI in defeat.
Final Score: Los Angeles 7, Colorado 1
Los Angeles, CA (Sports Network) – James Loney hit a two-run homer and drove in three runs, as the Los Angeles Dodgers handled the Colorado Rockies, 7-1, in the opener of a three-game series. Andre Ethier went 2-for-4 with three RBI and a run scored for the Dodgers, who improved to 3-1 on a six-game homestand. Chad Billingsley (4-4) gave up one run on 11 hits over seven innings to pick up the win. He also struck out eight and walked two. Ty Wigginton hit a solo homer for the Rockies, who have lost nine of their last 11 games. Jason Hammel (3-5) allowed seven runs on 10 hits over 4 2/3 innings to suffer the loss. He hasn’t won since April 30.
Visit www.aasiwins.com for all your FREE MLB winners, news, articles, and updates.
