D-Backs: “They Are Who We Thought They Were”

August 16, 2023

JOHN FREDERICKS:

In the famous words of the immortal Cardinals former head coach Dennis Green: The D-Backs Are Who We Thought They Were.

While coach Green is in Heaven looking down at this mess in the desert, he is surely remembering his football Cardinals blowing a 21-0 nothing lead to the Chicago Bears in that infamous Monday night game’s second half. “We let them off the hook,” Green said, in one of the most famous post game press conferences known to man.

Now, it’s the Arizona baseball team that is choking down the stretch, hanging on to a Wild-Card playoff birth by a thread. The D-Backs are 2.5 games back of the last slot, with the task of having to leapfrog three other teams. They have lost seven of their last 10 and a ton of games before that (18 of 24 to be precise). They have to right the ship today against Colorado, or it might truly be the a tumbleweed blowing in the wind.

MLB MONEY LINE WAGERS FOR Thursday August  16 2023

2023 MLB Godzilla Season Stats

248-210-1 -$925

*Based on all wagers at $100 per game at money or run line odds as specified in Draft Kings. Note: If money line is -$150, we are laying $150 to win $100, etc.  If we take +$130 and we win, we win $130 for our $100.

Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-Gambler

August 16 2023

Arizona (-130) at Rocks 

Slade Cecconi is making only his second lifetime start for the D-Backs but I really like this kid. I’m taking a shot with the rook on the road at Coors. More to the point is that the Rockies are just a really lousy baseball team. They have the worst offense in the N.L. even while playing half their games in Denver. The D-Backs have folded down the stretch but they still have time to make a late run. Better have a collapse in early August than in late September.

While Austin Gomber has been decent his last two outings for Colorado, I just don’t like his metrics. Arizona hits a lot of dingers on the road. Today may be bombs away.

Pick: D-Backs (-130)

Houston (EVEN) at Miami 

I am getting Justin Verlander at even money? Book it, Dano! The Marlins are a .500 team, and Verlander has been back to his old self in his last six starts, dating back to the Mets. Both teams are fighting to make the dance, so these are tough games. The Astros need to take this series to keep pace with the red-hot Rangers, who never seem to lose. Perhaps Jon Singleton will get out of his slump today — he’s hitless since his two home-run breakout game last Friday night. Remember this dude is a lifetime .125 hitter. One more rant: why is Dusty starting Maldy? Another passed ball Monday for a run, and Diaz hit another bomb last night. I get the “he calls a good game” mantra, but he’s an automatic out and his defense has slipped.  Just asking the question. Brantley needs to get his butt back from REHAB ASAP.

Pick: Houston (EVEN)