OffshoreInsiders.com Senior Sports Handicapper Matt Rivers has the free pick winner for Thursday is on the Phillies (-1.5) to Washington.
Reasoning: Yes Philadelphia at times can have a difficult time with this Washington squad. The Nationals are a division rival and overall not a terrible team. Jordan Zimmerman is a young kid with a bright future who may hold his own for a part of this game but after 9 innings I just see Lee dominating and the Fightin’ Phils being able to take care of business.
The Phillie left-hander struggled a bit in that last outing at Turner Field against the Braves. One bad inning and one bad play by Shane Victorino did Lee in in untypical losing fashion. I see the guy getting back on the horse here and dazzling as he does more times than not. Let’s face it, Cliff Lee is a an absolute star and a guy that is extremely trustworthy. When he has a rough outing like that last one it is not a bad idea to go right back to him and expect him to be focused and ready to turn it back around because that’s what great pitchers do.
The Nats are alright and took the first game fairly easily in this series before getting shut down a bit, save the 9th inning, in the 3-2 loss last night to Roy Halladay. I have no issues at times taking back big numbers with this Washington team. But they will once again be without their leader in Ryan Zimmerman, which is a big loss and cannot be understated, and up against Lee are going to have a tough time at the plate.
I’ll take my chances with high quality lefty bats like Howard, Rollins, Victorino, Ibanez and others today against the young right-hander in Zimmerman while getting what should be a more than focused Lee who is ready to follow Halladay’s lead and twirl a gem.
I can see 4-1 in this thing in the end!
Top expert pick on this game: Philadelphia Phillies on the runline.
For more information: The numbers are gaudy and the funny thing is that on the super rare occasion that I have a losing night it’s only because my teams fall in either extra innings or by one run in the tightest of tight contests ala both the Reds and big dog Indians yesterday. When I win though it’s by a billion, like the 400,000* Brewers yesterday, and all in all that is the true sign of what a quality handicapper I am There will be a few losses but it’s the guy who is on it over and over and over again that you can trust and I have done a ton to build that trust with you for a long time now.
No hoops today but no problem, a pair on the diamond that will keep that Crookie crying. 300,000* St. Louis-Los Angeles along with a 200,000* Milwaukee-Pittsburgh. Absolutely bashing the man one more time here and now! Click now to purchase