Time for you online betting fans to build the perfect sports Saturday. Surely you’ll be throwing down wagers on the UFC 102 odds at night. How about betting on some ballgames in the afternoon? Let’s try a two-game parlay.
Atlanta Braves @ Philadelphia Phillies
Saturday, August 29, 7:05 p.m. ET
Derek Lowe (12-8, 4.48) vs Cliff Lee (5-0, 0.68)
If you’ve done your homework, you’ll know that Derek Lowe loves pitching against the Phillies. He’s 5-1 in his career against them with a 2.64 ERA. However, as good as Lowe is, those numbers pale in comparison to what Cliff Lee has done for the Phillies since arriving at the trade deadline. In five starts with Philadelphia, Lee is 5-0 with a 0.68 ERA, a complete-game shutout, an 11-strikeout performance, a 0.75 WHIP, no homers allowed and a .175 opponents’ average. Just unbelievable. Forget what you knew or didn’t know about Cliff Lee; he’s as untouchable now as he was at the start of his 2008 Cy Young season. Bet on Philadelphia.
Betting services recommend: Phillies
Colorado Rockies @ San Francisco Giants
Saturday, August 29, 9:05 p.m. ET
Jason Marquis (14-8, 3.47) vs Barry Zito (8-11, 4.09)
Here’s another more-than-meets-the-eye matchup. It seems logical to bet on the Rockies whenever they send Jason Marquis to the hill this season. The All-Star is 8-4 on the road this season and has a 2.74 ERA over two starts against the Rockies. However, if you look closer, you’ll see that Barry Zito and the Giants are superior baseball picks Saturday night.
Over two starts against Colorado in ’09, Barry Zito has tossed 13 scoreless innings. Proof that those numbers aren’t a fluke; Zito has a 2.06 ERA since the All-Star break. For whatever reason, the enigmatic lefty has rediscovered his past dominance. You may as well ride it while it lasts.
Betting services recommend: Giants