Baltimore @ Texas Rangers

Red hot. That's 8 in a row for SGS, assuming that the Cardinals can hold their 3 run lead. Worst case, 7-1 ain't too shabby. Tonight, in our second wild card game Orioles head to Texas to take on the Rangers. Let's start off with pitchers, Yu Darvish is on the mound for Texas, since August 6th, Yu has started 8 games, gong 7.2 innings average, and has a 100% QS rate. He has also faced 5 of the best offences in the MLB, the Tigers, Rays twice, and the Angels twice. That shows he is not a flash in the pan (see Medlon, Kris). The Orioles send out a lefty specialist in Joe Saunders, who has 5 QS out of last 7 starts. He also only as a HR rate of only .8 a game, and a walk rate of 1.6 per nine innings. The problem with Saunders is that he is giving up a .300 average this season. It should be noted that the Rangers are primarily a lefty based team. But what if the Orioles go all out, and do what I am predicting, sending Saunders out for 3 innings. The O's have a bullpen that is 3rd in the MLB allowing 3.00 runs per 9 innings. Let's face it, Joe Saunders is not very likely to carry the Orioles to a W, I think they will stick with their biggest advantage over virtually every team in the MLB, their bullpen. I think that will work to keep these Texas hitters on their heals, but Yu will also pitch fantastic as he has of late. I am going to predict a 2-1 final, meaning I like the Orioles +1.5 at even odds, especially with Texas being at home, meaning if they are up by one run in the ninth the Orioles will more than likely cover. It also prevents a Texas walk off hit from winning the bet for Texas -1.5 betters. That -1.5 for home teams is the biggest trap in all of betting. ORIOLES +1.5 FOR 2 UNITS U 9 FOR 1 UNIT.