Milwaukee Brewers at Cincinnati Reds (-150, 9)
If it ain't broke don't fix it, even if it's the Big Retro Machine.
Reds manager Dusty Baker is breaking that cardinal rule, and he's using
all the parts in the box.
Prior to Sunday's 7-5 series-clinching
victory over the Cubs, Baker juggled the lineup to allow Drew Stubbs to
bat leadoff for the first time since May. He responded by going 3-for-5
with three runs scored.
Outfielder Jay Bruce, who had been batting leadoff, was moved to fifth in the order and hit his fourth homer of the series. Scheduled starter Edinson Volquez has been struggling, so Baker moved him to the bullpen and replaced him with rookie Travis Wood, who battled his way through five innings.
Unlike the Big Red Machine, no-names are helping this team to a five-game lead over the Cardinals.
"In this series, and a lot of this year, it's been that way," Stubbs said. "Obviously we've had the great things from Joey Votto, Brandon [Phillips] and Scott [Rolen] ... but everybody in the lineup has contributed and helped out at some point or another."
The Reds have feasted on the NL Central (except for the Cards) this
season and have won eight of their last nine meetings with the Brewers.
They are ripping left-handers to the tune of .307 and catch a familiar
southpaw in Randy Wolf.
The Reds should have another breakout game tonight; we just can't tell you which player will do it.
Pick: Reds
Philadelphia Philles at Los Angeles Dodgers (125, 6.5)
There's no place like road for the Phillies, whose change of scenery on this West Coast road trip is doing them good so far in Southern California.
After an embarrassing series sweep at home to the Houston Astros, the Phillies returned the favor to the Padres on Sunday before hopping the short flight to L.A., where the Dodgers are dealing with Manny-gate and the "War of the Roses."
After dropping two straight to the Rockies and seeing Chicago-bound outfielder Manny Ramirez ejected on the first pitch he faced in four days, the Dodgers returned home to a high-profile divorce trial involving its owner that is attracting a circus atmosphere in La-la-land.
The Phillies, meanwhile, are 14-2 against the NL West and are focused on baseball. They send Roy Halladay to the hill to face Hiroki Kuroda, whom they hammered for six earned runs in 1 1/3 innings the last time they met.
Pick: Phillies
