Really hard spot here for Pitt after they are coming off getting beat up by Penn St two weeks ago and then were embarrassed by Oklahoma St last week.  I think this is a very difficult spot here for them to bounce back against a option team.  Tech has also had a week off here to prepare which is a huge factor here.  The Panthers really struggle on defense this year giving up 7.7 yards per play.  

I could really see Tennessee sleeping walking through this game with an early start here.  They are coming off such a deflating loss against their rival Florida losing by a hail mary pass as time expired.  This is the classic sandwich spot with another rival in Georgia coming to town next week.  You know they are looking ahead to that one.  UMass isn't as bad their record indicates.  

The Rangers have been hot lately but so have the A's quietly enough.  The A's give the ball to the better pitcher here in Graveman who is 4-0 with a 2.98 ERA at home this season.   Martinez is one of the worst starters for the Rangers.  He brings in a 5.48 ERA for the season is just 2-5 on the road with a 5.70 ERA.  

We will go back to the Cubs again here tonight even though I'm not a huge fan of Lackey he does bring a 1.98 ERA in his last 3 starts.  The Cubs won in dramatic fashion now giving themselves a 4.5 game lead and I think they will want to end here soon.  The loss last night will be hard for the Brewers to bounce back from 

The Orioles are done for and they bring out Jimenez who has really struggled this season with a 6.93 ERA on the year.  He has been even worse on the road with a 7.28 ERA.  Cobb is a very underrated starter who is in goof form with a 2.81 ERA his last 3 starts.  

I'm going to go with the experience here in the Cubs to prevail tonight.  They know this is a huge series as the Brewers still have a chance to make the playoffs and even win the division as they are only 3.5 games back.  Cubs will send out Arriets who I trust a lot more than Davies in this situation.  Arriets has owned the Brewers with a 8-4 record and 2.79 career ERA.   

I dont think the Indians will sweep the Angels here today.  Bridwell has been one of if not the most underrated pitcher in all of baseball.  He comes in with a 8-2 overall record and 3.84 ERA on the season.  While the Indians are red hot and not taking anything away from them, Salazar has been nothing special as he bring in a 8.02 ERA his last 3 starts. 

GOLD'S MLB GAME OF THE MONTH! 

I think the D Backs respond here and avoid getting swept by the Padres.  While yes they are in a comfortable spot here in the wild card I do think they will want to lock it up for sure.  They send out one of the most underrated starters in baseball this season.  Ray is 8-1 on the road this season with a 1.33 ERA.  

Cardinals send out one of their promising young studs in Weaver who has just been lights out.  Weaver is 6-1 with a 2.11 ERA.  He is 3-0 on the road with a 2.84 ERA.  He last 3 starts has been super impressive with a .96 ERA.  Reds counter with Davis who brings in a 7.58 ERA on the season and a 8.25 ERA his last 3 starts.

With the Angels now favored here I think we are seeing some big sharp money here and Vegas is tilting their hand.  Their is no motivation any more for the Indians as they have already clinched their playoff spot and it will be hard as they are coming off a very high winning streak as we are all aware of

Like the ace of the Rays here tonight in Archer against Montgomery.  Yes, the Cubs have been playing well but all those games were at home.  I think we are getting a discount here because of that fact.  Montgomery also worries me here coming off a couple pretty bad starts.  The Rays also haven't gave up evidence in the last game as they avoided getting swept by the Red Sox 

GOLD'S MONDAY NIGHT LOCK OF THE MONTH

The Broncos won't be a team that most look to back this season.  The Cowboys on the other hand will be one everyone looks to back coming off last year where they won the betting public a lot of money.  Now that they covered last week vs their rival I think they are in for a real test @ Denver here vs a extremely tough defense 

I realize this is a huge line here but the Jets are the worst team in the league facing maybe the best offense in the league.  The Raiders will have no problem scoring here and while their defense isn't anything special they won't have an issue as the Jets offense is pretty bad

The Browns made a good showing last week vs the Steelers in a back door cover last in the game.  I think the rookie QB Kizer has a real test ahead of him here with the Ravens defesne being one of the best in the league.  This line should be around double digits 

I think we are seeing a huge over reaction here with thise game based on last weeks results.  Yes, the Chiefs looked great on national tv in a huge win over the Patriots. Well, I wasn't very impressed with the Pats defense and Wentz was one of the most impressive QB's in week 1.  For a team that generally doesn't score a lot of points giving 6 is a ton

GOLD'S FIVE STAR LOCK!

Love Louisville to get revenge from last year as they dropped a heart breaker in death valley.  Clemson went on to win the national title lost some big players on defense but also lsot their stud Watson at QB.  Now since they have looked good for 2 weeks they are favored here in this spot?  I think this is a huge over reaction.  Louisville has the reigning Heisman winner in Jackson and this Louisville team isn't getting respect because of their final score out comes but they have actually dominated if you look at the box score. 

I just think that Wyoming is in over their head here for this game.  The athletes aren't there to compete with this style of play.  If you watched Oregon last week they were up 42-14.  They totally dominated the Huskers racking up a total of 566 yards.  Wyoming had a lot of hype and a large part of that was because of their QB Allen.  I just don't think this team has enough talent around him.  Oregon seems like they have returned to their old style of putting up huge numbers.  I think they easily get to 40+ and hold of Wyoming here

This is one of those games that will be under looked here.  Kent St might end up proving to be one of the top 10 worst teams in the country.  They were huge favorites last week over Howard and only won by 7, but were outgained in that game by 53 yards.  Kent St is giving up 7.5 yards per play.  Marshall will have no problem moving the ball.  They will also have no problem stopping the one dimensional offense in Kent St also.  

Hard to pass up the Gators here coming off a bye week plus they will be eager to bounce back here after losing week 1 to Michigan.  They will also want revenge for the heart break they suffered last year @ Tennessee.  The Gators defense is elite and will hold the Vols offense in check.  Even though the announcement hasn't been made I think the suspended Florida players will be reinstated here as well.  They are better in every category

SMU is very much an improved team this year and this just feels like way to many points given the situation.  TCU looked very impressive last week in a win @ Arkansas.  That has this line being inflated here.  This is a little rivalry game, but I think SMU will give it all they have while TCU is in the perfect sandwich spot having @ Oklahoma St on deck.  While I know TCU hasn't beat any world beaters you still have to take into fact they have crushed both opponents and covered both games. 

This line will go down as I expect big money to back Pitt here especially from what we saw from them last week vs Penn St as that final score was very misleading as Pitt actually out gained them for the game.  They had a huge advantage in 10 first downs as well, it was just the turnovers that cost them.  I think Pitt will look to control the ball and the clock here which will frustrate the Pokes as they are a run and gun offense.  Keep them off the field and they can't score. 

This is one of those lines that you look at and automatically think hmmm something is weird.  Well there are a lot of negatives here against UCLA.  Yes, they have the stud QB in Rosen which the whole public knows about.  Now this is an early kick off time which will 9 AM for the UCLA kids.  That is a lot more difficult than the average person thinks.  Second, their defense is terrible if you watched the first game vs Texas AM who has proven to be a bottom feeder in the SEC.  Last they have a huge look ahead game here also.  

Yes, the Twins have everything to play for and have been playing well, but in no way would I take Colon over Happ.  Happ despite his 8-10 record he has a good ERA on the season at 3.73.  He is in great form with a 1.53 ERA his last 3 starts as well. 

I think the wrong team is favored as the Mariners just won 3 straight over the Rangers and re in the hunt for the wild card.  Paxton is by far their ace and isn't getting respect as he owns a 12-3 record with a 2.78 ERA on the year.  The Astros have no motivation here as the season winds down and they are just 2-5 their last 7

Both of these teams just looked awful Week 1.  I do expect both to bounce back but I think the Texans will bigger here as I expect more of Watson than Savage.  Also Watt left the game hurting the texans defense.  Quite simply the Bengals aren't good enough to be laying this amount of points to hardly anyone.  I think this line really comes down closer to kick

With these teams combining for 13 runs last night I think they are setting the bar way to high here in this match up between 2 pitchers who are really coming into form.  Leake enters the game with a 3.60 ERA his last 3 starts.  He is also 8-3 favoring the under on the road this year.  Perez enters the game with a 3.37 ERA his last 3 starts.  

They have both had success against each other's team as well.  Perez has a career 3.54 ERA against the Mariners and Leake has a career 2.33 ERA against the Rangers.

I backed the Red Sox last night and will back them again here as they took control and won 11-1 in the opener of the series.  Doug Fister takes the mound here and enters the game in great form with a 1.71 ERA his last 3 starts.  He also owns a very good career ERA against the A's with a 2.95. 

The A's will counter with Cotton who is a nice promising player, but he has fallen off as of late.  He enters the game with a 7.20 ERA his last 3 starts.  

Really like the Cubs here to bounce back after getting swept by the Brewers over the weekend.  They had the day off yesterday which can only help them.  Quintana is coming off his best start in a while going 6 innings giving up 0 runs.  Gsellman is in better form here but on the road he has been awful with a 8.53 ERA.

I think the A's are due for a major letdown here after sweeping the Astros in a 4 game series.  The Red Sox also can't afford any mishaps down the stretch against the bottom feeders as the Yankees are still in their rear view mirror.  Manaea owns a career ERA over 11 against the Red Sox 

The Orioles skid comes to a hault here tonight against the Blue Jays.  Dylan Bundy will be taking the mound tonight and he is in good form with a 3.59 ERA his last 3 starts.  He is also 6-4 on the road this season.  Biagini just pitched very well against the Orioles, but I think they get the best of him tonight as he is just 1-6 at home this season 

We have a big division game here set the double header on Monday night.  There is no doubt the Broncos defense is legit but can their offense do anything?  Rivers is still a quality QB that gets the job on a regular basis.  It has always been the def that has let them down.  I think the Chargers are a sneaky team this year and getting 3.5 is a gift here tonight

Really like the value here with the Niners as they aren't getting enough credit.  The general public is over reacting here with the Panthers and Mccaffrey.  With the big names the Panthers have is creating this line way to high it should be closer to a PK

This game will clearly be a smart money vs public joe money.  We all know what the Falcons did last season and how it ended for them.  The Super Bowl hangover curse is real and I believe will play in a big effect this season for them.  The Bears aren't as bad as what people are making them out to be.  Numbers wise they had a lot better season than their record indicated.  This number won't be here long to grab the 7

The line has already moved in the Cardinals favor and expect to to keep climbing.  I'm not very high on this Lions team coming into this season.  I just simply think the Cardinals are the better team all around the board here.  Last year was a down year but all signs indicate they are ready to make a run.  Injuries played a big part in why they struggled last season.  

Are the Browns really going to be that bad?  I truly don't think so and now is the time to buy on them as I believe they will cover a lot of games early in the year based on false perceptio alone.  Sure the Steelers have all the weapons here but Bell situ is interesting and not sure if he is 100% ready.  Browns have a great OL and enough play makers to keep it close here

Most people are going to over react here and think the Trojans aren't worthy of laying this number.  I think this is one of those cases the betting public loves this underdog and simply it won't happen.  USC did struggle last week but you can also make the case that they weren't going to show anything and they were clearly looking ahead.  I think the Trojans make a statement as most people are writing them off from week 1. 

I really think this Notre Dame team is the real deal this year.  Sure, they played Temple last week, but they flat out took care of business.  Yes the Georgia Freshman QB did play well coming in for the injured Eason, but now this is a very different animal playing on the road @ Notre Dame.  I think Notre Dame puts their foot down here and runs away with it

First off here we get revenge with the Ducks from losing in Lincoln last year, as they kept going for two which cost them the game.  We are seeing how bad this Nebraska team will be this year. They should have lost last week and the only reason they didnt was because Arkansas St turned it over two times and the Huskers didnt at all.  Oregon will be able to do whatever they want on offense here and this Nebraska team isn't built for a comeback.  

So we see Texas get upset in week 1 against Maryland.  Their defense was terrible, but you can count on Herman having his guys ready to play here in week 2.  Not many probably watched San Jose St in week 1 vs South Florida.  They gave up nearly 650 yards against them and this Texas team does have a lot more talent on offense.  I actually think they will shore up the defense here as well and San Jose doesn't have as much talent as Maryland either

Cardinals are now 2nd place in the division right now and this price is to good to pass up as I expect them to sweep the Padres here.  Lynn has had a very good season for the Cardinals with a 10-6 record and a 2.99 ERA on the year.  Richard for the Padres is just 6-13 on the year with a 4.94 ERA.  

The due factor is now out for the Dodgers.  They should be extremely motivated here to avoid getting swept twice now in the past 2 weeks.  Maeda has been rock solid at home this season witha 8-1 record and 3.12 ERA.  

The Pirates have taken the first two from the Cubs here but I think Quintana can shut them down as they don't hit lefties very well.  This is also a huge discount we are getting with him considering the last time he faces them the line was -200.  Cubs will be hungry after a bullpen melt down last night 

There is no doubt the betting public will be all over the D Backs who are red hot right now and their ace is taking the mound.  However, when you look at it he isn't favored here for a reason.  His numbers on the road with a 3-5 record and 4.28 ERA.  

I don't trust CC on the road here against the Orioles as the last time he faced he was rocked, giving up 7 runs in 5 and two thirds.  The Orioles have played themselves back into the playoff picture and they simply cant afford another loss here as they are trying to catch the Yankees.  Hellickson has had good luck in his career vs the Yanks with a 3.07 ERA.

The Rockies took care of business yesterday and I believe they do so easily tonight with Chatwood on the mound.  There is no doubt he has struggled but one thing is for sure and that he loves pitching against the Giants as he owns a career 7-3 record with a 2.38 ERA.

I will take my chances with the Cubs on the RL here today.  Arrieta has just been on fire lately with a .5 ERA his last 3 starts.  The Cubs dropped yesterday's game to the Braves but prior to that they had won 6 straight.  The Pirates will counter with Kuhl who has never beat the Cubs and owns a career 11.07 ERA against them!

Let's back the red ht Orioles here in a game they need over division rival.  Montgomery is struggling as of late with a 5.02 ERA his last 3 starts.  Bundy is coming off a complete game shutout and I think that carries over here.  He owns a 2.57 ERA his last 3 starts.  In 13 innings against the Yankees this year he has only gave up 4 earned runs

This is an interesting game here IMO as I think it will go under the radar.  First, we all know what happened this off season with Ole Miss and their coach having to step down.  Ole Miss could easily be the worst team in the SEC if not bottom 3 for sure.  So should a team that only won 5 games and 3 of those were cup cakes be favored by this many after losing their QB Kelley to the NFL?  I'm not buying it.  S Bama is a team that won't back down here after all they did win @ Miss St lat year the first game of the season.  

PLAY OF THE DAY!

Really love Notre Dame here today as I believe this team bounces back in a big way this season.  They have plenty of experience returning here and I trust Brian Kelley to turn it back  around as he is on the hot seat this season.  Adams their RB should have a field day against a Temple defense that only returns 4 starters.  Not only do they just return 4 on defense they also just return on offense and even lost their coach after their great season last year.  

Notre Dame makes a statement

I was hoping to get 6 but will still take the 5.5.  I just think this is an over reaction here to all the suspensions that Florida has gave out.  Yes they will miss Callaway and Scarlett big time, but the Gators have great recruiting classes and a great chance for others to step up.  I also like the fact this is a neutral field game especially with the fact that Michigan might start up to 7 freshman.  They have so much to replace on the defensive side of the ball here.  

While Penn St is a team to look out for this season I think you need to cash in against them early as most are high on them which will create huge lines like we are getting here.  There is no motivation to come and blow this Akron team out.  Akron has plenty of talent here especially on the offensive side of the ball where I do expect them to score some points and if they score just twice Penn St would have to almost score 50.  

Wyoming is getting way to much respect here as their QB Allen is regarded as one of the best and I believe that is creating some big value with Iowa here.  While I'm not that high on Iowa as they do have QB question marks, but their OL and DL should be the difference here as they are a top group and should easily wear Wyoming down as the game goes on.  Iowa isn't a flashy team by any means and that is why they aren't getting much respect here. 

We know the betting public will be all over the red hot D Backs here, but I think this is a flat spot for them coming off a sweep over the Dodgers.  The Rockies send out lefty Freeland who was very impressive in his only start against the D Backs this year going 6 innings only giving up 1 run.  He also brings his best stuff at home with a 3.30 ERA.  

The Royals snapped their losing streak yesterday and I expect that to carry over here tonight.  Vargas is 7-4 at home with a 3.57 ERA.  I will forgive him on his last couple starts while they weren't awful they were against the Indians both starts.  Odorizzi comes into this game in terrible form with a 8.10 ERA his last three  starts.

I will back the Twins on the RL here as they have a huge advantage on the mound with their youngster in Berrios.  He is 7-1 at home with a 2.87 ERA.  He also just lost to the White Sox last time out so I think he bounces back here.  Holland has just been awful with a 7.82 ERA on the road and is even in worse form with a 12.65 ERA his last 3 starts.  

I was wrong with the Pirates last night and going to fade them here today as quite simply the Reds have owned the Pirates this season going 9-2 against them. Castillo has pitched very well for Cincy with a 2.81 ERA his last 3 starts.  While Cole is a big name he simply hasn't lived up to expectations this year and in fact has never beat the Reds in 9 starts. 

After getting embarrassed last night the Red Sox will bounce back facing Gausman.  He has a 5.51 ERA on the road this season and is in worse form with a 6.06 ERA his last 3 starts.  Rodriguez is simply being undervalued here as he has pitched well at home with a 3.79 ERA.  

I like the Angels to get the job done tonight.  Bridwell has just been sensational for them with a 7-1 record and 3.07 ERA.  His recent form is even better with a 2.00 ERA his last 3 starts.  The Angels will have plenty of motivation here as they still have the wild card to play for.  I don't trust McHugh here on the road as he has yet to win a game in 4 road starts.  His ERA is 5.81 in those 4 starts. 

I see this line going up here with Nova on the mound.  I'm not gonna put much blame on the Pirates here for losing 3 of 4 to the best team in baseball in the Dodgers.  The Reds were very lucky to escape with a win last night over the Cubs after their bullpen blew it.  Nova has a 3.81 ERA on the season and his last two starts have been good enough to back him here.  

The Cubs are red hot right now winning 5 straight and 6 of their last 7.  Will back them on the RL again here tonight as their bats are on fire.  They have scored 13 and 9 runs to open this series.  They will send Arrieta to the mound who has been great the 2nd half of the season.  He enters the game in great form with a 1.93 ERA his last 3 starts and his a perfect 3-0.  He owns the Reds as well with a 7-2 career record and 3.32 ERA.

I just think Edwin Jackson here is due for a major let down.  He has been pitching well, but this isn't the guy we all know.  I think the Astros bounce back here from yesterday's loss in a big way.  The Nationals offense is really struggling despite winning a few games as they have only had one game since August 13th recording 10 hits or more.  Fiers brings his best stuff at home with a 3.79 ERA on the year

Yankees bats caught fire last night and I see that carrying over into tonight's game against Zimmermann.  He owns a 5.87 ERA on the year, a 6.00 ERA at home and a terrible 9.77 ERA his last 3 starts.  Severino has been a bright spot with a 10-5 record and a 3.18 ERA on the season.  He is also 5-1 on the road with a 2.40 ERA.  

I think the Royals know how important this series is right now as they have a road series with the Indians on deck and that is away.  Jon Gray comes into this game in good form, but let's look at the teams he has faced in the Braves Marlins and Phillies.  Those are some of the worst offenses in the game.  Duffy should be able to control them as e has a respectable 3.82 ERA on the year and an even better 3.14 ERA at home.  

I think the Cardinals handle the Padres here pretty easily tonight.  The Padres offense has gone ice cold as they have scored a combined just 6 runs the last 4 games.  That is pretty ugly baseball right there.  Richard is nothing special on the road with a 1-5 record and 4.70 ERA.  Lance Lynn is having himself a season with a 10-6 record and 3.05 ERA on the year.  He has been even better at home with a 2.62 ERA.

The line has completely flipped here and I believe because of good reason.  The Mariners couldn't pull off the sweep yesterday, but have managed to win 4 of their last 5.  Albers has made one start this season and went 5 innings only giving up 1 run against the Orioles.  Folty has really cooled off here as he enters the game with a 10.95 ERA his last 3 starts.  

The D Backs were just swept by the Twins and I expect them to bounce back here in a big way against a Mets team who has clearly thrown in the towel for the season.  Gsellman has done nothing impressive so far with a 6.63 ERA on the year in 15 starts.  His form his terrible also with a 8.53 ERA his last 3 starts.  Walker has pitched his best on the road this season with a 3.30 ERA.  

Gonna take the under here tonight as last night was kind of a fluke for these teams.  The under actually looked good until Twins hit a couple homers in the 7th innings.  I don't that happens here tonight with the D Backs ace on the mound in Greinke who is 14-5 with a 3.01 ERA on the year.  Jose Berrios has struggled recently, but there is no doubt he shows up at home with a 6-1 record and a 3.30 ERA.  

Hard to pass up on this price with the Royals.  They were destroyed last night, but I see them bouncing back here with Vargas on the mound, who had been struggling but his last outing was a good one.  He has had hit best stuff at home with a 7-3 record and 3.30 ERA on the year.  I believe Bauer is due for a let down here as well and when you look at his road numbers he has been pretty bad with an ERA over 6!  Vargas 8-3 lifetime vs Indians with a 3.84 ERA.

Missed a good opening line here but it's still worth playing in my opinion.  Returning home will do the Pirates wonders I believe with the youngster Taillon taking the mound.  The Pirates are just 3 games back of the Cardinals so this is obviously a very important series for them to jump back in the race.  I also want not part of Wainwright who has struggled on the road with a 7.00 ERA. 

The Rockies will bounce back here tonight against the Braves after letting one slip away last night.  Folty is having a decent season but his has really fallen off here recently.  He enter the game with a 8.31 ERA his last 3 starts.  Jon Gray has been very solid at home with a 3-0 record and a 3.00 ERA.  In Gray's two career starts against the Braves last year he only gave up one run total.  

Like the Cubs here also to bounce back tonight against the Reds.  They simply cant afford to split this series with one game remaining tomorrow.  Homer Bailey brings in a 8.16 ERA his last three starts and has a 8.31 ERA for the season.  Lackey is 3-0 his last three with a 3.86 ERA.  

I realize Castillo has been pretty rock solid for the Reds but this will be his first time facing the Cubs and now their bats are coming alive as we all saw what happened last night.  Hendricks takes the mound here despite is 4-4 record he still has a 3.70 ERA and is in very good form right now with a 2.70 ERA his last 3 starts.  He also owns a 4-1 career record against the Reds.  

I will lay the juice here with Gray on the mound for the Yankees here as he makes his home debut for them since the trade.  The Mets are a team going no where again and a large part is because of injuries.  Gray won't have a problem with their offense by any means.  The Yankees also need to get hot here in this 4 games series and they have another with the Red Sox coming up

The Red Sox have been red hot including  taking 2 of 3 from their rivals over the weekend in the Yankees.  Odds makers are clearly showing their hand here by making the Indians the favorite on the road.  Bauer is in great form right now with a 1.23 ERA his last three starts.  Fister in sixe starts has a 5.73 ERA on the year.  Indians take game 1 tonight 

What a great price to back the Cardinals here tonight after they have had no problem winning 10-3 and 11-3 in two games at the Royals.  They should have no problem taking care of business with Leake with a 3.20 ERA at home and a 3.00 ERA his last three starts.  Cahill is 0-3 on the road with a 6.30 ERA.  He also owns a 8.75 ERA his last three starts.  

I think the Angels stop the bleeding tonight after losing 3 straight games.  This team is still in the wild card race and need a couple wins here before going back on the road.  

Bridwell should provide them with enough to get the job tonight as he is 5-1 with a 3.42 ERA on the season and has a 3.26 ERA his last three starts.  The Angels have also won his last 3 and they are 8-1 in the 9 games he has pitched so far.  

This is just great value here for a total tonight between two rivals.  Yes we all know both teams can light up the scoreboard, but I don't think that will be the case tonight.  Both pitchers have been rock solid and I don't see that changing here.

Maeda is 10-4 on the year with a 3.90 ERA.  His last 3 starts has been near flawless with a 1.06 ERA.  Godley for the D Backs has been a great surprise for them all year long with a 2.86 ERA on the season.  He also comes in this with great form at a 1.93 ERA his last three.  I expect some sharp money coming in on this side grab this price while you can

I think the Cubs know this is a very important road trip right now after dropping 4 of their last 5 games.  They will want to start it off right tonight I believe they will behind Arrieta.  He is really starting to come into form right now with a 2.29 his last three starts.  He has also owned the Giants in 7 career starts with a 1.97 ERA.  

Despite the difference in records this actually doesn't come as a surprise that the Giants are favored.  The fact that they are really shows who the books like in this match up.  I will ride here with Samardzija who has had two very good outings going deep into the ball games as well.  

Corbin has really struggled on the road for the D Backs with a 7.24 ERA and isn't in good form either with a 5.51 ERA his last three starts.  

The Phillies are coming off getting swept by the Angels.  This team is done for the year there is no reason to back or even think about it going forward.  The Rockies on the other hand are fighting for the playoffs and will be looking to care of business here before heading on the road.

Freeland the lefty has been good with a 11-7 record and 3.73 ERA.  He is 3-0 his last three starts with a 2.33 ERA.  He should be able to handle this Phillies offense that is really struggling 

I believe a lot of people are sleeping on this Rays team right now.   They are playing with a ton of confidence sweeping the Astros.  Faria has been a bright spot for them this season with a 5-1 record and 2.93 ERA. He is also a perfect 3-0 at home in 4 starts with a 2.81 ERA.