MLB Predictions Preview … The Arizona Diamondbacks, after losing three straight games, could fall out of first place with a loss Saturday to the Braves Saturday night if the Los Angeles Dodgers get a win at San Francisco. With only a half-game lead in the NL West standings, the Diamondbacks will send right hander Dan Haren to the mound looking for the win. Haren has a 12-5 record with a 2.75 ERA. The Braves will pin their hopes on the pitching of right hander Jair Jurrjens. Jurrjens has a 10-7 record and a 3.12 ERA this season.
MLB Predictions Betting Line …Oddsmakers at online sportsbook Bodog (Bodoglife.com) currently have the Diamondbacks listed as -160 money line favorites versus the Braves, while the game's total is sitting at 7½. The Braves are getting +145 money line odds as a road underdog.
Haren struggled with command his last time out against the Pirates, but thanks to 13 runs of support, the All-Star right-hander picked up his fifth consecutive win. He struggled early on, allowing three first-inning runs, but the D-backs roughed up the Pittsburgh pitching staff for their biggest offensive explosion of the season. Haren has given up seven runs in just 11 2/3 innings, but still is 2-0 in his career against the Braves.
Jurrjens was victimized by multiple miscues and some inconsistent control while allowing the Giants four runs in six innings on Monday. The 22-year-old rookie had allowed just one earned run in his four previous road starts combined. His only previous appearance against the D-backs came on May 26, when allowed eight hits in 4 2/3 innings. His struggles that day could have been blamed on a blister that affected him for three starts.
The Braves defeated Arizona 11-6 as a +110 underdog on Friday. The 17 runs scored went OVER the posted over/under total (9).
Martin Prado was 3-4 with three RBI for Atlanta and Casey Kotchman was 3-4 with two RBI in the win.
Stephen Drew clubbed a two-run home run for the Diamondbacks, while Doug Davis was roughed up for seven runs on nine hits in four 1-3 innings.
