| Chicago Cubs at Los Angeles Dodgers NLDS Game 3 Predictions |
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Saturday, 04 October 2008
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Right hander Rich Harden gets the task of getting the Cubs into the post-season winning column as today’s Game-3 starter. Harden finished the regular season at 10-2 with a 2.07 ERA. Harden's opponent in this one will be Hiroki Kuroda . The Dodgers righthander has a 3.73 ERA to go along with a 9-10 record this season. Oddsmakers at online sportsbook Bodog (Bodoglife.com) are giving the Cubs with Hardin pitching the favorites nod at 122-money line odds with a 7-run total. Dodgers backers are getting +112 money line odds as a home underdog. Harden went 5-1 with a 2.34 ERA in 13 starts for Oakland before the Cubs acquired him July 8. In 12 starts with Chicago, he was 5-1 with a 1.77 ERA, and has struck out 89 over 71 innings. Opponents are batting .157 against him. In his last regular-season start against the New York Mets, Harden gave up two earned runs on two hits and five walks over six innings. He has to get the walks under control. Harden's only loss with the Cubs was July 21 at Arizona, when he gave up one run on one hit and two walks over seven innings while striking out 10. The Cubs will take that kind of performance in October. Kuroda shut out the Cubs on June 6, retiring 16 of the final 17 batters. He also faced the Cubs at Wrigley, allowing only one run in 6 1/3 innings of a tough 1-0 loss. Mindful that Kuroda is not accustomed to pitching every fifth day, the Dodgers worked in extra days off between starts in three of his last four outings. He was particularly sharp in his fine tune-up Sunday in San Francisco and he was 6-2 at home. The Dodgers scored five runs in the second inning en route to a 10-3 victory over the Cubs in Game 2 of this series at Wrigley Field on Thursday. The Dodgers won the game as +145 road underdogs, while the 13 runs made it OVER the posted over/under (8.5). Russell Martin drove in three runs to lead the Dodgers, while Manny Ramirez drove in two runs and went deep for the second straight game. Chad Billingsley allowed one run and five hits over 6 2-3 innings in the win. Mark DeRosa drove in two runs for the Cubs. Carlos Zambrano surrendered seven runs over 6 1-3 innings in the loss. NLDS Game-3 predictions….Look for the road team to win for the third straight game. Behind Hardin, Chicago has been solid since coming over at mid-season from Oakland. Check out our live MLB Point Spreads showcasing real time odds of the world's top online sportsbooks all in one easy to use location. Get line movements in real time and find out who has the best college football betting odds. Some of the best online handicappers in college football are standing by to help you get started with a successful online sports wagering experience. This link will put you in touch with all our sports picks experts who we guarantee will increase your bank roll and allow you to bet with confidence.                        |
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| Last Updated ( Saturday, 04 October 2008 ) | |||||||
Chicago Cubs at Los Angeles Dodgers NLDS Game-3 Predictions…Cubs fans have been yearning for a team good enough to be successful in post-season play. Once they think they have such a team, it hangs on the verge of elimination after losing their first two games of the National League Divisional Series. Some blame a curse more than their opponents, the Los Angeles Dodgers. While the Cubs had one of major league baseball’s best records, all goes for not in the post-season. A team with a hot hand can quickly run away with a best-of-five series as is the NLDS. And right now, the Dodgers have the upper hand up two games to none.