Week 9 Preview

Stats on predictions:
Last week: 3-2-1
Overall: 22-24-2
Upset special: 2-5-1
Mismatch: 4-4


Match of the week
Hal (6-2) vs. Joe (4-4)
Line: Hal -2
Info: Both teams are coming off close wins last week, in different ways. Joe's pitching has been terrible lately, with Dan Haren leading the way. Hal's, on the other hand, has been fantastic.
All-time series: N/A
Prediction: Hal 13-7

Mismatch of the week
Andy (6-2) vs. Mike (2-6)
Line: Andy -5
Info: The only way Mike can keep up with Andy's hitting is if Andy is slumping. Which he did last week against Ken (barely reaching the Mendoza Line). Mike gets two starts each from Tim Lincecum and Justin Verlander, too.
All-time series: Mike 3-2-1
Prediction: Andy 11-8

Upset special of the week
Chris (4-3-1) vs. Adam (5-3)
Line: Adam -2
Info: I know, I know, hard to classify this as much of an upset, but we'll go with it because of the line and records. Adam has never been 3 games above .500, and I don't expect that to change now. He can't win the big games.
All-time series: Chris 4-2
Prediction: Chris 12-7

Rest of the week
Jack (2-5-1) vs. Shea (4-3-1)
Line: Shea -4.5
Info: Shea' offense has been fantastic the past few weeks, and it will be tough for Jack to hang around if he keeps losing guys to injuries. Will Shea's questionable managing cost him another week?
All-time series: Jack 4-2
Prediction: Shea 12-8

Bob (5-3) vs. Ken (3-5)
Line: Bob -2
Info: Everyone is excited at Ken's resurgence, not rolling over after an 0-5 start. Bob, however, is very good in weeks after he loses, 12-7-1 all-time. Look for Bob to end Ken's three-game win streak.
All-time series: Bob 3-2-1
Prediction: Bob 10-7

Rick (2-6) vs. Dave (3-4-1)
Line: Dave -1.5
Info: If Dave wants to compete, he needs to win games like this week's in which he's facing a clearly inferior opponent. Get back to .500 and then people will start to believe in the Mo Vaughns. Until then, though...
All-time series: Tied 2-2-2
Prediction: Rick 11-9