Two first-place teams, one somewhat expected (Arizona) and one very surprising (Florida) play Game 2 of their three-game series in Miami on Wednesday night, and all eyes will be on Diamondbacks pitcher Brandon Webb.
Webb (9-0, 2.56 ERA) has won nine straight starts to begin 2008 and can become the first pitcher to win 10 straight at the outset of a season since San Diego's Andy Hawkins did so in 1985.
He is 3-3 in six career starts against Florida, posting a 5.05 ERA in 35 2/3 innings. In his last start, at home against Colorado, the right-hander got the win after allowing six hits and three runs in 7 1/3 innings. Webb has pitched at least six innings in each start and given up three or fewer runs in eight of the nine.
Thus it's no surprise Arizona is a -170 money line betting favorite tonight (Florida at +150) with and over/under of 8 on WagerWeb.com.
However, the Diamondbacks have lost four straight road games, including a 3-2 decision to the Marlins on Tuesday night.
"They have a good club, there's no doubt about it," Arizona manager Bob Melvin said. "They deserve to be where they are right now."
Arizona averages nearly 7 runs per game in Webb's starts.
"Almost every time that I've been out there this year I've had a lead in the bottom of the first or second nning," said Webb, who is 7-0 in his last seven starts on Wednesday.
But the Diamondbacks have scored only eight runs in their last three games, losing twice. They've managed just 11 runs in their last five road games.Florida, meanwhile, has 64 home runs, which ties them for most in the National League, a surprise given that they traded Miguel Cabrera in the offseason.
Florida continues to be carried offensively by second baseman Dan Uggla, who hit his 14th home run Tuesday. Uggla has hit in 10 straight games, batting .543 with six homers and 12 RBIs over that span. Ten of his home runs have come in his last 16 games.
Star shortstop Hanley Ramirez, however, is 1-for-15 with 10 strikeouts in his last four games.
Florida starts Ricky Nolasco (2-3, 5.18) on Wednesday. The right-hander hasn't pitched more than six innings in a start this season, but he has allowed two or fewer runs in three of his last four outings. Nolasco won his lone career start against Arizona, allowing six hits and three runs in 7 1/3 innings, while striking out four and walking one.
Both teams got injury news this week, one good and one bad.
For Arizona, pitcher Doug Davis will start Friday, little more than one month after having surgery to remove a cancerous thyroid. Davis will take rookie Max Scherzer's spot in the rotation, but Melvin declined to say whether Scherzer would be moved to the bullpen or optioned to Triple-A Tucson.
Meanwhile, Marlins outfielder Josh Willingham could be sidelined another month or more because of a herniated disc that has kept him out since April 27. Willingham, batting .341 with six HRs in 25 games, was told it will be 10 days to three weeks before he can resume baseball activity and surgery has not been ruled out.
Diamondbacks-Marlins betting trends: Diamondbacks are 0-6 in their last 6 road games vs. a team with a winning record. ... Diamondbacks are 6-1 in Webb's Marlins are 1-4 in their last 5 games as a home underdog of +151 to +200. ... Marlins are 0-4 in Nolasco's last 4 home starts. ... Over is 7-1-1 in Diamondbacks' last 9 games following a loss. ... Over is 8-1-2 in Webb's last 11 starts after scoring 2 runs or less in their previous game. ... Over is 10-1 in Marlins' last 11 home games with the total set at 7.0-8.5. ... Diamondbacks are 5-12 in the last 17 meetings in Florida.
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