Philadelphia Phillies at Washington Nationals (150, 8)
The Phillies will start newly acquired righthander Roy Oswalt in this one, but that's not the pitching matchup that matters.
The have absolutely crushed Craig Stammen in their previous two meetings this season, cranking out a combined 16 hits and 11 earned runs in just 6 1/3 innings.
That's an ERA of 15.63 - a number that more closely resembles the Redskins' average points per game than a Nationals pitcher's earned-run average.
And it's not just Philly that's rocking his world. After being sent back to the minors to work on his mental game, Stammen is 0-2 in July, allowing 25 hits and 15 earned runs in 19 2/3 innings.
Not exactly big-league numbers, but with Stephen Strasburg becoming Washington's fifth starter on the DL this season, it's all hands on deck for the shorthanded Nats.
"It's not anything physical," Stammen said of his recent struggles on the mound. "It's how I'm thinking out there, a little bit, and sticking to the game plan little more - having conviction with my pitches."
The Phillies are not the team to face if you're short on confidence these days. They have won seven straight and outscored opponents by a combined score of 43-15 during that span. Look for their surging lineup to be slammin' Stammen.
Pick: Phillies
Chicago Cubs at Colorado Rockies (-125, 9)
The Rockies have been struggling to score runs lately, tallying a total of just 17 during their current eight-game losing streak.
They will need more offense than that against the Cubs, who have pounded lefthanded starter Jeff Francis like a drum to the tune of an 8.77 ERA in five meetings.
The Cubbies have been hitting southpaws at a .333 clip in their last 10 and look to do some more damage at hitter-friendly Coors Field.
They trot out righthander Ryan Dempster, who is 2-0 since the All-Star break, 2-0 against the NL West this year and 2-0 in his last two meetings with the Rockies.
Pick: Cubs