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Game 2 NLCS Free Pick

Game 2 NLCS – MLB Free Prediction: I won’t get into overanalyzing this selection tonight as I really don’t think it’s that hard of a pick despite what other so-called MLB ‘pundits’ may think.

Not Impressed with Phillies First win, Look to Next Game

I’m not impressed! Not with the Philadelphia Phillies (96-71 SU, 78-89 RL, 73-88-6 O/U) Game 1 victory over the Los Angeles Dodgers (87-79 SU, 84-82 RL, 75-85-6 O/U).

I’m actually not that impressed with my Game 1 selection that I predicted on Thursday as a blind man could have called Philadelphia’s Game 1 win with crafty lefty Cole Hamels on the mound.

Now, nailing Game 2 for my beloved BetUS MLB Sportsbook faithful, will be much more impressive with streaky right-hander Brett Myers, (11-13, 4.48 ERA) taking the hill against the powerful Manny Ramirez and counterpart, Chad Billingsley, (17-10, 3.08 ERA), one of the best young pitchers in the game.

Despite falling into a 2-0 hole by the end of the fourth inning, the Phillies didn’t panic – they just did what they’ve been doing to opposing pitchers for the past three season – by taking them deep.

After Shane Victorino reached base on Rafael Furcal’s throwing error, Phils all-star second baseman Chase Utley went ‘yard’ against Dodgers starter Derek Lowe to tie the score at 2-all before Pat Burrell ended Lowe’s night two batters later with a solo shot that gave Philadelphia its final margin of 3-2 and left the yard so quickly, the Fox TV cameramen looked like they were operating on slow-motion.

“It feels great, but you can’t get too caught up in this,” said Burrell, who has launched three homers in his last two postseason games. “We’ve got a lot of work to do.”

Philadelphia improved to 3-0 at home this postseason and turns to a pitcher tonight in Myers, (1-0, 2.57 ERA postseason), who must have gotten ‘scared straight’ by his demotion to the minor leagues right around mid-season.

Myers has allowed over three earned runs just three times in 15 starts since returning to the big league club for an Aug. 23 start and is 8-5 record with a 2.98 ERA in15 home starts at Citizens Bank Park this year.

Myers was overpowering in limiting the Milwaukee Brewers to two runs on two hits in seven innings in Philadelphia’s Game 2 NLDS win last Thursday.

Myers also beat the Dodgers and Billingsley on Aug. 25, leading Philadelphia to an emphatic 5-0 victory, tossing seven shutout innings and striking out eight batters.

“I like pitching in front of our fans,” said Myers. “It’s fun when they’re behind you and stuff. And it’s just more comfortable when you’re home and everything like that. It’s kind of like you have a routine.”

Billingsley (1-0, 1.35) is charged with the task of helping the Dodgers leave Philadelphia with a split. The right-hander pitched well after being staked to a 5-0 lead in the second inning against the Chicago Cubs on Oct. 2, limiting them to one run while striking out seven in 6 2-3 innings of a 10-3 victory.

The 24-year-old Billingsley made his first career postseason start against the Chicago Cubs last Thursday, limiting the ‘Lovable Losers’ to one run on five hits and seven K’s in 6.2 innings.

“I just approached the last start as like any other start, try not to do too much and stay within myself,” said Billingsley.

He has a clear-cut plan as he takes the mound against the Phillies tonight.

“You just want to keep those first couple of guys off the bases when you have Chase and Ryan (Howard) coming to the lineup.”

Unfortunately, the pair are a combined 4-for-11 against Billingsley, who gave up three runs on seven hits while walking five batters in six innings of that Aug. 25 loss to Myers and the Phils.

Howard, who went 0-for-4 on Thursday and is hitting an ice-cold 2-for-15 (.133) with five walks and five strikeouts this postseason.

Dodgers slugger Manny Ramirez, who narrowly missed hitting a two-run homer against Hamels on Thursday and is an incendiary 7-for-14 with two homers and four RBIs in four playoff games, has struggled mightily against Myers n his career, going just 3-for-19 (.158) against Myers with eight RBI.

Here is a look at the key trends for each ballclub, followed by my in-depth analysis and MLB Free Picks.

The Dodgers are 5-1 in Billingsley’s last 6 starts.
The Dodgers are 5-1 in Billingsley’s last 6 starts on grass.
The Phillies are 21-6 in Myers’ last 27 starts vs. National League West.
The Phillies are 5-2 in Myers’ last 7 home starts.
The Over is 5-0-1 in Billingsley’s last 6 starts overall.
The Under is 4-0-1 in Myers’ last 5 starts during game 2 of a series.
The Phillies are 4-0 in Myers’ last 4 home starts vs. Dodgers.
The Under is 4-0-1 in Myers’ last 5 home starts vs. Dodgers.
The Phillies are 8-1 in Myers’ last 9 starts vs. Dodgers.

MLB Odds

Los Angeles Dodgers -1½ +150
Chad Billingsley –R -108

Philadelphia Phillies +1½ -170
Brett Myers –R -102

Over 8½ -105
Under 8½ -115

Analysis: I won’t get into overanalyzing this selection tonight as I really don’t think it’s that hard of a pick despite what other so-called MLB ‘pundits’ may think.

Take the Phils to go up 2-0 on the Dodgers with Myers tossing another gem and Philadelphia’s left-handed hitters getting to the impressive right-handed Billingsley at some point!

MLB Free Picks: Phillies 4 Dodgers 3

By Cappers Picks

Articles on CappersPicks.com are written by Q (the Head Honcho) at Cappers Picks or by our resident "in house" handicapper Razor Ray Monohan! Enjoy the free picks folks! "Pad that bankroll one day at a time!"