I think we are getting a bargain here with Halladay on the mound who is 4-1 with a 0.98 ERA lifetime against the Pirates. Halladay started the year cold, but has looked like his old self in his last two starts giving up just 3 ER over 15 innings. He's backed by a bullpen that has posted good numbers of late as well including a 2.84 ERA over their last 10 games. Halladay's main issues have been walks and home runs and the Pirates are ranked 23rd and 22nd in both categories so I think he is set up nicely in this game.

Wandy Rodriguez meanwhile will face a Phillies team that's hitting .236 and scoring 5.14 runs per 9 over their last 5 vs. LHP. Rodriguez last start in Philly he gave up 7 ER in just 4 IP. 1-4 in this line up have solid numbers off him going 18-55 with 2 HR. Rodriguez stats are a bit misleading because he's been lucky with a .119 BABIP on the year. I expect that to revert to the norm here shorly.



We had the under in game 1 and I'm backing it up again like I should have done with the Bulls + the points. Pacers played fine defensively, but the Hawks need to wake up. This is a playoff game and they need to show that they are alive and I think they will show it tonight against the Pacers. These are two top 10 defensive teams with a pretty high total.