Saturday, July 30, 2022 Philadelphia Phillies vs. Pittsburgh Pirates (MLB) - 7:15 PM EDT Premium Pick Pick: Money Line: -152 Philadelphia Phillies Rating: 9* Mike's Intrastate Momentum Driver (WIN) This intrastate rivalry has very deep roots going back to 1887. Remember when the NL first expanded to 2 divisions from 1969 thru 1993, it was the Phillies & Pirates who took home 15 of the 25 NL East crowns during that span. For this game, the analytics uncover a Bucos squad whose hitting just .214 versus LHP'ing on the season & is a putrid 2-8 versus southpaws their last 10 @ home (plus 2-8 their L10 overall). I'm expecting a downward plunge for Pittsburgh since their Pythagorean (expected) Won/Loss Record is 5 losses more (35-65) than their actual record (40-60) @ game time. Enter LHP Ranger Suarez into the picture who takes the mound for Philadelphia. He & the Fightin' Phils are blistering with confidence (despite the current absence of Bryce Harper due to a fractured left thumb) going 5-0 their last 5 on the road & currently hold the #6 seed in the NL for the playoffs (would play Milwaukee) via winning a tie-breaker over St. Louis (won the season series 4-3). My bottom line stresses the Pirates' unfamiliarity with Suarez who already pitched a complete game shutout in his only career start versus them. We're going to the North Shore of Pittsburgh to PNC Park to play the PITTSBURGH PIRATES-NO SCORE Inning 1 for my 9 Star Intrastate Momentum Driver! NOTES: It's come to my attention that some subscribers, etc. are asking why it says moneyline play @ the top? The VegasTopDogs betting app doesn't specifically offer Inning-type (prop) bets so you must enter some play to get in. My plays have & always will be contained inside the paragraph (read to the end) with specific star-rating there. I've posted each play so an accurate running total will be achieved (the VTD system inaccurately grades you on ML's only). In baseball, you will find some ML's, 1st 3 Innings, 1st 5 Innings & many NO or YES to score plays for Inning 1 which is where the analytics dictates there is a stronger consistency for getting us the "W". With this type blend of MLB, I must hit around 65% or higher to get it done. For those addicted to ML's, I will be using more when we get closer to crunch time when most teams are playing for real down the stretch AND in the playoffs. Be back for the NFL where I've gone a record-shattering 63-22 (74%) combined over the past 2 NFL regular seasons! Mike Handzelek's 2022 MLB Overall Record: 39-13 for 75% Mike's MLB Record the Last 13: 13-0 for 100% & 17-1 the last 18 for an enjoy the ride 94%