No thread to start the day? Well since my day is going to be very busy and I may not make it back, I will put it up here and you can copy and paste if you want.
5 Innings / Listed Pitchers
Dodgers +137 Lowe / Dempster
Both guys had admirable seasons but Lowe is even better at keeping the ball down and in the park than Dempster. With a 3.27 to 1 SO/W ratio and 2.35 to 1 GB/FB ratio he can keep his outfielders bored and his team in the game for a long time. Now add the "Manny" factor. The Dodgers got both better and looser after the Manny acqusition and can conyinue to play that way. Manny, love him or hate him, is a guy who has "been there, done that" and has no fear of the playoffs. He is the perfect guy to put the offense on his back and carry them. IMHO, this could be the deciding factor in the Cubs hopes of a World Series title. We don't know who comes out of the A.L., but I think the Cubs match up much better versus the Phillies or Brewers than they do against the Dodgers. This game is more critical for the Cubs than any other 1st round playoff matchup and I think they drew the wrong team on the wrong day.
I also have to like the UNDER, provided it comes out at no less than 7 for the game and 4 for the first 5 innings. Working with a computer you get some impossible numbers but rounded off I see no more than 2 runs the first 5 innings and no more than six runs total for the game. Good pitching domoinates good hitting and with strikeout / ground ball pitchers going head to head it should stay very low indeed. GL.