Fargo's **MLB TOP PLAY** MLB Game of the Week - 4/25/2008 7:00:00 PM

Pittsburgh Pirates (Duke) +109

**MLB TOP PLAY** MLB Game of the Week Despite a loss yesterday, Pittsburgh has seemed to moved along following a disaster of a six-game losing skid. It takes a while for teams to recover from long losing streaks, especially when they are outscored 58-16, but part of the reason for that was due to playing on the road. The Pirates are 4-8 away from home but a more solid 5-4 at PNC Park and that sets up good in this series as Pittsburgh has won five of the last seven meetings at home. We catch a great line as well.

The Phillies won for the fourth time in five games last night over the Brewers to move back over the .500 mark. They are starting to play better but are still an inconsistent team and that includes both offense and pitching. The run production has come down as Philadelphia has scored four runs or fewer in six of its last 10 games while pitching has been tagged for four runs or more in six of the last seven games. Phillies starters have posted a 4.92 ERA on the road this season.

One pitcher I have kept a close eye on is Zach Duke. His control was awful last season, partly due to injuries but he showed in the spring he could be back with a solid training camp and he carried that over. He started the season with three great outings, two of which were quality before hitting a wall last time out as he lasted just four innings, giving up five runs and allowing 12 baserunners. This is a great spot for a rebound. The Pirates are 9-4 in Dukes last 13 starts as a home underdog.

It has been an interesting season for Adam Eaton. He started the year with three consecutive quality starts which was an impressive feat to begin with considering his debacle from last year. He is coming off his first non-quality outing against the Mets last time out and all of this has not done much as he remains 0-0.He is 2-1 in four starts against the Pirates but you cannot overlook the awful 9.74 ERA and 1.87 WHIP he has posted in the process. I believe the downward trend for Eaton is starting. Play Pittsburgh Pirates 2.5 Units

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