At 12:20 Eastern, in Game 1 of the DH, my Early Riser selection is on the San Diego Padres on the run-line. The Padres pounded the Braves last night. Atlanta has now lost 3 straight games, getting outscored by a 19-3 score. Things don't get any easier in Game 1 of today's double-header, as they're up against Dylan Cease. Braves fans will remember losing 8-1 to Cease last summer. Now Cease is backed a better team and he's catching the Braves when they are struggling.

Cease has allowed 3 runs or less in 12 of his past 13 starts. He went 5.67 innings last game after going 6 or more innings in each of his previous 7 starts. Lopez has gone 5.33 innings or less in each of his past 3 starts. Two of his past 4 starts were 1-run ball games. The Padres are 5-2 in Cease's last 7 starts. This should be a close one. Play SD on the run-line.