use these these as a guide only
use these these as a guide only
BEGINNING MONDAY AUGUST 25
Philadelphia at Montreal (4) 25th, 26th, 27th, 28th
Remember when these two teams were neck and neck in the standings? That was before Vladimir Guerrero went on the DL resulting in a massive power outage from which Montreal has never recovered. The Phillies lead this series 9-4 (+$450) and are pitching well enough (starters? road ERA is 3.63, relievers? ERA is 2.75) to capture at least a split. PREFERRED: Phillies in all games.
Milwaukee at Cincinnati (4) 25th, 26th, 27th, 28th
The Reds don?t play all that well at home, but they do enjoy a 7-4 (+$265) advantage in the series. And, should Paul Wilson (+$485 at home) or Jose Acevedo (+$200 at home) get a start you?ll have a fighting chance as long as they don?t hook Sheets, Franklin or Kinney as the Brewers are a combined 22-17 (+$2095) in their 39 road starts. PREFERRED: Wilson & Acevedo vs. Obermueller & Manning; Franklin/Sheets/Kinney vs. Graves/Haynes/Anderson.
San Diego at Arizona (3) 25th, 26th, 27th
The Padres have been a thorn in the Diamondbacks? side winning 6 of 14 (+$225). Arizona will have to do a lot better in the remaining five games if they hope to overtake the Phillies/Marlins in the wildcard race. Given the Padres? starters 5.65 ERA on the road this season, taking at least a pair here should not present much of a problem, but those projected sky-high prices dampen our enthusiasm. PREFERRED: None.
BEGINNING TUESDAY AUGUST 26
Florida at Pittsburgh (3) 26th, 27th, 28th
These teams meet again next week in Pittsburgh. The Marlins are becoming one of the most interesting stories in the NL. They caught fire after a managerial change 10 weeks ago and are currently on a 19-7 run. Their young pitchers (Brad Penny, Josh Beckett, Dontrelle Willis, Mark Redman) have finally come of age and there?s nothing wrong with the first four slots in the batting order (Juan Pierre, Luis Castillo, Ivan Rodriguez and Mike Lowell). That combination bit too much for the game, but depleted Pirates to handle. PREFERRED: Marlins in all games.
NY Mets at Atlanta (3) 26th, 27th, 28th
As usual, the Braves have crucified (10-3, +$530) the Mets and there?s no reason to think that NY will put up much of a fight in Georgia where they?re lost 12 of the last 16. The only Mets? starter worth looking at is Steve Trachsel. The Mets are 8-5 (+$910) in his road starts. Otherwise, it?s all Braves as long as we don?t have to invest more than the federal government?s current deficit. PREFERRED: Trachsel/ Braves -$180 or less vs. all others.
Los Angeles at Houston (3) 26th, 27th, 28th
Yes, the Dodgers have one hell of a staff, but the Astros? offense, which has hit 62 more homers and driven in 148 more runs, should be able to score enough to take this series especially at Minute Maid where Houston is an impressive 36-23. By the way, the Astros? 4.02 ERA for its starters in this ballpark compares very favorably with LA?s 4.07 ERA on the road for its starting corps, doesn?t it? PREFERRED: Astros in all games.
Chicago Cubs at St. Louis (3) 26th, 27th, 28th
It seems like these two have been going at it all season (Cards lead the series, 6-3 and are $345 in the black) and, in fact, a four-game set is scheduled at Wrigley Field starting September 1. Matt Morris is finally off the DL and is 2-0 in three starts vs. the Cubs this year allowing seven runs in 22 innings and has now won seven of his last eight decisions vs. Chicago since 2000. If he goes you have an attractive play. PREFERRED: Morris.
San Francisco at Colorado (3) 26th, 27th, 28th
This has been a hotly contested series with the Giants up 8-6 for a measly $25 profit. With the Rockies barely alive in the running for a wildcard while the Giants continue to stifle yawns in a NL West race that was over at the All-Star break, we have to lean to the team with the slightly greater incentive. Colorado?s sheer power at home (.302 BA, 86 homers, .516 slugging percentage, 6.7 RPG) overcomes the Giants? pitching. PREFERRED: Rockies in all games.
Chicago W. Sox at NY Yankees (3) 26th, 27th, 28th
The Sox only hope for the playoffs is a strong finish, so with no margin for error we expect a spirited effort. And, Chicago has the type of offense to get to the Yankees? weakness, that mediocre bullpen (4.31 ERA). New York?s continued lackluster play against righthanders (-$1315) in the Bronx has us hoping that the Sox have their two aces ready for action. PREFERRED: Loaiza/Colon.
Toronto at Boston (2) 26th, 27th
Most of the previous 17 games between these teams (Boston leads the series, 9-8) were played when the Blue Jays were entertaining themselves with the idea that they?d be playing postseason baseball. Now that Toronto has returned to reality, the Red Sox (39-19, +$770 at home with an amazing .323 BA) will tear apart a staff with a 4.83 ERA. PREFERRED: Red Sox in all games.
Detroit at Cleveland (3) 26th, 27th, 28th
There?s bad and then there?s B-A-D. The Indians are bad (20 or so games below .500 is bad, folks), but the Tigers are B-A-D (over 60 game below.500) and that?s why Cleveland has won 9 of 12 ($435). And, if lefties C.C. Sabathia, Billy Traber and Brian Anderson are available, the Tigers (3-17, -$995 vs. southpaws on the road) are likely to be grabbed by the tail. PREFERRED: Lefthanders vs. the Tigers.
Texas at Kansas City (3) 26th, 27th, 28th
KC is currently 14 games over .500 vs. AL?s bottom feeders. The Rangers have now tried 15, count?em, 15 different starters this year and have yet to find a live arm. And, now that closer Ugeth Urbina is plying his trade in Florida, a bullpen with a 6.48 ERA figures to get even worse. That?s not a formula for success vs. a team with a .280 BA at home. PREFERRED: Royals in all games.
Baltimore at Oakland (3) 26th, 27th, 28th
The Orioles had three tough losses in California in early July losing by 2, 2 and 1 run(s) as they were shutout twice by Tim Hudson and Barry Zito. Like last year, the Orioles crept over the .500 mark only to fall back and this season?s swoon (lost seven straight and 11 of 15) may have been precipitated by fire sale of Sidney Ponson to the Giants, a signal by management to the players to pack it in for the rest of 2003. PREFERRED: A?s -$180 or less.
Minnesota at Anaheim (3) 26th, 27th, 28th
The Angels maintained their dominance over the Twins (knocked them out of last season?s playoffs en route to a world championship) by sweeping (+$300) the only series played this year. However, Minnesota has an opportunity to get the last laugh now. A successful series in California keeps the Twins? hopes alive for a playoff berth, something that has been out of Anaheim?s grasp for quite some time. PREFERRED: Twins in all games.
Tampa Bay at Seattle (3) 26th, 27th, 28th
The Devil Rays are having a solid second half (won 17 of 30 since the All-Star break), but performing well here might be asking a bit too much. After all, The Mariners have so much more to play for while Tampa Bay is more concerned about keeping Lou Pinella (been tossed four times already this season) quiet. The M?s won the first series in Florida (2-1-$20). Sweet Lou would love to return the favor in his old stomping grounds and if Victor Zambrano (Rays are +$745 in his away appearances) gets a nod, you just might see a smile on his face. PREFERRED: Zambrano.
