BEGINNING MONDAY APRIL 18
Florida at Washington (2) 18th, 19th
The Marlins were only 17-23 (-$825 vs. lefties in night games last year, averaging 3.8 runs per game). The Washington starters should do no worse than a profitable split. PREFFERED: Nationals in both games.
N.Y. Mets at Philadelphia (2) 18th, 19th
Can?t trust the Mets on the road at night (-$865 in ?04) but have no confidence in the Phillies (-$1045 at home in ?04). PREFFERED: None.
St. Louis at Pittsburgh (2) 18th, 19th
The Cards kills the Bucs in head to head play last year (+$420) and we like Mulder?s chances against a team that struggles against southpaws (-$755 last season). PREFFERED: Mulder.
Chicago Cubs at Cincinnati (2) 18th, 19th
The all-righty rotation is good news for the Reds (+$835 in that spot in home night games). Eric Milton will be tough for Chicago to beat (Cubs 3-7, -$570 vs. lefties on the road at night). PREFFERED: Milton.
L.A. Dodgers at Milwaukee (2) 18th, 19th
The Brewers were terrible in day games at Miller Park (9-20, -$1270) while the Dodgers posted a 15-9 (+$700) mark in road day games. We?ll play this accordingly. PREFFERED: Dodgers in day games.
Atlanta at Houston (2) 18th, 19th
The Braves went 14-3 vs. lefties on the road at night last year (+$1275) but Pettitte is doubtful to take a turn in this series. We won?t take the Astros either (-$750 at home in 2005). PREFFERED: None.
Arizona at Colorado (2) 18th, 19th
The Rockies topped the D?Backs in last year?s battle for the NL West basement (13-+6, +$815 in head to head play), and they were 15-7 (+$875) at home vs. lefthanders. PREFFERED: Rockies vs. Estes.
San Francisco at San Diego (2) 18th, 19th
The Padres won 12 of 19 in 2005 (+$645) and they look tougher this year on paper. But the ?04 numbers (SD -$1185 at home, SF+$1215 on the road) lead us to the visitor. PREFFERED: Giants in both games.
Toronto at Boston (2) 18th, 19th
The Red Sox figure to miss the Toronto lefties, so they?ll be able to tee of on the righthanders (+$1365 vs. righties at Fenway last year, Blue Jays -$1565 on the road). PREFFERED: Red Sox vs. righthanders.
Detroit at Baltimore (2) 18th, 19th
The Orioles were lousy at Camden Yards last year (-$1140) but only use the Tigers vs. righthanders (+$1025 as a visitor in that spot in 2004). PREFFERED: Tigers vs. righthanders.
Tampa Bay at N.Y. Yankees (2) 18th, 19th
The Rays might get a shot at Randy Johnson, and it they do it will be at a huge price. They did well vs. lefties on the road in ?04 (+$630 at night) so we?ll take the plunge as long as TB starts a righthander (NY -$1375 in that spot in ?04). PREFFERED: Righthander vs. Johnson.
Minnesota at Chicago W. Sox (2) 18th, 19th
The Twins are a good road team (+$1180), but Santana won?t start, and since the Sox are solid vs. righties , we?ll pass. PREFFERED: None.
Oakland at Texas (2) 18th, 19th
Great home team (Rangers +$1945) vs. a bad road team (A?s -$1045) makes this an easy call. PREFFERED: Rangers in both games.
Cleveland at Kansas City (2) 18th, 19th
The Tribe beats righthanders (+$1335) but not lefties (-$1175), while the Royals are just the opposite (+$720 vs. lefties, -$3460 vs. righties). Play these accordingly. PREFFERED: Indians when righty meets righty/Royals when lefty meets lefty.
Seattle at L.A. Angels (2) 18th, 19th
Expect the Mariners to start righthanders in this series (Angels -$1090 in that situation) but it?s too early to trust Seattle as a visitor (-$2325 in 2004). PREFFERED: None.
