BEGINNING MONDAY MAY 30
Florida at Pittsburgh (4) 30th, 31st, 1st, 2nd
The Marlins take their act on the road and should fare well against a Pittsburgh team that is only 7-13 (-$725) here at PNC Park. Dontrelle Willis (+$575, 1.45 ERA) looks like a tremendous value given the Pirates? anemic run production vs. lefties at home (only 2.6 per game). PREFERRED: Willis.
Cincinnati at Houston (3) 30th, 31st, 1st
There?s been a lot of money being made betting against the Astros this year, but Houston is better at home, while the hapless Reds are only 5-16, (-$865) on the road so far. We might take a price on the visitor if the setup looks right on game day, but we prefer to stay away for the time being. PREFERRED: None.
Atlanta at Washington (4) 30th, 31st, 1st, 2nd
The Nationals are a force to be reckoned with here at RFK Stadium (12-8, +$275) while the Braves have not fared well against righties outside of Turner Field (8-12, -$470). The all-righty Washington rotation is tailor made to stop Atlanta, and should help this team take at least 2 out of 3. PREFERRED: Nationals in all games.
St. Louis at Colorado (4) 30th, 31st, 1st, 2nd
The Cardinals were a money making machine outside of Busch Stadium in 2004 (+$1700) and are already 15-7 (+$670) as visitors in 2005. The Rockies run production vs. righties (4.3 per game) is pitiful for a team playing half its games at Coors Field, and the St. Louis rotation is loaded with capable arms. Colorado will be fortunate to salvage a single victory. PREFERRED: Righthanders vs. the Rockies.
Chicago Cubs at L.A. Dodgers (3) 30th, 31st, 1st
The Dodgers aren?t playing well right now (3-7, -$475 last 10 days) and they can?t hit righthanders at home (only 3.3 per game). Glendon Rusch, Chicago?s only lefthanded starter probably won?t get a turn. We?ll take our chances with any of the visitors? trio of top notch righthanders. PREFERRED: Prior/Zambrano/Maddux.
Milwaukee at San Diego (3) 30th, 31st, 1st
The surging Padres are 13-2 (+$1055) in night games at Petco Park, and all three of these contests are scheduled evening affairs. Prices will be high so caution is advised, but we won?t pass up Jake Peavy (+$650, 2.29) who may be the best pitcher in the major leagues right now (Brewers 8-13, -$425 at night). PREFERRED: Peavy.
L.A. Angels at Chicago W. Sox (3) 30th, 31st, 1st
These teams played in LA last week, so please review those results before proceeding. They played to a virtual dead heat last year with the Angels taking five of nine games and earning five whole dollars. Common sense says that unless there is a compelling reason to side with the Halos, it?s tough to ignore a team that at +$1635 is leading its nearest rival by $650. PREFERRED: White Sox in all games.
Baltimore at Boston (3) 30th, 31st, 1st
As a huge dog in most games a year ago, the Orioles earned $650 against the Red Sox even though they won just one more game in the series, 10-9. Baltimore won?t be as big an underdog as it was in 2004, but still attractive as far as we?re concerned. The Orioles are 13-5 (+$950) on the road averaging 7.2 RPG and are leading the AL in average, runs scored and are second in homers. They?ll have a ball in Fenway Park. PREFERRED: Orioles in all games.
Tampa Bay at Oakland (3) 30th, 31st, 1st
The Devil Rays can?t play on the road (3-18, -$1220) and the weak-hitting Athletics (.245 BA, 25 HRs) can?t seem to play anywhere. These teams hooked up in Florida May 24-26, so take a peek at those box scores before making any decisions in this series, although it it?s almost impossible to ignore that brutal Tampa Bay away mark. PREFERRED: Athletics at -150 or less.
Toronto at Seattle (3) 30th, 31st, 1st
The Blue Jays (7-2, +$525 vs. Seattle last year) are getting much more reliable pitching than the Mariners who have seen Jamie Moyer (22 runs in his last 16 innings over four outings) disintegrate before their eyes lately and have sent Joel Pineiro to the minors to get his act together. Under those circumstances, we?ll take the more consistent team with fairly reasonable prices in every game. PREFERRED: Blue Jays in all games.
Florida at Pittsburgh (4) 30th, 31st, 1st, 2nd
The Marlins take their act on the road and should fare well against a Pittsburgh team that is only 7-13 (-$725) here at PNC Park. Dontrelle Willis (+$575, 1.45 ERA) looks like a tremendous value given the Pirates? anemic run production vs. lefties at home (only 2.6 per game). PREFERRED: Willis.
Cincinnati at Houston (3) 30th, 31st, 1st
There?s been a lot of money being made betting against the Astros this year, but Houston is better at home, while the hapless Reds are only 5-16, (-$865) on the road so far. We might take a price on the visitor if the setup looks right on game day, but we prefer to stay away for the time being. PREFERRED: None.
Atlanta at Washington (4) 30th, 31st, 1st, 2nd
The Nationals are a force to be reckoned with here at RFK Stadium (12-8, +$275) while the Braves have not fared well against righties outside of Turner Field (8-12, -$470). The all-righty Washington rotation is tailor made to stop Atlanta, and should help this team take at least 2 out of 3. PREFERRED: Nationals in all games.
St. Louis at Colorado (4) 30th, 31st, 1st, 2nd
The Cardinals were a money making machine outside of Busch Stadium in 2004 (+$1700) and are already 15-7 (+$670) as visitors in 2005. The Rockies run production vs. righties (4.3 per game) is pitiful for a team playing half its games at Coors Field, and the St. Louis rotation is loaded with capable arms. Colorado will be fortunate to salvage a single victory. PREFERRED: Righthanders vs. the Rockies.
Chicago Cubs at L.A. Dodgers (3) 30th, 31st, 1st
The Dodgers aren?t playing well right now (3-7, -$475 last 10 days) and they can?t hit righthanders at home (only 3.3 per game). Glendon Rusch, Chicago?s only lefthanded starter probably won?t get a turn. We?ll take our chances with any of the visitors? trio of top notch righthanders. PREFERRED: Prior/Zambrano/Maddux.
Milwaukee at San Diego (3) 30th, 31st, 1st
The surging Padres are 13-2 (+$1055) in night games at Petco Park, and all three of these contests are scheduled evening affairs. Prices will be high so caution is advised, but we won?t pass up Jake Peavy (+$650, 2.29) who may be the best pitcher in the major leagues right now (Brewers 8-13, -$425 at night). PREFERRED: Peavy.
L.A. Angels at Chicago W. Sox (3) 30th, 31st, 1st
These teams played in LA last week, so please review those results before proceeding. They played to a virtual dead heat last year with the Angels taking five of nine games and earning five whole dollars. Common sense says that unless there is a compelling reason to side with the Halos, it?s tough to ignore a team that at +$1635 is leading its nearest rival by $650. PREFERRED: White Sox in all games.
Baltimore at Boston (3) 30th, 31st, 1st
As a huge dog in most games a year ago, the Orioles earned $650 against the Red Sox even though they won just one more game in the series, 10-9. Baltimore won?t be as big an underdog as it was in 2004, but still attractive as far as we?re concerned. The Orioles are 13-5 (+$950) on the road averaging 7.2 RPG and are leading the AL in average, runs scored and are second in homers. They?ll have a ball in Fenway Park. PREFERRED: Orioles in all games.
Tampa Bay at Oakland (3) 30th, 31st, 1st
The Devil Rays can?t play on the road (3-18, -$1220) and the weak-hitting Athletics (.245 BA, 25 HRs) can?t seem to play anywhere. These teams hooked up in Florida May 24-26, so take a peek at those box scores before making any decisions in this series, although it it?s almost impossible to ignore that brutal Tampa Bay away mark. PREFERRED: Athletics at -150 or less.
Toronto at Seattle (3) 30th, 31st, 1st
The Blue Jays (7-2, +$525 vs. Seattle last year) are getting much more reliable pitching than the Mariners who have seen Jamie Moyer (22 runs in his last 16 innings over four outings) disintegrate before their eyes lately and have sent Joel Pineiro to the minors to get his act together. Under those circumstances, we?ll take the more consistent team with fairly reasonable prices in every game. PREFERRED: Blue Jays in all games.
