BEGINNING THURSDAY APRIL 27
Washington at St. Louis (4) 27th, 28th, 29th, 30th
The Nationals have looked better in recent days, and are once again making money on the road against righties (5-3, +$375 with 7.3 runs per game so far in ?06 . . . +$1455 last year). The Cardinals are getting solid work from their pitching staff (3.66 team ERA, 2nd best in the league), but prices are going to be wildly inflated here at Busch Stadium. Jon Patterson (3.86 ERA) and Tony Armas (2.70) have looked good so far, and are an excellent value as high priced underdogs if they go. BEST BET: Patterson & Armas vs. righthanders.
BEGINNING FRIDAY APRIL 28
Milwaukee at Chicago Cubs (3) 28th, 29th, 30th
The Cubs are coping with a seriously depleted starting rotation and now the loss of Derrek Lee, their key offensive player. The man making the difference so far has been Greg Maddux (+$430, 0.99 ERA in four starts). The Brewers have been unsuccessful in their road games (3-6, -$190), and their bullpen has not been effective (5.47 ERA). We?ll look for the veteran Chicago ace to continue is strong start with another April victory. BEST BET: Maddux.
Philadelphia at Pittsburgh (3) 28th, 29th, 30th
Everyone expected the Pirates to be awful and they?ve been just that (.255 BA, 5.74 ERA, at or near the bottom in both departments). The Phillies have been not quite as bad, but their lousy pitching (5.45 team ERA) has led to a 7-10 start and does not bode well for the season ahead. Neither team as fared well vs. lefties, but that won?t be a problem for the Bucs, given that the Phillies? rotation is exclusively righthanded. We?ll try our luck when the Pittsburgh southpaws are on the hill. BEST BET: Lefthanders vs. the Phillies.
Houston at Cincinnati (3) 28th, 29th, 30th
The Reds are playing well, but the Astros are the hottest team in the majors (13-5, +$570). Their offense ranks #2 in the NL (.286 team BA) and they?ve gotten great starts from Roy Oswalt (+$225, 2.48 ERA) and Taylor Buchholz (+$200, 1.23 ERA), a pair of righthanders who are due to see action this weekend. The Reds were dominated by this team in 2005 (4-12, -$800) and will have their hands full with a surging Houston team. BEST BET: Oswalt/Buchholz.
N.Y. Mets at Atlanta (3) 28th, 29th, 30th
It looked like the Mets were ready to take command in the NL East, but they reverted to form and promptly dropped 2 out of 3 to the Braves. They were a pitiful 6-13 vs. Atlanta last year (-$750) so it?s tempting to jump on Atlanta throughout. But the Mets pitching is outstanding (3.20 team ERA, lowest in baseball) so we?ll limit ourselves to a play against Victor Zambrano (9.64 ERA) who is rapidly pitching himself out of the rotation. The Braves are averaging 5.5 runs per game vs. righthanders. BEST BET: Braves vs. Zambrano.
Colorado at Florida (3) 28th, 29th, 30th
The Rockies have been a nice betting proposition vs. righthanders on the road (5-1, +$605 so far in ?06 ). They are hitting very well (.286 team BA, tops in the NL) and they?ve got a 4.72 team ERA, very respectable for Coors Field. The Marlins are running on fumes (5-11, -$405) and the few righties they have available won?t slow down the Colorado attack. BEST BET: Rockies vs. righthanders.
L.A. Dodgers at San Diego (3) 28th, 29th, 30th
The Dodgers are getting some of their regulars back, and their pitching hasn?t been that bad (4.00 team ERA, 3rd best in the league). The Padres (-$530 at Petco Park) are averaging fewer than four runs per game and posted a disappointing 7-11 (-$610) mark against LA last year. A healthy Dodger squad should be able to take at least 2 out of 3 this weekend. BEST BET: Dodgers in all games.
Arizona at San Francisco (3) 28th, 29th, 30th
The Giants remain on top in the NL West after three weeks of play, but that 5.57 team ERA (2nd worst in the league) suggests their days in first place may be short lived. But it?s hard to get excited about Arizona. They looked OK for a few days but have since begun to slip, and they were only 7-11 (-$530) vs. SF in ?05. Nothing about this matchup that looks appealing right now. BEST BET: None.
Seattle at Baltimore (3) 28th, 29th, 30th
The Mariners check ended last week with an 0-6 season record against lefthanders (-$705 with only 2.7 runs per game). It looks like they?ll catch a break and miss Eric Bedard (+$400, 2.77 ERA), but we?ll still take a sot with Bruce Chen, who has not gotten off to a good start, but did post a 3.84 ERA in 32 starts last year. The Orioles are averaging 5.5 runs per game, and they were 7-3 (+$475) against Seattle last year. BEST BET: Chen.
Texas at Cleveland (3) 28th, 29th, 30th
The Rangers have been hot this past week, climbing all the way to first place in the AL West. The Indians, on the other hand, can?t feel too good after dropping 2 out of 3 to the hapless Royals. Texas won?t have to deal with Cliff Lee, so they?ll be able to feast on the Cleveland righthanders, (Rangers +$830 vs. righties last year with 5.6 runs per game, +$245 in 2006) who have been disappointing thus far (5.53 team ERA). BEST BET: Rangers vs. righthanders.
Minnesota at Detroit (3) 28th, 29th, 30th
The Tigers? pitching has been simply outstanding (3.73 ERA, best in the AL), while the Twins? has been 3rd worst (6.10). To take matters worse for Minnesota, they are only 1-8 on the road so far this season (-$705). They?ll catch a break and not have to face the sizzling Mike Maroth (0.49 ERA), but they?ll be up against another pair of lefthanders, bad news for a team that has only scored four total runs in their two tries vs. southpaws. BEST BET: Rogers/Robertson.
Toronto at N.Y. Yankees (3) 28th, 29th, 30th
We might be looking at a Halladay vs. Johnson matchup on Friday night, but it?s hard to bet against New York in the Bronx right now (5-1, +$335 so far), and prices on the Big Unit, who was hammered by the Jays at Skydome last week, will be inflated as usual. The Yankees won 12 of 18 head to head matchups last year and still lost money (-$275). That?s what makes it hard to use them as favorites, and we?re not enthusiastic about the visiting dog. BEST BET: None.
Boston at Tampa Bay (3) 28th, 29th, 30th
The Devil Rays can score runs (5.3 per game s far) and we love their chances at Tropicana Field if Scott Kazmir (+$360) is on the hill. The lefty ace throttled the Boston attack at Fenway last week, and the Red Sox are far less formidable in the role of visitors (-$825 in 2005). They lost money vs. lefties in ?05 (-$355) and have averaged only 3.6 runs per game in seven attempts this year. Tampa Bay is 3-1 (+$220) vs. righties at home this season. BEST BET: Kazmir.
Oakland at Kansas City (3) 28th, 29th, 30th
The A?s are off to another lackluster start, but we do expect them to be a major factor in the AL West before it?s all over. Despite their 4-14 start, the Royals have managed to produce a 4-1 (+$575) record vs. righthanders at Kaufman Stadium. That doesn?t mean we?ll use them (a 6.19 team ERA and .247 BA doesn?t inspire much confidence), but we will steer clear. We don?t expect to see Zito (KC 0-5, -$500 vs. lefties) so we?ve no angle to exploit. BEST BET: None.
Chicago W. Sox at L.A. Angels (3) 28th, 29th, 30th
The ChiSox are picking off where they left off at the end of 2005, and would love to polish off the Angels just like they did in the ALCS. That might be how it works out, given the fact that LA?s rotation is exclusively righthanded, and that play?s to Chicago?s biggest strength (9-2, +$605 vs. righties so far, +$2595 in 2005). They should take at least 2 out of 3. BEST BET: White Sox in all games.
Washington at St. Louis (4) 27th, 28th, 29th, 30th
The Nationals have looked better in recent days, and are once again making money on the road against righties (5-3, +$375 with 7.3 runs per game so far in ?06 . . . +$1455 last year). The Cardinals are getting solid work from their pitching staff (3.66 team ERA, 2nd best in the league), but prices are going to be wildly inflated here at Busch Stadium. Jon Patterson (3.86 ERA) and Tony Armas (2.70) have looked good so far, and are an excellent value as high priced underdogs if they go. BEST BET: Patterson & Armas vs. righthanders.
BEGINNING FRIDAY APRIL 28
Milwaukee at Chicago Cubs (3) 28th, 29th, 30th
The Cubs are coping with a seriously depleted starting rotation and now the loss of Derrek Lee, their key offensive player. The man making the difference so far has been Greg Maddux (+$430, 0.99 ERA in four starts). The Brewers have been unsuccessful in their road games (3-6, -$190), and their bullpen has not been effective (5.47 ERA). We?ll look for the veteran Chicago ace to continue is strong start with another April victory. BEST BET: Maddux.
Philadelphia at Pittsburgh (3) 28th, 29th, 30th
Everyone expected the Pirates to be awful and they?ve been just that (.255 BA, 5.74 ERA, at or near the bottom in both departments). The Phillies have been not quite as bad, but their lousy pitching (5.45 team ERA) has led to a 7-10 start and does not bode well for the season ahead. Neither team as fared well vs. lefties, but that won?t be a problem for the Bucs, given that the Phillies? rotation is exclusively righthanded. We?ll try our luck when the Pittsburgh southpaws are on the hill. BEST BET: Lefthanders vs. the Phillies.
Houston at Cincinnati (3) 28th, 29th, 30th
The Reds are playing well, but the Astros are the hottest team in the majors (13-5, +$570). Their offense ranks #2 in the NL (.286 team BA) and they?ve gotten great starts from Roy Oswalt (+$225, 2.48 ERA) and Taylor Buchholz (+$200, 1.23 ERA), a pair of righthanders who are due to see action this weekend. The Reds were dominated by this team in 2005 (4-12, -$800) and will have their hands full with a surging Houston team. BEST BET: Oswalt/Buchholz.
N.Y. Mets at Atlanta (3) 28th, 29th, 30th
It looked like the Mets were ready to take command in the NL East, but they reverted to form and promptly dropped 2 out of 3 to the Braves. They were a pitiful 6-13 vs. Atlanta last year (-$750) so it?s tempting to jump on Atlanta throughout. But the Mets pitching is outstanding (3.20 team ERA, lowest in baseball) so we?ll limit ourselves to a play against Victor Zambrano (9.64 ERA) who is rapidly pitching himself out of the rotation. The Braves are averaging 5.5 runs per game vs. righthanders. BEST BET: Braves vs. Zambrano.
Colorado at Florida (3) 28th, 29th, 30th
The Rockies have been a nice betting proposition vs. righthanders on the road (5-1, +$605 so far in ?06 ). They are hitting very well (.286 team BA, tops in the NL) and they?ve got a 4.72 team ERA, very respectable for Coors Field. The Marlins are running on fumes (5-11, -$405) and the few righties they have available won?t slow down the Colorado attack. BEST BET: Rockies vs. righthanders.
L.A. Dodgers at San Diego (3) 28th, 29th, 30th
The Dodgers are getting some of their regulars back, and their pitching hasn?t been that bad (4.00 team ERA, 3rd best in the league). The Padres (-$530 at Petco Park) are averaging fewer than four runs per game and posted a disappointing 7-11 (-$610) mark against LA last year. A healthy Dodger squad should be able to take at least 2 out of 3 this weekend. BEST BET: Dodgers in all games.
Arizona at San Francisco (3) 28th, 29th, 30th
The Giants remain on top in the NL West after three weeks of play, but that 5.57 team ERA (2nd worst in the league) suggests their days in first place may be short lived. But it?s hard to get excited about Arizona. They looked OK for a few days but have since begun to slip, and they were only 7-11 (-$530) vs. SF in ?05. Nothing about this matchup that looks appealing right now. BEST BET: None.
Seattle at Baltimore (3) 28th, 29th, 30th
The Mariners check ended last week with an 0-6 season record against lefthanders (-$705 with only 2.7 runs per game). It looks like they?ll catch a break and miss Eric Bedard (+$400, 2.77 ERA), but we?ll still take a sot with Bruce Chen, who has not gotten off to a good start, but did post a 3.84 ERA in 32 starts last year. The Orioles are averaging 5.5 runs per game, and they were 7-3 (+$475) against Seattle last year. BEST BET: Chen.
Texas at Cleveland (3) 28th, 29th, 30th
The Rangers have been hot this past week, climbing all the way to first place in the AL West. The Indians, on the other hand, can?t feel too good after dropping 2 out of 3 to the hapless Royals. Texas won?t have to deal with Cliff Lee, so they?ll be able to feast on the Cleveland righthanders, (Rangers +$830 vs. righties last year with 5.6 runs per game, +$245 in 2006) who have been disappointing thus far (5.53 team ERA). BEST BET: Rangers vs. righthanders.
Minnesota at Detroit (3) 28th, 29th, 30th
The Tigers? pitching has been simply outstanding (3.73 ERA, best in the AL), while the Twins? has been 3rd worst (6.10). To take matters worse for Minnesota, they are only 1-8 on the road so far this season (-$705). They?ll catch a break and not have to face the sizzling Mike Maroth (0.49 ERA), but they?ll be up against another pair of lefthanders, bad news for a team that has only scored four total runs in their two tries vs. southpaws. BEST BET: Rogers/Robertson.
Toronto at N.Y. Yankees (3) 28th, 29th, 30th
We might be looking at a Halladay vs. Johnson matchup on Friday night, but it?s hard to bet against New York in the Bronx right now (5-1, +$335 so far), and prices on the Big Unit, who was hammered by the Jays at Skydome last week, will be inflated as usual. The Yankees won 12 of 18 head to head matchups last year and still lost money (-$275). That?s what makes it hard to use them as favorites, and we?re not enthusiastic about the visiting dog. BEST BET: None.
Boston at Tampa Bay (3) 28th, 29th, 30th
The Devil Rays can score runs (5.3 per game s far) and we love their chances at Tropicana Field if Scott Kazmir (+$360) is on the hill. The lefty ace throttled the Boston attack at Fenway last week, and the Red Sox are far less formidable in the role of visitors (-$825 in 2005). They lost money vs. lefties in ?05 (-$355) and have averaged only 3.6 runs per game in seven attempts this year. Tampa Bay is 3-1 (+$220) vs. righties at home this season. BEST BET: Kazmir.
Oakland at Kansas City (3) 28th, 29th, 30th
The A?s are off to another lackluster start, but we do expect them to be a major factor in the AL West before it?s all over. Despite their 4-14 start, the Royals have managed to produce a 4-1 (+$575) record vs. righthanders at Kaufman Stadium. That doesn?t mean we?ll use them (a 6.19 team ERA and .247 BA doesn?t inspire much confidence), but we will steer clear. We don?t expect to see Zito (KC 0-5, -$500 vs. lefties) so we?ve no angle to exploit. BEST BET: None.
Chicago W. Sox at L.A. Angels (3) 28th, 29th, 30th
The ChiSox are picking off where they left off at the end of 2005, and would love to polish off the Angels just like they did in the ALCS. That might be how it works out, given the fact that LA?s rotation is exclusively righthanded, and that play?s to Chicago?s biggest strength (9-2, +$605 vs. righties so far, +$2595 in 2005). They should take at least 2 out of 3. BEST BET: White Sox in all games.
