BEGINNING THURSDAY MAY 24
Houston at Arizona (4) 24th, 25th, 26th, 27th
The Astros still have their problems on offense, but their pitching has really stepped up (3.78 team ERA, 4th lowest in the NL), thanks to a trio of hot starters and one of the best bullpens in baseball (3.16). It appears that Roy Oswalt (2.83 ERA), Wandy Rodriguez (3.99, 1.64 last two starts) and Chris Sampson (3.83) will each take the mound at Chase Field this weekend. The Diamondbacks have averaged less than 4.0 runs per game so far (.244 team BA) and their starters have floundered in recent days (6.23 ERA last 10). BEST BET: Oswalt/Sampson/W. Rodriguez.
BEGINNING FRIDAY MAY 25
N.Y. Mets at Florida (3) 25th, 26th, 27th
The Mets got the best of the Yankees last week, and remain one of the the hottest teams in the NL (7-3, +$310 last 10 days). Statistically they are the most balanced team in the league (3.40 ERA, .284 team BA) and they have yet to lose to a righty in a road night game (9-0, +$+975 with 7.0 runs per game in those contests). Florida?s pitching is a far cry from what they had in ?06 (4.48 team ERA, 4th worst in the league), and they?ve lost money in night games at Dolphin Stadium (-$365). Look for the visitor to stay on track this weekend. BEST BET: Mets vs. righthanders in night games.
Philadelphia at Atlanta (3) 25th, 26th, 27th
The Braves have made short work of the Phillies in 2007 head to head play (5-1, +$425), but things have changed since then. The Phillies have gotten hot (7-3, +$345) and have narrowed the distance between these teams considerably. With Ryan Howard expected back in uniform for this series, we?d like to try our luck with the hard hitting visitor (.265 team BA, 3rd best in the NL), but it?s likely they?ll be squaring off against Tim Hudson (+$270, 2.42 ERA in ten starts) and John Smoltz (+$340, 2.85 ERA in 10 starts). If that?s the case it leaves only one opportunity for us to use the road team. BEST BET: Phillies unless opposed by Hudson or Smoltz.
Pittsburgh at Cincinnati (3) 25th, 26th, 27th
The Reds took 4 of 6 from this team in earlier action (+$220), but Cincinnati has fallen on hard times, dropping into the NL Central basement after a decent month of April (17-27, -$1005 overall). The Pirates are not about to set the world on fire, but they?ve made money outside of PNC Park (+$460), and Tom Gorzelanny has developed into one of the more promising young lefthanders in the majors (2.43 ERA in nine starts). BEST BET: Gorzelanny.
Washington at St. Louis (3) 25th, 26th, 27th
The Cardinals? effort to defend their 2006 World Championship is rapidly turning into a debacle (only 16-25, -$1105 overall). They rank near the bottom of the NL in both pitching (4.67 ERA) and hitting (.247). That might open the door for the Nationals to steal a win or two, but Washington is just terrible (5-15, -$370 as a visitor), and their starting rotation is in complete disarray. Not a very appetizing choice at this time. BEST BET: None.
Milwaukee at San Diego (3) 25th, 26th, 27th
We?ve made a killing with the Brewers so far in 2007, but they have not fared well in recent days (3-7, -$530 last 10). The Padres, meanwhile, are creeping closer and closer to the division leading Dodgers, with the lowest team ERA in the majors right now (3.18). Jake Peavy has been a standout (+$345, 1.64 ERA in nine starts) and keep an eye on Justin Germano, who has looked very impressive since joining the rotation (0.47 ERA in three starts). Both of those righthanders are expected to see action at Petco Park this weekend. BEST BET: Peavy/Germano.
Colorado at San Francisco (3) 25th, 26th, 27th
These teams have already met nine times this year, with the Giants holding a narrow 5-4 (+$60) edge. Neither team has had much success in recent days (SF 4-6, -$125, Rockies 4-6, -$320) and we?re not enthusiastic about taking the Giants as favorites here at ATT Park, since they?ll be facing a steady diet of righthanders (-$350 in that situation so far). But Colorado has the worst pitching in the league right now (4.88 ERA), so we?ll steer clear. BEST BET: None.
Chicago Cubs at L.A. Dodgers (3) 25th, 26th, 27th
The Dodgers have been a big moneymaker for us, but they were roughed up by the Angels last weekend (0-3, -$315), so we?re taking a hard look at Chicago. The Cubs have come up with one of the league?s better starting rotations (3.83 ERA), and if staff ace Carlos Zambrano can be more consistent, they could cause some problems for the home team. Chicago has had success on the road vs. righthanders (9-5, +$465 with 5.6 runs per game) and they?ll no doubt be available at some hefty underdog prices this weekend. BEST BET: Cubs vs. righthanders.
L.A. Angels at N.Y. Yankees (3) 25th, 26th, 27th
The death watch is on in the Bronx, and by the time this series gets underway it is possible that the Red Sox will have placed the final nails in the Yankees? coffin. New York is the biggest money-burner in baseball this year (19-23, -$1625), their pitching ranks 4th worst in the AL (4.65) and the injuries keep piling up. Now they are forced to take on the hottest team in the league (Angels 9-2, +$700 last 11 days with 6.1 runs per game). LA?s rotation is in top form (3.49 team ERA) and the only starter who has struggled (Ervin Santana, is not slated to see action. BEST BET: Angels in all games.
Cleveland at Detroit (3) 25th, 26th, 27th
Should be an exciting series as the top two teams in the competitive AL Central square off for the first time. The Tigers have been very consistent offensively this year (averaging 5.5 runs per game so far), one reason they have thus far been able to overcome the absence of key starters for various stretches of the ?07 campaign. The Indians are a terror against righties, but they are only averaging 3.7 runs per game vs. southpaws and Detroit has a number of lefthanders who could see action. BEST BET: Lefthanders vs. the Indians.
Oakland at Baltimore (3) 25th, 26th, 27th
Both teams are treading water right now, with the Athletics getting burned in the late innings of recent games due to the absence of Huston Street. But they still have the best overall team ERA in the league (3.23 ERA) and they check in with a 10-6 (+$295) record vs. lefthanders, averaging a robust 5.7 runs per game in those contests. The Orioles are still sub .500 material (20-24, -$305 so far), and none of the southpaws in their rotation give us much cause for concern. BEST BET: Athletics vs. lefthanders.
Boston at Texas (3) 25th, 26th, 27th
The Rangers have slipped from mediocre in ?06 to truly awful in ?07 (17-27, -$825). Their rotation is in shambles (6.17 ERA among starters last 11 days) and they are up against a juggernaut in the sizzling hot Red Sox (Boston +$1455 so far). But prices on this game could be high, and we?re not anxious to back the Sox when they are coming off a pivotal series with the Yankees. BEST BET: None.
Seattle at Kansas City (3) 25th, 26th, 27th
The Royals have been making some noise in recent days, and when you are always a heavy underdog a nice stretch of .500 baseball can put big bucks in your backers? pockets (6-5, +$520 in their last 11). The Mariners are only 13-18 against righties (-$545 with 4.0 runs per game) and they?ll be up against their old teammate Gil Meche, who has put together a remarkable first ten starts since joining KC over the winter (+$445 with a 2.44 ERA). Perhaps the Royals will be favored for the first time this year when he goes. BEST BET: Meche.
Tampa Bay at Chicago W. Sox (3) 25th, 26th, 27th
The Devil Rays have had some success this year, and the White Sox are not hitting (.233 team BA, lowest in the majors), but it?s hard to feel good about a Tampa Bay team that can?t pitch (5.44 ERA) and is only 4-12 (-$620) on the road against righthanders. The visitor has a pair of quality arms in Scott Kazmir (+$220, 3.83 ERA) and James Shields (+$1.55, 2.94 ERA) but the rest of the rotation is horrendous and will be hard pressed to cope with the home team?s lineup, even though they are struggling at the plate right now. BEST BET: White Sox righthanders unless opposed by Kazmir or Shields.
Toronto at Minnesota (3) 25th, 26th, 27th
The Blue Jays have pulled themselves out of last place in the AL East with a mini-rally (6-4, +$190 last 10 days). But Roy Halladay and Gustavo Chacin are both on the DL, and the club continues to struggle against righthanded opposition (only 10-19, -$1150 in that situation). The Twins have had their ups and downs, and the absence of Joe Mauer has slowed down the offense. But they are averaging 5.0 runs per game vs. righties, and the Metrodome is never an inviting stop for their AL foes. BEST BET: Twins when righty meets righty.
Houston at Arizona (4) 24th, 25th, 26th, 27th
The Astros still have their problems on offense, but their pitching has really stepped up (3.78 team ERA, 4th lowest in the NL), thanks to a trio of hot starters and one of the best bullpens in baseball (3.16). It appears that Roy Oswalt (2.83 ERA), Wandy Rodriguez (3.99, 1.64 last two starts) and Chris Sampson (3.83) will each take the mound at Chase Field this weekend. The Diamondbacks have averaged less than 4.0 runs per game so far (.244 team BA) and their starters have floundered in recent days (6.23 ERA last 10). BEST BET: Oswalt/Sampson/W. Rodriguez.
BEGINNING FRIDAY MAY 25
N.Y. Mets at Florida (3) 25th, 26th, 27th
The Mets got the best of the Yankees last week, and remain one of the the hottest teams in the NL (7-3, +$310 last 10 days). Statistically they are the most balanced team in the league (3.40 ERA, .284 team BA) and they have yet to lose to a righty in a road night game (9-0, +$+975 with 7.0 runs per game in those contests). Florida?s pitching is a far cry from what they had in ?06 (4.48 team ERA, 4th worst in the league), and they?ve lost money in night games at Dolphin Stadium (-$365). Look for the visitor to stay on track this weekend. BEST BET: Mets vs. righthanders in night games.
Philadelphia at Atlanta (3) 25th, 26th, 27th
The Braves have made short work of the Phillies in 2007 head to head play (5-1, +$425), but things have changed since then. The Phillies have gotten hot (7-3, +$345) and have narrowed the distance between these teams considerably. With Ryan Howard expected back in uniform for this series, we?d like to try our luck with the hard hitting visitor (.265 team BA, 3rd best in the NL), but it?s likely they?ll be squaring off against Tim Hudson (+$270, 2.42 ERA in ten starts) and John Smoltz (+$340, 2.85 ERA in 10 starts). If that?s the case it leaves only one opportunity for us to use the road team. BEST BET: Phillies unless opposed by Hudson or Smoltz.
Pittsburgh at Cincinnati (3) 25th, 26th, 27th
The Reds took 4 of 6 from this team in earlier action (+$220), but Cincinnati has fallen on hard times, dropping into the NL Central basement after a decent month of April (17-27, -$1005 overall). The Pirates are not about to set the world on fire, but they?ve made money outside of PNC Park (+$460), and Tom Gorzelanny has developed into one of the more promising young lefthanders in the majors (2.43 ERA in nine starts). BEST BET: Gorzelanny.
Washington at St. Louis (3) 25th, 26th, 27th
The Cardinals? effort to defend their 2006 World Championship is rapidly turning into a debacle (only 16-25, -$1105 overall). They rank near the bottom of the NL in both pitching (4.67 ERA) and hitting (.247). That might open the door for the Nationals to steal a win or two, but Washington is just terrible (5-15, -$370 as a visitor), and their starting rotation is in complete disarray. Not a very appetizing choice at this time. BEST BET: None.
Milwaukee at San Diego (3) 25th, 26th, 27th
We?ve made a killing with the Brewers so far in 2007, but they have not fared well in recent days (3-7, -$530 last 10). The Padres, meanwhile, are creeping closer and closer to the division leading Dodgers, with the lowest team ERA in the majors right now (3.18). Jake Peavy has been a standout (+$345, 1.64 ERA in nine starts) and keep an eye on Justin Germano, who has looked very impressive since joining the rotation (0.47 ERA in three starts). Both of those righthanders are expected to see action at Petco Park this weekend. BEST BET: Peavy/Germano.
Colorado at San Francisco (3) 25th, 26th, 27th
These teams have already met nine times this year, with the Giants holding a narrow 5-4 (+$60) edge. Neither team has had much success in recent days (SF 4-6, -$125, Rockies 4-6, -$320) and we?re not enthusiastic about taking the Giants as favorites here at ATT Park, since they?ll be facing a steady diet of righthanders (-$350 in that situation so far). But Colorado has the worst pitching in the league right now (4.88 ERA), so we?ll steer clear. BEST BET: None.
Chicago Cubs at L.A. Dodgers (3) 25th, 26th, 27th
The Dodgers have been a big moneymaker for us, but they were roughed up by the Angels last weekend (0-3, -$315), so we?re taking a hard look at Chicago. The Cubs have come up with one of the league?s better starting rotations (3.83 ERA), and if staff ace Carlos Zambrano can be more consistent, they could cause some problems for the home team. Chicago has had success on the road vs. righthanders (9-5, +$465 with 5.6 runs per game) and they?ll no doubt be available at some hefty underdog prices this weekend. BEST BET: Cubs vs. righthanders.
L.A. Angels at N.Y. Yankees (3) 25th, 26th, 27th
The death watch is on in the Bronx, and by the time this series gets underway it is possible that the Red Sox will have placed the final nails in the Yankees? coffin. New York is the biggest money-burner in baseball this year (19-23, -$1625), their pitching ranks 4th worst in the AL (4.65) and the injuries keep piling up. Now they are forced to take on the hottest team in the league (Angels 9-2, +$700 last 11 days with 6.1 runs per game). LA?s rotation is in top form (3.49 team ERA) and the only starter who has struggled (Ervin Santana, is not slated to see action. BEST BET: Angels in all games.
Cleveland at Detroit (3) 25th, 26th, 27th
Should be an exciting series as the top two teams in the competitive AL Central square off for the first time. The Tigers have been very consistent offensively this year (averaging 5.5 runs per game so far), one reason they have thus far been able to overcome the absence of key starters for various stretches of the ?07 campaign. The Indians are a terror against righties, but they are only averaging 3.7 runs per game vs. southpaws and Detroit has a number of lefthanders who could see action. BEST BET: Lefthanders vs. the Indians.
Oakland at Baltimore (3) 25th, 26th, 27th
Both teams are treading water right now, with the Athletics getting burned in the late innings of recent games due to the absence of Huston Street. But they still have the best overall team ERA in the league (3.23 ERA) and they check in with a 10-6 (+$295) record vs. lefthanders, averaging a robust 5.7 runs per game in those contests. The Orioles are still sub .500 material (20-24, -$305 so far), and none of the southpaws in their rotation give us much cause for concern. BEST BET: Athletics vs. lefthanders.
Boston at Texas (3) 25th, 26th, 27th
The Rangers have slipped from mediocre in ?06 to truly awful in ?07 (17-27, -$825). Their rotation is in shambles (6.17 ERA among starters last 11 days) and they are up against a juggernaut in the sizzling hot Red Sox (Boston +$1455 so far). But prices on this game could be high, and we?re not anxious to back the Sox when they are coming off a pivotal series with the Yankees. BEST BET: None.
Seattle at Kansas City (3) 25th, 26th, 27th
The Royals have been making some noise in recent days, and when you are always a heavy underdog a nice stretch of .500 baseball can put big bucks in your backers? pockets (6-5, +$520 in their last 11). The Mariners are only 13-18 against righties (-$545 with 4.0 runs per game) and they?ll be up against their old teammate Gil Meche, who has put together a remarkable first ten starts since joining KC over the winter (+$445 with a 2.44 ERA). Perhaps the Royals will be favored for the first time this year when he goes. BEST BET: Meche.
Tampa Bay at Chicago W. Sox (3) 25th, 26th, 27th
The Devil Rays have had some success this year, and the White Sox are not hitting (.233 team BA, lowest in the majors), but it?s hard to feel good about a Tampa Bay team that can?t pitch (5.44 ERA) and is only 4-12 (-$620) on the road against righthanders. The visitor has a pair of quality arms in Scott Kazmir (+$220, 3.83 ERA) and James Shields (+$1.55, 2.94 ERA) but the rest of the rotation is horrendous and will be hard pressed to cope with the home team?s lineup, even though they are struggling at the plate right now. BEST BET: White Sox righthanders unless opposed by Kazmir or Shields.
Toronto at Minnesota (3) 25th, 26th, 27th
The Blue Jays have pulled themselves out of last place in the AL East with a mini-rally (6-4, +$190 last 10 days). But Roy Halladay and Gustavo Chacin are both on the DL, and the club continues to struggle against righthanded opposition (only 10-19, -$1150 in that situation). The Twins have had their ups and downs, and the absence of Joe Mauer has slowed down the offense. But they are averaging 5.0 runs per game vs. righties, and the Metrodome is never an inviting stop for their AL foes. BEST BET: Twins when righty meets righty.
