BASEBALL
BEGINNING THURSDAY JULY 10
Florida at L.A. Dodgers (4) 10th, 11th, 12th, 13th
The Dodgers are still below .500, but they are close to taking over first place in the under-achieving NL West. Their pitching has been superlative (3.73 team ERA, best in the league), but they don?t score enough runs (only 4.1 per game) so they could be vulnerable to a Florida team that has turned a tidy profit vs. righthanders (+$900 with 5.2 runs per game). LA has lost money to righties so far in 2008 (-$490). BEST BET: Marlins when righty meets righty.
Minnesota at Detroit (4) 10th, 11th, 12th, 13th
The big story these days is the performance of the red hot Twins (8-2, +$630 last 10 days) and their astonishing record vs. righthanders (+$2005 with 5.2 runs per game). They?ve dominated Detroit in head to head play (7-4, +$450) and they?re getting excellent performances from a trio of young righthanders. Nick Blackburn (+$350, 3.78 ERA), Kevin Slowey (+$175, 3.78) and Scott Baker (+$405, 3.65) are all in the black, and likely to see action in this series. The Tigers are huge losers vs. righties (-$1840). BEST BET: Blackburn, Slowey & Baker vs. righthanders.
Tampa Bay at Cleveland (4) 10th, 11th, 12th, 13th
There?s no stopping the Rays right now (9-1, +$775 last 10 days with 6.1 runs per game and a 2.27 ERA among starters), the team with the best record in baseball. They show no signs of letting up and should dispatch an inept Cleveland team without much difficulty. The Tribe is in the midst of a miserable campaign (37-51, -$2720) and have now lost ace starter C.C. Sabathia to Milwaukee. Look for the Rays to add to their season profit (+$2215) by taking 3 out of 4 at Progressive Park. BEST BET: Rays in all games.
N.Y. Yankees at Pittsburgh (1) 10th
Quick trip to Pittsburgh for a make-up game, with Andy Pettitte and Paul Maholm the likely matchup. The Yankees haven?t fared well vs. southpaws (-$315 with 4.4 runs per game) and Maholm is looking very sharp right now (1.80 ERA last two starts). Pettitte has not fared nearly as well (5.91 ERA last two) and the Pirates have turned a profit here at PNC Park (+$740). BEST BET: Maholm.
BEGINNING FRIDAY JULY 11
San Francisco at Chicago Cubs (3) 11th, 12th, 13th
The Giants are within striking distance of first place in the weak NL West, and they?ve performed well in their road games (+$685). They?ll be huge underdogs in this series, but it?s tough to go against the Cubs at Wrigley. Chicago has a 31-13 record at home (+$1760), they own the best offense in the league (.281 team BA) and their pitching is rock solid (3.90). We?ll take a pass. BEST BET: None.
St. Louis at Pittsburgh (3) 11th, 12th, 13th
The Cardinals have lost money to the Pirates in head to head play (only 4-5, -$295) and they have a difficult task when they take on Zack Duke, who has bounced back from last year?s debacle with a decent in 2008 (+$395, 4.23 ERA in 18 starts). St. Louis is less effective vs. lefties, and as noted before, Pittsburgh has been profitable at home (+$740). BEST BET: Duke
Arizona at Philadelphia (3) 11th, 12th, 13th
The Diamondbacks have suffered a stunning reversal of fortune over the past two months, dropping under .500 after it appeared they were cruising to an easy division title. Their backers have been getting hammered (-$1050 overall) and the lefthanders in their rotation are vulnerable to a Phillies? team that checks in with a 19-12 record against southpaws (+$495 with 5.7 runs per game). The home team has been getting great pitching (3.89 team ERA) and will be tough to stop in the NL East. BEST BET: Phillies vs. lefthanders.
Colorado at N.Y. Mets (3) 11th, 12th, 13th
The Rockies have a long journey back to respectability, but they?ve been playing better, and their record vs. lefthanders is not bad at all (13-9, +$430 with 5.5 runs per game). The Mets are still a big money-burner vs. righties (28-33, -$1155) and will be up against a good one in Aaron Cook (+$485, 3.66 ERA in 19 starts), who?ll be on the hill this weekend. BEST BET: Cook/Rockies vs. lefthanders.
Houston at Washington (3) 11th, 12th, 13th
The Astros don?t inspire much confidence, particularly on the road (19-27, with 3.9 runs per game), but the Nationals, baseball?s worst franchise, are an inviting target. They are only 3-11 in night games vs. lefties at home (-$945 with 3.2 runs per game), and Wandy Rodriguez, Houston?s most effective hurler (3.23 ERA in 12 starts), will take the mound in a night game. BEST BET: W. Rodriguez.
Cincinnati at Milwaukee (3) 11th, 12th, 13th
The Brewers are very much in the NL Playoff picture, and their numbers here at Miller Park are outstanding (28-13, +$1090). The Reds have a potent weapon in Edinson Volquez (+$740, 2.39 ERA in 18 starts), but they are a bad road team (17-28, -$900) and the rest of their pitching staff is nothing to get excited about (4.46 team ERA, 11th in the NL). BEST BET: Brewers unless opposed by Volquez.
Atlanta at San Diego (3) 11th, 12th, 13th
Things continue to go badly for the Braves (3-6, -$400 last 10 days with only 3.3 runs per game), and they?ve been a disaster outside of Turner Field (12-29, -$1895. But their pitching is solid (3.79 team ERA, 2nd best in the league) and the Padres have been horrible in 2008 (-$2260 overall). Sit this one out for now. BEST BET: None.
Baltimore at Boston (3) 11th, 12th, 13th
It?s impossible to bet against the Red Sox at Fenway Park this year (31-10, +$1540) but the Orioles are not expected to face Jon Lester, which means they?ll be fed a steady diet of Boston righthanders. They?ve turned a fat profit in that situation (+$1210 overall) so laying fat prices on the favorite is not a good idea. BEST BET: None.
N.Y. Yankees at Toronto (3) 11th, 12th, 13th
The Yankees have taken 4 of 6 from the Blue Jays this year (+$140) and their window of opportunity for climbing back into the AL Playoff picture is rapidly closing. Toronto has been a disappointment up until now, and they check in with a 10-14 record in night games at Rogers Centre (-$1085). We?ll try our luck with the visitor in the series opener. BEST BET: Yankees in night games.
Chicago W. Sox at Texas (3) 11th, 12th, 13th
The White Sox have won 9 of their last 12 (+$520) and their pitching staff has the lowest ERA in the majors (3.41). The Rangers are having a better than expected season, but they?ve not fared well vs. southpaws (only 11-17, -$455) and they?ll be up against a good one when John Danks (+$340, 2.52 ERA in 18 starts) takes his turn here at Arlington. BEST BET: Danks.
Seattle at Kansas City (3) 11th, 12th, 13th
The Mariners are coming off a decent stretch (7-3, +$530 last 10 days) but it will be hard to sustain that momentum with staff ace Felix Hernandez on the DL. The Royals perform much better against lefthanders (+$610) and the current Seattle rotation features a trio of southpaws, the best of whom (Eric Bedard, 3.67 ERA) is not slated to take a turn. BEST BET: Royals vs. lefthanders.
L.A. Angels at Oakland (3) 11th, 12th, 13th
The Angels may be the team to beat for the AL pennant this year, but they?ll need to continue their winning ways against division rival Oakland, a team they?ve taken 4 out of 6 from in head to head play (+$155). LA?s record on the road is outstanding (27-15, +$1310) and the Athletics are a disappointing 8-14 in night games vs. righties at McAfee (-$850 with 3.6 runs per game). Play this series accordingly. BEST BET: Angels vs. righthanders in night games.
BEGINNING THURSDAY JULY 10
Florida at L.A. Dodgers (4) 10th, 11th, 12th, 13th
The Dodgers are still below .500, but they are close to taking over first place in the under-achieving NL West. Their pitching has been superlative (3.73 team ERA, best in the league), but they don?t score enough runs (only 4.1 per game) so they could be vulnerable to a Florida team that has turned a tidy profit vs. righthanders (+$900 with 5.2 runs per game). LA has lost money to righties so far in 2008 (-$490). BEST BET: Marlins when righty meets righty.
Minnesota at Detroit (4) 10th, 11th, 12th, 13th
The big story these days is the performance of the red hot Twins (8-2, +$630 last 10 days) and their astonishing record vs. righthanders (+$2005 with 5.2 runs per game). They?ve dominated Detroit in head to head play (7-4, +$450) and they?re getting excellent performances from a trio of young righthanders. Nick Blackburn (+$350, 3.78 ERA), Kevin Slowey (+$175, 3.78) and Scott Baker (+$405, 3.65) are all in the black, and likely to see action in this series. The Tigers are huge losers vs. righties (-$1840). BEST BET: Blackburn, Slowey & Baker vs. righthanders.
Tampa Bay at Cleveland (4) 10th, 11th, 12th, 13th
There?s no stopping the Rays right now (9-1, +$775 last 10 days with 6.1 runs per game and a 2.27 ERA among starters), the team with the best record in baseball. They show no signs of letting up and should dispatch an inept Cleveland team without much difficulty. The Tribe is in the midst of a miserable campaign (37-51, -$2720) and have now lost ace starter C.C. Sabathia to Milwaukee. Look for the Rays to add to their season profit (+$2215) by taking 3 out of 4 at Progressive Park. BEST BET: Rays in all games.
N.Y. Yankees at Pittsburgh (1) 10th
Quick trip to Pittsburgh for a make-up game, with Andy Pettitte and Paul Maholm the likely matchup. The Yankees haven?t fared well vs. southpaws (-$315 with 4.4 runs per game) and Maholm is looking very sharp right now (1.80 ERA last two starts). Pettitte has not fared nearly as well (5.91 ERA last two) and the Pirates have turned a profit here at PNC Park (+$740). BEST BET: Maholm.
BEGINNING FRIDAY JULY 11
San Francisco at Chicago Cubs (3) 11th, 12th, 13th
The Giants are within striking distance of first place in the weak NL West, and they?ve performed well in their road games (+$685). They?ll be huge underdogs in this series, but it?s tough to go against the Cubs at Wrigley. Chicago has a 31-13 record at home (+$1760), they own the best offense in the league (.281 team BA) and their pitching is rock solid (3.90). We?ll take a pass. BEST BET: None.
St. Louis at Pittsburgh (3) 11th, 12th, 13th
The Cardinals have lost money to the Pirates in head to head play (only 4-5, -$295) and they have a difficult task when they take on Zack Duke, who has bounced back from last year?s debacle with a decent in 2008 (+$395, 4.23 ERA in 18 starts). St. Louis is less effective vs. lefties, and as noted before, Pittsburgh has been profitable at home (+$740). BEST BET: Duke
Arizona at Philadelphia (3) 11th, 12th, 13th
The Diamondbacks have suffered a stunning reversal of fortune over the past two months, dropping under .500 after it appeared they were cruising to an easy division title. Their backers have been getting hammered (-$1050 overall) and the lefthanders in their rotation are vulnerable to a Phillies? team that checks in with a 19-12 record against southpaws (+$495 with 5.7 runs per game). The home team has been getting great pitching (3.89 team ERA) and will be tough to stop in the NL East. BEST BET: Phillies vs. lefthanders.
Colorado at N.Y. Mets (3) 11th, 12th, 13th
The Rockies have a long journey back to respectability, but they?ve been playing better, and their record vs. lefthanders is not bad at all (13-9, +$430 with 5.5 runs per game). The Mets are still a big money-burner vs. righties (28-33, -$1155) and will be up against a good one in Aaron Cook (+$485, 3.66 ERA in 19 starts), who?ll be on the hill this weekend. BEST BET: Cook/Rockies vs. lefthanders.
Houston at Washington (3) 11th, 12th, 13th
The Astros don?t inspire much confidence, particularly on the road (19-27, with 3.9 runs per game), but the Nationals, baseball?s worst franchise, are an inviting target. They are only 3-11 in night games vs. lefties at home (-$945 with 3.2 runs per game), and Wandy Rodriguez, Houston?s most effective hurler (3.23 ERA in 12 starts), will take the mound in a night game. BEST BET: W. Rodriguez.
Cincinnati at Milwaukee (3) 11th, 12th, 13th
The Brewers are very much in the NL Playoff picture, and their numbers here at Miller Park are outstanding (28-13, +$1090). The Reds have a potent weapon in Edinson Volquez (+$740, 2.39 ERA in 18 starts), but they are a bad road team (17-28, -$900) and the rest of their pitching staff is nothing to get excited about (4.46 team ERA, 11th in the NL). BEST BET: Brewers unless opposed by Volquez.
Atlanta at San Diego (3) 11th, 12th, 13th
Things continue to go badly for the Braves (3-6, -$400 last 10 days with only 3.3 runs per game), and they?ve been a disaster outside of Turner Field (12-29, -$1895. But their pitching is solid (3.79 team ERA, 2nd best in the league) and the Padres have been horrible in 2008 (-$2260 overall). Sit this one out for now. BEST BET: None.
Baltimore at Boston (3) 11th, 12th, 13th
It?s impossible to bet against the Red Sox at Fenway Park this year (31-10, +$1540) but the Orioles are not expected to face Jon Lester, which means they?ll be fed a steady diet of Boston righthanders. They?ve turned a fat profit in that situation (+$1210 overall) so laying fat prices on the favorite is not a good idea. BEST BET: None.
N.Y. Yankees at Toronto (3) 11th, 12th, 13th
The Yankees have taken 4 of 6 from the Blue Jays this year (+$140) and their window of opportunity for climbing back into the AL Playoff picture is rapidly closing. Toronto has been a disappointment up until now, and they check in with a 10-14 record in night games at Rogers Centre (-$1085). We?ll try our luck with the visitor in the series opener. BEST BET: Yankees in night games.
Chicago W. Sox at Texas (3) 11th, 12th, 13th
The White Sox have won 9 of their last 12 (+$520) and their pitching staff has the lowest ERA in the majors (3.41). The Rangers are having a better than expected season, but they?ve not fared well vs. southpaws (only 11-17, -$455) and they?ll be up against a good one when John Danks (+$340, 2.52 ERA in 18 starts) takes his turn here at Arlington. BEST BET: Danks.
Seattle at Kansas City (3) 11th, 12th, 13th
The Mariners are coming off a decent stretch (7-3, +$530 last 10 days) but it will be hard to sustain that momentum with staff ace Felix Hernandez on the DL. The Royals perform much better against lefthanders (+$610) and the current Seattle rotation features a trio of southpaws, the best of whom (Eric Bedard, 3.67 ERA) is not slated to take a turn. BEST BET: Royals vs. lefthanders.
L.A. Angels at Oakland (3) 11th, 12th, 13th
The Angels may be the team to beat for the AL pennant this year, but they?ll need to continue their winning ways against division rival Oakland, a team they?ve taken 4 out of 6 from in head to head play (+$155). LA?s record on the road is outstanding (27-15, +$1310) and the Athletics are a disappointing 8-14 in night games vs. righties at McAfee (-$850 with 3.6 runs per game). Play this series accordingly. BEST BET: Angels vs. righthanders in night games.
