3 temptations and a glaring

EXTRAPOLATER

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Feb 22, 2001
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What is it with some of the prices this year? Is it my memory, or are there way too many -2XX lines this season?
-250 on Bosox, with anti-stud Burkett going and the pseudo-strong Sox pen. Jeez...need better than 72% chance for a # like that, and I can't give more than 65% here; Tigers do have better pen, and Maroth may keep them around (if they can score, which is possible vs Burkett).

A little different today, I'm doing a quickie from "no way I'd play" to "why is this team a dog?"

NO WAY
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--EXPOS too expensive as Wells has been solid; Vazquez is undoubtable a bit better (certainly more of a K-machine), but team that gets breaks and some timely hitting wins here; Expos should be favored, but -160ish is way too high (got Expos 58 here)

--CUBS are also too pricey, w/Estes not sharp this year, including 12-3 pummelling by Chisox, @Wrigley, in his last; Sheets tossed a nice one at home vs Twins in last, Brewers 3-2 in 10; 57% I get for Cubs may be generous based on starter matchup, as Sheets may do the unthinkable and toss two nice ones in a row; bat edge for Cubs is minimal at best, and Estes is no Wood; Brewers .316 last 10 vs leties a bit misleading as Twins' Rogers the only starter faced

--BOSOX should sweep Tigers, but my confidence in Burkett is lower than it was for Lowe or Wakefield -- he sports an 8.59 era over his past 3 (incl. 21 H in 14.2 IP) while Maroth better at 3.71 over past 3 (still 21 H over 17 IP); if this one is close in the latter stages then it's anyone's, as Tigers have better BP; Bosox scored 10 yesterday but did only bag 3 in the opener, off Bonderman & company, and Maroth is arguably much better; -250 looks ridiculous

--JAYS look pricey, too; Lidle not as sharp as early-season, and Ponson is about the best O's have going; O's bats can score, and Jays pen still lacking; I gave under 60% here, which would make the line a scam

--YANKS should also win, w/Pettitte better lately; Bell surprised all by keeping T'Bay in last vs Marlins (fish 3-1 in 11); D'Rays clearly giving it their all this series and I'd expect Lou to try and pull out all the stops to capture at least one -- don't mean it will happen, but the Yanks 64 I got is way off the 70 needed for the price

EVEN OR NEGLIGABLE VALUE
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--ASTROS 'capped around 60, as I have little faith in Dessens; D'Backs hitting great lately, and Miller not sharp in 4 career starts vs D'Backs, so my # may be too generous; -130 line shows only slight value at the 60 (PV +3)

--BRAVES 'cap at 63% looks high to me on further reflection -- Padilla has had some strong starts vs this season (3 starts, Phils won all 3) while Braves 1-1 in Maddux starts vs in '03; even at the high 63 there is little value around -150 (need 60)

--MARLINS are tempting with hot lefty Redman going, as Mets still can't hit lefties (.222 '03, .242 @Shea '03, .173 past 10 w/5 lefty starters faced: D.Wells, Pettitte, Phelps, Willis, and Washburn); Trachsel has been steady for Mets (incl. 2.79 era over past 3); Marlins 56 here (PV +4 at -105)

--ROCKIES/PADRES looks like a coin-toss, as Elarton is nowhere-to-be-found, lefty Perez has looked sharp, but Rocks have put a-hurtin' on lefties all season while Pads are always a long-shot to score many (Elarton may cure that here)

--DODGERS 'capped at 54, as I'd take Nomo (&BP) over Moss in a heartbeat this season (Nomo 1.27 era past 3, Moss 7.63); Moss did beat LA 9-3 in April @Dodger Stadium, his only vs this year; PV only +2 at -105

--KC@INJUNS looks like coin-toss, and I can't touch Snyder until he shows he's not sent-to-the-minors material; Anderson looking better lately (2.70 era past 3, including 10-3 win over Tigers--yippee--in last), Injuns bats are not (only 1 against the frequently-pounded George yesterday); line reflects crap-shoot

--TWINS line looks about right, as Mays is inconsistent and Garland has shown flashes of brilliance lately; Twins bats also inconsistent; -125 would be even at 56%

--MARINERS may finally wake up with starter Moyer going, and Ortiz a long-shot for 2 beauties in a row, but -130 needs better than 57% and I gave 'em 56 here, on the road, after last weeks 2-0 Angels win in same matchup @SAFECO; I wouldn't be surprised to see lotsa Angels action make this line more favorable for M's players; M's did get 6 off of Sele & company yesterday, after seeing him last week and bagging only 2 -- same improvement expected here vs "not-another-homer"-Ortiz

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And if you feel that you can't go on
And your wheels sink in low
Just believe and you can't go wrong
In the light you will find the road
(Led Zeppelin-Physical Grafitti-In the Light)
 

EXTRAPOLATER

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Feb 22, 2001
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TEMPTATION AVOIDED (SO FAR)
--------------------------------------------
M's@Angels under 8 -115
--rematch of 2-0 Angels win @SAFECO last week, but I'm not sure if a repeat is in order here; HP Kulpa a decent under play the past year-and-a-half (unders 29-20), and his only Moyer game, in '00, had Moyer blanking the O's; both clubs struggling somewhat at the plate, but 10 runs yesterday sent it over; Angels a hilarious .098 last 10 vs lefties, but Moyer was the only lefty faced the past 10 (Angels .272 year vs L, .294 at home -- that latter # chasing me off the tempation)

Cards -1.5 +105
--while Morris won't be "sent down", I'm tempted to wait and see what the halo is going on with this guy -- last 2 have been brutal, giving him a 13.50 era over past 3 starts; Wilson has been strong lately with his 3-0 record, 2.29 era over past 3, including a 3-1 duel vs Prior &Cubs in last

PLAYED
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Pirates@Expos under 8.5 -120
1.2/1
--Wells and Vazquez are having good seasons, despite letting up a little lately; injuries to both sides make offense a premium here (teams did score 10 yesterday, w/D'Amico and Ohka starting, but today's 2 are much better); HP Marquez has been mostly under past year-and-a-half, at 31-18 -- his last Vazquez game was a 1-0 Expos win @Arizona in 2001

Rangers +120
2/2.4
--somebody please tell me why the Rangers are dogs here? I understand the A's are the (much) better all-round team, but Rangers defense a little better, offense considerably better, and Rangers @home. A's have better BP, but Rangers' not the worst there is, and they did take yesterday's matchup. Thomson is nothing special, but pounding he took by Astros was to be expected: they had seen him many times, and pounded him many times. Harang is no better than Thomson here, in my opinion, save for a better BP behind him. Juan-Gone's no-trade move may serve to strengthen the clubhouse chemistry a little, if it does anything. Rangers .277 on season vs R, A's .257. Rangers .292 at home vs R, A's .242 on the road. Rangers .271 past 10 vs R, A's .259. A's beat on Thomson in a 9-0 win back on April 18th, in Oakland, but Thomson stuck around in earlier (April 8th) matchup with Zito, a 2-1 A's win @Texas. Linemakers clearly giving Harang too much respect here. Small pitching edge for A's easily overcome by Rangers bats-and small home advantage-for a Rangers 60% 'cap (PV +14 at +120)


Hope You Have Happiness

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I'm so happy 'cause today I found my friends
There in my head
(Nirvana-Nevermind-Lithium)
 

cooz3

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good luck today.....

redsox series is a 4 game series...so no sweep if they win today....


cooz
 

EXTRAPOLATER

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Feb 22, 2001
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yeah...I realized that 4 game this afternoon, checkin' out tomorrow's possibilities.

5 runs in the 9th @Montreal.
:mad: thanks easter-bunny:(

Go Rangers
(added Cards run-line also, so go Cards ... 7-4 in the 4th really means squat, me's feels.

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Stupid thinking
Leads to
Stupidity
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EXTRAPOLATER

Registered User
Forum Member
Feb 22, 2001
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My York account is still happenin' - I just checked it.
(fools maybe still believe they can weasel more money from me)



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Crazy ... toys in the attic, I am crazy
surely gone fishing
They must have taken my marbles away
(Floyd-WWWWWhat else-The Trial)
--obviously not MY 'deepest fear'

dang...thought I knew what I was gonna listen to while falling asleep, but now I'm temptationedagain ...
TEAR DOWN THE WALL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
 
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