Here is what I have on some of today's action. Good luck.
-Florida at Kansas City, Atlanta at Minnesota, Cincinnati at Texas and Colorado at Boston all feature pitching matchups where both starters are large question marks after recent rough outings. Before jumping on over bets on those games, though, take a look at the bullpens to make sure there is enough vulnerability to get some late runs to push the total over the number.
-I had Sele down for a rough start in his last outing, so I am expecting a poor start today. Pirates bullpen, which started the season as the best in the majors, seems to be back on form recently. Tonight could be a tough night for them with converted reliever Beimel starting, as he will probably only go 5 innings or so.
-Judging by Weaver's history, I would expect him to bounce back after three straight subpar outings. Armas finally had a good outing in his last start but he has a tough task in avoiding the sweep on the road vs. Detroit's ace. Armas also left his last start with a blister on his finger.
-Prior was absolutely rocked last time he faced Houston, but it was mainly due to control problems. He seemed to have rectified that in his last start. Still, facing Oswalt in Houston is a tough proposition.
-I have Lopez for Baltimore down as possibly having a below average start due to 30 and 32 batters faced with very low strikeout numbers in his last two starts. O's closer Julio worked the last two nights as well and since this is his first season in that role it is a question mark as to how effective he would be if called upon.
-Sheets has been stellar for Milwaukee over his last three starts, but he has gotten no run support. He certainly sets up again today as the hard luck loser with Mulder going at home for Oakland.
-Leiter seems to have recovered from his recent down cycle so I expect a good run from him over his next few starts for the Mets.
-Great outing for Halladay in his last start but he only got 4 K's in a complete game and his number of batters faced in his last two starts combined rose to a troubling 67. Also as a general note, I get the feeling that the Giants may be heating up as the jays are cooling down.
-In having watched both Rupe and Ashby pitch at various times over the last couple of weeks, I expect both to have strong outings today.
-Piniero is tough to read because he is so young, but he rebounded very nicely in his last start after a rough go of it prior to that. Problem is, he still faced 32 batters and had too many walks (four) while giving up 2 dingers. I wouldn't blindly recommend fading him today because Kile seems to be such a different pitcher on the road. Cards may be a good play, but take a look at Kile's home/road splits before playing anything.
-Florida at Kansas City, Atlanta at Minnesota, Cincinnati at Texas and Colorado at Boston all feature pitching matchups where both starters are large question marks after recent rough outings. Before jumping on over bets on those games, though, take a look at the bullpens to make sure there is enough vulnerability to get some late runs to push the total over the number.
-I had Sele down for a rough start in his last outing, so I am expecting a poor start today. Pirates bullpen, which started the season as the best in the majors, seems to be back on form recently. Tonight could be a tough night for them with converted reliever Beimel starting, as he will probably only go 5 innings or so.
-Judging by Weaver's history, I would expect him to bounce back after three straight subpar outings. Armas finally had a good outing in his last start but he has a tough task in avoiding the sweep on the road vs. Detroit's ace. Armas also left his last start with a blister on his finger.
-Prior was absolutely rocked last time he faced Houston, but it was mainly due to control problems. He seemed to have rectified that in his last start. Still, facing Oswalt in Houston is a tough proposition.
-I have Lopez for Baltimore down as possibly having a below average start due to 30 and 32 batters faced with very low strikeout numbers in his last two starts. O's closer Julio worked the last two nights as well and since this is his first season in that role it is a question mark as to how effective he would be if called upon.
-Sheets has been stellar for Milwaukee over his last three starts, but he has gotten no run support. He certainly sets up again today as the hard luck loser with Mulder going at home for Oakland.
-Leiter seems to have recovered from his recent down cycle so I expect a good run from him over his next few starts for the Mets.
-Great outing for Halladay in his last start but he only got 4 K's in a complete game and his number of batters faced in his last two starts combined rose to a troubling 67. Also as a general note, I get the feeling that the Giants may be heating up as the jays are cooling down.
-In having watched both Rupe and Ashby pitch at various times over the last couple of weeks, I expect both to have strong outings today.
-Piniero is tough to read because he is so young, but he rebounded very nicely in his last start after a rough go of it prior to that. Problem is, he still faced 32 batters and had too many walks (four) while giving up 2 dingers. I wouldn't blindly recommend fading him today because Kile seems to be such a different pitcher on the road. Cards may be a good play, but take a look at Kile's home/road splits before playing anything.
