BEGINNING FRIDAY MAY 12
San Diego at Chicago Cubs (3) 12th, 13th, 14th
After a decent start, the Cubs have hit the skids in recent days (only 2-8, -$680 last 10 days with 1.5 runs per game and a 6.58 ERA among starters) and they were roughed up by the improving Padres at Petco Park last week (0-3, -$325). San Diego has seen a marked improvement in their starting pitching (2.70 ERA last 10) and with an 8-3 record vs. righties on the road (+$610) they should do well here at Wrigley. We?ll avoid veteran Greg Maddux (+$415, 2.35 ERA), but the rest of Chicago?s righthanded pitchers are not looking good. BEST BET: Padres vs. all righthanders except Maddux.
Florida at Pittsburgh (3) 12th, 13th, 14th
This battle of cellar dwellers won?t attract many fans to PNC Park, but we think the Marlins might have a decided edge. Despite their obvious deficiencies, they have managed to score a respectable 4.6 runs per game. They?ll also be sending Scott Olsen (2.85 on the road) and possibly Dontrelle Willis (3.06 on the road), bad news for a Pittsburgh team that is a pitiful 1-12 (-$1120) against lefthanders so far. The Pirates are one of the worst offensive teams in baseball (.234 team BA, only 3.6 runs per game) so we?ll stick with those Florida southpaws, possibly as underdogs. BEST BET: Olsen/Willis.
Philadelphia at Cincinnati (3) 12th, 13th, 14th
The Reds may be slowing down somewhat after a not so wonderful weekend dropping 2 of 3 to the Diamondbacks at Chase Ballpark. Up to know they?ve been doing their best work vs. lefthanders, but they won?t see any southpaws when the Phillies roll into town, and the Reds are only averaging 4.5 runs per game against righthanders. The Phillies are a winning road team (7-4, +$220) and while their starting pitching has been hit and miss overall, they?ve gotten solid work from Brett Myers (3.11 ERA in six starts). He?ll be on the hill this weekend, so take a shot when he goes, no doubt as an attractively priced underdog. BEST BET: Myers.
Washington at Atlanta (3) 12th, 13th, 14th
We?ve predicted the demise of Atlanta in seasons past, only to see them come roaring back and win another division title. But the team looks average at best (4.40 team ERA, .257 team BA) so there might be some opportunities to take them on, especially here at Turner Field, where prices on the Braves will continue to be sky high. The Nationals are a mediocre team at best, and the absence of John Patterson is hurting their rotation. But Tony Armas still looks sharp (3.98 ERA) and Michael O?Connor (2.12 ERA) has gotten off to a fine start. Washington is profitable on the road vs. righties (+$260 with 5.7 runs per game). We?ll take either of these two if they are available vs. Atlanta?s all righty rotation. BEST BET: Armas/O?Connor.
N.Y. Mets at Milwaukee (3) 12th, 13th, 14th
It looks like the Mets are going to be hard to stop in 2006 (21-10, +$905), especially if their chief division rivals continue to flounder. The Brewers are a team that might give them some difficulty here at Miller Park (11-6, +$255 at home so far) so caution is advised. But at the same time, we?re in no mood to challenge a surging New York team that is winning close ballgames and checks in with one of the lowest team ERA?s in the majors (3.56). BEST BET: None.
Colorado at Houston (3) 12th, 13th, 14th
The Astros are off to a fine start (19-12, +$435), unlike the past two seasons in which they fell behind early and needed a big second half to make the playoffs. The Rockies however, are to their best start in memory, including a 10-5 (+$815) road record. They swept this team in Colorado last week and their team ERA (4.14) is the 6th lowest in the NL, unheard of for a team that plays its home games at Coors Field. We?ll go with their two top hurlers as high priced underdogs here at Minutemaid Park. BEST BET: Jennings/Cook.
Arizona at St. Louis (3) 12th, 13th, 14th
The Diamondbacks are riding near the top of the NL West right now (7-3, +$405 last 10 days), and if you look at their stats it is easy to see why (3.90 team ERA, .274 team BA, 3rd best in the NL in both departments). They?ve made money on the road so far (+$310) so we?ll look to use them this weekend at Busch Stadium. Arizona has averaged a robust 6.1 runs per game vs. lefties, and should be available as a substantial underdog when Mark Mulder takes the hill this weekend. The Cardinal lefty has a hefty 4.44 ERA in seven starts (7.36 last two), so we?re getting excellent value with a very capable visiting team. BEST BET: Diamondbacks vs. Mulder.
L.A. Dodgers at San Francisco (3) 12th, 13th, 14th
The Giants have been fading in the NL West (3-7, -$430 last 10 days) and with the worst team ERA in the league (5.30) it?s not surprising. The Dodgers are suffering a similar plight, but their pitching has been much better, with Brad Penny looking especially sharp in his first seven starts (2.98 ERA). Noah Lowry is due back from the DL and will see action in this series if healthy. LA has averaged 6.6 runs per game vs. lefthanders, so they look like a good value anytime he?s on the hill for the Giants. BEST BET: Penny/Dodgers vs. Lowry.
Kansas City at Baltimore (3) 12th, 13th, 14th
It?s hard to imagine taking KC on the road (only 2-14, -$1040 away from Kaufman Stadium), but it?s not out of the question. They?ll be huge underdogs in this series, and right now the Orioles do not look good. They?ve dropped to 14-19 on the season (-$565) and their team ERA (5.70) is the 2nd highest in the league. They?ve only gone 1-9 against lefthanders so far (-$920 with 3.3 runs per game), so if they are huge favorites against Mark Redman or Jeremy Affeldt we?ll try our luck. It takes a strong stomach to bet on KC, but the value is there. BEST BET: Lefthanders vs. the Orioles at +165 or better.
Texas at Boston (3) 12th, 13th, 14th
The Rangers had been coasting along atop the AL West, but their starting pitching was exposed by the Yankees at Arlington last weekend, as NY pounded out 22 runs in a three game sweep. Texas has not had much luck against the Boston (only 2-7, -$505 in 2005, 1-2, -$105 so far in ?06) and the Red Sox have been deadly at Fenway Park (+$275) and against righthanders in general (14-6, +$660 with 6.1 runs per game). Hard to see Texas doing better than a single win this weekend, if that. BEST BET: Red Sox vs. righthanders.
Detroit at Cleveland (3) 12th, 13th, 14th
The Tigers were slowed down by the Twins at the Metrodome last weekend, and given their meager run production vs. lefties (only 3.0 per game) the Tribe could be a good proposition anytime southpaws square off. Cleveland is very strong vs. lefties (+$310, 5.6 runs per game) and given the makeup of these two rotations, we?re likely to get some chances. BEST BET: Indians when lefty meets lefty.
Oakland at N.Y. Yankees (3) 12th, 13th, 14th
The A?s are playing very well (6-3, +$255 last 10 days) and they did take 2 out of 3 from New York at McAfee Stadium to open the season. But the Yankees are looking very sharp right now (3.80 team ERA, .290 team BA, near the top of the league in both categories), so this might not be the right time to take them on. The Bombers are 8-2 (+$535) vs. lefties (5-0 at home with 7.2 runs per game) so take a shot when Oakland sends either Barry Zito (4.07 ERA) or Brad Halsey (3.28) to the mound. BEST BET: Yankees vs. lefthanders.
Toronto at Tampa Bay (3) 12th, 13th, 14th
The Devil Rays can be difficult here at Tropicana Field, but check out the Blue Jays? record in night games (13-5, +$910). They have one of the top offenses in the AL (.301 team BA) and while their lefties don?t figure to appear in this series, we expect to see ace Roy Halladay (3.74) on the mound Saturday night. Tampa Bay is only 4-8 (-$335) in night home games so far in 2006. BEST BET: Halladay.
Chicago W. Sox at Minnesota (4) 12th, 13th, 14th, 15th
It?s becoming apparent that last season?s World Series championship
by the White Sox wasn?t a fluke. They?ve got the best record in the AL (22-9, +$820) and they?ve put a great deal of distance between themselves and Minnesota, a team considered a contender at the start of the season, but one that has stumbled badly in the early going (13-18, -$540 with a 5.74 team ERA, worst in the league). The Sox are demolishing righthanders (16-3, +$1080 so far) so we?ll keep riding them in that situation as long as we can. BEST BET: White Sox vs. righthanders.
Seattle at L.A. Angels (3) 12th, 13th, 14th
Matchup of underachievers, this season has gone particularly badly for the Angels. coming off two straight division titles and now floundering at 14-18 (-$535). They could use a lefthander against Seattle, but their rotation is now exclusively righthanded. At the same time, it?s hard to get excited about Seattle (13-20, -$725), and their only lefty, Jaime Moyer, is not going to appear in this series (LA averaging just 2.8 runs per game vs. southpaws). We?ll look at this matchup as game day draws near, but see no angle just yet. BEST BET: None.
San Diego at Chicago Cubs (3) 12th, 13th, 14th
After a decent start, the Cubs have hit the skids in recent days (only 2-8, -$680 last 10 days with 1.5 runs per game and a 6.58 ERA among starters) and they were roughed up by the improving Padres at Petco Park last week (0-3, -$325). San Diego has seen a marked improvement in their starting pitching (2.70 ERA last 10) and with an 8-3 record vs. righties on the road (+$610) they should do well here at Wrigley. We?ll avoid veteran Greg Maddux (+$415, 2.35 ERA), but the rest of Chicago?s righthanded pitchers are not looking good. BEST BET: Padres vs. all righthanders except Maddux.
Florida at Pittsburgh (3) 12th, 13th, 14th
This battle of cellar dwellers won?t attract many fans to PNC Park, but we think the Marlins might have a decided edge. Despite their obvious deficiencies, they have managed to score a respectable 4.6 runs per game. They?ll also be sending Scott Olsen (2.85 on the road) and possibly Dontrelle Willis (3.06 on the road), bad news for a Pittsburgh team that is a pitiful 1-12 (-$1120) against lefthanders so far. The Pirates are one of the worst offensive teams in baseball (.234 team BA, only 3.6 runs per game) so we?ll stick with those Florida southpaws, possibly as underdogs. BEST BET: Olsen/Willis.
Philadelphia at Cincinnati (3) 12th, 13th, 14th
The Reds may be slowing down somewhat after a not so wonderful weekend dropping 2 of 3 to the Diamondbacks at Chase Ballpark. Up to know they?ve been doing their best work vs. lefthanders, but they won?t see any southpaws when the Phillies roll into town, and the Reds are only averaging 4.5 runs per game against righthanders. The Phillies are a winning road team (7-4, +$220) and while their starting pitching has been hit and miss overall, they?ve gotten solid work from Brett Myers (3.11 ERA in six starts). He?ll be on the hill this weekend, so take a shot when he goes, no doubt as an attractively priced underdog. BEST BET: Myers.
Washington at Atlanta (3) 12th, 13th, 14th
We?ve predicted the demise of Atlanta in seasons past, only to see them come roaring back and win another division title. But the team looks average at best (4.40 team ERA, .257 team BA) so there might be some opportunities to take them on, especially here at Turner Field, where prices on the Braves will continue to be sky high. The Nationals are a mediocre team at best, and the absence of John Patterson is hurting their rotation. But Tony Armas still looks sharp (3.98 ERA) and Michael O?Connor (2.12 ERA) has gotten off to a fine start. Washington is profitable on the road vs. righties (+$260 with 5.7 runs per game). We?ll take either of these two if they are available vs. Atlanta?s all righty rotation. BEST BET: Armas/O?Connor.
N.Y. Mets at Milwaukee (3) 12th, 13th, 14th
It looks like the Mets are going to be hard to stop in 2006 (21-10, +$905), especially if their chief division rivals continue to flounder. The Brewers are a team that might give them some difficulty here at Miller Park (11-6, +$255 at home so far) so caution is advised. But at the same time, we?re in no mood to challenge a surging New York team that is winning close ballgames and checks in with one of the lowest team ERA?s in the majors (3.56). BEST BET: None.
Colorado at Houston (3) 12th, 13th, 14th
The Astros are off to a fine start (19-12, +$435), unlike the past two seasons in which they fell behind early and needed a big second half to make the playoffs. The Rockies however, are to their best start in memory, including a 10-5 (+$815) road record. They swept this team in Colorado last week and their team ERA (4.14) is the 6th lowest in the NL, unheard of for a team that plays its home games at Coors Field. We?ll go with their two top hurlers as high priced underdogs here at Minutemaid Park. BEST BET: Jennings/Cook.
Arizona at St. Louis (3) 12th, 13th, 14th
The Diamondbacks are riding near the top of the NL West right now (7-3, +$405 last 10 days), and if you look at their stats it is easy to see why (3.90 team ERA, .274 team BA, 3rd best in the NL in both departments). They?ve made money on the road so far (+$310) so we?ll look to use them this weekend at Busch Stadium. Arizona has averaged a robust 6.1 runs per game vs. lefties, and should be available as a substantial underdog when Mark Mulder takes the hill this weekend. The Cardinal lefty has a hefty 4.44 ERA in seven starts (7.36 last two), so we?re getting excellent value with a very capable visiting team. BEST BET: Diamondbacks vs. Mulder.
L.A. Dodgers at San Francisco (3) 12th, 13th, 14th
The Giants have been fading in the NL West (3-7, -$430 last 10 days) and with the worst team ERA in the league (5.30) it?s not surprising. The Dodgers are suffering a similar plight, but their pitching has been much better, with Brad Penny looking especially sharp in his first seven starts (2.98 ERA). Noah Lowry is due back from the DL and will see action in this series if healthy. LA has averaged 6.6 runs per game vs. lefthanders, so they look like a good value anytime he?s on the hill for the Giants. BEST BET: Penny/Dodgers vs. Lowry.
Kansas City at Baltimore (3) 12th, 13th, 14th
It?s hard to imagine taking KC on the road (only 2-14, -$1040 away from Kaufman Stadium), but it?s not out of the question. They?ll be huge underdogs in this series, and right now the Orioles do not look good. They?ve dropped to 14-19 on the season (-$565) and their team ERA (5.70) is the 2nd highest in the league. They?ve only gone 1-9 against lefthanders so far (-$920 with 3.3 runs per game), so if they are huge favorites against Mark Redman or Jeremy Affeldt we?ll try our luck. It takes a strong stomach to bet on KC, but the value is there. BEST BET: Lefthanders vs. the Orioles at +165 or better.
Texas at Boston (3) 12th, 13th, 14th
The Rangers had been coasting along atop the AL West, but their starting pitching was exposed by the Yankees at Arlington last weekend, as NY pounded out 22 runs in a three game sweep. Texas has not had much luck against the Boston (only 2-7, -$505 in 2005, 1-2, -$105 so far in ?06) and the Red Sox have been deadly at Fenway Park (+$275) and against righthanders in general (14-6, +$660 with 6.1 runs per game). Hard to see Texas doing better than a single win this weekend, if that. BEST BET: Red Sox vs. righthanders.
Detroit at Cleveland (3) 12th, 13th, 14th
The Tigers were slowed down by the Twins at the Metrodome last weekend, and given their meager run production vs. lefties (only 3.0 per game) the Tribe could be a good proposition anytime southpaws square off. Cleveland is very strong vs. lefties (+$310, 5.6 runs per game) and given the makeup of these two rotations, we?re likely to get some chances. BEST BET: Indians when lefty meets lefty.
Oakland at N.Y. Yankees (3) 12th, 13th, 14th
The A?s are playing very well (6-3, +$255 last 10 days) and they did take 2 out of 3 from New York at McAfee Stadium to open the season. But the Yankees are looking very sharp right now (3.80 team ERA, .290 team BA, near the top of the league in both categories), so this might not be the right time to take them on. The Bombers are 8-2 (+$535) vs. lefties (5-0 at home with 7.2 runs per game) so take a shot when Oakland sends either Barry Zito (4.07 ERA) or Brad Halsey (3.28) to the mound. BEST BET: Yankees vs. lefthanders.
Toronto at Tampa Bay (3) 12th, 13th, 14th
The Devil Rays can be difficult here at Tropicana Field, but check out the Blue Jays? record in night games (13-5, +$910). They have one of the top offenses in the AL (.301 team BA) and while their lefties don?t figure to appear in this series, we expect to see ace Roy Halladay (3.74) on the mound Saturday night. Tampa Bay is only 4-8 (-$335) in night home games so far in 2006. BEST BET: Halladay.
Chicago W. Sox at Minnesota (4) 12th, 13th, 14th, 15th
It?s becoming apparent that last season?s World Series championship
by the White Sox wasn?t a fluke. They?ve got the best record in the AL (22-9, +$820) and they?ve put a great deal of distance between themselves and Minnesota, a team considered a contender at the start of the season, but one that has stumbled badly in the early going (13-18, -$540 with a 5.74 team ERA, worst in the league). The Sox are demolishing righthanders (16-3, +$1080 so far) so we?ll keep riding them in that situation as long as we can. BEST BET: White Sox vs. righthanders.
Seattle at L.A. Angels (3) 12th, 13th, 14th
Matchup of underachievers, this season has gone particularly badly for the Angels. coming off two straight division titles and now floundering at 14-18 (-$535). They could use a lefthander against Seattle, but their rotation is now exclusively righthanded. At the same time, it?s hard to get excited about Seattle (13-20, -$725), and their only lefty, Jaime Moyer, is not going to appear in this series (LA averaging just 2.8 runs per game vs. southpaws). We?ll look at this matchup as game day draws near, but see no angle just yet. BEST BET: None.
