BEGINNING MONDAY SEPTEMBER 19
Houston at Pittsburgh (4) 19th, 20th, 21st, 22nd
The Bucs have fallen on hard times since the All-Star break, and their numbers at PNC Park are dreadful (28-42, -$1630). The one bright spot has been the emergence of Zach Duke (+555, 1.81 ERA in 10 starts). If he were available here we?d try our luck (Astros 6-16, -$1095 on the road vs. lefties) but he?s on the DL right now. His replacement, Paul Maholm is also a lefty has put together some decent starts (1.20 ERA). We?ll take a shot when he goes. PREFERRED: Maholm
Baltimore at N.Y. Yankees (4) 19th, 20th, 21st, 22nd
The Orioles gave the Yankees plnty of trouble early in the year (6-4, +$390 in head to head play), and even though they?ve fallen on hard times, it?s hard to pass up Bruce Chen (3.73 ERA in 270 starts), considering how poorly the bombers have performed vs. southpaws in the Bronx (-$1105 in 23 games). PREFERRED: Chen.
Boston at Tampa Bay (3) 19th, 20th, 21st
The Red Sox have dominated the devil Rays in head to head play in 2005 (12-4, +$440), the main reason they are three games up on the Yankees, who have floundered against Tampa Bay this year. But the Devil Rays have been the toughest team in the league since the All-Star Break, their record in night games at Tropicana Field is outstanding (+$1405) and Boston is far less formidable when they venture outside of Fenway (35-37, -$935 as visitors). we?ll jump all over the home underdog in this series. PREFERRED: Devil Rays in all games. Cleveland at Chicago W. Sox (3) 19th, 20th, 21st
The White Sox would like to win these games because they?ve lost quite a bit of ground in recent weeks and are in jeopardy of losing home field advantage in the playoffs if they are not careful. They?ve pounded the Tribe in their prior meetings (10-3, +$680) and there?s plenty of motivation for them to let that trend continue. Their best bet is Mark Buehrle (3.13 ERA) given Cleveland?s sub par run production on the road vs. lefties (4.1 per game). PREFERRED: Buehrle.
Minnesota at Oakland (3) 19th, 20th, 21st
The Twins saw their playoff hopes dwindle when they lost Torii Hunter for the season, and they?ve had a rough September (only 3-6,
-$460 in recent days). The a?s are very much in the thick of things and may catch an underdog price at home vs. Johan Santana. Given their 26-15 record vs. lefthanders (+$965 with 5.8 runs per game), it?s hard to pass up that proposition. PREFERRED: Athletics. vs Santana.