BEGINNING MONDAY APRIL 25
Philadelphia at Washington (3) 25th, 26th, 27th
The Nationals took 2 out of 3 at Philadelphia to open the season (+$185) and are playing above expectations. The swept the D?Backs at RFK in the season?s first series but they don?t have any lefthanders in their rotation, a key Philadelphia weakness. We?ll reassess this matchup as game day draws near. PREFERRED: None.
Houston at Pittsburgh (3) 25th, 26th, 27th
The Astros dominated in head to head play last year (12-5, +$330) but their offense has been anemic to start the season (only 4.0 runs per game) so we?re less than enthusiastic. Mark Redman has looked very sharp (2.33 ERA) and should provide a solid value against a visitor that tends to be overpriced. PREFERRED: Redman.
Atlanta at N.Y. Mets (3) 25th, 26th, 27th
These teams are almost even in pitching right now (Braves 3.68 ERA, Mets 3.86) but the Mets are 5-1 at home (+$455) and given how poorly Atlanta has fared in day games (0-4, -$470) we like the home team?s chances in Wednesday?s afternoon affair, regardless of pitcher or price. PREFERRED: Mets in day games.
Cincinnati at Chicago Cubs (3) 25th, 26th, 27th
The Cubs won the season series with the Reds last year nine games to eight, but they lost a staggering sum in the process (-$845). We?d grab the visitor of we could, but the Cubs have no lefties in their rotation and the Reds? losses against righties are substantial (only 2-5, -$265 with just 3.3 runs per game). PREFERRED: None.
Milwaukee at St. Louis (3) 25th, 26th, 27th
The Brewers posted a tidy profit against this team last year (+$420) and with the Cardinals struggling offensively, we?ll take a shot with Sheets (3.38) and Davis (3.64), both of whom should take the mound at Busch Stadium. PREFERRED: Sheets/Davis.
Arizona at L.A. Dodgers (3) 25th, 26th, 27th
The Dodgers are the hottest team in baseball at 9-2 (+$750) and while we?re impressed with the improvements the D?Backs have made, they are winless outside of Bank One Ballpark. Use the home team if the price is fair. PREFERRED: Dodgers at -150 or less.
San Diego at San Francisco (3) 25th, 26th, 27th
These teams squared off at Petco Park last week so check those results before jumping in. SD was excellent as a visitor last year (+$1275) and SF?s trouble with righties at SBC Park (-$1025 in 2004) spells trouble vs. this rotation. PREFERRED: Padres in all games.
Baltimore at Boston (3) 25th, 26th, 27th
The O?s turned a profit at Boston?s expense last year (+$650) and we?ll look to use them against righties at Fenway. Baltimore made a bundle of money in that situation in 2004 (32-23, +$1855) and are off to another good start (2-1, +$190). Keep in mind that the Red Sox were big money-burners vs. lefthanders last year (-$990) and they?ll be up against a formidable duo in Chen (1.80) and Bedard (1.50). PREFERRED: Chen &Bedard vs. righthanders.
Chicago W. Sox at Oakland (3) 25th, 26th, 27th
The White Sox are a very hot team, but they floundered against lefthanders in day games last year (10-31, -$2770) and only beat the A?s twice in nine attempts (-$440). Barry Zito has struggled, so we might get him at a discounted price, and he?ll almost certainly start one of the two scheduled evening meetings. PREFERRED: Zito.
Philadelphia at Washington (3) 25th, 26th, 27th
The Nationals took 2 out of 3 at Philadelphia to open the season (+$185) and are playing above expectations. The swept the D?Backs at RFK in the season?s first series but they don?t have any lefthanders in their rotation, a key Philadelphia weakness. We?ll reassess this matchup as game day draws near. PREFERRED: None.
Houston at Pittsburgh (3) 25th, 26th, 27th
The Astros dominated in head to head play last year (12-5, +$330) but their offense has been anemic to start the season (only 4.0 runs per game) so we?re less than enthusiastic. Mark Redman has looked very sharp (2.33 ERA) and should provide a solid value against a visitor that tends to be overpriced. PREFERRED: Redman.
Atlanta at N.Y. Mets (3) 25th, 26th, 27th
These teams are almost even in pitching right now (Braves 3.68 ERA, Mets 3.86) but the Mets are 5-1 at home (+$455) and given how poorly Atlanta has fared in day games (0-4, -$470) we like the home team?s chances in Wednesday?s afternoon affair, regardless of pitcher or price. PREFERRED: Mets in day games.
Cincinnati at Chicago Cubs (3) 25th, 26th, 27th
The Cubs won the season series with the Reds last year nine games to eight, but they lost a staggering sum in the process (-$845). We?d grab the visitor of we could, but the Cubs have no lefties in their rotation and the Reds? losses against righties are substantial (only 2-5, -$265 with just 3.3 runs per game). PREFERRED: None.
Milwaukee at St. Louis (3) 25th, 26th, 27th
The Brewers posted a tidy profit against this team last year (+$420) and with the Cardinals struggling offensively, we?ll take a shot with Sheets (3.38) and Davis (3.64), both of whom should take the mound at Busch Stadium. PREFERRED: Sheets/Davis.
Arizona at L.A. Dodgers (3) 25th, 26th, 27th
The Dodgers are the hottest team in baseball at 9-2 (+$750) and while we?re impressed with the improvements the D?Backs have made, they are winless outside of Bank One Ballpark. Use the home team if the price is fair. PREFERRED: Dodgers at -150 or less.
San Diego at San Francisco (3) 25th, 26th, 27th
These teams squared off at Petco Park last week so check those results before jumping in. SD was excellent as a visitor last year (+$1275) and SF?s trouble with righties at SBC Park (-$1025 in 2004) spells trouble vs. this rotation. PREFERRED: Padres in all games.
Baltimore at Boston (3) 25th, 26th, 27th
The O?s turned a profit at Boston?s expense last year (+$650) and we?ll look to use them against righties at Fenway. Baltimore made a bundle of money in that situation in 2004 (32-23, +$1855) and are off to another good start (2-1, +$190). Keep in mind that the Red Sox were big money-burners vs. lefthanders last year (-$990) and they?ll be up against a formidable duo in Chen (1.80) and Bedard (1.50). PREFERRED: Chen &Bedard vs. righthanders.
Chicago W. Sox at Oakland (3) 25th, 26th, 27th
The White Sox are a very hot team, but they floundered against lefthanders in day games last year (10-31, -$2770) and only beat the A?s twice in nine attempts (-$440). Barry Zito has struggled, so we might get him at a discounted price, and he?ll almost certainly start one of the two scheduled evening meetings. PREFERRED: Zito.
