BEGINNING MONDAY APRIL 26
L.A. Dodgers at N.Y. Mets (3) 26th, 27th, 28th
The Dodgers dispatched the Mets without much difficulty last year (5-1, +$350) and they proved to be very capable as a road team (+$550). They?ve hit well enough to stand at 6-6 after two full weeks of play (.312 team BA) and their pitching is bound to improve. The Mets are floundering as usual (4-8, -$495), picking up where they left off in last year?s 70-92 (-$1495) debacle. We?ll back the visitor throughout. PREFERRED: Dodgers in all games.
San Diego at Florida (3) 26th, 27th, 28th
The Padres are getting decent pitching, with one of the better bullpen performances we?ve seen (3.03 ERA). They could be a problem for Florida, given their strong numbers vs. righthanders in night games last year (+$1345). Florida lost money at home in ?09 (-$570) so the visitor looks like a solid value in this one. PREFERRED: Padres vs. righthanders in night games.
Washington at Chicago Cubs (3) 26th, 27th, 28th
The Nationals are making money at the moment (+$365 so far in 2010) and we know they?ll be huge underdogs at Wrigley Field vs. the always overpriced Cubs. Chicago lost a fortune at home in 2009 (-$815) and they are in the red already this year. At the right price we?ll be on the visitor. PREFERRED: Nationals at +150 or better.
Pittsburgh at Milwaukee (3) 26th, 27th, 28th
The Pirates were only 5-9 in head to head play with the Brewers last year (-$350) and as noted earlier, they were one of baseball?s worst road teams. But we don?t trust the Brewers here at Miller Park (only 40-41, -$1465 last year) so caution is advised. PREFERRED: None.
Atlanta at St. Louis (4) 26th, 27th, 28th, 29th
The Braves have the makings of a quality club that could potentially do some damage in the NL East this year. They racked up some nice profits on the road in 2009 (+$1205) and took 4 of 6 from a quality St. Louis team (+$230). Tim Hudson has looked especially sharp in his first two outings (2.84 ERA) and we look forward to his appearance at Busch Stadium. PREFERRED: Hudson
Arizona at Colorado (3) 26th, 27th, 28th
The Diamondbacks had a tough time dealing with the Rockies last year (7-11, -$365), and if anything, this Colorado team looks to be even better. The Rockies made money at Coors Field last year (+$870) and Ubaldo Jimenez is emerging as one of the NL top righthanders (+$310, 0.86 ERA in three starts, including a no-hitter). Hard to pass up at any price. PREFERRED: Jimenez.
Philadelphia at San Francisco (3) 26th, 27th, 28th
This promises to be one of the juiciest series we?ve seen so far, and it?s difficult to determine who has the edge. The Phillies were awesome road warriors in 2009 (+$1100) while the Giants were hard to stop here at ATT Park (+$1665). We may have to stay on the sidelines for the time being, and re-evaluate our options when game day draws nearer. PREFERRED: None.
Boston at Toronto (3) 26th, 27th, 28th
The Red Sox needs to face some weak opposition, and Toronto might just fit the bill. Boston made money vs. the Jays in head to head play last season (+$195) and this is a team that lost a fortune in night games (45-57, -$1445). Josh Beckett (3.86) and Clay Buchholz (1.80) are expected to work in this series. Both could help Boston to some badly needed victories. PREFERRED: Beckett/Buchholz.
Seattle at Kansas City (3) 26th, 27th, 28th
If the Mariners can?t win at least 2 out of 3 from sad-sack teams like Kansas City, they?ll not be able to stay in the AL West hunt. The Royals rank dead last in team pitching in the AL (5.69 ERA) and they?ll prove no match for Felix Hernandez (+$300, 3.10 ERA in three starts), who?s holding the rotation together while Bedard and Lee get healthy. PREFERRED: F. Hernandez.
Cleveland at L.A. Angels (3) 26th, 27th, 28th
After taking on the Yankees, LA gets a soft target to take advantage of, as the Indians roll into Anaheim. The Tribe dropped 2 of 4 in head to head play last year (-$120) and anytime you get the biggest money-burner in baseball (Cleveland -$3155) taking on a big money-maker (Angels +$2250 last year), you have to stick with the team that can turn a profit. PREFERRED: Angels in all games.
BEGINNING TUESDAY APRIL 27
Cincinnati at Houston (3) 27th, 28th, 29th
The Reds dominated the Astros in 2009 (12-4, +$970 in head to head play) and Houston?s dismal performance over the first two weeks of the season suggests we?ll get more of the same. Watch out for Roy Oswalt (2.37 ERA in three starts), but the rest of the home team?s righthanders are fair game (Cincy +$1135 vs. righties in ?09). PREFERRED: Reds vs. all righthanders except Oswalt.
Minnesota at Detroit (3) 27th, 28th, 29th
The Twins got the best of Detroit in their 19 meetings last year (+$430, including a victory in the one-game playoff that determined the winner of the AL Central). They made big money vs. righthanders on the road (+$1125) while the Tigers lost money vs. righties overall (57-57, -$890), Good value on the visitor in these match-ups. PREFERRED: Twins when righty meets righty.
N.Y. Yankees at Baltimore (3) 27th, 28th, 29th
The Orioles had very little to show in head to head play with New York last year, winning only 5 of the 18 games played (-$265). They were only 7-15 vs. lefties in night games at Camden Yards (-$1005 with 3.0 runs per game), and New York has two of the best in Sabathia (2.84) and Pettitte (1.35), at least one of whom should see action. PREFERRED: Sabathia/Pettitte.
Oakland at Tampa Bay (2) 27th, 28th
The A?s took 6 of 10 from the Rays in ?09 (+$505) and their pitching has been top notch. But the Rays are one of the hottest teams in MLB (9-3, +$655) so caution is advised. PREFERRED: None.
Chicago W. Sox at Texas (3) 27th, 28th, 29th
We like the Rangers here at Arlington when they take on the Chicago southpaws. Mark Buehrle (3.00) and John Danks (1.38) are two of the best, but Texas posted an impressive 21-10 (+$945) at home vs. lefties, and the White Sox continue to struggle at the plate. PREFERRED: Rangers vs. lefthanders.
L.A. Dodgers at N.Y. Mets (3) 26th, 27th, 28th
The Dodgers dispatched the Mets without much difficulty last year (5-1, +$350) and they proved to be very capable as a road team (+$550). They?ve hit well enough to stand at 6-6 after two full weeks of play (.312 team BA) and their pitching is bound to improve. The Mets are floundering as usual (4-8, -$495), picking up where they left off in last year?s 70-92 (-$1495) debacle. We?ll back the visitor throughout. PREFERRED: Dodgers in all games.
San Diego at Florida (3) 26th, 27th, 28th
The Padres are getting decent pitching, with one of the better bullpen performances we?ve seen (3.03 ERA). They could be a problem for Florida, given their strong numbers vs. righthanders in night games last year (+$1345). Florida lost money at home in ?09 (-$570) so the visitor looks like a solid value in this one. PREFERRED: Padres vs. righthanders in night games.
Washington at Chicago Cubs (3) 26th, 27th, 28th
The Nationals are making money at the moment (+$365 so far in 2010) and we know they?ll be huge underdogs at Wrigley Field vs. the always overpriced Cubs. Chicago lost a fortune at home in 2009 (-$815) and they are in the red already this year. At the right price we?ll be on the visitor. PREFERRED: Nationals at +150 or better.
Pittsburgh at Milwaukee (3) 26th, 27th, 28th
The Pirates were only 5-9 in head to head play with the Brewers last year (-$350) and as noted earlier, they were one of baseball?s worst road teams. But we don?t trust the Brewers here at Miller Park (only 40-41, -$1465 last year) so caution is advised. PREFERRED: None.
Atlanta at St. Louis (4) 26th, 27th, 28th, 29th
The Braves have the makings of a quality club that could potentially do some damage in the NL East this year. They racked up some nice profits on the road in 2009 (+$1205) and took 4 of 6 from a quality St. Louis team (+$230). Tim Hudson has looked especially sharp in his first two outings (2.84 ERA) and we look forward to his appearance at Busch Stadium. PREFERRED: Hudson
Arizona at Colorado (3) 26th, 27th, 28th
The Diamondbacks had a tough time dealing with the Rockies last year (7-11, -$365), and if anything, this Colorado team looks to be even better. The Rockies made money at Coors Field last year (+$870) and Ubaldo Jimenez is emerging as one of the NL top righthanders (+$310, 0.86 ERA in three starts, including a no-hitter). Hard to pass up at any price. PREFERRED: Jimenez.
Philadelphia at San Francisco (3) 26th, 27th, 28th
This promises to be one of the juiciest series we?ve seen so far, and it?s difficult to determine who has the edge. The Phillies were awesome road warriors in 2009 (+$1100) while the Giants were hard to stop here at ATT Park (+$1665). We may have to stay on the sidelines for the time being, and re-evaluate our options when game day draws nearer. PREFERRED: None.
Boston at Toronto (3) 26th, 27th, 28th
The Red Sox needs to face some weak opposition, and Toronto might just fit the bill. Boston made money vs. the Jays in head to head play last season (+$195) and this is a team that lost a fortune in night games (45-57, -$1445). Josh Beckett (3.86) and Clay Buchholz (1.80) are expected to work in this series. Both could help Boston to some badly needed victories. PREFERRED: Beckett/Buchholz.
Seattle at Kansas City (3) 26th, 27th, 28th
If the Mariners can?t win at least 2 out of 3 from sad-sack teams like Kansas City, they?ll not be able to stay in the AL West hunt. The Royals rank dead last in team pitching in the AL (5.69 ERA) and they?ll prove no match for Felix Hernandez (+$300, 3.10 ERA in three starts), who?s holding the rotation together while Bedard and Lee get healthy. PREFERRED: F. Hernandez.
Cleveland at L.A. Angels (3) 26th, 27th, 28th
After taking on the Yankees, LA gets a soft target to take advantage of, as the Indians roll into Anaheim. The Tribe dropped 2 of 4 in head to head play last year (-$120) and anytime you get the biggest money-burner in baseball (Cleveland -$3155) taking on a big money-maker (Angels +$2250 last year), you have to stick with the team that can turn a profit. PREFERRED: Angels in all games.
BEGINNING TUESDAY APRIL 27
Cincinnati at Houston (3) 27th, 28th, 29th
The Reds dominated the Astros in 2009 (12-4, +$970 in head to head play) and Houston?s dismal performance over the first two weeks of the season suggests we?ll get more of the same. Watch out for Roy Oswalt (2.37 ERA in three starts), but the rest of the home team?s righthanders are fair game (Cincy +$1135 vs. righties in ?09). PREFERRED: Reds vs. all righthanders except Oswalt.
Minnesota at Detroit (3) 27th, 28th, 29th
The Twins got the best of Detroit in their 19 meetings last year (+$430, including a victory in the one-game playoff that determined the winner of the AL Central). They made big money vs. righthanders on the road (+$1125) while the Tigers lost money vs. righties overall (57-57, -$890), Good value on the visitor in these match-ups. PREFERRED: Twins when righty meets righty.
N.Y. Yankees at Baltimore (3) 27th, 28th, 29th
The Orioles had very little to show in head to head play with New York last year, winning only 5 of the 18 games played (-$265). They were only 7-15 vs. lefties in night games at Camden Yards (-$1005 with 3.0 runs per game), and New York has two of the best in Sabathia (2.84) and Pettitte (1.35), at least one of whom should see action. PREFERRED: Sabathia/Pettitte.
Oakland at Tampa Bay (2) 27th, 28th
The A?s took 6 of 10 from the Rays in ?09 (+$505) and their pitching has been top notch. But the Rays are one of the hottest teams in MLB (9-3, +$655) so caution is advised. PREFERRED: None.
Chicago W. Sox at Texas (3) 27th, 28th, 29th
We like the Rangers here at Arlington when they take on the Chicago southpaws. Mark Buehrle (3.00) and John Danks (1.38) are two of the best, but Texas posted an impressive 21-10 (+$945) at home vs. lefties, and the White Sox continue to struggle at the plate. PREFERRED: Rangers vs. lefthanders.
