BEGINNING MONDAY APRIL 16
Atlanta at Washington (2) 16th, 17th
It?s going to the hard to use the Nationals this year. Their play thus far confirms all the negative press they?ve received. But they were 14-8 (+$690) vs. lefties at RFK last year, so we?ll grab the price if Atlanta sends a southpaw to the hill. PREFERRED: Nationals vs. lefthanders.
N.Y. Mets at Philadelphia (2) 16th, 17th
These teams played a three game set at Shea Stadium last week, so check those results before jumping in. The Mets made money on the road vs. righties last year (+$1390), while the Phillies lost money vs. righties at Citizens Bank (-$630). We?ll play this series accordingly. PREFERRED: Mets when righty meets righty.
Milwaukee at Cincinnati (2) 16th, 17th
Could be an interesting matchup, but the Reds lost money at Great American Ballpark in 2006 (-$535), while the Brewers were one of the very worst road teams in baseball ($2300), so caution is definitely advised. Pass for the time being. PREFERRED: None.
Florida at Houston (2) 16th, 17th
Righty vs. righty matchups clearly favor the visitor in this one (Marlins +$900 in 2006 . . . Astros -$1410), especially with Houston playing so poorly to open the new season (1-5 record, averaging only 2.7 runs per game). PREFERRED: Marlins when righty meets righty.
San Diego at Chicago Cubs (2) 16th, 17th
The Cubs were winless against the NL West champs last season (0-7, -$740) and we?ve already noted how much money the Padres won away from Petco Park (+$1835 vs. righties) and how much money the Cubs managed to lose at Wrigley (-$1445 overall). Sets up very nicely for the visitor. PREFERRED: Padres vs. righthanders.
Pittsburgh at St. Louis (2) 16th, 17th
We?re not big fans of taking the Pirates as visitors, based on last year?s road difficulties. But they?ve started the season 4-2 as visitors (+$390) and they?ve got a trio of lefthanders in the starting rotation who can throttle the St. louis attack (Cardinals 22-34, -$2515 vs. lefthanders last season). PREFERRED: Lefthanders vs. the Cardinals.
San Francisco at Colorado (2) 16th, 17th
The Giants had problems with the Rockies in ?06 (8-10, -$360) and they struggled outside of ATT Park (-$1200). Colorado averaged 6.1 runs per game against lefties (+$520), so take a chance if they square off against the SF southpaws. PREFERRED: Rockies vs. Zito & Lowry.
L.A. Dodgers at Arizona (2) 16th, 17th
The Dodgers have trio of righthanded aces in Schmidt, Penny and Lowe, all of whom should match up nicely against the Diamondbacks (-$935 vs. righthanders at home). We should get to use at least one of them in this two game set. PREFERRED: Schmidt/Penny/Lowe.
Kansas City at Detroit (3) 16th, 17th, 18th
The Royals might be competitive with Gil Meche and Zach Greinke in the rotation, but they were only 4-14 against the Tigers last season (-$510) and on paper Detroit looks as good, if not better, than they were last year. We?ll steer clear for the time being. PREFERRED: None.
Baltimore at Tampa Bay (3) 16th, 17th, 18th
These teams are the two worst in the AL East right now, but Tampa Bay is far inferior, and none of the righthanders in the Devil Rays? rotation gives us much cause for concern (Orioles +$555 vs. righties on the road at night). PREFERRED: Orioles vs. righthanders.
BEGINNING TUESDAY APRIL 17
Cleveland at N.Y. Yankees (3) 17th, 18th, 19th
We don?t trust the Indians on the road (-$1230), but the Yankees? rotation is a mess at the moment. Pass for now. PREFERRED: None.
Boston at Toronto (3) 17th, 18th, 19th
The Red Sox always seem to struggle against the Blue Jays (only 7-12, -$530 in 2006), and it looks like they?ll be up against Gustavo Chacin (+$805 in 17 starts last year). The Red Sox were only 10-19 (-$1380) vs. lefthanders on the road last year. PREFERRED: Chacin.
Texas at Chicago W. Sox (3) 17th, 18th, 19th
If the Rangers had a lefty we?d use him, given Chicago?s trouble with southpaws. But the White Sox are tough at home vs. righties (+$700 in ?06) and Texas?s arms are nothing special. PREFERRED: None.
L.A. Angels at Oakland (2) 17th, 18th
These teams split a four game set at Anaheim last week, with both teams displaying a wealth of quality pitching. These clubs look very evenly matched at the present time. PREFERRED: None.
Minnesota at Seattle (3) 17th, 18th, 19th
It appears the Mariners will have to tackle Cy Young ace Johan Santana (+$200 so far, +$1625 in 2006). Bad news for a team that was only 19-24 (-$540) vs. lefties last year, averaging just 4.0 runs per game in those contests. PREFERRED: J. Santana.
BEGINNING WEDNESDAY APRIL 18
N.Y. Mets at Florida (2) 18th, 19th
Unless Tom Glavine or Oliver Perez are due for an appearance (Marlins -$720 vs. lefties), we can?t see taking either side in this one. PREFERRED: Glavine/Ol. Perez.
Philadelphia at Washington (2) 18th, 19th
The visitor should fare well in righty vs. righty matchups (Phillies +$525 on the road in ?06, Nationals -$1210 at RFK). Play this series accordingly. PREFERRED: Phillies when righty meets righty.
Houston at Cincinnati (2) 18th, 19th
The Astros were only 5-10 (-$630) in head to head play last year. Take the Reds if the price is right. PREFERRED: Reds at -130 or less.
Chicago Cubs at Atlanta (2) 18th, 19th
Carlos Zambrano (3.41 ERA in ?06) is an excellent value here at Turner Field (Braves -$1335 at home last year). PREFERRED: C. Zambrano.
Pittsburgh at Milwaukee (2) 18th, 19th
The Pirates made money vs. the Brewers last year (+$350) but Milwaukee is solid at Miller Park (+$765 in ?06) and they average 5.1 runs per game vs. lefties. PREFERRED: Brewers in both games.
L.A. Dodgers at Colorado (2) 18th, 19th
The Dodgers dominated this team in 2006 (15-4, +$980) but the Rockies are profitable at Coors Field (+$255). PREFERRED: None.
Arizona at San Diego (2) 18th, 19th
The Padres had too much trouble vs. righthanders at Petco Park last year (-$910), so take a shot with Brandon Webb, who is likely to appear in this series. PREFERRED: Webb.