BEGINNING MONDAY MAY 7
L.A. Dodgers at Florida (4) 7th, 8th, 9th, 10th
The Dodgers dispatched the Marlins without difficulty last year (5-1, +$420) and they are playing as well as anyone in the National League right now. The Marlins can hit, but the pitching is just not up to par right now (5.07 team BA, worst in the league), so look for LA to continue to dominate the home team in head to head play. PREFERRED: Dodgers in all games.
San Diego at Atlanta (4) 7th, 8th, 9th, 10th
We can?t use Jake Peavy against this team no matter how well he?s pitching, (Braves 9-2, +$540 vs. righties with 6.3 runs per game), but we?re not about to go against him. But the rest of the San Diego staff is far less imposing, so go with Atlanta when circumstances permit. PREFERRED: Braves vs. all righthanders except Peavy.
Houston at Cincinnati (4) 7th, 8th, 9th, 10th
The Astros took a pair at Minute Maid Park not long ago, but the Reds dominated the season series last year (10-5, +$570) and they?ve got a number of quality starters in their rotation, most notably Matthew Belisle, who flirted with a no-hitter in his last appearance and appears poised to become one of the league?s elite hurlers (+$340, 3.45 ERA). We?ll continue to ride him and hope prices on him stay low a bit longer. PREFERRED: Belisle.
Washington at Milwaukee (3) 7th, 8th, 9th
The Nationals are averaging barely 3.2 runs per game, but the prices on this series figure to be outrageously high, considering how well the Brewers have performed in the early going (+$660 overall). If Milwaukee cools off we might consider an underdog play, but we?ll steer clear until game day. PREFERRED: None.
Colorado at St. Louis (3) 7th, 8th, 9th
The Cardinals got the best of this team in 2006 (7-2, +$430 in head to head play), but St. Louis is in a tailspin (10-13, -$500 overall), and must now cope with the death of Josh Hancock, killed in a car crash last weekend. But the Rockies are doing very little to inspire much confidence at the present time (-$350 overall). PREFERRED: None.
Philadelphia at Arizona (3) 7th, 8th, 9th
The Phillies have their share of problems, but they handled the Diamondbacks without much trouble last year (5-1, +$480) and they have a pair of southpaws in Hamels (3.24) and Moyer (2.65), at least one of whom should see action here. Arizona is averaging a pitiful 3.2 runs per game vs. lefties so far. PREFERRED: Hamels/Moyer.
N.Y. Mets at San Francisco (3) 7th, 8th, 9th
The Mets figure to get their first look at Barry Zito (3.73 ERA in five starts), the free agent they coveting during the past off-season. New York is devouring lefthanders so far (5-1, +$320 with 7.7 runs per game) and their top rated mound corps should throttle the anemic San Francisco attack. PREFERRED: Mets vs. Zito.
BEGINNING TUESDAY MAY 8
Pittsburgh at Chicago Cubs (3) 8th, 9th, 10th
The Pirates have plenty of problems, but they made money in their meetings with Chicago last year (9-6, +4530), and they are loaded with lefthanders. The Cubs lost a bundle to lefties in 2006 (-$970) and are averaging just 3.3 runs per game in limited action against them so far in ?07. We could catch some nice prices with the visiting underdog in this one. PREFERRED: Lefthanders vs. the Cubs.
Tampa Bay at Baltimore (3) 8th, 9th, 10th
The O?s dominated the Devil Rays in 2006 (13-6, +$600) and they took 2 out of 3 at Tropicana Field in April. But Tampa Bay is averaging an impressive 6.9 runs per game vs. lefthanders (+$390), and Baltimore ace southpaw, Eric Bedard, has not looked particularly sharp in the early going (6.09 ERA in six starts). Grab the underdog price when he takes his turn. PREFERRED: Devil Rays vs. Bedard.
Seattle at Detroit (3) 8th, 9th, 10th
If Felix Hernandez makes his return against the Yankees on Friday and all goes well, he?ll be slated to take another turn here at Comerica. The Tigers are losing money vs. righthanders here at home (-$485) so the Mariners? ace hurler is an excellent value if available. PREFERRED: F. Hernandez.
Texas at N.Y. Yankees (3) 8th, 9th, 10th
These teams squared off in Arlington last week, so check those results before jumping in. New York dominated the Rangers in 2006 (8-2, +$495), but it?s hard to have much confidence in the Yankees, who are struggling to cobble together an effective rotation. We need more information before we make a call. PREFERRED: None.
Boston at Toronto (3) 8th, 9th, 10th
The Red Sox are hot, but they always run into problems when they come up against the Blue Jays (7-12,
-$530 in 2006 . . . 2-3, -$170 so far in 2007). But Toronto is having a terrible time dealing with righthanders here at the Rogers Centre (-$520) and Boston?s rotation does not have a single lefty. If we can get the Sox at a decent price, we?ll look for them to overcome their difficulties with Toronto and notch some victories. PREFERRED: Red Sox at -115 or less.
Oakland at Kansas City (3) 8th, 9th, 10th
Gil Meche has been paying nice dividends for the Royals since signing over the off-season (+$145, 2.18 ERA in six starts) and should be available at a nice price vs. an Oakland team that is averaging a paltry 3.3 runs per game vs. righthanders this year (-$305). And despite losing 5 of their 9 head to head meetings. KC made money against the Athletics last year. PREFERRED: Meche.
Chicago W. Sox at Minnesota (3) 8th, 9th, 10th
The White Sox have put together some decent numbers as visitors this year (7-4, +$390) and they?ll be sending southpaw ace Mark Buehrle (+$290, 2.97 ERA) to the mound in this series. The Twins are only averaging 3.7 runs per game vs. lefties (-$315), and the price on the road team should be reasonable. PREFERRED: Buehrle.
Cleveland at L.A. Angels (3) 8th, 9th, 10th
Joe Saunders gave the Angels three quality starts (1.97 ERA) but is out of the rotation now that Colon and Weaver are healthy and back in the mix. Too bad, because the Tribe can?t hit lefties, and we can?t see using LA against a Cleveland team that is 12-3 (+$865) vs. righthanders in 2007. We?ll pass for now. PREFERRED: None.
L.A. Dodgers at Florida (4) 7th, 8th, 9th, 10th
The Dodgers dispatched the Marlins without difficulty last year (5-1, +$420) and they are playing as well as anyone in the National League right now. The Marlins can hit, but the pitching is just not up to par right now (5.07 team BA, worst in the league), so look for LA to continue to dominate the home team in head to head play. PREFERRED: Dodgers in all games.
San Diego at Atlanta (4) 7th, 8th, 9th, 10th
We can?t use Jake Peavy against this team no matter how well he?s pitching, (Braves 9-2, +$540 vs. righties with 6.3 runs per game), but we?re not about to go against him. But the rest of the San Diego staff is far less imposing, so go with Atlanta when circumstances permit. PREFERRED: Braves vs. all righthanders except Peavy.
Houston at Cincinnati (4) 7th, 8th, 9th, 10th
The Astros took a pair at Minute Maid Park not long ago, but the Reds dominated the season series last year (10-5, +$570) and they?ve got a number of quality starters in their rotation, most notably Matthew Belisle, who flirted with a no-hitter in his last appearance and appears poised to become one of the league?s elite hurlers (+$340, 3.45 ERA). We?ll continue to ride him and hope prices on him stay low a bit longer. PREFERRED: Belisle.
Washington at Milwaukee (3) 7th, 8th, 9th
The Nationals are averaging barely 3.2 runs per game, but the prices on this series figure to be outrageously high, considering how well the Brewers have performed in the early going (+$660 overall). If Milwaukee cools off we might consider an underdog play, but we?ll steer clear until game day. PREFERRED: None.
Colorado at St. Louis (3) 7th, 8th, 9th
The Cardinals got the best of this team in 2006 (7-2, +$430 in head to head play), but St. Louis is in a tailspin (10-13, -$500 overall), and must now cope with the death of Josh Hancock, killed in a car crash last weekend. But the Rockies are doing very little to inspire much confidence at the present time (-$350 overall). PREFERRED: None.
Philadelphia at Arizona (3) 7th, 8th, 9th
The Phillies have their share of problems, but they handled the Diamondbacks without much trouble last year (5-1, +$480) and they have a pair of southpaws in Hamels (3.24) and Moyer (2.65), at least one of whom should see action here. Arizona is averaging a pitiful 3.2 runs per game vs. lefties so far. PREFERRED: Hamels/Moyer.
N.Y. Mets at San Francisco (3) 7th, 8th, 9th
The Mets figure to get their first look at Barry Zito (3.73 ERA in five starts), the free agent they coveting during the past off-season. New York is devouring lefthanders so far (5-1, +$320 with 7.7 runs per game) and their top rated mound corps should throttle the anemic San Francisco attack. PREFERRED: Mets vs. Zito.
BEGINNING TUESDAY MAY 8
Pittsburgh at Chicago Cubs (3) 8th, 9th, 10th
The Pirates have plenty of problems, but they made money in their meetings with Chicago last year (9-6, +4530), and they are loaded with lefthanders. The Cubs lost a bundle to lefties in 2006 (-$970) and are averaging just 3.3 runs per game in limited action against them so far in ?07. We could catch some nice prices with the visiting underdog in this one. PREFERRED: Lefthanders vs. the Cubs.
Tampa Bay at Baltimore (3) 8th, 9th, 10th
The O?s dominated the Devil Rays in 2006 (13-6, +$600) and they took 2 out of 3 at Tropicana Field in April. But Tampa Bay is averaging an impressive 6.9 runs per game vs. lefthanders (+$390), and Baltimore ace southpaw, Eric Bedard, has not looked particularly sharp in the early going (6.09 ERA in six starts). Grab the underdog price when he takes his turn. PREFERRED: Devil Rays vs. Bedard.
Seattle at Detroit (3) 8th, 9th, 10th
If Felix Hernandez makes his return against the Yankees on Friday and all goes well, he?ll be slated to take another turn here at Comerica. The Tigers are losing money vs. righthanders here at home (-$485) so the Mariners? ace hurler is an excellent value if available. PREFERRED: F. Hernandez.
Texas at N.Y. Yankees (3) 8th, 9th, 10th
These teams squared off in Arlington last week, so check those results before jumping in. New York dominated the Rangers in 2006 (8-2, +$495), but it?s hard to have much confidence in the Yankees, who are struggling to cobble together an effective rotation. We need more information before we make a call. PREFERRED: None.
Boston at Toronto (3) 8th, 9th, 10th
The Red Sox are hot, but they always run into problems when they come up against the Blue Jays (7-12,
-$530 in 2006 . . . 2-3, -$170 so far in 2007). But Toronto is having a terrible time dealing with righthanders here at the Rogers Centre (-$520) and Boston?s rotation does not have a single lefty. If we can get the Sox at a decent price, we?ll look for them to overcome their difficulties with Toronto and notch some victories. PREFERRED: Red Sox at -115 or less.
Oakland at Kansas City (3) 8th, 9th, 10th
Gil Meche has been paying nice dividends for the Royals since signing over the off-season (+$145, 2.18 ERA in six starts) and should be available at a nice price vs. an Oakland team that is averaging a paltry 3.3 runs per game vs. righthanders this year (-$305). And despite losing 5 of their 9 head to head meetings. KC made money against the Athletics last year. PREFERRED: Meche.
Chicago W. Sox at Minnesota (3) 8th, 9th, 10th
The White Sox have put together some decent numbers as visitors this year (7-4, +$390) and they?ll be sending southpaw ace Mark Buehrle (+$290, 2.97 ERA) to the mound in this series. The Twins are only averaging 3.7 runs per game vs. lefties (-$315), and the price on the road team should be reasonable. PREFERRED: Buehrle.
Cleveland at L.A. Angels (3) 8th, 9th, 10th
Joe Saunders gave the Angels three quality starts (1.97 ERA) but is out of the rotation now that Colon and Weaver are healthy and back in the mix. Too bad, because the Tribe can?t hit lefties, and we can?t see using LA against a Cleveland team that is 12-3 (+$865) vs. righthanders in 2007. We?ll pass for now. PREFERRED: None.
