BEGINNING MONDAY AUGUST 30
Chicago Cubs at Montreal (3) 30th, 31st, 1st
This is the first meeting of the year for these teams and the Cubs, who need every ?W? they can get to stay abreast of the Padres and Giants in the wildcard race, probably think that this series couldn?t have come at a better time. That might be a mistake because the revitalized Expos (21-14 since the All-Star break) have played well since coming off that ridiculous 28-game road trip. PREFERRED: Expos off a Cubs? victory.
Florida at N.Y. Mets (4) 30th, 31st, 1st, 2nd
The Marlins have been beating the Mets (9-3 +$600 this season, 12-7 +$420 a year ago) like the proverbial drum for two years. With the New Yorkers playing without Kaz Matsui, Mike Piazza and Jose Reyes, the ?Mets Lite? offense doesn?t figure to have much success. On the other hand, Florida appears to be a disillusioned crew that is playing out the string and the Mets? pitching at home looks very formidable (starters? ERA is 3.15, relievers? ERA is 3.79). PREFERRED: UNDER in all games.
Houston at Cincinnati (3) 30th, 31st, 1st
The Reds are up by just a game (6-5) in this series, but are +$650 in the black. That?s no surprise because the Astros have lost money against 11 of the other 14 teams in the NL. But, Cincy (12-22 since July 11) has been as pathetic lately as Houston has been all year and that leaves us with a choice of a Reds starting staff whose only reliable pitcher (Paul Wilson) is on the DL or an Astros? unit that has lost Andy Pettitte to surgery and is suffering through several so-so performances from Roger Clemens since he began the year with a 9-0 record. PREFERRED: None.
Pittsburgh at Milwaukee (4) 30th, 31st, 1st, 2nd
The Pirates have won nine of 12 (+$740) games against the Brewers and will continue that dominance as long as Milwaukee keeps hitting (2.5 RPG) the way it has since mid-July, but that doesn?t mean they can beat either Ben Sheets (2.62 ERA at home) or Doug Davis (6-2 with a 2.52 ERA at home). PREFERRED: Davis/Sheets.
Detroit at Kansas City (3) 30th, 31st, 1st
The hapless Royals are below .500 vs. 12 of their 13 AL opponents, but hold a 7-5 (+$265) lead against the much improved Tigers. And it may not be a coincidence that five of those seven wins came when Kansas City started a southpaw because the Tigers are only 19-31 (-$1055) against them. But, there aren?t any Mark Mulders or Randy Johnsons on the Royals? staff and we expect the Tigers to take this series considering the KC?s record (11-28, -$1575) on the road vs. righties. PREFERRED: Tigers when righty meets righty.
BEGINNING TUESDAY AUGUST 31
Atlanta at Philadelphia (2) 31st, 1st
A month ago this series looked like it might have an impact in the NL East, but the Phillies have gone south over the last month (10-16 since July 26) and rendered it all but meaningless. The Braves have been on a major role for quite awhile and there is no let up in sight so, at what should be reasonable prices, we?ll take the far superior team at every opportunity and most especially against righties (48-34, +$1130). PREFERRED: Braves vs. righthanders.
San Diego at St. Louis (3) 31st, 1st, 2nd
The Padres have been a profitable road investment (+$1095) and certainly need to pick up a few ?Ws?, but not too many teams have beaten the Cardinals lately. In fact, St. Louis has won nine straight and 11 of 13 series since the All-Star break. Some streaks are not worth playing against. PREFERRED: Cardinals in all games.
Los Angeles at Arizona (3) 31st, 1st, 2nd
The front running Dodgers have brutalized the D?backs (11-2, +$900) and with at least two southpaws a distinct possibility to go here, there is every reason to believe that the domination will continue. Arizona has been so inept (8-32, -$2705) against lefties that it doesn?t seem to matter who the opposition sends to the mound and they?re worse at home (3-17, -$1720) than on the road (5-15, -$985). PREFERRED: Lefthanders vs. the Diamondbacks.
Colorado at San Francisco (3) 31st, 1st, 2nd
The Giants have won nine of 14 against cellar-dwelling Colorado and need similar results to stay even in the wildcard mix. And, like good wine, last year?s 100-victory team has come on like gangbusters lately (won nine of 12), so we?ll stay with them at anything less than 2-1 regardless of the Rockies? recent success on the road. PREFERRED: Giants at -$180 or less.
Anaheim at Boston (3) 31st, 1st, 2nd
This is a pivotal series that may well help to determine which team represents the AL as their wildcard entry. Anaheim has won four of six (+$245) to negate losing six of nine (-$280) a year ago, but the Red Sox are hitting .304 and averaging 6.3 RPG at home and have won 11 of their last 14 games. The Sox? prowess (27-13, +$715, 6.6 RPG) against righties at home carries the day. PREFERRED:Red Sox vs. righthanders.
Cleveland at N.Y. Yankees (3) 31st, 1st, 2nd
While the Yankees are vulnerable to good hitting teams because of their inconsistent starters (4.56 team ERA), they usually find a way to outscore their opponents in the Bronx where they are 43-15 (+$1670) averaging 5.6 RPG. Against southpaws the Bronx Bombers are particularly predatory (18-4, +$1265) which more than negates the strength of the Indians? staff (C.C. Sabathia and Cliff Lee). PREFERRED: Yankees vs. lefthanders.
Seattle at Toronto (3) 31st, 1st, 2nd
The Blue Jays have won five of six (+$460) vs. the Mariners and given the mess that Seattle?s pitching staff is in (starters? away ERA is 5.39, relievers? ERA is 5.47) and the team?s horrendous showing on the road against righties (8-36, -$2905), we won?t be surprised to see Toronto continues its winning ways against them. PREFERRED: Righthanders vs. the Mariners.
Baltimore at Tampa Bay (3) 31st, 1st, 2nd
This is the final series between these AL East rivals and each team has won eight times. The Orioles have been susceptible to southpaws, but John Halama (9.35 ERA last two starts) and Mark Hendrickson (11.75 ERA last two starts) have not exactly distinguished themselves lately so we won?t go there, but we?re willing to try any Baltimore righty against a team that averages 1.2 RPG fewer against them as opposed to lefties. PREFERRED: Orioles when righty meets righty.
Oakland at Chicago White Sox (3) 31st, 1st, 2nd
The Athletics dominated the Pale Hose (5-1, +$420) when the White Sox were playing well and had its full complement of offensive stars in their line up. And, those southpaw whizzes of theirs should have a ball against a team that is playing the rest of the season without the righty bats of Thomas and Ordonez and is 13-26 (-$1890) against portsiders. PREFERRED: Lefthanders vs. the White Sox..
Texas at Minnesota (3) 31st, 1st, 2nd
The Rangers are lights out (30-11, +$2175) at home vs. righthanders, but are well below .500 (18-23, -$260) against them on the road where they average two RPG less against them at home. The Twins have the second best team ERA (4.05) and the best starters? ERA at home (3.87) in the AL. Pitching tops hitting. PREFERRED: Twins in all games.
Chicago Cubs at Montreal (3) 30th, 31st, 1st
This is the first meeting of the year for these teams and the Cubs, who need every ?W? they can get to stay abreast of the Padres and Giants in the wildcard race, probably think that this series couldn?t have come at a better time. That might be a mistake because the revitalized Expos (21-14 since the All-Star break) have played well since coming off that ridiculous 28-game road trip. PREFERRED: Expos off a Cubs? victory.
Florida at N.Y. Mets (4) 30th, 31st, 1st, 2nd
The Marlins have been beating the Mets (9-3 +$600 this season, 12-7 +$420 a year ago) like the proverbial drum for two years. With the New Yorkers playing without Kaz Matsui, Mike Piazza and Jose Reyes, the ?Mets Lite? offense doesn?t figure to have much success. On the other hand, Florida appears to be a disillusioned crew that is playing out the string and the Mets? pitching at home looks very formidable (starters? ERA is 3.15, relievers? ERA is 3.79). PREFERRED: UNDER in all games.
Houston at Cincinnati (3) 30th, 31st, 1st
The Reds are up by just a game (6-5) in this series, but are +$650 in the black. That?s no surprise because the Astros have lost money against 11 of the other 14 teams in the NL. But, Cincy (12-22 since July 11) has been as pathetic lately as Houston has been all year and that leaves us with a choice of a Reds starting staff whose only reliable pitcher (Paul Wilson) is on the DL or an Astros? unit that has lost Andy Pettitte to surgery and is suffering through several so-so performances from Roger Clemens since he began the year with a 9-0 record. PREFERRED: None.
Pittsburgh at Milwaukee (4) 30th, 31st, 1st, 2nd
The Pirates have won nine of 12 (+$740) games against the Brewers and will continue that dominance as long as Milwaukee keeps hitting (2.5 RPG) the way it has since mid-July, but that doesn?t mean they can beat either Ben Sheets (2.62 ERA at home) or Doug Davis (6-2 with a 2.52 ERA at home). PREFERRED: Davis/Sheets.
Detroit at Kansas City (3) 30th, 31st, 1st
The hapless Royals are below .500 vs. 12 of their 13 AL opponents, but hold a 7-5 (+$265) lead against the much improved Tigers. And it may not be a coincidence that five of those seven wins came when Kansas City started a southpaw because the Tigers are only 19-31 (-$1055) against them. But, there aren?t any Mark Mulders or Randy Johnsons on the Royals? staff and we expect the Tigers to take this series considering the KC?s record (11-28, -$1575) on the road vs. righties. PREFERRED: Tigers when righty meets righty.
BEGINNING TUESDAY AUGUST 31
Atlanta at Philadelphia (2) 31st, 1st
A month ago this series looked like it might have an impact in the NL East, but the Phillies have gone south over the last month (10-16 since July 26) and rendered it all but meaningless. The Braves have been on a major role for quite awhile and there is no let up in sight so, at what should be reasonable prices, we?ll take the far superior team at every opportunity and most especially against righties (48-34, +$1130). PREFERRED: Braves vs. righthanders.
San Diego at St. Louis (3) 31st, 1st, 2nd
The Padres have been a profitable road investment (+$1095) and certainly need to pick up a few ?Ws?, but not too many teams have beaten the Cardinals lately. In fact, St. Louis has won nine straight and 11 of 13 series since the All-Star break. Some streaks are not worth playing against. PREFERRED: Cardinals in all games.
Los Angeles at Arizona (3) 31st, 1st, 2nd
The front running Dodgers have brutalized the D?backs (11-2, +$900) and with at least two southpaws a distinct possibility to go here, there is every reason to believe that the domination will continue. Arizona has been so inept (8-32, -$2705) against lefties that it doesn?t seem to matter who the opposition sends to the mound and they?re worse at home (3-17, -$1720) than on the road (5-15, -$985). PREFERRED: Lefthanders vs. the Diamondbacks.
Colorado at San Francisco (3) 31st, 1st, 2nd
The Giants have won nine of 14 against cellar-dwelling Colorado and need similar results to stay even in the wildcard mix. And, like good wine, last year?s 100-victory team has come on like gangbusters lately (won nine of 12), so we?ll stay with them at anything less than 2-1 regardless of the Rockies? recent success on the road. PREFERRED: Giants at -$180 or less.
Anaheim at Boston (3) 31st, 1st, 2nd
This is a pivotal series that may well help to determine which team represents the AL as their wildcard entry. Anaheim has won four of six (+$245) to negate losing six of nine (-$280) a year ago, but the Red Sox are hitting .304 and averaging 6.3 RPG at home and have won 11 of their last 14 games. The Sox? prowess (27-13, +$715, 6.6 RPG) against righties at home carries the day. PREFERRED:Red Sox vs. righthanders.
Cleveland at N.Y. Yankees (3) 31st, 1st, 2nd
While the Yankees are vulnerable to good hitting teams because of their inconsistent starters (4.56 team ERA), they usually find a way to outscore their opponents in the Bronx where they are 43-15 (+$1670) averaging 5.6 RPG. Against southpaws the Bronx Bombers are particularly predatory (18-4, +$1265) which more than negates the strength of the Indians? staff (C.C. Sabathia and Cliff Lee). PREFERRED: Yankees vs. lefthanders.
Seattle at Toronto (3) 31st, 1st, 2nd
The Blue Jays have won five of six (+$460) vs. the Mariners and given the mess that Seattle?s pitching staff is in (starters? away ERA is 5.39, relievers? ERA is 5.47) and the team?s horrendous showing on the road against righties (8-36, -$2905), we won?t be surprised to see Toronto continues its winning ways against them. PREFERRED: Righthanders vs. the Mariners.
Baltimore at Tampa Bay (3) 31st, 1st, 2nd
This is the final series between these AL East rivals and each team has won eight times. The Orioles have been susceptible to southpaws, but John Halama (9.35 ERA last two starts) and Mark Hendrickson (11.75 ERA last two starts) have not exactly distinguished themselves lately so we won?t go there, but we?re willing to try any Baltimore righty against a team that averages 1.2 RPG fewer against them as opposed to lefties. PREFERRED: Orioles when righty meets righty.
Oakland at Chicago White Sox (3) 31st, 1st, 2nd
The Athletics dominated the Pale Hose (5-1, +$420) when the White Sox were playing well and had its full complement of offensive stars in their line up. And, those southpaw whizzes of theirs should have a ball against a team that is playing the rest of the season without the righty bats of Thomas and Ordonez and is 13-26 (-$1890) against portsiders. PREFERRED: Lefthanders vs. the White Sox..
Texas at Minnesota (3) 31st, 1st, 2nd
The Rangers are lights out (30-11, +$2175) at home vs. righthanders, but are well below .500 (18-23, -$260) against them on the road where they average two RPG less against them at home. The Twins have the second best team ERA (4.05) and the best starters? ERA at home (3.87) in the AL. Pitching tops hitting. PREFERRED: Twins in all games.
