series info

[RAYMOND]

BEGINNING TUESDAY MAY 24



San Diego at Arizona (3) 24th, 25th, 26th

The D?Backs don?t possess the most fearsome offense in the league (11th in BA, 7th in RBIs), but the Padres? starters are dragging a NL-high road 6.79 ERA, so perhaps they can make some hay here. Brandon Webb, who succumbed to the sophomore jinx last year after an excellent rookie season, is back to his winning ways with a 3-0 record and a 2.62 ERA and is your top play. PREFERRED: Webb.

L.A. Dodgers at San Francisco (3) 24th, 25th, 26th

The Dodgers beat up on the aged and injured Giants (4-1, +$315) earlier in the year with Odalis Perez leading the way with two victories (11.1 innings, two runs, 10 hits, 7Ks). He?ll be in the box in this series and we?ll be waiting for him. PREFERRED: Perez.

Seattle at Baltimore (3) 24th, 25th, 26th

With all their early season successes the O?s are still losing money in night games at Camden Yards (-$560) while the Mariners have turned a profit vs. righthanders on the road (+$340). All three of these games are evening affairs, so the underdog could be a nice value in the right spot. PREFERRED: Mariners vs. righthanders.

Detroit at N.Y. Yankees (3) 24th, 25th, 26th

The Tigers turned a profit vs. the Bombers in 2004 (+$380) but the Yankees are surging (8-2, +$470 with 7.0 runs per game). We?d like to use the visitor vs. Johnson (3-0, +$390 vs. lefties) but we?ll wait to see how things develop before jumping in. PREFERRED: None.

Boston at Toronto (3) 24th, 25th, 26th

The Red Sox are one of the hottest teams in the AL (7-3, +$330 last 10 days) and could exact some revenge from a team that has already beaten them in 3 of 5 meetings ($140). We?ll stick with the visitors top righthanded trio. PREFERRED: Wakefield/Clement/Arroyo.

Oakland at Tampa Bay (3) 24th, 25th, 26th

The Devil Rays are 8-4 at home vs. righthanders in night games (+$745 with 6.1 runs per game) and they?ll get plenty of chances, especially since Zito is likely to miss this series entirely. PREFERRED: Devil Rays vs. righthanders.

Kansas City at Texas (3) 24th, 25th, 26th

The hapless Royals are only 1-8 on the road in night games (-$615) so it?s hard to see them breaking through here at Arlington. But the prices on the favorite will keep us away. PREFERRED: None.

 

[RAYMOND]

BEGINNING THURSDAY MAY 26



Colorado at Chicago Cubs (4) 26th, 27th, 28th, 29th

We?re always on the lookout for good underdog opportunities, but it?s hard to imagine playing on the Rockies at Wrigley this weekend. They were dominated by the Cubs in 2004 (1-5, -$260) and they check in here with a dismal 3-17 record in road games (-$1195). And as usual, they?ve got the highest team ERA in major league baseball (5.74). But the Cubs are no bargain right now (19-22, -$745 overall) and considering how high prices are likely to get in this series, we prefer to stay away for now. BEST BET: None.

N.Y. Mets at Florida (4) 26th, 27th, 28th, 29th

The Marlins lost 3 out of 5 to New York early on, but they dominated the Mets in head to head play last year, winning 15 of 19 (+$950). They?ve been very tough at home, particularly vs. righties (11-5, +$480) while the Mets have struggled outside of Shea Stadium (7-12, -$485). We won?t use Dontrelle Willis, given the Mets strong run production vs. southpaws (5.7 per game), but the righties in the Florida rotation all look sharp (Beckett 2.47, Burnett 3.48, Moehler 2.10) and all are likely to see action in this 4 game set. BEST BET: Marlins when righty meets righty.

Pittsburgh at Cincinnati (4) 26th, 27th, 28th, 29th

The Pirates don?t hit much, but they?ve emerged as a reliable road team nonetheless (12-9, +$715). The Reds have been playing poorly (3-7, -$295 last 10 days with a 5.74 ERA among starters) and their numbers vs. righties are atrocious (9-21, -$1085). Kip Wells and Josh Fogg have looked very good in their most recent appearances (Wells 2.57 ERA last two starts, Fogg 3.86) and both are on track to pitch in this series. We should do no worse than a split on these two capable hurlers. BEST BET: Fogg/K. Wells.

 

[BadAngel]

Thanks for this stuff Raymond. I like to look at it. I always bought this myself. Now I don't have too. Saving me from running around and money. Thanks again for sharing.