series info

[RAYMOND]

BEGINNING THURSDAY JUNE 23



Pittsburgh at St. Louis (4) 23rd, 24th, 25th, 26th

The Cardinals have won all five games (+$500) against the Pirates and have defeated them 17 times in 22 games played over the last year plus. The Pirates were hot until they started to play some of the better teams like the Yankees and the Red Sox. This will be their fourth straight series against a team with a better than .500 record and there is a good chance they might collapse under the pressure of playing the big boys. BEST BET: Cardinals in all games.



BEGINNING FRIDAY JUNE 24



Chicago Cubs at Chicago W. Sox (3) 24th, 25th, 26th

The Pale Hose took two of three from the Cubbies last month and also won two of three at home against them last year. The Sox have an excellent chance to repeat that success. They are a sizzling 33-15 ($1660) overall against righties including 19-5 (+$1215) against them at home. With Kerry Wood and Mark Prior still out, we?ll take our chances against the rest of the field against one of the five best home teams in MLB. BEST BET: Righthanders vs. the Cubs.

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

The Red Sox won two of three vs. the Phillies in Fenway Park last year, but the ?Ws were supplied by Pedro Martinez, who is now a Met, and Curt Schilling, who has been on the DL virtually all season. However, the Red Sox continue to play mediocre road baseball (16-20, -$650) while the Phillies have baseball?s second best home record (22-11, +$715). Philadelphia?s pitching has been outstanding lately (3.30 ERA in the last 10 games) and will carry them to a series victory. BEST BET: Phillies in all games.

Cincinnati at Cleveland (3) 24th, 25th, 26th

The Indians have won six of the last nine games between these teams including two of three at Cincy last month. And, the way these two teams are currently playing, there is no sense in predicting anything dramatically different this time around. The Indians have won nine straight and 12 of 13 while the Reds have dropped six of seven. Cincy scores 4.0 RPG on the road vs. 5.6 RPG at home and lugs the highest team road ERA in MLB for starters (6.29) into the Jake, so it?s the Indians or pass. BEST BET: Indians in all games.

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

The Nationals dropped two of three in Toronto in May losing to Roy Halladay and Ted Lilly. They have won 16 of 20 games since losing that series and have the best home record in MLB (24-9, +$1440) and have the good fortune of missing Halladay in this series. Washington has a top notch pitcher of its own in Livan Hernandez (2-0 last two starts with a 3.29 ERA, 5-1 at home with a 3.02 ERA) and since the Nationals are 12-3 (+$1075) in his 15 starts, we?ll tab him as our top selection. BEST BET: L. Hernandez.

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

The Yankees continued their domination against their cross-borough rivals by winning two of three at Shea Stadium last month. And, the Bronx Bombers are home and in much better shape than the last time they met (7-2, +$500 last 10 days with a 2.78 ERA among starters) while the Mets are playing their worst baseball of the year. Pedro Martinez aside, the Yankees appear to be a good investment. BEST BET: Yankees vs. all but Martinez

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

The poor-traveling Devil Rays (5-28, -$1930) were blitzed at Florida in three close games which was the Marlins way of atoning for losing four of six games to Tampa Bay in ?05. The Marlins have been in a prolonged slump (lost15 of 24 games) and are due to break out at any minute, but not at theses projected prices. BEST BET: None.

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

We can?t see the Braves breaking out of their malaise any time soon (6.57 ERA among starters last 10 days) and we?re not about to count the fact that they took three of four from the Reds last weekend because everyone beats Cincinnati There are just too many injuries to key players like Mike Hampton and Chipper Jones for Atlanta to compete against the better teams in MLB and, right now, the Orioles qualify as one of them. The Braves? anemic offense (.241 BA, averaging four RPG) will make the Orioles? average pitching staff look much better than it is. BEST BET: Orioles in all games.

Minnesota at Milwaukee (3) 24th, 25th, 26th

The Twins have rebounded from losing four of six to the Brewers a year ago to winning two of three against them last month. However, the Brewers are a dangerous team at home especially when a righty (13-7, +$515) is in the box for the opponent and they have a good chance to get even against the Twins? predominantly righthanded starting corps. Go the other way when Johan Santana is in the box for the Twins as Milwaukee is 7-13 (-$-705) against portsiders. BEST BET: Santana/Brewers vs. righthanders.

Texas at Houston (3) 24th, 25th, 26th

The Rangers swept three games from the Astros in Arlington last month (+$300) nd have won six of nine games against them in the last years plus. We?re not forecasting similar results in Houston because the Rangers have lost eight of their last eleven road games while the Astros have won eight of their last thirteen games overall and six of their last nine home games. The Rangers are 4-9 (-$625) vs. lefties averaging 3.9 RPG as opposed to 32-21 (+$1155) averaging 6.1 RPG vs. righties, so let?s go with Andy Pettitte as our strongest series play. BEST BET: Pettitte.

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

The Royals are awful travelers (12-27, -$720 in road games so far) and even worse when they?re facing a righthanded starter away at night (1-10, -$815 averaging just 3.6 runs per game). So even though they?ve played better lately (won 12 of 18), we?re inclined to back the Rockies (9-3 at home vs. lefties, +$655) who will be facing a sub par pitching staff (starters? ERA is a gaudy 5.95, relievers? ERA is 5.33). BEST BET: Rockies vs. lefthanders.

Detroit at Arizona (3) 24th, 25th, 26th

The Diamondbacks won two of three games against the Tigers last month with Javier Vazquez and Brandon Webb combining to allow two runs and 11 hits in 17 innings. Vazquez is scheduled to take a turn so we?ll make him our top gun. For the Tigers, they?re a perfect 5-0 (+$665) on the road against southpaws and their 9.2 RPG average tells us they?ll have little trouble with the mediocre Shawn Estes. BEST BET: Vazquez/Tigers vs. lefthanders.

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

The Padres are going to be posted as prohibitive favorites in every game in this series, but the way their offense is playing (3.5 RPG last 10 days) we just can?t see backing them. The Mariners have won 10 of 16 and are closing in on .500, a far cry from where they were a month ago, but with neither offense producing much firepower lately we?ll recommend ducking UNDER any total that Vegas installs. BEST BET: UNDER in all games.

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

The Angels hold a 5-4 lead in games played between these two teams in the last year plus, but the way they have been playing lately (five straight losses and six of their last seven averaging a puny 2.7 runs per game), we really wouldn?t be surprised if they kept right on losing. The Angels should prosper if the Dodgers throw nothing but righties as they are 15-8 (+$380) at home against them. BEST BET: Angels vs. righthanders.



San Francisco at Oakland (3) 24th, 25th, 26th

The way the Giants are currently playing (lost 17 of 22), it?s awfully hard to find reasons to like them against their AL rivals even though they managed to win two of three games against them earlier this year. On the other hand, it?s awfully hard to ignore the fact that the Athletics are scoring 1.7 RPG fewer against righties than lefties (3.7 vs. 5.4). Let?s take a pass for now and wait until the pitching match ups are announced. BEST BET: None.

 

[RAYMOND]

BEGINNING MONDAY JUNE 27



Atlanta at Florida (4) 27th, 28th, 29th, 30th

Injuries and a poor bullpen have crippled Atlanta and offense or rather the lack of it, have hampered the Marlins who are averaging just 4.4 RPG with a line up that looks far better than that on paper. That won?t be a problem as long as Dontrelle Willis (+$625, 1.92 ERA) is on the mound. The Braves are just 7-8 in John Smoltz?s 15 starts, but he has a 3.24 ERA on the road and is Atlanta?s best hope. PREFERRED: Willis/Smoltz.

Houston at Colorado (3) 27th, 28th, 29th

The Astros are still an awful road team (9-27, -$1645) and the Rockies are never easy to beat at Coors Field. Colorado is hitting .308 and averaging 5.9 RPG at Coors Field while hitting an anemic .229 and 3.0 RPG on the road. So, even though Houston has the superior pitching, it?s impossible to get too excited unless it?s Roger Clemens? turn (0.00 ERA on the road in 32 innings with a .145 BAA) turn. PREFERRED: Clemens/Rockies vs. all but Clemens.

San Diego at L.A. Dodgers (3) 27th, 28th, 29th

Check the results of last week?s four-game series in San Diego before moving on. The Padres have had success on the road against righty starters (+$255) so there?s a legitimate chance for them to end a slump that has produced 10 losses in the last 14 games. PREFERRED: None.

Cleveland at Boston (3) 27th, 28th, 29th

The Indians? pitching (3.18 ERA last 10 games) is finally living up to its press clippings, but it?s always a challenge to keep the Red Sox at bay at home where they are 22-9 (+$750). The Indians are playing their best baseball of the year (won 9 straight, 12 of 13), but we?ll pass stay with the home team at decent prices should the Indians start either Cliff Lee or C.C. Sabathia as Boston is 6-2 (+$295) at home vs. portsiders. PREFERRED: Red Sox vs. lefthanders.

N.Y. Yankees at Baltimore (3) 27th, 28th, 29th

First place Baltimore has feasted on the disappointing Pinstripers (5-1, +$575) outscoring them, 43-25. However, the Yankees are long overdue to play to the level of their considerable talent and, with the Orioles no longer flying as high as they were a month ago, we?ll back the Bronx Bombers who are beginning to look (won six straight), once again, like the team everyone thought they would be. PREFERRED: Yankees in all games.

Toronto at Tampa Bay (3) 27th, 28th, 29th

Tampa is still Tampa, and although the Rays are a decent home team we?re backing the Blue Jays. Roy Halladay is 6-2 on the road with a 2.18 ERA (+$430). If the Rays start one of their three southpaws (Jays are 7-4 vs. lefties on the road, +595), we?re also all over the bluebirds. PREFERRED: Halladay/Blue Jays vs. lefthanders.

L.A. Angels at Texas (4) 27th, 28th, 29th, 30th

This is the second series between these teams in a week, so check those results before proceeding. It?s hard to figure what the psyche of the Rangers is these days as management is making roster changes lately faster than Paris Hilton sheds her clothes, so unless Kenny Rogers (5-1 at home with a 2.12 ERA) is in the box, we?re not interested in them. PREFERRED: Rogers/Angels in all other games.

Kansas City at Minnesota (3) 27th, 28th, 29th

The Twins are a perfect 5-0 (+$500) against the Royals and have won 17 of the last 24 games (+$950) in the past year plus. But, if you?re interested in backing Minny be prepared to lay huge wood throughout. You might want to take a stab on the on either D. J Carrasco (1.61 ERA in 28 innings in June) or Runelvys Hernandez 1.46 ERA last three starts). PREFERRED: Carrasco/Hernandez.



BEGINNING TUESDAY JUNE 28



Pittsburgh at Washington (3) 28th, 29th, 30th

Interesting series between a pair of surprising teams who have cooled off a bit since running up against better teams. The Nationals have been a terror at home at home which means we need a great reason to go against them. That all righthanded starting pitching corps (2.61 ERA at home, the only team in MLB under 3.00) of the Nationals, should thrive against an offense that averages 3.6 RPG vs. righties on the road. PREFERRED: Nationals vs. all but Perez.

Philadelphia at N.Y. Mets (3) 28th, 29th, 30th

The Mets are in the middle of a major nose dive (2-8, -$835 last 10 days)) and puny run production (2.8 RPG) is the main culprit. One never wants to go against Pedro Martinez (2.76 ERA in 14 starts), but the way New York is hitting, everyone else is fair game. PREFERRED: Phillies vs. all but Martinez.

Milwaukee at Chicago Cubs (3) 28th, 29th, 30th

The Brewers have won four of six games against the Cubs so far this year and are 11-12 (+$325) against them over the last year plus. Milwaukee is catching the Cubbies at a good time as Chicago?s starting pitching is still in tatters. But, Chicago still has Carlos Zambrano and Sergio Mitre and the Brew Crew is 11-17 (-$275) on the road against righties averaging a mere 3.9 RPG. PREFERRED: Rghthanders vs. the Brewers.

Cincinnati at St. Louis (2) 28th, 29th

The Redbirds and the Reds played a trio of games in the Great American Ballpark last week, so check those results to see how badly the Cardinals demolished Cincy?s awful pitching staff. Regardless, nothing should induce you to invest one red cent on the Reds, but the Cardinals will be too prohibitive a favorite to interest us. PREFERRED: None.

San Francisco at Arizona (3) 28th, 29th, 30th

The Diamondbacks finished their longest road trip of the year last week with a four-game set in San Francisco and now get to play them in the desert where they won two out of three in early May. More of the same is forecasted here especially if the? Backs go with either Brandon Webb or Javier Vazquez as they?re 17-11 (+$640) in that pair?s 27 starts. PREFERRED:: Webb & Vazquez.

Chicago W. Sox at Detroit (3) 28th, 29th, 30th

A measure of how the White Sox have improved from last year can be seen in their turnaround against the Tigers from 8-11 (-$495) in ?04 to 4-1 (+$285) this year. In those five games, the Tigers have scored a grand total of nine runs. The Pale Hose?s team ERA is a smart 3.6, their relievers are second in MLB with a 2.92 road ERA and their starters are tied with Minnesota?s for best road ERA at 3.65. Key on the visitors any time they face a southpaw (8-2, +$605 averaging 7.1 RPG). PREFERRED: White Sox vs. lefthanders.

Seattle at Oakland (3) 28th, 29th, 30th

The Mariners and A?s continue their fight to stay out of the AL West cellar. Both teams have been pitching well lately. Seattle?s team ERA is 2.24 over the last 14 games. Since both offenses are mediocre at best (13th and 14th in home runs and 12th and 13th in BA in the AL), we?ll recommend an UNDER play on each game in the cavernous Coliseum. PREFERRED: UNDER in all games.

 

[woodsy]

thanks - always makes interesting reading

 

[bohawk]

Ray-Man, Always good info. Thanks, appreciate the effort.

 

[shamrock]

Bump, thanks Raymond

 

[grandpa]

Man, that is the best stuff. Appreciate the effort, Raymond . GLTY

 

[Interceptor]

Thats why we need ray around here...Thanks!

 

[WAC ATTACK]

Thanks, it helos me make a so n so choice to a solid pick

 

[bryanz]

I see a BOS SWWEEEEEEEEEEPPPP !!!!!!!!!!!

 

[emmitt]

bump

 

[deportes]

Thanks for the info Raymond.
I also apologyze for dissing your effort when posting the Outlaw's pick on saturday.
Thanks again. :mj14: