BEGINNING MONDAY APRIL 17
St. Louis at Pittsburgh (3) 17th, 18th, 19th
The Pirates finally broke into the win column with a victory against the Reds last Sunday, but they?ll have their work cut out for them vs. a St. Louis team that took 12 of 16 head to head matchups (+$530) and was a dominating 19-9 on the road vs. lefthanders in 2005 (+$760). Lots of southpaws for the Cardinal hitters to fatten up on. PREFERRED: Cardinals vs. lefthanders.
Florida at Cincinnati (3) 17th, 18th, 19th
The Reds may catch a break because there is a good chance they?ll miss Dontrelle Willis on this homestand. The rest of the Florida staff is very shaky so we?ll jump on the home team in Wednesday?s getaway contest (Cincy 16-8, +$875 in day games at great American Ballpark) , unless the visitor?s lefty ace happens to be on the hill. PREFERRED: Reds in Wednesday?s day game unless opposed by Willis.
Atlanta at N.Y. Mets (3) 17th, 18th, 19th
Big test for the Mets if they hope to take control in the NL East. The early signs are positive for NY (4-1, +$285), but they only went 6-13 (-$750) in head to head play with the Braves in ?05. Given Atlanta?s shaky start and taking into account their weak 26-35 (-$1015) record vs. righties on the road last year, we?ll jump on the home team in that spot at any price. PREFERRED: Righthanders vs. the Braves.
Milwaukee at Houston (3) 17th, 18th, 19th
We?ll see if the Brewers terrific 5-1 start at Miller Park carries over once they take their act on the road. They only went 5-10 (-$445) vs. Houston in ?05 and this is a tough town for visiting ball clubs (Astros 53-28, +$1580 at home). But we can?t see laying fat prices on the home team under the circumstances. PREFERRED: None.
San Diego at Colorado (3) 17th, 18th, 19th
The Padres clearly are not the same team that won the NL West in 2005, having just been swept by these Rockies in a three game set at Petco Park last weekend (-$500). They only averaged 4.2 runs per game, and have only scored a total of 19 in their first five starts this year. We?ll still get a very fair price on the home team at Coors Field, they should take 2 out of 3. PREFERRED: Rockies in all games.
San Francisco at Arizona (4) 17th, 18th, 19th, 20th
The Giants did well vs. the Diamondbacks last season (11-7, +$435), but Arizona?s pitching has looked very sharp, ending the fist week of the season with the lowest ERA in the league. Brandon Webb is overdue for a win after two solid outings which ended in losses for the D?Backs. The Giants only averaged 3.8 runs per game in 118 contests last season (-$1300). PREFERRED: Webb.
Chicago Cubs at L.A. Dodgers (3) 17th, 18th, 19th
Both these clubs are playing without a sizeable chunk of what they hoped their roster would consist of. The Chicago pitching staff is in sorry shape (Wood, Prior, Miller all sidelined) and LA is plagued by injuries as well. Don?t know what to make of the Cubs at this point, and we can?t trust the Dodgers as favorites. PREFERRED: None.
Kansas City at Chicago W. Sox (3) 17th, 18th, 19th
After dropping 2 out of 3 at Kaufman Stadium last weekend, the Chisox will be out for blood. They went 13-5 vs. the Royals last year but only managed a +$200 profit and therein lies the problem. Prices will no doubt exceed 2 to 1 in these contests, and Chicago has yet demonstrated the the level of proficiency that would justify laying those kind of prices at this time. Pass for now. PREFERRED: None.
BEGINNING TUESDAY APRIL 18
Washington at Philadelphia (3) 18th, 19th, 20th
The Phillies are having trouble scoring runs, while the Nationals are averaging 5.3 runs per game so far. Their road numbers vs. righthanders last year were outstanding (+$1455). None of the Philly starters has looked sharp and Livan Hernandez remains an excellent value (+$510, 3.98 ERA in ?05) remains an excellent value in this setting. PREFERRED: L. Hernandez.
Cleveland at Baltimore (3) 18th, 19th, 20th
The Orioles could only manage a single victory in seven attempts against the Indians last year (1-6, -$515). They were big losers at Camden Yards in 2005 (-$1895) and are off to a 2-4 start in ?06. The Indians 43-13 (+$2970) in night games on the road last year, and their off to a 5-1 start (vs. quality teams) in the early going. We wish they could all set up this nicely. PREFERRED: Indians in all games.
Tampa Bay at Boston (3) 18th, 19th, 20th
The Devil Rays gave the Blue Jays hard fight at Skydome last week, taking 2 out of 3 in that series. We don?t know if they can accomplish a similar feat here at Fenway, where the Red Sox are traditionally so formidable. We?ll pass for the time being and come back for a closer look on game day. PREFERRED: None.
N.Y. Yankees at Toronto (2) 18th, 19th
Despite eking out a modest profit thanks to inflated prices, the Blue Jays had little success against the Bombers in 2005 (only 6 wins in 18 attempts). They only went 9-15 (-$845) vs. lefties at Skydome, so they?ll have their hands full when Randy Johnson, who has looked sharp (2.40 ERA) is on the mound. PREFERRED: R. Johnson.
L.A. Angels at Minnesota (3) 18th, 19th, 20th
The Angels were very dependable on the road in 2005 (46-35, +$1225) and their all righty rotation should fare well against a Twins team that averaged a paltry 4.0 runs per game vs. righthanders last year. We?ll stick with a pair of hurlers who posted strong outings to start the new season. PREFERRED: E. Santana/Escobar.
Detroit at Oakland (3) 18th, 19th, 20th
The A?s are going to be very hard to stop this year, given the kind of pitching they?ve exhibited in their first seven games. Throw out the Zito blowout by the Yankees on opening day, and they?ve only allowed 17 runs in the last six games (+$320). The Tigers started on a hot streak, but they?ll no doubt have cooled off by now. The A?s went 16-8 (+$560) with 6.1 runs per game vs. lefties at home last season. PREFERRED: Athletics vs. lefthanders.
Texas at Seattle (3) 18th, 19th, 20th
Things got ugly for the Mariners in a hurry, with Oakland hurling 25 consecutive scoreless innings in the last three games of their recent series. They Rangers can hit, so if we catch some nice prices vs. Hernandez, Meche & Pineiro, we?ll jump in (Texas +$830 vs. righties in ?05). PREFERRED: Rangers vs. Hernandez/Meche & Pineiro.
St. Louis at Pittsburgh (3) 17th, 18th, 19th
The Pirates finally broke into the win column with a victory against the Reds last Sunday, but they?ll have their work cut out for them vs. a St. Louis team that took 12 of 16 head to head matchups (+$530) and was a dominating 19-9 on the road vs. lefthanders in 2005 (+$760). Lots of southpaws for the Cardinal hitters to fatten up on. PREFERRED: Cardinals vs. lefthanders.
Florida at Cincinnati (3) 17th, 18th, 19th
The Reds may catch a break because there is a good chance they?ll miss Dontrelle Willis on this homestand. The rest of the Florida staff is very shaky so we?ll jump on the home team in Wednesday?s getaway contest (Cincy 16-8, +$875 in day games at great American Ballpark) , unless the visitor?s lefty ace happens to be on the hill. PREFERRED: Reds in Wednesday?s day game unless opposed by Willis.
Atlanta at N.Y. Mets (3) 17th, 18th, 19th
Big test for the Mets if they hope to take control in the NL East. The early signs are positive for NY (4-1, +$285), but they only went 6-13 (-$750) in head to head play with the Braves in ?05. Given Atlanta?s shaky start and taking into account their weak 26-35 (-$1015) record vs. righties on the road last year, we?ll jump on the home team in that spot at any price. PREFERRED: Righthanders vs. the Braves.
Milwaukee at Houston (3) 17th, 18th, 19th
We?ll see if the Brewers terrific 5-1 start at Miller Park carries over once they take their act on the road. They only went 5-10 (-$445) vs. Houston in ?05 and this is a tough town for visiting ball clubs (Astros 53-28, +$1580 at home). But we can?t see laying fat prices on the home team under the circumstances. PREFERRED: None.
San Diego at Colorado (3) 17th, 18th, 19th
The Padres clearly are not the same team that won the NL West in 2005, having just been swept by these Rockies in a three game set at Petco Park last weekend (-$500). They only averaged 4.2 runs per game, and have only scored a total of 19 in their first five starts this year. We?ll still get a very fair price on the home team at Coors Field, they should take 2 out of 3. PREFERRED: Rockies in all games.
San Francisco at Arizona (4) 17th, 18th, 19th, 20th
The Giants did well vs. the Diamondbacks last season (11-7, +$435), but Arizona?s pitching has looked very sharp, ending the fist week of the season with the lowest ERA in the league. Brandon Webb is overdue for a win after two solid outings which ended in losses for the D?Backs. The Giants only averaged 3.8 runs per game in 118 contests last season (-$1300). PREFERRED: Webb.
Chicago Cubs at L.A. Dodgers (3) 17th, 18th, 19th
Both these clubs are playing without a sizeable chunk of what they hoped their roster would consist of. The Chicago pitching staff is in sorry shape (Wood, Prior, Miller all sidelined) and LA is plagued by injuries as well. Don?t know what to make of the Cubs at this point, and we can?t trust the Dodgers as favorites. PREFERRED: None.
Kansas City at Chicago W. Sox (3) 17th, 18th, 19th
After dropping 2 out of 3 at Kaufman Stadium last weekend, the Chisox will be out for blood. They went 13-5 vs. the Royals last year but only managed a +$200 profit and therein lies the problem. Prices will no doubt exceed 2 to 1 in these contests, and Chicago has yet demonstrated the the level of proficiency that would justify laying those kind of prices at this time. Pass for now. PREFERRED: None.
BEGINNING TUESDAY APRIL 18
Washington at Philadelphia (3) 18th, 19th, 20th
The Phillies are having trouble scoring runs, while the Nationals are averaging 5.3 runs per game so far. Their road numbers vs. righthanders last year were outstanding (+$1455). None of the Philly starters has looked sharp and Livan Hernandez remains an excellent value (+$510, 3.98 ERA in ?05) remains an excellent value in this setting. PREFERRED: L. Hernandez.
Cleveland at Baltimore (3) 18th, 19th, 20th
The Orioles could only manage a single victory in seven attempts against the Indians last year (1-6, -$515). They were big losers at Camden Yards in 2005 (-$1895) and are off to a 2-4 start in ?06. The Indians 43-13 (+$2970) in night games on the road last year, and their off to a 5-1 start (vs. quality teams) in the early going. We wish they could all set up this nicely. PREFERRED: Indians in all games.
Tampa Bay at Boston (3) 18th, 19th, 20th
The Devil Rays gave the Blue Jays hard fight at Skydome last week, taking 2 out of 3 in that series. We don?t know if they can accomplish a similar feat here at Fenway, where the Red Sox are traditionally so formidable. We?ll pass for the time being and come back for a closer look on game day. PREFERRED: None.
N.Y. Yankees at Toronto (2) 18th, 19th
Despite eking out a modest profit thanks to inflated prices, the Blue Jays had little success against the Bombers in 2005 (only 6 wins in 18 attempts). They only went 9-15 (-$845) vs. lefties at Skydome, so they?ll have their hands full when Randy Johnson, who has looked sharp (2.40 ERA) is on the mound. PREFERRED: R. Johnson.
L.A. Angels at Minnesota (3) 18th, 19th, 20th
The Angels were very dependable on the road in 2005 (46-35, +$1225) and their all righty rotation should fare well against a Twins team that averaged a paltry 4.0 runs per game vs. righthanders last year. We?ll stick with a pair of hurlers who posted strong outings to start the new season. PREFERRED: E. Santana/Escobar.
Detroit at Oakland (3) 18th, 19th, 20th
The A?s are going to be very hard to stop this year, given the kind of pitching they?ve exhibited in their first seven games. Throw out the Zito blowout by the Yankees on opening day, and they?ve only allowed 17 runs in the last six games (+$320). The Tigers started on a hot streak, but they?ll no doubt have cooled off by now. The A?s went 16-8 (+$560) with 6.1 runs per game vs. lefties at home last season. PREFERRED: Athletics vs. lefthanders.
Texas at Seattle (3) 18th, 19th, 20th
Things got ugly for the Mariners in a hurry, with Oakland hurling 25 consecutive scoreless innings in the last three games of their recent series. They Rangers can hit, so if we catch some nice prices vs. Hernandez, Meche & Pineiro, we?ll jump in (Texas +$830 vs. righties in ?05). PREFERRED: Rangers vs. Hernandez/Meche & Pineiro.
