BEGINNING MONDAY MAY 15
Florida at Atlanta (4) 15th, 16th, 17th, 18th
These teams squared off at Pro Players park, so take a look at those results before jumping in. It?s hard to back the Braves here at Turner Field when they haven?t been playing that well (13-18, -$630 overall), but it?s impossible to back the Marlins, who are fading fast in the NL East. PREFERRED: None.
San Francisco at Houston (3) 15th, 16th, 17th
The Astros are 14-4 in home games so far in 2006 (+$740) and they are getting solid pitching efforts from some unfamiliar names. Roy Oswalt will be priced way too high if he pitches here, and Andy Pettitte has been inconsistent. But Wandy Rodriguez (3.27 ERA) and Taylor Buchholz (1.93) have looked very sharp and should be available at reasonable prices. PREFERRED: W. Rodriguez/Buchholz.
L.A. Dodgers at Colorado (3) 15th, 16th, 17th
The Rockies got the best of the Dodgers in 2005 (11-8, +$475 in head to head play) and this is a much better Colorado team. The Dodgers are a meager 11-13 (-$375) vs. righthanders, averaging just 4.3 runs per game. We?ll stick with Jason Jennings (+$395) and Byung-Hyun Kim (+$200), both of whom are likely to see action in this series. PREFERRED: Jennings/Kim.
San Diego at Arizona (3) 15th, 16th, 17th
The Diamondbacks swept the Padres at Petco Park in an earlier series (+$420), and Arizona is a hot team right now (7-3, +$405 last 10 days). But the Padres are playing better these days, so caution is advised. Even though he pitched well last time out, our best angle is a play against Jake Peavy (-$355, 4.17 ERA), since the home team will not be too heavily favored when the San Diego ace is in the hill. PREFERRED: Diamondbacks vs. Peavy.
Boston at Baltimore (3) 15th, 16th, 17th
The Red Sox are a perfect 6-0 against the Orioles this year (+$600), including a 25 run demolishing of their beleaguered pitching staff at Fenway last weekend. But the Orioles are 11-6 (+$560) in night games vs. righthanders at Camden Yards and Boston is generally less effective away from home. Look for the O?s to exact some revenge by taking at least 2 out of 3 here. PREFERRED: Orioles in all games.
Kansas City at Cleveland (4) 15th, 16th, 17th, 18th
The Royals somehow managed to take 2 out of 3 from this team when they met at KC earlier in the year, and they are coming off another series at Kaufman Stadium last week. Check those results before weighing in on this showdown. PREFERRED: None.
Texas at N.Y. Yankees (4) 15th, 16th, 17th, 18th
The Yankees spanked the Rangers at Arlington last week (+$300) and took last year?s season series 7-3 (+$195). But Texas has played well on the road this year (9-5, +$640) and the Yanks are 0-3 (-$540) in night game vs. righthanders. We?ll take a shot with last year?s ERA champ Kevin Millwood (3.52 ERA in ?06) as long as it?s not in a day games. PREFERRED: Millwood vs. the Yankees at night.
BEGINNING TUESDAY MAY 16
Cincinnati at Pittsburgh (3) 16th, 17th, 18th
The Reds have already taken 3 out of 4 from the Pirates in head to head play (+$160) and they are averaging 7.2 runs per game vs. lefthanders (9-3, +$590). Against this struggling Pittsburgh rotation (4.86 ERA, 3rd highest in the NL) that is loaded with lefthanders, we should get ample opportunities to watch Cincinnati build on its winning record. PREFERRED: Reds vs. lefthanders
Philadelphia at Milwaukee (3) 16th, 17th, 18th
The Phillies have lost money vs. lefthanders (3-4, -$245) and Milwaukee has one of the top young southpaws in the league in Chris Capuano (2.63 ERA in his first seven starts). The Brewers are 11-6 at Miller Park (+$255) so we?ll jump in regardless of the price on the home team. PREFERRED: Capuano.
Washington at Chicago Cubs (3) 16th, 17th, 18th
The Cubs only managed a 1-5 mark vs. the Nationals in ?05 (-$275), and they?ve been having a tough time scoring runs (only 1.5 per game last 10). Washington plays better on the road (+$345 in 2005), especially in night games vs. righties (+$355 with 6.4 runs per game), so we?ll take the underdog price with the visitor when that situation arises. PREFERRED: Nationals vs. righthanders at night.
N.Y. Mets at St. Louis (3) 16th, 17th, 18th
A challenge for the high flying Mets against a team that took 5 out of 7 in head to head play last year (+$280). Hard to make a case for either side since both are enjoying terrific pitching (Mets 3.56 ERA, Cardinals 3.51) and their lineups are evenly matched. We?ll take a closer look as game day draws near. PREFERRED: None.
Minnesota at Detroit (3) 16th, 17th, 18th
The Tigers have taken 4 out of 6 in the season series (+$175) though they did drop the last two at Minnesota in their most recent games. Still with the huge disparity in pitching (Detroit 3.38 ERA, Minnesota 5.74), it? hard to pass up the Tigers at any price, especially given the fact that the Twins are a pathetic 3-12 (-$950) away from the Metrodome in 2006. PREFERRED: Tigers in all games.
Chicago W. Sox at Tampa Bay (3) 16th, 17th, 18th
Tropicana Field can be a tricky spot to visit, but since the Devil Rays are only 3-9 (-$515) vs. lefthanders, we?ll take a shot with Mark Buehrle (3.66 ERA). But Hendrickson (2.66 ERA and Kazmir (3.43) are tempting as well (Chicago -$360) vs. lefties) so play this series accordingly. PREFERRED: Lefthanders vs. righthanders.
Toronto at L.A. Angels (3) 16th, 17th, 18th
The Angels are a dismal 5-7 (-$305) against lefthanders this year, averaging a mere 2.8 runs per game in those contests. We expect to see both Gustavo Chacin (+$475 overall 3.18 ERA last two starts) and Ted Lilly (+$235, 3.18 ERA overall) and we?ll be all over these two when they go. PREFERRED: Chacin/Lilly.
Seattle at Oakland (3) 16th, 17th, 18th
The A?s have taken 3 of the first 4 meetings (+$215) and it looks like Barry Zito will be on the mound in this series. Oakland?s top lefty is coming off a pair of outstanding starts (0.61 ERA) and the Mariners are an unimpressive 3-8 (-$555) vs. southpaws, averaging just 3.1 runs per game. PREFERRED: Zito.
Florida at Atlanta (4) 15th, 16th, 17th, 18th
These teams squared off at Pro Players park, so take a look at those results before jumping in. It?s hard to back the Braves here at Turner Field when they haven?t been playing that well (13-18, -$630 overall), but it?s impossible to back the Marlins, who are fading fast in the NL East. PREFERRED: None.
San Francisco at Houston (3) 15th, 16th, 17th
The Astros are 14-4 in home games so far in 2006 (+$740) and they are getting solid pitching efforts from some unfamiliar names. Roy Oswalt will be priced way too high if he pitches here, and Andy Pettitte has been inconsistent. But Wandy Rodriguez (3.27 ERA) and Taylor Buchholz (1.93) have looked very sharp and should be available at reasonable prices. PREFERRED: W. Rodriguez/Buchholz.
L.A. Dodgers at Colorado (3) 15th, 16th, 17th
The Rockies got the best of the Dodgers in 2005 (11-8, +$475 in head to head play) and this is a much better Colorado team. The Dodgers are a meager 11-13 (-$375) vs. righthanders, averaging just 4.3 runs per game. We?ll stick with Jason Jennings (+$395) and Byung-Hyun Kim (+$200), both of whom are likely to see action in this series. PREFERRED: Jennings/Kim.
San Diego at Arizona (3) 15th, 16th, 17th
The Diamondbacks swept the Padres at Petco Park in an earlier series (+$420), and Arizona is a hot team right now (7-3, +$405 last 10 days). But the Padres are playing better these days, so caution is advised. Even though he pitched well last time out, our best angle is a play against Jake Peavy (-$355, 4.17 ERA), since the home team will not be too heavily favored when the San Diego ace is in the hill. PREFERRED: Diamondbacks vs. Peavy.
Boston at Baltimore (3) 15th, 16th, 17th
The Red Sox are a perfect 6-0 against the Orioles this year (+$600), including a 25 run demolishing of their beleaguered pitching staff at Fenway last weekend. But the Orioles are 11-6 (+$560) in night games vs. righthanders at Camden Yards and Boston is generally less effective away from home. Look for the O?s to exact some revenge by taking at least 2 out of 3 here. PREFERRED: Orioles in all games.
Kansas City at Cleveland (4) 15th, 16th, 17th, 18th
The Royals somehow managed to take 2 out of 3 from this team when they met at KC earlier in the year, and they are coming off another series at Kaufman Stadium last week. Check those results before weighing in on this showdown. PREFERRED: None.
Texas at N.Y. Yankees (4) 15th, 16th, 17th, 18th
The Yankees spanked the Rangers at Arlington last week (+$300) and took last year?s season series 7-3 (+$195). But Texas has played well on the road this year (9-5, +$640) and the Yanks are 0-3 (-$540) in night game vs. righthanders. We?ll take a shot with last year?s ERA champ Kevin Millwood (3.52 ERA in ?06) as long as it?s not in a day games. PREFERRED: Millwood vs. the Yankees at night.
BEGINNING TUESDAY MAY 16
Cincinnati at Pittsburgh (3) 16th, 17th, 18th
The Reds have already taken 3 out of 4 from the Pirates in head to head play (+$160) and they are averaging 7.2 runs per game vs. lefthanders (9-3, +$590). Against this struggling Pittsburgh rotation (4.86 ERA, 3rd highest in the NL) that is loaded with lefthanders, we should get ample opportunities to watch Cincinnati build on its winning record. PREFERRED: Reds vs. lefthanders
Philadelphia at Milwaukee (3) 16th, 17th, 18th
The Phillies have lost money vs. lefthanders (3-4, -$245) and Milwaukee has one of the top young southpaws in the league in Chris Capuano (2.63 ERA in his first seven starts). The Brewers are 11-6 at Miller Park (+$255) so we?ll jump in regardless of the price on the home team. PREFERRED: Capuano.
Washington at Chicago Cubs (3) 16th, 17th, 18th
The Cubs only managed a 1-5 mark vs. the Nationals in ?05 (-$275), and they?ve been having a tough time scoring runs (only 1.5 per game last 10). Washington plays better on the road (+$345 in 2005), especially in night games vs. righties (+$355 with 6.4 runs per game), so we?ll take the underdog price with the visitor when that situation arises. PREFERRED: Nationals vs. righthanders at night.
N.Y. Mets at St. Louis (3) 16th, 17th, 18th
A challenge for the high flying Mets against a team that took 5 out of 7 in head to head play last year (+$280). Hard to make a case for either side since both are enjoying terrific pitching (Mets 3.56 ERA, Cardinals 3.51) and their lineups are evenly matched. We?ll take a closer look as game day draws near. PREFERRED: None.
Minnesota at Detroit (3) 16th, 17th, 18th
The Tigers have taken 4 out of 6 in the season series (+$175) though they did drop the last two at Minnesota in their most recent games. Still with the huge disparity in pitching (Detroit 3.38 ERA, Minnesota 5.74), it? hard to pass up the Tigers at any price, especially given the fact that the Twins are a pathetic 3-12 (-$950) away from the Metrodome in 2006. PREFERRED: Tigers in all games.
Chicago W. Sox at Tampa Bay (3) 16th, 17th, 18th
Tropicana Field can be a tricky spot to visit, but since the Devil Rays are only 3-9 (-$515) vs. lefthanders, we?ll take a shot with Mark Buehrle (3.66 ERA). But Hendrickson (2.66 ERA and Kazmir (3.43) are tempting as well (Chicago -$360) vs. lefties) so play this series accordingly. PREFERRED: Lefthanders vs. righthanders.
Toronto at L.A. Angels (3) 16th, 17th, 18th
The Angels are a dismal 5-7 (-$305) against lefthanders this year, averaging a mere 2.8 runs per game in those contests. We expect to see both Gustavo Chacin (+$475 overall 3.18 ERA last two starts) and Ted Lilly (+$235, 3.18 ERA overall) and we?ll be all over these two when they go. PREFERRED: Chacin/Lilly.
Seattle at Oakland (3) 16th, 17th, 18th
The A?s have taken 3 of the first 4 meetings (+$215) and it looks like Barry Zito will be on the mound in this series. Oakland?s top lefty is coming off a pair of outstanding starts (0.61 ERA) and the Mariners are an unimpressive 3-8 (-$555) vs. southpaws, averaging just 3.1 runs per game. PREFERRED: Zito.
