BEGINNING MONDAY AUGUST 21
Washington at Florida (3) 21st, 22nd, 23rd
The Marlins hit righties well (+$940) but do very poorly against lefties (-$785), while the Nationals are exactly the opposite (+$720 against lefthanders, -$1490 vs. righthanders). We?ll play these games accordingly and pass all other situations. PREFERRED: Marlins when righty meets righty/Nationals when lefty meets lefty.
Pittsburgh at Atlanta (3) 21st, 22nd, 23rd
We?ve got a home team that has lost a fortune here at Turner Field (24-31, -$1550) against the worst road team in MLB (Pirates only 14-45, -$2490 outside of PNC Park). Not a very appealing matchup any way you slice it. PREFERRED: None.
Houston at Cincinnati (3) 21st, 22nd, 23rd
The Reds have dominated the Astros in head to head play so far in 2006 (7-2, +$570) but they have struggled against righthanders here at Great American Ballpark. The best approach here is a play against Andy Pettitte (4.83 ERA, -$745) given that Cincinnati averages 5.8 runs per game vs. southpaws and the fact that Houston has performed so poorly outside of MinuteMaid Park (-$940 as a visitor). PREFERRED: Reds vs. Pettitte.
Philadephia at Chicago Cubs (3) 21st, 22nd, 23rd
This will be the first meeting of the year between this pair of underachievers, could be a good spot for he Phillies, who have made a modest as visitors in 2006 (+$160). Despite a lower team BA, the Phillies have averaged more than one full run per game more than Chicago, and the Cubs have lost a bundle here at wrigley Field (-$1020). We?ll stick with the road team throughout. PREFERRED: Phillies in all games.
L.A. Dodgers at San Diego (3) 21st, 22nd, 23rd
The Padres have taken 8 of the 11 head to head matchups so far (+$540) but they?ve struggled at the plate in recent days (3.3 runs per game last 10) and they?ve been terrible here at Petco Park (only 28-31, -$1210). The dodgers are getting outstanding pitching (2.53 ERA among starters last 10 days) and are poised to exact revenge from their division rival. PREFERRED: Dodgers in all games.
Arizona at San Francisco (3) 21st, 22nd, 23rd
The Diamondbacks remain one of the better road teams in terms of profitability (+$770) and they?ve got some quality righthanders who should fare well here at ATT Park (SF -$1010 vs. righthanders). Brandon Webb has emerged as one of the top hurlers in the National League (2.82 ERA in 24 starts) and he?s due to take a turn in this series. PREFERRED: Webb.
Oakland at Toronto (3) 21st, 22nd, 23rd
The Athletics have taken control of the AL West, but the Blue Jays are still not out of the wildcard hunt, and they remain a formidable force here at Skydome (38-24, +$905). Toronto averages almost a full run per game more than Oakland, we think the visitor will be fortunate to salvage a single victory. PREFERRED: None.
Chicago W. Sox at Detroit (4) 21st, 22nd, 23rd, 23rd
The White Sox still have a lot of ground to make up if they hope to overtake the Tigers and repeat as division champs. They?ve certainly gotten the best of the Detroit in head to head play so far (8-3, +$495) so it?s tempting to take the visitor. But the tigers have been so profitable in all settings (+$2970 overall) that we?re not prepared to commit to anything in advance. PREFERRED: None.
Texas at Tampa Bay (4) 21st, 22nd, 23rd, 23rd
The Devil Rays are winless against the Rangers in ?06 (0-5, -$505) and we?re not anxious to take on a hot Texas team (7-4, +$395 last 10 days with 7.2 runs per game), even though Tampa Bay has made money at Tropicana Field for their backers. Texas has made money away from Arlington (+$865) so use them as long as the price is in line. PREFERRED: Rangers at -125 or less.
BEGINNING TUESDAY AUGUST 22
St. Louis at N.Y. Mets (3) 22nd, 23rd, 24th
The Cardinals aren?t very good away from Busch stadium (only 29-31, -$610) and they?ve been terrible against lefthanders all season (only 17-27, -$2060 with 4.6 runs per game). tom Glavine (3.87 ERA) will be on the hill for this series, looking to improve on a remarkably profitable 2006 campaign (+$1195). the Mets have turned a modest profit at Shea (+$380). PREFERRED: Glavine.
Colorado at Milwaukee (3) 22nd, 23rd, 24th
The Rockies have not been the offensive powerhouse we?ve seen in the past, but they?ve averaged 5.6 runs per game against lefthanders (+$480). Chris Capuano, the Brewers? ace southpaw will be on the mound, and could go off at an inflated price. Excellent value on the visiting dog when he goes. PREFERRED: Rockies vs. Capuano.
Minnesota at Baltimore (3) 22nd, 23rd, 24th
The twins are far less imposing when they venture outside of the Metrodome (-$265 overall) and the orioles are profitable against righthanders (+$840 with 5.2 runs per game). We?ll try our luck with the home team vs. Minnesota?s lesser arms. PREFERRED: Orioles vs. all righthanders except Radke.
Cleveland at Kansas City (3) 22nd, 23rd, 24th
Steer clear of the Royals anytime the Indians start a lefthander (KC only 9-24, -$855 vs. southpaws). But the Royals have amassed substantial winnings against righthanders in night games at Kaufman Stadium (+$1535 with 5.8 runs per game, and all three of these games will be taking place in the evening. The Indians are only 21-34 (-$1360) on the road. PREFERRED: Royals vs. righthanders.
N.Y. Yankees at Seattle (3) 22nd, 23rd, 24th
This series comes the day after the Yankees wrap up a grueling five game showdown with the Red Sox, so a letdown by New york is certainly not unlikely. The Mariners are 17-11 (+$445) against righthanders in night games at Safeco Field and will get at least a couple of chances to improve on that record in these three night games. PREFERRED: Mariners vs. righthanders.
Boston at L.A. Angels (3) 22nd, 23rd, 24th
Like the Yankees, the Red Sox are flying west after five tough games with their arch rivals at Fenway so a letdown is a possibility for them as well. But LA has lousy numbers at home (-$1090) so our only opportunity is Joe Saunders (+$445, 1.67 ERA in 4 starts) Given boston?s ugly record vs. southpaws (-$830). PREFERRED: Saunders.
Washington at Florida (3) 21st, 22nd, 23rd
The Marlins hit righties well (+$940) but do very poorly against lefties (-$785), while the Nationals are exactly the opposite (+$720 against lefthanders, -$1490 vs. righthanders). We?ll play these games accordingly and pass all other situations. PREFERRED: Marlins when righty meets righty/Nationals when lefty meets lefty.
Pittsburgh at Atlanta (3) 21st, 22nd, 23rd
We?ve got a home team that has lost a fortune here at Turner Field (24-31, -$1550) against the worst road team in MLB (Pirates only 14-45, -$2490 outside of PNC Park). Not a very appealing matchup any way you slice it. PREFERRED: None.
Houston at Cincinnati (3) 21st, 22nd, 23rd
The Reds have dominated the Astros in head to head play so far in 2006 (7-2, +$570) but they have struggled against righthanders here at Great American Ballpark. The best approach here is a play against Andy Pettitte (4.83 ERA, -$745) given that Cincinnati averages 5.8 runs per game vs. southpaws and the fact that Houston has performed so poorly outside of MinuteMaid Park (-$940 as a visitor). PREFERRED: Reds vs. Pettitte.
Philadephia at Chicago Cubs (3) 21st, 22nd, 23rd
This will be the first meeting of the year between this pair of underachievers, could be a good spot for he Phillies, who have made a modest as visitors in 2006 (+$160). Despite a lower team BA, the Phillies have averaged more than one full run per game more than Chicago, and the Cubs have lost a bundle here at wrigley Field (-$1020). We?ll stick with the road team throughout. PREFERRED: Phillies in all games.
L.A. Dodgers at San Diego (3) 21st, 22nd, 23rd
The Padres have taken 8 of the 11 head to head matchups so far (+$540) but they?ve struggled at the plate in recent days (3.3 runs per game last 10) and they?ve been terrible here at Petco Park (only 28-31, -$1210). The dodgers are getting outstanding pitching (2.53 ERA among starters last 10 days) and are poised to exact revenge from their division rival. PREFERRED: Dodgers in all games.
Arizona at San Francisco (3) 21st, 22nd, 23rd
The Diamondbacks remain one of the better road teams in terms of profitability (+$770) and they?ve got some quality righthanders who should fare well here at ATT Park (SF -$1010 vs. righthanders). Brandon Webb has emerged as one of the top hurlers in the National League (2.82 ERA in 24 starts) and he?s due to take a turn in this series. PREFERRED: Webb.
Oakland at Toronto (3) 21st, 22nd, 23rd
The Athletics have taken control of the AL West, but the Blue Jays are still not out of the wildcard hunt, and they remain a formidable force here at Skydome (38-24, +$905). Toronto averages almost a full run per game more than Oakland, we think the visitor will be fortunate to salvage a single victory. PREFERRED: None.
Chicago W. Sox at Detroit (4) 21st, 22nd, 23rd, 23rd
The White Sox still have a lot of ground to make up if they hope to overtake the Tigers and repeat as division champs. They?ve certainly gotten the best of the Detroit in head to head play so far (8-3, +$495) so it?s tempting to take the visitor. But the tigers have been so profitable in all settings (+$2970 overall) that we?re not prepared to commit to anything in advance. PREFERRED: None.
Texas at Tampa Bay (4) 21st, 22nd, 23rd, 23rd
The Devil Rays are winless against the Rangers in ?06 (0-5, -$505) and we?re not anxious to take on a hot Texas team (7-4, +$395 last 10 days with 7.2 runs per game), even though Tampa Bay has made money at Tropicana Field for their backers. Texas has made money away from Arlington (+$865) so use them as long as the price is in line. PREFERRED: Rangers at -125 or less.
BEGINNING TUESDAY AUGUST 22
St. Louis at N.Y. Mets (3) 22nd, 23rd, 24th
The Cardinals aren?t very good away from Busch stadium (only 29-31, -$610) and they?ve been terrible against lefthanders all season (only 17-27, -$2060 with 4.6 runs per game). tom Glavine (3.87 ERA) will be on the hill for this series, looking to improve on a remarkably profitable 2006 campaign (+$1195). the Mets have turned a modest profit at Shea (+$380). PREFERRED: Glavine.
Colorado at Milwaukee (3) 22nd, 23rd, 24th
The Rockies have not been the offensive powerhouse we?ve seen in the past, but they?ve averaged 5.6 runs per game against lefthanders (+$480). Chris Capuano, the Brewers? ace southpaw will be on the mound, and could go off at an inflated price. Excellent value on the visiting dog when he goes. PREFERRED: Rockies vs. Capuano.
Minnesota at Baltimore (3) 22nd, 23rd, 24th
The twins are far less imposing when they venture outside of the Metrodome (-$265 overall) and the orioles are profitable against righthanders (+$840 with 5.2 runs per game). We?ll try our luck with the home team vs. Minnesota?s lesser arms. PREFERRED: Orioles vs. all righthanders except Radke.
Cleveland at Kansas City (3) 22nd, 23rd, 24th
Steer clear of the Royals anytime the Indians start a lefthander (KC only 9-24, -$855 vs. southpaws). But the Royals have amassed substantial winnings against righthanders in night games at Kaufman Stadium (+$1535 with 5.8 runs per game, and all three of these games will be taking place in the evening. The Indians are only 21-34 (-$1360) on the road. PREFERRED: Royals vs. righthanders.
N.Y. Yankees at Seattle (3) 22nd, 23rd, 24th
This series comes the day after the Yankees wrap up a grueling five game showdown with the Red Sox, so a letdown by New york is certainly not unlikely. The Mariners are 17-11 (+$445) against righthanders in night games at Safeco Field and will get at least a couple of chances to improve on that record in these three night games. PREFERRED: Mariners vs. righthanders.
Boston at L.A. Angels (3) 22nd, 23rd, 24th
Like the Yankees, the Red Sox are flying west after five tough games with their arch rivals at Fenway so a letdown is a possibility for them as well. But LA has lousy numbers at home (-$1090) so our only opportunity is Joe Saunders (+$445, 1.67 ERA in 4 starts) Given boston?s ugly record vs. southpaws (-$830). PREFERRED: Saunders.
