BEGINNING FRIDAY JUNE 22
Philadelphia at St. Louis (3) 22nd, 23rd, 24th
The Phillies? have heated up (6-4, +$125), moving close to the Mets in the NL East race, and they are poised for a big weekend at Busch Stadium. The Cardinals continue to flounder well below .500, and they?ve been big money-burners in this ballpark (-$710). The Phillies have cleaned up against righthanders this year (27-17, +$745 with 5.6 runs per game) and the St. Louis rotation is currently devoid of southpaws. We expect to be using the visitor throughout the weekend, and we?ll only back off if the home team finds a lefty to send to the mound. BEST BET: Phillies vs. righthanders.
Chicago Cubs at Chicago W. Sox (3) 22nd, 23rd, 24th
Inter-league play has not been going well for the beleaguered White Sox (only 3-9, -$610 so far). They?ve got the weakest hitting team in the majors (.231 team BA, averaging just 3.8 runs per game) so their prospects vs. their hometown rival are not promising, given the outstanding work by Cub starters in recent days (2.73 ERA last 10). The Cubs have excellent numbers vs. righthanders in road games (+$410 with 5.5 runs per game), and the White Sox starters they are likely to face this weekend have not looked very sharp in recent outings. BEST BET: Cubs vs. righthanders.
Minnesota at Florida (3) 22nd, 23rd, 24th
The Marlins have kept reasonably close to .500 and thanks to the N.Y. Mets? recent woes, they aren?t in too bad shape as the first half of the season begins to wind down. The anticipated return of Josh Johnson to the rotation could be just what they need to put together a decent surge in the second half. But they have lost money here at Dolphin Stadium (-$565) so caution is advised. The Twins are within striking distance in the competitive AL Central, but they are still way down for the year (-$625) and none of their starters other than Santana has looked particularly sharp. BEST BET: None.
Cleveland at Washington (3) 22nd, 23rd, 24th
The Tribe has given back a substantial chunk of the profits they amassed in April & May, as they suffer through their worst downward spiral of the season (5-6, -$380 in their last 11 games). The Nationals, to everyone?s surprise, have emerged as the mot profitable team in the NL (+$1195), cashing in huge tickets over the past couple of weeks. They?ve done their best work at RFK vs. lefties (4.6 runs per game) and there is certainly no shortage of southpaws in the Indians? rotation. BEST BET: Nationals vs. lefthanders.
Colorado at Toronto (3) 22nd, 23rd, 24th
The Rockies have moved over the .500 level and have proved to be a formidable opponent in these inter-league contests (7-5, +$375). They are poised for a big weekend at Rogers Centre vs. a Toronto team that could be overpriced in these contests. The Blue Jays have had a terrible time with righthanders this year (only 20-27, -$960 so far) and with Jeff Francis unlikely to take a turn, they?ll have their hands full with the Colorado starters. The Rockies, on the other hand, have dominated righthanders this year (+$1255), and the Toronto rotation is currently without a lefthander. Grab those prices on the road team. BEST BET: Rockies when righty meets righty.
L.A. Dodgers at Tampa Bay (3) 22nd, 23rd, 24th
The Devil Rays have a decent offense (.263 team BA) but James Shields won?t be on the mound this weekend, and he?s the only reason that this team?s league high team ERA (5.67) isn?t higher. Scott Kazmir is a capable hurler, but the Dodgers do their best work against lefthanders (14-5, +$760 with 5.2 runs per game) so the road team will be hard to pass up when he takes his turn. We?ll look for other spots where we can use this visitor, but LA?s road numbers vs. righthanders are not encouraging (-$505 with 3.6 runs per game) so caution is advised. BEST BET: Dodgers vs. Kazmir.
Oakland at N.Y. Mets (3) 22nd, 23rd, 24th
The Mets are lead in the NL East is rapidly evaporating (2-8, -$585 last 10 days with only 3.7 runs per game and a fat 7.05 ERA among starters), so they are hosting the Athletics at the worst possible time. Oakland has the best pitching staff in MLB right now (3.30 team ERA) and they?ve been solid on the road all year (18-14, +$600). The Mets have lost a bundle here at Shea Stadium (-$695) and when you consider that they?ll still be favored or at worst pick ?em in these games, the visitor is pretty difficult to pass up. A good chance for Oakland to take 2 out of 3. BEST BET: Athletics in all games.
Detroit at Atlanta (3) 22nd, 23rd, 24th
The Tigers stumbled a bit towards the end of May, but they?ve gotten themselves back on track (6-4, +$125 last 10 days with 6.7 runs per game), and appear poised to topple the Indians from the top slot in the AL Central. They?ve done well against some tough inter-league opponents (8-4, +$325), and they?ve been a terrific value in road games thus far (21-15, +$680 with 6.0 runs per game). The Braves are losing money at Turner Field, and their numbers vs. lefthanders this year are just awful (14-18, -$600 with 3.8 runs per game). We?ll stick with the Detroit southpaws this weekend. BEST BET: Lefthanders vs. the Braves.
Kansas City at Milwaukee (3) 22nd, 23rd, 24th
The Royals still have lots of weaknesses, but they?ve turned a nice profit in road games vs. righthanders (+$590) and could be a decent underdog value here at Miller Park. And with Chris Capuano now on the DL, they won?t be taking on any lefties unless the Brewers bring one up. Lay off anytime KC sends a southpaw to the mound (Brewers +$610 at home vs. lefties), otherwise the visitor looks like the way to go. BEST BET: Royals when righty meets righty.
Houston at Texas (3) 22nd, 23rd, 24th
They?ve got a pair of bad baseball teams in Texas in 2007 (Rangers only 26-43, -$1225 . . . Astros 30-39, -$1325) so it?s hard to get a decent read on this. Statistically, Houston looks like they should be doing much better (.255 team BA, 4.36 ERA, roughly average for the NL this year), but the Rangers are a complete disaster (.255 BA, 5.50 ERA, 2nd worst in the AL in both departments). If we see a price we like we?ll consider taking a shot with the visitor, but we prefer to wait until game day before we jump in. BEST BET: None.
Baltimore at Arizona (3) 22nd, 23rd, 24th
The Orioles were in 2nd place in the AL East not long ago, but they?ve fallen to the back of the pack (29-40, -$1345) and they?ll have a tough time here at Chase Field taking on a formidable Arizona squad. The home team is 18--9 (+$775) against righthanders in this ballpark and can improve those numbers, but watch out for Jeremy Guthrie (1.71 ERA in nine starts) if he happens to get a start. BEST BET: Diamondbacks vs. all righthanders except Guthrie.
Boston at San Diego (3) 22nd, 23rd, 24th
The Red Sox have posted very strong numbers vs. righties on the road this season (17-6, +$1290) so it will be interesting to see how they fare against the best pitching staff in baseball (SD 2.92) one that boasts some of the finest righthanders in MLB today. The Padres have lost money vs. righthanders here at Petco Park in night games (-$340 with 3.5 runs per game), so we?ll grab the short prices on the Bosox here. BEST BET: Red Sox when righty meets righty.
Cincinnati at Seattle (3) 22nd, 23rd, 24th
The Mariners have emerged as serious contenders in the competitive AL West, but their pitching has struggled in recent days (6.08 ERA among starters last 10) so caution is advised. We?d consider taking them if the Reds send a southpaw to the hill (Seattle 13-5, +$1095 vs. lefties this year), but that might not happen. The Reds have the worst record in the NL right now (27-43, -$1875) and there is nothing to recommend them here at Safeco. BEST BET: None.
Pittsburgh at L.A. Angels (3) 22nd, 23rd, 24th
The Pirates may not be in the same class as the first place Angels, but there might have been some opportunities to use them as underdogs if Maholm and Gorzelanny were going to be available (Angels -$120 vs. lefties at home with 4.4 runs per game vs. southpaws overall). But it appears likely that they?ll both miss this series, and given LA?s stellar performance vs. righthanders in this ballpark (19-5, +$1110), it?s worth it to take the home team in that situation at any price. BEST BET: Angels vs. righthanders.
N.Y. Yankees at San Francisco (3) 22nd, 23rd, 24th
The Yankees are the hottest team in baseball right now (9-1, +$730 last 10 days with 7.4 runs per game and a 3.87 ERA among starters), and while their overall numbers are still pretty bad, they are a lot better than they were. The Giants have dropped into last place in the NL West, and they?ve lost money vs. righthanders here at ATT PARk (-$545). We?ll take a shot with Chien-Ming Wang and Mike Mussina, who have both looked very sharp in their most recent outings (1.72 & 1.98 ERA?s respectively) and who are slated to take turns in this series. BEST BET: Wang/Mussina.
will be back at the end of july
Philadelphia at St. Louis (3) 22nd, 23rd, 24th
The Phillies? have heated up (6-4, +$125), moving close to the Mets in the NL East race, and they are poised for a big weekend at Busch Stadium. The Cardinals continue to flounder well below .500, and they?ve been big money-burners in this ballpark (-$710). The Phillies have cleaned up against righthanders this year (27-17, +$745 with 5.6 runs per game) and the St. Louis rotation is currently devoid of southpaws. We expect to be using the visitor throughout the weekend, and we?ll only back off if the home team finds a lefty to send to the mound. BEST BET: Phillies vs. righthanders.
Chicago Cubs at Chicago W. Sox (3) 22nd, 23rd, 24th
Inter-league play has not been going well for the beleaguered White Sox (only 3-9, -$610 so far). They?ve got the weakest hitting team in the majors (.231 team BA, averaging just 3.8 runs per game) so their prospects vs. their hometown rival are not promising, given the outstanding work by Cub starters in recent days (2.73 ERA last 10). The Cubs have excellent numbers vs. righthanders in road games (+$410 with 5.5 runs per game), and the White Sox starters they are likely to face this weekend have not looked very sharp in recent outings. BEST BET: Cubs vs. righthanders.
Minnesota at Florida (3) 22nd, 23rd, 24th
The Marlins have kept reasonably close to .500 and thanks to the N.Y. Mets? recent woes, they aren?t in too bad shape as the first half of the season begins to wind down. The anticipated return of Josh Johnson to the rotation could be just what they need to put together a decent surge in the second half. But they have lost money here at Dolphin Stadium (-$565) so caution is advised. The Twins are within striking distance in the competitive AL Central, but they are still way down for the year (-$625) and none of their starters other than Santana has looked particularly sharp. BEST BET: None.
Cleveland at Washington (3) 22nd, 23rd, 24th
The Tribe has given back a substantial chunk of the profits they amassed in April & May, as they suffer through their worst downward spiral of the season (5-6, -$380 in their last 11 games). The Nationals, to everyone?s surprise, have emerged as the mot profitable team in the NL (+$1195), cashing in huge tickets over the past couple of weeks. They?ve done their best work at RFK vs. lefties (4.6 runs per game) and there is certainly no shortage of southpaws in the Indians? rotation. BEST BET: Nationals vs. lefthanders.
Colorado at Toronto (3) 22nd, 23rd, 24th
The Rockies have moved over the .500 level and have proved to be a formidable opponent in these inter-league contests (7-5, +$375). They are poised for a big weekend at Rogers Centre vs. a Toronto team that could be overpriced in these contests. The Blue Jays have had a terrible time with righthanders this year (only 20-27, -$960 so far) and with Jeff Francis unlikely to take a turn, they?ll have their hands full with the Colorado starters. The Rockies, on the other hand, have dominated righthanders this year (+$1255), and the Toronto rotation is currently without a lefthander. Grab those prices on the road team. BEST BET: Rockies when righty meets righty.
L.A. Dodgers at Tampa Bay (3) 22nd, 23rd, 24th
The Devil Rays have a decent offense (.263 team BA) but James Shields won?t be on the mound this weekend, and he?s the only reason that this team?s league high team ERA (5.67) isn?t higher. Scott Kazmir is a capable hurler, but the Dodgers do their best work against lefthanders (14-5, +$760 with 5.2 runs per game) so the road team will be hard to pass up when he takes his turn. We?ll look for other spots where we can use this visitor, but LA?s road numbers vs. righthanders are not encouraging (-$505 with 3.6 runs per game) so caution is advised. BEST BET: Dodgers vs. Kazmir.
Oakland at N.Y. Mets (3) 22nd, 23rd, 24th
The Mets are lead in the NL East is rapidly evaporating (2-8, -$585 last 10 days with only 3.7 runs per game and a fat 7.05 ERA among starters), so they are hosting the Athletics at the worst possible time. Oakland has the best pitching staff in MLB right now (3.30 team ERA) and they?ve been solid on the road all year (18-14, +$600). The Mets have lost a bundle here at Shea Stadium (-$695) and when you consider that they?ll still be favored or at worst pick ?em in these games, the visitor is pretty difficult to pass up. A good chance for Oakland to take 2 out of 3. BEST BET: Athletics in all games.
Detroit at Atlanta (3) 22nd, 23rd, 24th
The Tigers stumbled a bit towards the end of May, but they?ve gotten themselves back on track (6-4, +$125 last 10 days with 6.7 runs per game), and appear poised to topple the Indians from the top slot in the AL Central. They?ve done well against some tough inter-league opponents (8-4, +$325), and they?ve been a terrific value in road games thus far (21-15, +$680 with 6.0 runs per game). The Braves are losing money at Turner Field, and their numbers vs. lefthanders this year are just awful (14-18, -$600 with 3.8 runs per game). We?ll stick with the Detroit southpaws this weekend. BEST BET: Lefthanders vs. the Braves.
Kansas City at Milwaukee (3) 22nd, 23rd, 24th
The Royals still have lots of weaknesses, but they?ve turned a nice profit in road games vs. righthanders (+$590) and could be a decent underdog value here at Miller Park. And with Chris Capuano now on the DL, they won?t be taking on any lefties unless the Brewers bring one up. Lay off anytime KC sends a southpaw to the mound (Brewers +$610 at home vs. lefties), otherwise the visitor looks like the way to go. BEST BET: Royals when righty meets righty.
Houston at Texas (3) 22nd, 23rd, 24th
They?ve got a pair of bad baseball teams in Texas in 2007 (Rangers only 26-43, -$1225 . . . Astros 30-39, -$1325) so it?s hard to get a decent read on this. Statistically, Houston looks like they should be doing much better (.255 team BA, 4.36 ERA, roughly average for the NL this year), but the Rangers are a complete disaster (.255 BA, 5.50 ERA, 2nd worst in the AL in both departments). If we see a price we like we?ll consider taking a shot with the visitor, but we prefer to wait until game day before we jump in. BEST BET: None.
Baltimore at Arizona (3) 22nd, 23rd, 24th
The Orioles were in 2nd place in the AL East not long ago, but they?ve fallen to the back of the pack (29-40, -$1345) and they?ll have a tough time here at Chase Field taking on a formidable Arizona squad. The home team is 18--9 (+$775) against righthanders in this ballpark and can improve those numbers, but watch out for Jeremy Guthrie (1.71 ERA in nine starts) if he happens to get a start. BEST BET: Diamondbacks vs. all righthanders except Guthrie.
Boston at San Diego (3) 22nd, 23rd, 24th
The Red Sox have posted very strong numbers vs. righties on the road this season (17-6, +$1290) so it will be interesting to see how they fare against the best pitching staff in baseball (SD 2.92) one that boasts some of the finest righthanders in MLB today. The Padres have lost money vs. righthanders here at Petco Park in night games (-$340 with 3.5 runs per game), so we?ll grab the short prices on the Bosox here. BEST BET: Red Sox when righty meets righty.
Cincinnati at Seattle (3) 22nd, 23rd, 24th
The Mariners have emerged as serious contenders in the competitive AL West, but their pitching has struggled in recent days (6.08 ERA among starters last 10) so caution is advised. We?d consider taking them if the Reds send a southpaw to the hill (Seattle 13-5, +$1095 vs. lefties this year), but that might not happen. The Reds have the worst record in the NL right now (27-43, -$1875) and there is nothing to recommend them here at Safeco. BEST BET: None.
Pittsburgh at L.A. Angels (3) 22nd, 23rd, 24th
The Pirates may not be in the same class as the first place Angels, but there might have been some opportunities to use them as underdogs if Maholm and Gorzelanny were going to be available (Angels -$120 vs. lefties at home with 4.4 runs per game vs. southpaws overall). But it appears likely that they?ll both miss this series, and given LA?s stellar performance vs. righthanders in this ballpark (19-5, +$1110), it?s worth it to take the home team in that situation at any price. BEST BET: Angels vs. righthanders.
N.Y. Yankees at San Francisco (3) 22nd, 23rd, 24th
The Yankees are the hottest team in baseball right now (9-1, +$730 last 10 days with 7.4 runs per game and a 3.87 ERA among starters), and while their overall numbers are still pretty bad, they are a lot better than they were. The Giants have dropped into last place in the NL West, and they?ve lost money vs. righthanders here at ATT PARk (-$545). We?ll take a shot with Chien-Ming Wang and Mike Mussina, who have both looked very sharp in their most recent outings (1.72 & 1.98 ERA?s respectively) and who are slated to take turns in this series. BEST BET: Wang/Mussina.
will be back at the end of july
