BEGINNING MONDAY JULY 16
St. Louis at Florida (3) 16th, 17th, 18th
The Marlins have posted a substantial deficit in night games here at Dolphin Stadium (12-21, -$1105) and all the games in this series are scheduled evening affairs. The Cardinals have eked out a small profit on the road this year, but they lack a single starter who inspires much confidence. PREFERRED: None.
Cincinnati at Atlanta (3) 16th, 17th, 18th
The Braves finished the first half on the upswing, and they are handling the bats extremely well right now (6.1 runs per game last 10 days). They?ve posted a profit vs. righthanders (+$635) and that?s what they?ll be up against when the last place Reds roll into Turner Field (Cincy -$1790 in 2007). PREFERRED: Braves vs. righthanders.
Colorado at Pittsburgh (3) 16th, 17th, 18th
The Pirates have terrible numbers here at PNC Park (-$405) so stay away from them in this series. The Rockies are having a pretty good season, including very solid numbers when up against righthanders (+$1060 with 5.1 runs per game). We should be able to take them at reasonable prices. PREFERRED: Rockies vs. righthanders.
Houston at Washington (3) 16th, 17th, 18th
Besides the Reds, no team in the NL has lost as much money as have the Astros (39-50, -$1525). They average less than 4.0 runs per game on the road and could be vulnerable if they send a lefty to the hill at RFK. But Wandy Rodriguez is the only southpaw in the Houston rotation, and we can?t be sure coming off the All star break if he?ll take a turn. PREFERRED: Nationals vs. W. Rodriguez.
San Francisco at Chicago Cubs (4) 16th, 17th, 18th, 19th
We?re avoided using the Giants in recent weeks and their overall road numbers are not encouraging. But they?ve held their own vs. lefties, while the Cubs have posted significant losses vs. southpaws so far in ?07 (8-14, -$985 with only 3.4 runs per game). PREFERRED: Giants when lefty meets lefty.
Arizona at Milwaukee (4) 16th, 17th, 18th, 19th
These team have comparable pitching staffs (D?Backs 4.00 team ERA, Brewers 4.06) but Milwaukee?s offense averages almost a half run per game more than Arizona?s (.268 team BA vs. .248 for the visitor). The Brewers are tough to beat here at Miller Park (+$1240) and the visitor will be hard pressed to salvage more than a single victory in this four game set. PREFERRED: Brewers in all games.
N.Y. Mets at San Diego (3) 16th, 17th, 18th
The Mets have seen their lead in the NL East shrink, but they could be a solid value this week at Petco Park. They?ve posted a 15-7 mark in night road games vs. righties (+$855) , while the pitching rich Padres have lost money vs. righties in this ballpark (-$690). Despite recent setbacks, New York is a fine ballclub with a much better offense than SD. PREFERRED: Mets when righty meets righty.
Philadelphia at L.A. Dodgers (3) 16th, 17th, 18th
The Phillies have made money vs. righthanders this year (+$575) while losing money vs. lefties (-$950) while LA has done just the opposite (Dodgers +$650 vs. lefties, -$240 vs. righties). We?ll play this series accordingly. PREFERRED: Phillies when righty meets righty/Dodgers when lefty meets lefty.
Chicago W. Sox at Cleveland (3) 16th, 17th, 18th
The Tribe has already taken 4 out of 6 from the Sox (+$195) and they?re great at Jacobs Field (+$1305). The Chicago offense is sorrowful (just over 4.0 runs per game), and their pitching ranks near the bottom in the AL (4.61 team ERA, third worst). Hard to see the visitor making much headway. PREFERRED: Indians in all games.
Kansas City at Boston (3) 16th, 17th, 18th
The Royals might be an outstanding value as huge underdogs in this matchup. They?ve been less than dominant in recent days, and they are only 6-10 (-$1105) in night games vs. righties here at Fenway. KC has posted a fat profit vs. righties on the road (+$1170) but they?ll still catch a big big price in these three scheduled evening contests. PREFERRED: Royals when righty meets righty.
Toronto at N.Y. Yankees (4) 16th, 17th, 18th, 19th
The Blue Jays have already taken 3 out of 4 from the Bombers (+$340) and they start the second half with a 17-9 (+$850 record vs. lefties. The Yanks will no doubt be overpriced throughout (-$2240 already in 2007) and Andy Pettitte, their only southpaw, has been struggling (-$660 overall). PREFERRED: Blue Jays vs. Pettitte.
Baltimore at Seattle (3) 16th, 17th, 18th
The Mariners have excelled at Safeco (27-15, +$1065) and they took 2 out of 3 from the O?s in an earlier meeting. Stick with the home team if the price is right. PREFERRED: Mariners at -150 or less.
Texas at Oakland (3) 16th, 17th, 18th
The Athletics finished the 1st half on a sour note when they were swept here at McAfee Coliseum by the Mariners. The Rangers split the first six meetings, and Oakland?s losses here at home are cause for concern (-$970). Pass for the time being. PREFERRED: None.
BEGINNING TUESDAY JULY 17
L.A. Angels at Tampa Bay (3) 17th, 18th, 19th
LA is slumping (4-5, -$205 last 10 days) and are in danger of surrendering the top slot in the AL West if they don?t pick up the pace. The D?Rays might be the perfect tonic, having hit the skids in recent weeks (1-10, -$960 last 11). PREFERRED: Angels in all games.
Detroit at Minnesota (3) 17th, 18th, 19th
This is the best shot the Twins have of climbing back into the AL Central race. But they?ve lost money here at the Metrodome (-$740) and the Tigers are one of the top road teams in MLB (+$1310). Great chance to bury their division foe. PREFERRED: Tigers in all games
St. Louis at Florida (3) 16th, 17th, 18th
The Marlins have posted a substantial deficit in night games here at Dolphin Stadium (12-21, -$1105) and all the games in this series are scheduled evening affairs. The Cardinals have eked out a small profit on the road this year, but they lack a single starter who inspires much confidence. PREFERRED: None.
Cincinnati at Atlanta (3) 16th, 17th, 18th
The Braves finished the first half on the upswing, and they are handling the bats extremely well right now (6.1 runs per game last 10 days). They?ve posted a profit vs. righthanders (+$635) and that?s what they?ll be up against when the last place Reds roll into Turner Field (Cincy -$1790 in 2007). PREFERRED: Braves vs. righthanders.
Colorado at Pittsburgh (3) 16th, 17th, 18th
The Pirates have terrible numbers here at PNC Park (-$405) so stay away from them in this series. The Rockies are having a pretty good season, including very solid numbers when up against righthanders (+$1060 with 5.1 runs per game). We should be able to take them at reasonable prices. PREFERRED: Rockies vs. righthanders.
Houston at Washington (3) 16th, 17th, 18th
Besides the Reds, no team in the NL has lost as much money as have the Astros (39-50, -$1525). They average less than 4.0 runs per game on the road and could be vulnerable if they send a lefty to the hill at RFK. But Wandy Rodriguez is the only southpaw in the Houston rotation, and we can?t be sure coming off the All star break if he?ll take a turn. PREFERRED: Nationals vs. W. Rodriguez.
San Francisco at Chicago Cubs (4) 16th, 17th, 18th, 19th
We?re avoided using the Giants in recent weeks and their overall road numbers are not encouraging. But they?ve held their own vs. lefties, while the Cubs have posted significant losses vs. southpaws so far in ?07 (8-14, -$985 with only 3.4 runs per game). PREFERRED: Giants when lefty meets lefty.
Arizona at Milwaukee (4) 16th, 17th, 18th, 19th
These team have comparable pitching staffs (D?Backs 4.00 team ERA, Brewers 4.06) but Milwaukee?s offense averages almost a half run per game more than Arizona?s (.268 team BA vs. .248 for the visitor). The Brewers are tough to beat here at Miller Park (+$1240) and the visitor will be hard pressed to salvage more than a single victory in this four game set. PREFERRED: Brewers in all games.
N.Y. Mets at San Diego (3) 16th, 17th, 18th
The Mets have seen their lead in the NL East shrink, but they could be a solid value this week at Petco Park. They?ve posted a 15-7 mark in night road games vs. righties (+$855) , while the pitching rich Padres have lost money vs. righties in this ballpark (-$690). Despite recent setbacks, New York is a fine ballclub with a much better offense than SD. PREFERRED: Mets when righty meets righty.
Philadelphia at L.A. Dodgers (3) 16th, 17th, 18th
The Phillies have made money vs. righthanders this year (+$575) while losing money vs. lefties (-$950) while LA has done just the opposite (Dodgers +$650 vs. lefties, -$240 vs. righties). We?ll play this series accordingly. PREFERRED: Phillies when righty meets righty/Dodgers when lefty meets lefty.
Chicago W. Sox at Cleveland (3) 16th, 17th, 18th
The Tribe has already taken 4 out of 6 from the Sox (+$195) and they?re great at Jacobs Field (+$1305). The Chicago offense is sorrowful (just over 4.0 runs per game), and their pitching ranks near the bottom in the AL (4.61 team ERA, third worst). Hard to see the visitor making much headway. PREFERRED: Indians in all games.
Kansas City at Boston (3) 16th, 17th, 18th
The Royals might be an outstanding value as huge underdogs in this matchup. They?ve been less than dominant in recent days, and they are only 6-10 (-$1105) in night games vs. righties here at Fenway. KC has posted a fat profit vs. righties on the road (+$1170) but they?ll still catch a big big price in these three scheduled evening contests. PREFERRED: Royals when righty meets righty.
Toronto at N.Y. Yankees (4) 16th, 17th, 18th, 19th
The Blue Jays have already taken 3 out of 4 from the Bombers (+$340) and they start the second half with a 17-9 (+$850 record vs. lefties. The Yanks will no doubt be overpriced throughout (-$2240 already in 2007) and Andy Pettitte, their only southpaw, has been struggling (-$660 overall). PREFERRED: Blue Jays vs. Pettitte.
Baltimore at Seattle (3) 16th, 17th, 18th
The Mariners have excelled at Safeco (27-15, +$1065) and they took 2 out of 3 from the O?s in an earlier meeting. Stick with the home team if the price is right. PREFERRED: Mariners at -150 or less.
Texas at Oakland (3) 16th, 17th, 18th
The Athletics finished the 1st half on a sour note when they were swept here at McAfee Coliseum by the Mariners. The Rangers split the first six meetings, and Oakland?s losses here at home are cause for concern (-$970). Pass for the time being. PREFERRED: None.
BEGINNING TUESDAY JULY 17
L.A. Angels at Tampa Bay (3) 17th, 18th, 19th
LA is slumping (4-5, -$205 last 10 days) and are in danger of surrendering the top slot in the AL West if they don?t pick up the pace. The D?Rays might be the perfect tonic, having hit the skids in recent weeks (1-10, -$960 last 11). PREFERRED: Angels in all games.
Detroit at Minnesota (3) 17th, 18th, 19th
This is the best shot the Twins have of climbing back into the AL Central race. But they?ve lost money here at the Metrodome (-$740) and the Tigers are one of the top road teams in MLB (+$1310). Great chance to bury their division foe. PREFERRED: Tigers in all games
