BEGINNING MONDAY JULY 7
Houston at Pittsburgh (3) 7th, 8th, 9th
The Astros faded in June, and they are in a virtual dead heat with division rival Pittsburgh at the season?s mid-point. The Pirates have played well here at PNC Park (+$740) and none of the righthanders in the Astros? rotation gives us much cause for concern (Bucs +$610 in that situation). PREFERRED: Pirates vs. righthanders.
Colorado at Milwaukee (4) 7th, 8th, 9th, 10th
The Rockies actually took 2 out of 3 in an earlier meeting, but this match-up looks pretty one sided at the moment. The Brewers are moving up in the NL Central standings (6-4, +$140 last 10 days) and they?ve turned a profit here at Miller Park (+$790). The Rockies are a dreadful road team (only 12-31, -$1590) so the home team should take at least 3 out of 4. PREFERRED: Brewers in all games.
Florida at San Diego (3) 7th, 8th, 9th
The sad-sack Padres are only 13-22 in night games here at Petco Park (-$1300) so this is an ideal spot for the Marlins in the first two games of this series. Ricky Nolasco (+$900) and Scott Olsen (+$325, 3.47 ERA) are both expected to see action. As long as they aren?t pitching in the afternoon (SD 8-5, +$230 in home day games) we?ll use them. PREFERRED: Nolasco and Olsen in night games.
Atlanta at L.A. Dodgers (3) 7th, 8th, 9th
The Dodgers were swept by the Braves at Turner Field the first time these clubs squared off (-$340), but things tend to be very different for Atlanta when they are on the road (only 12-29, -$1895). LA?s pitching is on par with Atlanta?s, both at the top of the NL and for all their woes, the Dodgers have a winning record here at Chavez Ravine. PREFERRED: Dodgers in all games.
Minnesota at Boston (3) 7th, 8th, 9th
The Twins took 3 out of 4 from the Red Sox at the Metrodome (+$240), and they?ve been the hottest team in baseball entering the month of July, winning 11 of their last 12 (+$1125). But the Red Sox are far to formidable here at Fenway Park (31-10, +$1540) so we?ll stay away for the time being. PREFERRED: None.
L.A. Angels at Texas (4) 7th, 8th, 9th, 10th
The Rangers are big money-makers against righthanders in 2008, but they are still only 9-17 vs. southpaws (-$655). The Angels are a superb road club (27-15, +$1320) and their top earner Joe Saunders (+$760, 3.06 ERA) will be taking a turn. PREFERRED: Saunders.
Seattle at Oakland (4) 7th, 8th, 9th, 10th
Despite Oakland?s success in ?08 they still can?t get the job done in night games vs. righthanders here at McAfee Coliseum. But they are 12-6 at home vs. lefthanders (+$485) and 12-5 in home day games (+$720) so we?ll use them in either of those situation regardless of the price. PREFERRED: Athletics vs. lefthanders and in day games.
BEGINNING TUESDAY JULY 8
St. Louis at Philadelphia (3) 8th, 9th, 10th
The Phillies are losers vs. righthanders here at Citizens Bank (-$420) and the all-righty St. Louis rotation is well suited to take them on. The host team is struggling at the plate (only 3.0 runs per game last 10 days) and the Cardinals have been very tough on righthanders, including a profitable 16-11 mark as a visitor (+$865). PREFERRED: Cardinals when righty meets righty.
Arizona at Washington (3) 8th, 9th, 10th
Even though they?ve allowed their NL West rivals to climb back into the playoff picture, the Diamondbacks have enough pitching (3.91 team ERA) to overcome the anemic Nationals (-$930 overall). Stay away from the incredibly profitable Tim Redding (+$1410), but the rest of the Washington starting staff is fair game. PREFERRED: Diamondbacks unless opposed by Redding.
San Francisco at N.Y. Mets (3) 8th, 9th, 10th
This looks like an excellent underdog spot for the visitor, given the Giants? stellar record on the road vs. righties (+$645), as opposed to New York?s pitiful showing vs. righthanders in all settings (-$1285). A chance for SF to get even, after dropping 2 out of 3 to the Mets at ATT Park. PREFERRED: Giants when righty meets righty.
Cincinnati at Chicago Cubs (3) 8th, 9th, 10th
Prices may get high in this one, but all the numbers point to a strong showing by Chicago. In 2008 the Cubs have been huge money-makers here at Wrigley Field (+$1760) while the stumbling Reds (2.9 runs per game, 6.91 ERA among starters last 10 days) have been hammered in their road games (17-28, -$900). Edinson Volquez is not likely to pitch, so the stage is set for a sweep. PREFERRED: Cubs in all games unless opposed by Volquez.
Cleveland at Detroit (2) 8th, 9th
We still don?t trust the Tigers vs. righthanders (-$1605 in that spot), but they are 15-5 overall vs. lefthanders (+$950 with 5.4 runs per game) and the Cleveland rotation is loaded with southpaws. The Tribe ranks as one of the biggest disappointments in the first half of 2008 (-$2085). PREFERRED: Tigers vs. lefthanders.
Tampa Bay at N.Y. Yankees (2) 8th, 9th
These teams have already split 10 games, with Tampa Bay yielding a tidy profit (+$160). They?ll send quality pitchers to the mound in this two game set, most likely as medium range underdogs, and they?ve played so well this year (+$1615) at a split seems the least they?ll come away with. PREFERRED: Rays in both games.
Baltimore at Toronto (3) 8th, 9th, 10th
The Blue Jays lost 3 out of 5 to the Orioles in earlier meetings, and the team has been a big disappointment, particularly in night games at Rogers Centre (-$1085). The Orioles are a a solid choice, having dominated righthanders in all settings (+$1370) and managing to stay above the .500 level through the first half of the ?08 campaign. PREFERRED: Orioles vs. righthanders.
Chicago W. Sox at Kansas City (3) 8th, 9th, 10th
The Royals were swept in three straight when they met at US Cellular (-$300) and they?ve fared poorly here at Kaufman Stadium in night games (12-19, -$885). The White Sox aren?t the best road team, but they can handle righties (+$745) and their mound corp is outstanding (3.46 ERA). PREFERRED: White Sox vs. righthanders.
Houston at Pittsburgh (3) 7th, 8th, 9th
The Astros faded in June, and they are in a virtual dead heat with division rival Pittsburgh at the season?s mid-point. The Pirates have played well here at PNC Park (+$740) and none of the righthanders in the Astros? rotation gives us much cause for concern (Bucs +$610 in that situation). PREFERRED: Pirates vs. righthanders.
Colorado at Milwaukee (4) 7th, 8th, 9th, 10th
The Rockies actually took 2 out of 3 in an earlier meeting, but this match-up looks pretty one sided at the moment. The Brewers are moving up in the NL Central standings (6-4, +$140 last 10 days) and they?ve turned a profit here at Miller Park (+$790). The Rockies are a dreadful road team (only 12-31, -$1590) so the home team should take at least 3 out of 4. PREFERRED: Brewers in all games.
Florida at San Diego (3) 7th, 8th, 9th
The sad-sack Padres are only 13-22 in night games here at Petco Park (-$1300) so this is an ideal spot for the Marlins in the first two games of this series. Ricky Nolasco (+$900) and Scott Olsen (+$325, 3.47 ERA) are both expected to see action. As long as they aren?t pitching in the afternoon (SD 8-5, +$230 in home day games) we?ll use them. PREFERRED: Nolasco and Olsen in night games.
Atlanta at L.A. Dodgers (3) 7th, 8th, 9th
The Dodgers were swept by the Braves at Turner Field the first time these clubs squared off (-$340), but things tend to be very different for Atlanta when they are on the road (only 12-29, -$1895). LA?s pitching is on par with Atlanta?s, both at the top of the NL and for all their woes, the Dodgers have a winning record here at Chavez Ravine. PREFERRED: Dodgers in all games.
Minnesota at Boston (3) 7th, 8th, 9th
The Twins took 3 out of 4 from the Red Sox at the Metrodome (+$240), and they?ve been the hottest team in baseball entering the month of July, winning 11 of their last 12 (+$1125). But the Red Sox are far to formidable here at Fenway Park (31-10, +$1540) so we?ll stay away for the time being. PREFERRED: None.
L.A. Angels at Texas (4) 7th, 8th, 9th, 10th
The Rangers are big money-makers against righthanders in 2008, but they are still only 9-17 vs. southpaws (-$655). The Angels are a superb road club (27-15, +$1320) and their top earner Joe Saunders (+$760, 3.06 ERA) will be taking a turn. PREFERRED: Saunders.
Seattle at Oakland (4) 7th, 8th, 9th, 10th
Despite Oakland?s success in ?08 they still can?t get the job done in night games vs. righthanders here at McAfee Coliseum. But they are 12-6 at home vs. lefthanders (+$485) and 12-5 in home day games (+$720) so we?ll use them in either of those situation regardless of the price. PREFERRED: Athletics vs. lefthanders and in day games.
BEGINNING TUESDAY JULY 8
St. Louis at Philadelphia (3) 8th, 9th, 10th
The Phillies are losers vs. righthanders here at Citizens Bank (-$420) and the all-righty St. Louis rotation is well suited to take them on. The host team is struggling at the plate (only 3.0 runs per game last 10 days) and the Cardinals have been very tough on righthanders, including a profitable 16-11 mark as a visitor (+$865). PREFERRED: Cardinals when righty meets righty.
Arizona at Washington (3) 8th, 9th, 10th
Even though they?ve allowed their NL West rivals to climb back into the playoff picture, the Diamondbacks have enough pitching (3.91 team ERA) to overcome the anemic Nationals (-$930 overall). Stay away from the incredibly profitable Tim Redding (+$1410), but the rest of the Washington starting staff is fair game. PREFERRED: Diamondbacks unless opposed by Redding.
San Francisco at N.Y. Mets (3) 8th, 9th, 10th
This looks like an excellent underdog spot for the visitor, given the Giants? stellar record on the road vs. righties (+$645), as opposed to New York?s pitiful showing vs. righthanders in all settings (-$1285). A chance for SF to get even, after dropping 2 out of 3 to the Mets at ATT Park. PREFERRED: Giants when righty meets righty.
Cincinnati at Chicago Cubs (3) 8th, 9th, 10th
Prices may get high in this one, but all the numbers point to a strong showing by Chicago. In 2008 the Cubs have been huge money-makers here at Wrigley Field (+$1760) while the stumbling Reds (2.9 runs per game, 6.91 ERA among starters last 10 days) have been hammered in their road games (17-28, -$900). Edinson Volquez is not likely to pitch, so the stage is set for a sweep. PREFERRED: Cubs in all games unless opposed by Volquez.
Cleveland at Detroit (2) 8th, 9th
We still don?t trust the Tigers vs. righthanders (-$1605 in that spot), but they are 15-5 overall vs. lefthanders (+$950 with 5.4 runs per game) and the Cleveland rotation is loaded with southpaws. The Tribe ranks as one of the biggest disappointments in the first half of 2008 (-$2085). PREFERRED: Tigers vs. lefthanders.
Tampa Bay at N.Y. Yankees (2) 8th, 9th
These teams have already split 10 games, with Tampa Bay yielding a tidy profit (+$160). They?ll send quality pitchers to the mound in this two game set, most likely as medium range underdogs, and they?ve played so well this year (+$1615) at a split seems the least they?ll come away with. PREFERRED: Rays in both games.
Baltimore at Toronto (3) 8th, 9th, 10th
The Blue Jays lost 3 out of 5 to the Orioles in earlier meetings, and the team has been a big disappointment, particularly in night games at Rogers Centre (-$1085). The Orioles are a a solid choice, having dominated righthanders in all settings (+$1370) and managing to stay above the .500 level through the first half of the ?08 campaign. PREFERRED: Orioles vs. righthanders.
Chicago W. Sox at Kansas City (3) 8th, 9th, 10th
The Royals were swept in three straight when they met at US Cellular (-$300) and they?ve fared poorly here at Kaufman Stadium in night games (12-19, -$885). The White Sox aren?t the best road team, but they can handle righties (+$745) and their mound corp is outstanding (3.46 ERA). PREFERRED: White Sox vs. righthanders.
