BEGINNING MONDAY MAY 10
Cincinnati at Pittsburgh (3) 10th, 11th, 12th
The Reds were unceremoniously swept by the Bucs in an earlier trip to PNC Park (-$350) and they haven?t been getting effective efforts from their starting rotation (5.24 ERA last 10 days). But Pittsburgh?s pitching is by far the worst in either league (6.67 ERA) and Cincinnati has fared well in night games outside of Great American (+$365). PREFERRED: Reds in night games
Washington at N.Y. Mets (3) 10th, 11th, 12th
The Nats turned a tidy profit when they dumped the Mets in 2 out of 3 here at Citifield the first weekend of the year (+$235). New York has played better since then, but Washington has been a nice money-maker the first month of the season (+$775) that it?s hard to pass them up as high priced underdogs against a team like the Mets if the price is right. PREFERRED: Nationals at +145 or better.
Florida at Chicago Cubs (3) 10th, 11th, 12th
The Marlins are in a spot where we?d like to use them, taking on an always overpriced Cubs team that has lost money here at Wrigley Field (-$290). But they?ve been unreliable against righthanders on the road (2-4, -$255) and they are averaging a disappointing 3.6 runs per game vs. lefthanders. We?ll stay away from this series for the time being. PREFERRED: None.
Atlanta at Milwaukee (3) 10th, 11th, 12th
The Braves have fallen into last place, posting a sorrowful 3-10 record outside of Turner Field in the process (-$810). But Milwaukee is fading fast as well, dropping in the NL Central standings, while managing no better than a 4-8 (-$635) mark here at Miller Park. We?ll pass for now. PREFERRED: None.
Philadelphia at Colorado (3) 10th, 11th, 12th
Whatever problems the Rockies have been having, they are murdering lefthanders here at Coors Field (+$300 with 7.0 runs per game) and they are bound to run into at least one or two when Philly rolls into town. The Phillies have been struggling vs. lefties (-$515) so we?ve got a couple of angles where we can back the home team. PREFERRED: Lefthanders vs. the Phillies/Rockies vs. lefthanders.
L.A. Dodgers at Arizona (3) 10th, 11th, 12th
The Diamondbacks are scoring plenty of runs (5.7 per game,.275 team BA) and the Dodgers are only 4-11 outside of Chavez Ravine this season (-$915). The home team should take at least 2 out of 3. PREFERRED: Diamondbacks in all games.
N.Y. Yankees at Detroit (4) 10th, 11th, 12th, 13th
The Tigers are now 9-3 here at Comerica (+$450) and generating a healthy amount of offense. They could be available at some desirable prices when they take on the overpriced Yankees. New York looks sensational, but they may have a problem with a struggling Javier Vazquez (-$485, 9.79 ERA in five starts), who can?t look forward to taking on this lineup. PREFERRED: Tigers vs. Vazquez.
Toronto at Boston (3) 10th, 11th, 12th
The Red Sox swept this team at Rogers Centre last week, pulling out victories in three very close games (+$300). But their numbers against righthanders here at Fenway Park are horrendous (-$705), while the Blue Jays check in with a 5-2 record vs. righties in road games (+$550). We?ll play this series accordingly. PREFERRED: Blue Jays when righty meets righty.
Tampa Bay at L.A. Angels (3) 10th, 11th, 12th
The Angels are not in top form at the moment (-$375) and they are averaging close to two fewer runs scored per game than the Rays. Tampa Bay is flying high at the moment ,and that 9-1 road record (+$965) makes them too appealing to pass up here at Anaheim. PREFERRED: Rays in all games.
BEGINNING TUESDAY MAY 11
Houston at St. Louis (3) 11th, 12th, 13th
Wandy Rodriguez had a tough outing against the Braves last weekend in Atlanta, but he still rates as one of the top lefties in MLB (3.64 ERA in his five starts). The Cardinals are riding high, but they average a mere 3.4 runs per game vs. lefthanders (-$205) so grab the fat underdog price when Houston sends their ace southpaw to the mound. PREFERRED: W. Rodriguez.
San Diego at San Francisco (3) 11th, 12th, 13th
The Padres actually turned a profit against what was a far superior San Francisco team in 2009 (+$290) and they swept a three game set at Petco Park in April (+$300) a series in which they completely shut down the Giants? attack. SD has a pair of hot lefties in Clayton Richard (3.00 ERA in five starts) and Wade LeBlanc (0.52 in three starts) at least one of whom should see action here at ATT Park. PREFERRED: Richard/LeBlanc
Seattle at Baltimore (3) 11th, 12th, 13th
The Mariners have not performed well outside of Safeco Field, but we?re willing to overlook that when Cliff Lee is on the hill at Camden Yards. He was outstanding in his first game back last week, and the hapless Orioles are only 1-6 (-$475) vs. lefties, averaging just 2.6 runs per game in those contests. PREFERRED: Lee.
Oakland at Texas (3) 11th, 12th, 13th
These teams played last week at McAfee Coliseum, so check those results before jumping in. Oakland did get the best of this team in 2009 (11-8, +$570) and they are 3-0 vs. lefties in road day games (+$360 with 5.7 runs per game). If Texas starts a southpaw in Thursday?s finale, we?ll take a shot with the visiting underdog. PREFERRED: Athletics vs. lefthanders in day games.
Cleveland at Kansas City (3) 11th, 12th, 13th
A race to the bottom in the AL Central, but you have to like KC?s chances when they have Zack Greinke (2.27) or Kyle Davies (+$630, 3.52 ERA) on the mound. The Tribe is averaging only 3.5 runs per game so far in 2010. PREFERRED: Greinke/Davies.
Chicago W. Sox at Minnesota (2) 11th, 12th
The Twins have dominated head to head play over the past two seasons (12-6, +$685 in 2009 . . . 2-1, +$105 so far). Chicago can?t hit (.225 team BA) and they remain mired in the NL Central basement. Minnesota is riding high in the division, and should dispatch the Sox without difficulty. PREFERRED: Twins in both games.
Cincinnati at Pittsburgh (3) 10th, 11th, 12th
The Reds were unceremoniously swept by the Bucs in an earlier trip to PNC Park (-$350) and they haven?t been getting effective efforts from their starting rotation (5.24 ERA last 10 days). But Pittsburgh?s pitching is by far the worst in either league (6.67 ERA) and Cincinnati has fared well in night games outside of Great American (+$365). PREFERRED: Reds in night games
Washington at N.Y. Mets (3) 10th, 11th, 12th
The Nats turned a tidy profit when they dumped the Mets in 2 out of 3 here at Citifield the first weekend of the year (+$235). New York has played better since then, but Washington has been a nice money-maker the first month of the season (+$775) that it?s hard to pass them up as high priced underdogs against a team like the Mets if the price is right. PREFERRED: Nationals at +145 or better.
Florida at Chicago Cubs (3) 10th, 11th, 12th
The Marlins are in a spot where we?d like to use them, taking on an always overpriced Cubs team that has lost money here at Wrigley Field (-$290). But they?ve been unreliable against righthanders on the road (2-4, -$255) and they are averaging a disappointing 3.6 runs per game vs. lefthanders. We?ll stay away from this series for the time being. PREFERRED: None.
Atlanta at Milwaukee (3) 10th, 11th, 12th
The Braves have fallen into last place, posting a sorrowful 3-10 record outside of Turner Field in the process (-$810). But Milwaukee is fading fast as well, dropping in the NL Central standings, while managing no better than a 4-8 (-$635) mark here at Miller Park. We?ll pass for now. PREFERRED: None.
Philadelphia at Colorado (3) 10th, 11th, 12th
Whatever problems the Rockies have been having, they are murdering lefthanders here at Coors Field (+$300 with 7.0 runs per game) and they are bound to run into at least one or two when Philly rolls into town. The Phillies have been struggling vs. lefties (-$515) so we?ve got a couple of angles where we can back the home team. PREFERRED: Lefthanders vs. the Phillies/Rockies vs. lefthanders.
L.A. Dodgers at Arizona (3) 10th, 11th, 12th
The Diamondbacks are scoring plenty of runs (5.7 per game,.275 team BA) and the Dodgers are only 4-11 outside of Chavez Ravine this season (-$915). The home team should take at least 2 out of 3. PREFERRED: Diamondbacks in all games.
N.Y. Yankees at Detroit (4) 10th, 11th, 12th, 13th
The Tigers are now 9-3 here at Comerica (+$450) and generating a healthy amount of offense. They could be available at some desirable prices when they take on the overpriced Yankees. New York looks sensational, but they may have a problem with a struggling Javier Vazquez (-$485, 9.79 ERA in five starts), who can?t look forward to taking on this lineup. PREFERRED: Tigers vs. Vazquez.
Toronto at Boston (3) 10th, 11th, 12th
The Red Sox swept this team at Rogers Centre last week, pulling out victories in three very close games (+$300). But their numbers against righthanders here at Fenway Park are horrendous (-$705), while the Blue Jays check in with a 5-2 record vs. righties in road games (+$550). We?ll play this series accordingly. PREFERRED: Blue Jays when righty meets righty.
Tampa Bay at L.A. Angels (3) 10th, 11th, 12th
The Angels are not in top form at the moment (-$375) and they are averaging close to two fewer runs scored per game than the Rays. Tampa Bay is flying high at the moment ,and that 9-1 road record (+$965) makes them too appealing to pass up here at Anaheim. PREFERRED: Rays in all games.
BEGINNING TUESDAY MAY 11
Houston at St. Louis (3) 11th, 12th, 13th
Wandy Rodriguez had a tough outing against the Braves last weekend in Atlanta, but he still rates as one of the top lefties in MLB (3.64 ERA in his five starts). The Cardinals are riding high, but they average a mere 3.4 runs per game vs. lefthanders (-$205) so grab the fat underdog price when Houston sends their ace southpaw to the mound. PREFERRED: W. Rodriguez.
San Diego at San Francisco (3) 11th, 12th, 13th
The Padres actually turned a profit against what was a far superior San Francisco team in 2009 (+$290) and they swept a three game set at Petco Park in April (+$300) a series in which they completely shut down the Giants? attack. SD has a pair of hot lefties in Clayton Richard (3.00 ERA in five starts) and Wade LeBlanc (0.52 in three starts) at least one of whom should see action here at ATT Park. PREFERRED: Richard/LeBlanc
Seattle at Baltimore (3) 11th, 12th, 13th
The Mariners have not performed well outside of Safeco Field, but we?re willing to overlook that when Cliff Lee is on the hill at Camden Yards. He was outstanding in his first game back last week, and the hapless Orioles are only 1-6 (-$475) vs. lefties, averaging just 2.6 runs per game in those contests. PREFERRED: Lee.
Oakland at Texas (3) 11th, 12th, 13th
These teams played last week at McAfee Coliseum, so check those results before jumping in. Oakland did get the best of this team in 2009 (11-8, +$570) and they are 3-0 vs. lefties in road day games (+$360 with 5.7 runs per game). If Texas starts a southpaw in Thursday?s finale, we?ll take a shot with the visiting underdog. PREFERRED: Athletics vs. lefthanders in day games.
Cleveland at Kansas City (3) 11th, 12th, 13th
A race to the bottom in the AL Central, but you have to like KC?s chances when they have Zack Greinke (2.27) or Kyle Davies (+$630, 3.52 ERA) on the mound. The Tribe is averaging only 3.5 runs per game so far in 2010. PREFERRED: Greinke/Davies.
Chicago W. Sox at Minnesota (2) 11th, 12th
The Twins have dominated head to head play over the past two seasons (12-6, +$685 in 2009 . . . 2-1, +$105 so far). Chicago can?t hit (.225 team BA) and they remain mired in the NL Central basement. Minnesota is riding high in the division, and should dispatch the Sox without difficulty. PREFERRED: Twins in both games.
