Yesterday:3-2, +1.00
Spring training 2003: 7-3, +4.20 (Best Bet, 1-0, +1.00)
Today's lesson: Sometimes it's okay to eat chalk.
I am a dog player in baseball and I always look to avoid chalk especially the big stuff,:nono: but there are just sometimes when the better team is a favorite and you have to take the plunge today is one of those days.
Wednesday Slam Report:
Today is a very full day of spring training baseball with nine early games starting at 1:05-1:15.
Astros ?110
Today is a key day for the starting pitching of this game today against Detroit. Houston will throw a lefty-righty combination of Tim Redding and Jesus Sanchez to start the game and each will throw three innings or 50 pitches whatever comes first so conceivably the combination could go into the seventh inning. This is an important start for both of these pitchers because there are four players competing for the last spot in the rotation. The Astros also announced that Jeff Bagwell will DH for this game today which will add some punch to the lineup. Jonathan Johnson and Anthony Telford will get the call to provide relief today for the Astros and they are part of a bullpen that has also looked impressive for the Astros in the early going this spring.
:director:Best Bet Pittsburgh-125
Another game with a great edge in the starting pitching as Jeff Suppan and Josh Fogg will pitch today against the Devil Rays. The offense has also been doing well for the Pirates in the spring, as runs are not a problem, even in the loss yesterday the Bucs put up nine runs. Tampa sends a barrage of young arms to the hill today one of which is hurt but will still give it a go. RHP Lance Carter (sore side), a candidate for closer, will make his first spring training appearance today against the Pirates at Bradenton. Also scheduled to pitch today are RHP Luis De Los Santos, RHP Brandon Backe, LHP Hans Smith and RHP Eric Sabel.
The pirates should have no problem getting runs today and will be able to pile them on late as they get great pitching to begin the game.
Blue jays ?125
The jays are the hottest team in the spring thus far and they just added to it with a come from behind victory over the Pirates yesterday, The reason for doing so well is a combination of things but they do have a more aggressive approach to running the bases which puts them in scoring position more often than not. The reds start Chris Retisma today who was banged up in his first outing just pitching two innings and giving up two runs on a long ball and he has yet to settle down. The reds will be without Casey in the lineup as he will be resting after his first game back yesterday from and injury, and Barry Larkin will also be out of the line up. The jays put up ten runs yesterday and should have no problem producing a high amount again today.
Twins ?125
The phillies have some major things to work on early and the frustration is starting to show. As I said yesterday baseball is a very streaky game and I will continue to go against the Phillies until the show signs of life. Larry Bowa says it does not seem to bother the team or him but it sure sounds like it does. "I'd like to see us hit better... Nobody looks too comfortable at the plate," Larry Bowa said. Why aren't they? "You have to ask the hitting coach."
OK: Why is the team hitting .235? Why are the veteran regulars at .267?
"I wish I had the answer," Greg Gross said. "Even though it's early, pitch selection could be better. Guys are basically swinging before they see it."
So, should we worry? No, said Placido Polanco and Bobby Abreu - and Bowa and Gross.
"If we were a couple of weeks in [spring training], I'd be more concerned," Gross said.
After Duckworth and Hector Mercado shut out the Astros for seven, closer Jose Mesa blew a lead for the second straight outing, surrendering solo homers in the eighth to Alan Zinter and Brian L. Hunter. His earned run average stands at 13.50.
Still, Bowa refuses to panic: "Power pitchers are the last thing to come around," he said, and added: "I really don't give a bleep about the start. If this was March 20...":violin:
Spring training trend
Teams that score at least ten runs in a spring training game are 9-3 in their next game out.
Also looked at the orioles since boston had to make a long trip, and the cards and indians also just missed making the slam report today!
hit him hard today!:yup
s c OO p
Spring training 2003: 7-3, +4.20 (Best Bet, 1-0, +1.00)
Today's lesson: Sometimes it's okay to eat chalk.
I am a dog player in baseball and I always look to avoid chalk especially the big stuff,:nono: but there are just sometimes when the better team is a favorite and you have to take the plunge today is one of those days.
Wednesday Slam Report:
Today is a very full day of spring training baseball with nine early games starting at 1:05-1:15.
Astros ?110
Today is a key day for the starting pitching of this game today against Detroit. Houston will throw a lefty-righty combination of Tim Redding and Jesus Sanchez to start the game and each will throw three innings or 50 pitches whatever comes first so conceivably the combination could go into the seventh inning. This is an important start for both of these pitchers because there are four players competing for the last spot in the rotation. The Astros also announced that Jeff Bagwell will DH for this game today which will add some punch to the lineup. Jonathan Johnson and Anthony Telford will get the call to provide relief today for the Astros and they are part of a bullpen that has also looked impressive for the Astros in the early going this spring.
:director:Best Bet Pittsburgh-125
Another game with a great edge in the starting pitching as Jeff Suppan and Josh Fogg will pitch today against the Devil Rays. The offense has also been doing well for the Pirates in the spring, as runs are not a problem, even in the loss yesterday the Bucs put up nine runs. Tampa sends a barrage of young arms to the hill today one of which is hurt but will still give it a go. RHP Lance Carter (sore side), a candidate for closer, will make his first spring training appearance today against the Pirates at Bradenton. Also scheduled to pitch today are RHP Luis De Los Santos, RHP Brandon Backe, LHP Hans Smith and RHP Eric Sabel.
The pirates should have no problem getting runs today and will be able to pile them on late as they get great pitching to begin the game.
Blue jays ?125
The jays are the hottest team in the spring thus far and they just added to it with a come from behind victory over the Pirates yesterday, The reason for doing so well is a combination of things but they do have a more aggressive approach to running the bases which puts them in scoring position more often than not. The reds start Chris Retisma today who was banged up in his first outing just pitching two innings and giving up two runs on a long ball and he has yet to settle down. The reds will be without Casey in the lineup as he will be resting after his first game back yesterday from and injury, and Barry Larkin will also be out of the line up. The jays put up ten runs yesterday and should have no problem producing a high amount again today.
Twins ?125
The phillies have some major things to work on early and the frustration is starting to show. As I said yesterday baseball is a very streaky game and I will continue to go against the Phillies until the show signs of life. Larry Bowa says it does not seem to bother the team or him but it sure sounds like it does. "I'd like to see us hit better... Nobody looks too comfortable at the plate," Larry Bowa said. Why aren't they? "You have to ask the hitting coach."
OK: Why is the team hitting .235? Why are the veteran regulars at .267?
"I wish I had the answer," Greg Gross said. "Even though it's early, pitch selection could be better. Guys are basically swinging before they see it."
So, should we worry? No, said Placido Polanco and Bobby Abreu - and Bowa and Gross.
"If we were a couple of weeks in [spring training], I'd be more concerned," Gross said.
After Duckworth and Hector Mercado shut out the Astros for seven, closer Jose Mesa blew a lead for the second straight outing, surrendering solo homers in the eighth to Alan Zinter and Brian L. Hunter. His earned run average stands at 13.50.
Still, Bowa refuses to panic: "Power pitchers are the last thing to come around," he said, and added: "I really don't give a bleep about the start. If this was March 20...":violin:
Spring training trend
Teams that score at least ten runs in a spring training game are 9-3 in their next game out.
Also looked at the orioles since boston had to make a long trip, and the cards and indians also just missed making the slam report today!
hit him hard today!:yup
s c OO p
