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- Thread starter RAYMOND
- Start date
alittle info
alittle info
BEGINNING FRIDAY MAY 7
Colorado at Chicago Cubs (3) 7th, 8th, 9th
Chicago is an average team on the road, but they?ve won seven of 10 at Wrigley Field where their starters have the third best ERA (3.25) in the NL at home and the offense leads the NL in runs (6.1 per game), slugging percentage (.576) and team batting average (.307). They?re one of only two teams in the league with an average over .300 at home or on the road. The Rockies hit .300 at home, but just .260 on the road and, surprise, surprise their pitching staff?s ERA is dead last in MLB. Take the Cubbies in all games with an accent on Greg Maddux who is 11-3 lifetime vs. Colorado. BEST BET: Maddux PREFERRED: Cubs in all games.
St. Louis at Montreal (3) 7th, 8th, 9th
The Cardinals beat up on Expos (5-1, +$385) last year and figure to do just about as well this time around against a team playing a 162-game schedule without Javier Vazquez and Vladimir Guerrero, it?s two best players from a year ago. It?s more than noteworthy that an average at best Cardinals? pitching staff (4.43 team ERA) surrendered nine runs in those six games. What can we say about a team that has a team BA (.210) that is 58 points below the league average and has scored 55 runs all year? How about take the Cardinals if the price is reasonable? BEST BET: Cardinals at -$175 or less.
Los Angeles at Pittsburgh (3) 7th, 8th, 9th
The Dodgers ?broomed? the Pirates in Pittsburgh a year ago en route to taking five of six (+$330). Last year it was the pitchers who carried LA, but their pitching (4.39 ERA) hasn?t been nearly as tough this season. The Dodgers? offense (.284 BA), however, is vastly improved (42 points higher than last season) and is capable of doing damage to a Pittsburgh rotation (4.06 ERA) that has been as disappointing as its offense has been surprising (.278 BA, fifth in the NL). Hideo Nomo is off to a slow start, but the Dodgers have won both of his road outings and he has a 3.51 lifetime ERA against the Pirates in 74.1 innings. Make him the top LA selection and go with Oliver Perez (2-0 lifetime vs. the Dodgers with a 1.23 ERA) and Jason Fogg (2-0 lifetime vs. LA with a 0.69 ERA in 13 innings) as long as Nomo is not on the hill. BEST BET: Nomo/Perez /Fogg.
Milwaukee at NY Mets (3) 7th, 8th, 9th
There has been nothing wrong with New York?s pitching, in particular a starting corps that sports a 2.87 ERA at Shea Stadium. But an anemic and injured offense (.245,second to last in team batting average in the NL), especially with runners in scoring position, has been a killer all season. Conversely, the Brewers pitching (4.99 ERA) is a bit worse than it was a year ago (5.03) when it finished 14th in team ERA. Only two southpaws have started all season vs. the Brewers, so we like Al Leiter who has a 1.65 ERA, is 10-2 lifetime vs. Milwaukee with a 3.51 ERA. Leiter was 8-2 at home last year with a 3.46 ERA and 2-0 vs. the Brewers with a 2.00 ERA and a team BAA of .209. BEST BET: Leiter.
San Francisco at Cincinnati (3) 7th, 8th, 9th
If you?re wondering why the Reds have gotten off to such a solid start (12-12, +$375), look no farther than their excellent record (6-1, +$595 at home) against righthanded pitching (11-8, +$630 overall). And, with a slew of righties on the Giants? staff, the Reds are in are in good position to add a few ?Ws? to that solid start against a team that hasn?t come close to looking like a 100-win franchise. The Giants hitting has been disappointing and the pitching has been even worse (5.56 ERA), but Kirk Rueter (10-1 lifetime vs. the Reds with a 3.02 ERA) looks like a play despite his shaky start. BEST BET: Rueter/Reds vs. righthanders
Houston at Atlanta (3) 7th, 8th, 9th
The Braves were extremely successful against the Astros last year (5-1, +$430), but the feeling here is that a combination of Houston additions like Roger Clemens (5-0 1.95 ERA, 32 Ks) and Andy Pettitte and Atlanta subtractions like Javy Lopez, Gary Sheffield and Greg Maddux has done a lot to even the playing field. Atlanta was 24-13 a year ago against lefties, but with Sheffield and Lopez gone is just 3-4, so let?s make Andy Pettitte, the old Atlanta nemesis (3-0 lifetime, 2.77 ERA), as the top series play. BEST BET: Pettitte. PREFERRED: Astros in the other two games.
San Diego at Florida (3) 7th, 8th, 9th
The Marlins? pitching staff has picked up from where it left off in last year?s playoffs and World Series and is currently fourth in the NL. Considering the fact they?ve played 60% of their games on the road, the Marlins are in good shape whereas the Padres have played the majority of their games on the road and are coming east for the first time. PREFERRED: Marlins in all games.
Philadelphia at Arizona (3) 7th, 8th, 9th
The Phillies took two of three from the ?D?backs last weekend winning the rubber game in 14 innings (6-5) after tying the game on a two-run homer with two out in the ninth and coming from behind with two in the 14th. The Diamondbacks are just 1-6 (-$695) vs. lefties, so we have no problem using Eric Milton or Randy Wolf for the Phillies. PREFERRED: Lefthanders vs. the Diamondbacks.
Chicago W. Sox at Toronto (3) 7th, 8th, 9th
The Blue Jays dropped 3 out of 4 last week at Comiskey (-$235) and considering how much trouble the Blue Jays have at Skydome (only 1-8, -$1020 so far this year, -$1190 in 2003), they?ll be lucky to salvage a single victory in this series. The White Sox have looked sharp so far (15-9, +$635 overall) and they?ve got a pair of southpaws in Mark Buehrle (+$230) and Scott Schoeneweis (+$245) who should both be available to shut down the Toronto attack (Blue Jays only 1-6, -$655 vs. lefties with 2.9 RPG). BEST BET: Buehrle/Schoeneweis.
Kansas City at Boston (3) 7th, 8th, 9th
Prices are going to be out of sight in this series, but it?s hard to imagine the Royals getting anywhere. They?ve only won once on the road this year in 11 attempts (-$905) and their AL worst 5.55 team ERA contrasts starkly with Boston?s league leading 3.23. The Red Sox are a solid money-maker at Fenway, though we prefer to use them against righthanders (7-2, +$470 so far in ?04, 42-17, +$1405 last year), which might limit our opportunities vs. this predominantly lefthanded starting rotation. BEST BET: Red Sox vs. righthanders.
Cleveland at Baltimore (3) 7th, 8th, 9th
The Orioles have gotten off to a respectable start thanks to a more prolific offense than they?ve had in the past (.286 team BA). but they?ve not distinguished themselves against lefthanders over the past two seasons (-$1050) and the Indians have one of the best in C.C. Sabathia (1.61 ERA in 4 starts). He held the O?s in check at Jacobs Field last Saturday, and the Tribe is generating enough offense (.285 team BA, 5.5 runs per game) to give him a fighting chance when he takes the hill this weekend. BEST BET: Sabathia.
Detroit at Texas (3) 7th, 8th, 9th
Two last place teams from a year ago that are opening some eyes in 2004. Both do their best work against righthanders (Tigers +$765 with 6.4 runs per game, Rangers +$1060 with 6.5 runs per game) but are considerably less effective vs. southpaws, averaging almost two less runs per game. Currently they each have a single southpaw in their respective rotations, and it appears they may square off against each other. Too bad if they do because we?ll be forced to sit out the series. But if they get paired up differently, we?ll go with the lefties. BEST BET: Maroth & Rogers unless they face each other.
N.Y. Yankees at Seattle (3) 7th, 8th, 9th
The Yankees snapped out of their early season funk to take six straight in the Bronx before winging their way to the west coast. They?ll be taking on the struggling Seattle team (-$945 so far) that is only averaging 3.4 runs per game vs. righthanders, something they?ll see exclusively in this series. But it?s very hard to use New York against righthanders (-$945 so far in ?04, -$610 in ?03), so we?ll limit ourselves to a play against Jaime Moyer (5.11 ERA), who has yet to exhibit his best form. The Yankees are 7-2 (+$415) vs. southpaws so far, (26-11,+$1045 in 2003). BEST BET: Yankees vs. Moyer.
Minnesota at Oakland (3) 7th, 8th, 9th
The Twins did a number on the A?s last season (8-1, +$980), a year after upsetting them in the 2002 playoffs. Oakland has been an habitually slow starter in recent years, opening with a lackluster 12-13 (-$495) though the first 25. The Twins are cruising along atop the AL Central (15-9,+$355), thrashing righthanders no matter what the setting (9-4, +$350 with 6.5 RPG). The A?s are not doing well against righthanders at home this year (-$215 with only 3.7 RPG at the Coliseum) so the door is wide open to use the surging visitor at a reasonable price. BEST BET: Twins when righty meets righty.
use this as a guide only , pick your spots
alittle info
BEGINNING FRIDAY MAY 7
Colorado at Chicago Cubs (3) 7th, 8th, 9th
Chicago is an average team on the road, but they?ve won seven of 10 at Wrigley Field where their starters have the third best ERA (3.25) in the NL at home and the offense leads the NL in runs (6.1 per game), slugging percentage (.576) and team batting average (.307). They?re one of only two teams in the league with an average over .300 at home or on the road. The Rockies hit .300 at home, but just .260 on the road and, surprise, surprise their pitching staff?s ERA is dead last in MLB. Take the Cubbies in all games with an accent on Greg Maddux who is 11-3 lifetime vs. Colorado. BEST BET: Maddux PREFERRED: Cubs in all games.
St. Louis at Montreal (3) 7th, 8th, 9th
The Cardinals beat up on Expos (5-1, +$385) last year and figure to do just about as well this time around against a team playing a 162-game schedule without Javier Vazquez and Vladimir Guerrero, it?s two best players from a year ago. It?s more than noteworthy that an average at best Cardinals? pitching staff (4.43 team ERA) surrendered nine runs in those six games. What can we say about a team that has a team BA (.210) that is 58 points below the league average and has scored 55 runs all year? How about take the Cardinals if the price is reasonable? BEST BET: Cardinals at -$175 or less.
Los Angeles at Pittsburgh (3) 7th, 8th, 9th
The Dodgers ?broomed? the Pirates in Pittsburgh a year ago en route to taking five of six (+$330). Last year it was the pitchers who carried LA, but their pitching (4.39 ERA) hasn?t been nearly as tough this season. The Dodgers? offense (.284 BA), however, is vastly improved (42 points higher than last season) and is capable of doing damage to a Pittsburgh rotation (4.06 ERA) that has been as disappointing as its offense has been surprising (.278 BA, fifth in the NL). Hideo Nomo is off to a slow start, but the Dodgers have won both of his road outings and he has a 3.51 lifetime ERA against the Pirates in 74.1 innings. Make him the top LA selection and go with Oliver Perez (2-0 lifetime vs. the Dodgers with a 1.23 ERA) and Jason Fogg (2-0 lifetime vs. LA with a 0.69 ERA in 13 innings) as long as Nomo is not on the hill. BEST BET: Nomo/Perez /Fogg.
Milwaukee at NY Mets (3) 7th, 8th, 9th
There has been nothing wrong with New York?s pitching, in particular a starting corps that sports a 2.87 ERA at Shea Stadium. But an anemic and injured offense (.245,second to last in team batting average in the NL), especially with runners in scoring position, has been a killer all season. Conversely, the Brewers pitching (4.99 ERA) is a bit worse than it was a year ago (5.03) when it finished 14th in team ERA. Only two southpaws have started all season vs. the Brewers, so we like Al Leiter who has a 1.65 ERA, is 10-2 lifetime vs. Milwaukee with a 3.51 ERA. Leiter was 8-2 at home last year with a 3.46 ERA and 2-0 vs. the Brewers with a 2.00 ERA and a team BAA of .209. BEST BET: Leiter.
San Francisco at Cincinnati (3) 7th, 8th, 9th
If you?re wondering why the Reds have gotten off to such a solid start (12-12, +$375), look no farther than their excellent record (6-1, +$595 at home) against righthanded pitching (11-8, +$630 overall). And, with a slew of righties on the Giants? staff, the Reds are in are in good position to add a few ?Ws? to that solid start against a team that hasn?t come close to looking like a 100-win franchise. The Giants hitting has been disappointing and the pitching has been even worse (5.56 ERA), but Kirk Rueter (10-1 lifetime vs. the Reds with a 3.02 ERA) looks like a play despite his shaky start. BEST BET: Rueter/Reds vs. righthanders
Houston at Atlanta (3) 7th, 8th, 9th
The Braves were extremely successful against the Astros last year (5-1, +$430), but the feeling here is that a combination of Houston additions like Roger Clemens (5-0 1.95 ERA, 32 Ks) and Andy Pettitte and Atlanta subtractions like Javy Lopez, Gary Sheffield and Greg Maddux has done a lot to even the playing field. Atlanta was 24-13 a year ago against lefties, but with Sheffield and Lopez gone is just 3-4, so let?s make Andy Pettitte, the old Atlanta nemesis (3-0 lifetime, 2.77 ERA), as the top series play. BEST BET: Pettitte. PREFERRED: Astros in the other two games.
San Diego at Florida (3) 7th, 8th, 9th
The Marlins? pitching staff has picked up from where it left off in last year?s playoffs and World Series and is currently fourth in the NL. Considering the fact they?ve played 60% of their games on the road, the Marlins are in good shape whereas the Padres have played the majority of their games on the road and are coming east for the first time. PREFERRED: Marlins in all games.
Philadelphia at Arizona (3) 7th, 8th, 9th
The Phillies took two of three from the ?D?backs last weekend winning the rubber game in 14 innings (6-5) after tying the game on a two-run homer with two out in the ninth and coming from behind with two in the 14th. The Diamondbacks are just 1-6 (-$695) vs. lefties, so we have no problem using Eric Milton or Randy Wolf for the Phillies. PREFERRED: Lefthanders vs. the Diamondbacks.
Chicago W. Sox at Toronto (3) 7th, 8th, 9th
The Blue Jays dropped 3 out of 4 last week at Comiskey (-$235) and considering how much trouble the Blue Jays have at Skydome (only 1-8, -$1020 so far this year, -$1190 in 2003), they?ll be lucky to salvage a single victory in this series. The White Sox have looked sharp so far (15-9, +$635 overall) and they?ve got a pair of southpaws in Mark Buehrle (+$230) and Scott Schoeneweis (+$245) who should both be available to shut down the Toronto attack (Blue Jays only 1-6, -$655 vs. lefties with 2.9 RPG). BEST BET: Buehrle/Schoeneweis.
Kansas City at Boston (3) 7th, 8th, 9th
Prices are going to be out of sight in this series, but it?s hard to imagine the Royals getting anywhere. They?ve only won once on the road this year in 11 attempts (-$905) and their AL worst 5.55 team ERA contrasts starkly with Boston?s league leading 3.23. The Red Sox are a solid money-maker at Fenway, though we prefer to use them against righthanders (7-2, +$470 so far in ?04, 42-17, +$1405 last year), which might limit our opportunities vs. this predominantly lefthanded starting rotation. BEST BET: Red Sox vs. righthanders.
Cleveland at Baltimore (3) 7th, 8th, 9th
The Orioles have gotten off to a respectable start thanks to a more prolific offense than they?ve had in the past (.286 team BA). but they?ve not distinguished themselves against lefthanders over the past two seasons (-$1050) and the Indians have one of the best in C.C. Sabathia (1.61 ERA in 4 starts). He held the O?s in check at Jacobs Field last Saturday, and the Tribe is generating enough offense (.285 team BA, 5.5 runs per game) to give him a fighting chance when he takes the hill this weekend. BEST BET: Sabathia.
Detroit at Texas (3) 7th, 8th, 9th
Two last place teams from a year ago that are opening some eyes in 2004. Both do their best work against righthanders (Tigers +$765 with 6.4 runs per game, Rangers +$1060 with 6.5 runs per game) but are considerably less effective vs. southpaws, averaging almost two less runs per game. Currently they each have a single southpaw in their respective rotations, and it appears they may square off against each other. Too bad if they do because we?ll be forced to sit out the series. But if they get paired up differently, we?ll go with the lefties. BEST BET: Maroth & Rogers unless they face each other.
N.Y. Yankees at Seattle (3) 7th, 8th, 9th
The Yankees snapped out of their early season funk to take six straight in the Bronx before winging their way to the west coast. They?ll be taking on the struggling Seattle team (-$945 so far) that is only averaging 3.4 runs per game vs. righthanders, something they?ll see exclusively in this series. But it?s very hard to use New York against righthanders (-$945 so far in ?04, -$610 in ?03), so we?ll limit ourselves to a play against Jaime Moyer (5.11 ERA), who has yet to exhibit his best form. The Yankees are 7-2 (+$415) vs. southpaws so far, (26-11,+$1045 in 2003). BEST BET: Yankees vs. Moyer.
Minnesota at Oakland (3) 7th, 8th, 9th
The Twins did a number on the A?s last season (8-1, +$980), a year after upsetting them in the 2002 playoffs. Oakland has been an habitually slow starter in recent years, opening with a lackluster 12-13 (-$495) though the first 25. The Twins are cruising along atop the AL Central (15-9,+$355), thrashing righthanders no matter what the setting (9-4, +$350 with 6.5 RPG). The A?s are not doing well against righthanders at home this year (-$215 with only 3.7 RPG at the Coliseum) so the door is wide open to use the surging visitor at a reasonable price. BEST BET: Twins when righty meets righty.
use this as a guide only , pick your spots
who hot and who not
who hot and who not
American
Record Money Runs Hits+ Bases Starters
Walks ERA
NYY 8-1 +650 6.8 15.7 22.9 5.39
TEX 7-2 +600 5.4 12.3 20.4 2.80
ANA 8-2 +560 6.6 14.4 20.0 5.05
CLE 5-3 +405 6.1 14.9 19.1 4.18
CHW 6-3 +260 5.4 14.3 21.6 5.86
SEA 5-4 +35 4.1 12.1 15.9 3.26
MIN 4-5 -145 3.7 11.6 15.9 2.39
TOR 4-6 -245 5.1 13.6 19.0 4.07
BAL 3-5 -270 5.0 14.8 18.5 5.28
BOS 5-5 -330 4.7 13.7 19.3 3.25
OAK 3-6 -360 4.9 11.2 17.2 5.17
DET 2-7 -435 4.4 11.9 16.4 7.29
TB 2-8 -495 2.7 9.3 14.0 7.47
KC 2-7 -510 3.6 10.0 13.6 6.29
National
Record Money Runs Hits+ Bases Starters
Walks ERA
SD 8-2 +585 3.6 12.2 16.7 3.04
NYM 6-3 +395 5.1 13.7 19.2 3.21
ARI 5-4 +280 4.9 13.3 19.7 2.92
HOU 7-2 +240 5.1 12.9 17.1 2.94
PHI 5-4 +85 5.0 12.6 19.6 3.94
PIT 4-5 +75 3.2 9.8 13.0 4.97
LA 5-4 +30 4.9 12.3 18.2 4.15
SF 5-5 +5 5.1 14.4 18.7 5.84
STL 5-5 -30 3.8 11.2 15.2 4.42
COL 4-5 -110 5.6 12.8 18.9 7.16
CIN 4-6 -115 5.5 13.6 19.2 6.64
MIL 3-5 -280 5.9 14.3 20.4 6.41
MON 3-7 -350 3.4 11.1 15.2 4.07
ATL 3-6 -355 5.0 12.6 18.1 5.45
FLA 4-6 -360 5.8 13.2 19.9 6.01
CHC 4-6 -430 3.3 10.5 14.3 4.11
who hot and who not
American
Record Money Runs Hits+ Bases Starters
Walks ERA
NYY 8-1 +650 6.8 15.7 22.9 5.39
TEX 7-2 +600 5.4 12.3 20.4 2.80
ANA 8-2 +560 6.6 14.4 20.0 5.05
CLE 5-3 +405 6.1 14.9 19.1 4.18
CHW 6-3 +260 5.4 14.3 21.6 5.86
SEA 5-4 +35 4.1 12.1 15.9 3.26
MIN 4-5 -145 3.7 11.6 15.9 2.39
TOR 4-6 -245 5.1 13.6 19.0 4.07
BAL 3-5 -270 5.0 14.8 18.5 5.28
BOS 5-5 -330 4.7 13.7 19.3 3.25
OAK 3-6 -360 4.9 11.2 17.2 5.17
DET 2-7 -435 4.4 11.9 16.4 7.29
TB 2-8 -495 2.7 9.3 14.0 7.47
KC 2-7 -510 3.6 10.0 13.6 6.29
National
Record Money Runs Hits+ Bases Starters
Walks ERA
SD 8-2 +585 3.6 12.2 16.7 3.04
NYM 6-3 +395 5.1 13.7 19.2 3.21
ARI 5-4 +280 4.9 13.3 19.7 2.92
HOU 7-2 +240 5.1 12.9 17.1 2.94
PHI 5-4 +85 5.0 12.6 19.6 3.94
PIT 4-5 +75 3.2 9.8 13.0 4.97
LA 5-4 +30 4.9 12.3 18.2 4.15
SF 5-5 +5 5.1 14.4 18.7 5.84
STL 5-5 -30 3.8 11.2 15.2 4.42
COL 4-5 -110 5.6 12.8 18.9 7.16
CIN 4-6 -115 5.5 13.6 19.2 6.64
MIL 3-5 -280 5.9 14.3 20.4 6.41
MON 3-7 -350 3.4 11.1 15.2 4.07
ATL 3-6 -355 5.0 12.6 18.1 5.45
FLA 4-6 -360 5.8 13.2 19.9 6.01
CHC 4-6 -430 3.3 10.5 14.3 4.11
