BEGINNING THURSDAY JULY 21
Colorado at Pittsburgh (4) 21st, 22nd, 23rd, 24th
Pittsburgh?s only relief from losing money and games is at PNC vs. righthanders. They have posted a 6-14 S/U mark and are +$245 in that situation, which is one they will find themselves in 3 of 4 vs. Colorado. Avoid Pirates? Dave Williams, who does not fare well at PNC, allowing 12 HR on his way to a 2-4 6.87 ERA. BEST BET: Pirates vs. righthanders except with Williams
Houston at Washington (4) 21st, 22nd, 23rd, 24th
The Nats crush righthanders at RFK (+$1080). The issue is that they see Oswalt & Clemens. Clemens is so dominant on the road that in 46 IP he has allowed just 1 ER. The 3rd one the ?Stros throw is Backe, who has struggled on road (6.43 ERA). Also watch Ryan Drese. He?s pitched well since trade to DC (+$420, 3.44 ERA in six starts). BEST BET: Drese/Nationals vs. Backe.
Minnesota at Detroit (4) 21st, 22nd, 23rd, 24th
The Twins offense has been ugly lately .(268 with only 6 HR in July). The Tigers love lefties (+$1075 in that situation); trouble is the only southpaw here is Johan Santana. The ?04 Cy draws an intriguing match up with Jason Johnson. The Twins are in the red against righthanded starters (-$340) and Johnson has been solid.. posting 13 quality starts out of 19 with a tasty 3.84 ERA. Those are the kind of numbers that will keep you in a lot of games. You might get a fat price vs. Santana, if so take a shot. BEST BET J. Johnson
Boston at Chicago W. Sox (4) 21st, 22nd, 23rd, 24th
Boston might be in trouble when Freddy Garcia (3.41 ERA) takes the hill, possibly vs. Wade Miller, who hasn?t won since 5/31 and has thrown under 100 pitches only twice in 12 starts. For a guy who had major arm woes in ?04 those aren?t pretty numbers As for Garcia (+$685), he hasn?t lost a game since 5/14. The ChiSox are +$1000 vs. righthanders at home in 2005. BEST BET Garcia
Oakland at Texas (4) 21st, 22nd, 23rd, 24th
The A?s are hot (+$480 last 10 days) and some of that has come at the expense of the Rangers. The Rangers unluckily see Rich Harden (+$315, 2.23) who no-hit them through 71/3 IP on 7/14. Arlington might change that, being the best hitters park in the AL, but expect Harden?s skills to translate well to Texas. He has thrown great both times out vs. Texas this year allowing 1 ER in 18 IP. The numbers say he may have mastered the Texas bats. BEST BET Harden
N.Y. Yankees at Anaheim (4) 21st, 22nd, 23rd, 24th
The Halos just smash righthanders (+$1320) and these days people are smashing the Yanks (4.70 team ERA). With so many question marks for the Bombers on the mound, you have to like the Angels. The Yanks don?t have a starter who is on the plus side of things this year. That draws our eyes to southpaw Jarrod Washburn (5th in AL with an ERA 0f 3.23). He matches up against the Yanks (-$760 vs. lefties) in a game that should be all Angels. BEST BET Washburn
BEGINNING FRIDAY JULY 22
San Diego at Philadelphia (3) 22nd, 23rd, 24th
No one likes to pitch at Citizens Bank Park, the Phils? pitchers included. Only Jon Lieber (+$210) and Brett Myers (+$285) have made money there this year. Watch Lieber, who may draw a billing against. Jake Peavy. If Lieber gets a good price vs. The Pads? ace, take it. The game will probably be decided in the bullpens anyway. BEST BET Lieber
L.A. Dodgers at N.Y Mets (3) 22nd, 23rd, 24th
The fading Dodgers roll into Shea with 1/2 of their AAA squad up. The Mets just pretend they are a AAA squad at the plate (.256 team BA). Pedro (2.60) is always nice against a struggling offense like LA, but the price will be high. However, Kris Benson (+$350 at Shea) is coming off a strong performance, and has been effective all year. He?ll face Derek Lowe (-$940 overall -$660 on road) who has allowed 17 HR (not good for a sinkerballer). BEST BET Benson
Milwaukee at Cincinnati (3) 22nd, 23rd, 24th
The Brewers struggle vs. lefties on the road (-$405), and notice that they face a couple here. #1 is ugly Eric Milton (-$325) who faces Capuano (+$780 on road). Caps hasn?t taken an loss since 6/13. The 2nd is Brandon Claussen, who has looked sharp lately (1.54 ERA last 2 starts). Santos conversely has been bad (-$840 on the road), and hasn?t won since 5/24, allowing 11 ER in last 14.2 IP. BEST BET Capuano/Claussen/Reds vs. Santos
Chicago Cubs at St. Louis (3) 22nd, 23rd, 24th
The Cubs and Cards meet in this bitter NL Central division rivalry. We want to focus on two games here. The 1st is the Zambrano vs. Carpenter clash. Zambrano?s only outing vs. Cards this year was a 9.2 IP 1 ER gem, and Carpenter hasn?t been as dominant at Busch. So if Zambrano is getting a fat price, take it. The other game to watch is when Matt Morris (4-1 at home with a 3.12 ERA) is on the hill (Cubs -$285 vs. righties on the road so far). BEST BET Zambrano/Morris.
Atlanta at Arizona (3) 22nd, 23rd, 24th
The D?Backs still haven?t found any offense, and are particularly limited by lefthanders (-$525). The Braves love lefties (+$605/+$565 on road). Those numbers add up to a nice angle in the Hampton vs. Halsey matchup. With the 2 teams going the opposite direction vs. southpaws, this battle of southpaws should be all Braves. Halsey is going south, managing just 1-5 in last 7 starts while allowing .309 BAA on the year. BEST BET Hampton.
Florida at San Francisco (3) 22nd, 23rd, 24th
Both teams? rotations are in flux. SF has started 9 different pitchers so far. The stumbling Fish are -$375 vs. righthanders on the road and that?s what they?ll be up against here. Keep an eye on Brad Hennessey (+$385) who is coming off 2 strong outings (0.66 ERA). He should be facing Dontrelle, the only Marlin that is in the black on the year. But with SF managing a profit vs. lefthanders there are the seeds of something here Take a price with Hennessey and watch SF vs. southpaws. BEST BET Hennessey/Giants vs. lefthanders.
Seattle vs. Cleveland (3) 22nd, 23rd, 24th
Jaime Moyer has been solid all year for the Mariners (+510 on the year) and Seattle has won 7 of his last 9 starts. With the Tribes? struggles vs. lefthander (-$395) and Moyer slated to meet a struggling Jake Westbrook, who has lost 3 straight while allowing 12 ER in his last 16 IP, things look up for Seattle. Furthermore, the M?s do make money vs. righthanders on road (+$220) so a lot of things point to Moyer in this one. BEST BET Moyer
Baltimore at Tampa Bay (3) 22nd, 23rd, 24th
The Orioles are 5-1 (+$375) vs. the Devil Rays in ?05, and post +$210 vs. righties on the road, as opposed to TB?s -$320 vs. lefties at the Trop. Those numbers point to Bedard and Kazmir, a pair of young lefthanders. Kazmir has struggled at home (-$515 D-Rays just 2-7 in his starts here). Bedard (+$300 and O?s 3-0 on road) comes off the DL here after 2 rehab outings in which he posted 13 K in 7 IP. Bedard picks up where he left off. BEST BET Bedard
Toronto at Kansas City (3) 22nd, 23rd, 24th
The Jays probably like their chances in KC after sweeping the Royals earlier this year (+$300) but we don?t. Things have been gloomy lately for Josh Towers (-$395) who has just 1 W since 5/22. He figures to match up with surprising DJ Carrasco (+$250) who sports a nice 3.71 ERA even with a recent ugly 7 ER in 3.2 IP turn at Coors. Maybe Carrasco is for real, but we know Towers hasn?t been lately. BEST BET Carrasco?Royals vs. Towers.
Colorado at Pittsburgh (4) 21st, 22nd, 23rd, 24th
Pittsburgh?s only relief from losing money and games is at PNC vs. righthanders. They have posted a 6-14 S/U mark and are +$245 in that situation, which is one they will find themselves in 3 of 4 vs. Colorado. Avoid Pirates? Dave Williams, who does not fare well at PNC, allowing 12 HR on his way to a 2-4 6.87 ERA. BEST BET: Pirates vs. righthanders except with Williams
Houston at Washington (4) 21st, 22nd, 23rd, 24th
The Nats crush righthanders at RFK (+$1080). The issue is that they see Oswalt & Clemens. Clemens is so dominant on the road that in 46 IP he has allowed just 1 ER. The 3rd one the ?Stros throw is Backe, who has struggled on road (6.43 ERA). Also watch Ryan Drese. He?s pitched well since trade to DC (+$420, 3.44 ERA in six starts). BEST BET: Drese/Nationals vs. Backe.
Minnesota at Detroit (4) 21st, 22nd, 23rd, 24th
The Twins offense has been ugly lately .(268 with only 6 HR in July). The Tigers love lefties (+$1075 in that situation); trouble is the only southpaw here is Johan Santana. The ?04 Cy draws an intriguing match up with Jason Johnson. The Twins are in the red against righthanded starters (-$340) and Johnson has been solid.. posting 13 quality starts out of 19 with a tasty 3.84 ERA. Those are the kind of numbers that will keep you in a lot of games. You might get a fat price vs. Santana, if so take a shot. BEST BET J. Johnson
Boston at Chicago W. Sox (4) 21st, 22nd, 23rd, 24th
Boston might be in trouble when Freddy Garcia (3.41 ERA) takes the hill, possibly vs. Wade Miller, who hasn?t won since 5/31 and has thrown under 100 pitches only twice in 12 starts. For a guy who had major arm woes in ?04 those aren?t pretty numbers As for Garcia (+$685), he hasn?t lost a game since 5/14. The ChiSox are +$1000 vs. righthanders at home in 2005. BEST BET Garcia
Oakland at Texas (4) 21st, 22nd, 23rd, 24th
The A?s are hot (+$480 last 10 days) and some of that has come at the expense of the Rangers. The Rangers unluckily see Rich Harden (+$315, 2.23) who no-hit them through 71/3 IP on 7/14. Arlington might change that, being the best hitters park in the AL, but expect Harden?s skills to translate well to Texas. He has thrown great both times out vs. Texas this year allowing 1 ER in 18 IP. The numbers say he may have mastered the Texas bats. BEST BET Harden
N.Y. Yankees at Anaheim (4) 21st, 22nd, 23rd, 24th
The Halos just smash righthanders (+$1320) and these days people are smashing the Yanks (4.70 team ERA). With so many question marks for the Bombers on the mound, you have to like the Angels. The Yanks don?t have a starter who is on the plus side of things this year. That draws our eyes to southpaw Jarrod Washburn (5th in AL with an ERA 0f 3.23). He matches up against the Yanks (-$760 vs. lefties) in a game that should be all Angels. BEST BET Washburn
BEGINNING FRIDAY JULY 22
San Diego at Philadelphia (3) 22nd, 23rd, 24th
No one likes to pitch at Citizens Bank Park, the Phils? pitchers included. Only Jon Lieber (+$210) and Brett Myers (+$285) have made money there this year. Watch Lieber, who may draw a billing against. Jake Peavy. If Lieber gets a good price vs. The Pads? ace, take it. The game will probably be decided in the bullpens anyway. BEST BET Lieber
L.A. Dodgers at N.Y Mets (3) 22nd, 23rd, 24th
The fading Dodgers roll into Shea with 1/2 of their AAA squad up. The Mets just pretend they are a AAA squad at the plate (.256 team BA). Pedro (2.60) is always nice against a struggling offense like LA, but the price will be high. However, Kris Benson (+$350 at Shea) is coming off a strong performance, and has been effective all year. He?ll face Derek Lowe (-$940 overall -$660 on road) who has allowed 17 HR (not good for a sinkerballer). BEST BET Benson
Milwaukee at Cincinnati (3) 22nd, 23rd, 24th
The Brewers struggle vs. lefties on the road (-$405), and notice that they face a couple here. #1 is ugly Eric Milton (-$325) who faces Capuano (+$780 on road). Caps hasn?t taken an loss since 6/13. The 2nd is Brandon Claussen, who has looked sharp lately (1.54 ERA last 2 starts). Santos conversely has been bad (-$840 on the road), and hasn?t won since 5/24, allowing 11 ER in last 14.2 IP. BEST BET Capuano/Claussen/Reds vs. Santos
Chicago Cubs at St. Louis (3) 22nd, 23rd, 24th
The Cubs and Cards meet in this bitter NL Central division rivalry. We want to focus on two games here. The 1st is the Zambrano vs. Carpenter clash. Zambrano?s only outing vs. Cards this year was a 9.2 IP 1 ER gem, and Carpenter hasn?t been as dominant at Busch. So if Zambrano is getting a fat price, take it. The other game to watch is when Matt Morris (4-1 at home with a 3.12 ERA) is on the hill (Cubs -$285 vs. righties on the road so far). BEST BET Zambrano/Morris.
Atlanta at Arizona (3) 22nd, 23rd, 24th
The D?Backs still haven?t found any offense, and are particularly limited by lefthanders (-$525). The Braves love lefties (+$605/+$565 on road). Those numbers add up to a nice angle in the Hampton vs. Halsey matchup. With the 2 teams going the opposite direction vs. southpaws, this battle of southpaws should be all Braves. Halsey is going south, managing just 1-5 in last 7 starts while allowing .309 BAA on the year. BEST BET Hampton.
Florida at San Francisco (3) 22nd, 23rd, 24th
Both teams? rotations are in flux. SF has started 9 different pitchers so far. The stumbling Fish are -$375 vs. righthanders on the road and that?s what they?ll be up against here. Keep an eye on Brad Hennessey (+$385) who is coming off 2 strong outings (0.66 ERA). He should be facing Dontrelle, the only Marlin that is in the black on the year. But with SF managing a profit vs. lefthanders there are the seeds of something here Take a price with Hennessey and watch SF vs. southpaws. BEST BET Hennessey/Giants vs. lefthanders.
Seattle vs. Cleveland (3) 22nd, 23rd, 24th
Jaime Moyer has been solid all year for the Mariners (+510 on the year) and Seattle has won 7 of his last 9 starts. With the Tribes? struggles vs. lefthander (-$395) and Moyer slated to meet a struggling Jake Westbrook, who has lost 3 straight while allowing 12 ER in his last 16 IP, things look up for Seattle. Furthermore, the M?s do make money vs. righthanders on road (+$220) so a lot of things point to Moyer in this one. BEST BET Moyer
Baltimore at Tampa Bay (3) 22nd, 23rd, 24th
The Orioles are 5-1 (+$375) vs. the Devil Rays in ?05, and post +$210 vs. righties on the road, as opposed to TB?s -$320 vs. lefties at the Trop. Those numbers point to Bedard and Kazmir, a pair of young lefthanders. Kazmir has struggled at home (-$515 D-Rays just 2-7 in his starts here). Bedard (+$300 and O?s 3-0 on road) comes off the DL here after 2 rehab outings in which he posted 13 K in 7 IP. Bedard picks up where he left off. BEST BET Bedard
Toronto at Kansas City (3) 22nd, 23rd, 24th
The Jays probably like their chances in KC after sweeping the Royals earlier this year (+$300) but we don?t. Things have been gloomy lately for Josh Towers (-$395) who has just 1 W since 5/22. He figures to match up with surprising DJ Carrasco (+$250) who sports a nice 3.71 ERA even with a recent ugly 7 ER in 3.2 IP turn at Coors. Maybe Carrasco is for real, but we know Towers hasn?t been lately. BEST BET Carrasco?Royals vs. Towers.
