BEGINNING FRIDAY AUGUST 12
Arizona at Atlanta (3) 12th, 13th, 14th
The Braves continue to win just about every day (won 10 of 13) in their quest to win the NL East for the 14th consecutive season. They?re in the middle of their longest home stand of the season (12 games) all against teams either hovering around .500 or considerably below. We can?t see them slumping against teams of that caliber especially if they?re facing a righty (27-9, +$1450 at the ?Ted?). BEST BET: Braves vs. righthanders.
San Francisco at Florida (3) 12th, 13th, 14th
It was unlikely that the Giants would be able to make a run in the sub par mediocre NL West even if Balco Bonds returned to the line up. Now that he?s semi-officially (his web site says he?s playing, the Giants say he isn?t) out for the rest of the season, there is a good chance San Francisco (48-62, -$1065) will fold up their tents. The Marlins are showing signs that they?re ready to make a run for the playoffs and what better way to start than against the disinterested Giants. BEST BET:: Marlins in all games under -$165.
Cincinnati at Milwaukee (3) 12th, 13th, 14th
The Brewers have won four of six (+$205) in this series and the two teams have now split 22 games in the last year plus. Milwaukee has been playing decent baseball since the All-Star break, but Cincy has won 14 of 23 over the same period of time. No matter. We?ll hone in on the Brewers? lefty duo of Doug Davis and Chris Capuano. Milwaukee is 14-8 (+$470) in their 22 home starts and the Reds are 5-10 (-$300) on the road against portsiders. BEST BET: Lefthanders vs. the Reds..
Pittsburgh at Houston (3) 12th, 13th, 14th
Can the Pirates cool down the white hot Astros? They certainly weren?t able to last month in Pittsburgh (lost four straight and were outscored 34-8) and it would seem the task will be much harder in Texas where Houston is 36-15 (+$1690). Of course, the Astros will be bordering on a minimum of 2-1 favoritism in each game, but there?s one match up we can?t resist. The Pirates are 3-9 in Kip Wells? 12 road starts where his ERA is 6.42 and his BAA is .290. BEST BET: Astros vs. Wells.
Washington at Colorado (3) 12th, 13th, 14th
Now that the Nationals have come crashing back to earth (lost 17 of 23 since the All-Star break and 10 of their last 13), they?re susceptible to losing to anyone, including the worst team in the NL. But, the Nationals? starting rotation is exclusively righthanded and the Rockies are 27-48 (-$1020) in that situation. This series has ?pass? written all over it. BEST BET: None.
Philadelphia at San Diego (3) 12th, 13th, 14th
Last month, the Phillies treated the Padres as rudely as everyone else has lately, sweeping them in the City of Brotherly Love. However, it looks like the Padres have come out of their elongated slump. They were 5-1 in the east last week with Jake Peavy (two victories) leading the way. Take him and any other righty that the Padres start as Philadelphia has averaged 3.7 RPG vs. righties in 33 road starts against them. BEST BET: Peavy. PREFERRED: Padres righthanders.
N.Y. Mets at L.A. Dodgers (3) 12th, 13th, 14th
The Mets took two of three from the Dodgers at Shea Stadium, but given New York?s problems on the road (21-31, -$855), we wouldn?t be surprised to see a reversal of form here. However, that means that LA will have to be victorious in both games that Pedro Martinez (6-2, 2.71 ERA, .184 BAA on the road) doesn?t start. No thanks! BEST BET: Martinez at any price.
Chicago W. Sox at Boston (3) 12th, 13th, 14th
The leaders of the AL East and West split a four-game series in the Windy City in July with neither team registering a profit. The Red Sox get a scheduling break here as they hosted the slumping Rangers in the series preceding this one while Chicago was in the Bronx playing the Yankees. Still, the dog is mighty tempting. They have the best record in MLB (72-38, +$2310), are 24-13 (+$925) and will be sending their two aces to the mound. Take them. BEST BET: Garland/Buehrle.
Tampa Bay at Cleveland (3) 12th, 13th, 14th
After a mini slump around the All-Star break, the Indians have rallied to win 11 of 15 including a three-game sweep of the Tigers in Detroit this past weekend and re-insert themselves back into the wildcard race. However, the Devil Rays are 15-8 since the All-Star break and they?re the only team in MLB to be hitting over .300 in that time. That should hold your attention especially if you?re considering laying major wood on the hosts. BEST BET: None.
Toronto at Baltimore (3) 12th, 13th, 14th
The O?s continue their downward spiral (lost 18 of 24) that is now entering its second month. A brief two-game winning streak after the inane firing of Lee Mazzilli was followed by a pair of losses by a combined score of, 19-6. Meanwhile, the Blue Jays survived the loss of Roy Halladay winning 17of 31 in his absence. We?ll go with the dog visitor throughout this series as no Orioles? starter has an ERA under 6.30 in his last two starts. BEST BET: Blue Jays in all games.
Detroit at Kansas City (3) 12th, 13th, 14th
The Tigers flirted with the .500 mark a few weeks ago (48-48, 49-49, 50-50), but have lost eight of their last 10 games and six of their last nine road games. However, with the Royals in another of their swoons (10 consecutive losses) and the Tigers? pitching (4.18 ERA vs. 5.60 ERA) so much better, it pays to take the superior team at reasonable prices. BEST BET: Tigers in all games.
L.A. Angels at Seattle (3) 12th, 13th, 14th
We?d be shocked if the Angels weren?t psyched up for this. Not only has their lead in the AL West shrunk drastically in the last three weeks, but the Mariners swept a four-game series from them in Anaheim right before the All-Star break. The Angels are a combined 16-6 (+$1010) in Bartolo Colon?s and John Lackey?s road starts which complements Seattle?s poor showing at home against righties (13-21, -$860 with 3.7 RPG) quite nicely. BEST BET: Colon/Lackey.
Minnesota at Oakland (3) 12th, 13th, 14th
These two teams met in that giant baggy called the Metrodome two weeks ago and the Athletics continued their torrid pace by taking three of four including a victory over Johan Santana (allowed two runs in seven innings in that ?L?). With the Twins on the fade (lost 17 of 25 since the All-Star break), it?s impossible to make a case for them against a team with best home record (35-18, +$1505) in the AL. Take the Athletics as long as they?re not facing Santana (Twins are 8-3 in his 11 road starts and his road ERA is 3.56). PREFERRED: Santana/Athletics in all other games.
Arizona at Atlanta (3) 12th, 13th, 14th
The Braves continue to win just about every day (won 10 of 13) in their quest to win the NL East for the 14th consecutive season. They?re in the middle of their longest home stand of the season (12 games) all against teams either hovering around .500 or considerably below. We can?t see them slumping against teams of that caliber especially if they?re facing a righty (27-9, +$1450 at the ?Ted?). BEST BET: Braves vs. righthanders.
San Francisco at Florida (3) 12th, 13th, 14th
It was unlikely that the Giants would be able to make a run in the sub par mediocre NL West even if Balco Bonds returned to the line up. Now that he?s semi-officially (his web site says he?s playing, the Giants say he isn?t) out for the rest of the season, there is a good chance San Francisco (48-62, -$1065) will fold up their tents. The Marlins are showing signs that they?re ready to make a run for the playoffs and what better way to start than against the disinterested Giants. BEST BET:: Marlins in all games under -$165.
Cincinnati at Milwaukee (3) 12th, 13th, 14th
The Brewers have won four of six (+$205) in this series and the two teams have now split 22 games in the last year plus. Milwaukee has been playing decent baseball since the All-Star break, but Cincy has won 14 of 23 over the same period of time. No matter. We?ll hone in on the Brewers? lefty duo of Doug Davis and Chris Capuano. Milwaukee is 14-8 (+$470) in their 22 home starts and the Reds are 5-10 (-$300) on the road against portsiders. BEST BET: Lefthanders vs. the Reds..
Pittsburgh at Houston (3) 12th, 13th, 14th
Can the Pirates cool down the white hot Astros? They certainly weren?t able to last month in Pittsburgh (lost four straight and were outscored 34-8) and it would seem the task will be much harder in Texas where Houston is 36-15 (+$1690). Of course, the Astros will be bordering on a minimum of 2-1 favoritism in each game, but there?s one match up we can?t resist. The Pirates are 3-9 in Kip Wells? 12 road starts where his ERA is 6.42 and his BAA is .290. BEST BET: Astros vs. Wells.
Washington at Colorado (3) 12th, 13th, 14th
Now that the Nationals have come crashing back to earth (lost 17 of 23 since the All-Star break and 10 of their last 13), they?re susceptible to losing to anyone, including the worst team in the NL. But, the Nationals? starting rotation is exclusively righthanded and the Rockies are 27-48 (-$1020) in that situation. This series has ?pass? written all over it. BEST BET: None.
Philadelphia at San Diego (3) 12th, 13th, 14th
Last month, the Phillies treated the Padres as rudely as everyone else has lately, sweeping them in the City of Brotherly Love. However, it looks like the Padres have come out of their elongated slump. They were 5-1 in the east last week with Jake Peavy (two victories) leading the way. Take him and any other righty that the Padres start as Philadelphia has averaged 3.7 RPG vs. righties in 33 road starts against them. BEST BET: Peavy. PREFERRED: Padres righthanders.
N.Y. Mets at L.A. Dodgers (3) 12th, 13th, 14th
The Mets took two of three from the Dodgers at Shea Stadium, but given New York?s problems on the road (21-31, -$855), we wouldn?t be surprised to see a reversal of form here. However, that means that LA will have to be victorious in both games that Pedro Martinez (6-2, 2.71 ERA, .184 BAA on the road) doesn?t start. No thanks! BEST BET: Martinez at any price.
Chicago W. Sox at Boston (3) 12th, 13th, 14th
The leaders of the AL East and West split a four-game series in the Windy City in July with neither team registering a profit. The Red Sox get a scheduling break here as they hosted the slumping Rangers in the series preceding this one while Chicago was in the Bronx playing the Yankees. Still, the dog is mighty tempting. They have the best record in MLB (72-38, +$2310), are 24-13 (+$925) and will be sending their two aces to the mound. Take them. BEST BET: Garland/Buehrle.
Tampa Bay at Cleveland (3) 12th, 13th, 14th
After a mini slump around the All-Star break, the Indians have rallied to win 11 of 15 including a three-game sweep of the Tigers in Detroit this past weekend and re-insert themselves back into the wildcard race. However, the Devil Rays are 15-8 since the All-Star break and they?re the only team in MLB to be hitting over .300 in that time. That should hold your attention especially if you?re considering laying major wood on the hosts. BEST BET: None.
Toronto at Baltimore (3) 12th, 13th, 14th
The O?s continue their downward spiral (lost 18 of 24) that is now entering its second month. A brief two-game winning streak after the inane firing of Lee Mazzilli was followed by a pair of losses by a combined score of, 19-6. Meanwhile, the Blue Jays survived the loss of Roy Halladay winning 17of 31 in his absence. We?ll go with the dog visitor throughout this series as no Orioles? starter has an ERA under 6.30 in his last two starts. BEST BET: Blue Jays in all games.
Detroit at Kansas City (3) 12th, 13th, 14th
The Tigers flirted with the .500 mark a few weeks ago (48-48, 49-49, 50-50), but have lost eight of their last 10 games and six of their last nine road games. However, with the Royals in another of their swoons (10 consecutive losses) and the Tigers? pitching (4.18 ERA vs. 5.60 ERA) so much better, it pays to take the superior team at reasonable prices. BEST BET: Tigers in all games.
L.A. Angels at Seattle (3) 12th, 13th, 14th
We?d be shocked if the Angels weren?t psyched up for this. Not only has their lead in the AL West shrunk drastically in the last three weeks, but the Mariners swept a four-game series from them in Anaheim right before the All-Star break. The Angels are a combined 16-6 (+$1010) in Bartolo Colon?s and John Lackey?s road starts which complements Seattle?s poor showing at home against righties (13-21, -$860 with 3.7 RPG) quite nicely. BEST BET: Colon/Lackey.
Minnesota at Oakland (3) 12th, 13th, 14th
These two teams met in that giant baggy called the Metrodome two weeks ago and the Athletics continued their torrid pace by taking three of four including a victory over Johan Santana (allowed two runs in seven innings in that ?L?). With the Twins on the fade (lost 17 of 25 since the All-Star break), it?s impossible to make a case for them against a team with best home record (35-18, +$1505) in the AL. Take the Athletics as long as they?re not facing Santana (Twins are 8-3 in his 11 road starts and his road ERA is 3.56). PREFERRED: Santana/Athletics in all other games.
