thursday series info

[RAYMOND]

BEGINNING THURSDAY JUNE 2



Chicago Cubs at San Diego (4) 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th

The Cubs were successful against the Padres in 2004 (4-2, +$195) including a three-game sweep in San Diego. However, the Padres have been the best home team in MLB (16-4, +$1085). The main reason for that success is a starting corps that brings a 2.47 home ERA to the ballpark and the relievers, led once again by Trevor Hoffman, are in even better (2.37). Meanwhile, the Cubs? rotation, with Kerry Wood and Mark Prior on the DL, is in awful shape. BEST BET: Padres in all games.

Milwaukee at L.A. Dodgers (4) 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th

The Brewers are 12th in the NL in team BA (.255) BA and 12th in RBIs, but are making up for it and more by posting the best ERA in the league (3.49) despite the prolonged absence of Ben Sheets, who has just returned, having been on the DL for most of the season. The Dodgers have lost a lot of ground since leading the NL West for the first month of the year. But they appear to be coming out their slump and have been particularly effective at home against southpaws (6-1, +$520). BEST BET: Dodgers vs. lefthanders.

Toronto at Oakland (4) 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th

There may be a few teams worse than the Oakland Athletics right now, but there sure aren?t many. They?ve scored the fewest runs of any team in the AL (only 3.8 per game) and with Hudson & Mulder gone, their team ERA has slipped to 4.68, 4th worst in the league. They?ve been horrible in all settings, including a 3-10 (-$845) record in night games at home. The Blue Jays are a much better team than appeared to be the case at the season?s outset, and they should fare well in the first three game of this series, given that 10-4 (+$1010) record on the road at night. The A?s will be lucky to salvage a single victory from the hot visitor. BEST BET: Blue Jays in night games.

 

[RAYMOND]

friday weekend series

friday weekend series

BEGINNING FRIDAY JUNE 3



Arizona at Philadelphia (4) 3rd, 4th, 5th, 6th

The struggling Phillies are going to see a much different team than the one they defeated five of six times (+$475) in 2005. The Diamondbacks are in second place in the NL West because they?re scoring a full run per game more than last year and because they?ve acquired veteran players like Troy Glaus, Craig Counsell and Russ Ortiz who know how to win. And, the D?Backs are playing their best baseball on the road this year especially against righties (11-7, +$590). Conversely, the Phillies are a dismal 1-7 (-$900) at home in night games against righthanders. BEST BET Diamondbacks when righty meets righty.

Atlanta at Pittsburgh (3) 3rd, 4th, 5th

We see this series being a potential mine field for the Bravos. They have a mediocre offense (.253 team BA, 3rd lowest in the league), starters John Thomson and Mike Hampton are hurting, closer Mike Kolb has been a bust and they?ll be playing games 17, 18 and 19 on the road in a 25-game stretch. What?s to like? Not the Pirates a team with the worst record at home in the NL (7-13, -$725 averaging 3.4 RPG). BEST BET None.

Florida at Washington (3) 3rd, 4th, 5th

The Marlins continue to pitch extremely well (3.55 ERA, 2nd lowest in the league) and have already won four of five (+$305) against the improved Nationals (Expos). They even managed to beat Livan Hernandez, who pitched his worst game of the year (5 innings, 8 hits, 2 walks, 2 six earned runs) against them. Since the Nationals are 9-3 (+$725) in his 12 starts and he?s hot (2-1 last three with a 2.79 ERA), we?ll jump on him to avenge his old team. BEST BET Hernandez/Marlins in all other games.

San Francisco at N.Y. Mets (3) 3rd, 4th, 5th

The Mets have been up and down for most of the year, but they?ve played excellent baseball at Shea Stadium (16-9, +$675). New York has been particularly dominant at home against southpaws (6-2, +$420 averaging 5.9 runs per game in those contests). The Giants have a pair of portsiders in their rotation (Noah Lowry and Kirk Rueter) and neither one of them has a road ERA under 4.50. In fact, Lowry?s is 11.20 with a BAA of .391 in 13.2 innings. BEST BET: Mets vs. lefthanders.

St. Louis at Houston (3) 3rd, 4th, 5th

Yes, the Astros don?t have the kind of firepower they did a year ago, but is they?re still a dangerous team to deal with at home (starters? ERA is 2.99). For that reason, we won?t jump on the best team in the NL blindly, especially in the two games that Andy Pettitte and Roger Clemens are scheduled to start. BEST BET Cardinals vs. Backe, Astacio and Oswalt.

Cincinnati at Colorado (3) 3rd, 4th, 5th

A good argument can be made that not only are the Reds and Rockies the two worst teams in the NL, but in MLB as well. Both teams can?t pitch worth a damn (Cincinnati?s team ERA is 5.44, Colorado?s is 5.81), so this should be a hitters? series. Think OVER in all games and key on the Rockies whenever the Reds start a lefty as Colorado is averaging 8.5 RPG at home against them. BEST BET: Rockies vs. lefthanders.

L.A. Angels at Boston (3) 3rd, 4th, 5th

The Red Sox can score runs, but their rotation is in shambles (4.77 ERA, 3rd worst in the AL). Schilling won?t be back until after the All-Star break, Wade Miller has been dreadful (6.27) and the team has lost 5 of David Wells? 8 starts (-$225, 5.96 ERA). The Angels seem to be weathering the absence of Vladimir Guerrero thanks to outstanding pitching (3.45 team ERA) and they?ve been effective on the road (15-9, +$750). We will avoid Arroyo & Clement, who have looked sharp, but we like the visitor and their 5-1 (+$460) road record vs. lefties when Wells is on the hill. BEST BET: Angels vs. Wells.

Baltimore at Detroit (3) 3rd, 4th, 5th

The Tigers spanked the first place Orioles in Camden Yards last weekend, sweeping their three game set and pushing their profit in head to head games to +$475. With Eric Bedard on the DL, Baltimore will be in a tough fight to hold onto first place in the AL East. A good showing at Comerica will sure help. The Orioles have done their best work on the road (13-5, +$750) while Detroit has struggled at home. They are losing money against righties (-$600) so we?ll go with the visitor anytime they send one to the hill. BEST BET: Righthanders vs. the Tigers.

Cleveland at Chicago W. Sox (3) 3rd, 4th, 5th

The White Sox have built a nice lead in the AL Central by beating up on the likes of Cleveland (4-2, +$195 in head to head play). We?ll need to be careful this weekend in Chicago, given the Tribe?s excellent road numbers vs. righthanders. But Cleveland is only 1-5 on the road vs. lefties (-$380), averaging just 2.2 runs per game in those contests. They?ll have their hands full when Chicago sends their outstanding ace southpaw Mark Buehrle to the mound (+$605, 3.05 ERA in 10 starts so far). BEST BET: Buehrle.

N.Y. Yankees at Minnesota (3) 3rd, 4th, 5th

The Yankees have had a lot of success against this club in recent years, including back to back post season wins in 2003 & 2004. The Twins do their best work vs. lefties (11-5, +$580) but as of now it appears Randy Johnson will not see action this weekend. Minnesota?s numbers vs. righties are unimpressive (-$260, 4.4 runs per game at home) and New York has a solid array of righthanders, all of whom looked sharp in the month of May. BEST BET: Righthanders vs. the Twins.

Texas at Kansas City (3) 3rd, 4th, 5th

The Rangers are the hottest team in the AL right now (8-0, +$800 last 10 days with 8.0 runs per game and a 2.29 ERA among starters). They swept the hapless Royals at Arlington earlier (+$300) and will need to win at least 2 out of 3 to keep pace with the Angels in the suddenly competitive AL West. KC ranks dead last in pitching in the AL (5.61 ERA) and next to last at the plate (.243 team BA). They?ll have their hands full at Kaufman Stadium, but only jump in if the prices look reasonable. BEST BET: Rangers at -160 or less.

Tampa Bay at Seattle (3) 3rd, 4th, 5th

The Devil Rays have made money for their backers when they play at Tropicana Field, but they?ve been a total disaster on the road this year (3-18, -$1220). We?d love to go with the home team under the circumstances, but Seattle is having a dreadful season (20-29, -$810) and they?ve not fared at all well here at Safeco Field. We?ll consider the Tampa Bay lefthanders when game day draws near (Seattle only 2-10, -$825 vs. lefties), but for now we?ll just pass. BEST BET: None.

 

[shamrock]

bump.... Crazy if you guys aren't using this information. As always thanks Ray.

 

[RAYMOND]

more dan

more dan

BEGINNING MONDAY JUNE 6



Baltimore at Pittsburgh (3) 6th, 7th, 8th

The Orioles have the Pirates right where they want them: in Pittsburgh. However, with Baltimore descending back to earth of late (4-6, -$500 last 10 games), we?re not interested in backing the chalk or taking a shot on a bad underdog. PREFERRED: None.

L.A. Angels at Atlanta (3) 6th, 7th, 8th

This inter-league match up features a perennially tough home team against a traveler who has been rude guest (15-9, +$750 in ?05, +$1835 including last year). The Angels? starters are on fire (2.53 ERA last 10 games), so we?ll back them when they draw an opposing southpaw (LA 5-1, $460 on the road against them, and was 20-7, +$1220 a year ago). PREFERRED: Angels vs. lefthanders

N.Y. Yankees at Milwaukee (3) 6th, 7th, 8th

The Yankees are swinging some potent bats lately and ought to find Miller Park very much to their liking. However, the Bombers are just 11-10 (-$345) on the road and the Brewers are doing some dynamite pitching at home (starters? ERA is 3.23, relievers? is 3.60). Given Milwaukee?s prowess at home vs. righties (12-6, +$605), we?ll take the home dog under the right circumstances. PREFERRED: Brewers vs. righthanders.

Toronto at Chicago Cubs (3) 6th, 7th, 8th

There is no way we?re going to lay major wood on a Cubs? team that has been such a money burner (-$2730 vs. righties at Wrigley Field over the last year plus). And, with Roy Halliday pitching so well on the road (5-1, 2.25 ERA, .217 BAA), it?s hard to ignore him against a team that?s averaging a modest 4.7 RPG over the last 10 games. PREFERRED: Halladay.

Boston at St. Louis (3) 6th, 7th, 8th

The defending champions are winding up a particularly arduous portion of their schedule. This will be their sixth consecutive series against an over .500 team and, if you?re a member of Red Sox Nation, the news is not good as they are under .500 against the better teams. To make matters worse, the Cardinals have a major score to settle after being swept by the Sox in the World Series as well as being outscored, 24-12. PREFERRED: Cardinals in all games.

Chicago W. Sox at Colorado (3) 6th, 7th, 8th

As usual, Colorado has been an offensive terror at home (.317 BA, averaging 6.3 runs per game), but they?ll be running into one of the best pitching staffs in the AL especially on the road (White Sox starters? ERA is 3.61, relievers? ERA is 2.49). Something?s got to give and we have a hunch it?s going to be the Rockies. PREFERRED: White Sox vs. all but Chacon.

Detroit at L.A. Dodgers (3) 6th, 7th, 8th

The Dodgers catch a big break here as three of the Tigers? five starters are portsiders and LA is averaging 7.1 runs per game in seven home games against them. And, since none of that trio has an ERA on the road at night lower than 4.03, the opportunity presents itself for LA to do some damage. PREFERRED: Dodgers vs. Ledezma, Maroth and Robertson.



BEGINNING TUESDAY JUNE 7



Houston at N.Y. Mets (3) 7th, 8th, 9th

The Mets were 4-2 (+$500) against the disappointing Astros last year and managed to split a pair of games against Roger Clemens and Andy Pettitte. With New York playing so better at home (+$675 as oppposed to -$485 on the road) and the Astros looking to break the MLB record for futility on the road (5-22, -$1620), we can?t back Houston even if Clemens and Pettitte are on the mound especially if the Mets start Tom Glavine or Kaz Ishii (Houston is 1-11 on the road vs. southpaws averaging 1.3 RPG). PREFERRED: Lefthanders vs. all but Clemens and Pettitte.

Oakland at Washington (3) 7th, 8th, 9th

We?ve got a solid home team (Nationals 12-8, +$275 at RFK Stadium) vs. one of the worst road teams in either league (Athletics 8-19, -$1500 as visitors). We?ll try our luck with Livan Hernandez (+$730, 3.61 ERA) and Esteban Loaiza (also 3.61), both of whom are likely to see action. PREFERRED: L. Hernandez/Loaiza.

Seattle at Florida (3) 7th, 8th, 9th

The Marlins are very tough against rightihanders at home (13-7, +$480) but prices will be quite high in this series so caution is advised. We will jump in on the Florida southpaws, regardless of price, given the Mariners? sorrowful record against leftihanders (2-10, -$825 with 2.8 runs per game). PREFERRED: Lefthanders vs. Seattle righthanders.

Texas at Philadelphia (3) 7th, 8th, 9th

The Phillies are only 5-14 vs. righties in night games (-$1140) and all three of these contests are scheduled for the evening. The Rangers are 26-13 vs. righthanders in 2005 (+$1465 with 6.1 runs per game) so we?ll play this series accordingly, passing if we see a southpaw on the mound. PREFERRED: Rangers when righty meets righty.

Tampa Bay at Cincinnati (3) 7th, 8th, 9th

The Devil Rays went on a hot streak during inter-league play last year and the result was an unlikely 15-3 (+$1685) mark against the National League. But with that pitiful 3-18 road record, we can?t commit ourselves right now. The Reds remain an unappealing side as well (20-30, -$765 so far in 2005). PREFERRED: None.

Minnesota at Arizona (3) 7th, 8th, 9th

We?ve stolen a few wins vs. Johnan Santana this year, and might get a chance here at Bank One. The D?Backs are 5-1 (+$360) at home vs. lefties and their starters (3.49 ERA last 10 days) can hold the Twins' hitters in check. PREFERRED: Diamondbacks vs. Santana.

Cleveland at San Diego (3) 7th, 8th, 9th

Prices on the Padres will be sky high for this series but the indians might be able to prevail against SD?s all-righty rotation (Tribe 12-7, +$665 vs. righties on the road). Don?t mess with Jake Peavy, no matter how high the price, but the rest of the Padres? hurlers are fair game. PREFERRED: Indians vs. all righthanders except Peavy.

Kansas City at San Francisco (3) 7th, 8th, 9th

The Royals may be the worst team in baseball (13-37, -$1760), but they?ve eked out a small profit in road day games (+$215). The final game of this series is in the afternoon, so if the price is high enough, we?ll take a shot with the visitor. PREFERRED: Royals in day games at +150 or more.