Slam Report For Wednesday, March 19, 2003
It?s been a long time since I have been able to right a slam report and since the N.I.T is in full swing and the big tournament starts Thursday I thought this would be the last day to give this a go. I could at least get the early games out of the way:
Pittsburgh /Houston
This may not be a surprise to anyone but I am getting on the Bucs at plus money. In fact this will be my best bet today (4-1-1 L6). The starting lineup for the Astros is as follows: Shane Reynolds will get his second consecutive start against the Pirates and Brad Lidge, Jonathan Johnson, Ricky Stone and Octavio Dotel will also see playing time in that game.
The Pirates got a good look at him in his first appearance of the spring and in fact they hammered him as he pitched 4 2/3 innings giving up seven hits, seven runs, and five home runs. The Astros actually won that game as they tore up pirates starter Kip Wells who later was found to be hurt and is now pitching a rehab stint in the minors. Lidge also pitched in that game and pitched very well throwing two scoreless innings. The pirates line up will now get a second look at this line up and the results should be an early lead with the long ball jumping out of the park against Reynolds. The Astros won?t get another swing at Wells instead they will go up against Josh Fogg who has had a decent spring and recently got a win and plenty of run support in his last outing against the Phillies. From the way Houston manager Jimy Williams talks it?s as though you can expect him to rest some players tomorrow. "There's no substitute for playing time out there. We're trying to give him as much as he can without wearing him out. You just don't want to wear him out down here. It's hot. We've had some long trips." -- Williams, on Craig Biggio playing center field. The pirates will also see Kenny Lofton in the lineup either today or Friday as he is playing leadoff in games at Pirate City to prepare to join the team. This will be an emotional boost that will jolt the lineup to a productive day. I have not confirmed that he will play in today?s games but have read positive reports from the coaches that he has done well. With or with out him the Pirates get the job done.
Pirates +120 Best Bet
s c OO p
It?s been a long time since I have been able to right a slam report and since the N.I.T is in full swing and the big tournament starts Thursday I thought this would be the last day to give this a go. I could at least get the early games out of the way:
Pittsburgh /Houston
This may not be a surprise to anyone but I am getting on the Bucs at plus money. In fact this will be my best bet today (4-1-1 L6). The starting lineup for the Astros is as follows: Shane Reynolds will get his second consecutive start against the Pirates and Brad Lidge, Jonathan Johnson, Ricky Stone and Octavio Dotel will also see playing time in that game.
The Pirates got a good look at him in his first appearance of the spring and in fact they hammered him as he pitched 4 2/3 innings giving up seven hits, seven runs, and five home runs. The Astros actually won that game as they tore up pirates starter Kip Wells who later was found to be hurt and is now pitching a rehab stint in the minors. Lidge also pitched in that game and pitched very well throwing two scoreless innings. The pirates line up will now get a second look at this line up and the results should be an early lead with the long ball jumping out of the park against Reynolds. The Astros won?t get another swing at Wells instead they will go up against Josh Fogg who has had a decent spring and recently got a win and plenty of run support in his last outing against the Phillies. From the way Houston manager Jimy Williams talks it?s as though you can expect him to rest some players tomorrow. "There's no substitute for playing time out there. We're trying to give him as much as he can without wearing him out. You just don't want to wear him out down here. It's hot. We've had some long trips." -- Williams, on Craig Biggio playing center field. The pirates will also see Kenny Lofton in the lineup either today or Friday as he is playing leadoff in games at Pirate City to prepare to join the team. This will be an emotional boost that will jolt the lineup to a productive day. I have not confirmed that he will play in today?s games but have read positive reports from the coaches that he has done well. With or with out him the Pirates get the job done.
Pirates +120 Best Bet
s c OO p
