Stephen Nover
15 Dime Rays/Astros Over 7.5
15 Dime Angels
15 Dime Blue Jays
Ben Burns
10* Reds Under 9
6* Seattle
6* Arizona
John Fina
Marlins
Fantasy Sports Gametime
100* Play Tampa Bay (-170) over Houston
Tampa Bay has won 8 of the last 9 games and they have also won 8 of the last 9 games as a road favorite of -150 to -175. Matt Garza has won 3 consecutive road games when the total posted is 7.5 points or less and he is 5-1 overall this season with an ERA of 2.38.
50* Play NY Yankees (-160) over NY Mets
The Yankees have won 18 of the last 22 games after having lost four or five of the last six games and they have also won 76 of the last 112 games when the total posted is between 9 and 9.5 runs. The Mets have lost 7 of the last 8 games as a home underdog of +150 to +175 and they have also lost 5 of the last 6 games vs. the Yankees at home.
50* Play Florida (-105) over Chicago White Sox
Chicago has lost 3 of the last 4 games and they have also lost 5 of the last 6 games when playing on a Friday. Mark Buehrle has lost 5 consecutive night games and he is 0-2 over the last 3 starts with an ERA of 6.27.
50* Play Orlando (+7) over Milwaukee
Orlando has won and covered the spread in two consecutive games and they have also won and covered the spread in 5 of the last 6 games coming off a double-digit win as an underdog of 6 points or more. Milwaukee has lost 2 of the last 3 games against the spread and they are allowing an average of 68 points a game on defense in road games this season.
25* Play San Jose (+135) over Chicago
Lenny Del Genio
25* Florida Marlins
JR O'Donnell
3* Toronto Jays +150
The Blue Jays (25-18) who had won six of seven before losing 4-3 to Seattle on last night in the last inning. They are real real mad off that stinging loss last night to the M's and tonight they bring their powerful Offense to Arizona with B Morrow. Morrow was solid last outing and that Mojo continues tonight. The D backs like to give up the "Long Ball" 63 so far and they also own a terrible 5.80 ERA this young season. The D Backs are 18-24 and R. Haren owns a 5 ERA vs the Jays. We note that the Jays will get the job done tonight on the road!
Tony George
Cincinnati / Cleveland Under 9
Both starting pitchers in excellent form with ERAs under 2.80 in their last 3 starts, and not sure where the tribe are going to find any run support here as their last 4 games have resulted in the team hitting .199 overall, and dropping all 4 games. Cincy no powerhouse at the plate and after yesterdays debacle losing a game with at one point a 9 run lead, and blowing a 6 run lead in the ninth inning, they face a solid pitcher tonight in Westbrook with their tail between their legs. Runs will not come easy or often in this one. Kinda like Cincy on the side here at -108 as well for a small lean for a half unit. Play 1.5 Units on the Under.
Scott Rickenbach
8* San Jose Sharks Money Line (+) @ Chicago
After losing a tight Game One by a 2-1 final, the Sharks fell behind 3-0 in Game Two and were never close than two goals the rest of the way as they eventually fell 4-2 to the Blackhawks. However, San Jose has outshot the Hawks in each of the first two games – by a margin of five shots on goal in each game. It’s not as if Chicago has been dominant but the scoreboard would lead you to believe otherwise after the way Game Two played out. Here’s the good news for bettors that like to play underdogs that are strong teams filled with value: San Jose is 12-3 this season when off of a loss by a margin of two goals or more! After losing by a pair of goals to the Blackhawks in Game Two, and heading on the road knowing that a 3-0 deficit would be virtually insurmountable, the Sharks show up in a big way in the Windy City tonight.
Don’t forget that Chicago has lost two of their last three home games and those defeats came by a combined margin of 9-2. In fact, the Blackhawks have allowed 4 goals or more in 4 of their 6 home games in this post-season. As for the Sharks, they are 3-1 in their last 4 road games in these playoffs. They’ve allowed an average of just 2 goals per game in those 3 victories. Their most recent road game, however, was a 7-1 loss at Detroit. They haven’t forgotten that ugly road performance and they certainly haven’t forgotten the 4-2 loss at home against Chicago in Game Two. That said, look for a huge response here from the Sharks and we fully expect them to improve to 13-3 this season when coming off of a loss by a multiple goal margin. Play San Jose on the money line as an *8* Regular Play selection.
10* Minnesota / Milwaukee Over
Some rain showers will be moving through the Minneapolis area this afternoon but, by game time, the showers are expected to be long gone with clear skies and mild temperatures expected for this evening’s game. The Twins are happy to be back home after a frustrating road trip and, in our opinion, getting the Minnesota sticks at home compared to on the road is a huge edge. The Twins are hitting .277 at home this season and that’s good enough for 3rd in the American League. Even though Minnesota has recently hit a stretch of unders at home (four straight), the Twins actually pounded out 42 hits in those four games. Also, their pitching is fast becoming a concern. Minnesota has given up 81 hits in their last 7 games! The full season numbers on the Twins bullpen rank them pretty high on the season but over the past week the Minnesota bullpen has had their share of struggles. Speaking of bullpen struggles, the Brewers are no stranger to those! Milwaukee’s relievers have been pounded at a .298 clip this season. The Brewers bullpen has compiled a 6.03 ERA on the season and only one team, Arizona, has been worse in terms of their relievers’ combined ERA so far this season.
Milwaukee finally stayed under the total yesterday after going over the total in 7 of their last 9 games. The Brewers struggled some with a left-handed hurler yesterday but note that, when facing right-hander like they are tonight, the Brewers are 18-6 to the over this season! Overall, in all games this season, Milwaukee is 25-13 to the over and facing an American League club in an A.L. ballpark is likely to help continue this over trend. The Brewers gave up an average of 6.5 runs per game against Minnesota and went 1-5 in their 6 games against them last season. The Twins have gone 9-3 overall in their last 12 games against Milwaukee and sluggers like Jason Kubel, Justin Morneau, and Joe Mauer have done plenty of damage as they’ve feasted on Brewers pitching with plenty of big hits. They should feast on the offerings of Dave Bush tonight as he’s 1-5 against Minnesota in his career and is struggling mightily against left-handed sticks this season. Bush has compiled a 2.02 WHIP against lefties as he’s walked 17 in 19.1 innings of work. That’s significant because Kubel, Morneau, and Mauer are all left-handed sticks and their will be others in the lineup tonight as well as they look to continue feasting on Brewers pitching. Also note that Bush has a 5.21 ERA in road games in his career.
The Twins have their own set of pitching concerns tonight as well. Nick Blackburn gets the ball for Minnesota tonight and, though he’s 4-1 this season, note that his 4.63 ERA and, especially his .311 BAA, is far from impressive. The Twins right-hander has been very hittable this season and facing Milwaukee is unlikely to help. Blackburn is winless in two career starts against the Brewers and he’s compiled a 6.39 ERA and been pounded at a .345 clip by Milwaukee sticks! In his career, Blackburn has a stellar 3.29 ERA in day games but a 4.84 ERA at night! Look for the Brewers record to go to 19-6 to the over when facing a right-handed starter while the Twins record on Fridays this season goes to 5-1 to the over in Friday games! Play OVER the total in Minnesota as a *10* Top Play selection.
James Patrick Sports
5* Grand Slam - Tampa Bay Rays
Tampa Bay may be the fourth best team in the Major Leagues but only the third best in their division. Around the horn, this might be the best infield in the majors considering hitting and fielding. From 1B Carlos Pena to 3B Evan Longoria, power, speed and flashy leather abounds. At 28, Carl Crawford is one of the best left-fielders in baseball. The starting pitcher in tonight's match-up is Matt Garza who has gone (8) or more innings in his (4) of his (9) starts this season and allowed (1) earned run or less in (5) of those starts and (2) runs or fewer in (6) starts. Tampa Bay is (17-4) in their past (21) road games while the struggling Astros are (1-8) in Friday action.
3* Minnesota Twins
The Brewers are celebrating with their (9) game losing streak now behind them but Minnesota is a solid (23-8) at home and (38-15) in Friday action. Milwaukee starter Bush was moved up a day for this start and is (1-5) in his (6) career starts versus the Twinkees. Minnesota starter Blackburn has had (3) consecutive quality starts of late. Target Field and an increased payroll are exciting to the defending AL Central Division Champions fan base as the Twins locked up catcher Joe Mauer to a long term deal. Forget “Money Ball”, the way to compete (not necessarily beat those with deeper pockets) should be known as the “Twinkies Rule”. Going on two decades, Minnesota has been very competitive and MGR Ron Gardenhire has only one losing record in (8) years at the helm. This is the best collection of talent he has had to work with. Twins at home for us here.
Derek Mancini
100 Dime Oakland Athletics
Don't believe the hype. While Barry Zito has finally started to earn some of that mega-deal he signed back in late 2006, he's still got a ways to go, and oddsmakers are telling you that much with this line. Despite his numbers this season (6-1, 2.15 ERA) the Giants are only a small favorite here - and with good reason - this is a much tougher match up than most people are anticipating.
You can't deny his history against his former club, going 0-3 with a 9.22 ERA in 3 career starts. And you also can't deny the tremendous difference in home/road play we've seen from the Athletics, who are now 15-9 at the Coliseum this year. Back-to-back losses to Detroit only adds more significance to this game for the home team. They've also hit lefties well at home this season, batting .280 driving in a decent 4.4 runs per game.
But the real equalizer is Trevor Cahill (1-2, 4.37 ERA) who's been just as good (if not better) than Zto over his last 3 starts. He's 1-1 with a 2.55 ERA (WHIP of 1.08) over that span, and more importantly, it came against one of the better offenses in baseball (Texas twice, and the Angels are no slouch either). He's seen the Giants only once, but was great in the win (1 run on 4 hits over 7 innings June 22nd). If there's one place you can trust Cahill its at the Coliseum, and he'll delivder again Friday.
Price is right for the A's, who come into this game looking to bounce back, and facing a pitcher they've dominated in the past. Zito's been great (thus far), but this contist takes on a life of it own for him, and clearly its thrown him off his game in the past. Athletics (Cahill) over Giants (Zito).
Champion Sports
Texas -140
Rangers red hot at home winning 10 of their last 11. Cubs are underachieving at 19-23, and have a terrible history of being on the road vs. AL clubs, 11-12. They aren't getting enough hitting and power at the corners, and they don't have enough speed to manufacture runs. Respectable pitcher C. Lewis not going to make it easy for the Cubs tonight.
Florida -105
M. Buehrle won't cut it against a Florida team with wins in 6 of their last 8 games. This is a Florida team that is now playing on a mission. R. Nolasco is a perfect 3-0 away from home.
Joyce Sterling
Cleveland +103 vs Cincinnati XX Play
Houston +167 vs Tampa Bay
Kansas City +108 vs Colorado
Ben Burns
10* Reds Under 9
6* Seattle
6* Arizona
7* Atlanta
Foxsheets
Super Situations
MLB/ SFO at OAK
Play On - Home teams when the money line is +125 to -125 (OAKLAND) with a starting pitcher with good control (less than 1.75 BB's/start) against opponent with a starting pitcher whose ERA is 2.70 or better on the season (NL)
45-21 over the last 5 seasons. ( 68.2% | 25.5 units )
2-3 this year. ( 40.0% | -0.9 units )
Situational Power Trends
LAA at STL
LA ANGELS are 22-9 (+16.2 Units) against the money line in Road games on the road when the total is 7 to 8.5 over the last 2 seasons.
The average score was: LA ANGELS (4.5) , OPPONENT (3.8)
Dave Cokin
TOUGH LOSS LAST NITE IN THE 9th WITH TORONTO. ONE NOTE ON PLAY'S BELOW, HE SUGGESTS IN WRITE-UP PLAYING THESE BIG CHALKS AS A PARLAY AS WELL. UP TO U BUT LIKE TO PROVIDE A CAPPER'S STRATEGY WHEN PERTINENT TO PLAY(S)
Matchup: Baltimore at Washington
Time: 7:05 PM EDT (Fri)
Listed pitchers must go: (R) HERNANDEZ, D vs. (L) OLSEN, S
Play: Washington (ML -155)
Note that I am recommending a two-team parlay on my two member plays this evening. I feel this is a better strategy when utilizing multiple high-priced chalk in baseball.
I very rarely play any big chalk, but every once in awhile it's simply the right move. Tonight, I'm willing to lay the lumber as the Nationals play host to the Orioles. Baltimore continues to be horrible on the road, and their shaky bullpen was forced to work major innings the last couple nights in losses to Texas. Don't expect David Hernandez to provide a respite. Hernandez is on a 1-13 run dating back to last season, and the O's 3-16 in his last 19 appearances. Hernandez is basically just taking up a spot at the back of the Baltimore rotation until one of their two top prospects are ready, and he should be meat against the surprisingly dangerous Nationals attack. Scott Olsen is on a great run for the Nats, and is absolutely deserving of being the big favorite tonight. I'm on the Nationals to roll to the win this evening.
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Matchup: Milwaukee at Minnesota
Time: 8:10 PM EDT (Fri)
Listed pitchers must go: (R) BUSH, D vs. (R) BLACKBURN, N
Play: Minnesota (ML -152)
Here's the second half on my parlay tonight. The Twins are laying a substantial price tonight, but it's justified. Milwaukee finally won a game on Thursday, but this team is not good right now and they're sending out a guy in Dave Bush who's had little success against the Twins. Bush, in fact, hasn't had much success against anyone lately and I expect him to have lots of trouble against the lefty-loaded Minnesota lineup. The Twins are happy to be back home following a tough road trip, and they usually give Nick Blackburn loads of run support. The Twins are 23-9 at home when Blackburn starts. Minnesota has also been incredibly successful in Interleague play, winning 54 of their 73 vs. the NL. The Brewers have the bats to turn this into a shootout, but I like the bullpen edge on the Twins side if it's a barnburner and the home field edge puts me over the top. Go with the Twins to come out on top.