Bob Balfe
Netherlands -1
We have learned that the dominant teams time after time always beat the smaller and less-talented teams when it comes down to win-or-go-home scenarios. The Netherlands have a great defense which I do not see Slovakia being able to penetrate. Look for the Netherlands to control the tempo and time of possession, getting the easy win. Take Netherlands -1 (-130).
Brazil -1
The other thing we are learning is that the teams that historically own teams in the past are not allowing the trend to decease. Chile has come a long way and the South American teams have dominated play, but Brazil is the best team in this tournament and should again advance today with little to no problems. Take Brazil -1 (-115).
Cincinnati Reds -130
Both pitchers have similar numbers this year and have been steady for their ball clubs. The Phillies have been at home for a while as they take to the road today. Look for the Reds to continue to stay hot and outscore the Phils, providing plenty of run support for Cueto. Take the Reds.
Paul Leiner
50* Tor/Cle Over 8.5
25* Marlins
Marc Lawrence
Minnesota -152
The Twins return home to Minneapolis when they host the Tigers in the opener of this three game A.L. Central devision showdown at the Target Center when Francisco Liriano matches serves with Jeremy Bonderman. Lirano takes the hill knowing he is 4-0 in his last four starts in this series with seven walks and 35 strikeouts in those efforts. He's also 10-4 in his career team starts during the month of June. On the flip side, Bonderman has dropped each of his last three road team starts as well as each of his last three road starts in June. Stay at home with the Twins as they improve to 12-2 at home in this series here tonight. We recommend a 3-unit play on Minnesota
Fantasy Sports Gametime
100* Play Chicago Cubs (-190) over Pittsburgh
Pittsburgh has lost 18 of the last 19 road games coming off an UNDER the total and they have also lost 19 of the last 23 games when playing in the month of June. Pittsburgh has lost 36 of the last 49 games coming off a loss and pitcher, Paul Maholm is 0-2 over the last 3 starts with an ERA of 6.58.
50* Play Milwaukee (-175) over Houston
Milwaukee has won 6 of the last 7 games and pitcher, Manny Parra has won 4 of the last 5 games as a favorite of -175 to -250. Houston has lost 16 of the last 20 games after scoring three runs or less in two straight games and pitcher, Bud Norris has lost 5 of the last 6 games coming off a loss.
50* Play Brazil over Chile
Joe Wiz Pay After You Win - Toronto
Asian Executive Parlay Of Our Lifetime - Padres & Marlins
Tony George
NY Mets -115
Dickey toes the rubber for the Lets who in the last games he started he won all 3 with an ERA in those 3 games of 1.29. Interesting as well the Mets bullpen is on fire not allowing an earned run in their last games and a 2.55 ERA on the year. Nolasco for the Marlins is inconsistent, with over a 6 ERA his last 3 games. Also to note, the Mets are 7-2 their last 9 road games. The Mets opened their last 3 series with a win, and I like their chances here. Play 1 unit on the Mets.
KIKI SPORTS
1 Unit Atlanta -125
1 Unit Detroit +150
3 Units Brazil -1 -130
Rich Green
3* Cardinals -1.80
NSA
20* Twins -160
20* Braves/Nats Under7
20* Rockies -150
TIM TRUSHEL
Florida Marlins Under
Cleveland Indians Under
KELSO
25 Units Rockies -140
15 Units White Sox -120
10 Units Blue jays -150
3 Units Pirates/Cubs UNDER 8
Rocketman
3* NY Mets
TEDDY COVERS
NY Mets
Phillies/Reds Over 9.5
Jeff Benton
15 DIME PHILADELPHIA PHILLIES
5 DIME SAN FRANCISCO GIANTS
Phillies
Before we get to the Phillies, let’s focus on Reds right-hander Johnny Cueto, who has had a roller-coaster ride of a season.
It started off pretty ugly, as he went 1-1 with a 5.33 ERA in five April contests, then turned things around and went 4-0 with a 1.59 ERA in five starts in May. Then June hit and had three straight disastraus performances (17 runs allowed in 17 innings before coming up big in his last two starts (one run allowed in 12 2/3 innings).
However, it’s important to look at Cueto’s competition. For instance, during his dominant May, he faced the Pirates (twice), Brewers, Indians and Mets (before the Mets got hot). Then he got cuffed around by three pretty good hitting teams (St. Louis, San Francisco and Kansas City) before mowing down the offensively challenged Mariners and A’s in his last two outings.
Tonight, Cueto runs up against Rollins, Utley, Howard and the Phillies. It’s a daunting lineup for any pitcher, but it’s especially scary for Cueto. He’s faced Philadelphia twice in his young career – both times last year – and not only did he lose both games, he gave up 13 runs in 7 2/3 innings. That includes a 22-1 loss on July 6, when Cueto lasted just 2/3 of an inning in Philly and gave up nine runs!
Well, Philadelphia comes into this game swinging the heavy lumber again. The Phillies have tallied six runs or more in eight of their last 11 games, including nine runs or more six times in their last nine contests. Over this 11-game stretch, the Phillies are 8-3, and they’re batting nearly .290. By comparison, the Reds’ offense is slumpeing, hitting just .239 in its last 10 games.
That’s good news for Phillies right-hander Kyle Kendrick, who like Cueto has had a bit of an up-and-down season. But Philadelphia is 7-2 in his last nine trips to the mound, including 3-1 on the road. In fact, Kendrick has been much better on the highway this year (2-0, 3.20 ERA) than at home (2-2, 6.62 ERA). The last time Kendrick pitched on the road was 12 days ago at Yankee Stadium, and he dominated the Bronx Bombers in a 7-1 victory, allowing just a run on four hits in seven innings, with Philadelphia cashing as a +200 underdog.
One last note about Kendrick: He’s made three starts against the Reds in his career, and while he gave up four runs in all three contests, the Phillies won all three games by scores of 5-4, 8-4 and 11-4. That’s not much of a surpoise because Philadelphia has had Cincinnati’s number recently, winning 14 of the last 20 meetings overall and 10 of the last 14 at Great American Ballpark. The Phillies are also on upticks of 4-1 on the road and 43-20 against N.L. Central opponents
Giants
The Dodgers are a complete disaster right now. After blowing a 6-2, ninth-inning lead last night and losing to the Yankees 8-6 in 10 innings – easily their worst loss of the season – the Dodgers have now dropped 11 of their last 15 games (including six of their last seven on the road).
Granted, the Giants – who fell 5-1 to Boston on Sunday and cost me my 20 Dime Best Bet – have been spinning their wheels, too, lately (4-7 last 11 games). However, they’re still 15-6 in their last 21 home games and 25-14 at AT&T Park on the season (conversely, the Dodgers are 16-20 away from L.A.).
San Francisco has a solid pitching advantage here, too, with Barry Zito (7-4, 3.45 ERA) matching up against Chad Billingsley (6-4, 4.34 ERA). Billingsley is coming off a two-week stint on the disabled list, which was preceded by four shaky starts in which he gave up 16 runs and 32 hits in 25 innings (5.76 ERA), including a 10-1 home loss to the Angels on June 11 (seven runs allowed in 5 2/3 innings).
Zito has been a beast at home this season (2.82 ERA) and he’s finally figured out the Dodgers (2.29 ERA last three starts against them). Of course, most lefties have had their way with L.A. this season, as the Dodgers are batting just .248 against southpaws, which is why they’ve lost four of their last five overall against left-handed starters and 11 of 16 on the road against lefty starters.
This is a huge game for San Francisco, which has yet to play the Dodgers at home this season and it leads L.A. by a half-game as both teams try to catch the first-place Padres. Given the emotional state of the Dodgers after last night’s debacle against the Yankees, given the uncertainty of Billingsley coming off the DL and given Zito’s success at home in 2010, this is a very reasonable price to lay with the Giants.
CRAIG DAVIS
40 DIME Colorado Rockies