David Banks
Mets +107
Twins +144
Giants -110
Diamondbacks -135
Rockies -154
Angels +120
Teddy Covers
Atlanta
Detroit/Minn Over 9.5
Iowa Storm +4
KELSO
50 Units Texas Rangers -1.5
15 Units San Diego Padres Under 9
10 Units Chicago White Sox -1.5
ATS LOCK CLUB
5 Units San Fran
5 Units Atlanta
4 Units Bos/Tor Under
BOB BALFE
Germany -140
The German team looked as if they were a lock to win the World Cup just a week ago, but unfortunately ran into a hot Spanish team. I still think Germany has the best talent and think that the youth of their team will win this game. Their youth will play a factor today as it is deep into the tournament. After Uruguay's handball against Ghana, it wouldn't seem right for them to finish on the pedestal. Take Germany.
New York Mets +107
The Mets place arguably their most consistent starter on the mound today against the NL East leading Atlanta Braves. Despite Pelfrey's recent struggles, he is still posting a 3.39ERA and a 10-3 record. He has also beaten the Braves twice already this year. It is a no-brainer to take the Mets at home today with Pelfrey on the mound. A low-risk, easy payout! Take New York.
SEABASS
400* Houston
200* SF/Wash Under
100* Arizona
100* LAA
200* BC
MTi Sports
Los Angeles Angels at Oakland Athletics
Prediction: Los Angeles Angels
In his last start, Kazmir had some control problems on the road vs the red hot White Sox. He threw 110 pitches in six and a third, while allowing six hits and walking five batters. His recent poor starts have made him a road dog, but the Angels are 4-0 as a road dog with Kazmir when he threw 100+ pitches on the road in his last start.
Yesterday, the Angels took the series opener 6-5 in extra innings. LA benefitted from five walks and the A’s did not draw a single walk. This is a confidence builder for the Halos. As a team, the Angels are 5-0 since May 07, 2010 as a road dog vs a divisional foe that is behind them in the standings, 7-1 as a road dog when they are off a win in which they never trailed and it is not the first game of a series and a supportive 6-0 when their line is within 20 cents of pickem and they lost the last two games their starter started. The last time Kazmir started in this situation, he out-dueled Felix Hernandez 3-2.
This is not a good spot for the A’s, as they are 1-8 when they scored two or fewer runs for their starter in his last start and 0-5 after a loss in which they were tied at the end of 6 innings – losing by multiple runs each time.
Finally, the Angels are a bankroll-building 15-0 as a DOG when they are off a win by fewer than a dozen runs when they allowed at most one walk. Yes, fifteen straight wins as a dog.
MTi’s FORECAST: LA Angels 5 Oakland 3
Tom Freese
Atlanta Braves at New York Mets
Prediction: Atlanta Braves
Atlanta starter Tim Hudson has not allowed more than 4 runs in game all year in 17 starts. The Braves are 40-15 their last 55 games as favorites and they are 10-3 their last 13 games as road favorites. Atlanta is 17-8 their last 25 starts made by Hudson with 5 days of rest. Mets starter Mike Pelfrey has allowed 18 runs in his last 21.1 innings of work. New York is 7-21 their last 28 games vs. a starter with a WHIP of less than 1.15. The Mets are 4-10 their last 14 games with the Braves. 10* "NO BRAINER" PLAY ON ATLANTA
Matt Fargo
Pirates at Brewers
Pick: Pirates
I consider this game to be much closer than the line indicates. Neither Pittsburgh nor Milwaukee is playing well right now as the Pirates are 5-6 in their last 11 games while the Brewers are 4-7 over that same span and that can be more important at times rather than overall records and home/road splits. Milwaukee won the opener last night in extra innings as a smaller favorite yet tonight I feel the pitching matchup is more equal yet we catch a bigger number. Pittsburgh sends Jeff Karstens to the mound and he has been pretty good since entering the rotation. Half of his starts have been quality outings including half on the road and actually in four of those six road starts, he has allowed two runs or fewer. He has faced Milwaukee four times and three of those starts have resulted in quality performances including his lone game against the Brewers this season in Milwaukee. He squares off against David Bush who has recently been pitching much better with four straight quality starts but half went for naught as the Brewers lost those games. They are 5-11 in his 16 starts including 3-6 at home so no matter how good he has been pitching or where the game is, there is no edge with him on the hill and the Brewers are 3-11 in Bush’s last 14 home starts. The Pirates also fall into a solid underdog situation. Play on National League underdogs with a moneyline of +125 to +175 that are allowing 5.3 or more rpg on the season going up against an opponent that is getting outscored by opponents by 0.5 or more rpg on the season. This situation is 42-27 (60.9 percent) over the last five seasons. 10* Pittsburgh Pirates
Padres at Rockies
Pick: Padres
This is a great price for the Padres who continue to get no respect despite possessing the second best record in the National League. The lead in the National League West has shrunk to two games ahead of the Dodgers and Rockies but it is no time to panic as the pitching remains strong and part of that is on display tonight. The Rockies have been playing solid with five straight wins as well as victories in seven of eight games on this homestand but the last few have included some late-inning heroics and that is bound to catch up with them. Wade LeBlanc is one of the young starters in the rotation that is having a sensational season. He is just 4-6 but has posted a 3.10 ERA and most important, the Padres are 9-6 in his 15 starts Five of his last six starts have been quality outings and he has faced the Rockies twice this season and both of those resulted in quality performances including one two starts back even though it resulted in a loss. The great form is no fluke as he showed signs of excellent pitching last season after a late season call-up. The Rockies counter with Jason Hammel who is also pitching very well but his ERA is a run higher than that of LeBlanc. He has been fortunate as he is allowing a lot of hits and has been able to get out of those jams. He has struggles against San Diego despite not picking up a loss as he has a 5.17 ERA and 1.51 WHIP in six career starts. This includes a horrid 6.75 ERA in four some starts against the Padres, one resulting in a loss this season. 9* San Diego Padres
Scott Rickenbach
10* Tampa Bay / Clevelan Over
Matt Garza made a bullpen appearance for the Rays on Wednesday. This shouldn’t effect him too much since he’s an experienced pitcher but still, it is noteworthy as any change to a pitchers routine can throw them off a bit. Of course Garza is use to being a starter and not pitching in game action between starts. Also, his last start did not go well as he allowed four runs in three innings against the Red Sox. Now Garza has to contend with an Indians team against whom he’s 1-4 with an ugly 5.59 ERA in his career. Though the Indians are dealing with some injury issues right now, guys like Jayson Nix have helped pick up the slack as he continues to pound out the long balls. Nix has homered in six of his last seven games. With their 9 run outburst yesterday, the Indians have scored at least five runs in 6 of their last 13 games. Cleveland has also allowed an average of six runs in their last four games. Their offense should help them out today. Not only have they enjoyed success against Garza, the Rays pitching staff has allowed double digits in hits in five of their last seven games. Their bullpen has had some slip ups recently and Garza has averaged only about 5 innings per start in his last 8 starts. Also, he’s averaged only about 5 innings per start in his 7 career starts against the Indians. Cleveland’s problem today shouldn’t be hitting but pitching is another matter entirely. Aaron Laffey has a 5.18 ERA this season and has been hit at a .285 clip this season and a .288 clip in his MLB career! The southpaw has particularly struggled on the road this season where he’s compiled a 6.75 ERA. Before losing 9-3 yesterday, the Rays had scored at least five runs in 9 of their last 12 games. Tampa Bay has gone over the total in 8 of their last 11 games. The Indians are 4-1 to the over this season as a big dog of +200 or more. The Rays, with Matt Garza on the mound, have only recorded 3 unders in their last 14 games that he has started. As for the Indians with Laffey on the mound, both of his road starts flew over the total. In his career, Laffey has a rock solid 2.93 ERA at home but an ugly 5.96 ERA on the road! Look for him to get rocked here and the Rays big run of overs (8-3 to the over their last 11 games) continues. Play OVER the total in Tampa Bay as a 10* Top Play selection
NSA
20* Red sox
20* Yanks
20* Philly Under 7.5
The Duke's Sports
Atlanta (-120) for 2 Units
The Braves are closing out the first half of the season on a strong note and we'll look for another win here. Atlanta is 19-7 on Saturdays and 20-8 in game 2 of a series; moreover, with Hudson on the hill, they're 7-1 as a favorite in this price range. The Braves are also 5-2 as a road favorite in this price range with Hudson. Hudson pitches well during the daytime (2.36 ERA) while his counterpart --Pelfrey has not with a bloated 5.28 ERA. Pelfrey has been shaky over his last two starts, including getting lit up here vs Cincinnati. And the Mets normally strong bullpen hasn't looked strong this past few weeks (5.60 ERA). We'll roll with Atlanta.
Mike Lineback
4* Cubs / Dodgers Over 8.5
The Bettors Choice
1 Unit Braves -125
Matt Fargo
10* Pittsburgh Pirates
9* San Diego Padres
LA Angels