David Malinsky
4* Giants / Rockies First Half Under 3.5
This series has been a study in frustration for us so far, back-to-back games in which the San Francisco defense and bullpen failed badly in the bottom of the 8th inning to turn big tickets around. But we can get some of that back here, this time taking the Giant relievers out of play, while also avoiding a potential late trap with the Colorado pen as well, with closer Huston Street off of back-to-back games, and having worked four of the last five days. With Barry Zito and Ubaldo Jimenez doing their thing early, the first five innings is all that we need.
The Jimenez story has been one of flat out brilliance so far, particularly on the first two passes through opposing lineups. After 16 starts he has had 10 shutouts through the first five innings, and in four of the other six only allowed a single run. A slumping San Francisco offense could not score against him in the only meeting so far this season, and that may not change tonight, especially with Jimenez coming in fresh, having thrown just 98 pitches in his last outing (the last time he came off of a start of fewer than 100 pitches he threw a shutout vs. Arizona).
Meanwhile there are few Pitcher vs. Team matchups more dominating than Zito vs. the Rockies. Over the past two seasons it has been a 3-0/1.50 over 33 IP, and up and down the lineup we see truly amazing numbers – Melvin Mora .176 over 34 at-bats; Clint Barmes .167 over 24; Brad Hawpe (likely to sit out) .167 over 24; Todd Helton .227 over 27; Migeul Olivo .214 over 14; Ian Stewart .091 over 11. He is also a particularly tough read on the first pass through the lineup, and can match Jimenez pitch-for-pitch in the early stages of this one. You should be able to find 3.5 at even money or plus vigorish, and that is excellent value in a game in which the early starting time adds some awkward sight issues for the pitchers, and makes the flow go quickly.
Al DeMarco
20* MLB Game of the Year - Rockies -1.5
FANTASY SPORTS GAMETIME
Saturday Baseball (3-Team Parlay)
100* St Louis (-210) Over Milwaukee
St. Louis pitcher, Chris Carpenter has won 15 of the last 16 games as a favorite of -175 to -250 and he has also won 16 of the last 18 games when the total posted is between 8 and 8.5 runs. Chris Carpenter has won 5 consecutive games when pitching on a Saturday and he is 9-1 this season with an ERA of 2.70.
Play Colorado (-210) over San Francisco
Colorado pitcher, Ubaldo Jimenez has won 19 of the last 20 games as a favorite of -150 or higher and he has also won 8 consecutive night games. Ubaldo Jimenez has won 4 consecutive home games when the total posted is between 7 and 8.5 runs and he is 14-1 this season with an ERA of 1.83.
Play Detroit (-180) over Seattle
Detroit has won 25 of the last 36 home games and they have also won 28 of the last 36 home games vs. left-handed starting pitchers. Justin Verlander has won 5 of the last 6 games as a favorite of -150 or higher and he has an ERA of 2.83 in home games this season.
50* Play Seattle (-7) over Los Angeles
Seattle has won 14 of their 16 games this season and they have also covered the spread in 8 of the last 9 games vs. division opponents this season. Seattle has won and covered the spread in 3 consecutive games as a road favorite of 6.5 to 12 points and they are averaging over 83 points a game on offense this season.
50* Play Spain over Paraguay
50* Play Germany (+.5 goal) over Argentina
TOTALS 4 U
TOP PLAY
TB Rays OVER 8.5
REGULAR PLAYS
NY Mets UNDER 7
Colorado Rockies UNDER 8
SD Padres OVER 7.5
LA Angels UNDER 9.5
RAS
Tulsa Shock +7
Rocketman
5* LA Dodgers -150
Executive
600% GOY - Pirates
ATS LOCK CLUB
6 Units Cincinnati Reds -120
5 Units NY Mets Under 7
4 Units Philadelphia Phillies -110
Jeffersonsports
Yankees Over 8.5
Teddy Covers
Phi/Pitt Under 8.5
KC/LAA Under 9
Jacksonville -6
Seabass
400 Texas
200 Minn
100 Dodgers
100 Spain Under
The Duke's Sports
Philadelphia Under (8') for 2 Units
The Phillies are decimated with injuries and should have more problems generating run production today; after all, Maholm controls a stellar 0.78 ERA in his last 3 starts vs them. On the other hand, the Pirates have produced a measly 12 combined runs over their last 7 games; fortunately, the Pirates starting pitching has been solid over the last few weeks (2.81 ERA). And Kyle Kendrick, who can't be trusted on the road, does sport a 2.45 ERA in 3 career starts vs Pittsburgh.
Scott Delaney
15 Dime Baltimore
Master Sports
5* Dodgers/Arizona Over
Billy Coleman
5* Houston/San Diego Over