BOB BALFE
Paraguay -1
The South American teams continue to roll in the World Cup. Paraguay is the best team in this group and cannot afford anything but a win in their final game. Paraguay simply is a much better team and will get the win today. Take Paraguay -1.
Italy -1
Italy has looked bad so far this tournament but they cannot play around today and will need a win and a few goals to make sure they move on for sure. Look for Italy to have a monster day and dominate the much weaker Slovakian team. Take Italy -1.
Japan DRAW
Japan is in a great spot and can basically sit back and play conservative for a draw if they choose. The winner of this game will make it into the next round but Japan knows that, win or draw, they will most likely be the #2 team in. Look for the Japanese defense to play well in a low- scoring draw. Take the Draw (+230).
Netherlands -145
The Netherlands can take today off if they want and still probably get the top slot in Group E. However, they have not yet given up a goal and I think they will want to play for another shutout. Cameroon is really no threat and all the Netherlands need is one big play to pick up the easy win.
Texas Rangers -1.5
The Rangers' bats have been so hot that we have every reason to take them against the Pirates who are the most dismal road team. The Rangers have won 10 in a row and will not want to break their streak against a team they should beat every time they play. Look for Texas to sweep the series behind a barrage of offense. Take the Rangers -1.5.
Seabass
50* Paraguay Under
50* White Sox
50* SD/TB Under
More Later
John Fina
Braves
Executive
250% Rockies
JR O'Donnell
St Louis / Toronto Over 7.5
J Hawk Bomb tonight on the Over St Louis/Toronto as they hit the ball all over the park tonight!! Let's play the Over here as the public will bet on the Under as Wainwright has not been the same pitcher on the road. Wainwright will be the medicine that the recently punch less Jays need tonight. The Jays have plated 4 runs the last 2 games & the Jays are hitting under .220 the last 15 + games, We will play the Over as this is a HUGE GUT play for the JR O EXPRESS. The Toronto starter Morrow is 0-2 vs the NL the Cards will put up at least 5 runs off him tonight. Let's look at some #'s St Louie 7-4 over in this spot.
NSA
20* Mets -125
20* Atlanta +100
20* Red Sox/Rockies Over 9
Craig Davis
75 Dime Chicago White Sox
I absolutely love this afternoon affair between the White Sox and Braves, and I'm siding with the White Sox at home at a very reasonable price. Gavin Floyd vs. Derek Lowe at US Cellular Field and both must start or this play is void.
You might look at Floyd's overall record or his season ERA and wonder how in the world I can be so high on the White Sox... but I'm telling you this game sets up nicely for us this afternoon.
First off, the White Sox are the hottast team in baseball, having won 8 in a row, 10 of their last 11 and 13 of their last 16. They've taken the first two games of this series at home against two of Atlanta's best pitchers... Tim Hudson and Tommy Hanson. So I'm supposed to expect the White Sox to be worried about Derek Lowe after they've already beaten those two? I don't think so.
Chicago is finally over .500 for the first time since the first week of April and I'm counting on them add to that number today because I have a ton of faith in Gavin Floyd and so should you. Don't look at Floyd's 2-7 record and don't look at his 5.20 ERA... I want you to focus on what he's done in his last three starts, including qualiaty starts in five of his last six outings.
Floyd also likes pitching during the day as opposed to in the evening... and he considers June his favorite month to pitch. For his career, Floyd is 20-7 in day games with a 3.76 ERA, including a 5-1 record over his last six daytime starts. At night Floyd is just 18-29 with a 5.15 ERA in 75 games started. As for June, well, let's just say he wishes it was June all the time.
In 17 career starts in the month of June, Floyd is 7-4 with a 3.16 ERA and a 1.16 WHIP... not to mention the fact batters are hitting just .226 against him. That's 30 points better than any other month he pitches. He's off to a good start this June as well as he's allowed just one earned run in each of his last three starts for a 1.23 ERA and a 0.86 WHIP. Needless to say, Floyd is a GREAT pitcher to back right now... especially in this game.
Atlanta counters with Derek Lowe and his 4.77 season ERA. Lowe is 1-1 over his last three starts but has a 6.11 ERA to boot, including a 1.53 WHIP. His road ERA this season is 6.00, due in large part to the fact he's allowed 7 ERs in two of his last three road starts... so why would I think anything different would happen this afternooon?
Lowe is a better pitcher at night (3.72) than he is during the day (4.32) and his career numbers at US Cellular Field aren't anything to get excited about. He's 0-1 in 4 starts with a 4.50 ERA in 13 total appeartnces and today won't be any different.
The Braves are 6-13 in their last 19 games as a road dog, 6-17 in their last 23 games as an underdog no matter where the game is played, and 0-4 the last 4 times they were in danger of being swept in a three-game series. Meanwhile, the White Sox are 11-1 in their last 12 games vs. a right-hander, 16-5 in their last 21 interleague home games, 9-3 in Floyd's last 12 home games vs. a team with a winning record and 8-0 in Floyd's last 8 starts as an underdog (this is only relevant if the number continues in the direction it's currently going).
Way too many factors favoring the home team today and I believe the team with the best day-game record (16-8) in baseball gets it done again this afternoon.
JAMIE TURSINI
Red Sox at Rockies
Pick: Rockies -110
J.Hammel has been outstanding at home! He's 5-1 with an ERA of 2.80 and a WHIP of 1.24! Over his last 3 home starts he's been EXCELLENT! He's gone 22.2 innings and has allowed 0 ER's. D.Matsuzaka is making his first start since June 7th. I can't expect him to match Hammel at all
KELSO
25 UNITS LA Angels -140
15 UNITS Pirates/Rangers OVER 10.5
10 UNITS Phillies -145
3 UNITS Mariners -160
ATS LOCK CLUB
4 UNITS NY Mets -125
4 UNITS Florida Marlins -115
Tony George
St. Louis -130
Taking the Cards who have swept 2-0 in this series so far with Wainwright on the hill for them tonight. 10-4 on the year with a 2.24 ERA and only allowed 80 hits in 110 innings pitched. The fact that the Blue Jays are struggling at the plate hitting just .210 as a team overall in their last 10 games, and also facing a better bullpen than theirs later in this game, I like the Cards chances here. The Cards are 21-8 their last 29 road starts as a team when Wainwright starts. Play 1 Unit on the Cardinals.
KIKI SPORTS
2 Units San Fran -160
1 Unit Atlanta +100
3 Units Netherlands -145
1 Unit Denmark/Japan DRAW +220
SPORTBOOK GURU
3 Units Detroit +110
3 Units Atlanta +100
1 Unit Pittsburgh +220
1 Unit LA Dodgers +125
Chris Jordan
200♦ Milwaukee Brewers -1.5
200♦ San Francisco Giants -1.5
200♦ Chicago White Sox
Power Play Wins
St Louis