Scott Rickenbach
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Atlanta Braves @ Colorado Rockies
PICK: Under 9.5
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Derek Lowe of the Braves has alternated good starts with bad starts over his last six outings. After a rough outing in his most recent start, look for a strong effort here. Even with his recent periodic struggles, Lowe still had produced 11 quality starts in his last 14 outings before getting roughed up at Washington last week. Lowe only allowed two earned runs on just three hits in eight innings in his last start against the Rockies. Granted, that start was at home in Atlanta and this one is at Colorado but look for Lowe's sinker to once again get the job done tonight. This will keep him out of trouble at Coors Field.
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Lowe will need to come up with a strong start tonight because Ubaldo Jimenez of the Rockies is certainly capable of a fine effort. The Rockies right-hander is 14-10 at home with a 3.59 ERA and a .236 BAA in his career outings at Coors Field. Look for another strong effort from him here. Unlike most hurlers, Jimenez has taken a liking to pitching at Coors Field and the Braves lineup had produced an average of just 2.8 runs per game in their last five games before this series. Even though Atlanta scored six runs yesterday, they faced Aaron Cook and he had been struggling. Now the Braves must deal with Jimenez and he has allowed just 34 hits in his last 44 innings. Look for another sharp outing from him here and note that the Braves Chipper Jones as well as Yunel Escobar are both questionable here. The Braves are 34-17 to the under when facing a right-handed starter. Look for that trend to continue here! Consider a small play on UNDER the total in Colorado on Friday night.
Mike Rose
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Minnesota Twins -130
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After struggling throughout the month of May to the tune of a 2-2 mark with a 6.32 ERA, lefty John Danks was spectacular throughout the month of June going 2-3 with a 2.91 ERA. Hes coming off another dominating effort against the Kansas City Royals where he tossed 7.1 innings of shutout ball en route to securing his seventh win of the season. The effort increased his scoreless innings streak to 19 1/3rd innings, and he boasts a 1.51 ERA during his L/5 starts. He defeated the Twins in his lone start at home against them this season, and in his career vs. Minny, the lefty is 4-3 with a 5.33 ERA & 1.57 WHIP.
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Opposing the recently streaking southpaw will be the Twins Nick Blackburn who enters his 18th start of the year off a masterpiece against the Detroit Tigers. The righty scattered seven hits through nine innings of work, and almost tossed his first shutout; Brandon Inge spoiled it with a two-run shot in the 9th. Hes been lights out at home where hes a perfect 4-0 with a 2.32 ERA & 1.21 WHIP in seven overall starts; Twins are 6-1 in those outings. Hes 1-1 vs. the Palehose this year, and in eight career starts against the White Sox, Blackburn is 3-4 with a 4.08 ERA & 1.45 WHIP.
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While Chicago comes into this one red hot with one of their hottest hurlers on the bump, Blackburn is unbeaten in this venue and the Twins will most definitely come ready to play after getting rolled up and smoked by the Yankees the L/3 days. The Metrodome has always been a house of horrors for the White Sox, 1-9 L/10 visits, and I look for that trend to continue in the first game of this MLB betting series.
Drew Gordon
Toronto at BALTIMORE -105
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Now on a 23-14 roll with the plays I'm giving away! For today's complimentary play, we're looking at the Toronto/Baltimore match-up.
Two teams that have been struggling, starting two young pitchers that have been struggling, but the winner of this contest is clear. I'm taking the Orioles here for a variety of reasons, but let's start with a much needed series win at Safeco in their last one, scoring all 5 runs in the 9th to beat the Mariners 5-3 Wednesday! Manager Dave Trembley called it one of their best "team" wins of the season, and I expect they'll build off that effort tonight.
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Then there's the pitching match up, as Jason Berken gets the nod for the O's in the one place he's been effective - Camden Yards. Berken is 1-3 with a decent 4.82 ERA at home this season, and in case you didn't know, his only win on the season came against this Toronto club in his Major League debut. In that game he allowed 2 runs over 5 innings, and facing a Blue Jays team that's tail-spinning right now (2-10 over their last 12 games), is just what the doctor ordered!
On the flip side, we know young pitchers usually struggle on the road, and that holds true for the Blue Jays southpaw Brett Cecil as well, going 1-1 with a 6.94 ERA this season. His last roadie was a absolute disaster, getting bombed by the Yankees for 7 runs on 9 hits over just 3 2/3 innings Sunday. Note, he'll be facing a lesser offense tonight, but that doesn't mean he won't run into trouble! Remember, we're talking about a pitcher who's posted a 9.42 ERA over his last 4 starts (ugly, real ugly).
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In fact, the Orioles have hit lefties well at home, batting a red-hot .314 against them on the season! With their offense coming to life again, scoring 17 runs in their last 2 games, including a thrilling come-from-behind win at Seattle in their last one, I'm expecting their bats to stay hot against a VERY vulnerable Cecil in this contest. In the end, Baltimore carries over its success from Safeco, getting the solid home win Friday night!
Take Baltimore behind Berken over Toronto and Cecil in this MLB match up.
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3♦ BALTIMORE
Michael Cannon
LA Dodgers -130 at MILWAUKEE
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Chad Billingsley is just getting it done for the Dodgers this year. The All-Star right-hander is 9-4 with a 3.14 ERA and heads a group of pitchers that ranks near the bottom of the majors with a 3.52 team ERA.
Milwaukee is struggling at the plate right now. The Brewers were shut out in the series opener and have been blanked three times in their last 10 games.
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Braden Looper will start for the Brew Crew and despite his back-to-back wins in his last two outings I don’t see him matching Billingsley pitch-for-pitch tonight.
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Take the Dodgers as they grab the road win.
3♦ LA DODGERS