Jimmy Boyd
FOR THE LARGEST SELECTION OF FREE SERVlCE PLAYS VlSlT THESPREAD.COM
1 Unit on San Francisco Giants -140
FOR THE LARGEST SELECTION OF FREE SERVlCE PLAYS VlSlT THESPREAD.COM
We'll side with the red hot Matt Cain and the Giants against the struggling Mike Hampton and the Astros here tonight. Hampton is just 1-2 over his last 3 starts with an ERA of 9.97 and a WHIP of 2.151. The Astros are 0-6 in his last 6 starts vs. a team with a winning record. Cain is 12-2 with a 2.12 ERA on the season and he has really shined over his last 3 starts, going 2-0 with an ERA of 0.78 and a WHIP of 0.826. The Giants are 16-5 in Cain's 21 starts this season and 9-0 in his last 9 starts vs. a team with a losing record. The Giants have won 6 of 7 while the Astros have lost 4 of 5. I'll take the hotter team with the better starter on the hill at this price tonight.
Rob Vinciletti
FOR THE LARGEST SELECTION OF FREE SERVlCE PLAYS VlSlT THESPREAD.COM
Chicago Cubs vs. Cincinnati Reds
Play: Chicago Cubs
FOR THE LARGEST SELECTION OF FREE SERVlCE PLAYS VlSlT THESPREAD.COM
The Cubs have solid advantages in this matchup tonight vs the Reds.Chicago has taken 6 of 9 this year from the Reds and catch them at the right time as the Reds now look like a team that's packing it in with a 6 game losing streak.The Reds are hitting under .200 over the past week and have lost 13 of 15 times in the second half vs winning teams.In contrast the Cubs have won 7 of 8 vs losing teams in the second half.Chicago is scoring nearly 7 runs per game over the past week and have a solid pitching edge tonight.The Cubs have R.Wells going tonight and he has been superb in road starts this year with a 2.62 era.The Cubs have won both of his starts vs Cincinnati this year while he allowed 5 runs in 12+ innings.Wells has been on a roll of late winning his last three.The Reds counter with righty A.Harang tonight.In his home starts Harang has a 3.57 home era but he has been shelled of late with a 6.30 era over his last 3 starts, all of which were losses.Ironically August is his worst month.Harang has a 4.83 era in August his worst month over the last 3 years.Based on the pitching matchup and both teams going in different directions, Ill side with the Cubs here in Game one of this series.Those looking for a late phone selection to pound consider
JIN FEIST
FOR THE LARGEST SELECTION OF FREE SERVlCE PLAYS VlSlT THESPREAD.COM
WASHINGTON NATIONALS / PITTSBURGH PIRATES
Take OVER
FOR THE LARGEST SELECTION OF FREE SERVlCE PLAYS VlSlT THESPREAD.COM
The Pirates have pretty much traded away most of their talent. And why not, they are in last place in the NL Central and figure it's time to rebuild with some youth through trades. Despite these two clubs being in last place, they both actually can hit. The Pirates (.259) and Nationals (.264) are five & Six in the NL batting. The problem for both teams is in the pitching department. The Nationals are dead last in team ERA (5.10) and WHIP (1.524). The Pirates aren't much better with a 4.32 ERA and 1.415 WHIP. Don't expect much from today's starters, who between them have just seven wins in the majors. Garret Mock is 0-4 this season with a 7.09 ERA while the Pirate's Charlie Morton is 2-3 with a 3.72 ERA. Morton is the better of the two, but expect both to get hit here on Monday.
DAVE COKIN
FOR THE LARGEST SELECTION OF FREE SERVlCE PLAYS VlSlT THESPREAD.COM
SAN FRANCISCO GIANTS / HOUSTON ASTROS
Take SAN FRANCISCO GIANTS
FOR THE LARGEST SELECTION OF FREE SERVlCE PLAYS VlSlT THESPREAD.COM
The Giants are a poor road team, so laying this kind of lumber with them is risky. But Matt Cain is on fire, while Mike Hampton is having his problems right now, so there's a big mound edge for SF despite Hampton's 15-4 ledger vs. the Giants. There's no way I can step out with this as a strong call because of the numbers involved, but I'd still have to side with Giants as winners tonight.
Jeff Benton
How about Sunday’s monster free-play underdog winner on the Royals, who cashed as a plus-240 pup at Tampa Bay? I’m now on a 19-8 roll with freebies, and I’ll look to extend that streak Monday by backing the Giants at Houston.
You know there’s a big mismatch on the mound when a team that’s 10 games under .500 on the road – as San Francisco is – is laying this kind of chalk in a visiting yard. Sure enough, this game pits All-Star Matt Cain against washed-up Mike Hampton. That right there should say it all.
Cain (12-2, 2.12 ERA) is tied for the N.L. lead in victories and ranks second to Chris Carpenter (2.10) in ERA. San Francisco is unbeaten in the right-hander’s last five starts, and Cain has allowed one or zero earned runs in each of his last six starts, giving up a total of four earned runs in 37 2/3 innings during this stretch (0.96 ERA).
Suffice to say, Cain has been beyond brilliant not only lately, but all season (hence the reason the Giants are 16-5 when he pitches). Definitely can’t say the same about Hampton. He’s 6-8 with a 5.36 ERA in 18 starts (12 of which the Astros have lost), and in his last four trips to the mound, the southpaw has posted a 10.42 ERA (22 earned runs sallowed in 19 innings). Hampton hit rock bottom on Wednesday against the Cubs, getting rocked for nine runs in four innings of a 12-0 loss in Chicago.
Simply put, these are two pitchers going in completely different directions, and when you consider that starting pitching dominated a three-game series between these clubs in San Francisco last month – the Giants outscored the Astros 22-0 in the first two contests, while Houston rode a Roy Oswalt gem to a 7-1 victory in the finale – and this one’s a no-brainer. Lay the reasonable price with Cain and the Giants.
4♦ SAN FRANCISCO
Matt Rivers
For Monday take the Brewers on the left coast.
Sure we're well behind the eight ball here as Clayton Kershaw is a young blossoming stud unlike Manny Parra who does not seem to be progressing at all but at this price with two studs in Fielder and Braun on my side I can't pass up the Brew Crew.
The Dodgers are very very good this season as evidenced by their gaudy record but I still do not see them as a total elite ballclub. Granted getting George Sherrill makes that bullpen dominant leading up to a semi stud closer in Jonathan Broxton and the lineup with Manny, Ethier, Kemp, Loney and others can be very good so all in all the blue probably should be win this game as the boys from Milwaukee have been fairly disappointing. There is, though, still too much of an upside for the Brewers to be getting such a high price.
I can't make this into a real pay type of a play because I would not be too shocked if Los Angeles jumps on Parra and rolls by a bunch but if the lefty can hold his own for awhile, which is also possible, than I have enough confidence in the Brew Crew with their studs plus guys like Hart and Hardy among others to plate some runs.
Also with the Dodgers playing the late Sunday night game all the way pretty much on the East Coast in Atlanta and then traveling back across the country may not be a huge factor in the sport of baseball but it certainly doesn't hurt us here.
1♦ Brewers
Dominic Fazzini
San Francisco -135 at HOUSTON
The Diamondbacks cruised Sunday for my fifth win in my last seven complimentary selections. Let's keep this train a rolling!
Giants right-hander Matt Cain (12-2, 2.12 ERA) has become a leading candidate for the National League Cy Young Award. He went 3-0 with a 0.94 ERA in six July starts, and pitched a three-hit shutout against Pittsburgh in his last outing.
Astros starter Mike Hampton (6-8, 5.36) has allowed at least four earned runs in each of his last four starts. The veteran left-hander allowed nine runs and eight hits in four innings against the Cubs in his last outing.
Hampton went 2-3 with a 7.96 ERA in five July starts, and four of his six wins this season have come against the lowly Pirates.
San Francisco just got done taking three or four games against mighty Philadelphia, so beating Houston today shouldn't be too tough with Cain on the mound. Take the Giants in this one.
5♦ SAN FRANCISCO
Sports Gambling Hotline
San Francisco at HOUSTON
While Mike Hampton has been serving them up of late, we still feel the UNDER is the way to go in this San Francisco-Houston contest.
San Francisco starter Matt Cain has been awful stingy all season long as his 12-2 mark with a 2.12 ERA can attest. Cain has allowed exactly 2 earned runs over his last 23 innings of work, and with Houston having played UNDER the total in their last 3 games, chances of the Astros mustering much of an attack are slim, and none.
The Giants played a rare OVER on Sunday, but have still landed on the LOW-SCORING side of things in 8 of their last 11.
For the year, San Fran has played UNDER the total in 29 of 49 on the road, while Houston has also been UNDER in 29 of 49 at home.
Play on the LOW in San Francisco-Houston this Monday night.
2♦ UNDER
Karl Garrett
San Francisco -145 at HOUSTON
G-Man is 10-4 the last 14 days with my FREE plays!
Tonight, I am forced to lay the road lumber with the Giants, as San Francisco has got to be feeling good about taking 3 of 4 from the defending World Series Champion Phillies this past weekend at home.
True, the Giants have struggled away from home, but they do have "ace" hurler Matt Cain on the hill, and he will be working to a Houston team that has been having their struggles plating runs.
Houston hasn't topped 3 runs in any of their last 5 games, and the fact Cain hasn't allowed more than 1 earned run in 8 of his last 9 starts tells me Cain should be prime to up his 12-2 season mark.
The Giants took 2 of 3 earlier this season from the Astros, and Houston starter Mike Hampton has really been struggling of late, going 1-2 with an ERA near 10 over his last 3 starts.
All San Francisco tonight in the series opener.
4♦ SAN FRANCISCO
Chris Jordan
Atlanta at SAN DIEGO +110
List both pitchers tonight, and bank on the home team in this one to take full advantage of a tribe of tired Braves, who were humiliated at home and on national television last night. I like this youngster Mat Latos, as he’s been one of the few bright spots for the Padres, who have National League’s second-worst record.
San Diego promoted Latos (2-1, 2.70 ERA) from Double-A San Antonio on July 18 after he went 8-1 with a 1.38 ERA in 13 minor league games, including 11 starts. And in his three starts for the Padres, the 21-year-old right-hander has seemingly improved every time he’s stepped to the hill. Quite frankly, he was nearly unhittable in last Wednesday’s 7-1 win over Cincinnati, as he retired 21 of the 23 batters he faced, giving up just a home run and a walk.
Latos is stifling opponents to a .164 batting average and I’m betting will have similar success shutting down the Braves, who arrive in San Diego after last night’s game with their own struggles to generate offense. Atlanta, which was limited to five hits last night, scored a mere five runs and batted a paltry .188 in the three-game set with the Dodgers.
Not the Braves are on the West Coast after losing six of 10. Not a good way to start this trip. Give me the home underdog in this one.
2♦ PADRES
Free Selection from Arthur Ralph Sports
304 - 198 run 60 % 51-27 run here
MON CHI CUBS 8)
VEGAS EXPERTS
FOR THE LARGEST SELECTION OF FREE SERVlCE PLAYS VlSlT THESPREAD.COM
Atlanta Braves at San Diego Padres
FOR THE LARGEST SELECTION OF FREE SERVlCE PLAYS VlSlT THESPREAD.COM
This is the first meeting between these two teams this season. Atlanta has won 10 of 13 games over the Padres the past three seasons. San Diego is just 6-22 when coming off a loss by four runs or more this season as well as 22-40 when coming off a loss. The Padres are scoring 3.5 runs per game and batting just .215 this season at home. With the Braves being a small road favorite, that is the way to go.
FOR THE LARGEST SELECTION OF FREE SERVlCE PLAYS VlSlT THESPREAD.COM
Play on: Atlanta
Bob Harvey
San Francisco Giants at Houston Astros
FOR THE LARGEST SELECTION OF FREE SERVlCE PLAYS VlSlT THESPREAD.COM
Matt Cain and the Giants appear to be the easy pick in this one, but Mike Hampton and the Astros will defy the odds with the upset win at home in Houston tonight.
Pardon the pun, but Matt Cain has been on a giant roll this season. He’ll look to keep his Cy Young drive alive as San Francisco and Houston begin a three-game set at Minute Maid Park.
Mike Hampton
FOR THE LARGEST SELECTION OF FREE SERVlCE PLAYS VlSlT THESPREAD.COM
Cain has been solid all year posting a 12-2 record with an ERA of 2.12. He was flat out brilliant in July going 3-0 with an ERA of 0.94. A victory tonight would make Cain the first 13-game winner in the NL and would give him the team lead in victories, one better than teammate Tim Lincecum. It would also help Cain match his career-high in victories a mark he set three years ago as a rookie. Cain received an NL-low 3.14 runs of support per game last season but the Giants have more than made up for it this season scoring a full two runs per game better than the ’08 mark.
FOR THE LARGEST SELECTION OF FREE SERVlCE PLAYS VlSlT THESPREAD.COM
With a 1-1 record and 3.46 ERA against the Astros in his career, Cain will face veteran Mike Hampton tonight. The oft-inured Hampton is 6-8 on the year with a lofty 5.36 ERA. However, he’s enjoyed great success against the Giants going 15-4 with a 3.61 ERA in 23 starts. He went 2-0 with a 2.77 ERA against the Bay Area bunch last season.
Another stat which should be encouraging to Houston backers: The Astros are 5-1 at home this year against teams from the NL West and are 7-2 in their last nine tilts against the Giants. SF meanwhile is just 3-9 in their last 12 road games.
FOR THE LARGEST SELECTION OF FREE SERVlCE PLAYS VlSlT THESPREAD.COM
Both teams are still very much in the hunt for a division title. The Giants trail the first-place Dodgers by seven games in the NL West while the Astros are just 4.5 games behind St. Louis in the Central. However San Francisco is tied with Colorado for the Wild Card lead with Houston six games in arrears. It’s much too early to be talking about “must-win situations,” but in regards to the postseason this is a crucial series for the Astros especially. A Cain vs. Hampton matchup looks pretty one-sided and it says here that it will play out that way. The Giants are 17-11 this season against lefthanders.
FOR THE LARGEST SELECTION OF FREE SERVlCE PLAYS VlSlT THESPREAD.COM
Will it be a San Francisco treat? Based on the individual numbers, you’d almost have to be crazy to bet against Cain a bona fide Cy Young award candidate. But given Houston’s past success this season against SF, this looks like a spot where Hampton and the Astros could pull off the “Giant” upset. Take Houston at home as they pull off the mild upset.
FOR THE LARGEST SELECTION OF FREE SERVlCE PLAYS VlSlT THESPREAD.COM
Pick: Astros +126
BIG AL
Kansas City Royals vs. Tampa Bay Rays
Yesterday's 4-1 loss was the first time this year the Rays fell to the Royals. Expect Tampa Bay to pick up the pieces at home for the win today vs. Kansas City.
Our Monday afternoon MLB selection is on the Tampa Bay Rays at home over Zack Greinke and the Kansas City Royals.
The Rays must have breathed a big sigh of relief when their lefthanded ace, Scott Kazmir, threw a quality start at home against the Yankees in his last outing on July 28, and ended up doing something he hadn't done since May 9 – he got the win. The Rays will need as many wins as they can get from their starters in the coming weeks as they try to keep pace with the Yankees and Red Sox.
Manager Joe Maddon said before that last game he was looking for Kazmir's velocity to get back into the 93-94 mph range. It was there on Tuesday, a good sign that Kazmir has figured out the mechanical issues that plagued him earlier this season. Fortunately, Kazmir is facing a weak team and a starter who knows what it's like to struggle for wins.
Greinke hasn't won a game since June 28, and he's had three losses during that time while his team was on the losing side in all five of Greinke's July starts. One of those losses was against this Tampa team on July 18 at home. In his career, Greinke is 0-2 vs. the Rays with a 3.31 ERA in eight games, including five starts.
Tampa has completely dominated this series, especially at home as the Royals are 5-21 in their last 26 games at Tropicana Field. Take the Rays.
Pick: Rays -131
Ben Burns
Chicago Cubs at Cincinnati Reds
Prediction: Cincinnati Reds +1.5
FOR THE LARGEST SELECTION OF FREE SERVICE PLAYS VISIT THESPREAD.COM
The Reds have really been struggling and they lost another tough one yesterday, falling 6-4 in extra innings. I feel they've got a strong shot at scoring the upset here though. Despite a rough outing last time out, Harang has been solid at home. The Reds have won six of his 11 starts here and he's got a respectable 3.57 ERA during those games. The Reds also won each of Harang's final three home starts last season, making them 9-5 his last 14 home starts overall. Prior to his debacle vs. the Padres, Harang had allowed three earned runs or less in seven straight home starts. It's also worth noting that Harang has allowed four earned runs or less in eight of his nine career home starts vs. the Cubs. The Reds were 5-4 in those games.
FOR THE LARGEST SELECTION OF FREE SERVICE PLAYS VISIT THESPREAD.COM
As already noted, I feel the Reds have a good shot at winning this game. However, with their current struggles and due to the fact that Wells has been quite good for the Cubs, I believe that taking the Reds on the run-line (at +1.5 runs) makes sense. For starters, Wells has seen six of his 15 starts decided by a single run. Additionally, looking at the last four games between these teams, played here at Cincinnati, and we find that three of them were also decided by one run. Consider Cincinnati at +1.5 runs.