Jeff Benton
OAKLAND (PK) at Kansas City
Nice winner with the Padres on the run-line Saturday got me back on track with the free plays. For Sunday, I’ll play the A’s and rookie lefty Brett Anderson at Kansas City.
Prior to last night’s 12-6 loss to Zack Greinke and the Royals, Oakland had won all three games against Kansas City this season – not only winning, but dominating, posting combined run-differential of 28-9 in those victories. Tonight, the A’s send Anderson to the hill, and the kid has been dynamite in the last six-plus weeks. Over his last eight starts, Anderson has given up a total of 13 runs (including just one home run) in 51 2/3 innings (2.27 ERA), and Oakland is 6-2 during this stretch, including 4-1 on the road.
During those five road starts, Anderson has recorded 2.93 ERA with the A’s winning at Boston twice, at Tampa Bay and at San Diego.
Want another example of how good Anderson has been? During a month-long stretch from July 6 through Aug. 2, he has a 1.87 ERA. The rest of Oakland’s starters have a 7.87 ERA! What’s more, the rookie has been a much better pitcher in day games (3.05, 1.11 WHIP) than night contests (4.84 ERA, 1.40 WHIP).
By comparison, his counterpart today is Luke Hochevar, who has a 5.40 ERA overall and a 5.45 ERA in day games, and in his last two trips to the hill, he’s given up 11 runs (all earned) on 18 hits in 11 innings (9.00 ERA), losing to Baltimore and Seattle. But that’s not the worst of it. Hochevar has faced the A’s twice in his young career and he’s lasted just 6 2/3 innings, allowing a whopping 14 runs and 16 hits for a 18.90 ERA. Not surprisingly, Kansas City lost both games by scores of 7-1 and 12-3.
Throw in the fact that Oakland is 4-2 in its last five games overall and 29-10 in their last 39 contests in Kansas City – while the Royals are 25-56 in their last 81 overall and 7-20 in their last 27 at home – and this one’s a no-brainer. Play the A’s at a dirt-cheap price.
3♦ OAKLAND
Dominic Fazzini
Oakland -105 at KANSAS CITY
Athletics rookie Brett Anderson (6-8, 4.20 ERA) has pitched much better than his record indicates.
The 21-year-old left-hander is 3-1 with a 1.93 ERA over his last seven starts, holding opposing batters to a .182 average. He allowed two runs on six hits while striking out eight in 7 2/3 innings Monday against Texas.
Anderson also has a 2.93 ERA in his last five road starts.
Royals starter Luke Hochevar (6-4, 5.40) has been rocked by the Athletics in two starts vs. Oakland, going 0-2 with a 18.90 ERA, allowing 14 runs and 16 hits in 6 2/3 innings. He gave up eight runs and seven hits in two innings at Oakland on May 12.
The right-hander also has struggled in his last two outings, allowing 11 runs and 18 hits in his last 11 innings.
The A's are 4-1 in Anderson's last five road starts, and 6-2 in his last eight starts overall. Oakland is also 29-10 in its last 39 games in Kansas City. Take the A's in this one.
4♦ OAKLAND
Drew Gordon
Oakland -105 at KANSAS CITY
Now on a 37-27 roll with the plays I'm giving away! For today's complimentary play, we're looking at the Oakland/Kansas City match up...
It wouldn't surprise me if the Royals Luke Hochevar had nightmares about his past performances against the Athletics, whom he's 0-2 with a mind-boggling 18.90 ERA against! He got rocked for 8 runs on 7 hits over just 2 innings back on May 12th, and I don't see hope this time around either. Guys, it would be one thing if he was pitching well right now, but that is simply NOT the case, allowing a combined 11 runs on 18 hits over his last 11 innings (2 starts)!
On the flip side, he's being opposed by the A's surging rookie southpaw Brett Anderson, who's 3-1 with a 2.26 ERA over his L8 starts! Strong road efforts at Fenway (twice), and at Tropicana, tell me the youngster will have little trouble pitching at Kauffman, where the Royals are just 6-20 over their L26 home games! The fact he's posted a 2.93 ERA over his L5 roadies should tell you just how much confidence the young rook is pitching with right now.
Granted, the Royals do hit lefties well at Kauffman, but let's not get too carried away, as Brett Anderson has shut down much better offenses on the road this season. Oakland's offense is nothing to write home about, but they do prefer to hit righties, and its tough to ignore the fact they've destroyed Hochevar every time they've seen him. In the end, Anderson delivers another strong effort in hostile territory, as the A's bounce back strong Sunday afternoon.
Take Oakland behind Anderson over Kansas City and Hochevar in this MLB match up.
3♦ OAKLAND
Chris Jordan
Texas at ANGELS -180
With Texas sending southpaw Derek Holland to the hill for this one, and the Angels putting John Lackey on the bump, I think I’ll take my chances in laying the run line and rolling to a huge blowout win today.
This is the rubber match, it’s a Sunday clash in Anaheim and the Angels are the ones carrying the momentum over from last night’s 3-2 win.
And despite Friday night’s loss to the explosive Rangers, the Halos have been arguably the hottest team in baseball the past two months with their 36-14 run and 20-9 sprint at home, including nine of their last 12. The Angels come in on additional streaks of 8-3 against teams with a winning record, 41-13 in the third game of a series and 24-9 on Sundays, so to say motivation is on our side is an understatement.
As for the Rangers, who are mired in a 9-21 skid against teams with a winning percentage better than .600, they’re going to suffer a terrible loss with Holland toeing the slab.
After all, he’s 1-3 on the road with a 4.46 ERA and comes in after being tattered in Oakland last Tuesday, when he gave up four runs on four hits in 4-1/3 innings. The performance resulted in a 6-0 loss, and he’s now allowed four runs or more in seven of his last 10 starts, while the Rangers are a bleak 3-7 in those 10 outings. They’re also 0-4 in his last four road starts and 1-4 in his last five as an underdog.
Take Lackey, take the Angels and take the money in this series finale in Anaheim.
1♦ ANGELS
Jake Timlin
Take the Yankees as they sweep the Red Sox at home tonight.
Thanks to a pair of shutout wins over the past two days New York is quickly making everyone forget that they lost the first eight series games to the Red Sox. In fact now that the Yankees are the AL East division leads it is very clear that New York is the better of the two teams right now.
Now to lead the Yankees to the sweep will be Pettitte who looks to win his second straight game as the lefty is fresh off a 6 2/3 inning win where he allowed only 1 earned run and lowering his ERA to 1.32 over his last two starts.
Meanwhile, for Boston since the break not much has good right as the Red Sox have lost their five games and 13 of their last 21 to start the second half.
Simple, it was New York who needed this series the most and they have shown in the first two games they were up for the challenge. Well look for the Yankees to continue to shine as they sweep Boston tonight at home.
1♦ New York Yankees
Tony Weston
I nailed 7 straight Comp Play winners then finally dropped one yesterday. Hey, even I can’t win them all.
I’m getting back to the business of winning today as I’m delivering the Cubs as a winner over the Rockies.
The Cubs got over yesterday on the Rockies, winning 6-5 and have now beaten Colorado 5 of their last 7 meetings.
Most important about this matchup will be the scheduled starting pitchers.
Jason Hammel has struggled his last few games for the Rockies, who are just 1-3 his last four starts.
Opposite Hammel will be Cubs scheduled starter Randy Wells, who has been amazing for Chicago this season.
The Cubs have won each of his last four starts and are 8-1 his last nine and are on a 5-0 run in his road starts.
Pencil in Wells as your starting pitcher and take the Cubs on the road in this one.
3♦ CUBS
JIM FEIST
FLORIDA MARLINS / PHILADELPHIA PHILLIES
Take PHILADELPHIA PHILLIES
How often can you get arguably the best team in the NL if not baseball at home as a dog!! That's just what we get here on Sunday as the Phillies find themselves the underdog at home to Josh Johnson and the Marlins. Heading into Saturday's matchup, the Phils were on a bit of a downturn after their red-hot winning streak, as they had lost six of 10 games and dropped Friday's contest to the fish. Still, the Phillies are solidly in first place, six games ahead of Florida. The Phillies lead the NL in runs per game (5.25) and in Home Runs (149). Raul Ibanez and Ryan Howard both have 26 round trippers this year while Jayson Werth and Chase Utley are right behind with 23. The oddsmakers are counting on Josh Johnson to continue his excellent season as he's 10-2 with a 2.98 era. However, he does face veteran lefty Jamie Moyer who has a 10-8 mark and still shows he can pitch in the majors. Add to that Moyer's lifetime 13-2 record with a 2.83 ERA against the Marlins and he's worth a shot as a home dog with this power hitting Phillies club.
The Sports Investing Professional
Today we have one play and we'll go out to LA to take a ride with the Angels again. Holland has been awful and Lackey has been much better as of late. It's a big lay for this time of year but I'm willing to take the chance.
LA Angles -180
Hentai Sports
Arizona Diamondbacks at Washington Nationals
Prediction : Arizona Diamondbacks
What we want to do is play on road favorites off a road favored loss at -140 or higher that lost by 2 or more runs and scored 2 or less runs,vs an opponent off a home dog win that scored 5+ runs and had 5 + hits.This system has cashed 29 of 41 times.If our opponent left 10 or more on base the system tops out at 8-1.Arizona is 12-4 vs losing teams in the second half and should avoid the sweep here today.In the pitching matchup they have Y.Petit and he has been coming on of late with a 2.95 era over his last 3 starts.Washington counters with J.D.Martin and he has struggled with a 6.97 home era.The Nationals have shown they have not thrown in the towel playing hard for their new manager.However look for the 7 game win streak to end today.
ATS Consultants
Orioles/Toronto Blue Jays UNDER 8 Baltimore
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Great pitching matchup today in Toronto between Roy Halladay and Brian Matusz as the O’s and Jays wrap up a three game series. Each team has taken one in the series so far with the Jays winning yesterday 3-2 in extra innings.
Matusz (1-0 1.80) is one of the Orioles, if not Baseball’s most touted prospects. He delivered in his first start the other night, pitching 5 innings and allowing 1 run, while striking out 5 Detroit Tigers. It’s beginning to look promising in Baltimore, as a few youngsters are really beginning to make an impact.
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Halladay (11-5, 2.75) has been his usual brililant self as late, now that he’s staying in Toronto, at least for the immediate future. He’s only 1-2 with a 2.75 ERA, but the Jays have struggled to score runs for him. His 19-4 career record against the Orioles is very impressive. Should be another low scoring game between these two.
New York Mets -140 over San Diego
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The Mets are counting on Johan Santana to right the ship after a terrible weekend so far in San Diego. The Padres have dominated the Mets all weekend, and New York feels they must salvage a game in this series.
Santana (12-8, 3.10) is still one of the best in the game, despite playing for a pretty bad team right now. He’s 3-1 over his last 5 starts with a 2.52 ERA in that span. He won’t win the Cy Young award this year, but he’s been a warrior and should be able to stop the Mets slide this afternoon.
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Tim Stauffer (1-3, 3.12) goes to the mound for the Padres, and he’s done a nice job in his brief time in the majors in 2009. Stauffer won’t wow you with his stuff, but he throws strikes, doesn’t walk anyone, and keeps his team in the game. Expect a decent effort today, but not good enough to beat Santana.
ATS Consultants
Newsletter Plays
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LA Angels over Texas - Preferred Play
The Rangers are still trying to catch up to the Angels in the AL West. The Angels are scoring a ton of runs without Hunter and Guerrero. Their pitching isn't as strong as they would like but averaging almost 6 runs a game will make up for those deficiencies. LA Angels 10-4
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Over in the St. Louis/Pittsburgh game - Preferred Play
Pro Football Matchup
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Prediction: Tennessee over Buffalo 24-17
Yankee Capper
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Florida/Philadelphia Under 9.5
St. Louis Cardinals -150
San Francisco Giants -180
Tony Karpinski
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Buffalo Bills vs. Tennessee Titans
Play: Tennessee Titans ML -143
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I think Tennessee will be on a mission this year. Expect VINCE YOUNG to get alot of playing time in the pre-season. He should be hungry for it. If not he could be packing his bags elsewhere. TITANS roll in their first pre-season game on Sunday night. Lets Bank It!
No wonder Marc Lawrence sucks, he has a SD pitcher going for Colorado.
VEGAS EXPERTS
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Boston Red Sox at NY Yankees
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New York will look to dominate the Sox in this finale after back-to-back shutouts. Yankees veteran left-handed arm Andy Pettitte takes the hill this afternoon while looking to follow up a good last outing in Toronto where he allowed one run in nearly seven innings of work. New York is 18-3 at home when playing on Sunday, while Boston is just 7-15 when on the road on Sundays. The Yankees are 36-16 after a game where they allowed one or less runs. Go with the Yankees for the sweep!
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Play on: New York