SPORTS ADVISORS
Cincinnati (41-42) at Philadelphia (44-38)
The Phillies trot out veteran left-hander Jamie Moyer (7-6, 5.72 ERA) as they wrap up a four-game series at Citizens Bank Park against the Reds, who are slated to counter with Micah Owings (6-8, 4.48).
Philadelphia pulled out a 3-2 victory Wednesday night on Shane Victorino’s RBI single in the bottom of the ninth inning. It was the fifth win in the last six games for the Phillies, all on their home field, where they were just 13-22 on the year before their current hot streak. In taking the first three games of this series, Philly is also on a 15-5 surge against N.L. Central opponents.
Cincinnati is on slides of 6-14 against winning teams and 1-5 as an underdog. The Reds have been on the short end of this rivalry lately, as well, losing eight of the last 11 clashes overall and six of the last eight meetings at Citizens Bank Park.
The Phillies have won three in a row behind Moyer, including Saturday’s 4-1 home victory over the Mets, in which he gave up one run on five hits and a walk in 6 1/3 innings. Despite that strong effort, Moyer is still only 3-4 with an inflated 6.35 ERA in eight home starts this year, and he’s 1-4 with a 5.29 ERA in eight career appearances (seven starts) against Cincinnati. He faced the Reds once earlier this season, giving up three runs on nine hits and a walk in six innings of a 5-1 road loss in May.
Philly is on runs behind Moyer of 4-1 overall, 6-2 against the N.L. Central and 24-11 with the southpaw as a home chalk.
Owings has notched wins in three of his last four starts, including the last two in a row. On Saturday against St. Louis, he gave up two runs on six hits and two walks in 6 2/3 innings as the Reds won 5-2 at home, and the 26-year-old has now allowed two earned runs or less in five of his last six outings. Still, Cincy is on slides behind Owings of 2-6 on the road and 1-4 against winning teams.
Owings is 2-6 with a 4.62 ERA in nine road appearances (eight starts) this year, and he’s 2-1 with a 4.13 ERA in five career appearances (four starts) against Philadelphia. In a 12-5 home loss to the Phils in May, the right-hander got knocked around for five runs on six hits and three walks in just three innings.
For the Phillies, the under is on tears of 6-1 overall, 36-17-2 against the N.L. Central, 8-1 backing Moyer and 4-0 with the lefty working at home. Likewise, the under for Cincinnati is on stretches of 11-3 against the N.L. East, 6-1 with Owings throwing and 4-1 behind Owings on the highway. Finally, in this rivalry, the total has stayed low in nine of the last 11 overall and six of the last seven in Philadelphia, the lone exception being the Phillies’ 22-1 rout Monday.
ATS ADVANTAGE: PHILADELPHIA and UNDER
L.A. Dodgers (53-31) at N.Y. Mets (40-43)
The major league-leading Dodgers finish their three-game set at Citi Field with left-hander Randy Wolf (3-3, 3.49 ERA) taking the ball against right-hander Livan Hernandez (5-4, 4.56) and the Mets.
Los Angeles fell behind the Mets 4-1 after three innings last night and couldn’t catch up in a 5-4 loss, ending a modest 4-1 surge as well as a 4-0 mark against New York this season. Despite the setback, the Dodgers – who still own baseball’s best record – remain on runs of 7-3 against the N.L. East, 19-9 against losing teams and 17-9 on the road.
New York is 13-6 in its last 19 Thursday contests, but the Mets are otherwise on slides of 3-9 overall, 1-5 against the N.L. West and 1-4 at home, and it had scored just three runs in its previous four games prior to Wednesday.
Despite losing four of the first five meetings against Los Angeles this year, the Mets are still 8-3 in the last 11 series clashes in the Big Apple.
Los Angeles has lost two of its last three behind Wolf, following an 8-2 streak with the 32-year-old starting. On Saturday at San Diego, Wolf gave up just one run on four hits, with no walks and eight strikeouts over six innings, but the bullpen gave up six runs in a 7-4 loss. Wolf is 3-2 with a solid 2.91 ERA in nine road starts this season.
With Wolf on the bump, the Dodgers are on rolls of 8-3 overall and 6-2 with the lefty favored. Also, he’s 11-5 with a 3.30 ERA in 29 career starts against New York. On May 18, he got a no-decision in a 3-2 L.A. home win, limiting the Mets to two runs on six hits and two walks in 7 2/3 innings.
New York has dropped five in a row behind Hernandez, including a 7-2 beating Friday at Philadelphia, where the 34-year-old allowed all seven runs on 10 hits and four walks in just three innings. Hernandez is 2-2 with a 3.43 ERA in six home starts this season, and he’s 9-13 with a 4.30 ERA in 29 career starts against Los Angeles. On May 20, he gave up just one run in seven innings but got a no-decision in a 2-1 loss at Dodger Stadium.
The Mets are on a 2-7 purge behind Hernandez, and they’ve lost seven straight games with the right-hander as an underdog.
The over for the Dodgers is on upswings of 6-1 on the highway, 6-1 against losing teams, 6-1 with Wolf facing an N.L. East unit and 4-1 behind Wolf against losing teams. Conversely, the Mets are on “under” tears of 4-1 overall, 9-4 against lefty starters, 4-0 behind Hernandez and 4-1 with Hernandez facing a winning team.
Although last night’s contest narrowly cleared the posted price of 8½, the under in this rivalry is on streaks of 5-1-1 overall and 7-3 in New York.
ATS ADVANTAGE: L.A. DODGERS
DUNKEL
NY Yankees at Minnesota
The Twins look to build on their 4-0 record in Francisco Liriano's last 4 starts as an underdog. Minnesota is the pick (+115) according to Dunkel, which has the Twins favored by 1/2 a run. Dunkel Pick: Minnesota (+115).
Game 901-902: St. Louis at Milwaukee
Dunkel Ratings: St. Louis (Pineiro) 15.692; Milwaukee (Parra) 14.503
Dunkel Line: St. Louis by 1; 10
Vegas Line: St. Louis (-115); 9
Dunkel Pick: St. Louis (-115); Over
Game 903-904: Cincinnati at Philadelphia
Dunkel Ratings: Cincinnati (Owings) 15.077; Philadelphia (Moyer) 13.990
Dunkel Line: Cincinnati by 1; 10 1/2
Vegas Line: Philadelphia (-150); 10
Dunkel Pick: Cincinnati (+140); Over
Game 905-906: LA Dodgers at NY Mets
Dunkel Ratings: LA Dodgers (Wolf) 14.965; NY Mets (Hernandez) 13.549
Dunkel Line: LA Dodgers by 1 1/2; 9
Vegas Line: LA Dodgers (-150); 8 1/2
Dunkel Pick: LA Dodgers (-150); Over
Game 907-908: Washington at Houston
Dunkel Ratings: Washington (Lannan) 14.582; Houston (Ortiz) 15.728
Dunkel Line: Houston by 1; 9 1/2
Vegas Line: Houston (-120); 8 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Houston (-120); Over
Game 909-910: Atlanta at Colorado
Dunkel Ratings: Atlanta (Hanson) 15.627; Colorado (Cook) 15.905
Dunkel Line: Colorado by 1/2; 8
Vegas Line: Colorado (-130); 9
Dunkel Pick: Colorado (-130); Under
Game 911-912: Florida at Arizona
Dunkel Ratings: Florida (Miller) 16.338; Arizona (Petit) 15.632
Dunkel Line: Florida by 1/2; 9
Vegas Line: Arizona (-125); 9 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Florida (+115); Under
Game 913-914: San Diego at San Francisco
Dunkel Ratings: San Diego (Geer) 14.053; San Francisco ((Lincecum) 16.106
Dunkel Line: San Francisco by 2; 6 1/2
Vegas Line: San Francisco (-280); 7
Dunkel Pick: San Francisco (-280); Under
Game 915-916: Toronto at Tampa Bay
Dunkel Ratings: Toronto (Halladay) 16.227; Tampa Bay (Price) 14.486
Dunkel Line: Toronto by 1 1/2; 8
Vegas Line: Toronto (-140); 8 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Toronto (-140); Under
Game 917-918: NY Yankees at Minnesota
Dunkel Ratings: NY Yankees (Aceves) 15.476; Minnesota (Liriano) 16.088
Dunkel Line: Minnesota by 1/2; 10 1/2
Vegas Line: NY Yankees (-125); 10
Dunkel Pick: Minnesota (+115); Over
Game 919-920: Cleveland at Chicago White Sox
Dunkel Ratings: Cleveland (Huff) 14.301; White Sox (Richard) 14.188
Dunkel Line: Cleveland by 1/2; 9 1/2
Vegas Line: Chicago White Sox (-125); 10
Dunkel Pick: Cleveland (+115); Under
Game 921-922: Kansas City at Boston
Dunkel Ratings: Kansas City (Hochevar) 14.362; Boston (Penny) 15.821
Dunkel Line: Boston by 1 1/2; 8 1/2
Vegas Line: Boston (-200); 9 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Boston (-200); Under
Game 923-924: Texas at Seattle
Dunkel Ratings: Texas (Hunter) 16.010; Seattle (Hernandez) 15.065
Dunkel Line: Texas by 1; 7 1/2
Vegas Line: Seattle (-180); 8
Dunkel Pick: Texas (+170); Under
WNBA
Sacramento at Seattle
The Storm look to take advantage of a Sacramento team that is 4-10 ATS in its last 14 road games. Seattle is the pick (-9) according to Dunkel, which has the Storm favored by 10. Dunkel Pick: Seattle (-9).
Game 651-652: Los Angeles at New York
Dunkel Ratings: Los Angeles 113.331; New York 116.762
Dunkel Line & Total: New York by 3 1/2; 150 1/2
Vegas Line & Total: New York by 2 1/2; 141 1/2
Dunkel Pick: New York (-2 1/2); Over
Game 653-654: Sacramento at Seattle
Dunkel Ratings: Sacramento 108.097; Seattle 118.122
Dunkel Line & Total: Seattle by 10; 138
Vegas Line & Total: Seattle by 9; 140
Dunkel Pick: Seattle (-9); Under
CFL
Week 2
Edmonton at Montreal
The Alouettes look to build on their 5-2 ATS record in their last 7 home games. Montreal is the pick (-7) according to Dunkel, which has Montreal favored by 7 1/2. Dunkel Pick: Montreal (-7).
Game 401-402: Edmonton at Montreal
Dunkel Ratings: Edmonton 112.449; Montreal 119.902
Dunkel Line: Montreal by 7 1/2; 50
Vegas Line: Montreal by 7; 52 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Montreal (-7); Under
BIG AL
FOR THE LARGEST SELECTION OF FREE SERVICE PLAYS VISIT THESPREAD.COM
Los Angeles Dodgers at New York Mets
FOR THE LARGEST SELECTION OF FREE SERVICE PLAYS VISIT THESPREAD.COM
Tough-luck starter of the first half of the season? It could very well go to the Dodgers veteran lefthander Randy Wolf, who despite having 11 quality starts so far, only has three wins to show for them. And it's not like the Dodgers haven't been winning games when he pitches as Los Angeles has won 11 of Wolf's 18 starts. Oddly, it's Mets veteran righthanded starter Livan Hernandez who has the winning record (at 5-4) in tonight's match-up although the 14-year MLB veteran is having his own tough-luck run lately having lost his last three starts. Everything else besides the winning record would seem to favor Wolf and the Dodgers in this game, including the fact that Wolf has absolutely owned the Mets throughout his career, thanks to his many seasons (eight to be exact) with the Philadelphia Phillies. In fact Wolf owns an 11-5 lifetime mark against New York, including a 6-1 record against them on the road, and he went 2-0 against them last season. While the Mets offense continues to struggle with the losses of Jose Reyes, Carlos Beltran, and Carlos Delgado, the Dodgers have gotten a boost to their lineup from the return of outfielder Manny Ramirez. Take the Dodgers.
FOR THE LARGEST SELECTION OF FREE SERVICE PLAYS VISIT THESPREAD.COM
Play on: Los Angeles
Cajun Sports
FOR THE LARGEST SELECTION OF FREE SERVICE PLAYS VISIT THESPREAD.COM
Florida Marlins vs. Arizona D-Backs
Play: Florida Marlins
FOR THE LARGEST SELECTION OF FREE SERVICE PLAYS VISIT THESPREAD.COM
The Florida Marlins pay a visit to the Arizona Diamondbacks for a four-game set that will be the final action for both squads before the All-Star Break on Tuesday night July 14 in St. Louis. Both teams enter tonight’s contest off a win in their last game with Florida grabbing a sweep stopping victory in San Francisco 7 to 0 while the Diamondbacks extended their winning streak to five-games with their win over San Diego which completed the sweep over the Padres. The Marlins will send left-hander Andrew Miller to the bump in hopes he can help his team end Arizona’s winning streak. The Diamondbacks are 8-15 W/L (-9.5) against left-handed starters this season. Over his last three starts Miller has improved going 2-1 W/L with an ERA of 4.05 averaging 6.7 innings per start over that span with twelve strikeouts and only four walks. Florida is averaging 4.3 runs per game on the road and against right-handed starters. The Marlins are 42-28 (+16.9) versus an NL team with a batting average of .255 or worse over the last 2 seasons. Another key factor for the Marlins is the performance of their bullpen on the road posting an ERA of 2.26 and a WHIP of 1.183. For Arizona to continue their recent winning streak they will need a solid outing from Yusmeiro Petit who has struggled this season and is 0-3 W/L with an ERA of 8.46 in seven trips to the bump. When he starts at home he is only giving the D-Backs a little over four innings per start with an ERA of 8.15 and a WHIP of 1.811. Arizona is 17-28 W/L (-17.2) in home games and 25-35 W/L (-10.3) when playing under the lights this season. Our TPR (Team Performance Ratings) Index projects a Marlins victory by 1.69 runs and our Math Model also has Florida capturing the win by 1.22 runs. So we will lay the short price with the visiting fish as they go into the desert and put an end to the recent winning streak of the host.
FOR THE LARGEST SELECTION OF FREE SERVICE PLAYS VISIT THESPREAD.COM
Graded Selection: 2* Florida Marlins 2 Arizona Diamondbacks 0
Craig Trapp
Kansas City Royals vs. Boston Red Sox
Play: Boston Red Sox -1.5
FOR THE LARGEST SELECTION OF FREE SERVICE PLAYS VISIT THESPREAD.COM
Betting Trends
-Royals are 7-18 in their last 25 road games.
-Royals are 1-4 in Hochevars last 5 road starts vs. a team with a winning record.
-Red Sox are 8-3 in their last 11 games vs. a right-handed starter.
-Royals are 1-6 in the last 7 meetings.
FOR THE LARGEST SELECTION OF FREE SERVICE PLAYS VISIT THESPREAD.COM
BOS -1.5 (+105) Boston has dominated the Royals over the past few years going 15-7 the last three years!! Even better at home they swept KC last year and in each game they won by an average of over 4 runs per game. KC is much improved this year but they just are not good enough to deal with the best team in all of baseball. Penny goes for BOS today and if he repeats his dominating performance (6 innings 2 ER) of last game BOS can rest assured they will win easy. For KC they turn to Hochevars and hope that he can have a once in a lifetime performance. But more likely he will go 6 innings and give up 4 ER. The bullpen of KC then will give up 2 more runs as BOSTON's bullpen seals the win without allowing a run. SCORE BOS 6 - KC 0
Red Dog Sports
FOR THE LARGEST SELECTION OF FREE SERVICE PLAYS VISIT THESPREAD.COM
St. Louis at Milwaukee
Play St. Louis
FOR THE LARGEST SELECTION OF FREE SERVICE PLAYS VISIT THESPREAD.COM
Joel Pineiro has an ERA of 1.99 in his last 3 and given up just 2,3,0,1,3 runs in his last 5 starts while Parra's ERA is 16.68 in his last 3 and the team is 0-3. The Brew Crew is 6-20 in his last 26 starts. Play the Cardinals on Thursday!
Jimmy The Moose
FOR THE LARGEST SELECTION OF FREE SERVICE PLAYS VISIT THESPREAD.COM
Cleveland Indians at Chicago White Sox
Prediction: Chicago White Sox
FOR THE LARGEST SELECTION OF FREE SERVICE PLAYS VISIT THESPREAD.COM
The Indians are 5-17 in their last 22 overall. Cleveland has lost 20 of 27 games vs. a team with a winning record. The Indians are 1-7 in their last 8 as a dog. The Indians have lost their last 4 on the road. Chicago has won 9 of their last 11. They are 4-0 in their last 4 at home. In their last 8 following a win they are 7-1. The White Sox have won 8 of their last 10 divisional games. The Indians have lost 11 of their last 15 visits to Chicago. The White Sox are 5-0 in the last 5 meetings. Play on the Chicago White Sox -.
Matt Fargo
FOR THE LARGEST SELECTION OF FREE SERVICE PLAYS VISIT THESPREAD.COM
New York Yankees at Minnesota Twins
Prediction: Minnesota Twins
FOR THE LARGEST SELECTION OF FREE SERVICE PLAYS VISIT THESPREAD.COM
The Twins look to salvage a game in this series after dropping the first two against the Yankees. Ive said it numerous times and it remains the case that New York is overvalued on an almost nightly basis and that is certainly the case here. As far as overall records, the Yankees are 7.5 games better than the Twins but when it comes to home and road records, the Twins are still a game better. Minnesota is 26-18 at home this season which is the seventh best home record in all of baseball and they catch another underdog price at the dome this afternoon. Alfredo Aceves will be making his first start this season after tossing 40 innings of relief for the Yankees. He has made only four career starts, all of them down the stretch last season and while the numbers were good overall, leaving the bullpen is a big hit for the Yankees. Francisco Liriano had a miserable start to the season but he is coming back into his old form. Through May, he had a 6.60 ERA covering 11 start but since then he has posted a 3.79 ERA in six outings and that includes four quality performances as well as five outings of allowing three runs or fewer. One of his best early season starts prior to this successful run came against the Yankees in New York where he allowed one run in six innings. Liriano has a 2.99 ERA and 1.03 WHIP in 15.1 career innings in the Metrodome. The Twins are 4-0 in Lirianos last four starts as an underdog.
FOR THE LARGEST SELECTION OF FREE SERVICE PLAYS VISIT THESPREAD.COM
3* Minnesota Twins
ALEX SMART
FOR THE LARGEST SELECTION OF FREE SERVICE PLAYS VISIT THESPREAD.COM
Los Angeles Dodgers @ New York Mets
PICK: Los Angeles Dodgers
FOR THE LARGEST SELECTION OF FREE SERVICE PLAYS VISIT THESPREAD.COM
The LA Dodgers starting pitcher Randy Wolf(3-3, 3.49 ERA) has faired very well against the NY Mets in his career garnering a lifetime 11-5 record that includes a 6-1 record at Shea Stadium. I expect for the veteran southpaw to have another quality performance in this spot vs a short handed Mets side that continue to struggle to win games. With the Mets sending out the inconsistent Livan Hernandez, who is 0-3 with a 6.35 ERA in his last three starts to the hill the Dodgers look very much to be strong bets to bring us home the dough in this spot. It must be noted that Dodgers have proved to be a good bounce back team, and are 21-9 L/30 after a negative outing, which happened last night in a 5-4 loss....Play on the LA Dodgers
MTi Sports
FOR THE LARGEST SELECTION OF FREE SERVICE PLAYS VISIT THESPREAD.COM
Florida Marlins at Arizona Diamondbacks
Prediction: Florida Marlins
FOR THE LARGEST SELECTION OF FREE SERVICE PLAYS VISIT THESPREAD.COM
The Diamondbacks are 0-13 since May 04, 2008 as a dog after a win in which they allowed 6 or fewer hits. The Marlins are 7-0 when their line is within 20 cents of pickem vs a team that has won at least their last two games. Consider playing on Florida.
Chris Jordan
L.A. Dodgers at N.Y. METS
FOR THE LARGEST SELECTION OF FREE SERVICE PLAYS VISIT THESPREAD.COM
Lay the run line with the Dodgers tonight, as Randy Wolf comes in after another quality start for the Dodgers, against the Padres. Of course, he’s becoming the no-decision pitcher of the year this season, as he notched his 12th no-decision of the year.
But as long as he’s pitching well enough to win, and keeping the front-running Dodgers in position to win ball games, I like my shot with Wolf. He allowed one run on four hits in six innings against San Diego, while he struck out eight without issuing a walk.
FOR THE LARGEST SELECTION OF FREE SERVICE PLAYS VISIT THESPREAD.COM
And keep this in mind, he knows his opponent well after spending time with the Phillies. Known as a Mets killer from his days in Philly, he rides in with an 11-5 lifetime mark against New York (6-1 at Shea Stadium), including 2-0 last season.
He’ll do much better than Livan Hernandez, who lost his third successive start while the Mets lost for the fifth time in his last five starts last Friday night against the Phils. He gave up 10 hits, four walks and, for the second time this season, seven runs.
FOR THE LARGEST SELECTION OF FREE SERVICE PLAYS VISIT THESPREAD.COM
Lay the run line with the Dodgers tonight, as they’ll roll to an easy win over New York.
1♦ L.A. DODGERS -1.5
Bobby Maxwell
L.A. Dodgers at N.Y. METS +140
FOR THE LARGEST SELECTION OF FREE SERVICE PLAYS VISIT THESPREAD.COM
Tonight, I'm handing you a FREE winner with the Mets as they host the Dodgers in their series finale from new Citi Field in New York.
The Mets ended a four-game losing streak to the Dodgers on Wednesday and they snapped a four-game losing streak with the 5-4 victory. Look for them to make it two in a row with Livan Hernandez (5-4, 4.56 ERA) on the hill in New York tonight.
Hernandez has a 3.43 ERA at home this season and even though the Mets have lost his last five outings, he's pitched well, holding the opposition to three earned runs or less in three of the five. Last time out at home he gave up three runs on three hits in seven innings to the Yankees. He pitched extremely back on May 20 when he faced these Dodgers in Los Angeles, allowing just one run in seven innings but his offense let him down and the Mets lost 2-1. He's held the Dodgers to one earned run in four of his last six outings against them.
FOR THE LARGEST SELECTION OF FREE SERVICE PLAYS VISIT THESPREAD.COM
Left-hander Randy Wolf (3-3, 3.49 ERA) is going for the Dodgers, who have lost two of his last three outings, both on the road.
New York had crushed left-handed pitching this season, hitting .299 as a team against southpaws and hitting .307 at home against lefties. Also, the Mets are 8-3 in their last 11 meetings with the Dodgers in New York and they are 13-6 in their last 19 Thursday contests.
I love the Mets to get the easy win tonight.
FOR THE LARGEST SELECTION OF FREE SERVICE PLAYS VISIT THESPREAD.COM
3♦ N.Y. METS
Dominic Fazzini
L.A. Dodgers -150 at N.Y. METS
FOR THE LARGEST SELECTION OF FREE SERVICE PLAYS VISIT THESPREAD.COM
I’m still trying to figure out how the Mets beat the Dodgers on Wednesday, but that’s not stopping me from going with Los Angeles again today.
Left-hander Randy Wolf (3-3, 3.49 ERA) has owned the Mets in his career, going 11-5 in his career, including 6-1 at Shea Stadium. He pitched against New York once this year, allowing two runs on six hits in 7 2/3 innings on May 18.
While Wolf hasn’t earned a victory in his last seven starts, he is 3-2 with a 2.91 ERA in nine road outings this year. Wolf has received 12 no-decisions this season, but he is pitching well enough to help Los Angeles go 11-7 in his 18 outings.
FOR THE LARGEST SELECTION OF FREE SERVICE PLAYS VISIT THESPREAD.COM
Mets right-hander Livan Hernandez (5-4, 4.56) has lost his last three decisions, and allowed seven runs on 10 hits in three innings Friday at Philadelphia.
Manny Ramirez has punished Hernandez, going 5-for-8 with a home run and five RBIs. I expect more of the same tonight. Take the Dodgers.
FOR THE LARGEST SELECTION OF FREE SERVICE PLAYS VISIT THESPREAD.COM
3♦ L.A. DODGERS
Jeff Benton
Texas +160 at SEATTLE
FOR THE LARGEST SELECTION OF FREE SERVICE PLAYS VISIT THESPREAD.COM
I scored another free-play winner Wednesday as the DBacks covered the run line against the Padres. I’ve now hit three of four freebies since returning from vacation, and I’ll extend that run Thursday by taking the big underdog money with the Rangers in Seattle.
I know the Mariners are going with ace Felix Hernandez tonight, and the All-Star has been nothing short of spectacular virtually the entire season, especially lately with eight straight quality starts, seven of which Seattle has won.
However, the Rangers have absolutely had King Felix’s number over the last two years. Since Opening Day 2008 when he pitched a gem against Texas at home only to get a no-decision in a 5-4 Mariners loss, Hernandez has faced the Rangers eight times. Seattle’s record in those eight games? 1-7, with all seven defeats coming as a favorite. That includes a 6-5 home loss on May 4 this year (with Hernandez giving up all six runs on 10 hits in six innings) and a 3-2 loss in Texas 10 days later (with Hernandez pitching four-hit ball over seven scoreless innings, only to come up empty).
FOR THE LARGEST SELECTION OF FREE SERVICE PLAYS VISIT THESPREAD.COM
The last four times the Rangers have seen Hernandez in Seattle, they’re 4-0, with the big right-hander giving up 16 runs (all earned) in the last three of those games covering 15 1/3 innings. Clearly, as good as Hernandez is and as dominant as he can be, Texas’ potent lineup isn’t all intimidated by him.
Two more reasons to like the Rangers in this spot: They’ve won all five games against the Mariners this season, and young right-hander Tommy Hunter has been pretty impressive in his first three starts this season (1-1, 3.18 ERA), and each of those games came in hitter-friendly Rangers Ballpark.
Finally, Texas is 7-1 in its last eight games – including winning the last two nights at the Angels – while King Felix has been a whole lot better on the road this year (5-1, 1.94 ERA) than at home (3-2, 3.64 ERA). Big pup barks loudly in this one, folks. Back the first-place Rangers.
FOR THE LARGEST SELECTION OF FREE SERVICE PLAYS VISIT THESPREAD.COM
3♦ TEXAS
Scott Delaney
I am on a 28-18-1 run with complimentary releases and today we're playing the Rays in their AL East clash with Toronto.
FOR THE LARGEST SELECTION OF FREE SERVICE PLAYS VISIT THESPREAD.COM
I’m usually inclined to take Roy Halladay in games he’s pitching in, but in this matinee in Tampa Bay, I am playing the home underdog. After all, in his two starts since coming off the disabled list, the All-Star ace is 0-1 with a 4.85 ERA. He’s allowed seven runs on 14 hits, not to mention an abnormal five walks and four home runs over 13 innings.
He comes in after being roughed up by the Yankees, who tagged him for five runs on nine hits. He surrendered three home runs in a game for the first time since last September and issued three walks for the first time since last April.
In Halladay’s last two visits to Tampa, he’s given up a combined seven earned runs over 12 innings. And after the Rays’ 10-9 walk-off win last night, I think we’re going to see a very confident lineup attack Toronto’s ace right-hander.
FOR THE LARGEST SELECTION OF FREE SERVICE PLAYS VISIT THESPREAD.COM
The Rays are on an 11-5 run and are looking to sweep this series with a win today, which will also provide David Price with motivation on the hill tonight. The young southpaw will be geared up to avenge his worst start of the season, as the Rangers chased him after 1-1/3 innings last week.
Nevertheless, there’s something intriguing about this rookie left-hander, as he understands how his fastball command dictates how he will fare. So even though he struggled to locate his heater last Saturday night against an explosive Texas lineup, I have a feeling he’ll be right back on target on his own mound, where he is 2-1 with a 3.38 ERA in five career appearances.
FOR THE LARGEST SELECTION OF FREE SERVICE PLAYS VISIT THESPREAD.COM
Take the Rays.
1♦ TAMPA BAY RAYS