Jeff Benton
Your Tuesday freebie is the Cardinals over the Reds.
I know Mat Latos has been Cincy's best pitcher this season, but after the Reds blew leads of 4-0 and 5-3 last night, I am not so sure they actually believe they can beat the Cardinals.
St. Louis has now won 7 of the last 9 series meetings this year against Cincinnati, and the Redbirds have also won 11 of their last 15 games overall to slip back into first place in the N.L. Central division.
The Reds come into this one losers of 3 of their last 4.
Cardinals starter Joe Kelly has found his groove since being inserted into the starting rotation back in early July, as Kelly is 5-0 in his 8 starts with a 2.33 ERA since July 5th.
Reds to remain snake-bit against the Redbirds tonight.
Play St. Louis.
2♦ ST. LOUIS
Brad Wilton
My comp play winner for Tuesday will be the Under in the Reds-Cardinals contest.
Last night I gave ya'll a 60 Dime premium play winner on the Over between these teams, and while the runs added up last night, I think tonight will be a different case with Mat Latos and Joe Kelly on the mound.
Last night's Over made it 6 straight in the series between the Reds and Cards, but the runs figure to be hard to come by tonight when Mat Latos toes the slab.
Not only does Latos own a 2.93 ERA for the season, but the righty has gone 3-0 with a 1.50 ERA the last 4 times he has worked against the Redbirds. 3 of those starts have come this season.
Over his last 7 starts, Latos has given no quarter, going 5-1 with a 1.47 ERA.
He will be opposed by Joe Kelly who has made 8 starts since joining the rotation in July, and is 5-0 with a 2.33 ERA.
Last night it was bombs away, tonight expect the scoring to be minimal.
Reds and Cardinals to stay Under the total.
3♦ CINCINNATI-ST. LOUIS UNDER
Brett Atkins
On the heels of nailing the Kansas City Royals, an 11-1 blowout winner over the Tampa Bay Rays, my free winner for Tuesday night is on the Rays, getting it done over the visiting Angels of Anaheim.
Two things stand out in this game for me, one is the travel theory, with the Halos being across the country in central Florida, and the fact this is the first meeting of the season between these two. That won't end up well for the struggling Angels, who are a disappointing 58-71 on the year and fading quickly.
The Rays will continue their domination in this series, as they've taken nine of 10 against the Angels - all in 2012 – including four shutouts. Tampa Bay has actually won 12 of the last 13 overall dating back before last season. And believe me, the Rays will be fired up after losing two straight. They now trail Boston by 1-1/2 games in the American League East after losing yesterday in a make-up game in Kansas City.
I am not worried about the Angels coming into this one after winning three consecutive games at Seattle, not when I know they're in on losing streaks of 1-4 against teams out of the East, 4-17 against winning teams and 616 when installed as the underdog.
Take Tampa Bay here.
1♦ TAMPA BAY
Chris Jordan
My free pick is on the Toronto Blue Jays against the New York Yankees, and I want you listing the pitchers in this game, as I like J.A. Happ to get it done over Andy Pettitte.
Time is running out on the Bronx Bombers, and tonight it doesn't get any easier, as Happ will be out for revenge in this one. These two pitchers recently met, and it was Pettitte winning on 161st Street.
Now it's Happ's turn, but more so cause I don't think Pettitte can be consistent and will be able to pitch well in this game. The 41-year-old veteran has struggled under the lights this season, posting a 5-9 record with a 4.66 ERA at night.
Thus, one night after New York fell further down the standings in the American League wild-card race, thanks to a 5-2 loss in Monday's series opener, I think the Jays are in a good spot to continue their spoiler role. Toronto's victory in the opener brought an abrupt halt to a 10-game losing streak in the head-to-head series.
List both and play the Blue Jays.
1♦ TORONTO
Scott Delaney
My free winner is on the St. Louis Cardinals in their National League Central clash with the Cincinnati Reds, as the Redbirds have taken over the division lead, and will keep their momentum rolling tonight.
Looking like a traffic jam in Los Angeles at 7 a.m., the N.L. Central is crazy busy with the Cardinals, Pirates and Reds getting jammed up. Thing is, I personally believe the Cardinals are going to start creating some distance, and it starts with pulling away from the surprising Pirates.
The Cardinals come into tonight riding an 11-4 win streak, and catch the Reds, who have lost three of four after a disappointing series against the Milwaukee Brewers over the weekend and last night's series-opening loss at Busch Stadium.
Tonight will be trouble for Cincinnati, as the Cardinals have won nine of the last 13 meetings. The mental edge is clearly with St. Louis, and because the Reds are handing the ball to Mat Latos, we're getting an underdog price, which is value in reality.
Don't worry about the pitchers, just take St. Louis, as it continues to roll.
4♦ ST. LOUIS