BIG AL's BOUNCE-BACK MAJOR LEAGUE BASEBALL WINNER.
At 10:05pm our selection is on the Los Angeles Angels over the Oakland Athletics. Both of these teams had Thursday off and now they get set to square off in a very important "all California" three game series. This is another early season series (like the recently-concluded Tampa-Boston series) that, surprisingly, has added importance based upon the current standings. Oakland wasn't supposed to contend this year, but is only three and a half games behind the Angels in the AL West, and L.A. has some things to be concerned about, like the health of Chone Figgins (out indefinitely with a hamstring injury) and Vlad Guerrero, who is day-to-day with a sore knee but is hoping to play in this game. One thing that is not a concern anymore to Los Angeles (it was at the beginning of the season) is the status of ace righthander John Lackey. Lackey missed the first six weeks of the season, but has been stellar since returning on May 14. The fact that he only has one win in his four starts so far should not be much of a concern as Lackey has absolutely owned Oakland lately and the Angels are 7-1 in his last eight starts against them. Of all the positive things that have happened regarding starting pitching for Oakland, 27 year old righthander Joe Blanton has not been among them in 2008. His 3-7 record and 4.27 ERA so far have been a major disappointment. The Angels are better on the road this year than at home (19-11 away vs. 18-13 in Anaheim). Take the Angels.
Robert Ferringo
4-Unit Play. Take New York Yankees (-1.5, -110) over Kansas City
Note: This is our Runline of the Week.
This should be a good ol’ fashioned ass-whooping. The Yankees have a full head of steam after their dramatic win over the Blue Jays on Thursday. Now they get a crack at the Royals, who are 2-14 in their last 16 games, 8-20 on the road, and 0-11 as a road dog. The Yankees are a ridiculous 27-3 against the Royals in the Bronx and 49-14 against them overall. These two teams played in April and the Royals, who were playing well at that time, took it to New York. But now the Bombers are clicking on all cylinders. The Yankees just faced Roy Halladay, Jesse Litsch, and Dustin McGowan – three of the top righties in the A.L. Now they get a crack at Kyle Davies, a guy who has been in Triple-A most of the year. This one should get very, very ugly as the Yanks roll on.
2-Unit Play. Take Florida (-130) over Cincinnati
Marlins are a system play here. And I like them to do some damage to the Reds over the weekend. Florida is coming off a grueling road trip in which they played a lot better than their record would indicate. The Reds played well in Philly, but still lost three of four and are just 10-22 on the road. My feelings on Johnny Cueto should be well known by now. I think he’s horribly inconsistent and he could get rocked by the Fish if he’s off his game. The Reds have a lot of left-handed bats in the lineup. So if Andrew Miller is on his game he should be able to hold the Reds down just enough for his boys to take this one.
2-Unit Play. Take Milwaukee (-130) over Colorado
Look who finally decided to play. The Brewers have been hot. And although they have been shaky as hell on the road I still think this is a decent spot to get on them. The Brewers are 9-1 in Sheets’ last 10 road starts and 22-8 in his last 30 starts overall. The Rockies are still playing without a full deck, as Brad Hawpe and Matt Holiday are still sidelined. Also, Colorado is 1-12 in Ubaldo Jimenez’s last 13 starts. Ouch. Sheets has won five of his last seven starts against the Rockies and the Brew Crew – despite losing five of six at Coors – are 5-6 in their last 11 trips to Colorado. They can win there, and this series fits into a strong system of mine (same as Florida and LAD).
2-Unit Play. Take New York Mets (-145) over San Diego
You don’t mess with the Johan. The Mets are 8-1 in Santana’s last nine starts and are facing a team that is 5-12 in its last 17 against a left-handed starter. In fact, San Diego is the worst team in the league against southpaws, hitting just .219. If Mike Pelfrey can hold down San Diego then I think that Santana can dominate, mainly because I think he can neutralize the Dads’ best two hitters: lefties Adrian Gonzalez and Brian Giles. The Mets are 9-3 on the road against lefties and are one of the top teams in the league hitting southpaws. I think this one goes ‘over’ the total because of the ump behind the dish. And if there are quite a few runs scored then I’ll take the Mets’ bats over the Padres.
2-Unit Play. Take Los Angeles Angels (-115) over Oakland
The Angels are 7-1 in John Lackey’s last eight starts against Oakland, including 4-0 when he matches up with Joe Blanton. Lackey has won his last four starts in Oaktown and is 12-3 in his career against the A’s.
1.5-Unit Play. Take Arizona (-155) over Pittsburgh
Just a great price on Brandon Webb here. I have to think that the D-Backs recharged their batteries and even if they do drop this one we would be in a fantastic position to bounce back big with them and Haren on Saturday.
1-Unit Play. Take Los Angeles Dodgers (-115) over Chicago Cubs
This play actually fits into two systems that have worked very well for me and I think the number kind of speaks for itself. There’s really no reason at all that the Dodgers should be favored here. But I think they manage to grind one out and take one from the Cubbies.
1-Unit Play. Take Texas (+120) over Tampa Bay
I’m playing for a letdown here out of the D-Rays. With the way that the Rangers have been hitting I think that they can overwhelm what has to be an emotionally drained Rays club. Tampa won three of four in a grueling home series with first-place Chicago and then got swept out of Boston in a bloodbath. Scott Kazmir owns the Rangers in his career. Yet he’s made only one start in Arlington and was touched for three runs.
1-Unit Play. Take Philadelphia (+135) over Atlanta
The Phillies have been exceptional in Game 1 of a series, winning 35 of 52 series openers. Jamie Moyer has been solid against divisional opponents (20-6) and even though the Braves have exceptional home numbers they still strike me as way to inconsistent. The Phillies have played very well in Atlanta over the last three years (14-13) and I think we'll be able to find a win from them in this weekend's action.
Wizard of Odds Guaranteed Selections
TOP RATED BASEBALL SURE THING OF THE DAY
Detroit w/Verlander -150
Triple Crown
5* Texas Under 9½
3* Milw
3* Seattle Under 8½
3* Minn
ROOT
Chairman- Rays
Millionaire- Nationals
No Limit- Marlins
Mr A's
Milwaukee Brewers at Colorado Rockies
The Rockies have dropped eight of their last 10 games and are a horrible 1-12 in right-hander Ubaldo Jimenez last 13 starts. Jimenez will make his fist career start against the Brewers. Meanwhile, the Brewers try for their sixth straight win and will have their ace Ben Sheets on the mound. The southpaw is 4-3 with a 4.59 ERA in eight career starts against Colorado. Sheets’ is 4-0 in his last seven road starts and the Brewers have won nine of his last 10 starts on the road. Take the Brewers with Sheets at the controls. Milwaukee has won five of Sheets' last 7 starts versus Colorado.
Milwaukee Brewers -135
William Kidd Guaranteed Selections
QUADRUPLE BASEBALL HOME RUN WINNER
Toronto w/Marcum -168
Wizard of Odds Guaranteed Selections
TOP RATED BASEBALL SURE THING OF THE DAY
Detroit w/Verlander -150
VicMonte
100* Mets
100* Brewers
100* Dbacks
Fast Eddie Sports
10* BOSTON RED SOX
Baseball Adviser
Baltimore Orioles
Tampa Bay Rays
Minnesota Twins
San Francisco Giants
Milwaukee Brewers
Computer Crushers Guaranteed Selections
5000 UNIT BASEBALL CRUSHER WINNER
LA Angels w/Lackey -110
Sal Conti's Picks of the Day
Two underdog plays tonight in MLB. I will get you started with the Cubs / Dodgers game. The Dodgers have now lost three straight and 11 of 14. Hiroki Kuroda will start, he was shelled by the Mets in his last start lasting only 2 1/3. Kuroda gets behind hitters, walks too many and has to challenge behind in the count with runners on. He is 2 - 5 this year with a 3.93 ERA, 0 - 1 vs. the Cubs. Sean Gallagher has won the 5 spot over Rich Hill for now, Gallagher is 3 - 1 (4.55) has won two straight including a 7 inning win over these Dodgers at Wrigley where he allowed them only one run on 4 hits. The Dodgers have struggled to get the key hit with runners in scoring position, Gallagher, with two out and RISP he has held hitters to a .167 average. The Cubs remain hot as the Dodgers continue to struggle. 10 UNIT: CUBS
The second dog is a shocker. The Red Sox Bartolo Colon has been a pleasant surprise with his 3 - 0 record. His last start vs. the Orioles he went 6 innings allowing 4 runs on 7 hits. He has faced the Mariners at Safeco for 7 allowing them one run. The Red Sox are 23 - 5 at home while the Mariners come in at 7 - 20 on the road. The only starter earning a check on this team is Felix Hernandez. Hernandez has averaged seven innings per start, he two hit the Tigers on Saturday and dropped his ERA to 3.29. When pitching away his ERA dips to 2.83. The Red Sox are without Ortiz and Manny is bothered by a leg injury. Francona had to mix and match players last night in the brawl game. Colon will not get the support he is used to in this one as Felix Hernandez sreals this win for the Mariners. Nice sized dog too. 10 UNIT: MARINERS
CASH & PROFIT EXPERTS
MILWAUKEE BREWERS -134 (POD)
BOSTON RSOX -150 (COMP)
Fairway Jay
MLB 3* Baltimore Orioles
MLB 3* Reds/Marlins Under 9