SPORTS ADVISORS
INTERLEAGUE
Chicago Cubs (43-24) at Toronto (34-34)
The Cubs head north of the border for a three-game interleague series at the Rogers Centre, trotting out young right-hander Sean Gallagher (3-2, 4.42 ERA) to face the Blue Jays’ A.J. Burnett (5-6, 4.98).
Chicago squeaked out a 3-2, 11-inning victory against Atlanta on Thursday to complete a three-game home sweep of the Braves. Following a 1-3 hiccup, the Cubbies have won four in a row and are now an eye-popping 14-3 in their last 17 overall.
Toronto took Thursday off after dropping two of three games at home to Seattle, including a 2-1 loss Wednesday. The Blue Jays, who have alternated wins and losses in their last four starts, are mired in a 3-8 slide (2-4 at home), and they’ve lost four straight series.
Gallagher, a 22-year-old rookie gearing up for his ninth start of the year, got no-decisions in his first three starts and is 3-2 since then, with Chicago posting a 4-2 mark in his last six outings. Last Friday at Dodger Stadium, he allowed two runs on three hits in five innings, but his teammates provided no offense support in a 3-0 loss to Los Angeles.
Gallagher is 0-2 with two no-decisions and a 5.93 ERA in four road starts this year, and tonight marks his first career start against Toronto.
Toronto has dropped its last three games behind the 31-year-old Burnett, who is 0-2 with a no-decision in those contests. Burnett got blasted Saturday against Baltimore, allowing eight runs (all earned) on 10 hits in 4 1/3 innings in a 9-5 home setback. However, that followed an eight-inning effort in which he yielded just two runs on three hits but got a no-decision in his team’s 4-3 road loss against the Los Angeles Angels.
Burnett is 2-3 with a whopping 9.00 ERA in six appearances (five starts) at home this year, but the right-hander is 2-0 with a 4.35 ERA in three career starts against Chicago.
The Cubs are a sparkling 10-1 in their last 11 series-openers and are on further positive runs of 24-9 overall, 4-1 on Friday, 16-5 against right-handed starters and 6-2 in interleague play. On the negative side, Chicago is 3-7 in its last 10 as an underdog and 0-4 in its past four against the American League East.
The Blue Jays are in slumps of 2-6 overall, 1-5 after a day off, 5-13 in series-openers, 2-5 as a favorite and 3-7 against the N.L. Central. In addition, with Burnett taking the ball, Toronto is on a 2-5 skid overall and 0-4 in series-openers. However, in interleague play, the Jays are on runs of 5-1 overall, 9-2 at home and 12-3 as a chalk.
The under is on a 4-0 run in Gallagher’s last four starts and is 5-1 in Burnett’s last six outings, 4-0 with Burnett facing a winning team and 4-1 in interleague play for Burnett.
Chicago sports under streaks of 35-16-4 overall, 9-4 vs. the A.L. East, 7-1 in interleague road games, 6-1 as an underdog and 12-4-2 on Fridays. For Toronto, the under is on runs of 5-1-1 against the N.L. Central, 19-8 as a favorite and 16-7 at home. However, the over is 7-2 in the Blue Jay’s last nine interleague contests.
Finally, the under is 5-1 in the last six clashes between these squads.
ATS ADVANTAGE: UNDER
Florida (36-30) at Tampa Bay (38-28)
An in-state battle between two surprisingly successful teams is set for Tropicana Field, where the Marlins send out untested right-hander Ryan Tucker (1-0, 1.80 ERA) against Andy Sonnanstine (6-3, 4.88) and the Rays in the opener of a three-game set.
Florida took the first two games of its critical series against Philadelphia but failed to complete the sweep Thursday, as it suffered a 3-0 shutout loss. The Marlins are 4-2 in their last six games, shaking off a 1-5 slide. Meanwhile, Tampa had Thursday off after losing two of three on the road against the Angels, including Wednesday’s 4-2 setback. The Rays are on a 3-6 skid in their last nine overall, but they’re 24-10 on their home turf this season.
Florida won this annual battle last year, taking four of six meetings, including sweeping the three-game set in Tampa Bay. In fact, the Marlins are 7-3 in their last 10 at Tropicana Field.
The 21-year-old Tucker will be making just his second career appearance, having earned a 9-2 win in his major-league debut Sunday against Cincinnati. He gave up just one run on two hits in a solid five innings, striking out six Reds, though he did yield five walks.
Sonnanstine has helped the Rays to an 8-2 record in his last 10 starts, even though the 25-year-old is 0-2 with two no-decisions in his last four appearances. On Saturday at Texas, the righty allowed two runs on six hits in five innings before leaving with the game tied, and Tampa went on to a 4-3 victory. Sonnanstine has pitched at least five innings in 12 of his 13 starts, including the last 10 in a row, and he’s gone at least six innings eight times.
Sonnanstine is 2-2 with a 5.36 ERA in seven home starts this year, and he’s 1-0 with a 2.57 ERA in one career start against Florida – a 9-4 road victory last June in which he surrendered two runs on seven hits in seven innings.
The Marlins are 7-3 in their last 10 interleague road starts and 17-9 in their last 26 against winning teams, but they’re in funks of 1-4 in interleague play, 1-4 on the highway, 1-6 against right-handers and 0-4 on Friday.
The Rays, meanwhile, are on tears of 21-5 at home, 5-0 on Fridays, 9-2 in series-openers and 4-1 with Sonnanstine working at the Trop. On the downside, Tampa is 8-18 in its last 26 interleague games against winning teams and 3-7 in its last 10 at home against the National League.
The “over” trends are heavy for Florida, including 22-6-3 overall, 7-0-2 in interleague play, 12-1-3 on the highway and 5-1 in series-openers. Conversely, the under is 13-6-1 in the Marlins’ last 20 interleague road games. For Tampa, the over is on streaks of 13-4-1 in interleague play, 6-1 after an off day, 10-3-1 against right-handers and 4-1 in series-openers. However, the under is 4-1 in the Rays’ last five overall, 8-2 in their last 10 against winning teams, 20-7 in their last 27 overall at home and 15-5 in their last 20 interleague home contests.
Finally, when playing in Tampa Bay, the under is 7-1 in the last eight head-to-head battles between these in-state rivals.
ATS ADVANTAGE: TAMPA BAY
Doc's Sports
Boston Red Sox vs. Cincinnati Reds
Play: Over
The Red Sox pounded the Birds on Thursday and now will enter Cincinnati as the best team in the American League. Reds will send Aaron Harang to the mound and he continues to get too much respect with regards to the total since he is just 2-9 on the season. His team does not play well behind him and thus expect the ball to be a flying out of Great American Ballpark. Both teams have dominating line-ups full of power from top to bottom and we will not worry about who wins this game and just collect with the over.
Marc Lawrence
Play On: LA Angels w/Garland vs. Reyes
Note: When the Halos play host to the Braves tonight they will take on one of the worst teams in MLB in Interleague play with Atlanta just 26-40 against the American League. Worse, Braves lefthander Jo Jo Reyes is 1-6 with a 6.76 ERA in his career team starts on the road. Look for Jon Garland to improve to 9-3 in his last 12 team starts during his good month of June while the Angels make it 19 wins in their last 23 home games on Fridays here tonight.
James Patrick Sports
VooDoo vs. Pedators
New Orleans has cashed 4 of past 5 in Friday Night action and the Predators are 1-4 in their Friday Night Battles. Our Arena Football League selection is New Orleans VooDoo in Arena Football League play.
Robert Ross
Chicago Cubs at Toronto Blue Jays
Prediction: Chicago Cubs
Team with the best record in baseball is available at a price here. Cubs have the depth to replace Soriano in the lineup. The Cubs 16-5 against the money line vs. a good bullpen whose ERA is 3.75 or better this season. Toronto starter BURNETT is 21-31 against the money line vs. teams whose hitters strike out 7 or more times/game since 1997. (Team's Record) Take Chicago!
Ross Benjamin
Boston (Masterson) @ Cincinnati (Harang)
Pick:Boston –105
The Cincinnati starting pitcher Aaron Harang enters the game in bad form going 0-3 in his last 3 team-starts with a 2.02 WHIP and 9.39 ERA. Harang has gone 1-5 in his last 6 team-starts in the opening game of a series. The Reds are 7-15 this season in the opening game of a series. The Boston starter Masterson has been superb in his 4 starts this season posting a 1.09 WHIP and 2.95 ERA. The Red Sox have broken the bank in interleague play going 44-9 in their last 53 games in that role. Play on the Boston Red Sox.
Black Magic Sports
1 Unit on Arizona Diamondbacks -127
Kansas City is 0-9 against the money line vs. teams outscoring opponents by 0.5 or more runs/game on the season this season. Not only do the Arizona Diamondbacks have great starting pitching, but they also give their starters great run support this season. Arizona is scoring 5.5 runs per game at home this year. Starter Doug Davis is 12-3 against the money line at home when the money line is +125 to -125 over the last 2 seasons. Zach Greinke is 10-36 against the money line vs. teams outscoring opponents by 0.5 or more runs/game on the season since 1997. Greinke is no match for Davis and the Diamondbacks Friday. Cash in with Arizona as the favorite.
Black Widow Sports
1* on Houston Astros +130
Houston gets the luxury of forcing the Yankees to go without a designated hitter tonight. Joba Chamberlain will have to bat and that fact alone makes this Yankees’ lineup much less potent. The Yankees are 1-6 in their last 7 interleague games as a favorite. The Astros are 12-3 in their last 15 home games vs. a right-handed starter. Houston is showing the right price at home today to give them the green light. Take the Astros on the Money Line.
Scott Spreitzer
Oakland Athletics at San Francisco Giants
San Francisco Giants
I'm taking the price with the Giants on Friday night. Oakland has not been able to handle southpaws away from home this season, going 2-7 while scoring just 2.2 runs per game. Enter Zito...and the A's should right the ship, correct? Absolutely not, in my book. Barry Zito has been pitching much better as of late. In fact, he's been finding his "stuff" in six of the last seven starts. Take out the one subpar performance and you'll find that Zito has allowed just 14 earned runs in the other six games, spanning 33 1/3 innings of work. That's a strong, 3.78 ERA. The A's will send a lefty of their own to the bump in the form of Greg Smith. The Oakland southpaw has been bombed in his last two outings, and SFO loves taking on lefthanders. The Giants are 6-3 at home against southpaws this season, scoring 5.22 runs per game. The wrong side opened as the favorite as far as I'm concerned, and I'll back the Giants on Friday night.
Scott Ferrall
BREWERS -145 over Twins--Milwaukee is 9 games over .500 in Brew Town and they can light up the scoreboard there. Bush scares me, but the Milwaukee bats win this one. The Brewers are playing solid ball right now, especially Ryan Braun.
NEW YORK -140 over Houston--Chamberlain beats Chacon and the Yanks win their second straight. They just beat Oakland in a 3 ame set on the road. Joba rocks the Astros. NY's bats light up in Minute Maid. I'm thinkin TAKE THE OVER 9.5 RUNS. Chacon used to pitch for the Yanks but it won't be fun facing them. NY moves to 2 games over .500 and start the weekend off right.
Arizona -140 over Kansas City--Davis moves to .500 and knocks off Greinke. The Royals blow on the road (13-23) and have dropped 13 of last 15 away from KC. The D'Backs stunned the Mets and took the series at Shea with a 5-4 win Thursday. They are 21-12 in Phoenix.
SF +105 over Oakland--I think Zito can win this one and the Giants haven't been playing bad baseball. The A's just lost 2 of 3 to the Yankees and have to go across the Bay to play at the Giants cove. The A's are 13-14 on the road.
LUCKY LEPRECHAUN SPORTS
CHISOX -136 over Colorado
The Rockies are 3-13 in their last 16 road games with the total set at 9.0-10.5 and 0-5 in Francis' last 5 starts during game 1 of a series, while the White Sox are 12-2 in their last 14 games as a home favorite and 11-3 in their last 14 vs. a team with a losing record. THe Sox have had some recent struggles on the road, but this team has been super of late at home. THe Sox have won 12 of their last 14 at home, including the last 8 in a row and in those last 8 games they have won by an average of 4.5 rpg. For the year the Sox are putting up 5.5 rpg at home, including 8.7 rpg over their last 7 at home, plus they have scored 7.2 rpg in Gavin's home starts. Chicago doesn't hit lefties all that well but they should have some success vs Jeff Francis tonight. Jeff has done better in his last 3 starts posting a 3.00 ERA, but he is still 2-6 with a 5.45 ERA overall, including a 1-2 mark with a 5.05 ERA. The Rockies have had real problems scoring away from home this year as they are putting up just 3.7 rpg away from Coors, including just 2.8 rpg in Jeff's starts, plus they have averaged just 4 rpg vs righty starters overall this year. The Rockies will be facing a tough righty tonight as Gavin Floyd is 7-3 with a 3.10 ERA overall, including a 4-1 mark with a 2.42 ERA at home, with the Sox outscoring their opponents by 4.3 rpg in his home starts. Colorado has gotten back a couple of their walking wounded, but this team is still bad on the road, while the Sox have it rolling at home. Chicago takes this one with ease.
Bobby Maxwell
Florida at TAMPA BAY -135
Who would have thought that these games would ever be meaningful and not just a waste of time between two losing teams. Well, we've got a lot more confidence in the Rays than we do the Marlins so let's lay the chalk and play Tampa Bay at home in this one.
Andy Sonnanstine (6-3, 4.88 ERA) goes for Tampa Bay in this one and the Rays have won eight of his last 10 starts. Saturday at Texas he allowed two runs in five innings of a 4-3 Tampa victory. Against the Marlins he is 1-0 with a 2.57 ERA after beating them last June 9-4.
The Rays are absolutely rolling this season, going 21-5 at home, 5-0 on Fridays, 9-2 in series openers and 4-1 with Sonnanstine on the hill at home. Florida is just 1-4 in interleague play, 1-4 on the highway, 1-6 against right-handed starters and 0-4 on Fridays.
This Tampa Bay team has got some spunk. They have shown they can beat anybody in the American League and aren't afraid to mix it up with the big boys in New York and Boston.
Let's play the Rays in this one as they'll jump all over the rookie and dominate this one.
3* TAMPA BAY
JEFFERSONSPORTS
EARLY RELEASE MLB
LA ANGELS-131
TEXAS+131
BOSTON-106
Jim Feist
NYY Yankees and HOU Astros
Take Over
The NY offense has been playing much better since the return of Alex Rodriguez and Jorge Posada to the lineup. Houston is an excellent home run and hitter's park. Young Joba Chamberlain takes the hill and the over is 1-0-1 in his two starts. Houston's Shawn Chacon faces his old team and he has below average stuff, with a 9.00 ERA his last three starts. How bad is this guy? The Astros are 7-1 over the total his last 8 starts. Look for a lot of runs in this indoor game, play the Yankees/Astros over the total!
Dave Cokin
KC Royals and ARI D'backs
Take KC Royals
Zack Greinke has cooled off significantly of late, with the long ball suddenly a real concern. Greinke allowed just seven HR in his first 11 starts and sported a nifty sub-3.00 ERA. But he's allowed six batters to go deep in just his last two efforts and the ERA has spiked nearly one full run. Greinke also has some pretty ugly numbers in his limited dealings with the Diamondbacks. Nevertheless, I will back the KC righty here. The Royals should be able to mount an attack against Doug Davis, and the D-Backs could be a little spent after a very hard fought series with the Mets. First game back home off the trip can be a tough one, and I see the Royals with a good shot to score the underdog win tonight.