SPORTS ADVISORS
L.A. Angels (43-30) at Philadelphia (42-32)
Ervin Santana (8-3, 3.40 ERA) takes the hill for the Angels when they open a three-game interleague series at Citizens Bank Park against Adam Eaton (2-4, 4.57) and the Phillies.
Los Angeles, which took Thursday off, comes into this series having dropped two of three games to the Mets at home, including Wednesday’s 5-4 loss in 10 innings. The Angels, who have lost four of their last six games, are 2-9 in their last 11 after an off day and 1-4 in Santana’s last five against winning teams, but they are on positive streaks of 20-9 overall against the N.L., 9-2 against winning teams in interleague play and 8-3 coming off a loss.
Philadelphia, which like the Angels was idle Thursday, dropped two of three in its interleague home series against Boston, winning the opener and losing the next two. Still, the Phillies are on a 9-4 run at home and are 18-5 in their last 23 Friday games, 37-16 in their last 53 in series openers and 18-8 in their last 26 following a loss, but they are 6-18 in their last 24 interleague contests against winning teams.
These two teams haven’t met since 2003, when L.A. took two out of three at home.
The Angels have lost their last two games behind Santana, including a 9-4 home setback Saturday against Atlanta. Santana got knocked around for six runs (all earned) on nine hits in 5 2/3 innings, the most runs he’s given up all season. The right-hander had allowed just two runs in each of his previous three starts over 23 innings (2.35 ERA), going 2-0 with a no-decision.
Santana, who was 1-10 with an 8.38 ERA on the road last year, is 5-1 with a 3.50 ERA in eight starts as a visitor in 2008, winning his first four on the highway before going 1-1 with two no-decisions in his last four. The 25-year-old is making his first career start against Philly.
The Phillies had won three in row with Eaton taking the ball before Saturday’s 3-2 loss at St. Louis. In that game, the right-hander gave up all three runs on nine hits in 6 2/3 innings.
Eaton is 2-1 with a 3.89 ERA in six home starts this season, and the Phils have won five of those six outings. The 30-year-old is 2-1 with a 5.26 ERA in five career starts against the Angels.
The under is on a 9-3-1 run with Santana starting, but the over is 11-5-2 in his last 18 road outings. With Eaton hurling, the under is on streaks of 14-3-1 overall, 9-0 at Citizens Bank and is also 5-0 when he throws on five days’ rest.
Furthermore, the under trends for Los Angeles include 37-16-5 overall, 14-5-2 on the road, 8-3-1 against winning teams and 10-4 in series openers, though the over is 8-3-1 in the Angels’ last 12 interleague road games. For Philadelphia, the under has cashed in 12 of the last 16 games overall and is 6-0 in the last six against the A.L. West, but the over is on runs of 8-2 in interleague play and 14-5 in series openers.
ATS ADVANTAGE: UNDER
Cleveland (33-40) at L.A. Dodgers (34-38)
A pair of southpaws will square off when the Indians send Cliff Lee (10-1, 2.55 ERA) to the bump against rookie Clayton Kershaw (0-1, 3.75) and the Dodgers an interleague matchup of underachieving clubs.
Cleveland arrives in Los Angeles after getting swept in a three-game series at Colorado, losing 6-3 in Thursday’s finale. The Indians have lost four of their last five and they’re 7-17 in their last 24 games against losing teams and 2-8 in their last 10 interleague outings. One positive: Despite getting swept by the Rockies, the Cleveland is still 15-5 in its last 20 against the N.L. West and 12-3 in Lee’s last 15 interleague starts.
Los Angeles held off Cincinnati 7-4 Thursday to complete a three-game road sweep – the team’s first sweep of any kind since taking three straight from the Reds at home from May 19-21. The Dodgers, who had dropped five in a row prior to the Reds series, return to interleague play, where they have really struggled over the years, going 15-36 in their last 51, including 1-5 this year. They’re also 3-14 in their last 17 facing the A.L. Central and 0-5 in their last five against lefty starters. On the bright side, Joe Torre’s club is on a 50-21 roll at home versus losing teams.
These two teams last met in 2003, with L.A. sweeping a three-game road set.
Lee had won four straight games and was on his way to a fifth after allowing just two runs on eight hits in 6 1/3 innings Saturday against San Diego, exiting with a 3-2 lead. But the bullpen blew up, allowing six runs, including five in the 10th inning of an 8-3 loss. Lee has gone 4-1 with a no-decision in his last six games, despite allowing 22 runs (21 earned) and 50 hits over 34 2/3 innings, posting a 5.56 ERA in that stretch.
Lee is 7-1 with a solid 2.92 ERA in eight road starts this year, and he’s won his last three on the highway, though that was primarily due to Cleveland totaling 28 runs in those contests. This will be Lee’s first career start against the Dodgers.
The 20-year-old Kershaw has gotten four no-decisions in his first five big-league starts, with the Dodgers going 3-2 in those games. On Sunday at Detroit, he allowed two hits in four scoreless innings, but departed after a lengthy rain delay and the Dodgers were ultimately dealt a 5-4 loss. Kershaw has pitched six full innings just once so far – in his May 25 debut, when he got a no-decision against St. Louis in which he allowed two runs on five hits in a 4-3, 10-inning victory for L.A.
The “over” has been the play when Lee takes the ball, going 4-1-1 in his last six overall, 6-1-1 in his past eight interleague matchups and 20-7-2 when pitching in a series opener. Meanwhile, the total has alternated in each of Kershaw’s first five outings, with Sunday’s game at Detroit barely staying under the total. Both of his home starts have stayed low.
In addition, the over for Cleveland is on a 6-2 run overall and is 6-2 in the last eight series openers, but otherwise for the Tribe, the under is on streaks of 10-2-1 in interleague road games, 16-2 in interleague roadies against left-handers and 16-6-2 on the highway against lefties. Finally, for Los Angeles, the under is on a 9-3 spree at home and is 5-0 in the last five against left-handers, but the total has gone high in 23 of the Dodgers’ last 34 series openers.
ATS ADVANTAGE: OVER
Black Magic Sports
1 Unit on Minnesota Twins -110
Arizona is 11-3 against the money line in home games after 10 straight games where they failed to hit more than one HR this season. The Twins don’t hit the long ball with ease, but they do manufacture runs with two of the speediest guys at the top of the lineup in the league. Gomez and Casilla are great 1-2 guys at the top of the lineup to hit before Morneau, Mauer and Young. The Twins have absolutely owned the National League as well. The Twins are 32-12 in their last 44 Interleague games. Minnesota is 5-1 over their last 6 ball games after sweeping the Nationals and taking 2 out of 3 from the Brewers recently. Scott Baker is 1-0 at home this season in 4 starts with a 2.49 ERA to boot. Randy Johnson is 0-3 with a 7.72 ERA over his last 3 starts. Baker continues to flourish while Johnson gets beat up tonight. Cash in with Minnesota as the favorite.
Black Widow Sports
1* on Detroit Tigers +111
The Detroit Tigers are a much better team than the San Diego Padres and there is no way in hell the Tigers should be an underdog today. Detroit is 14-1 (+13.0 Units) against the money line vs. NL teams scoring 4.3 or less runs/game on the season over the last 3 seasons. The Padres are scoring just 3.8 runs per game this season, so they fit right into this category. The Tigers are heating up at the plate, scoring 6.0 runs per game over their last 7 contests. This one is a no-brainer folks. Take the Tigers on the Money Line.
Info Plays
3* on San Francisco Giants +107
The Kansas City Royals will suffer an emotional letdown at home in Game 1 of this series against the San Francisco Giants. The Royals just beat their biggest interleague rival in the St. Louis Cardinals with a 3-game sweep. Kansas City is on top of the world right now, but they are about to have a big letdown tonight. The Royals are scoring 3.7 runs per game at home while the Giants are putting up 4.3 runs per game on the road. The Giants are 8-1 against the money line in road games vs. terrible power teams - averaging 0.75 or less HR's/game this season. With the Giants winning 89% of these ball games against poor power teams this season, this value on San Francisco is simply too good to pass up. Bet the Giants on the road.
Jimmy The Moose
Seattle Mariners at Atlanta Braves
Prediction: Seattle Mariners
The struggling Mariners will play their first game under a new manager and expect a better performance than we've seen from them this year. The Mariners are 7-3 in their last 10 interleague road games vs. a right-handed starter. Bedard is on the mound tonight and its only fitting he starts tonight. The Braves are 2-8 in their last 10 interleague home games vs. a left-handed starter. Atlanta has lost their last 4 starts vs. a lefty. The Braves are 2-6 in their last 8 interleague home games. Play on the Seattle Mariners +.
Big Al Mcmordie
New York Mets at Colorado Rockies
Prediction: New York Mets
At 9:05pm our member selection is on the New York Mets over the Colorado Rockies. If the award for the most surprising and underrated starter in the American League is a bit up in the air (Cleveland's Cliff Lee, Kansas City's Zack Greinke, Texas' Vicente Padilla, Chicago's Gavin Floyd, Oakland's Justin Duchscherer), there is no doubt that in the National League the crown belongs to Colorado's 29-year-old righthander Aaron Cook. All Cook has done is go 10-3 with a 3.29 ERA in 15 starts over 104 innings for the Rockies. One of the reasons Cook has flown under the radar is because he is not an overpowering pitcher (only 50 total strikeouts this season) and sometimes he seems to get things done with a bit of smoke and mirrors. Cook has reached double-digit wins for the first time in his seven-year career and we're only in mid-June. The Rockies will no doubt be sad to see their Interleague season come to an end as despite having one of the worst records in the National League at 31-42 they have been one of the best teams in play against the AL, going 7-2 so far and having series against the Royals and Tigers next week to finish off interleague play. But unfortunately this weekend, the Rockies have to go back to playing an NL team for three games, and it's one of the best the league has to offer, despite its overall record. The Mets recently fired manager Willie Randolph and this seems to have given them a bit of a lift as they have now won three of their last four games. Take the Mets.
BRAD DIAMOND SPORTS
Play on: (915) NY Mets (Maine) over Colorado (Cook)
Okay, right hand hurler Aaron Cook (10-3, 3.29) has looked very consistent this season and takes to the mound Friday after three outings holding opponents to three runs or less. Further to which, the Rockies have been poison to the Mets of late winning six of the last seven in the Mile High City. But, I still prefer the Mets with John Maine (1-1, 2.63) throwing well life time against the Rockies. In addition, the Mets seem to be on an up-tick emotionally after the Willie Randolph ordeal, carving out three wins in their last four trips to the field. So emotion plays into the New York edge of 12-5 in roadies with right hander Maine versus a losing baseball team.
James Patrick
Tigers vs. Padres
The Boys from Motown have won 5 of 6 meetings in this series and 8 of 9 overall of late. The Padres are just 2-8 in their inter-league home games. Our Friday Night Major League Baseball selection is Detroit Tigers.
Marc Lawrence
Play On: Cleveland w/Lee
Note: The Tribe looks to shake it's losing ways when they send Cliff Lee to the hill against the Dodgers in Los Angeles here tonight. While Lee is not in the same sharp form he was to open the season he continues to win games, going 10-3 in his team starts this year, including 7-1 away. He's also in sharp current KW form with 4 walks and 19 strikeouts in his last three starts and also 8 walks and 46 strikeouts in his eight road starts this year. With that look for Lee to improve to 12-4 in his career road starts in June here this evening.
Dave Cokin
Blue Jays @ Pirates
Play: Pirates +155
Both the Blue Jays and Pirates could be a in a state of shock after the beatings they've each absorbed the last few days. The Jays and Bucs were both swept on the road and Toronto has lost five straight overall. Yet the Jays are big favorites here. No argument with the fact Roy Halladay is a way more attractive option than Zack Duke. But the Blue Jays are going pretty badly, and I don't think the A.J. Burnett situation is helping matters. It's always risky trying to beat Halladay, but this looks like a decent spot to go for the big priced home dog, so I'll opt for the Pirates.
Scott Ferrall
TAMPA over Houston no matter what the odds are (no early line)--Oswalt loses to Garza at the Trop, where the Rays have won 28 games. They are tied with Boston for the second best home record in all of baseball. People had better start believing in this team because all they do is win. The Astros are slumping ass and aren't hitting or scoring runs this week.
Minnesota -110 over Arizona--Scott Baker has a nice ERA of 3.71 and he'll upset Randy Johnson and get the Twins their fourth straight win. TAKE THE UNDER 8.5 RUNS
GIANTS -105 over Royals--KC has won 5 straight but CAIN brings them back down to earth. SF moves to .500 on the road with the win. KC is 13-18 at Kauffman Stadium.
DETROIT +110 over San Diego--The Tigers have won 8 of 10 and are within 4 games of .500. The Padres just got swept by the Yankees. TAKE THE OVER 8.5 RUNS
Oakland -200 over Florida--Hendrickson is solid, but Harden is 4-0 and the A's are 5 games over .500 in the Coliseum. TAKE THE UNDER 8 RUNS
DODGERS -110 over Indians--Kershaw gets his 1st major league win against Cliff Lee no less. Lee is 10-1 but the Tribe are 8 games under .500 on the road. TAKE THE UNDER 8 RUNS. They both have low ERA's and don't give up a lot fo runs
Karl Garrett
St. Louis at BOSTON -160
I know a few key bats are missing from both the Cardinals, and Red Sox lineups, but I am going right ahead and playing the OVER in this meeting tonight at Fenway Park.
Kyle Lohse, and Tim Wakefield have been on top of their games of late, but there is nothing like playing in the usually hitter-friendly Fenway Park to shake things up a bit.
Boston comes back home on a 3-1-1 OVER run, and with Kyle Lohse's road ERA just a tad over 5, and Wakefield sporting a 4.19 ERA for the season, I am looking for the hitters to take over this game tonight.
Play the OVER in the series opener between St. Louis and Boston.
3* OVER
Bobby Maxwell
L.A. Angels at PHILADELPHIA -115
The Phillies have been silenced on offense the last couple games, losing to the Red Sox 3-0 on Tuesday and 7-4 on Wednesday. But don't expect the same today as they break out of their slide with a huge victory over the Angels and starter Ervin Santana (8-3, 3.40 ERA).
Santana, who'd been terrible on the road the last two seasons, is coming off his worst start of the season on Saturday when he gave up six runs on nine hits in 5 2/3 innings of a 9-4 loss to the Braves. The Angels are just 2-5 in his last seven outings.
Adam Eaton (2-4, 4.57) is on the hill for the Phillies and he's been strong lately, allowing three runs or less in five straight outings and posting a 3.06 ERA in those five. Philadelphia has won three of his last four starts and he won two of his last three against the Rangers in 2006.
The Phillies are 18-8 following a loss, 18-5 on Fridays and 17-7 as a home favorite. They are also 5-1 in Eaton's last six home starts and 4-1 when he's a favorite.
We're going to back the Phillies tonight and play Philadelphia to get the best of the Angels.
3* PHILADELPHIA
Chris Jordan
Arizona at MINNESOTA
Minnesota has won three straight and five of six, and now welcomes Arizona to the Homer Domer, where I don’t think the Snakes will be slithering too easily tonight. Now, I know we’re not listing pitchers in this one, but it doesn’t hurt to mention the fact Scott Baker comes in after tossing his second straight quality start, in which he pitched six innings and allowed just three runs and tied his career high for strikeouts with nine.
Tonight marks his first career start against the Diamondbacks, but he should have enough confidence to counter Randy Johnson in this one, as the Twins’ right-hander is 1-0 with a 2.49 ERA in four starts at the Metrodome this season. The Big Unit comes in off a rough outing, albeit he’s been the victim of a lack of run support lately. Nevertheless, the lowly Royals touched him up for eight runs – seven earned – and 10 hits last Saturday in Arizona.
Look for Baker to attack Arizona’s lineup with that fastball that moves down in the zone, while mixing in that late-breaking slider he throws well. He also works the occasional curveball in against lefties, and keeps everyone off-balance with a baffling change. The big concern was him developing his off-speed stuff, and he’s done that effectively, I think, this season. Let’s play the home team in this one.
3* TWINS
Sports Gambling Hotline
Detroit +110 at SAN DIEGO
Tonight we have to go-against the slumping Padres who come back home having just been swept by the Yankees, and have lost 4 in a row overall.
The Padres had to play on Thursday, then fly cross-country, while the Tigers had the benefit of playing in San Francisco on Wednesday afternoon, and had an off-day yesterday to get ready for action tonight.
Detroit brings a modest 2 game winning streak into this one, and they have won 8 of their last 9 overall.
It will be Eddie Bonine against Greg Maddux, and while Maddux may rate the nod in this one, we certainly can't make a case against the way the Tigers offense is finally swinging the bats with some consistency.
Play on the Motor City Cats to continue their winning ways at Petco Park this Friday night.
2* DETROIT