Black Widow Sports
St. Louis Cardinals vs. Detroit Tigers
1* on St. Louis Cardinals +159
St. Louis pitches their best starter in Kyle Lohse tonight as a huge underdog to the Detroit Tigers. The Cardinals, and Lohse, have proven they are not intimidated by these AL teams. The Cards took 2 out of 3 in Boston last series and they took Game 1 with the Tigers in this series on the road. Lohse will keep it rolling tonight. He’s 3-0 with a 2.70 ERA over his last 3 starts. St. Louis is 11-4 (+9.2 Units) against the money line vs. a starting pitcher who gives up 5.5 or less hits/start this season. The Cardinals are 13-6 (+9.1 Units) against the money line vs. a starting pitcher whose gives up 0.5 or less HR's/start this season. This team is great at manufacturing runs as indicated by their 8 runs scored last night due to just one home run. Take the Cardinals on the Money Line.
DUNKEL
Milwaukee at Minnesota
The Brewers have won eight of their last 10 and come into today's contest with a 5-2 record on the road when the total is listed from 8 to 8 1/2. Milwaukee is the underdog pick (+120) according to Dunkel, which has the Brewers favored straight up by 1/2 a run. Dunkel Pick: Milwaukee (+120). Here are all of today's games.
FRIDAY, JUNE 27
Game 901-902: Arizona at Florida
Dunkel Ratings: Arizona (Owings) 13.009; Florida (Nolasco) 14.921
Dunkel Line: Florida by 2; 8 1/2
Vegas Line: Florida (-120); 9
Dunkel Pick: Florida (-120); Under
Game 903-904: Chicago Cubs at Chicago White Sox
Dunkel Ratings: Cubs (Dempster) 15.850; White Sox (Contreras) 14.069
Dunkel Line: Chicago Cubs by 2; 10
Vegas Line: Chicago White Sox (-110); 9
Dunkel Pick: Chicago Cubs (+100); Over
Game 905-906: Cincinnati at Cleveland
Dunkel Ratings: Cincinnati (Thompson) 15.034; Cleveland (Sabathia) 14.072
Dunkel Line: Cincinnati by 1; 8
Vegas Line: Cleveland (-190); 8 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Cincinnati (+180); Under
Game 907-908: Colorado at Detroit
Dunkel Ratings: Colorado (Jimenez) 15.472; Detroit (Bonine) 15.028
Dunkel Line: Colorado by 1/2; 10
Vegas Line: Detroit (-145); 9 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Colorado (+135); Over
Game 909-910: Atlanta at Toronto
Dunkel Ratings: Atlanta (Jurrjens) 16.149; Toronto (McGowan) 14.273
Dunkel Line: Atlanta by 2; 9 1/2
Vegas Line: Toronto (-130); 8 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Atlanta (+120); Over
Game 911-912: Tampa Bay at Pittsburgh
Dunkel Ratings: Tampa Bay (Kazmir) 16.082; Pittsburgh (Barthmaier) 13.902
Dunkel Line: Tampa Bay by 2; 9
Vegas Line: Tampa Bay (-165); 8
Dunkel Pick: Tampa Bay (-165); Over
Game 913-914: NY Yankees at NY Mets
Dunkel Ratings: NY Yankees (Ponson) 15.119; NY Mets (Martinez) 14.089
Dunkel Line: NY Yankees by 1; 10
Vegas Line: NY Mets (-130); 9 1/2
Dunkel Pick: NY Yankees (+120); Over
Game 915-916: Baltimore at Washington
Dunkel Ratings: Baltimore (Cabrera) 16.025; Washington (Perez) 13.902
Dunkel Line: Baltimore by 2; 9 1/2
Vegas Line: Baltimore (-120); 9
Dunkel Pick: Baltimore (-120); Over
Game 917-918: Boston at Houston
Dunkel Ratings: Boston (Matsuzaka) 14.608; Houston (Hernandez) 16.306
Dunkel Line: Houston by 1 1/2; 8 1/2
Vegas Line: Boston (-160); 9 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Houston (+150); Under
Game 919-920: Philadelphia at Texas
Dunkel Ratings: Philadelphia (Myers) 13.681; Texas (Gabbard) 15.346
Dunkel Line: Texas by 1 1/2; 9 1/2
Vegas Line: Philadelphia (-120); 10 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Texas (+110); Under
Game 921-922: St. Louis at Kansas City
Dunkel Ratings: St. Louis (Pineiro) 15.181; Kansas City (Meche) 17.099
Dunkel Line: Kansas City by 2; 9 1/2
Vegas Line: Kansas City (-125); 8 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Kansas City (-125); Over
Game 923-924: Milwaukee at Minnesota
Dunkel Ratings: Milwaukee (McClung) 16.379; Minnesota (Blackburn) 15.737
Dunkel Line: Milwaukee by 1/2; 9
Vegas Line: Minnesota (-130); 8 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Milwaukee (+120); Over
Game 925-926: San Francisco at Oakland
Dunkel Ratings: San Francisco (Correia) 15.905; Oakland (Eveland) 14.800
Dunkel Line: San Francisco by 1; 8
Vegas Line: Oakland (-165); 8 1/2
Dunkel Pick: San Francisco (+155); Under
Game 927-928: Seattle at San Diego
Dunkel Ratings: Seattle (Washburn) 15.709; San Diego (Wolf) 13.764
Dunkel Line: Seattle by 2; 8 1/2
Vegas Line: San Diego (-140); 7 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Seattle (+130); Over
Game 929-930: LA Angels at LA Dodgers
Dunkel Ratings: LA Angels (Saunders) 14.697; LA Dodgers (Park) 15.571
Dunkel Line: LA Dodgers by 1; 7
Vegas Line: LA Angels (-115); 8
Dunkel Pick: LA Dodgers (+105); Under
Game 931-932: NY Mets at NY Yankees
Dunkel Ratings: NY Mets (Pelfrey) 15.720; NY Yankees (Giese) 13.908
Dunkel Line: NY Mets by 2; 9
Vegas Line: NY Yankees (-135); 10
Dunkel Pick: NY Mets (+125); Under
ARMVIN SPORTS
ARIZONA DIAMONDBACKS +105
CHICAGO CUBS / CHICAGO WHITE SOX Over 8.5
METS (M.Pelfrey) / NEW YORK YANKEES (D.Giese) Under 10
SCOTT DELANEY
Ryan Dempster nearly nabbed his second complete game in thee starts in his last outing, lasting eight-plus innings against these same White Sox. The right-handed sensation gave up one run on 10 hits for the victory, while he improved to 9-0 at home. He's tossed 10 quality starts in 2008 and has made the conversion from closer to starter look easier each time out. As opposed to shutting hitters down and gunning for the strikeout, Dempster has been able to use his full arsenal to attack the hitters with, while letting his defense do all the work. It's obviously working, as he's emerged as the staff ace for the National League's early favorite for representation in October.
On the flipside, we're siding against Jose Contreras, who is 0-3 in his last three starts, having given up 18 earned runs over 16 innings of work for a sky-high ERA of 10.13. He's also lost his last two starts against these Cubbies, having given up 11 earned runs over 10 innings of work, including last Saturday, when he was chased after three innings and allowing nine earned runs. Chicago will certainly be out for avenging yesterday's blowout loss to Baltimore, and despite the setback, the Cubs have still won four of six. Lay the road chalk.
1♦ CUBS
TONY WESTON
I was set to go with the Yankees-Pirates over yesterday, but the weather kept that game from happening. So, we?re going with another total today, but this time we're looking at the subway series between the Yankees and Mets. We're with the over in Game 1 of this series today
The total is set at about 9 1/2 runs and some places it's at 10 and of course it could move just before the first pitch. But, I'm telling you these teams will blow right past that.
In the Yankees last four games on the road they've combined to total in the double digits each time out as the've averaged 13 runs a game, including 10 and 17 their last two games at Pittsburgh.
The Mets have also been putting up the numbers as they've totaled 10 and 11 runs their last two games and have averaged more than 9 1/2 (9.7) their last nine home games.Also, in the first two meetings between these teams this year they've averaged 12 runs a game. And dating back to last year, over their last eight meetings they've totaled, on average, more than 10 1/2 runs (10.6). And in their last six meetings at Shea Stadium they've averaged just a hair under 10 runs (9.8).
Look for the teams to blow past the total and score well into double digits today.
Go with the over in Game 1 of this double header
3♦ YANKEES-METS GAME 1 OVER
JOHN FINA
Selection: Colorado Rockies +105
Today the Colorado Rockies will be on the road as they take on the Detroit Tigers. We will side with the Colorado Rockies! One reason why we will side with the Colorado Rockies is because they will be sending to the mound the much better starting pitcher. This says it all... The Colorado Rockies Starting Pitcher (Ubaldo Jimenez) has a 1.35 ERA in his last 3 starts, while Detroit Tigers Starting Pitcher (Eddie Bonine) has a 5.84 ERA in his last 3 starts. As you can see, the Colorado Rockies will have the much better starting pitcher on the mound. In addition, the Colorado Rockies have proven they can beat the Detroit Tigers. In fact, the Colorado Rockies are 7-1 in their last 8 meetings against the Detroit Tigers. We see the Colorado Rockies getting another win tonight! Take the Colorado Rockies!
VEGAS SPORTS PICS
Chicago Cubs +100*
Detroit -115**
Boston -1.5 +105*
TOM FREESE
Atlanta Braves at Toronto Blue Jays
Prediction: Atlanta Braves
Reason: Atlanta is 23-8 when playing off an off day. The Braves are 6-1 im=n the last 7 starts made by Jair Jurrjens and they are 4-0 when Jurrjens starts Game 1 of a series. Toronto starter Dustin McGowan is off a phony win in his last start where he allowed twice as many baserunners as innings pitched and still came away with the win. Toronto is 3-8 their last 11 Interleague games and they are 2-6 their last 8 games as favorites. PLAY ON ATLANTA +
TONY MATHEWS
Chicago Cubs vs. Chicago White Sox
Selection: Chicago Cubs -115
The Chicago Cubs will use starting pitcher Ryan Dempster. Ryan Dempster has pitched well this season. In fact, Ryan Dempster has a 2.63 ERA on the season. In addition, Ryan Dempster has a 1.64 ERA in his last 3 starts. We see Ryan Dempster pitching another great game today.
The Chicago White Sox will use starting pitcher Jose Contreras. Jose Contreras been having huge pitching problems as of late. In fact, Jose Contreras has a 10.12 ERA in his last 3 starts. We see Jose Contreras having another bad game today.
The Chicago Cubs have had long term success against the Chicago White Sox. In fact, the Chicago Cubs are 9-1 in their last 10 meetings against the Chicago White Sox.
Take the Chicago Cubs!
Matty O'Shea
CWS -110 vs CHC
Analysis: Lou Piniella is 8-1 against the South Siders during his career on the North Side, and you can bet Ozzie Guillen is not happy about it. His pitching staff got back on track though by taking two of three at LA following last weekend's devastating sweep by the Cubs at Wrigley, holding the Dodgers to one run combined in the wins and getting blanked in the loss. Jose Contreras got bombed in last Saturday's 11-7 rout, surrendering nine runs - including three homers - in just 3.1 innings. But Contreras has pitched better at home with a 3-3 mark and 3.04 ERA, and the Sox are 12-2 in their last 14 at U.S. Cellular Field. While Ryan Dempster has pitched very well on the road for the Cubs with a 2.48 ERA, he remains winless at 0-2. The Cubs also have obviously not performed nearly as well on the road with a 16-20 mark and have some lineup issues at the top of the order with Reed Johnson on the DL and Kosuke Fukudome bothered by a calf injury. This proved to be a big problem in Thursday's 11-4 home loss to the Orioles, and I expect it to be a serious issue here in this series.
RON RAYMOND'S 5* CFL GAME OF THE WEEK!
Winnipeg Blue Bombers -2.5
*Ron Raymond's 5* CFL picks have hit over 70% the last 5 years
PlusLineSports Daily Baseball Selection
TB Rays -1.5
Robert Ross
Chicago Cubs at Chicago White Sox
Prediction: Chicago Cubs
Going with the Northsiders here who swept the short-handed ChiSox last weekend at Wrigley. The Cubs are 14-3 against the money line vs. a very good bullpen whose WHIP is 1.250 or better this season and starter DEMPSTER is 46-30 against the money line vs. poor baserunning teams - averaging 0.5 or less SB's/game since 1997. (Team's Record) Meanwhile the White Sox are 29-47 against the money line vs. a good bullpen whose ERA is 3.75 or better over the last 2 seasons and 17-39 against the money line vs. teams who strand 7.5 or more runners on base per game over the last 2 seasons. Take the Cubs!
JB's Computer Picks
Detroit Tigers -130
Boston Red Sox -160
Minnesota Twins -125
Los Angeles Angels -135
Jeff Scott
3 Units NYY Gm1
2 Units Wash / Balt Under