SPORTS ADVISORS
NATIONAL LEAGUE
Philadelphia (52-44) at Florida (50-45)
The Marlins look to move closer to first place in the N.L. East when they send red-hot Ricky Nolasco to the mound (10-4, 3.70) as these rivals kick off a weekend series at Dolphin Stadium. Florida capped the first half of the season with an 11-game road trip to Colorado, San Diego and Los Angeles, going 6-5 on the journey, including a 6-2 in the last eight.
Philadelphia went into the All-Star break on a 4-1 run, all at home, and the last time the Phillies went on the road they swept a three-game series from division-rival Atlanta. Tonight, Charlie Manuel is set to go with ageless southpaw Jamie Moyer (8-6, 3.95), who is unbeaten in nine career starts against the Marlins.
The Phillies and Marlins have split six meetings this year, with the host taking two of three in each series.
Florida is on a 10-1 run with Nolasco on the hill, including 7-0 in the last seven. In Saturday’s 5-3, 12-inning win at the Dodgers, the right-hander gave up just two runs on five hits in six innings. Nolasco has delivered a quality start in six consecutive outings, posting a 1.95 ERA during this stretch.
Nolasco has won four straight home starts, giving up just four earned runs in 28 innings (1.29 ERA). That includes a 5-4 win over the Phillies on June 10 when Nolasco gave up three runs (all unearned) on four hits in six innings. For his career, Nolasco is 3-2 with a 4.23 ERA in seven games (four starts) against Philadelphia.
Moyer hasn’t been on the mound since July 10, when he dominated the Cardinals in a 4-1 home victory, giving up a run on seven hits in seven innings. Prior to that outing, the Phillies had lost four straight games behind Moyer. The 45-year-old lefty has given up three earned runs or fewer in seven consecutive starts.
Moyer is 4-3 with a 3.13 ERA in nine home starts, and since coming to Philly in 2006, he’s dominated Florida, going 9-0 with a 3.03 ERA. Moyer has faced the Fish twice this year, giving up five runs in seven innings of a 7-5 home win on June 1, then scattering two hits and a walk in eight scoreless innings of a 3-0 road victory 12 days later.
The over is 36-17-1 in the last 54 meetings between these clubs, 48-19-3 in the last 70 clashes at Dolphin Stadium and 6-2 in Moyer’s last eight outings against Florida. In addition, for the Marlins, the over is on streaks of 39-16-6 overall, 66-30-9 against the N.L. East, 28-11-3 on Fridays and 12-4-1 against southpaw starters.
ATS ADVANTAGE: OVER
L.A. Dodgers (46-49) at Arizona (47-48)
First place in the N.L. West is up for grabs at Chase Field in Phoenix, where the Diamondbacks are set to hand the ball to Doug Davis (3-4, 3.80) in the opener of a three-game series. Arizona alternated wins and losses on a six-game road trip to Washington and Philadelphia prior to the All-Star break, and the DBacks are just 19-32 going back to May 20.
Los Angeles, which starts Hiroki Kuroda (5-6, 3.43) in this one, pounded the Marlins 9-1 in its most recent game on Sunday, avoiding a four-game sweep at the hands of Florida. On the bright side, the Dodgers are 8-2 in their last 10 on the highway.
Arizona is 4-1 against the Dodgers this season, including a three-game sweep at Chase Field from April 7-9. The Diamondbacks have averaged 6.4 runs per game in the five contests.
Davis has given up exactly three runs in four straight starts, but the DBacks are just 1-3 in those contests. Also, the southpaw has recorded a quality start in five of his last six outings, with Arizona splitting those games. In six starts at home this season, Davis is 2-2 with a 3.58 ERA, but the DBacks are 19-6 in his last 25 efforts at Chase Field. That includes a 10-5 home win over the Dodgers on April 8, with Davis giving up two runs in six innings as he improved to 4-2 with a 1.33 ERA in six career starts versus Los Angeles.
Kuroda returned from a three-week stint on the disabled list and was brilliant in two games against the Astros and Braves, allowing a combined six hits and one walk in 16 scoreless innings. However, his scoreless streak ended in his last start against the Marlins on Saturday, allowing three runs on seven hits in 6 2/3 innings, getting a no-decision in L.A.’s 5-3 loss.
The right-hander is 2-6 with a 4.29 ERA in nine starts on the road, and in his lone career start against the Diamondbacks on April 9, he gave up four runs (two earned) in 5 2/3 innings, losing 4-3.
The under is 7-2 in Kuroda’s last nine starts overall, 7-2 in his nine outings on the road, 4-1-1 in Davis’ last six overall and 4-2 in Davis’ six outings at home in 2008. However, the over is 4-1 in the five series meetings between these teams this season.
ATS ADVANTAGE: ARIZONA
AMERICAN LEAGUE
Boston (57-40) at L.A. Angels (57-38)
The Angels send ace John Lackey (6-2, 2.46) to the mound as the top two teams in the American League kick off a three-game series against the Red Sox at Angel Stadium. Los Angeles went into the break with consecutive wins at Oakland on Saturday and Sunday, but the team is just 9-8 in its last 17 games overall and 6-6 in its last 12 at home. On the bright side, Mike Scioscia’s squad is 37-16 in Lackey’s last 53 starts.
Clay Buchholz (2-4, 5.70) is scheduled to get the call for Boston, which closed the first half of the season on a 5-1 run, and the club is 44-20 in its last 64 games following an off day. On the downside, the Red Sox are mired in slumps of 3-8 versus the A.L. West, 2-7 on the road, 2-8 in Buchholz’s last 10 starts overall and 0-6 with Buchholz working on the highway.
These teams haven’t faced each other since late April, when L.A. went to Fenway Park and took two of three from the Sox. However, Boston went 9-4 against the Angels last year, including sweeping a divisional playoff series in October.
After starting the year off with nine straight quality starts, Lackey has gotten roughed up in his last two against the Blue Jays (home) and Rangers (road), giving up 12 runs (11 earned) on 22 hits in 11 2/3 innings. Los Angeles split the two contests and is 8-3 in Lackey’s 11 outings this year, including 3-2 at home where the big right-hander sports a 2.50 ERA.
Buchholz returned from a two-month stint in Triple-A a week ago tonight and suffered a 7-3 home loss to the Orioles, as he allowed four runs on five hits in five innings. Buchholz is 0-2 with a 10.80 ERA in his last three starts and he’s 0-3 with an 8.64 ERA in five road starts this season, all Red Sox losses.
Lackey has struggled against Boston in his career, going 1-6 with a 6.27 ERA in 11 career starts, 10 of which the Angels have lost. Meanwhile, Buchholz’s first career big-league start came against Lackey and the Angels at home last Aug. 17, and he gave up four runs (three earned) in six innings of an 8-4 victory.
For the Angels, the under is on streaks of 35-17-3 overall, 9-3 on Fridays, 13-3-1 with Lackey on the hill overall and 5-2-1 when Lackey pitches at home. Conversely, the over is 5-1-1 in Buchholz’s last seven starts overall, 4-1 in his last five on the road and 8-3-1 in the last 12 meetings in this rivalry.
ATS ADVANTAGE: NONE
Gametimepicks.com
STU FINER
Oakland Athletics at New York Yankees
We like the Yankees to start off the second half in fine fashion. Mike Mussina has not been pitching with smoke and mirrors folks. Moose has earned each and every one of his victories.
Can you believe the fact that Mike Mussina has not given up more than five earned runs all season? To take it one step further he has only let up more than three runs four times. Four times out of nineteen starts. You know that Mussina goes out there and gets the job done. Mike’s control has been at an all time high. He has only walked two batters in his last three starts. To take that even one step further, Mike has walked five men in his last six starts.
Take the Yankees and look for them to get on a hot streak, it is there time of the season.
New York Yankees (-)
Detroit Tigers at Baltimore Orioles
The Tigers won an important game yesterday. Sure we aren’t going to tell you it was a “must” win but for the Tigers confidence it was important. They went in to Baltimore and they played a very good home team and won a one run ball game. Of course they made it interesting in the ninth inning, but when Todd Jones is your closer that is going to happen more times than not.
The Tigers finally have their best line-up out there. It has been a long time since they have had all the big boys in the line-up at the same time. Granderson bats lead-off, Polanco two and then it gets real scary. Against right-handed pitching you will see Ordonez, Cabrera, and Sheffield all up together. Threw in Ivan Rodriguez, Marcus Thames and Edgar Renteria and you have a line-up that can pound anyone.
Look for the Tigers to win again on the road, the Orioles are starting to fade back to the pack.
Detroit Tigers (-)
Toronto Blue Jays at Tampa Bay Rays
Don’t think that Tampa won’t begin to press. If there seven game losing streak before the break hasn’t showed you that, then we don’t know what will. These guys are going to have a tough time holding off the Yankees and surpassing the Red Sox to take the division. In fact we still feel that they won’t make the playoffs.
The Rays offense has really been stagnant. This is a team that has scored just six runs in the past three games. It isn’t just one series either folks or just three games. Against the Yankees the Rays scored just one run in two games.
There offense is now barely in the top half of baseball. As a team they hit just .260. Sure they have young pitching but tonight they face A.J. Burnett. You saw how great he was in his last start didn’t you? Eight plus innings against the Yankees and just one run. He will shut down the Rays tonight.
Toronto Blue Jays (+)
Kansas City Royals at Chicago White Sox
We really like the way the Royals have played this season. Unfortunately for them though we like the way the White Sox have played even more. Has there been a more under-rated team in all of baseball through the first few months of the baseball team? There are people out there that don’t even realize they are the best team in the AL Central.
The White Sox have protected their home-turf all season. They are fourteen games over .500 for the season but in Chicago they are nineteen games over the .500 mark and have a 32-13 mark.
The White Sox send their most reliable starter to the hill. Mark has been on another level for really six weeks. Buherle has allowed just five runs in his last four starts. Mark is 4-2 in his last six decisions and has been a rock all season for the Sox. Against just an average line-up he will get the job done.
Chicago White Sox (-)
Boston Red Sox at LA Angels
Whenever you can get John Lackey at this price you must jump all over it. Lackey has been superb all season. Lackey was the best pitcher not to make the all-star team this season. John is 6-2 on the season with an ERA of 2.46. The Angels just win when he is out there folks. John has made eleven starts this season and the Angels have won eight of them. Winning over 72% of his starts is not an easy task.
The Red Sox are a great team but they still struggle on the road. Even though they have played much better as of late, the Sox are still just 2-7 in their last nine road games. The Sox are still without David Ortiz. Sure he took some batting practice but he isn’t quite ready, until he is you can’t take the Sox on the road against a top of the line starter.
LA Angels (-)
Cleveland Indians at Seattle Mariners
We have to tell you that we are not a fan of the Mariners baseball team. There will be very few times the rest of the season that we will be aboard with the Mariners. This is a baseball team that has too many problems. They just cut their over-priced starting first baseman. They fired their general manager and manager not to long ago and on top of all of those factors they have injuries.
With all that said we love Seattle tonight. We wanted to preface that fact with the condition of the team, we know all about it. Tonight we have the best young pitcher in baseball. Felix Hernandez is worth jumping on board with. This guy has finally hit his stride and is going deep in to games and winning ball games.
The Indians are a bad team and an even worse road team, the Mariners send their ace tonight and they are still very capable of winning behind him.
Seattle Mariners (-)
National League
Philadelphia Phillies at Florida Marlins
Sometimes there are games you have to just see a line mistake and you have to jump on it. Tonight we jump on the road dog Philadelphia Phillies. Jamie Moyer has been more than reliable all season.
We know how all of you probably feel about Moyer, but he proves how important location and smarts are on the hill. Jamie may not break 82 MPH but he understands how to win. Moyer is 8-6 on the season with an ERA of 3.95. Pitching in the NL East and pitching in his home ball park, those numbers are very solid.
The Phillies are better when they are behind the eight ball. Phillies are 8-1 in their last nine games as an under-dog. They will beat the Marlins tonight and stay on top of the NL East.
Philadelphia Phillies (+)
Washington Nationals at Atlanta Braves
Jump all over the Braves here tonight. There is no reason why this game should even be close. The Braves are the forgotten team in the NL East. Do not make that mistake though. This is a team that still has a ton of talent. This is a team that has a lot of players that have won before. Before it is all said and done we will see the Braves make a push, we can almost guarantee it.
Tim Hudson has been great all season. He is just 9-7 but boy has he deserved better. His ERA is in the top dozen and he has already logged 129 innings. Hudson keeps the ball down, limits his walks and battles.
These two teams are very familiar with each other. The home team has won four of the last five games and that trend will continue tonight. The Braves in a blow out.
Atlanta Braves (-)
Chicago Cubs at Houston Astros
Do not fall in to the trap. Do not look at these two teams records and think that the Cubs are the smart play. Sure the Cubs are 57-38 and lead the division. Sure the Astros are 44-51 and aren’t even close in the division. There home and road splits though tell a different story.
Even with all the Astros struggles they have found ways to win games in their ball-park. They are 22-21 in their home building. You may not think that number and that mark is too impressive but it is. They play in a division that has three teams over .500 and a division that can hit. The Cubs on the other hand are 20-26 on the road. That has to change if the Cubs feel they are major contenders. It will not change tonight.
Houston Astros (+)
San Diego Padres at St. Louis Cardinals
The Padres are just a dead team. Last night they couldn’t even get the job done with their ace pitcher. Jake Peavy did give up a few home-runs but he still only allowed a few runs and that should have been enough to win the game but it wasn’t. Tonight the Cardinals build off their impressive one run victory and take game two of this set.
It is like night and day for the Cardinals on the road or at home. At home they hit, they hit for power, they play better defense and they even steal more bases. The Padres are just a mess offensively folks. They hit a measly .251 on the road as a team. You may think there team ERA is solid right? They are over 5.00. This Padres team is not going to fire this year. The Cardinals will win their game here just like they did last night.
St. Louis Cardinals (-)
Pittsburgh Pirates at Colorado Rockies
We love the way the Rockies played last night. Call us crazy but in the weakest division in all of baseball we feel that the Colorado Rockies could actually make a run. Yes we know there record, we know all about their injuries. How many people felt last year though that the Rockies were for real?
Ian Snell pitches for the road Pirates tonight. Has there been a worse pitcher all season? Here is a guy that was talked about at length before the season. He sure hasn’t lived up to even a percent of that hype.
On the road Ian is 1-5 with an ERA over 8.10. Is there much more to say after that? Now you want him to pitch well in the toughest road park in all of baseball for pitchers? Well we aren’t going to buy it. We love the Rockies at home tonight.
Colorado Rockies (-)
LA Dodgers at Arizona Diamondbacks
A battle of the titans here tonight in Arizona. Well not exactly but they are the two best teams in the NL West. It is scary to say that, but both of these teams are under the .500 mark and both of them have struggled for a long period of time. The Dodgers came out very flat and got it going a little, but have resorted back to their losing ways. The Diamondbacks came out like a house of cards, but have played badly for almost 75 games.
Tonight we have to go with the home team. We have to look at the facts and the facts are on the side of Arizona. Sure Hiroki Kuroda has been very good, but he has piled his numbers in Los Angeles. Away from LA he has been bad.
Kuroda is 3-0 at home with an ERA of 2.63. On the road Kuroda is 2-6 with an ERA over 4.00. He doesn’t have the luxury of the big ball park and doesn’t have the luxury of familiarity. Take Arizona behind Doug Davis.
Arizona Diamondbacks (-)
Milwaukee Brewers at San Francisco Giants
We like the Giants to steal one here tonight. C.C. has come over and done a nice job for the Brewers so far, but that isn’t going to happen all season. Believe it or not but Matt Cain is one of the few pitchers that can match C.C. if he is going right. Guess what everyone? He is going real right.
Cain has allowed just 13 hits in his last twenty innings. In comparison Sabathia has allowed thirteen hits in just his last 15 innings pitched. Sabathia has a whip of 1.27 in his last few starts, Cain has a whip of just 1.05.
The Brewers still struggle on the road and until they improve that we will not trust them. Grabbing Matt at this price is too good to pass up. Take the Giants behind Mr. Cain.
San Francisco Giants (+)
Nelly
Colorado – over Pittbsburgh
Ian Snell has fallen a long way as not long ago he was considered one of the top young pitchers in baseball. He currently owns a 5.92 ERA with 55 walks allowed in only 94 innings. Snell has allowed four or more runs in seven of his last ten starts and on the road he has an 8.14 ERA and 2.07 WHIP. Pittsburgh is 2-7 in Snell’s last nine starts and it will be tough to get a win behind Snell in the thin air in Colorado. The Rockies are still a formidable home team with a solid winning record at Coor’s Field and the Rockies are 18-10 in the last 28 home games. The Pirates are just 11-15 against left-handed starters and 15-28 in road games this season so little is lining up in Pittsburgh’s favor. Glendon Rusch pitched extremely well in his last outing as an emergency starter and he has filled that role effectively in recent seasons. Look for Colorado to deliver the win on Friday night.
Dave Cokin
Brewers -130 @ Giants
Play: Giants
Some guys just can't catch a break. Take Matt Cain of the Giants. He's a pretty solid starter most of the time, and he can be downright spectacular when he's got his control. But Cain just can't catch a break. The Giants are an amazing 16-39 in Cain's last 55 starts, which is almost mind boggling considering the general quality of his efforts. I think they're heading for 16-40 as they have to face energized CC Sabathia and the Brewers. I'll lay the spot here with Milwaukee.
James Patrick
Texas vs. Minnesota
Millwood is just 5-16 in his road starts and his Rangers are 2-8 in the Hubert H. Humphrey Dome. The Twinkies love their home field as they have won 16 of 21 games here. Our Friday selection is Minnesota Twins.
BRAD DIAMOND SPORTS
Play on: Chicago Cubs over Houston
Not only do the Cubs serve up crafty lefty Lilly this evening, but they show at 5-0 off a loss and 6-0 in game #1 of a series. Finally, the Cubs are 10-4 in Lilly’s last 14 starts overall. Granted Houston is 4-1 the last five home starts made by right hander Moehler, but they line up Friday 5-16 after scoring 5 plus runs in their last game. Lastly, on Friday’s Houston is just 1-4 last five times out which plays into an expected flat spot. Continue to back the first place Cubbies!
Jimmy The Moose
San Diego Padres at St Louis Cardinals
Prediction: St Louis Cardinals
San Diego has a 7-21 record over their last 28 games overall. The Padres are 3-8 in their last 11 road games. In their last 19 road games vs. a team with a winning home record San Diego is 5-14. In their last 55 games vs. a team with a winning record the Padres are 15-40. The Padres are 2-5 in Maddux's last 7 starts overall and in his last 7 road starts. St. Louis has won 3 of their last 4 games. Looper takes the mound tonight looking for his 10th win and after failing in his last couple of starts he gets the win tonight. The Cardinals are 51-20 in the last 71 meetings between the clubs. San Diedo is 9-28 in their last 37 trips to St. Louis. Play on the St. Louis Cardinals -.
Marc Lawrence
Pittsburgh Pirates at Colorado Rockies
Prediction: Colorado Rockies
The Rockies open a three game weekend set with Pittsburgh when they take on struggling Ian Snell and the Pirates at Coors Field tonight. And struggling is the operative word here as Snell has issued 10 walks and 9 strikeouts in his last three starts. Worse yet, he's walked 15 batters while striking out 11 in his last four road starts. In those four road efforts he's compiled an eye-opening 13.16 ERA. Thus, it's no wonder Snell's road ERA (8.14) this season is more than double his home ERA (3.86). Stay at home with the Rockies here as Snell continues to smell on the road tonight.
Scott Ferrall
ANGELS -150 over Boston--Lackey will own the Red Sox in Anaheim. Buchholz isn't ready for this test on the road after just coming up from the minors. UNDER 8 RUNS
Seattle -135 over Cleveland--The Tribe have been wretched on the road and I'm ridin King Felix in this one. UNDER 7.5 RUNS
SAN FRANCISCO +115 over Milwaukee--that's right--I'm taking Matt Cain in the UPSET SPECIAL over CC Sabathia--we'l see who's laughing at the end of the night ! OVER 7.5 RUNS
LA -105 over Arizona--The Dodgers catch the Diamondbacks with Kuroda getting the best of Davis in the desert. UNDER 8.5 RUNS
Pittsburgh +105 over Colorado--Anything's possible at Coors. I'll take the huge risk and hope Ian Snell gives me something ! OVER 10.5 RUNS
ST.LOUIS -135 over San Diego--The Padres swallow, so I can't bet on them ! Looper over Maddux on a Pain Free Friday. UNDER 8.5 RUNS
Matt Fargo
Washington Nationals vs. Atlanta Braves
Play: Washington Nationals
One of the best home teams takes on one of the worst road teams and you know where our money is in this one. Neither team was anything special heading into the All-Star break and that includes Atlanta who went 5-9 in its final 14 games prior to the pause. Part of the reason was a dismal offense that averaged only 3.7 rpg over that 14-game span. Over their last nine home games, the Braves are 3-6 and have averaged a mere 3.2 rpg. On the flip side, pitching allowed 4.8 rpg over that span.
Washington isn’t exactly tearing things up either but one good thing picked up prior to the break and that was its offense. The Nationals had scored four runs or fewer in 15 of 18 games but have scored five runs or more in five of their last seven, averaging 6.3 rpg in those contests. It may be small, but it is progress. They have the worst home average in baseball at .233 but are respectable on the road with a .246 average. Washington has won three straight and four of five in this series.
Lost in the Nationals disappointing season has been the pitching of Tim Redding. He has been outstanding this season as he is 7-3 with a 3.85 ERA in 20 starts. This includes a 3-0 record along with a 3.42 ERA in eight road outings. Five of his last six starts have been quality outings so he has been pitching even better of late. The real kicker is the run support as the Nationals have given him 5.4 rpg which may not seem a lot but for a team averaging 3.7 rpg on the season, that is spectacular.
Tim Hudson started the season on fire and while his numbers are still solid, he has definitely not been as dominating. Most of the recent damage has been on the road as his home performances remain strong. That is a big reason the line is what it is. Of his 20 starts, the Braves are just 9-11 but seven of those wins have come at home. Also, against Washington, he has tossed seven straight quality outings. As good as it may be, the price is too strong going up against a hurler that is pitching nearly as good. Play Washington Nationals 1.5 Units
Great Lakes Sports
Milwaukee at San Francisco
The Milwaukee Brewers have a very respectable 52-43 record this year, and are a perfect 3-0 vs the San Francisco Giants this year. The San Francisco Giants is only 40-55 this year, and they are a very poor 4-8 when playing in the month of July this year. We look for the Milwaukee Brewers to beat the San Francisco Giants in this National League showdown for the road win tonight.
Big Al Mcmordie
Toronto Blue Jays at Tampa Bay Rays
Prediction: Toronto Blue Jays
At 7:10 pm, our member selection is on the Toronto Blue Jays over the Tampa Bay Rays. Yes, Tampa Bay is one of the Major League's best first-half stories, but the wheels have come off the Rays a bit, as they went into the All-Star Break on a 7-game losing streak. Tonight, Tampa Bay sends one of its best starters, James Shields, to the hill in an attempt to get back on the winning track. But I'm not going to step in front of this train that's now running off its track. The Rays are a poor 25-47 off back-to-back losses, and we'll take the Blue Jays as a mid-sized underdog behing AJ Burnett. Take Toronto.
Bobby Maxwell
Toronto +125 at TAMPA BAY
A seven-game losing streak for the Rays to end the first half of the season wiped out their five-game lead in the A.L. East and has us wondering if they are ripe for a second-half collapse. We all know the Rays are a good young team, but they might not be ready to make it to the playoffs this season.
Tampa's quality pitching gave way at the end of the first half, giving up at least five runs in six of their seven losses and the Rays' offense scored just nine runs during an 0-6 road trip. James Shields (7-6, 3.83 ERA) goes for Tampa today after giving up five runs on 10 hits in a 10-0 loss Friday.
Shields faced the Blue Jays back on April 22 and allowed four runs in seven innings.
Toronto closed the first half of the season on a 5-1 run and they scored at least four runs in each of their six games to close the first half. A.J. Burnett (10-8, 4.96) is on the hill for the Blue Jays and pitched on three days of rest on Sunday and delivered a gem.
Burnett held the Yankees to one run in 8.1 innings of a 4-1 victory. In his last eight starts, he's held the opposition to two runs or less four times. And for his career, he's 6-3 with a 3.21 ERA in 14 outings against the Rays.
Toronto has shown it can score runs and knock the ball around the park. We're going to take a shot and get some plus-money on them today. Go with Burnett and the Jays.
2♦ TORONTO
Chris Jordan
Toronto at TAMPA BAY -135
AL East showdown, and after watching the D Rays tank it over the final stretch of the first half, I expect them to step it up immediately. Truthfully, they have no choice because everyone knows what the Yankees and Sox are capable of late in the campaign.
After losing their last seven games of the first half, look for James Shields to stop the bleeding for Tampa, as he’s been one of the team’s best at home all season. In 10 starts at Tropicana Field, he’s 5-1 with a 2.13 ERA and that includes a win over these same Jays back in April. That win improved his record to 3-0 in four starts against Toronto; in those starts he’s given up eight earned runs over 27 innings, much better numbers than AJ Burnett. Toronto’s right-hander is 0-2 in his last two outings against the Rays, having given up 12 earned runs in as many innings.
Lay the home chalk here, as the Rays win easily.
2♦ DEVIL RAYS
DUNKEL
Texas at Minnesota
The Twins are an MLB-best 21-7 since June 13 and look to take advantage of Texas' 3-8 mark as a road underdog between +100 and +125. Minnesota is the pick (-120) according to Dunkel, which has the Twins favored by 1 1/2. Dunkel Pick: Minnesota (-120). Here are all of today's games.
FRIDAY, JULY 18
Game 901-902: NY Mets at Cincinnati
Dunkel Ratings: NY Mets (Maine) 16.525; Cincinnati (Arroyo) 16.628
Dunkel Line: Cincinnati by 1/2; 10
Vegas Line: NY Mets (-115); 9
Dunkel Pick: Cincinnati (+105); Over
Game 903-904: Philadelphia at Florida
Dunkel Ratings: Philadelphia (Moyer) 13.542; Florida (Nolasco) 15.444
Dunkel Line: Florida by 2; 8
Vegas Line: Florida (-115); 8 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Florida (-115); Under
Game 905-906: Washington at Atlanta
Dunkel Ratings: Washington (Redding) 14.733; Atlanta (Hudson) 14.229
Dunkel Line: Washington by 1/2; 7 1/2
Vegas Line: Atlanta (-175); 8 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Washington (+165); Under
Game 907-908: Chicago Cubs at Houston
Dunkel Ratings: Cubs (Lilly) 14.678; Houston (Moehler) 15.793
Dunkel Line: Houston by 1; 8 1/2
Vegas Line: Chicago Cubs (-115); 9 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Houston (+105); Under
Game 909-910: San Diego at St. Louis
Dunkel Ratings: San Diego (Maddux) 14.800; St. Louis (Looper) 14.169
Dunkel Line: San Diego by 1/2; 7 1/2
Vegas Line: St. Louis (-130); 8 1/2
Dunkel Pick: San Diego (+120); Under
Game 911-912: Pittsburgh at Colorado
Dunkel Ratings: Pittsburgh (Snell) 14.454; Colorado (Rusch) 13.595
Dunkel Line: Pittsburgh by 1; 11 1/2
Vegas Line: Colorado (-120); 10 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Pittsburgh (+110); Over
Game 913-914: LA Dodgers at Arizona
Dunkel Ratings: LA Dodgers (Kuroda) 14.236; Arizona (Davis) 15.267
Dunkel Line: Arizona by 1; 7 1/2
Vegas Line: Arizona (-110); 8 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Arizona (-110); Under
Game 915-916: Milwaukee at San Francisco
Dunkel Ratings: Milwaukee (Sabathia) 16.028; San Francisco (Cain) 14.850
Dunkel Line: Milwaukee by 1; 8 1/2
Vegas Line: Milwaukee (-130); 7 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Milwaukee (-130); Over
Game 917-918: Oakland at NY Yankees
Dunkel Ratings: Oakland (Smith) 15.166; NY Yankees (Mussina) 16.352
Dunkel Line: NY Yankees by 1; 8
Vegas Line: No Line
Dunkel Pick: N/A
Game 919-920: Detroit at Baltimore
Dunkel Ratings: Detroit (Galarraga) 15.053; Baltimore (Guthrie) 16.114
Dunkel Line: Baltimore by 1; 8
Vegas Line: Baltimore (-115); 9
Dunkel Pick: Baltimore (-115); Under
Game 921-922: Toronto at Tampa Bay
Dunkel Ratings: Toronto (Burnett) 14.240; Tampa Bay (Shields) 14.748
Dunkel Line: Tampa Bay by 1/2; 8 1/2
Vegas Line: Tampa Bay (-135); 8
Dunkel Pick: Tampa Bay (-135); Over
Game 923-924: Texas at Minnesota
Dunkel Ratings: Texas (Millwood) 15.259; Minnesota (Perkins) 16.860
Dunkel Line: Minnesota by 1 1/2; 10
Vegas Line: Minnesota (-120); 9
Dunkel Pick: Minnesota (-120); Over
Game 925-926: Kansas City at Chicago White Sox
Dunkel Ratings: Kansas City (Greinke) 14.531; White Sox (Buehrle) 15.956
Dunkel Line: Chicago White Sox by 1 1/2; 7
Vegas Line: Chicago White Sox (-145); 8
Dunkel Pick: Chicago White Sox (-145); Under
Game 927-928: Boston at LA Angels
Dunkel Ratings: Boston (Buchholz) 15.213; LA Angels (Lackey) 16.595
Dunkel Line: LA Angels by 1 1/2; 8 1/2
Vegas Line: LA Angels (-150); 8
Dunkel Pick: LA Angels (-150); Over
Game 929-930: Cleveland at Seattle
Dunkel Ratings: Cleveland (Laffey) 14.749; Seattle (Hernandez) 16.397
Dunkel Line: Seattle by 1 1/2; 6 1/2
Vegas Line: Seattle (-130); 7 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Seattle (-130); Under