Dave Cokin
CHW White Sox and DET Tigers
Take CHW White Sox
Big series between the White Sox and Tigers gets underway tonight. Detroit is back in the hunt after that terrible start, but Chicago still maintains the lead in the AL Central. The Pale Hose need a better showing from Gavin Floyd tonight, as his control has been a big problem lately. But I like the Sox to have plenty of success against Nate Robertson. The Detroit lefty has been prone to the big inning all season, and the White Sox are pretty good about putting those crooked numbers on the board. My choice is the White Sox as road dogs.
Robert Ross
New York Yankees at Boston Red Sox
Prediction: Boston Red Sox
Cheap price on the home side. Yanks step up in class after playing Oakland and Minnesota at home. A better than 70% winning angle says to Play On - All teams when the money line is +125 to -125 (BOSTON) - stranding 7.5 or more runners on base per game on the season, after 3 straight games where they stranded 10 or more runners on base (31-13 over the last 5 seasons). Take Boston!
Tom Freese
Arizona Diamondbacks at San Francisco Giants
Prediction: Arizona Diamondbacks
Arizona is 7-2 in the last 9 starts made by Danny Haren and they are 10-4 with Haren when favored. The Diamonbcaks are 5-1 their last 6 games when playing off a loss. San Francisco is 8-20 vs. a pitcher with a WHIP of less than 1.15 and they are 5-21 their last 26 games as home dogs. The Giants are 1-4 in the last 4 home starts made by Jonathan Sanchez and they are 0-4 their last 4 Friday games. PLAY ON ARIZONA
Anthony Capone
3 * Toronto -150
2 * LA Angels -130
2 * White Sox +114
DUNKEL
NY Yankees at Boston
The Yankees come into the contest having won six straight and will look to build on their 7-4 record as a road underdog between +100 and +125. New York is the underdog pick (+110) according to Dunkel, which has the Yankees favored straight up by 1. Dunkel Pick: NY Yankees (+110). Here are all of today's games.
FRIDAY, JULY 25
Game 951-952: Florida at Chicago Cubs
Dunkel Ratings: Florida (Johnson) 14.481; Cubs (Dempster) 14.303
Dunkel Line: Florida by 1/2; 10
Vegas Line: Chicago Cubs (-180); No Run Line
Dunkel Pick: Florida (+170); N/A
Game 953-954: Atlanta at Philadelphia
Dunkel Ratings: Atlanta (Jurrjens) 15.908; Philadelphia (Kendrick) 14.586
Dunkel Line: Atlanta by 1 1/2; 9
Vegas Line: Philadelphia (-115); 9 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Atlanta (+105); Under
Game 955-956: San Diego at Pittsburgh
Dunkel Ratings: San Diego (Baek) 13.571; Pittsburgh (Duke) 14.610
Dunkel Line: Pittsburgh by 1; 9
Vegas Line: Pittsburgh (-120); 9 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Pittsburgh (-120); Under
Game 957-958: St. Louis at NY Mets
Dunkel Ratings: St. Louis (Boggs) 15.196; NY Mets (Pelfrey) 17.045
Dunkel Line: NY Mets by 2; 10
Vegas Line: NY Mets (-165); 9
Dunkel Pick: NY Mets (-165); Over
Game 959-960: Colorado at Cincinnati
Dunkel Ratings: Colorado (Cook) 17.150; Cincinnati (Volquez) 15.990
Dunkel Line: Colorado by 1; 6 1/2
Vegas Line: Cincinnati (-145); 8 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Colorado (+135); Under
Game 961-962: Houston at Milwaukee
Dunkel Ratings: Houston (Rodriguez) 13.706; Milwaukee (Parra) 15.219
Dunkel Line: Milwaukee by 1 1/2; 8 1/2
Vegas Line: Milwaukee (-160); 9
Dunkel Pick: Milwaukee (-160); Under
Game 963-964: Arizona at San Francisco
Dunkel Ratings: Arizona (Haren) 14.594; San Francisco (Sanchez) 15.972
Dunkel Line: San Francisco by 1 1/2; 6 1/2
Vegas Line: Arizona (-130); 7
Dunkel Pick: San Francisco (+120); Under
Game 965-966: Washington at LA Dodgers
Dunkel Ratings: Washington (Lannan) 15.336; LA Dodgers (Billingley) 14.774
Dunkel Line: Washington by 1/2; 6 1/2
Vegas Line: LA Dodgers (-180); 7
Dunkel Pick: Washington (+170); Under
Game 967-968: LA Angels at Baltimore
Dunkel Ratings: LA Angels (Saunders) 16.576; Baltimore (Burres) 15.028
Dunkel Line: LA Angels by 1 1/2; 8 1/2
Vegas Line: LA Angels (-130); 9
Dunkel Pick: LA Angels (-130); Under
Game 969-970: Chicago White Sox at Detroit
Dunkel Ratings: White Sox (Floyd) 16.125; Detroit (Robertson) 17.315
Dunkel Line: Detroit by 1; 11
Vegas Line: Detroit (-120); 10 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Detroit (-120); Over
Game 971-972: NY Yankees at Boston
Dunkel Ratings: NY Yankees (Chamberlain) 16.848; Boston (Beckett) 15.746
Dunkel Line: NY Yankees by 1; 7
Vegas Line: Boston (-120); 8
Dunkel Pick: NY Yankees (+110); Under
Game 973-974: Seattle at Toronto
Dunkel Ratings: Seattle (Batista) 15.582; Toronto (Parrish) 15.022
Dunkel Line: Seattle by 1/2; 10 1/2
Vegas Line: Toronto (-155); 9
Dunkel Pick: Seattle (+145); Over
Game 975-976: Minnesota at Cleveland
Dunkel Ratings: Minnesota (Hernandez) 15.079; Cleveland (Lee) 17.049
Dunkel Line: Cleveland by 2; 8
Vegas Line: Cleveland (-210); 8 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Cleveland (-210); Under
Game 977-978: Tampa Bay at Kansas City
Dunkel Ratings: Tampa Bay (Jackson) 13.805; Kansas City (Bannister) 14.836
Dunkel Line: Kansas City by 1; 10
Vegas Line: Tampa Bay (-115); 9
Dunkel Pick: Kansas City (+105); Over
Game 979-980: Texas at Oakland
Dunkel Ratings: Texas (Padilla) 14.502; Oakland (Gallagher) 15.718
Dunkel Line: Oakland by 1; 9 1/2
Vegas Line: Oakland (-125); 8 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Oakland (-125); Over
JOHN FINA
Selection: San Diego Padres +105
Today the San Diego Padres will be on the road as they take on the Pittsburgh Pirates. We will side with the San Diego Padres! One reason why we will side with the San Diego Padres is because they will be sending to the mound the much superior starting pitcher. This says it all... The San Diego Padres Starting Pitcher (Cha Seung Baek) has a 2.08 ERA in his last 3 starts, while Pittsburgh Pirates Starting Pitcher (Zach Duke) has a 12.82 ERA in his last 3 starts. As you can see, the San Diego Padres have the much better starting pitcher on the mound. In addition, the San Diego Padres have proven they can beat the Pittsburgh Pirates. In fact, the San Diego Padres are 10-2 in their last 12 meetings against the Pittsburgh Pirates. We see the San Diego Padres getting another win today! Take the San Diego Padres!
Alex Smart
New York Mets -1.5 +125
The NY Mets (55-47) enter into this series against the struggling St.Louis Cardinals off a key 3-1 win against the Phillies yesterday, as they took 2 of 3 in that series. They now look to extend their lead in the NL East standings, with another victory in this spot. The Cards(57-47), are off getting swept in a 4 games series at home against the Milwaukee Brewers and could be in for another rough night, as they depend on a rookie pitcher (Mitchell Boggs 3-1, 6.59 ERA) , that is just now, returning from a minor league assignment . It is important to mention that Boggs was absolutely crushed by the Mets, in his last major league start on July 3rd, as is evident by allowing 11 runs including 10 ERs and 10 hits in just 6 innings, of less than stellar work.
Meanwhile, the Mets will return fire with the very capable Mike Pelfry (8-6, 3.81 ERA) who is 6-0 with a 2.70 ERA in his last 10 outings. The right hander in those 10 trips to the hill has allowed 2 or less ERs in 7 appearances. Pelfry received the decision the last time he faced the Mets, in the above mentioned beat down win, against todays pitching opponent Boggs.
The Mets have really been playing some strong baseball at home of late , winning 9 of their L/10 at Shea Stadium, while out scoring their opponents in those wins by an average of 3.8 RPG. I am expecting a repeat performance against the Cards.
Final notes & Key Trends: It is interesting to note that in the last 20 meetings in this head to head series, 18 tilts have been decided by multiple runs. The Mets have garnered 12 wins during that span by an average of 4+ RPG.
Play on the Mets Runline -1.5
TONY MATHEWS
Arizona Diamondbacks vs. San Francisco Giants
Selection: Arizona Diamondbacks -135
The Arizona Diamondbacks will use starting pitcher Dan Haren. Dan Haren has pitched well this season. In fact, Dan Haren has a 2.58 ERA on the season. In addition, Dan Haren has a 1.23 ERA in his last 3 starts. We see Dan Haren pitching another great game today.
The San Francisco Giants will use starting pitcher Jonathan Sanchez. Jonathan Sanchez has struggled this season. In fact, Jonathan Sanchez has a 4.10 ERA on the season. In addition, Jonathan Sanchez has a 6.28 ERA in his last 3 starts. We see Jonathan Sanchez pitching another bad game today.
The San Francisco Giants have struggled when playing the role of the underdog. In fact, the San Francisco Giants are 1-7 in their last 8 games as an underdog.
Take the Arizona Diamondbacks
Oddswiz
New York Yankees vs. Boston Red Sox
Play: Boston Red Sox
Huge Series this weekend at Fenway as the Bronx Bombers come in for a 3 game set. Generally, when these two hook up we zero in on the dog but tonight, we're going to lean towards the favored Bosox. Great pitching matchup featuring Beckett and Chamberlain and two teams that everyone in baseball knew would be right in the thick of things come this time of year. The Sox are tied with the Rays for 1st places in the AL East while the surging Yanks sit 3 back. David Ortiz returns to the lineup after missing 47 games and while he's not 100% his return is sure to give the Bosox an emotional lift and will have the fans in a frenzy at Fenway. Adding to the Bosox edge is their performance at home, 36-11 and 7-1 their last 8 compared to the Yankees playing .500 ball on the road and having gone 1-4 their last 5 road games. I hate playing favorites, especially when these two hook up but it looks as though the Bosox ar the right side tonight.
Tampa Bay Rays vs. Kansas City Royals
Play: Tampa Bay Rays
In a nutshell, if the Tampa Rays can't get their act together on the road, particularly against a team like the Royals, who are just 23-27 at home, then they can kiss their season good bye. You have to "make hay" at some point. It doesn't get any easier after this series as the Rays head to Toronto and these are the games and series you look back on at the end of a season when you finish just a few games out and realize it cost you the year. Can you say "must win"?. That's essentially what this game boils down to. The Rays get another crack at Brian Bannister who takes the mound for the Royals. They hammered him for 8 hits and 6 runs last time out (in Tampa). How's this......7, 7, 11, 9......that's the runs given up by the Royals in Bannister's last 4 starts where he is 0-2 with a 10.71 ERA. The Rays, a first place AL East team, one of the better teams in baseball over the first half, simply have to win games like this if they have any shot at all this year with the mighty Yanks and Bosox nipping at their heels. So, we'll use them one more time here. Take the Rays at the fair price.
Mike Anthony
LAA Angels vs. Baltimore Orioles
Play: LAA Angels
Joe Saunders has cashed in 13 of his last 19 road starts and pitches in Camden Yards tonight. He's also 5-1 in his career team starts and 8-2 in his career team starts on Fridays. On the flip side, Burres is just 2-4 during July and has dropped each of his last three home starts. With that, look for the Halos to improve to 13-4 in this series against the Birds here tonight as Burres cant wait for July to end.
SPORTS KINGZ
ANGELS -135
MILWAUKEE -160
OAKLAND -125
TAMPA BAY -125
Matt Fargo
Texas Rangers vs. Oakland Athletics
Play: Oakland Athletics
The A’s are back home following a miserable road trip where they went 1-5 and they look to try and get back in the race in the American League West. They are now 10 games out and they now have to worry about the Rangers creeping up on them as Texas is just a game behind them at this point. Oakland is 31-24 at home and it all starts with the pitching. The A’s starters have a 3.01 ERA at home which is 2nd best in the league. Granted, a lot had to do with Rich Harden but the bullpen sports a 3.00 ERA as well.
Texas has had a solid season thus far as it is two games over .500 but it is now two games under .500 on the road no thanks to its 2-4 start on this roadtrip. Pitching is a real issue as the team ERA is 5.22 on the season and it just keeps going up. That ERA jumps to 7.47 over the last 10 games with 7.93 coming from the starters. Over the last 17 games, they have allowed nine runs or more 10 times and have allowed an average of 7.6 rpg over those 17 games. This includes 10 runs in two straight.
The A’s go with their acquisition from that Harden deal as Sean Gallagher makes his third start since coming to Oakland. His last start was decent as he allowed two runs in five innings against the Yankees in New York. His first one was a quality outing at home against the Angels. He is not going to go deep in games but he gives good innings which is fine with the success of the A’s pen. In 10 starts with the Cubs, he posted a respectable 4.45 ERA as he allowed three runs or less in nine of his 12 starts on the season.
The Rangers go with Vicente Padilla to try and stop the bleeding but that is not going to happen. He has been a disaster of late after a very solid start to the season. He is coming off one of his best start on the year as he allowed just three hits in seven innings against the Twins. Prior to that however, he allowed 15 runs in his previous two starts and he has been up and down the last two months. After posting a 3.67 ERA in April and May, he has a 5.75 ERA in June and July. Play Oakland A’s 1.5 Units
Tony George
LAA Angels vs. Baltimore Orioles
Play: LAA Angels
Like Joe Saunders on the mound tonight with 1.10 WHIP and a 3.00 ERA his last 3 outings as well as a 12-5 record this year for LA. LA is 7-1 their last 8 games and by far are the better team tonight. They have taken 12 out of the last 16 in this series. Baltimore has dropped 7 out of their last 10 games, and the bullpen in the last 10 games has a whopping 5.97 ERA, and we all know LA has some hitters.
PLAY on the Angels
Dwayne Bryant
Houston Astros at Milwaukee Brewers
Pick: Milwaukee Brewers -159
The Brewers have been good to us lately (with the exception of last night), so I'm riding them again. These two teams are heading in opposite directions. Houston is coming off being swept at home by the Pirates, while the Brewers have won nine straight and are coming off their first-ever four-game sweep in St. Louis. As Ryan Braun said, "Right now, our confidence level is at an all-time high."
Houston sends Wandy Rodriguez to the mound to try to "stop the bleeding." Rodriguez owns a mediocre 4.50 ERA, 1.56 WHIP and .350 OOBP on the road. In the last two years, Rodriguez has started four games in Miller Park. The results? Houston is 0-4 as Rodriguez allowed 19 earned runs, 24 hits and 13 walks in just 19 2/3 innings. That's an 8.69 ERA and 1.88 WHIP.
Milwaukee's Manny Parra has been overshadowed by CC Sabathia and Ben Sheets, but he is quietly having a very solid season. Parra is 5-0 (team is 7-3) at home with a 2.87 ERA. Parra averages getting 5.8 runs of support in his starts at Miller Park. He has faced Houston three times this season. His two starts in Houston were not good, but his one start at home (6 IP, 1 ER, 6 K's) was very solid.
The only reason I did not make this a Best Bet is because I can see the Brewers having a letdown after that huge four-game sweep in St. Louis. But they're still worth a play tonight, as they swept the only three-game series at Miller Park between these two teams by a combined score of 19-3.
I'll take the hot hand with Milwaukee.
VEGAS EXPERTS
Colorado Rockies at Cincinnati Reds
Home is where the heart is for the Reds' Edinson Volquez, who not only is MLB's ERA leader, but is 6-0 in the Queen City this year with a 2.82 ERA. The Rockies are a dreadul road team, posting a 14-36 mark away from home this season, a Major League worst, including a pathetic 5-19 if coming off an Under. A win here gets Cincinnati within two games of .500 for the first time since early June.
Play on: Cincinnati