FRANK ROSENTHAL
952 CUBS-170
953 BRAVES OVER 9
955 PADRES+110
961 ASTROS UNDER 9
963 DBACKS-130
UNDER 7
965 NATS OVER 7
971 YANKS+125
OVER 8
976 TRIBE UNDER 8.5
980 A'S-120
OVER 8
LARRY NESS
Atlanta Braves @ Philadelphia Phillies
PICK: Philadelphia Phillies
Jair Jurrjens (9-5 with a 3.22 ERA in 19 starts) gets the call for the Braves tonight, as Atlanta opens a three-game road series in Philadelphia against the Phiillies. The Braves have to be thrilled with the way Jurrjens has pitched this year but it can't go unmentioned that the team is 4-5 in his road starts, while going 8-2 in his home starts. That's been Atlanta's problem all season long. The Braves have been a good home team (31-20) but own one of MLB's worst road records (17-33), while losing more money on the road (minus-$1,772) than any team but the Rockies (minus-$1,780). The Braves will face Philadelphia's Kyle Kendrick, who has followed an excellent rookie campaign (10-4 with a 3.87 ERA in 20 starts / team was 13-7), by going 8-4 with a 4.87 ERA in 20 starts this year (team is 14-6). The Phillies lost 3-1 to the Mets on Thursday and fell one game behind New York in the NL East. However, the Phillies have 'owned ' the Braves so far in '08, winning EIGHT of the nine games played, including the last seven in a row (Phils have outscored the Braves 40-15 in that streak). Kendrick has been a little shaky as of late (6.48 ERA in his last three starts) but he's 3-0 with a 4.13 ERA in five career starts against the Braves (team is 4-1), including 2-0 with a 4.15 ERA in three starts this season (Phils have won all three). Atlanta expects to be without Chipper Jones (MLB's top hitter at .369), who strained his hamstring in Wednesday's a 9-4 win at Florida. Expect Philly's domination of the Braves this year to continue tonight. Go with Philadelphia.
Sammy Jankus The Reverse Barometer!
Always play the OTHER SIDE of my game writeups.
LA Angels at Baltimore
3* BALTIMORE (+116)
Orioles have looked TOTALLY LOST in their past few games with Toronto and now have to host what could be the best team in baseball. With the Angels rolling along on a 5-1 win streak after the All-Star break, I'll back the affordably-priced Halos tonight – so your play is on BALTIMORE.
LA Angels at Baltimore
3* Angels-Orioles UNDER 9 (+115)
LA closed out its 3-game set with Cleveland by scoring 14 runs and should have little difficulty piling up the runs against the O's woeful staff. Since Baltimore has been hitting the ball well of late, too, I think this game will SOAR over the low 9-run barrier – so your play is on UNDER THE TOTAL.
NY Yankees at Boston
3* NY YANKEES (+124)
Boston returns home after getting schooled by the Angels and must crank up the emotional intensity if they expect to beat the suddenly-hot Yankees. I look for Red Sox ace Beckett to cool off New York's bats and lead Boston to a much-needed victory – so your play is on the NY YANKEES.
Seattle at Toronto
3* SEATTLE (+145)
Pathetic Mariners got SMOKED at home by the Indians and Bosox, registering a single win out of 6 games. They're in the wrong place at the wrong time here as the Blue Jays have come to life over the past few games. I'm convinced Toronto will MANHANDLE THE MARINERS in a blowout win – so your play is on SEATTLE.
5) Texas at Oakland
3* TEXAS (+100)
After getting smacked around by the likes of the Yankees and Rays, Oakland can't wait to trot out on its home field tonight and take on the reeling Rangers. I can't pass up the A's at such a cheap price in this situation – so your play is on TEXAS.
Gamblersworld Tip of the Day
Pittsburgh Pirates
Sports Pro Unlimited
5 units CHC -166 (POD) (4-0 run)
5 units BOS -134
5 units PHI -122
5 units LAA -126
5 units CIN -134
Josh Dean
2* Cleveland ML
2* White Sox RL
2* Atlanta RL
2* Arizona ML
King Creole
CWS (+105) vs DET
GAVIN FLOYD righted the ship in his last outing, looking very sharp against the Royals 6 days ago (6 IP / 1 ER/ 4 hits / 2-1 K/BB ratio). He'll be on the DOG end tonight in the opening of this big 4-game series vs the Detroit Tigers. And he'll be taking on an opponent that he has DOMINATED in the past. Floyd is 5-1 vs the Tigers in the last 2 years, with an ERA of only 1.39 in the last 4 starts. His numbers "In THIS Park" provide us with plenty of nice dog value (2.00 ERA in three starts). His White Sox teammates will be looking forward to facing tonight's southpaw in Nate Robertson as Chicago is on a great 7-1 run in their last 8 games vs left-handed pitching. The Pale Hose also tend to respond VERY well after an off day, going a PERFECT 6-0 in their last 6 opportunities with a day of rest.
NATE ROBERTSON is off 2 VERY shaky starts in a row... and 3 out of his last 4 as well. ERA in last 2 starts is 12.56.... and 7.66 in his last 4. His career numbers vs the White Sox suggest that is would be best served to 'FADE HIM this evening. Robertson is 3-7 vs Chicago since the 2005 season. That includes 1-5 in his last 6 HOME starts. His ERA vs the Pale Hose is a whopping 6.82 in his last 5 starts. In the 2008 season, Robertson has respectable numbers in daytime starts,,, but his results "Under the Lights" are pretty bad. ERA is a full 2 runs higher (6.59) in night starts... with a .369 opponent team batting average. In addition, Robertson is 6-16 vs AL Central foes... 5-12 at home vs winning teams... 2-6 on Fridays... and 4-11 in Game One of a series.
Mr A
Los Angeles Angels at Baltimore Orioles
The surging Angels have won seven of their last 8 games and have beaten the struggling Orioles in 12 of the last 16 meetings, four of the last six in Baltimore.
Los Angeles' Joe Saunders is 1-1 with a 3.00 ERA in his last three starts. The left-hander is 3-0 with a 5.63 ERA against the Orioles.
Baltimore's Brian Burres (7-6, 5.02), is 1-1 with a 4.67 ERA in his last three starts. The left-hander is 2-0 with a 2.84 ERA, in two career starts versus Los Angeles.
Take the Angels. Los Angeles has won 15 of their last 22 games away from home, impressive 31-18 road record this season. The Orioles have dropped four of their last 5 games at home.
Los Angeles Angels -140
Gina
Houston Astros at Milwaukee Brewers
The Astros have lost 16 of their last 23 games away from home and have not done well in Milwaukee, 1-10 in the last 11 games at Miller Park. Besides, lefthander Wandy Rodriguez (5-3, 3.31), has lost his last six starts against the Brewers in Milwaukee.
Go with hot Brewers to win their six straight at home versus Houston. Milwaukee has won their last eight games and southpaw Manny Parra (9-2, 3.68 ERA), has won eight straight decisions.
Milwaukee Brewers -170
JB's Computer Picks
Los Angeles Angels -140
Milwaukee Brewers -170
Los Angeles Dodgers -180
DIAMOND XCHANGE SPORTS
REDS -1.5
SEATTLE/TORONTO UNDER 9
Pupsnchalk Sports
New York Yankees vs. Boston Red Sox
Play: New York Yankees
Believe it or not Joba Chamberlain may give the Yankees their best chance of stealing a game this weekend in Boston. The converted reliever has been impressive since joining the rotation, going 1-1 with a 2.64 ERA in nine starts. He will try to continue that strong pitching this evening as he toes the slab for the Yanks against Josh Beckett and the Red Sox.
Chamberlain allowed 4 hits and 3 earned runs in six innings pitched but did not earn a decision in the Yankees 5-4 win over Boston on July 6th. Walks got him into trouble in that game as he issued five. But he still managed to minimize the damage. As a starter Joba has averaged twice as many walks issued at home than on the road. That may be in part to the pressure of pitching at home for a young pitcher, but we don't think walks will be an issue tonight and expect Joba to pitch well.
Josh Beckett hopes a return home can help him rebound from a rough outing on the road. Beckett seemed in control and cruising along to a win before issuing a first pitch home run to Vladimir Guerrero in the bottom of the 7th of his last outing, a 4-2 loss at Anaheim. That loss was coming off a mediocre home performance against the Twins in which he allowed 2 home runs and 5 earned runs in only 5 innings pitched in the Red Sox win. Even though Beckett has won his last three outings against the Yankees, he has not been dominant, allowing at least three earned runs in each start.
The potential return of David Ortiz to the lineup could add a boost to the Red Sox who might need it as they may be without Manny Ramirez who at last check was listed a questionable. The Yankees come into this game with the momentum of not only winning six straight and 7 out of their last 8 but the last two in the series as well. Look for that to carry over into game one.Play on the New York Yankees for 1 unit.
EZWINNERS
3 STAR: (969) CHICAGO (+$101) over Detroit
(Listing Floyd only) (Risking $300 to win $303)
3 STAR: (972) BOSTON (-$135) over NY Yankees
(Listing Beckett only) (Risking $405 to win $300)
2 STAR: (957) ST. LOUIS (+$174) over NY Mets
(Action) (Risking $200 to win $348)
2 STAR: (975) MINNESOTA (+$183) over Cleveland
(Action) (Risking $200 to win $366)
CFL
1 STAR: (406) HAMILTON (+2) over Edmonton
(Risking $110 to win $100)
Bobby Clarke Sports
Phillies (Kendrick) wager $360 to win $300
Yankees (Chamberlin) wager $300 to win $375
Dodgers (Billingsley) wager $1000 to win $500
Greg Shaker
Arizona Diamondbacks at San Francisco Giants Double-Dime Bet
SFG (+126) vs ARI
Texas Rangers at Oakland Athletics Triple-Dime Bet
OAK (-110) vs TEX
After a disappointing East Coast swing, the Oakland Athletics will no doubt be glad to be back home. Oakland had a 1-5 trip, capped by Wednesdays 4-3 loss in Tampa Bay. The Athletics dropped two of three against the Rays after getting swept in three games at Yankee Stadium over the weekend. That was then, and this is now. The pitching has been very good for this team but they have struggled at the plate. I expect that will change tonight verse a hittable Rangers thrower. Padilla threw a quality game last time out but overall he has been poor when he has stepped onto a strange mound this year and recent years. His ratios are not good and his ERA is far from good in this situation. Gallagher has had two good starts and he is facing the Rangers for the first time ever. That is to his advantage and this Big Guy has very good stuff when he is on. His 14 K's over the first 2 AL Games are evidence of that and he should give us some good innings here at this park. This game has superior value and that is because of how the A's have been losing. But here at home they have been very competitive. That is primarily due to their throwing staff that has one of the best Pen ERA's in the game. That cannot be said of Texas which comes into tonight's action with a Road ERA of well over 5 runs and most recently one that is close to 7 runs over the last 10 played. Texas must win games by scoring and often their throwing staff will not allow them to score enough. Over the last 10 played, they have allowed the opposition to plate 9 or more runs, six times. That is not good, and there is no doubt that the staff is weary as well with very many innings logged over this time. They are in the midst of a long roadtrip as well, which creates the same weariness. Home Cooking is going to be a good thing for our team tonight and we are certainly capable of holding a lead, unlike the Texans. That is why this is a 3 Unit Platinum Pick.
St. Louis Cardinals at New York Mets Double-Dime Bet
NYM -1.5 (+115) vs STL
The Mets are playing like the Mets can play. Pelfrey is throwing very well. He is 6-0 with a 2.70 ERA in his last 10 contests. These two pitchers have already met this year and Boggs was hammered very bad in an 11-1 Mets win at Busch Stadium. Our throwr has been super good here at Shea with an ERA of just 2.35 in 10 games with outstanding ratios. He has won just 4 times due to limited run support. Guess what? The Mets are providing that now and they are having a lot of fun doing it. While they remain at home, the Cardinals will travel and they will do so after a poor series with Milwaukee. We have a very large advantage in this game in so many areas, and because of that, I will lay the 1.5 runs for nice odds.