PlusLineSports Daily Baseball Pick
Pittsburg Pirates vs Chicago Cubs
Chicago Cubs -1.5 -105
Jim Feist
LA Angels and NYY Yankees
Take NYY Yankees
Yankees having a tough time in this series with the Angels. Both clubs bolstered their rosters with hitters before the trade deadline as the Yanks added Pudge Rodriguez at catcher. Sidney Ponson has done well this year for the Yankees, going 6-2 with a 4.59 era. At Yankee stadium he's a perfect 3-0. Ponson has done well against the Angels with a 7-2 lifetime record and 4.67 era. Ervin Santana has had a fine year for the Angels, but has struggled against the Yankees in New York. Santana has a 9.64 in his two starts at Yankee stadium. Yankees need to salvage a game here and this looks to be the spot.
Dave Cokin
TOR Blue Jays and TEX Rangers
Take TEX Rangers
Shaun Marcum was lights out for the Blue Jays before getting hurt. Based on his two starts since returning from the DL, I wonder if he's really healthy at this point. Marcum hasn't had his usual command and he's gotten hit very hard in both games. The Rangers are sending out a first-time starter here, but with Marcum clearly struggling for the Jays, I think Texas is worth a look tonight.
Chris Jordan
Pittsburgh at CHICAGO
Absolutely flying high after their first-ever sweep in Milwaukee, winning four games against their leading contenders in the NL Central, we have to believe the Cubs will be on top of their game against the lowly Pirates.
Wrigley Field will undoubtedly be rocking today, as the home crowd will welcome the division leaders, who have now won five straight, and appear to be back to their old selves once again after putting up more than 30 runs on the Brewers – including 20 against Milwaukee’s big three of CC Sabathia, Ben Sheets and Manny Parra.
This will mark the fourth time Jason Marquis will face the Bucs this season, and he’s 2-0 over the first three starts. He’s given up six earned runs over 17 innings, but the two wins came at home in April and May. It’s a big price, so we’re going to lay the run line, but no worries, as the Cubs steamroll this team with ease.
3♦ CUBS RUN LINE
Vegas Experts
Cincinnati Reds at Washington Nationals
The Reds are now 14 games behind in the NL Central race and have given up on their postseason dreams with the dealing of Ken Griffey Jr. The Nationals are also in a very similar situation as they have the worst record in all of baseball. Homer Bailey of the Reds has an 0-6 TSR this year and a 6.52 ERA and has not looked like the phenom he has been projected as. Odalis Perez has a 5-4 TSR at home this year with a 2.44 ERA.
Play on: Washington
Priceless Picks
1 Unit on Angels/Yankees OVER 10
The Over is 5-0 in the last 5 meetings in this matchup. The Over is 6-0 in the Yankees last 6 overall, 5-0 in the Yankees last 5 games with the total set at 9.0-10.5, and 5-0-1 in the Yankees last 6 home games vs. a right-handed starter. The Over is also 5-1 in Ponson's last 6 starts vs. a team with a winning record. The Over is 5-2 in the Angels last 7 road games, 6-2 in the Angels last 8 overall, and 8-3-1 in Santana's last 12 road starts vs. a team with a winning record. Take the OVER.
Brian Hansen
San Francisco Giants at San Diego Padres
Prediction: San Francisco Giants
Peavy was supposed to go for the Padres but has now been pushed back. That means Banks gets the call and he's been brutal for two months now. He'll be opposed by Lincecum, who is among the best pitchers in baseball. Lincecum is 8-1 on the road with an awesome 2.11 ERA. B-Han says to go with the GIANTS!
Stephen Nover
Detroit Tigers @ Tampa Bay Rays
PICK: Detroit Tigers
Zach Miner versus Scott Kazmir at Tropicana Field in Tampa, where the Rays are 40-16 this season, certainly seems like a mismatch. Hence, such a high price.
But is this matchup really so lopsided? No, it's not. The Tigers are very much a live 'dog.
Miner is making his third start as he makes the adjustment from the bullpen. So far so good. He's won his two starts, giving up two earned runs in 12 innings with one walk. Control is a concern, but in his last start against the White Sox on Sunday, Miner threw 61 strikes out of 92 pitches, not issuing a base on balls.
Miner has yielded just three runs in his last 23 1/3 innings. Kazmir's home numbers appear daunting at 5-1 with a 1.68 ERA. But he's 1-2 in his past five starts. The lefty is 0-2 lifetime at home versus Detroit, surrendering nine runs, nine hits and 10 walks in eight innings. He has a 4.40 career ERA in six outings against the Tigers.
The Tigers are 21-8 this year when facing southpaws. It's not a surprise considering their strong right-handed bats - Magglio Ordonez, Miguel Cabrera, Gary Sheffield, Marcus Thames and Edgar Renteria.
There's no doubt the Tigers are the better offensive club. Detroit is No. 3 in the Majors in runs scored and fifth in batting average. The Rays, by contrast, rank 20th in each category. Tampa Bay is averaging only 2.6 runs in its last 19 games.
Detroit is coming on, too. The Tigers are 14 games above .500 during their past 48 games after a very slow start. They have won six of their last eight road contests.
There's is value here with Detroit. The Tigers are worth a shot.
Alex Smart
Colorado Rockies @ Florida Marlins
PICK: Under
The Colorado Rockies and the Florida Marlins will send two capable hurlers out to the mound in game 2 of their current four game series this Friday night, to face two explosive but inconsistent offenses.
The Colorado Rockies come out firing with the red hot Ubaldo Jimenez (7-9, 3.80 ERA) who is off pitching six scoreless innings against the Reds in his last trip the hill. The native of the Dominican Republic, now owns a stellar 2.07 ERA in his past 10 starts, that includes an even stingier 1.74 ERA in his L/6 appearances. The Marlins' teed off on Colorado last night, in a lopsided 12-2 win, but have been very inconsistent over the last month, and have done less damage to opponents at home in Dolphin Stadium, than they have on the road, batting just .243 as a team on the season, and could easily experience a stunted offensive outing in this spot.
Meanwhile, the Marlins return fire with their own top notch hurler, Chris Volstad(2-1 2.38 ERA). The 6'8” right hander has three straight quality starts, and has struck out 15 in his L/ 20 2/3 innings of action. It must be noted that Volstad has allowed only 1 Home run in his L/110+ innings of work (includes 91 innings in the minor leagues ). The Rockies have scored an average of just 3.7 RPG on the road this season, via a batting average on the low side of the Mendoza line .(248) and may find it very difficult unloading against the big man.
Considering the pitching matchup, and the decent number the linesmakers have given us to bet into , it will be an easy decision for me , recommending that we hit the under.
Play Under
DUNKEL
San Francisco at San Diego
The Giants, who were blanked in the final two games of their series with the Dodgers, open up tonight in San Diego with just a 1-7 record after getting shut out. The Padres are the underdog pick (+125) according to Dunkel, which has San Diego favored straight up by 1. Dunkel Pick: San Diego (+125). Here are all of today's games.
FRIDAY, AUGUST 1
Game 901-902: Pittsburgh at Chicago Cubs
Dunkel Ratings: Pittsburgh (Karstens) 14.794; Cubs (Marquis) 16.944
Dunkel Line: Chicago Cubs by 2; 10 1/2
Vegas Line: Chicago Cubs (-215); No Run Line
Dunkel Pick: Chicago Cubs (-215); N/A
Game 903-904: Colorado at Florida
Dunkel Ratings: Colorado (Jimenez) 15.286; Florida (Volstad) 16.745
Dunkel Line: Florida by 1 1/2; 10
Vegas Line: Colorado (-120); 9
Dunkel Pick: Florida (+110); Over
Game 905-906: Cincinnati at Washington
Dunkel Ratings: Cincinnati (Bailey) 14.170; Washington (Perez) 14.493
Dunkel Line: Washington by 1/2; 9
Vegas Line: Cincinnati (-115); 9 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Washington (+105); Under
Game 907-908: Milwaukee at Atlanta
Dunkel Ratings: Milwaukee (Suppan) 14.059; Atlanta (James) 13.482
Dunkel Line: Milwaukee by 1/2; 9
Vegas Line: Milwaukee (-140); 9 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Milwaukee (-140); Under
Game 909-910: NY Mets at Houston
Dunkel Ratings: NY Mets (Martinez) 14.438; Houston (Backe) 15.434
Dunkel Line: Houston by 1; 10
Vegas Line: NY Mets (-125); 9 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Houston (+115); Over
Game 911-912: Philadelphia at St. Louis
Dunkel Ratings: Philadelphia (Hamels) 16.267; St. Louis (Lohse) 15.081
Dunkel Line: Philadelphia by 1; 7
Vegas Line: Philadelphia (-135); 8
Dunkel Pick: Philadelphia (-135); Under
Game 913-914: San Francisco at San Diego
Dunkel Ratings: San Francisco (Lincecum) 13.910; San Diego (Banks) 15.033
Dunkel Line: San Diego by 1; 8
Vegas Line: San Francisco (-135); 7
Dunkel Pick: San Diego (+125); Over
Game 915-916: Arizona at LA Dodgers
Dunkel Ratings: Arizona (Johnson) 17.046; LA Dodgers (Kershaw) 15.758
Dunkel Line: Arizona by 1; 6 1/2
Vegas Line: Arizona (-130); 7 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Arizona (-130); Under
Game 917-918: LA Angels at NY Yankees
Dunkel Ratings: LA Angels (Santana) 16.460; NY Yankees (Ponson) 16.517
Dunkel Line: NY Yankees by 1/2; 11 1/2
Vegas Line: LA Angels (-130); 10
Dunkel Pick: NY Yankees (+120); Over
Game 919-920: Oakland at Boston
Dunkel Ratings: Oakland (Duchscherer) 13.630; Boston (Wakefield) 15.118
Dunkel Line: Boston by 1 1/2; 8
Vegas Line: Boston (-150); 8 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Boston (-150); Under
Game 921-922: Detroit at Tampa Bay
Dunkel Ratings: Detroit (Miner) 14.517; Tampa Bay (Kazmir) 15.799
Dunkel Line: Tampa Bay by 1 1/2; 9 1/2
Vegas Line: Tampa Bay (-175); 8 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Tampa Bay (-175); Over
Game 923-924: Toronto at Texas
Dunkel Ratings: Toronto (Marcum) 14.471; Texas (Hunter) 15.322
Dunkel Line: Texas by 1; 12
Vegas Line: Texas (-115); 11
Dunkel Pick: Texas (-115); Over
Game 925-926: Chicago White Sox at Kansas City
Dunkel Ratings: White Sox (Vazquez) 14.836; Kansas City (Hochevar) 15.974
Dunkel Line: Kansas City by 1; 9
Vegas Line: Chicago White Sox (-130); 9 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Kansas City (+120); Under
Game 927-928: Cleveland at Minnesota
Dunkel Ratings: Cleveland (Sowers) 16.028; Minnesota (Blackburn) 17.187
Dunkel Line: Minnesota by 1; 10 1/2
Vegas Line: Minnesota (-170); 9 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Minnesota (-170); Over
Game 929-930: Baltimore at Seattle
Dunkel Ratings: Baltimore (Olson) 16.103; Seattle (Washburn) 14.770
Dunkel Line: Baltimore by 1; 9
Vegas Line: Seattle (-125); 9 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Baltimore (+115); Under
Maddux Sports
Philadelphia -140
Joe Wiz
Mets
Brewers
floridabookybusters
Pittsburgh
Templer's Sports Picks
Milwaukee
JIM'S HOT PICKS
NY Mets
lasvegassportsadvisors
Toronto
Mighty Quinn
Angels
Rockies
Phillies
Armvin Sports
Dodgers -105
Mariners -120
The Scout
DBacks
#1 Sports
Tigers
JH-SPORTSLINE
Tigers/Rays Over 8.5
Cappers Access
Cubs-1.5
Yankees
Bob Donahue
Indians
Computer Sports
Braves
Big Time Sports
Chisox/KC Over
DIAMOND XCHANGE SPORTS
OAKLAND +125
Rocco Spacamuro
100* Cubs
Paul Leiner
10* Marlins -110
Donald Tran
Rockies -105
Jennifer Barry
Cardinals -120
Chad Jordan
Cubs -140
Global Sports Picks
ATHLETICS +125
POWER PLAY WINS
WHITE SOX -125
VERNON CROY
CUBS -1.5
Insider Sports Report
San Francisco -130
TONY MATHEWS
New York Mets
Kyle Baugues
Pirates
Brandon Banks
Dodgers +103
TOTALS 4 U
TIGERS + 160
RAZOR SHARP
OAKLAND +135
VEGAS STEAMLINE
COLORADO -115
BIG TIME SPORTS
SOX/ROYALS OVER 9.5
MIKE WYNN
Washington -110
PLATINUM PLAYS
A's +130
ARTHUR RALPH
Boston Red Sox
JOHN FINA
FLORIDA MARLINS
NEVADA SHARPSHOOTER
CARDINALS +115
TV HOTLINE
SAN DIEGO +120
CAPPERS ACCESS
Cubs (RL)
Yankees
HUDDLE UP
Colorado -110
SCOTT SPREITZER
St. Louis Cardinals at Atlanta Braves
I'm playing the Over between the Cards and Braves on Thursday. Mike Hampton's return to the hill did not go too well. Hampton allowed six earned runs and 10 base runners (just one K) in just four innings of work. I don't expect the results to be much better tonight. The Redbirds rock lefthanders in road night games this season, scoring a hefty, 5.5 runs per game, and they've piled up 27 runs over the last three days against Brave pitching. But I believe Atlanta will match the Cardinals run-for-run tonight. The Braves are also in one of their better offensive situations tonight, averaging 5.1 runs per game in home night tilts against righties. They should have little trouble against Joel Pineiro. The Redbird righty has had his troubles in limited action against Atlanta and he's had a poor season in road starts, sporting a 5.43 ERA. Pineiro has allowed 14 earned runs and 35 base runners (including 30 hits) in his last three outings, covering 15 2/3 innings. That's a hefty, 8.03 ERA & 2.23 WHIP. I suspect both bullpens will be busy early in this one. I'm playing the Over in tonight's Cards/Braves clash.
Play on: Over
Gold Medal Club
Winnipeg @ Toronto
PLAY WINNIPEG +3.5
Winnipeg gets back all star slotback Milt Stegall, who will make a fine addition to an already loaded receiving core.Winnipeg's QB Dinwiddie will get his second start after throwing for 450 yards against Calgary last week.
As for Toronto, they are coming off a short week, with little preparation time after playing Sunday in Saskatchewan
SCOTT DELANEY
These two faced one another last week in Cleveland, and neither recorded a decision. Tonight there will be no question which pitcher will prevail, as we side with the team that has won five of six and that is making a run at the AL Central-leading White Sox after winning its series with them the past several days. In come the struggling Indians, and since Jeremy Sowers has done nothing impressive on the road this season he's 1-4 with a 7.28 ERA I suspect this will be a rough one for him in side the Homer Domer.
I like our chances with Nick Blackburn, who pitched well enough to win against the Tribe five days ago, allowing one run and four hits in seven innings. The right-hander is 2-0 in three starts against Cleveland this season, as he's allowed three earned runs in 20-1/3 innings.
We take the home team in this one, as Minnesota is the clear choice in this AL Central showdown.
3♦ TWINS
MATT RIVERS
For Friday take the Padres at home plus a little bit.
I do not expect a lot of men touching home plate here at PETCO as runs are usually at a premium in this spacious ballpark but to be able to get the Pads at home plus a little in this spot is enough for me.
No doubt Tim Lincecum is a bona fide stud and a guy that should be able to put up some gooseggs here for sure but this guy Josh Banks is no joke himself and is well underated right now.
Neither team is going anywhere at all as both the Giants and Padres have been semi disasters. San Diego was expected to do some things possibly but the offense once again has been atrocious. But all in all Bruce Bochy's old club is still better than his new club as San Fran is awful and is due to lose some more on the road as their highway record is actually not that terrible when compared to their home mark.
This is far from a lock as the Giants definitely do boast the superior hurler but in a game that easily could be scoreless into the 8th inning I will back the overall better team which is at home and probably boasts the better bullpen and that's the Padres