Saturday
38 K's and 6 walks shows how nasty Josh Johnson can be, the road ERA is a bit deceiving when one tosses the horrible Washington outing.. I'll side with Johnson anytime at -120 or less.
Marlins -117
A bit too much respect being given to the faltering offensive power of Texas..as they have surpassed todays total 3 of past 12 while the anemic Chisox are 2-10 o/u versus the same.. Padilla has fared well on the road allowing 4 runs in 14+ IP...while the home loving Colon has fared even better..
u10 -115
Putting aside Detroits 7-4 record versus LHP..it is the LHP that has shut them down of late...less than .240 BA last 8...3.0 rpg... however during that span they scored near 5 verus RHP....Slowey has had problems all year and in the past versus these Tigers...
KEVIN SLOWEY vs. DETROIT since 1997
SLOWEY is 2-0 when starting against DETROIT with an ERA of 5.74 and a WHIP of 1.787.
His team's record is 3-0 (+3.8 units) in these starts. The OVER is 3-0. (+3.0 units)
ARMANDO GALARRAGA vs. MINNESOTA since 1997
GALARRAGA is 0-4 when starting against MINNESOTA with an ERA of 5.46 and a WHIP of 1.651.
His team's record is 1-4 (-4.1 units) in these starts. The UNDER is 2-3. (-1.4 units)
925] DET TIGERS v MIN TWINS
K SLOWEY-R/A GALARRAGA-R o9
Tampa/Florida
While Neiman is no bargain the Rays have won his last 3 starts....West moves up from Double A where he was lit up last out versus the Montgomery Biscuits....(4-2...4.85 ERA AA) plus 44 hits in 42 IP with 22 walks.... He may well be the next Cy Young winner but at 135 I can't pass on this one.... esp when considering the problems with the Florida pen of late...
Rays -135
Toss Hamel's inflated ERA the velocity is back as indicated in his last 19 IP..15 hits and 23 K's..same can be said of CC... 12 hits in 24 IP...tough to buck the over in Yankee Stadium but I'll side with the u9
Philly/Yanks u9
Saturday
Even when Meche is on..he seldom goes deep in to games....
failing to get out of the 6th his last 6 starts pitching a total of 27 innings... Huge difference when comparing Chisoxs pen 2.75 traveling versus the Royals 4+ home ERA....
Nice price on Buehrle....
Chisox -108
CWS...
Georgia faltered down the stretch..esp when considering they held the #1 ranking in a couple of polls during mid season....Both teams lost key players from last year and FSU has been hard to beat at Howser...but quality wins are lacking from the Noles schedule....
their 14 game winning streak featured series sweeps versus the following;
N.C. State
Wake
UNC Ashville
Va Tech
North Fl.
Jacksonville
FIU
followed up with a series win over Grambling then losing 3 of 4 to Ga. Tech..a legit tourney team....
They may well handle the Dawgs but at +165 or better I'll side with Ge on this one....
A change of pace...
Boxing is so screwed up (weigh ins should be held on the day of the fight) A good Urango steps up to 147..which for Berto means 155 or better...Can see the talented Urango hanging around...
Berto by decision at -105 seems to offer the best value
2026 Berto to win by Decision -105
Hard times for Oakland of late...Winning 1 of past 5 while hitting .227 scoring 2.2 RPG...meanwhile the Chisox have won 5 of 6...hitting over .300
versus the likes of Greinke, Saunders, Meche and Bannister...A's had problems scoring in Texas now face a rejuvenated Colon.. 2.75 home starts and 1.32 last 3.. Seldom play the RL esp on the home team but the Sox are 8-0 RL last 8 wins...
Chisox -1.5 +145
8-4 +13.9
Tuesday
With two of the better offensive teams squaring off in a stadium where ordinary fly outs land in the stands one can understand the upward pressure on the opening 10.5..now 11... Let's have a closer look....
The Rangers and Yankees have combined for 4 overs in the past 20 games... Texas has topped tonights number 2 of past 13 ..New York 3 of 13... Padilla obviously fares better away from Texas and Burnett is showing signs of past years success 3.37 ERA last 3..and that includes the 5 runs allowed versus a hot Philly club
11-115 now at The Greek....may get better but will not pass on the 11
Texas/New York u11
As poorly as the Chisox offense has been of late..Huff has yet to show the ability to put up innings...The absence of Betancourt is huge for the struggling Indians pen.... Will side with Chicago in this one
Chisox -118
CWS
TO WIN COLLEGE WORD SERIES 2009
[11003] CS FULLERTON +280
Not a lot of room for a secondary play here but the depth of this staff bodes well in a double elimination format..... and being op Texas and UNC is a plus.....
11 straight unders for Texas....who in their right mind would try and buck that trend?....I mentioned yesterday Houstons lack of scoring over the past 7 or so could be attributed to the level of pitching they have faced..
Padilla isn't near that level...K's and walks a near push for the season plus his lack of success at home...45 hits in 33 IP....19 K's..13 BB...Houston should score in this one and Backe has shown no ability to shut down anyone in his 4 relief appearances.... Think the string ends here...
Houston/Texas o11 *will shop a bit as there are juiced 10.5's WA....a good possibility under $$'s could bring this one back..if not 11 is fine...
Thursday
As well as Lily has pitched of late his road record isn't all that impressive..Now he faces a Detroit team that has great success versus LHP....(second only to Seattle).... Tigers scoring 6 RPG during day games, well above season average ...Last 7..... 5.9RPG... .303 BA also well above season average..
Cubs .273 last last 7....25 points above their norm...face a struggling Galarraga...88 hits in 73 IP....
Heavily juiced 9's available...I'll side with the lesser juice
MLB[903] CHI CUBS v DET TIGERS
A GALARRAGA-R/T LILLY -L o9½-105
thanks and bol. will follow along!