Thursday's MLB Card
By Brian Edwards
Thursday’s card features a six-pack of afternoon games before the main entrée under the lights. The Yankees and Angels are the highlight of the night-time action, so let’s look at that showdown and more.
**Angels at Yankees**
As of Wednesday night, most books were listing New York (5-3, +154) as a minus-180 ‘chalk’ for the rubber game of this series. Bettors can take the Yankees on the run line (minus 1 ½ runs) for a plus-110 return, while the total is 10 ‘under’ (minus-120).
Los Angeles (3-6, -390) captured its first road win of the season in the middle game of this series Wednesday, knocking off the Yankees 5-3 as a healthy plus-180 underdog (paid $180 on $100 wagers). Joel Pineiro worked seven strong innings, giving up just one earned run while striking out seven batters without issuing a walk. Kendry Morales and Bobby Abreu both had an RBI double off of Javier Vasquez, who is off to another shaky start in his second tour of duty in the Bronx.
With the eight combined runs staying ‘under’ the 10-run total in Wednesday’s afternoon affair, the ‘over’ fell to 6-2 overall for the Yankees. Totals have now been a wash for the Halos, going 4-4-1.
Joe Girardi will give the ball to Phil Hughes for his 2010 season debut. Hughes threw 84 pitches this past Saturday in an extended spring training intrasquad game, going six innings while giving up six hits and one earned run. The right-hander has compiled a 2-0 record and 5.23 ERA in 10 1/3 career innings against the Angels (in one start and multiple relief appearances).
L.A. will give the starting nod to Scott Kazmir, who was bothered by shoulder and hamstring injuries during spring training. However, according to MLB.com, Kazmir ‘feels great’ after throwing a bullpen session Monday. The southpaw, who came to the Angels late last season after five-plus years with the Tampa Bay Rays, has plenty of experience throwing against the Bronx Bombers. Kazmir has a 6-5 record and 2.67 ERA in 14 career starts against the Yankees.
Derek Jeter is an atrocious 4-for-36 against Kazmir for a .111 batting average. Jeter has a pair of singles, one double and one homer versus the lefty. Alex Rodriguez has endured similar struggles against Kazmir, going just 3-for-24 (.125) with zero extra-base hits. On the flip side, Jorge Posada has feasted on Kazmir, hitting .440 in 25 at-bats with three doubles and one dinger.
The MLB Channel will have television coverage at 7:05 p.m. Eastern.
**Diamondbacks at Dodgers**
Most betting shops had this side as a pick ‘em with a total of 7 ½ ‘under’ (minus-120), as of Wednesday night.
Los Angeles (3-4, -188) won its home opener Tuesday for the third straight year, spanking the D-backs 9-5 behind four homers. Manny Ramirez went yard for the first time this season, while Matt Kemp, Casey Blake and Andre Ethier also went deep. Only Kemp had previously homered.
Arizona (4-3, -81) won two of three at home against both San Diego and Pittsburgh before arriving at Chavez Ravine. The D-backs have received somewhat surprising production from Kelly Johnson, the former Atlanta Brave, who is batting .348 with three homers and five RBIs (going into Wednesday’s action).
Arizona RHP Dan Haren (1-1, 3.95) will be making his third start of the season in this spot. The veteran righty, who has an 80-63 career record, is 4-4 with a 3.59 lifetime ERA against the Dodgers.
Hiroki Kuroda (1-0, 0.00) completely stymied the Marlins in their home opener last Friday, throwing eight innings without giving up an earned run. The right-hander fanned seven batters in the 7-3 victory over the Marlins. Kuroda has compiled a 1-3 record and 3.90 ERA in six lifetime starts versus Arizona.
The ‘over’ is cashing at a lucrative 6-1 clip for the Dodgers.
The ‘over’ is 5-2 overall for the D-backs.
**B.E.’s Bonus Nuggets**
Boston will turn to veteran knuckleballer Tim Wakefield on Thursday afternoon at Minnesota. Wakefield owns a 14-5 record and 4.16 lifetime ERA against the Twins.
Philadelphia left-hander J.A. Happ has three of his 14 career wins against the Nationals. The southpaw is 3-0 with a 2.19 ERA versus Washington. Happ will try to stay perfect against the Nats when these teams meet Thursday at 3:05 p.m. Eastern. The Phillies are very expensive favorites in the minus-260 range.
Florida ace RHP Josh Johnson will be in bounce-back mode when he takes the slab Thursday vs. Cincinnati. Johnson, who had a 22-6 record in 2008 and 2009, gave up three earned runs and eight hits in a loss to the Dodgers in his season debut. He’s 1-0 with a 1.74 ERA in a pair of starts against the Reds.
vegasinsider.com
Bet the Padres, really?
Doug Upstone
It's the rubber game of the series near the waterfront in downtown San Diego, where the Padres host Atlanta. The Braves bounced back from 17-2 debacle in the first game and handcuffed San Diego 6-1 behind Tommy Hanson and three relievers yesterday.
Atlanta may be only 4-4, however offensively they have been quite patient at the plate, drawing over four walks a game, helping set up of batters to drive in runs. Bobby Cox team hasn't capitalized as often as they should yet, batting .229 as a group.
The Braves are -124 money line favorites with Tim Hudson back in the rotation. The 34-year right-hander had Tommy John surgery a season ago and made six appearances at the end of last year. In his first effort of the new campaign, Hudson gave two runs and three hits in seven innings against San Francisco last Friday, in which his team eventually lost 5-4 in extra innings.
Hudson will be challenged by Matt Latos of San Diego. Latos is considered the crown jewel of the new Padres organization at 22 and throws in the mid-90's, along with having a good slider and big breaking curveball. Like many young pitchers, command is an issue and he conceded three home runs in six innings at Colorado, yet he limited the damage to just four runs by not walking any Rockies hitters and his team ended up winning 5-4.
San Diego is picked again to finish last in the NL West, having limited talent in the field except at first base with Adrian Gonzalez, nonetheless draws a favorable position as an underdog in today's super situation.
Play Against road teams with a money line of -100 to -150, when their team's hitters draw four walks or more a game on the season, against opposing starting a pitcher who did not walk a hitter in his last outing.
The last three years this system has been spellbinding at 24-4, 85.7 percent.
Other factors to consider for the 6:35 Eastern matchup are Atlanta is 2-6 in Hudson's most recent starts and the Bravos are 1-7 when the former Oakland hurler is a -140 or less favorite.
San Diego is a resilient bunch, 16-5 off a loss and 6-1 after a scoring two runs or less in previous contest.
With Latos sporting a 1.29 ERA in two appearances totaling 14 innings against Atlanta, he has the "stuff" to limit Braves hitters and who knows, the road club might be thinking ahead on getaway day looking forward to getting home with bigger series against Colorado and Philadelphia.
Tips and Trends
Arizona Diamondbacks at Los Angeles Dodgers
Diamondbacks (-105, O/U 7.5): Arizona was able to beat the Dodgers as a rather large underdog last night, to improve their season long record to 5-3. Arizona will be looking to win their 3rd straight series to start the season. Dan Haren will be making his 3rd start of the young season in front of friends and family. Haren couldn't have 2 different results for his 2 starts this season. Haren dominated the Padres in his season debut, only allowing 3 hits and 1 earned run in 7 innings of winning pitching. Haren followed that performance up with a weak showing against the Pirates. Haren again pitched into the 7th inning, but allowed 9 hits and 5 earned runs in defeat. Overall, the Diamondbacks have fared well with Haren on the mound, just not in the underdog role. Overall, the Diamondbacks are 23-9 in Harens last 32 starts against a team with a losing record. However, the Diamondbacks are 2-5 in Harens last 7 starts as the listed road underdog.
Diamondbacks are 3-9 last 12 games as a road underdog.
Under is 8-2 last 10 road games vs. a right-handed starter.
Key Injuries - C Miguel Montero (knee) is out.
PROJECTED SCORE: 4 (Side of the Day)
Dodgers: Los Angeles lost their 1st home game of the season last night in extra innings. The Dodgers lost 7-9 to Arizona, losing not only the battle but also the war. The Dodgers used 7 relief pitchers in defeat, so much will be expected from Hiroki Kuroda tonight. The Dodgers can only hope Kuroda can be as productive tonight as he was in his season debut. Kuroda pitched 8 innings on the road against Florida and didn't allow an earned run. He only allowed 5 hits, while striking out 7. Kuroda is considered a sleeper candidate for the NL Cy Young award this season. Kuroda has struggled against the Diamondbacks in his career, as he is 1-3 over 6 starts against them. To no surprise, the Dodgers have fared well when Kuroda takes the mound. The Dodgers are 7-1 in Kurodas last 8 home starts against a team with a winning record. Overall, the Dodgers are 9-4 in Kurodas last 13 starts.
Dodgers are 5-0 last 5 home games vs. a right-handed starter.
Over is 16-5-1 last 22 vs. a team with a winning record.
Key Injuries - C Brad Ausmus (back) is out.
PROJECTED SCORE: 2