Tom Freese
Detroit Tigers at San Francisco Giants
Prediction: Under
San Francisco starter Tim Lincecum has allowed 2 runs total in his last 21 innings of work over his last 3 starts. The Giants are 4-0-1 UNDER their last 5 games when the total is 7.0 to 8.5. Detroit is 6-0 UNDER their last 6 Interleague road games and they are 7-1-1 off a win. The Tigers Justin Verlander has allowed 10 runs total in his last 5 starts. PLAY ON 'UNDER'
LT Profits
Colorado Rockies -115
The Atlanta Braves just took two out of three games in Anaheim vs. the Angels, but we look for their road struggles to return when they visit the Colorado Rockies tonight.
Even with that winning series, the Braves are still just 9-25 on the road this season, including a three-game series sweep by the Rockies here in April. Furthermore, Atlanta starter Jair Jurrjens has been bothered by a troublesome finger that has no doubt contributed to his 8.40 ERA and 2.53 WHIP in his last three starts. If Jurrjens does not regain his form in the altitude tonight, the Atlanta bullpen has also been in disarray since John Smoltz was lost for the season, especially with his closer replacement Rafael Soriano currently on the Disabled List.
The Rockies have had a disappointing season after overachieving on their way to the World Series last year, but they must be feeling better about themselves after winning the last two games in Chicago vs. the White Sox. Their starter Ubaldo Jimenez has pitched much better lately after an atrocious start, as he has a 3.50 ERA and a 1.22 WHIP in his last three outings. The Colorado bullpen is also slowly returning to its excellent form of last year, as the Rockies have now risen to the top half of the National League in bullpen ERA at 3.72, which ranks them seventh in the NL.
Taken back further, the Rockies are 7-2 in their last nine head-to-head meetings with the Braves in Colorado, and we look for them to build on that tonight.
Pick: Rockies -115
New York Mets +135
Michael Pelfrey of the New York Mets may be just 2-6 on the year while Jered Weaver is 6-6, but it is Pelfrey that has the better current form of these two starters.
Pelfrey has reeled off three straight Quality Starts, posting a sparkling 1.71 ERA and 1.24 WHIP in 21 innings in the process. The last time he pitched on the road, he allowed one run in eight innings in San Diego, and he is now facing an Angels lineup that has been a disappointment lately, averaging just 3.80 runs per game while batting a mediocre .255 as a team over the last 10 games.
Weaver has been erratic for the Angels, looking unhittable at times but simply brutal at other times. He has allowed double-digit hit totals in two of his last three starts while posting a 5.50 ERA and 1.50 WHIP over those outings, and his inconsistency makes him a dicey proposition laying this much juice.
It seems that the Mets have all the value here given the current form of tonight’s hurlers.
Pick: Mets +135
Nelly
Boston + over Philadelphia
The Red Sox may own a losing record on the road but they remain a dangerous team in any situation and they have won eight of the last nine meetings with the Phillies. Boston has won six of the last eight games overall and the Phillies are just 2-4 in the last six games. Cole Hamels was hit hard in two of his last four starts and he is just 4-3 in home starts so likely not deserving of this high of a line against the World Series champions. Boston is one of the best teams in baseball against left-handed pitching with a .295 team average and Bartolo Colon has been tremendously effective for the Red Sox. Boston is 4-1 in his starts and he has great numbers so hanging with Hamels is a serious possibility.
Sammy Jankus, The Reverse Barometer! 😀
Always play the OTHER SIDE of my game writeup.
Boston at Philadelphia
Play PHILADELPHIA
I think I need a new pair of glasses because this line couldn't possibly be right! How do you make the Phillies – who just lost 2 of 3 from the Cardinals – a huge favorite over a Boston team that ANNIHILATED Cincy yesterday in a 9-0 ROUT? Answer: YOU CAN'T! Hey, if the Phillies win this, I'll leap off a building like one of those construction workers in 'The Happening'! I'm LOADING UP on the Red Sox to take ALL THE FIGHT OUT OF THE PHILS – so your play (and I feel lower than dirt for doing this to you) is on PHILADELPHIA.
FRANK ROSENTHAL
MLB
BRAVES OVER 9.5
BOSOX+150
ANGELS-150
SEATTLE-105
OVER 9
TIGERS-105
David Malinsky 3*
New York Mets @ Los Angeles Angels
PICK: Los Angeles Angels
Although East-to-West travel is not as major of a factor in professional sports as when teams have to journey in the other direction, we believe the Mets are in a most difficult setting here. Because of the pressure they faced vs. Texas yesterday, particularly with Willie Randolph believing that his job may have been on the line, there was no ability to all to prepare the lineups for this trip. We believe that it will take a toll for a team that was already reeling, and is put in the most rare setting of traveling to the West Coast for the second time in two weeks.
The problems for Randolph started in yesterday’s opener vs. Texas - it was one thing for the game to drag out to 3:23, but it was another for that late rally to come up short. So that meant an urgency for Game #2, which put Jose Reyes, Luis Castillo, David Wright, Carlos Beltran, Carlos Delgado all into the starting lineup again. And it also meant a full game for Damion Easley, who played half of the opener. And while they were able to at least get out 1-1 for the day, it means a heavy toll as they head to the airport for this long trip. For a team that is only 13-21 on the road this season, and 11-21 when leaving New York (they swept the Yankees 2-0), and with Michael Pelfrey’s awful 0-2/7.06 from visiting mounds helping to create that tally, this is a most difficult setting.
It gets even worse because they run into a hot Angel team, and one that also brings freshness to the table. The Angles are already 5-1 on this home stand, including a day off in between series, and not only is Jered Weaver off of a razor-sharp win over Tampa Bay (eight innings, one run, four hits), but all of the key arms in the bullpen are rested and ready behind him. After having to fight through both multiple infield injuries and slumps by other key parts of the batting order, the pieces are all back now, and fitting. The infield is at full health, which means finally having a legitimate leadoff hitter again in Chone Figgins, and after going through what may have been the worst slump of his career, Vladimiar Guerrero is is sizzling 11-22 so far on this home stand.
STEPHEN NOVER
Florida Marlins @ Seattle Mariners
PICK: Florida Marlins
When you get swept at home by the Washington Nationals, you have serious problems. The Seattle Mariners have serious problems.
Seattle has lost its last seven home contests. The Mariners have a dreadful 14-22 mark at Safeco Field. They are averaging 2.5 runs in their last eight games.
This is music to the ears of Florida starter Andrew Miller. Even though he's in the National League, he's faced the Mariners twice, including pitching at Safeco last season. Miller is off his finest performance of the season - holding the Phillies to one run on four hits with seven strikeouts in a 6-2 victory on Wednesday.
Carlos Silva goes for Seattle. He's 0-7 with an 8.79 ERA during his last eight starts. The Marlins lead the majors with 103 homers. Seattle is without All-Star closer J.J. Putz.
Maybe Silva steps in and stems Seattle's bleeding. But at around a pick'em price, the Marlins are an easy choice for me.
Sportsbettingstats
Boston Red Sox at Philadelphia Phillies
The Phillies come into this big inter-league match up after losing to the St. Louis Cardinals 7-6, while the Red Sox beat the Cincinnati Reds 9-0. The Phillies were a smoking hot team coming into the St. Louis series and in the first game tagged the Red Birds up for 20 runs, but lost their last 2 games of the series. The Red Sox are hit right now, as they have won 2 in a row, are 7-3 in their last 10 games, and now lead the AL East by 2.5 games. This may be a possible World Series match up in October. Taking the mound for the Phillies is Cole Hamels (6-4 3.27 ERA), who has been steady in the Phillies rotation this year and in his last outing went 8 innings pitched giving up 2 earned runs in a no decision. In yesterdays loss to the Cardinals the Phillies scored 7 runs on 11 hits and left a whopping 15 men on base. It did not help the Phillies' cause, as they also committed 3 errors in the game. On defense the Phillies gave up 7 runs on 10 hits to the Cardinals. Taking the mound for the Red Sox is Bartolo Colon, who has found new life in Boston and in his last outing went 6 innings giving up only 1 earned run in a win. In yesterdays win over Cincinnati the Red Sox scored 9 runs on 11 hits and left 7 men on base. On defense the Red Sox gave up 0 runs to the Reds on 6 hits.
Staff Pick: The pitching match up is pretty even in this game, but Colon only has 5 starts for the season and they are against Kansas City, Baltimore, and Seattle, which are 3 of the worst teams in baseball this year. Hamels has never faced the Red Sox, so he may have a slight edge. The Red Sox finally started winning on the road, as they have now won 5 of their last 7 road games. Colon will have to pitch to a Phillies offense that ranks 3rd in the Majors in runs scored (381) and 2nd in home runs (100). Boson ranks 4th in runs scored in the Majors (362). The Red Sox will be without David Ortiz and possible Manny Ramirez, but J.D. Drew is swinging a hot bat and will need to carry the Red Sox offense. The Phillies have won 8 of their last 10 home games and need to stop their 2 games skid, as they have a slim 3 game lead in the NL East. This should be a close game and a pitchers duel, but look for the Phillies to regroup at home and take game 1 of this series.
Phillies 4 Red Sox 3
JB's Computer Picks
Philadelphia Phillies -160
Los Angeles Angels -155
Mr. A's
New York Met at Los Angeles Angels
Los Angeles has won ten of their last 14 and will have Jered Weaver (6-6, 4.45 ERA) on the mound tonight to face the Mets and right-hander Mike Pelfrey (2-6, 4.24) at Angel Stadium. Weaver has won four of his last five starts, 3-3 with a 3.05 ERA at home. New York's Pelfrey will try to seize his first win in 11 starts. The struggling Mets are just 3-7 in their last 10 games and have lost four of their last five road games, 3-11 in its last 14.
Take the Angels in Anaheim. The LA Angels have won three of Weaver’s last four home starts, while the Mets have lost eight of Pelfrey's last 10 starts and his last 4 on the road.
Los Angeles Angels - 155
GINA
Detroit Tigers at San Francisco Giants
Detroit has dropped four of their last five games away from home and will send Justin Verlander (3-9, 4.65 ERA) to the hill tonight. The right-hander is 2-3 with a 2.57 ERA in his last six starts and the Tigers have lost 12 of Verlander's last 15 starts. San Francisco starts right-hander Tim Lincecum (8-1, 1.99). He is 1-0 with a 0.86 ERA in his last 3 starts. The Giants' have won four of Lincecum's last 5 starts.
Go with the Giants at AT&T Park, the Tigers are just 12-21 on the road this season and have lost Verlander's last seven starts on the road.
San Francisco Giants - 105
Kelso
High Rollers Baseball Club
10 units - Angels
Gavazzi Bases
3% Colorado Rockies
2% LA Angels
2-Minute Warning
Colorado Rockies
CASH & PROFIT EXPERTS
COMPLIMENTARY PLAY:
Red Sox/Phillies Under 9.5