#1 Sports
Chicago @ San Francisco
OK, so Buehrle against Zito...a pitchers' duel supreme, right? Not this season as the White Sox lefty (1-5, 5.81 ERA) has been slapped around for 62 hits through 48 innings over 8 starts while The Giants southpaw (0-7, 6.58 ERA) has fared no better yeilding 53 hits over 39 2/3. OK, so the Sox power lineup should bash the light-hitting G-men out of AT&T Park, right? Chicago does top San Fran with 47 homers to 26 but this is field swallows long fly balls and Bruce Bochy's crew enjoys solid advantages in batting average (.259 to .242) as well as doubles (88 to 70). NL rules basically parks Sox DH Jim Thome (7 HR, 23 RBI) on the pine while Buhrle hasn't managed a base hit since 2003.
Playing on the road, on an unfamiliar field, with different rules is a pretty big hill to climb. We'll take the Giants
CAPPERS ACCESS
Mets
Nationals
W. Sox
Drew Gordon
Oakland is struggling mightily, losers of 6 of their last 7, including their 3-2 loss in Atlanta yesterday. That win improved Atlanta's Major League leading home record to 15-4, including 8 straight wins! More of the same tonight, as the Braves do what they do best (win at Turner) behind one of their best in the surging Tim Hudson.
Hudson has been ridiculously good over his last 3 starts, going 3-0 with a miniscule 0.78 ERA! In other words, he's allowed 2 earned over his last 23 innings, shutting down Cincy, San Diego, and Pittsburgh along that way! With the A's bats struggling, its hard to imagine a match up against Hudson is going to do much for their confidence. Note, the A's are batting just .239 against righties over their last 10 games.
Opposing Hudson is Oakland's Rich Harden, who was shaky in his first start of the DL, getting tagged for 5 runs on 8 hits in just 3 2/3 innings by the Rangers on Sunday. Although Harden has some solid numbers against the Braves in the past, I'd temper my expectations for him, especially after watching him struggle in Arlington. Braves are great at Turner, and the fact their smashing righties to the tune of a .317 average there this season is bad news for Harden.
Bottom line, look for the Braves to add to the A's miserable road trip with another solid effort tonight at Turner. Hudson has been spectacular over his last 3 starts, and there's little reason not to expect another lockdown effort tonight, especially when you consider the A's struggles at the plate
Take Atlanta behind Hudson over Oakland and Harden in this MLB match up.
4* ATLANTA
Karl Garrett
After a rain out last night in the Bronx, the Yankees have bumped Rasner back, and have Andy Pettitte penciled in to match pitches with the Mets Johan Santana.
I like the pitchers to have their way today against the hitters, and for this game featuring a pair of quality southpaws to stay UNDER the posted total.
The Mets have played their last pair of games UNDER the total, while the offensively-anemic Yankees have been involved in 5 straight UNDERS, and UNDERS in 8 of their last 9 games
Also consider that seven of Andy Pettitte's eight starts this year have played LOW, and so will this one.
Take the Mets-Yanks this afternoon to go UNDER the total.
4* UNDER
Sports Gambling Hotline
If ever we saw a game that screamed "bet the OVER, bet the OVER", it is on the schedule tonight!
Chicago and San Francisco just played a 2-0 game last night, but watch how fast the hitters get locked in tonight with Mark Buehrle, and Barry Zito on the hill.
These southpaws have been knocked around all season long, and we don't see that changing tonight. Buehrle is 1-5 for the year with an ERA of 5.81, while Zito is 0-7 for the year with an ERA of 6.58.
With those kinds of numbers, it is hard to imagine we will be seeing many innings that go 1-2-3 that is for sure!
Chicago has played 4 straight unders, while San Fran is on a 1-2-1 under clip their last 4 games. That all changes tonight.
Play the OVER.
5* OVER
VEGAS EXPERT Tip of the Day
Cleveland Indians at Cincinnati Reds
The Indians are just an Under machine at this point having gone Under in 13 of 14 contests this month. Today's starter Fausto Carmona has allowed just 13 earned runs all season long and is coming off a complete-game shutout on Monday afternoon. That's nothing new for the Tribe, who are 12-2 Under in day games this season. Reds starter Aaron Harang will also do his part as he's gone 15-3 Under all-time in Interleague Play.
Play on: Under
Chris Jordan
Houston -115 at TEXAS
Were going to back hard-throwing Roy Oswalt, as Houston has won five of his last six starts and in each of those outings hes held the opposition to three earned runs or less. On Monday, he was money, giving up just three runs while scattering five hits over eight frames of a 7-3 victory in San Francisco. He enters this Lone Star-state battle with a 4-3 record and a respectable 3.53 ERA in nine career starts against the Rangers.
And hell no doubt be looking to avenge last seasons 7-2 loss, in which he gave up just three runs on eight hits in 6-1/3 innings. He?s generally been quality in this series, as hes held the Rangers to three earned runs or less in seven of his nine starts against Texas more importantly, the Astros are 6-3 in his nine starts against the Rangers. Lay the road chalk.
5* ASTROS
Matt Rivers
Take the White Sox by the Bay.
How can you not go against Barry Zito here? I'm not saying that the former Cy Young award winner isn't overdue for a win but overall the guy is just not right and his San Francisco team is awful.
The Giants are as bad as they come with slow mediocre veterans like Molina, Winn, Durham and others and fairly untalented young guys like Velez, Lewis, etc.. There is absolutely nothing appealing about Bruce Bochy's squad now that Barry Bonds is gone. These guys have actually overachieved to the max so far this season and are still well below. 500.
Ozzie Guillen's Sox are not the team that won the World Series a few years ago, I fully admit that, but they are also much better than the terrible season they had last season. Chicago has powerful bats with Thome, Konerko, Pierzynski, Crede and others and should be just fine here against the struggling and reeling Zito.
Mark Buehrle is also a former Cy Young award winner who is not pitching up to his usual standards but this southpaw has not been as dismal as Zito. Buehrle still has the ability to hurl a gem at the drop of a hat and especially here against this weak Giants lineup.
If Zito somehow gets that elusive first win, which he will at some point, then so be it, but I really do not see it happening today and certainly not at this cheap price.
Jeff Benton
Play the Mariners and ace Erik Bedard on the run line (-1? runs) against the Padres.
I know I went against Bedard in his last start at Texas, and the Rangers delivered a wild 13-12 victory, with Bedard getting rocked for six runs on seven hits (two HRs) in two innings ? easily his worst and shortest outing of the season. But that game was in Texas (a notorious hitters? park) against the Rangers (a potent offense). Tonight, he?s back at home at pitcher-friendly Safeco Field (where Bedard has a 1.45 ERA in three starts), and he?s facing the worst offense in baseball (no team has scored fewer runs than San Diego, which hits just .233 as a team, including .212 against left-handers).
It should come as no surprise, then, to learn that the Padres carry a bunch of negative slumps into this contest, including 7-21 overall, 7-20 on the road, 5-17 as an underdog and 0-4 against left-handed starters (not to mention 2-6 in their last eight games in Seattle).
Now, while the Padres have struggled against lefties, the Mariners have thrived, batting .300 overall and .333 at home against southpaws. Tonight, Seattle gets to tee off against lefty Randy Wolf, who had a 1.42 ERA after his first three starts, but in his next five has given up 23 runs in 26 1/3 innings, with that 1.42 ERA ballooning to 5.16. And what do you know, the Padres are 0-4 in Wolf?s last five outings, including 0-3 on the road after Monday?s 12-3 loss at the Cubs.
Bottom line: Because I don?t want to lay this kind of chalk and because I think the Mariners? bats will get to Wolf, we?ll play this game on the run-line and take a little plus money back when Seattle wins by at least two runs.
4* SEATTLE MARINERS
Jake Timlin
Chicago Cubs -1 1/2 Runs
Starting the day off a winner take the Cubs on the Run Line as they blowout away the Pirates. After all with the Cubs 7-4 victory to open the series Chicago is now an impressive 7-1 over their last 8 home games, including winning all 7 games against the Pirates this season with all but one game by more then 1 run. Well making it 8 straight wins in a blowout look for the Cubs to limit the Pirates behind Zambrano and his 6-1 record and 2.03 ERA while continuing to get production from their offense and off of Duke who allowed 5 earned runs in 4 innings of work just one month ago to the Cubs. Flat out with the Cubs rolling at home and the Pirates a bad road team look for Chicago to continue their hand at home today. All Chicago in a blowout!
Tony Weston
We?re nailing another easy winner tonight as we?re going with the Chicago White Sox over the San Francisco Giants.
The White Sox kicked off this interleague series last night by blanking the Giants 2-0 in San Francisco. That win upped the Sox winning streak to three games and gives them a 6-3 record over their last nine games.
The Giants come into tonights game 3-9 over their last 12 games and are 3-5 their last eight home games.
Oh yeah, and taking the hill today for San Francisco is Barry Zito-for-the-season. Zito is 0-7 this season with a 6.58 ERA and the Giants are 0-8 this season in Zitos starts. Also consider that in Zitos starts the Giants have been outscored by an average score of 5.5-1.5.
The Sox will drill Zito and hand him and the Giants another loss. Take Chicago on the road.
3* WHITE SOX
Scott Delaney
Orioles over the Nationals.
I understand full and well that Brian Burres has been terrible in his last three starts, going 0-3 after allowing a total of 10 earned runs over 17 innings of work. But this isnt about him although I do think he has a chance in this battle of D.C. its about a Baltimore team that has reeled off three straight wins and six of its last seven. The Os are finding ways to win, like in last nights 5-3 victory in the series-opener, and come into this one having won 13 of their last 18 at Camden Yards. Theyre also 4-1 the last five times Burres has started on a Saturday.
The young southpaw is 1-1 with a 2.31 ERA in his two home starts this season, and should out-pitch Odalis Perez. The Nationals don?t perform too well on Saturdays, as theyre now on a 1-5 skid the last six weeks, while theyre on a 2-11 run in their last 13 Interleague games against AL teams sporting winning marks. And when it comes to Perez, Washington is 1-4 in his last five road starts.
4* ORIOLES
Strike Point Sports
DEVIL RAYS / CARDINALS UNDER
Friday's game was low scoring, and I see this one staying under the posted total as well. Matt Garza has looked really good his last couple of outings, and Adam Wainwright will come to play at home. The under has hit in Matt Garza's last four starts, while also staying under in ten of Wainwright's last 16 home starts. Starting pitching comes through here, and we'll see a score indicative of two strong efforts on the mound.
DUNKEL
MLB
Washington starter Odalis Perez has pitched the Nationals to wins in his last three appearances and looks to take advantage of Baltimore's Brian Burres, who has has lost his last three starts. The Nats are the underdog pick (+110) according to Dunkel, which has Washington favored straight up by 1. Dunkel Pick: Washington (+110). Here are all of today's games.
SATURDAY, MAY 17
Game 951-952: Pittsburgh at Chicago Cubs
Dunkel Ratings: Pittsburgh (Duke) 14.887; Cubs (Zambrano) 17.361
Dunkel Line: Chicago Cubs by 2 1/2; 9 1/2
Vegas Line: Chicago Cubs (-220); No Run Line
Dunkel Pick: Chicago Cubs (-220); N/A
Game 953-954: Tampa Bay at St. Louis
Dunkel Ratings: Tampa Bay (Garza) 16.030; St. Louis (Wainwright) 14.860
Dunkel Line: Tampa Bay by 1; 8
Vegas Line: St. Louis (-120); 8 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Tampa Bay (+110); Under
Game 955-956: Milwaukee at Boston
Dunkel Ratings: Milwaukee (Bush) 13.742; Boston (Wakefield) 15.612
Dunkel Line: Boston by 2; 9
Vegas Line: Boston (-175); 10
Dunkel Pick: Boston (-175); Under
Game 957-958: LA Dodgers at LA Angels
Dunkel Ratings: LA Dodgers (Park) 13.928; LA Angels (Santana) 16.453
Dunkel Line: LA Angels by 2 1/2; 8
Vegas Line: LA Angels (-155); 9
Dunkel Pick: LA Angels (-155); Under
Game 959-960: NY Mets at NY Yankees
Dunkel Ratings: NY Mets (Santana) 15.649; NY Yankees (Pettitte) 15.092
Dunkel Line: NY Mets by 1/2; 8
Vegas Line: No Line
Dunkel Pick: N/A
Game 961-962: Cleveland at Cincinnati
Dunkel Ratings: Cleveland (Carmona) 15.702; Cincinnati (Harang) 16.453
Dunkel Line: Cincinnati by 1; 9
Vegas Line: Cincinnati (-115); 8 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Cincinnati (-115); Over
Game 963-964: Washington at Baltimore
Dunkel Ratings: Washington (Perez) 16.023; Baltimore (Burres) 15.447
Dunkel Line: Washington by 1; 8
Vegas Line: Baltimore (-120); 9
Dunkel Pick: Washington (+110); Under
Game 965-966: Toronto at Philadelphia
Dunkel Ratings: Toronto (Burnett) 15.643; Philadelphia (Eaton) 14.247
Dunkel Line: Toronto by 1 1/2; 10
Vegas Line: Toronto (-105); 9
Dunkel Pick: Toronto (-105); Over
Game 967-968: Kansas City at Florida
Dunkel Ratings: Kansas City (Bannister) 15.101; Florida (Olsen) 17.187
Dunkel Line: Florida by 2; 7 1/2
Vegas Line: Florida (-115); 8 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Florida (-115); Under
Game 969-970: Oakland at Atlanta
Dunkel Ratings: Oakland (Harden) 15.231; Atlanta (Hudson) 17.047
Dunkel Line: Atlanta by 2; 6 1/2
Vegas Line: Atlanta (-130); 8
Dunkel Pick: Atlanta (-130); Under
Game 971-972: Houston at Texas
Dunkel Ratings: Houston (Oswalt) 16.758; Texas (Padilla) 15.801
Dunkel Line: Houston by 1; 10 1/2
Vegas Line: Houston (-110); 9 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Houston (-110); Over
Game 973-974: Minnesota at Colorado
Dunkel Ratings: Minnesota (Hernandez) 15.612; Colorado (Reynolds) 14.530
Dunkel Line: Minnesota by 1; 9 1/2
Vegas Line: Colorado (-125); 10 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Minnesota (+115); Under
Game 975-976: Detroit at Arizona
Dunkel Ratings: Detroit (Galarraga) 15.358; Arizona (Scherzer) 14.602
Dunkel Line: Detroit by 1; 9
Vegas Line: Arizona (-125); 9 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Detroit (+115); Under
Game 977-978: Chicago White Sox at San Francisco
Dunkel Ratings: White Sox (Buehrle) 14.341; San Francisco (Zito) 15.080
Dunkel Line: San Francisco by 1; 7 1/2
Vegas Line: Chicago White Sox (-135); 8 1/2
Dunkel Pick: San Francisco (+125); Under
Game 979-980: San Diego at Seattle
Dunkel Ratings: San Diego (Wolf) 14.724; Seattle (Bedard) 15.464
Dunkel Line: Seattle by 1; 9
Vegas Line: Seattle (-145); 8
Dunkel Pick: Seattle (-145); Over
Game 981-982: Milwaukee at Boston
Dunkel Ratings: Milwaukee (Suppan) 13.995; Boston (Matsuzaka) 16.989
Dunkel Line: Boston by 3; 9
Vegas Line: No Line
Dunkel Pick: N/A
NHL
Dallas at Detroit
The Red Wings look to wrap up the series after dropping Game Four in Dallas and come into the contest with a 20-9 record when revenging a loss versus an opponent. Detroit is the pick (-255) according to Dunkel, which has the Red Wings favored by 2. Dunkel Pick: Detroit (-255). Here are all of today's games.
SATURDAY, MAY 17
Game 57-58: Dallas at Detroit
Dunkel Ratings: Dallas 11.931; Detroit 13.748
Dunkel Line & Total: Detroit by 2; 5 1/2
Vegas Line & Total: Detroit (-255); 5
Dunkel Pick: Detroit (-255); Over
Wise Guy Insider
QUADRUPLE DIME BASEBALL WINNER 20-6 RUN
Arizona w/Scherzer -130 9:05 EST