Michael Jame's Picks of the Day
Tigers at Mariners
Listen we all know that games and divisions and seasons are not won on paper. The Tigers are a paper lion and nothing else. This is a team that is in shambles. Their manager has no way of getting them out of this funk. They have moved Miguel Cabrera up and down the line-up and even switched his position. It is just not working in Detroit and it will not work for them today on the road.
Every time Felix takes the ball the Mariners have a very good chance of winning. He has thrown quality starts in almost every one of his starts. Against the Sox in his last outing he was awesome until one bad inning in the eighth. The manager made a mistake and had him throw too many pitches. That will not happen again.
Felix is right on the cusp of turning the corner and proving he is an ace. The Mariners got a little shot in the arm with the series win over the best team in the league (Red Sox) now they will keep down the struggling Tigers in Seattle.
Mariners EVEN
Braves at Reds
I just can not understand this line. How in the world are the Braves the favorites in this contest? Am I the only one that sees the major disparity in their home and road splits? The Braves are a classic feast or famine team. Want to know what really hurts them on the road? It is their bullpen. This is a team that has an awful record in close games. In fact the Braves have now lost an amazing nineteen straight road games.
With Smoltz and Gonzalez on the DL this team just does not have the ability to throw quality arms late in the game. Oh yes their closer is also hurt (Soriano). Even worse is the fact that the Braves had an eleven inning game last night (Loss) and they were in their bullpen very early as Tom Glavine only went six innings and their current closer threw over an inning.
Jay Bruce is just a man on a mission. This kid wants to prove he is the real deal right now. How about four more hits last night and a .571 batting average to start of his young career. Look for Ohio to be rowdy and the Braves to get beat once again on the road.
REDS +130
Dodgers at Mets
I have said this time and time again the Mets are as over-rated as they come. I have seen them in person more than any other team this season and I see their warts. Tonight they have a major wart on their hands. They send out their young pitcher Mike Pelfrey. Mister first round pick, Mr. Wichita State. He has been god awful folks. How about his last two starts? 8 innings pitched 14 hits and 6 walks. How about 20 base runners in his last 8 innings. This is a pitcher that has thrown over 24 pitches per inning in his last two starts. So while not going the distance his arm was surely taxed. In fact in every outing this season he has thrown 95 pitches or above and averaging triple digits.
The Dodgers on the other hand throw out a stud. A stud that is really locked in. This is a pitcher than in his last six starts has not been good he has been great. 2 runs, 0 runs, 1 run, 4 runs, 1 run, 1run. Those are his TOTAL numbers in these games in which he has had five quality starts. Chad beat the Mets back in early May and he will do the same tonight. Take the Dodgers heading into Shea building off last nights come from behind victory.
DODGERS +110
Brian King's Picks of the Day
CLEVELAND AT KANSAS CITY - 7:10 PM, ET
This game falls right into my home dog system. The losses are mounting for Kansas City, currently 12 straight, and with each loss the chances of winning increase. I had the Royals as a 5 dime play last night. They shoot themselves in the foot. In the bottom of the sixth DeJesus overruns second base, the Indians throw behind him and get the out before Gathright can touch home costing the Royals the tying run. Aside from that haunting mental mistake they played well jumping on Lee early but then surrendered the lead. They just missed a homer in the ninth by German who had to settle for a double and then Grady Sizemore makes a great play to end the game. This is a game of inches and the Royals were inches from ending this losing streak. Today they get another shot at an Indians team missing Travis Hafner and pitching CC Sabathia who they beat already once this year. The Indians have not garnered much run support for Sabathia and having Hafner out of the lineup does not help. Prior to the Indians scoring 18 runs the last 3 games they had been held to three runs or less the previous ten games. Kyle Davies gets the nod for the Royals after much success in AAA. We should see a much improved Davies from the kid who lost all three of his previous starts against the Indians. Add in the possible return of Mark Grudzielanek and you have a losing streak coming to an end.
KANSAS CITY +145 (5 DIMES)
DODGERS AT METS (MLB) - 7:05 PM, ET
Who called it last night. Lots of guys out there telling people to bet the Mets over their heads. I was the one who did not, We keep it conservative here with another 5 dimer on the Dodgers. They showed me something last night working out of two bases loaded jams and only giving up a run each time. They were able to keep the Mets close and tie the game twice before pulling away in the eight inning. Things do not get any better for the Mets as Mike Pelfrey takes the hill. Pelfrey more than likely regardless of the outcome will find himself back in the minors with the return of Pedro Martinez. Pelfrey has been roughed up in his last 6 starts, all losses, including his last two in which he lasted only four innings each game. Joe Torre gives the ball to Chad Billingsley who had a STRONG showing against Chicago but did not get a decision. Prior to the Chicago no decision Billingsley had gone 4-1 and not allowed more than one run in the four wins. The Mets are not 100% and the Dodgers got some momentum with that explosive eigth inning last night. Look for the Dodger bats to stay hot and win number two in a row on the road.
DODGERS -115 (5 DIMES)
BOSTON AT BALTIMORE (MLB) - 7:05 PM, ET
The Orioles have not lost more than two in a row at home this year. This is a very good team at home. I watch the O's play several times a year at the Warehouse and they are tough. Especially when it is the Yankees or Red Sox. Last night the Orioles took the Red Sox 13 innings before self destructing defensively with 3 errors that allowed Boston to score three runs. The Red Sox still are not hitting on the road as Pedroia, Ortiz, Ramirez, Youklis and Varitek were a combined 4 for 28. The Red Sox are pitching Jon Lester who has never lost to the O's against Garrett Olson who has never beaten the Sox. Lester is 3-3, 2-2 on six or more days rest and lost his last decision lasting only five innings. Olson is coming off a strong winning performance against the Yankees in which he held the Yankee bats to one run. I look for Baltimore to get the home win on Saturday where they are 6-3 their last 9.
BALTIMORE +115 (5 DIMES)
Teddy Covers
3* LA Angles
4* Arizona Rattlers/Orlando Predators Under 108
4* San Jose Sabercats
Teddy June’s MLB NL Total of the Day
My 5* MLB NL Total of the Day is the San Diego Padres/San Francisco Giants Over
Teddy June’s MLB AL Total of the Day
My 5* MLB AL Total of the Day is the New York Yankees/Minnesota Twins Under
Jeffersonsports
Tampa Bay-140
Atlanta-136
Alex Smart
2* St Louis Cardinals
3* TB Storm
3* San Jose Sabercats
LT Profits
2* Chicago White Sox
2* Baltimore
2* Oakland
Mike Rose
2* Dallas Desperados
3* Tampa Bay Storm/Georgia Force Under 109.5
2* LA Avengers
Stadium Club Sports
Detroit @ Seattle (Verlander v Hernandez)
Detroit won last nights contest and are getting on a roll, both on the mound and at the plate. I look for that trend to continue today. Verlander is getting in top form as he’s 1-1 with a 1.89 last few times out. He’s 5-0 in his young career with a 2.43 vs. Seattle and looks pick up his 6th today. Verlander has only yielded 4 runs in his last 19 innings pitched. He will oppose Hernandez who’s been struggling of late going 0-2 with a 4.12 era last 3 starts. Felix is even worse far ranging, losing 5 of his last 6 starts posting a 5.54 era with 21 walks in just 37 innings! This trend will continue with a poor offensive club. Beltre was mired in a 0-16 slump, before breaking through last night, yet the M’s had only 3 other hits! Detroit has won 4 straight games over Seattle and is gaining momentum and confidence. The bulk of the Tigers lineup has driven in 30 runs in the last few games. Granderson, Polanco and Ordonez hit Felix well and these three are batting over .340 in the last week of action. Seattle is under .500 at home and will continue with their woes today as the Tigers roll on again with Verlander cruising to the victory!
Play on the Detroit Tigers -103 for 2 units!
L.A. Dodgers @ New York Mets (Billingsley v Pelfrey)
We have a home dog today with the Mets and I look for the Mets young Pelfrey to have a solid showing. He’s on the bubble and he’s aware of that. What better way to rebound against a poor hitting ballclub. The dodgers scored a few runs and hit a little better last night, yet in my opinion that’s an aberration. They will send out Chad Billingsley to pitch this afternoon. His numbers will tell you he’s getting no run support. Chad is 4-6 on the year with a 3.68 era. The Dodgers are just 12-16 on the road. Pelfrey is motivated today and has a solid lineup backing him. He flirted with a no hitter on 5/14. The kid can pitch and he will get some run support today. The slugging Mets have hit 10 home runs in the last week of action and Reyes and Wright are on fire, hitting 6 homeruns in the last few games. Look for the Met’s to crank it up offensively and Pelfrey to make a strong case on the mound as the Met’s bring home the win at home today!
Play on the New York Met’s +108 for 2 units!
Pittsburgh @ St. Louis (Maholm v Parisi)
The Cardinals continue their dominance over the Pirates winning last nights game. They will send in Maholm, who is 0-2 with a 5.75 era his last 3 starts. Paul has been pitching bad and even worse this year against a potent Redbird attack. He lost this season start with a 6.00 era! Mike Parisi takes the mound for the Cardinals. He’s been very effective, with a 2.87 era on the season. His last 3 times out, he has a 1.93 era. The Pirates have lost 3 of the last four, allowing 25 runs during that span! That’s bad news when your facing a team that has lit up the scoreboard and against Maholm. The Cardinals love to play in front of the home crowd going 20-11 and winning 6 of the last 8 games. Pujols is getting hot, .364 on the season and has homered 3 of the last 4 games and hits Maholm to a .455 tune! Glaus and Ankiel also hit Paul well, batting .500 in their careers vs. St. Louis is 20-11 at home. Look for St. Louis to rough up Maholm again as the Redbirds bats will carry Mike Parisi and the Cardinals to the home victory today!
Play on the St. Louis Cardinals -130 for 2 units!
Wunderdog
NHL
5* Red Wings
Ness
Insider-Tampa
Feist
5* Atlanta
4* Tb
IC SF
Plat Detroit
Cokin
Hat RSox
Tot Under Arizona
3* Yankee
Indian Cowboy
MLB Baseball - Toronto Blue Jays @ Los Angeles Angels
3 units (Normal) TOTAL: Under 7.5 (-120)
Toronto and LA are both big under teams. Toronto is 18-35 to the under and the Angels are 18-33 to the under. The Angels are 1-2 in Lackey's starts but that certainly isn't a reflection on him. He has given up 3 in 8 innings, 1 in 7 and 1 in 7. Its his offense not showing up on those days which I hope to see today as well. And that's because the other guy on the hill is Marcum who has given up more than 3 runs in a game just twice in 11 starts. 6 out his last 7 were 2 runs or less. The Blue Jays and Angels have been playing under almost every day. They are getting good pitching and cant hit their way out of a soggy cardboard box.
WNBA Basketball - Phoenix Mercury @ Minnesota Lynx
3 units (Play of the Day) ATS: Minnesota Lynx -3 (-110)
The Minnesota Lynx seem like a short price to pay at -3 today. They are 3-0 on the season. The Phoenix Mercury are 0-3. Both these teams have put up a ton of points so far in the young season, but it is the Minnesota Lynx that seem to have the better defense. The Minnesota Lynx are beating up on teams so far. On top of being 3-0, they are also 3-0 against the spread. They have scored 75, 98 and 84 points in their games. Phoenix has also gotten over 80 points twice but has given up more than 80 in all three of their games.
Bob Harvey Sports
TB Devils Rays (Kazmire) over White Sox (Vasquez).
Kazmir is 3-0 at home, with an ERA of 0.47 and a WHIP of .0789