Marc Lawrence
Seattle Mariners @ Atlanta Braves
PICK: Atlanta Braves
The Braves battle the Mariners in Atlanta Saturday evening when they send Jair Jurrjens to the hill against Jarrod Washburn and the troubled Mariners.
Jurrjens has been especially strong in his performances at home with Atlanta where he is 7-0 with a 2.85 ERA this season. That improves his career mark to an impressive 12-0 in home steam starts.
Meanwhile, Washburn owns a 6.14 ERA on the road this season and has dropped 10 of his 13 team starts. With that we'll stay at home with Jurrjens and the Braves here tonight.
We recommend a 1-unit play on Atlanta with Jurrjens.
Doc's Sports
LAA Angels vs. Philadelphia Phillies
Play: Under
Chase Utley has been slumping of late and thus the Phillies offense has not been as productive as it was during the early portion of the season. This game features a pair of solid pitchers in Brett Myers and Joe Saunders. Saunders has pitched outstanding this season with a 10-3 record and a rock solid 3.06 E.R.A. Myers is a head case but has good strikeout stuff and that is something that can hurt the Halos. This will be a typical Angeles low scoring game and we will not worry about who wins it and just collect with the under.
Dave Cokin
Diamondbacks @ Twins
Play: Twins -110
The Diamondbacks are slipping in the NL West, with a lack of consistent offense the culprit. Toss is several less than stellar recent outings by Micah Owings, and it looks like another tough assignment for 'Zona tonight. The Twins are on a roll, and rookie Nick Blackburn has nice numbers at home. I'll opt for the Twins to cash the ticket here.
James Patrick Sports
Rampage vs. VooDoo
Grand Rapids and New Orleans hook up in their Arena League regular season finale and our selection in Saturday Arena League Football is Rampage-VooDoo OVER the TOTAL.
Scott Ferrall
ARIZONA -105 over Minnesota--Owings has them eating out of his hands at the Homerdome. He'll beat Blackburn and slow down the streaking Twins
ATLANTA -185 over Seattle--Jurrjens is the play at Turner Field on Saturday. The Mariners lose so many games it's not even funny and the Braves are sick at home--they just win there like crazy !
Texas -135 over Washington--Gabbard gets the road win against the Nats in DC. Washington blows no matter where they play. Too many hitters for Mock to handle. TAKE THE OVER 9 RUNS
Royals -150 over Giants--Meche is the truth at Kauffman Stadium in this one. KC's been getting their act together again and winning some ballgames. Plus, the Giants aren't consistent at all. Royals jump on Correia early and often
Florida +140 over Oakland--Nolasco gets the job done over Eveland, who has no luck ! I'm on the OVER 8.5 RUNS too.
SAN DIEGO +115 over Detroit--Robertson has been a nightmare on the hill for the Tigers this year. He's allows 6 runs every time he pitches. TAKE THE OVER 8.5 RUNS and enjoy the payout as the Padres steal one from streaking Detroit.
Mike Anthony
Arizona D-Backs vs. Minnesota Twins
Play: Minnesota Twins
I do not trust the Diamondbacks. I have told all of you to stay away from them as well. This is a team that is five games under .500 since the first two weeks of the season.
The Diamondbacks are really a product of their two aces. When Brandon Webb and Danny Haren don’t pitch fantastic, the Diamondbacks do not win ball games. They are in the middle of the pact in both hitting and fielding and now without Eric Byrnes. Their main problem is their defense. This is a team that has committed 50 errors on the season all ready. The Twins are a solid baseball team. They have almost the identical records, but you wouldn’t know it by this line. The Twins at home PLUS the DH equals a win.
Tony Karpinski
Seattle Mariners vs. Atlanta Braves
Play: Atlanta Braves
What is there not to like about the Braves tonight? Atlanta faces the worst team in baseball and the Braves are at home. The Mariners got a rare win for their new manager, but will go right back to their losing ways on Saturday night.
The Mariners are just a team that doesn’t know where to go for answers. They have fired their general manager and manager within the last seven days. This is a team that has already given up on the season. Some teams will try to ride the wave and get back into contention in the second half. The Mariners are thinking about releasing their clean up hitter, that just shows how they feel about 2008.
Jarrod Washburn is done folks, this is a pitcher that has been done for three years. The Mariners are 3-10 in his thirteen starts on the season. Look for the Braves line-up to pound him and take care of the Mariners at home and Chipper Jones to go yard!
SPORTS ADVISORS
Chicago White Sox (41-32) at Chicago Cubs (46-28)
The Cubs will try to make it five in a row over their crosstown rivals when they send veteran Jason Marquis (5-3, 4.24 ERA) to the hill to face the White Sox and Jose Contreras (6-5, 3.24) at Wrigley Field.
The Cubs scored three runs in the final two innings to beat the White Sox 4-3 on Friday, their fourth straight win and sixth in seven meetings dating back to last year. The Cubs’ pitching staff has dominated this matchup, allowing just five runs in the last four games.
Wrigley Field has been good to the Cubs as they’ve gone 39-13 in their last 52 in front of the faithful. They are also on runs of 6-2 in interleague home games, 17-7 overall, 7-1 against the A.L. Central and 40-19 at Wrigley against right-handed pitching. Meanwhile the White Sox are 11-6 in their last 17 overall and 7-3 in interleague play, but they are on an 0-7 slide on the highway.
Contreras is just 1-2 in his last three outings with a 4.58 ERA and he’s allowed 10 runs (nine earned) in is last 12 2/3 innings, losses to the Tigers and Rockies. For his career, Contreras is 1-2 in four starts against the Cubs with a 4.23 ERA. Last season he gave up two runs on 10 hits in seven innings of a 3-0 White Sox loss.
The White Sox are 11-4 when Contreras starts on Saturday and but just 1-4 in his last five interleague starts.
Marquis has been outstanding lately, going 3-0 in his last three with a 1.96 ERA. He allowed just one run on four hits in seven innings a week ago as the Cubs beat the Blue Jays 6-2. Last season he allowed five runs in six innings against the White Sox but the Cubs’ offense bailed him out with an 11-6 victory.
For his career, Marquis is 1-1 in three starts against the White Sox with a 10.06 ERA as he’s allowed 19 earned runs in 17 innings. The Cubs are 17-5 in his last 22 home starts but they are just 1-4 when he starts against a team with a winning record.
With Contreras on the hill, the over is 7-2 in interleague games, 5-1 against the N.L. Central and 5-0 when he starts on Saturday, but the under is 9-1 in his last 10 overall. With Marquis starting, the Cubs are on “over” runs of 5-2 at home and 4-1-2 on Saturdays.
For the White Sox, the under is 16-5 on the road against a right-handed starter, 21-8 on the road and 11-2 against teams with a winning record, however the over is 10-5 in interleague games against teams with a winning record. For the Cubs, the under is 10-4-1 in interleague play, 6-2 at home against teams with a winning record, 5-1 at home and 7-1 at home against right-handed starters.
In head-to-head matchups, the over is 5-1 at Wrigley.
ATS ADVANTAGE: CHICAGO CUBS and UNDER
L.A. Angels (44-30) at Philadelphia (42-33)
The Phillies hope to avoid a fourth-straight loss when they send Brett Myers (3-8, 5.58) to the mound opposite Angels’ southpaw Joe Saunders (10-3, 3.06) at Citizens Bank Park in Philadelphia.
The Angels shut down the Phillies on Friday, getting a 7-1 victory behind the pitching of Ervin Santana. It was the first meeting between these two since 2003 with Los Angeles taking three of the last four.
The Angels are 21-9 in interleague action, 5-1 in interleague road games, 6-2 against teams with a winning record and a staggering 59-24 in the second game of a series. Philadelphia is 1-6 on Saturdays, 1-5 in interleague play, 6-19 against interleague teams with a winning record and 4-11 in the second game of a series, but they are 8-2 against southpaws, 17-8 as a home favorite and 9-5 at home.
The Angels are 11-3 in Saunders’ starts this season and he’s 5-1 on the road with a 1.77 ERA. On Sunday he shut out the Braves on six hits for 7 1/3 innings of a 2-0 victory. In his previous interleague start this season, he held the Dodgers to two runs on five hits for 7 1/3 innings of a 4-2 win. The lefty has never faced the Phillies.
Philadelphia has lost 11 of Myers’ 15 starts and he’s 0-2 in his last three with a 5.79 ERA and the Phillies have lost all three. He’s allowed 11 runs on 15 hits in 11 1/3 innings in his last two. In his only outing against the Angels, he gave up five runs on eight hits of a 5-3 loss back in 2003.
Los Angeles is 25-10 in Saunders’ last 35 starts, 12-4 when he faces a winning team, 5-1 as a ‘dog, 5-1 on the road and 14-3 when he gets five days of rest. Philadelphia is 8-20 in Myers’ last 28 starts, 7-19 when he’s favored, 4-11 with him at home and 0-6 when he toes the rubber on Saturdays.
With Saunders on the hill, the Angels are on “over” runs of 8-3 on five days of rest and 4-1 on Saturdays, but the under is 5-2 in his last seven and 5-1-1 when he starts on the road against a winning team. The Phillies have topped the total in nine of Myers’ last 12 home starts against a winning team and five of his last seven on five days of rest.
The Angels are on “under” runs of 38-16-5 overall, 17-7 against right-handed pitching, 7-2-1 as a ‘dog and 15-5-2 on the highway. Philadelphia is on “over” runs of 8-3 in interleague games and 5-2 at home against winning teams, but the under is 13-3 for the Phillies on Saturday and 13-4 in their last 17 overall.
ATS ADVANTAGE: L.A. ANGELS
Big Al Mcmordie
Cleveland Indians at Los Angeles Dodgers
Prediction: Cleveland Indians
At 3:55pm our member selection is on the Cleveland Indians over the Los Angeles Dodgers. The Indians will send reigning Cy Young winner CC Sabathia out to the mound in this one coming off the big righthander's best back-to-back starts of the season on June 10 (against Minnesota) and June 15 (against San Diego). After a very slow start ot the season, Sabathia is finally starting to look like his old self. His mound opponent will be Chan Ho Park, who was pitching out of the bullpen, and is now in the starting rotation as a result of Brad Penny having moved recently to the Disabled List. Park has not had good numbers as a starter in years, and will have a tough time against the Tribe today. Take the Indians.
Jimmy The Moose
Toronto Blue Jays at Pittsburgh Pirates
Prediction: Pittsburgh Pirates
Jays really struggling losing 4 straight on this 6 game road trip two losses via the shoutout. Jays will have Litsch on the hill after starting the season 7-1, he has gone winless in his last 3 with a era of 5.83. Toronto just 4-18 in their last 22 overall. Pirates have been impressive in front of the home crowd this season being 8 games over .500 Play on Pittsburgh -.
Black Magic Sports
1 Unit on N.Y. Mets +109
The Mets are now set with their new manager in Jerry Manuel. New York can get back to focusing on winning ball games, just as they did last night in a blowout victory over Colorado. Look for the Mets to keep it rolling tonight behind former Ace Pedro Martinez. I’ll gladly take my shot on Martinez as an underdog here. Martinez is undefeated this season. Pedro is 2-0 with a 4.24 ERA in his last 3 starts as well. It’s starting to click for this legendary right-hander. The Rockies are just 3-12 in Ubaldo Jimenez’ 15 starts this season. There’s no way in hell the Rockies should be the favorite tonight. Cash in with the Mets as the underdog.
Black Widow Sports
1* on Minnesota Twins -110
The Minnesota Twins are just a small favorite at home here. This is a great value play due to the fact that starter Nick Blackburn is 3-2 with a mere 2.37 ERA at home this season. Micah Owins has been dog shit for the Diamondbacks as of late. Owings is 0-2 with a 10.66 ERA through his last 3 starts for Arizona. Minnesota is 33-12 (+19.6 Units) against the money line in an inter-league game over the last 3 seasons. The Twins own the National League. Take Minnesota on the Money Line.
Info Plays
3* on Texas Rangers -127
Garrett Mock makes his second start of the season for the Washington Nationals. His first start was very ugly, allowing 4 earned runs on 7 hits and 3 walks as Mock never made it out of the 4th inning against the Giants. The Rangers should crush the Nationals today. Rangers’ starter Kason Gabbard is 10-2 when playing against a team with a losing record over the last 2 seasons. The Rangers s 6-0 in all night games that Gabbard has started this season. Bet Texas on the road.
Sportsbettingstats
Detroit Tigers at San Diego Padres
In yesterdays match up between these two teams the Padres beat the Tigers 6-2 after the Tigers' bullpen broke down in the late innings. This is a match up of two of the more disappointing teams in baseball, as each was favored to win their divisions. Even though the Tigers lost yesterday they are starting to gain ground in the AL Central, as they are 8-2 in their last 10 games and now are 7 games back of the Chicago White Sox in the division. In sunny San Diego things are not as bright, as they are 4-6 in their last 10 games and 7.5 games back of the Arizona Diamondbacks in the weak NL West. Taking the mound for the Tigers is Nate Robinson (5-6 5.46 ERA), who in his last outing went 6 innings giving up 0 earned runs in a win. In yesterdays loss the Tigers scored 2 runs on 6 hits and left 4 men on base. Taking the mound for the Padres is Cha Seung Baek (1-2 4.84 ERA), who in his last outing went 7 innings giving up 3 earned runs in a no decision. In yesterdays win the Padres scored 6 runs on 9 hits and left 7 men on base.
Staff Pick: Even though Robinson's ERA is higher than Baek's the Tigers have the advantage, as Robinson has won his last 3 starts and Baek is 0-2 as a starter this season. The Key to the game will be if Robinson can go deep in the game, as the Tigers bullpen has the worst ERA in the Majors (4.56) and they squandered another lead last night allowing the Padres to score 5 runs in the 8th inning. Detroit ranks 9th in the Majors in runs scored (346), while the Padres rank a dismal 29th (275). The Tigers are starting to play good baseball after a horrendous start and look to make a run in the 2nd half. The Padres need to do the same, as they started badly and began to make a run, but have been mediocre in the past couple of weeks. The one bright spot for the Padres has been their defense, as they have committed the 3rd fewest errors (33), while the Tigers have played poor defense committing the 6th most errors (50). If Robinson can give the Tigers a good outing and the bullpen is not counted on they should win this game. Look for a close game but for the Tigers to win and even the series.
Tigers 7 Padres 5
Bobby Maxwell
Toronto -110 at PITTSBURGH
It was a tough loss for the Blue Jays on Friday night when they lost 1-0 in 12 innings. But we look for them to bounce back big tonight when they send Jesse Litsch (7-3, 3.70 ERA) to the mound against the Pirates Paul Maholm (4-5, 4.45).
Toronto has lost six straight but with Litsch on the hill he's 4-2 on the road with a 3.89 ERA. Only twice in his last nine starts has he allowed more than three earned runs and the Blue Jays are 3-1 in his last four road starts.
Last time Maholm pitched at home he gave up four runs on 10 hits in 6.2 innings of a 7-6 loss to the Nationals. The Pirates are just 2-6 in his last eight interleague starts, 1-5 when he faces a team with a losing record and 7-15 when he pitches the second game of a series.
The Pirates are 17-45 in their last 62 interleague games overall and 6-21 when they face an A.L. team with a losing record. Meanwhile the Jays are 13-6 against the National League when they're favored.
Neither team has been good lately, but we're backing the Blue Jays in this one because of Litsch. Play Toronto.
3* TORONTO