SPORTS ADVISORS
N.Y. Mets (39-40) vs. N.Y. Yankees (43-37)
The Mets hand the ball to ace Johan Santana (7-6, 2.93 ERA) as their four-game series against the Yankees continues at Shea Stadium. The teams split Friday’s doubleheader, with the Mets winning 15-6 at Yankee Stadium and the Yankees returning the favor with a 9-0 rout at Shea. The Mets have won 11 of their last 16 interleague games. Also, they’re 3-1 against the Yanks this season, with the three victories coming by a combined score of 33-12.
Andy Pettitte (8-5, 4.04) gets the nod today for the Yankees, who have followed a seven-game winning streak by losing four of their last seven. Despite the recent inconsistency, Joe Girardi’s club is still on a 23-12 overall run, going 10-6 on the road during this run. Also, the Bronx Bombers have won nine of their last 12 interleague games.
The Mets are 0-4 in Santana’s last four trips to the mound, including Monday’s 5-2 home loss to Seattle. In that one, the southpaw gave up five runs (only one earned) on seven hits in seven innings. Santana has pitched at least six innings and allowed three earned runs or fewer in six of his last seven outings, but his team is just 2-5 during this stretch.
The Yankees are 6-1 in Pettitte’s last seven starts, with the veteran lefty giving up just a single run in his last three outings spanning 21 innings. In fact, Pettitte comes into this contest with a 19-inning scoreless streak.
Santana is 3-2 with a 2.68 ERA in seven home starts and 4-0 with a 2.98 ERA in nine career games (six starts) against the Yankees. Meanwhile, Pettitte is 5-2 with a 3.51 ERA on the highway this season and 7-4 with a 3.48 ERA in 17 career starts versus the Mets. These two faced off on May 17 at Yankee Stadium, and Santana and the Mets prevailed, 7-4. Despite that result, the Yanks are still 7-2 in Pettitte’s past nine starts against the Mets. They’re also 11-4 in his last 15 on the road and 14-5 in his last 19 against the N.L. East.
The over is 5-1 in the last six series meetings overall and 4-1 in the last five clashes at Shea Stadium. Also, the over is on runs of 4-0-1 when Santana faces the Yankees, 5-2-3 for the Mets in interleague play, 10-3-1 for the Mets against lefty starters, 5-1 for the Yankees on Saturdays and 4-1 for the Yankees on the road.
ATS ADVANTAGE: N.Y. YANKEES and OVER
Chicago Cubs (49-31) at Chicago White Sox (44-35)
Javier Vazquez (7-6, 4.24) looks to continue his dominance at home and avenge Sunday’s loss to the Cubs when he leads the White Sox in the middle game of this three-game set at U.S. Cellular Field. The White Sox pounded out a 10-3 victory on Friday to snap a six-game losing streak to their rivals from the north. Ozzie Guillen’s club has won three of four since getting swept at Wrigley Field last weekend, and the Pale Hose are now 25-11 at home this season, including 21-6 in the last 27. They’re also 14-6 in Vazquez’s last 20 starts overall.
The Cubs, who send rookie Sean Gallagher (3-3, 3.97) to the mound in this one, have lost three of four since sweeping the White Sox last week. And, Lou Piniella’s squad is 16-21 on the road this year, compared with 33-10 at home.
Going back to last season’s six interleague matchups, the Cubs are still on an 8-2 roll against the White Sox, including sweeping all three games at U.S. Cellular a year ago.
Vazquez is 5-1 with a 4.14 ERA in six home starts, including three straight blowout wins in the last three against the Pirates (16-5), Twins (10-6) and Indians (7-2). Also, the Sox are 13-3 in his last 16 at U.S. Cellular dating to last year. However, the veteran right-hander was on the wrong end of Sunday’s 7-1 loss at Wrigley Field, where he gave up five runs (four earned) in six innings.
The Sox are 0-3 in Vazquez’s last three starts against the Cubs dating to last season. For his career, Vazquez is 3-4 with a 4.92 ERA against the North Siders.
Gallagher hasn’t started since June 19 at Tampa Bay, and he gave up just one unearned run on four hits in six innings, but the Cubs fell, 8-3. The Cubs are 0-3 in Gallagher’s last three starts, all on the road, where the 22-year-old is 0-3 with a 4.38 ERA in six appearances (four starts).
Although Friday’s game easily cleared the total, the under is 7-2 in the last nine head-to-head meetings at U.S. Cellular Field, 5-2 in the last seven clashes overall, 5-1 in Gallagher’s last six starts overall and 2-0 in Vazquez’s last two outings versus the Cubs. Also the under is on runs of 4-1 for the White Sox overall, 10-4 for the White Sox on Saturdays, 9-5-1 for the Cubs in interleague road games, 5-2 for the Cubs against the A.L. Central and 36-18-5 for the Cubs against right-handed starters.
ATS ADVANTAGE: UNDER
L.A. Angels (48-32) at L.A. Dodgers (37-42)
Jered Weaver (7-7, 4.56) tries to even this Freeway Series against the Dodgers when the rivals meet for Game 2 of this weekend set at Dodger Stadium. The Dodgers scored an easy 6-0 upset win on Friday, evening the season series at 2-2. Despite that setback, the Halos still own baseball’s best road record at 26-14, going 10-3 in the last 13 as a visitor, including 5-2 on this current nine-game interleague road trip. Mike Scioscia’s club is also on hot streaks of 9-3 against the N.L. West, 25-11 in interleague play and 7-2 in interleague road games.
The Dodgers’ Chad Billingsley (6-7, 3.64) goes for his third straight win in this contest. He takes the mound for a team that’s still in the midst of several negative streaks, including 15-39 in interleague play, 5-22 in interleague games against winning teams, 18-44 as an underdog and 3-9 against the A.L. West.
The Angels still have a 9-3 advantage over the Dodgers in the last 12 series meetings. However, the home team is 17-4 in the past 21 clashes.
Weaver gave up one run in 5 1/3 innings in his most recent outing Sunday at Philadelphia, earning a 3-2 victory. He’s 5-2 in his last seven starts, and the Angels have won six of his last eight outings. However, despite the strong start at Philadelphia, Weaver is just 4-3 with a 5.48 ERA in eight road starts.
Billingsley has won his last two starts at Cincinnati (3-1) and over the Indians at home (4-3), giving up a combined four runs in 11 1/3 innings. Previously, the Dodgers had lost four straight games with Billingsley on the bump. The right-hander is 3-3 with a 4.35 ERA at home.
Weaver is 3-0 with a 2.08 ERA in his three career starts against the Dodgers, including a 10-2 rout on May 18 when he gave up just the two runs in 5 1/3 innings. Meanwhile, Billingsley’s lone career start against the Halos ended in a 4-0 road loss back in 2006.
The under is 8-2 in Billingsley’s last 10 starts, including 3-0 in the last three overall and 4-1 in his last five at home. Furthermore, the under is on streaks of 6-2 in this rivalry, 5-0 for the Dodgers overall, 14-5 for the Dodgers at home, 42-18-5 for the Angels overall, 19-7-2 for the Angels on the road, 12-2-2 for the Angels on Saturdays.
ATS ADVANTAGE: L.A. ANGELS and UNDER
DUNKEL
LA Angels at LA Dodgers
The Angels look to bounce back from last night's shutout against the Dodgers and build on their 12-5 record as a road underdog between +100 and +125. The Angels are the underdog pick (+115) according to Dunkel, which has the Angels favored straight up by 1 1/2. Dunkel Pick: LA Angels (+115). Here are all of today's games.
SATURDAY, JUNE 28
Game 951-952: Arizona at Florida
Dunkel Ratings: Arizona (Webb) 14.748; Florida (Miller) 13.182
Dunkel Line: Arizona by 1 1/2; 7
Vegas Line: Arizona (-135); 8
Dunkel Pick: Arizona (-135); Under
Game 953-954: Atlanta at Toronto
Dunkel Ratings: Atlanta (Hudson) 14.837; Toronto (Parrish) 15.585
Dunkel Line: Toronto by 1; 8 1/2
Vegas Line: Atlanta (-130); 9
Dunkel Pick: Toronto (+120); Under
Game 955-956: Chicago Cubs at Chicago White Sox
Dunkel Ratings: Cubs (Gallagher) 15.372; White Sox (Vazquez) 14.547
Dunkel Line: Chicago Cubs by 1; 10 1/2
Vegas Line: Chicago White Sox (-135); 9 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Chicago Cubs (+125); Over
Game 957-958: NY Yankees at NY Mets
Dunkel Ratings: NY Yankees (Pettitte) 14.134; NY Mets (Santana) 15.495
Dunkel Line: NY Mets by 1 1/2; 9
Vegas Line: NY Mets (-120); 8
Dunkel Pick: NY Mets (-120); Over
Game 959-960: Cincinnati at Cleveland
Dunkel Ratings: Cincinnati (Cueto) 14.638; Cleveland (Byrd) 14.469
Dunkel Line: Cincinnati by 1/2; 8
Vegas Line: Cleveland (-120); 9
Dunkel Pick: Cincinnati (+110); Under
Game 961-962: Colorado at Detroit
Dunkel Ratings: Colorado (Francis) 14.128; Detroit (Verlander) 16.373
Dunkel Line: Detroit by 2; 9 1/2
Vegas Line: Detroit (-160); 9
Dunkel Pick: Detroit (-160); Over
Game 963-964: Boston at Houston
Dunkel Ratings: Boston (Lester) 15.078; Houston (Backe) 15.836
Dunkel Line: Houston by 1; 8
Vegas Line: Boston (-130); 9 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Houston (+120); Under
Game 965-966: Tampa Bay at Pittsburgh
Dunkel Ratings: Tampa Bay (Jackson) 16.364; Pittsburgh (Taubenheim) 13.620
Dunkel Line: Tampa Bay by 2 1/2; 11
Vegas Line: Tampa Bay (-140); 9 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Tampa Bay (-140); Over
Game 967-968: St. Louis at Kansas City
Dunkel Ratings: St. Louis (Boggs) 16.546; Kansas City (Davies) 15.734
Dunkel Line: St. Louis by 1; 10
Vegas Line: Kansas City (-125); 9 1/2
Dunkel Pick: St. Louis (+115); Over
Game 969-970: Milwaukee at Minnesota
Dunkel Ratings: Milwaukee (Parra) 16.415; Minnesota (Hernandez) 15.701
Dunkel Line: Milwaukee by 1; 8 1/2
Vegas Line: Milwaukee (-105); 9
Dunkel Pick: Milwaukee (-105); Under
Game 971-972: Baltimore at Washington
Dunkel Ratings: Baltimore (Olson) 14.510; Washington (Lannan) 15.418
Dunkel Line: Washington by 1; 9 1/2
Vegas Line: Washington (-110); 9
Dunkel Pick: Washington (-110); Over
Game 973-974: Philadelphia at Texas
Dunkel Ratings: Philadelphia (Hamels) 13.514; Texas (Padilla) 14.513
Dunkel Line: Texas by 1; 9
Vegas Line: Philadelphia (-125); 9 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Texas (+115); Under
Game 975-976: San Francisco at Oakland
Dunkel Ratings: San Francisco (Lincecum) 15.695; Oakland (Duchscherer) 15.010
Dunkel Line: San Francisco by 1/2; 6
Vegas Line: Oakland (-130); 7
Dunkel Pick: San Francisco (+120); Under
Game 977-978: Seattle at San Diego
Dunkel Ratings: Seattle (Silva) 14.218; San Diego (Baek) 15.255
Dunkel Line: San Diego by 1; 8
Vegas Line: San Diego (-130); 8 1/2
Dunkel Pick: San Diego (-130); Under
Game 979-980: LA Angels at LA Dodgers
Dunkel Ratings: LA Angels (Weaver) 15.931; LA Dodgers (Billingsley) 14.337
Dunkel Line: LA Angels by 1 1/2; 6 1/2
Vegas Line: LA Dodgers (-125); 7 1/2
Dunkel Pick: LA Angels (+115); Under
Steve Merril
Cincinnati Reds vs. Cleveland Indians
Play: Cleveland Indians
Cleveland’s Paul Byrd enters off back-to-back road losses, but he should perform well at home tonight where he sports a fantastic 2.97 ERA and 1.10 WHIP in six starts this season with an 18-3 strikeout/walk ratio. Meanwhile, Cincinnati’s Johnny Cueto has been terrible on the road this season with a miserable 6.49 ERA and 1.62 WHIP in seven starts with a 1-6 SU team record.
John Ryan
Philadelphia Phillies vs. Texas Rangers
Play: Philadelphia Phillies
Ai Simulator 3* graded play on the Phillies with Hamels – Trust me, the Phils will turn it around and it may start today with their Ace on the hill. Hamels has gone 4 straight starts pitching a minimum of 7 innings totally 31 IP and has a 2.86 ERA over the last 3. Padilla has had an excellent season so far, but the Phillies offense is a very tough one to face and even tougher when they know they need to start focusing on winning this one. In his career, Hamels is 8-1 making 6.8 units after a game where he did not walk a batter. Take the Phillies.
James Patrick Sports
Redlegs vs. Indians
Cleveland was swept earlier this season in the Queen City by Cincinnati but the Reds have failed to cash in 10 of 14 at Progressive Field in Cleveland. Well take Cleveland Indians and veteran right hander Paul Byrd as our Saturday Major League Baseball selection
Marc Lawrence
Play On: Oakland w/Duchscherer vs Lincecum
The A's resume their battle of the Bay with the Giants in Oakland this evening when they send Justin Duchscherer up against Tim Lincecum in a matchup of promising young arms. While Lincecum has been a nice surprise for San Francisco this season the fact of the matter is he is 1-4 with a 5.53 ERA in his career team starts on the road in the month of June. Duchscherer is 8-2 at home in his career team starts, including 6-0 with a 1.52 ERA this season. Look for Oakland to continue its mastery over the San Francisco here tonight.
Great Lakes Sports
Tampa Bay at Pittsburgh
Play on: Tampa Bay Devil Rays with Jackson
The Tampa Bay Devil Rays are a perfect 5-0 in the last five road games, and are 5-2 vs right hand starting pitching in their last seven games. The Tampa Bay Devil Rays is also 5-0 their last five inter-league games, and are 40-17 their last 57 games as a favorite. We look for the Tampa Bay Devil Rays to grab the road inter-league win tonight.
Jimmy The Moose
Milwaukee Brewers at Minnesota Twins
Prediction: Minnesota Twins
Milwaukee has been playing some good baseball but the Twins have been on fire having now won 10 straight. Milwaukee is 5-13 in their last 18 games vs. a right-handed starter. In their last 52 games as a road dog they are 15-37. Milwaukee has lost their last 5 interleague road games. Minnesota has now won 12 of their last 13 games. The Twins are 10-2 in their last 12 interleague games vs. a left-handed starter. Minnesota is 41-12 in their last 53 interleague games. The Brewers are 5-12 in the last 17 meetings between the clubs and 2-6 in their last 8 trips to Minnesota. Play on the Minnesota Twins -.
Big Al Mcmordie
Colorado Rockies at Detroit Tigers
Prediction: Detroit Tigers
At 7 pm, our member selection is on the Detroit Tigers over the Colorado Rockies. Taking the mound for Jim Leyland's crew will be Justin Verlander, while southpaw Jeff Francis will get the ball for Colorado. And, as the old saying goes, if it ain't broke, don't fix it. So, we will continue to ride the Detroit Tigers when they face lefty starters, and especially when that game is vs. a National League squad. Detroit is an eye-popping 25-9 its last 34 vs. the senior circuit, and also 42-20 its last 62 vs. southpaws, including 14-5 this season. Look for Detroit to hand the Rockies their 6th straight loss. Take the Tigers.
STEPHEN NOVER
Atlanta Braves @ Toronto Blue Jays
PICK: Toronto Blue Jays
The combination of the Braves having a cluster injury situation in their infield and owning one of the worst road marks at 12-27, puts me on the home underdog Blue Jays.
The Braves probably are going to be without their starting left side of their infield with third baseman Chipper Jones and shortstop Yunel Escobar likely to miss another game. The Braves are 4-10 when Jones doesn't start.
Omar Infante, the Braves' top infield sub, also is injured and unlikely to play. The Braves got away on Friday with playing rookie shortstop Brent Lillibridge, Mets reject Ruben Gotay at third base and Greg Norton at designated hitter because Jair Jurrjens threw a shutout.
It's asking a lot for Tim Hudson to duplicate Jurrjens' eight-inning effort. Hudson has been terrible in interleague competition since joining the Braves in 2005. Prior to his last interleague start, Hudson was 0-10 with a 7.82 ERA versus American League clubs.
The wildcard in this matchup is Blue Jays starting pitcher, John Parrish. The 30-year-old left-hander does have major league experience. He had been pitching for Syracuse in Triple-A where he was 10-1 with a 2.74 ERA and a 92-to-35 strikeout-to-walk ratio. The Braves have never faced him.
The Braves are 12-16 against left-handers. Considering the Braves' poor road mark, inability to win without leading hitter Jones and their weakness at two infield spots and DH, the underdog Blue Jays are worth a shot.
Scott Ferrall
MILWAUKEE -105 over Minnesota--The Twins run is ending here with Parra going against them. This kid wins every time out. I'm balls out on the Brew Crew.
Nats -120 over Baltimore--Washington gets the W behind Lannan. His ERA is low even though they don't give him any run support. Nats will get this one. TAKE THE OVER 9 RUNS. Olson's ERA is over 5.
TEXAS +120 over Philly--Padilla is the man and the Rangers will put up numbers against Hamels. The Phils are 3-11 in interleague play this yr headin in to Friday night. I think Texas will push around the Phils all weekend. OVER 9.5 RUNS
SAN FRAN +120 over Oakland--Lincecum is fierce and he'll knock Duchsherer off . The Giants just win when Lincecum's going. BEST THING TO DO IN THIS GAME IS JUST TAKE THE UNDER 7 RUNS
San Diego -135 over Seattle--Silva loses every time he pitches for the Mariners. Enough said !
Dodgers -130 over Angels--Billingsley tops Weaver at the Revine. OVER 7.5 RUNS
LUCKY LEPRECHAUN SPORTS
Atlanta/ Toronto UNDER 9
The Under is 13-3-2 in Braves last 18 interleague games vs. a left-handed starter, 26-6-1 in Braves last 33 road games with the total set at 9.0-10.5 and 9-2-1 in Hudsons last 12 road starts, while the 6-1-1 in Blue Jays last 8 games as a home underdog and 31-14-1 in Blue Jays last 46 home games vs. a team with a road winning % of less than .400. The Atlanta Braves Offense struggles vs left-handed starters as they are averaging just 3.6 rpg vs them, plus they have problems scoring on the road as they put up just 3.9 rpg away from home. The Braves also don't score a ton of runs for Hudson as they average just 4.4 rpg for him overall, including just 3.6 rpg on the road. Tim Hudson comes in with a solid 2.96 ERA overall, with just 7.8 rpg being scored in his starts, plus he has a 3.74 ERA on the road, with just 7.2 rpg being scored in those games. Tim's day games are a bit higher scoring at 9.3 rpg, but he does have a nice 2.78 ERA in day games. He will be taking on a Toronto team that scores just 4.2 rpg overall, 4.4 rpg at home and 4.6 rpg vs righty starters. John Parrish has not made an appearance for the Jays this year, but he did post a 2.74 ERA, with 90 K's and just 35 BB's in 89 innings of work at AAA Syracuse. This game also features two of the top 8 bullpens in the league as the 8th ranked Atlanta pen comes in with an ERA of 3.36, while the 4th ranked Jays pen has an ERA of 2.96. A good pitching matchup with some struggling offense will make for a nice low scoring game here.
Karl Garrett
NY Yankees +110 at NY METS
Today in the Subway Series, I will look for a pitcher's duel between a couple of proven southpaws, and play the UNDER in the Yankees-Mets contest.
Andy Pettitte brings a string of 19 straight scoreless innings pitched into this contest, and the Yanks have played UNDER the posted total in his last 3 starts, and 11 of his 16 starts overall this since.
Johan Santana counters with a 2.93 season ERA, and has allowed just 1 earned run over his last 14 innings of work at Shea this season.
After playing a double header in 2 different ball parks yesterday, look for the hitters to be just a little tired in this late day game, and look for the pitchers to have their way.
Take the UNDER in Queens this afternoon.
4♦ UNDER
Sports Gambling Hotline
St. Louis at Kansas City -130
Tonight we will ride the Royals-express to another interleague victory.
Kansas City recorded yet another win last night, as they have now taken 6 straight, and 11 of their last 12. The Royals are also a major league best 13-3 in interleague play this year, and have won ALL 4 meetings against St. Louis this season.
Hard to argue against those kinds of numbers, especially with the Redbirds now enduring a 3 game slide, and losses in 7 of their last 10.
It will be Boggs against Davies, and Kyle Davies last start against St. Louis came back on the 17th of this month, and all he did was shackle the Cards for 7 strong innings in which he allowed just 1 run to score for the "W".
Play on the Royals to continue the winning
3♦ KANSAS CITY
Tommy Rider
5 Unit Pod- Tigers Team Total Over 4 1/2 Runs
3 Units Each On Mets And Tigers