VEGAS SPORTS PICS
Atlanta -125*
Cubs / White Sox OVER 9.5 +115*
Boston -130**
Texas +115*
JEFF BENTON
For Saturday, we'll turn to early action on the diamond and play the Blue Jays as a home underdog against the Braves.
I know Toronto is putting a rookie pitcher up against Tim Hudson. But that rookie pitcher (John Parrish) comes with some impressive credentials. Parrish was 10-1 with a 2.74 ERA at Triple-A Syracuse, appearing in 15 games (11 starts). Most impressively, the left-hander had a 90-35 strikeout-to-walk ratio in 82 innings pitched! Today, Parrish goes up against a Braves lineup that has struggled against southpaw pitchers on the road, batting just .235 as a team. Then again, Atlanta stinks, period, in opposing ballparks; despite last night's 4-0 win north of the border, the Braves are still only 12-27 as a visitor this seasonAs for Hudson, he's been awesome this year, no doubt about that. However, despite a 2.96 ERA, Hudson is just 8-5 with four no-decisions and the Braves lost all four no-decisions. And when Hudson works on the road, Atlanta is 2-7. And let's not forget that just two days ago, the Blue Jays whose bats have seriously woken up despite last night?s shutout loss pounded the Reds Edinson Volquez, the best pitcher in the National League this year. If they can get to Volquez, don't be surprised if they knock Hudson around.Toronto, which is 10-3 against the Braves since 1999, has rebounded nicely from a seven-game losing skid, and as long as Parrish doesn't shrink in the spotlight, I look for the Blue Jays to resume their winning ways after last night's setback.
3♦ BLUE JAYS
MATT RIVERS
For Saturday take the Cardinals in Kansas City
I'm not exactly going to call Mitchell Boggs a phenom or anything more than average but the righty did just pitch well in Fenway in the huge upset win over Dice-K and the Sox and should be alright today today.
The Royals are rolling right now as David Dejesus and the fellas are playing some great ball. This is not the same dismal team from years' past but with Albert back for the Redbirds I see no reason why Tony LaRussa's squad does not put up a bunch of crooked numbers against Kyle Davies.
Davies had been overachieving this season until that last start where he was bombed at home, and I mean bombed, by the Giants. I have watched the former Brave righty a ton and do admit that he does have some quality stuff at times but those times are few and far between and I see nothing but another beating for him today. The guy just cannot be trusted and against the Cards should see his numbers inflate once again.
I am not the biggest Cardinal fan this season as I am surprised by their somewhat gaudy record but with Pujols, Ankiel, Ludwick and a few others I just think St. Louis is the better team, maybe not hotter but better and with the pitching advantage I'm fine with the visitors today in this spot.
TONY WESTON
Despite losing 3-1 last night the Diamondbacks will get right behind stud pitcher Brandon Webb. So far this year Webb is 11-4 with a 3.23 ERA and is having another Cy Young-type year. And over his last nine road starts Webb is 5-3 with a 2.67 ERA.
Opposite Webb will be Florida starting pitcher Andrew Miller, who is 5-6 with a 5.07 ERA. At home this year Miller is only 2-3 with a 5.09 ERA. In his eight home starts the Marlins are 3-5 and are 2-4 in his last six starts overall.
Pencil in Webb as your starting pitcher as he will shut down the Marlins and go with the Diamondbacks in an easy winner.
3♦ DIAMONDBACKS
BRIAN MARSHALL
Colorado Rockies vs. Detroit Tigers
Play On: Detroit Tigers -1.5 Runs +115
The Colorado Rockies will be lead by starting pitcher Jeff Francis. Jeff Francis has been struggling as of late. In fact, Jeff Francis has a 6.61 ERA in his last 3 starts. We see Jeff Francis giving up many runs today.
The Detroit Tigers will be lead by starting pitcher Justin Verlander. Justin Verlander has been pitching very well as of late. In fact, Justin Verlander has a 2.11 ERA in his last 3 starts. We see Justin Verlander pitching another great game today.
Trend: The Detroit Tigers are 8-1 in their last 9 home games.
Take the Detroit Tigers -1.5 Runs!
WINNING SPORTS
Selection: San Francisco/Oakland Under 7
Reason: Put us down on the San Francisco Giants/Oakland Athletics Under 7 for our Free MLB Selection on Saturday. Today we see a low-scoring game between the San Francisco Giants and Oakland Athletics. One reason why we see a low-scoring game is because both these teams will send to the mound solid starting pitchers. This says it all... The San Francisco Giants Starting Pitcher (Tim Lincecum) has a 2.54 ERA this season, while Oakland Athletics Starting Pitcher (Justin Duchscherer) has a 1.99 ERA this season. As you can see, both teams will be sending to the mound very good starting pitchers. In addition, these teams have a history of playing low-scoring games when they meet. In fact, the Under is 36-17-1 in the last 54 meetings between these teams. We see another low-scoring game today. Take the San Francisco Giants/Oakland Athletics Under 7!
DREW GORDON
Like many of you, I was waiting for the game that Kyle Davies finally revealed his true self, and it came in his last start, getting massacred for 5 runs in just 1 1/3 innings against the Giants Sunday. Granted, the Royals came back to win, so his record remains a perfect 3-0, but make no mistake, Davies is a streaky pitcher and that's bad news for Royals-backers in this one.
While its true Davies was rock-solid against the Cardinals at Busch June 17th, his problems haven't come on the road, but at Kauffman, where he's 1-0 with a lofty 5.11 ERA on the season. Look for the Redbirds to make the most of their second crack at Davies in less than two weeks, especially now that he's vulnerable. Its important to note St. Louis averages a hearty 5.1 runs per game against righties on the road!
Mitchell Boggs gets the start for St. Louis, and its so far so good for the young righty, getting a nice win at Fenway in his last one, allowing 3 runs in 5 1/3 innings. He's now 2-0 with a 4.38 ERA on the highway in his brief career, and while the Royals are hot, their offense is nothing to write home about either.
While its true the Cardinals have seen better days, it was Boggs who helped them beat the Red Sox at Fenway in his last one... A huge boost for a young pitcher. I say he builds off that win tonight, taking advantage of an improved but still average Royals offense. On the flip side, look for Davies to revert back to his old ways, getting knocked around by a Cards club looking for redemption and in desperate need of a win.
Take St. Louis behind Boggs over Kansas City and Davies in this MLB match up.
2♦ ST. LOUIS
Vegas Experts
San Francisco Giants at Oakland Athletics
Needless to say, it should be a great pitching matchup by the Bay this evening as San Francisco's Tim Lincecum matches up against Oakland's Justin Duchscherer. Lincecum is unbeaten on the road, Duchscherer is unbeaten at home. Both have ERA's of 2.55 or better and Duchscherer has not allowed more than a single earned run in any of his last three starts. Eleven of the last 14 meetings between the teams have stayed Under.
Play on: Under
Tony Karpinski
Cincinnati Reds vs. Cleveland Indians
Play: Cleveland Indians
Cincinnati at Cleveland (Baseball action) 7:05pm ET The Battle of Ohio gets pretty intense this time of year as both teams are having the same type of years slightly under .500. In this Saturday night meeting look for the crafty veteran Paul Byrd to get the better of the young right hander of Cincinnati Johnny Cueto as the Indians come out on top with their tough hitters. Play Cleveland
Robert Ross
Chicago Cubs at Chicago White Sox
Prediction: Chicago Cubs
Cubs should rebound from yesterday's poor effort which saw shoddy fielding and untimely hitting put them in an early hole. The CUBS are 14-3 against the money line vs. a very good bullpen whose WHIP is 1.250 or better this season while the WHITE SOX are 17-39 against the money line vs. teams who strand 7.5 or more runners on base per game over the last 2 seasons. Take the Cubs!
SportsKingz
Arizona -160
Boston -140
Yankees +105
Minnesota -110
Steve Zukiel Guaranteed Selections
Milwaukee vs Minnesota
Rating: Guaranteed 60 Unit IL Line Value Game Of The Month In this contest, my money is on the Minnesota Twins
Minnesota has been red hot. They have won nine straight baseball games and have outscored the opposition by a 56-19 margin. WOW! Now Milwaukee has a solid pitcher in Manny Parra ready for tonight, and he has won his last five starts, but folks, only one was on the road and in that outing, he allowed 5 runs and 10 hits in just 5 1/3 innings of work. In fact, in his six road starts this season, he is just 2-2 and his ERA has climbed to 7.25. Minnesota counters with Livian Hernandez and this guy has been absolutely dominant at home this season. He is 8-4 on the year and owns a 5.23 ERA, but at home, he is a perfect 6-0, the team has won eight of his nine home starts and his ERA has dropped to 3.86. Unbelievable. In fact, in his last two home starts, all versus NL opposition, he allowed just two runs in 14 innings of work. Minnesota is the play folks
STEVE ZUKIEL TAKES THE MINNESOTA TWINS OVER THE MILWAUKEE BREWERS AS MY GUARANTEED 60 UNIT IL LINE VALUE GAME OF THE MONTH
CASH & PROFIT EXPERTS (7-2 RUN)
Seattle vs San Deigo
Take: San Deigo
Ben Burn's Main Event
Mets
Steve Budin
25* WHITE SOX