Pupsnchalk Sports
Florida Marlins vs. Chicago Cubs
Play: Florida Marlins
Rich Harden has shown his value since being traded to the Cubs from the Oakland Athletics. Too bad for the Cubs it has not translated into wins. Harden will once again try for his first win in a Cubs uniform as he and the Cubs continue their four game series with the Marlins Saturday afternoon.
Harden was outstanding in his last start against the D-Backs allowing only a solo home run, but got hit with the loss in the 2-0 defeat. He has allowed just one run in 10 1/3 innings since joining the Cubbies. It will be interesting to see how long he can pitch at such a high level. The Marlins are more than capable of scoring off Harden as this will be the second time they have seen him this season. He allowed one run in 5 2/3 innings in the A's 7-6 win over the Marlins on June 20.
We backed Christopher Volstad in his last start which was a 4-0 home loss to the Atlanta Braves. That was the 21 year-old's first home start and it showed. But we expect him to rebound this afternoon against a Cubs team who is struggling going just 3-5 since the all-star break. The offense has not been there as they have scored just six runs in those losses. They have never faced the right hander who has electric stuff and held the Dodgers to just 5 hits and 1 earned run in 8 2/3 innings in his only road start.
The Marlins are not your typical 2:1 underdog. They have won 11 of the last 12 meetings with the Cubs including five of the last six in Wrigley. They have an offense that leads the majors in home runs and keeps them in the game. The Cubs had major issues in the bullpen with Kerry Wood healthy and with him now on the DL, the pen situation looks even more confusing.Play on the Florida Marlins for 1 unit.
Vegas Wise
Atlanta Braves vs. Philadelphia Phillies
Play: Philadelphia Phillies -1½
The Phillies will be sending their ace to the mound in Cole Hamels (9-6, 3.11). The Braves are as fortunate as they send a struggling Jo Jo Reyes (3-9, 4.95) to start against the powerful bats of Philadelphia. Reyes has been battered in his last three starts with a record of 0-3 and an ERA 10.12. The Braves have struggled a bit against lefties with a record of 14-20 and are scoring just 3.9 runs per game. The road hasn’t been nice to the Braves either with a record of 17-33 and again is scoring an anemic 3.9 runs per game. The Phillies offense has exploited lefties for an average of 5.2 runs per game. Take the Phillies -1½ Runs.
Jeff Scott Sports
2 UNIT PLAY
NY Yanks/ Boston Under 9
The Under is 14-2 in Yankees last 16 road games vs. a team with a home winning % of greater than .600 and 17-5 in Pettittes last 22 starts vs. American League East, while the Under is 40-19-7 in Wakefields last 66 starts vs. American League East and 17-6-4 in Wakefields last 27 starts vs. a team with a winning record. Andy Pettite has been an Under machine thie year as 17 of his 21 starts have all gone under the total, including 9 out of 10 of his road starts. Andy has a 3.86 ERA overall, with his starts averaging just 8.3, plus he has a 3.69 ERA on the road, with those starts averaging 7.3 rpg. Andy also come in with a 2.05 ERA in his last 3 starts, with those games averaging just 4.3 rpg, while each of his last 8 starts have scored 8 runs or less, with those games averaging just 5.4 rpg. Tim Wakefield has had a nice year with a 3.69 ERA overall including a 3.05 ERA at home. His home games have scored over 10 rpg, but that is due to the fact that the Sox give him 7 rpg at home. They won't do that vs Pettite today. The Boston offense has been sputtering of late, as they come in averaging just 3 rpg in their last 8 games and they score 4.8 rpg within their division. The NY offense has been better, but they really struggle in day games, scoring 4.2 rpg and they only score 4.3 rpg on the road, plus 3.9 rpg in division games. The Under is 25-8 in Yankee day games and 27-12 in their division games and with a solid pitching matchup on the mound, i see both trends continuing here.
1 UNIT PLAY
CHICAGO RL over Florida
The Marlins stole one from the Cubs today, but they will get their payback today. The Cubs are awesome at home this year, going 38-12 and outscoring opponents by 2.2 rpg. In the Cubs 38 home wins they have won 30 of them by 2 runs or more and have out scored their opponents by 3.9 rpg in the 38 wins. The Cubs are also 6-1 at home vs the NL East and have outscored those opponents by 3.3 rpg. On the year the Cubs score 6.3 rpg at home, plus they score 5.3 rpg in day games. Chris Volstad has had a nice start to his career, going 1-1 with a 2.45 ERA in 2 starts, but facing the Cubs offense in their ball park is alot different than facing Atlanta's or the Dodgers offenses. The Florida offense has scored just 1.5 rpg for Chris in his 2 starts, plus they limp in with a 3.2 rpg scoring average in their last 9 games. Rich Harden comes in with an 0-1 mark and a 0.73 ERA in his 2 starts with the Cubs, while he is 5-2 with a 2.12 ERA overall. In his overall home starts this year he is 3-0 with a 1.61 ERA. Last time out for Rich at home he left the game in the 6th with a 7-0 lead, but the Cubs bullpen wasn't able to hold the lead as they allowed SF to tie the game at 7, before getting the final run in the 8th. Rich will have another strong home outing, while the offense will turn it up and give him another good lead. This time the pen won't blow it for him. Cubs win easily.
Jim Feist
ANGELS / ORIOLES UNDER
The first place Angels send Jon Garland to the mound on Saturday and he's had a fine year for the halos. Garland is 8-6 overall with a 4.12 era. Moreover, on the road, Garland is 5-2 with a 4.17 era. Garland is coming off a fine winning performance over the Red Sox, where he went 6 2/3 innings and allowed just two earned runs. Radhames Liz has a nice 4-2 mark on the year and if he can keep the ball in the strike zone, he should be able to keep this game close. We'll take the under here on Saturday and look for Garland and Liz to take a close game to their fine respective pens and keep the game UNDER
Dave Cokin
ST LOUIS CARDINALS
This is the stuff movies are made from. Brandon Knight is making an emergency start for the Mets, and that in itself is almost incomprehensible. Knight had a couple of cups of coffee with the Yankees back in '01-02. He was out of organized ball from '03-06 except for a very brief and unsuccessful stint in Japan. He pitched for the Somerset Patriots in Indy ball last season. Suddenly, from out of nowhere, he resurfaced at AAA with New Orleans, where he's been lights out of late for the Zephyrs. Knight actually had been named to to the Olympic team, but he'll instead now be getting his chance with the Mets in the heat of a pennant race. Unbelievable story! The sentimentalist in me wants Knight to do a great job here. But the reality is he's never shown anything resembling big league stuff, and I have to think the value play is to take the price with the Cardinals
Matt Rivers
PHILADELPHIA PHILLIES -1½ RL
The last few six or so weeks have not been that great at all for Charlie Manual's boys from Philadelphia but I just do not see anything but an easy victory today as there is too much in our favor (basically everything by a ton). The Braves have been brutalized this season by Ryan Howard, Chase Utley, Jimmy Rollins and the talented Phils. It has been extremely lopsided, something like 7-1 and with the situation today there is just no reason to believe anything changes. Chipper Jones is banged up and more than likely will miss this game. Without Jones the Bravos are just not the same team. We have seen this a bunch this season and in previous years as well. Mark Teixeira is awesome but he is more than likely going to be traded and Atlanta is not and has not played very good ball this season. Bobby Cox' squad has very little momentum going their way, even with a few recent wins including yesterday, and are on the cusp of being a total seller before the trading deadline. The pitching matchup is slanted in a big-time way in our favor as Hamels is a total stud who is due to get some run support today after getting very little of late leading to his somewhat lack of wins on the season. The guy is light years better than his mound opponent in Jo Jo Reyes who was just destroyed at home by the light hitting and fairly weak Nationals. How can this game not finish 9-1 for the Phillies? Even if it's 2-0 that's fine with me as I just do not see a close game and laying the run and a half at this price is half a bargain!
Tony Matthews
ANGELS / ORIOLES OVER 10
We expect a high-scoring game as the Los Angeles Angels face-off against the Baltimore Orioles in Saturday's MLB contest. The Los Angeles Angels will use starting pitcher Jon Garland. Jon Garland has struggled this season. In fact, Jon Garland has a 4.12 ERA on the season. In addition, Jon Garland has a 4.91 ERA in his last 3 starts. We see Jon Garland giving up many runs once again today. The Baltimore Orioles will use starting pitcher Radhames Liz. Radhames Liz has also struggled this season. In fact, Radhames Liz has a 7.19 ERA on the season. In addition, Radhames Liz has a 11.57 ERA in his last 3 starts. We see Radhames Liz also giving up many runs once again today. Trend: The Over is 7-2-1 in the Baltimore Orioles last 9 home games. We expect to see another high-scoring game tonight! Take the Los Angeles Angels/Baltimore Orioles Over 10!
Carlo Campanella
Atlanta Braves at Philadelphia Phillies
Prediction: Philadelphia Phillies
Must back these Phillies as they start Cole Hamels on the mound to host Atlanta on Saturday. He's 9-6 this year, but comes into this off a 2-3 loss- which he should have won- at Florida in which he allowed 2 Earned Runs that came from allowing 2 Home Runs! Expect Hamels to rebound from that loss as we find him at a very profitable 4-1 after giving up 2 HRs in his previous start this season!
7* Play On Philadelphia
Big Al
Washington Nationals at Los Angeles Dodgers
Prediction: Washington Nationals
Reason: At 10:10pm our member selection is on the Washington Nationals over the Los Angeles Dodgers. Will the National League West crown a division champion with a losing record? It's certainly possible. After all, here we are almost into August, and the Arizona Diamondbacks are atop the NL West without a winning record. The Dodgers are a game back at 50-52, and just can't seem to find any rhythm. One night they can't score any runs, the next they fall victim to their own horrendous pitching performances. Tonight's starter, 35-year-old veteran righthander Derek Lowe has been the epitome of inconsistency. Lately however, he's just been mostly bad as the former Red Sox hurler has allowed four or more earned runs in three of his last five starts. Another big problem this season for Lowe is run support. The Dodgers have failed to score more than two runs in almost half of Lowe's starts this season (10 out of 21). Each of these teams will be without its regular closer as the Dodgers' Takashi Saito is out until at least September with an elbow strain, while the Nationals just traded Jon Rauch to the Diamondbacks in exchange for a second baseman prospect that they coveted. The loss of Saito should hurt L.A. a lot more however, as he has been its regular closer since 2006, while Rauch just inherited the job earlier this season. The Nats should get a boost by the recent return of their best offensive player and regular third baseman, Ryan Zimmerman, and we'll back the huge underdog tonight. Take Washington.
Tony Weston
Consider that San Diego is only 2-9 its last 11 games and it is 5-14 its last 19 games on the road. Also keep in mind that only twice this year have the Padres won back-to-back road games. The Pirates also come into this game 4-1 their last five games and are 5-4 their last nine home games. Pittsburgh will have no problems with a bad Padres team that is only 16-35 on the road this season. Go with the Pirates tonight.
3♦ PITTSBURGH PIRATES
JEFFERSONSPORTS
EARLY RELEASE FOR SAT
SEATTLE +144 DICKEY
Sean Higgs
Florida Marlins vs. Chicago Cubs
Play: Florida Marlins
Taking the heavy underdog Marlins here. The Fish just have the Cubbies number. Florida has won 5 of the last 6 in Chicago and 11 of 12 overall. They get Rich Harden today, but Fish have been playing good ball lately, going 7-2 their last 9 as an underdog.
DUNKEL
NY Yankees at Boston
The Yankees look to make it two straight in Boston and take advantage of the Red Sox' 4-6 record as a home favorite between -100 and -125. New York is the underdog pick (+105) according to Dunkel, which has the Yankees favored straight up by 1. Dunkel Pick: NY Yankees (+105). Here are all of today's games.
SATURDAY, JULY 26
Game 901-902: Florida at Chicago Cubs
Dunkel Ratings: Florida (Volstad) 13.952; Cubs (Harden) 15.833
Dunkel Line: Chicago Cubs by 2; 8
Vegas Line: Chicago Cubs (-245); No Run Line
Dunkel Pick: Chicago Cubs (-245); N/A
Game 903-904: Atlanta at Philadelphia
Dunkel Ratings: Atlanta (Hampton) 14.375; Philadelphia (Hamels) 15.118
Dunkel Line: Philadelphia by 1; 9 1/2
Vegas Line: Philadelphia (-210); 9
Dunkel Pick: Philadelphia (-210); Over
Game 905-906: San Diego at Pittsburgh
Dunkel Ratings: San Diego (Banks) 13.911; Pittsburgh (Van Benschoten) 15.270
Dunkel Line: Pittsburgh by 1 1/2; 9 1/2
Vegas Line: Pittsburgh (-110); 10
Dunkel Pick: Pittsburgh (-110); Under
Game 907-908: Houston at Milwaukee
Dunkel Ratings: Houston (Backe) 14.624; Milwaukee (Bush) 14.300
Dunkel Line: Houston by 1/2; 9 1/2
Vegas Line: Milwaukee (-160); 9
Dunkel Pick: Houston (+150); Over
Game 909-910: Colorado at Cincinnati
Dunkel Ratings: Colorado (De La Rosa) 16.634; Cincinnati (Bailey) 15.506
Dunkel Line: Colorado by 1; 10 1/2
Vegas Line: Cincinnati (-115); 10
Dunkel Pick: Colorado (+105); Over
Game 911-912: St. Louis at NY Mets
Dunkel Ratings: St. Louis (Pineiro) 15.781; NY Mets (Knight) 15.461
Dunkel Line: St. Louis by 1/2; 11
Vegas Line: NY Mets (-130); 9 1/2
Dunkel Pick: St. Louis (+120); Over
Game 913-914: Arizona at San Francisco
Dunkel Ratings: Arizona (Webb) 14.490; San Francisco (Lincecum) 15.076
Dunkel Line: San Francisco by 1/2; 6
Vegas Line: Arizona (-110); 6 1/2
Dunkel Pick: San Francisco (+100); Under
Game 915-916: Washington at LA Dodgers
Dunkel Ratings: Washington (Perez) 14.380; LA Dodgers (Lowe) 16.730
Dunkel Line: LA Dodgers by 2 1/2; 8
Vegas Line: LA Dodgers (-190); 7 1/2
Dunkel Pick: LA Dodgers (-190); Over
Game 917-918: Seattle at Toronto
Dunkel Ratings: Seattle (Silva) 14.626; Toronto (Purcey) 15.978
Dunkel Line: Toronto by 1 1/2; 11
Vegas Line: Toronto (-150); 9 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Toronto (-150); Over
Game 919-920: NY Yankees at Boston
Dunkel Ratings: NY Yankees (Pettitte) 16.838; Boston (Wakefield) 15.756
Dunkel Line: NY Yankees by 1; 9 1/2
Vegas Line: Boston (-115); 9
Dunkel Pick: NY Yankees (+105); Over
Game 921-922: Texas at Oakland
Dunkel Ratings: Texas (Harrison) 14.371; Oakland (Duchscherer) 14.849
Dunkel Line: Oakland by 1/2; 7 1/2
Vegas Line: Oakland (-190); 8
Dunkel Pick: Oakland (-190); Under
Game 923-924: LA Angels at Baltimore
Dunkel Ratings: LA Angels (Garland) 15.421; Baltimore (Liz) 15.183
Dunkel Line: LA Angels by 1/2; 10 1/2
Vegas Line: LA Angels (-120); 9 1/2
Dunkel Pick: LA Angels (-120); Over
Game 925-926: Minnesota at Cleveland
Dunkel Ratings: Minnesota (Baker) 16.076; Cleveland (Carmona) 15.052
Dunkel Line: Minnesota by 1; 7 1/2
Vegas Line: Cleveland (-125); 8
Dunkel Pick: Minnesota (+115); Under
Game 927-928: Chicago White Sox at Detroit
Dunkel Ratings: White Sox (Danks) 15.656; Detroit (Verlander) 17.783
Dunkel Line: Detroit by 2; 8 1/2
Vegas Line: Detroit (-145); 9
Dunkel Pick: Detroit (-145); Under
Game 929-930: Tampa Bay at Kansas City
Dunkel Ratings: Tampa Bay (Kazmir) 14.310; Kansas City (Hochevar) 15.331
Dunkel Line: Kansas City by 1; 7 1/2
Vegas Line: Tampa Bay (-150); 8
Dunkel Pick: Kansas City (+140); Under
JOHN FINA
Arizona Diamondbacks -125
Today the Arizona Diamondbacks will be on the road as they take on the San Francisco Giants. We will side with the Arizona Diamondbacks! One reason why we will side with the Arizona Diamondbacks is because they will be sending to the mound the much superior starting pitcher. This says it all... The Arizona Diamondbacks Starting Pitcher (Brandon Webb) has a 1.29 ERA in his last 3 starts, while San Francisco Giants Starting Pitcher (Tim Lincecum) has a 4.50 ERA in his last 3 starts. As you can see, the Arizona Diamondbacks have the much better starting pitcher on the mound. We see the Arizona Diamondbacks getting another win today! Take the San Diego Padres!
Scott Delaney
Take the Phillies on the Run Line with Cole Hamels toeing the slab for us tonight. It's a high-priced favorite, I know this, but the fact is we're going to lay the spread, and anything that comes with that, and roll with an easy winner over the visiting Braves.
Yesterday Atlanta bounced Philly around, and I can understand how, since the Braves were ready to surprise the deflated Phils, after they went to New York and lost their first-place lead in the NL East and had to play on back-to-back days after the matinee loss on Thursday.
Tonight will be different, as the Phillies are going to bring their sticks to rattle Mike Hampton, who makes his first Major-League start in 35 months. The 35-year-old southpaw strained his left pectoral muscle twice this season, then saw a recent rehab assignment spoiled by a left groin injury. This guy hasn't pitched in a MLB game since August of 2005, now he has to face an angry mob of Phillies, in Philadelphia
Big joke here, as the Phils get it done in rousing fashion, and Hamels continues his domination of the Braves. The Philly southpaw has won five straight against the Braves - including a pair of complete-game wins this season.
5♦ PHILLIES RUN LINE