SPORTS ADVISORS
San Francisco (39-33) at Milwaukee (39-34)
The Brewers will try to make it two in a row over the Giants when they send Seth McClung (3-1, 3.24 ERA) to the mound opposite southpaw Barry Zito (4-7, 4.54) at Miller Park in Milwaukee for the second game of this three-game set.
Milwaukee won Friday night’s opener 5-1 behind the four-hit pitching of Yovani Gallardo. These two teams have split four games this season, but the Brewers have won eight of the last 10 overall and 15 of the last 18 played in Milwaukee.
The Brewers are still in slumps of 2-5 in their last seven and 6-11 in their last 17. They are also on slides of 3-7 at Miller Park and 2-5 against the N.L. West, but they have won 18 of 26 against opponents with a winning record and 13 of 16 at home against teams with a winning mark. San Francisco is on slides of 13-31 on the road against teams with a winning home record and 11-27 against the N.L. Central, however the Giants have won five of their last seven overall.
Zito is 2-1 in his last three games, but his ERA is a whopping 7.47. He was solid in his last outing, giving up two runs on two hits over seven innings of a 3-2 win against the Rangers at home. The Giants have won three of his last four outings, including his last road start in Arizona when he allowed four runs on seven hits in five innings of a 6-4 win. The Giants are just 1-15 in his last 16 starts against N.L. Central teams.
Zito has struggled against the Brewers, losing three of his four career outings, including all three in Milwaukee. He’s allowed 21 runs in 14 1/3 innings of work at Miller Park since 2007.
McClung hasn’t made a start since September of last year. The reliever last pitched on Tuesday, throwing one inning and allowing one hit against the Twins. He started 12 games in 2008, going 6-6 with a 4.02 ERA.
With Zito on the hill, the Giants have stayed under the total in eight of his last nine Saturday starts, and overall, they are on “under” streaks of 9-3-1 on the road, 5-1 overall and 6-2-2 on Saturdays. With McClung on the mound for Milwaukee, the Brewers are on “under” runs of 5-1 at home, 9-2-1 overall and 5-0 as a favorite. As a team, Milwaukee is on “over” streaks of 4-0 against left-handed starters and 8-3 overall.
Finally, in this rivalry, the over is on streaks of 10-3-2 in Milwaukee and 21-8-2 in the last 31 meetings overall.
ATS ADVANTAGE: MILWAUKEE
N.Y. Yankees (41-32) at N.Y. Mets (37-35)
The Yankees are looking for their fourth straight win today as they send A.J. Burnett (5-4, 4.24 ERA) to the mound to face Mets’ starter Tim Redding (1-2, 6.08) in Game 2 of this version of the Subway Series from Citi Field.
The Yankees pounded the Mets in Friday’s opener, winning 9-1, and getting homers from Alex Rodriguez and Brett Gardner to go along with three-hit pitching from C.C. Sabathia. The Yankees have taken three of four from their crosstown rivals this season and outscored the Mets 24-1 in the last two games and 35-15 in the four contests.
The Yankees are 24-11 in their last 35 as a favorite, but they are on slides of 3-7 on Saturdays, 2-7 on the road against right-handed starters and 2-4 on the highway against teams with winning records. The Mets are just 1-5 in their last six against the American League and 2-6 against A.L. squads with winning records, but they are 11-6 in their last 17 at home against right-handed starters.
Burnett comes in having lost two of his last three decisions but sporting a solid 2.25 ERA in those three games. He’s given up just two runs on nine hits over 13 1/3 innings in his last two starts. On the highway he’s allowed just seven runs in his last three outings, covering 15 innings. He faced the Mets on June 14 and was outstanding, holding them scoreless on four hits over seven innings of a 15-0 shellacking. The Yankees are 4-1 in Burnett’s last five starts as a favorite but just 1-4 in his last five on the highway.
Redding is 1-0 in his last three starts with a 5.12 ERA. He gave up four runs on five hits in seven innings of a 6-4 win over the Cardinals on Monday. However, the Mets are just 2-5 in his seven starts this season and just 1-4 in his last five starts as an underdog.
With Burnett on the hill, the Yankees have stayed under the total in six of his last nine. As a team, the Yankees are on several “under” runs, including 14-6 in interleague action, 7-4-1 on the highway and 13-6 against the N.L. East. The Mets are on “under runs of 4-1 on Saturday, 5-2 in interleague home games and 5-1-1 in the second game of a series. In this rivalry, the under is 4-1 in the last five meetings on the Mets’ home field.
ATS ADVANTAGE: N.Y. YANKEES and UNDER
DUNKEL
Cincinnati at Cleveland
The Reds look to bounce back from yesterday's loss and take advantage of Cleveland's 2-8 record in its last 10 games versus the NL Central. Cincinnati is the underdog pick (+130) according to Dunkel, which has the Reds favored by 1. Dunkel Pick: Cincinnati (+130)
Game 901-902: San Francisco at Milwaukee
Dunkel Ratings: San Francisco (Zito) 16.021; Milwaukee (McClung) 15.102
Dunkel Line: San Francisco by 1; 9 1/2
Vegas Line: Milwaukee (-140); 9
Dunkel Pick: San Francisco (+130); Over
Game 903-904: Philadelphia at Toronto
Dunkel Ratings: Philadelphia (Happ) 15.103; Toronto (Mills) 14.799
Dunkel Line: Philadelphia by 1/2; 10 1/2
Vegas Line: Toronto (-120); 10
Dunkel Pick: Philadelphia (+110); Over
Game 905-906: Minnesota at St. Louis
Dunkel Ratings: Minnesota (Slowey) 15.614; St. Louis (Wellemeyer) 14.603
Dunkel Line: Minnesota by 1; 9 1/2
Vegas Line: Minnesota (-125); 9
Dunkel Pick: Minnesota (-125); Over
Game 907-908: Chicago Cubs at Chicago White Sox
Dunkel Ratings: Cubs (Dempster) 15.293; White Sox (Buehrle) 15.541
Dunkel Line: Chicago White Sox by 1/2; 8
Vegas Line: Chicago White Sox (-140); 8 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Chicago White Sox (-140); Under
Game 909-910: Boston at Atlanta
Dunkel Ratings: Boston (Wakefield) 14.990; Atlanta (Vazquez) 15.227
Dunkel Line: Atlanta by 1/2; 8 1/2
Vegas Line: Atlanta (-130); 9
Dunkel Pick: Atlanta (-130); Under
Game 911-912: LA Angels at Arizona
Dunkel Ratings: LA Angels (Lackey) 15.261; Arizona (Davis) 15.376
Dunkel Line: Arizona by 1/2; 9
Vegas Line: LA Angels (-120); 9 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Arizona (+110); Under
Game 913-914: Washington at Baltimore
Dunkel Ratings: Washington (Martis) 15.223; Baltimore (Guthrie) 14.515
Dunkel Line: Washington by 1/2; 10 1/2
Vegas Line: Baltimore (-165); 9 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Washington (+155); Over
Game 915-916: Florida at Tampa Bay
Dunkel Ratings: Florida (Volstad) 16.982; Tampa Bay (Kazmir) 15.959
Dunkel Line: Florida by 1; 9 1/2
Vegas Line: No Line
Dunkel Pick: N/A
Game 917-918: Cincinnati at Cleveland
Dunkel Ratings: Cincinnati (Bailey) 14.591; Cleveland (Ohka) 13.766
Dunkel Line: Cincinnati by 1; 11 1/2
Vegas Line: Cleveland (-140); 10 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Cincinnati (+130); Over
Game 919-920: Detroit at Houston
Dunkel Ratings: Detroit (Figaro) 15.498; Houston (Paulino) 14.898
Dunkel Line: Detroit by 1/2; 8 1/2
Vegas Line: Detroit (-135); 9 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Detroit (-135); Under
Game 921-922: Kansas City at Pittsburgh
Dunkel Ratings: Kansas City (Chen) 13.704; Pittsburgh (Maholm) 15.344
Dunkel Line: Pittsburgh by 1 1/2; 9 1/2
Vegas Line: No Line
Dunkel Pick: N/A
Game 923-924: NY Yankees at NY Mets
Dunkel Ratings: NY Yankees (Burnett) 15.360; NY Mets (Redding) 16.066
Dunkel Line: NY Mets by 1/2; 10
Vegas Line: NY Yankees (-180); 9
Dunkel Pick: NY Mets (+170); Over
Game 925-926: San Diego at Texas
Dunkel Ratings: San Diego (Correia) 13.641; Texas (Holland) 15.138
Dunkel Line: Texas by 1 1/2; 11 1/2
Vegas Line: Texas (-150); 10 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Texas (-150); Over
Game 927-928: Colorado at Oakland
Dunkel Ratings: Colorado (De La Rosa) 15.308; Oakland (Cahill) 15.401
Dunkel Line: Oakland by 1/2; 8
Vegas Line: Oakland (-150); 9
Dunkel Pick: Oakland (-150); Under
Game 929-930: Seattle at LA Dodgers
Dunkel Ratings: Seattle (Hernandez) 15.992; LA Dodgers (Milton) 15.165
Dunkel Line: Seattle by 1; 7
Vegas Line: Seattle (-125); 7 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Seattle (-125); Under
WNBA
Phoenix at Minnesota
The Mercury (6-3 SU) look to take advantage of a Minnesota team that is 0-7 ATS in its last 7 games against teams with a winning SU record. Phoenix is the pick (-2 1/2) according to Dunkel, which has the Mercury favored by 4 1/2. Dunkel Pick: Phoenix (-2 1/2)
Game 601-602: Atlanta at Connecticut
Dunkel Ratings: Atlanta 106.087; Connecticut 115.624
Dunkel Line & Total: Connecticut by 9 1/2; 148
Vegas Line & Total: Connecticut by 7 1/2; 156 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Connecticut (-7 1/2); Under
Game 603-604: New York at Indiana
Dunkel Ratings: New York 108.380; Indiana 114.715
Dunkel Line & Total: Indiana by 6 1/2; 141 1/2
Vegas Line & Total: Indiana by 7; 143
Dunkel Pick: New York (+7); Under
Game 605-606: Phoenix at Minnesota
Dunkel Ratings: Phoenix 115.054; Minnesota 110.344
Dunkel Line & Total: Phoenix by 4 1/2; 173
Vegas Line & Total: Phoenix by 2 1/2; 178 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Phoenix (-2 1/2); Under
Game 607-608: Washington at Chicago
Dunkel Ratings: Washington 104.885; Chicago 113.061
Dunkel Line & Total: Chicago by 8; 156 1/2
Vegas Line & Total: Chicago by 5; 151
Dunkel Pick: Chicago (-5); Over
Cajun Sports
Minnesota Twins vs. St Louis Cardinals
Play: Minnesota Twins
The St. Louis Cardinals are hosting a three-game interleague set against the Minnesota Twins at Bush Stadium this weekend. The Cards lost game one to the Twins on Friday night 3 to 1 and will want to bounce back from that loss but that may be too tall an order for this Cardinals team on Saturday. St. Louis is facing a Twins team that is 53-18 W/L their last seventy-one interleague games overall. The Twins are 26-7 W/L their last thirty-three interleague games versus teams with a winning record including 8-2 W/L on the road in that situation. More bad news for the Cards as the Twins will send right-hander Kevin Slowey to the bump who is a perfect 7-0 W/L his last seven interleague starts and 10-2 W/L overall on the season. Minnesota’s bullpen has also been solid on the highway with eight chances and seven saves for 87.5 percent with an ERA of 3.06 and a WHIP of 1.149. The Cards will counter with Todd Wellemeyer who has a record of 6-7 W/L overall on the season with an ERA of 5.53 and a WHIP of 1.645. When Wellemeyer takes this hill at home his record is 3-5 W/L with an ERA of 5.47 and a WHIP of 1.627. St. Louis is 1-6 W/L their last seven when Wellemeyer is installed as a home underdog and 1-6 W/L when he takes the hill after the team has suffered a loss in their last game. Our TPR (Team Performance Ratings) Index projects a Twins win on Saturday by 1.6 runs and our Math Model also favors the visitor with a two run victory. So lay the short price with the Twins as they grab the second game of this three-game set to ensure a series win.
Graded Selection: 2* Minnesota Twins 5 St. Louis Cardinals 3
Craig Trapp
Boston Red Sox vs. Atlanta Braves
Play: Boston Red Sox
Betting Trends
-BOS are 9-2 in their last 11 road games.
-Red Sox are 13-3 in Wakefields last 16 interleague starts.
-Braves are 1-5 in their last 6 interleague games.
-Braves are 1-5 in Vazquezs last 6 starts.
-Red Sox are 5-1 in the last 6 head to head meetings.
Not sure how ATL is favored in this matchup as Wakefield is the better pitcher and BOS has a much better lineup. Either way we will take the extra juice here and will love it all the way to the bank. Wakefield looks to be third pitcher in league to get 10 wins. Last start was verse this same ATL team and he got a no decision but once again he was dependable. Wakefield gives BOS almost the same start every time out 6-7 innings allowing only 3 runs average. That is all this offensive powerhouse needs as they average nearly 6.5 runs per game on offense. ATL on the other hand turns to Vasquez who has only won one game in over last month. Even worse for his is his record vs BOS in his career. Vazquez has lost six times in his nine previous starts against them. In the last two, the right-hander has allowed 12 runs in 11 2/3 innings. Look for the underdog Red Sox to win easy. SCORE BOS 7 - ATL 3
Jorge Gonzalez
San Francisco Giants vs. Milwaukee Brewers
Play SF Giants
The San Francisco Giants (39-32) will be sending one of the hottest pitchers in the league to the mound when they take on the Milwaukee Brewers (38-33). Matt Cain (9-1, 2.28 ERA) will take on face off against Yovani Gallardo ( 7-4, 3.00). The Giants have one of the surprises this season. The Giants were predicted by many to finish last in the National League West Division. The Giants have won the last nine straight games the Cain has started. San Francisco has won five of their last six games and will be taking on a Brewer team that has struggled winning just once in their last seven games a home favorite. Both pitchers are budding stars that could easily pitch their team to a victory. Take the Giants here with the value of being the underdog despite playing better baseball as of late.
Brad Diamond Sports
Play on: Philadelphia/Toronto OVER
The Phillies are getting a steady diet of left handers in this series up in Canada. However, starter Brad Mills did not throw well down in Philly last week going just 3 2/3 innings. The game ended up being an 8-7 win for the Jays. Opposing hurler Happ of Philadelphia is 4-0 this season, but really struggled in his last outing against Orioles allowing ten hits, but was fortunate as the Phillies made a few super plays in the outfield to keep the youngster from an early out. The Blue Jays are 17-5-3 OVER in the Inter-League sessions and 6-0 OVER in the last six encounters at home. Philadelphia counters at 8-2-2 OVER as a chalk. Thanks and Good Luck and don't miss my FOX Sports Special right here on Saturday afternoon.
Marc Lawrence
Play On: Chicago White Sox
The White Sox send Mark Buerhle to the hill at home against Ryan Dempster and the Cubs this afternoon in Game Two of this three game cross-town rivalry. Buerhle enters today's game with 17 wins in his last 21 home team starts. Meanwhile, Dempster has dropped 10 of his last 11 road starts, including each of his last seven in a row. Stay at home with Buerhle and the Pale Hose here today.
Red Dog Sports
Boston at Atlanta
Play Boston
The Red Sox seem to play well when Tim Wakefield pitches as they are 11-3 in his starts while the Braves are just 6-9 when Vazquez is on the hill. The Braves are just 17-20 at home while the Red Sox have done well in interleague play and won last night in Atlanta. Plat the Red Sox at +120.
SportsPic
Chicago Cubs at Chicago White Sox
Play: Chicago White Sox
Cubbies opened the Northside vs. Southside weekend series with a 5-4 victory over White Sox on Friday however making it two straight at U.S. Cellular Field will be tough at best. The second installment of this cross-town rivalry featuring Mark Buehrle (7-2, 3.17 ERA) and Ryan Dempster (4-5, 3.83) on respective mounds will go White Sox's way. Pale Hose are an incredible 18-4 (+$1148) the past twenty-two at home with Buehrle outscoring foes 6.2 to 3.0. Meanwhile, Cubbies have lost Dempster's last four trips to the mound and enter 1-8 (-$805) on the highway this season with the righty. Lay the expected -$1.40 on White Sox knowing Cubbies have not been great underdog bets this season winning just twice in fourteen attempts and are 2-7 their last nine away facing a left-handed starter. For those who play totals, Buehrle is 12-4 'Under' at home with the total set at 7.0-8.5, Cubbies are 15-5 'Under' last twenty on the road, 8-3 'Under' away with a 7.0 to 8.5 total.
Rob Vinciletti
Phi Phillies vs. Tor B-Jays
Play: Over 10
This game projects to be a high scoring affair here today.The Phillies have gone over 9 of 12 times on Saturday and 7 of 10 when they are a road favorite in this range.Toronto has gone over 10 of 15 times in the interleague sets so far this year.Looking at todays pitching matchup we see both teams throwing young leftys who have struggled this year.For Toronto its B.Mills.In his outing last week in Philly he had trouble with the potent Philly lineup allowing 4 runs in 3+innings on 6 hits 2 of them homeruns.The Phillies have J.A.Happ on the mound and he has struggled with a 5.82 era in his last 3 starts.Both these teams hit leftys very well.Philly averages 5.6 runs and Toronto 5.1.Both hitting nearly .290.
Chris Jordan
San Francisco at MILWAUKEE -135
We're siding with the Brewers laying a cheap price to visiting San Francisco, as they scored the easy 5-1 win in last night's series opener and will carry the momentum over to tonight's game.
The Brewers will make it two in a row over San Francisco tonight, as they carry the momentum over from beating up on Matt Cain, and will have their way with southpaw Barry Zito, who has an inflated 7.47 ERA in his last three outings.
Yovani Gallardo was brilliant last night, limiting the Giants to just four hits in a 5-1 win in the series opener, leading the Brewers to their eighth win in the last 10 meetings with the Giants, and the 15th in the last 18 in Milwaukee.
And while I know Zito is 2-1 in his last three starts, and the Giants have won three of his last four outings, but he has struggled against the Brew Crew, losing three of his four career outings against it - including all three in Milwaukee. The southpaw has allowed 21 runs in 14-1/3 innings of work at Miller Park dating back to the 2007 season. Plus, the Giants are now an abysmal 1-15 in his last 16 starts against N.L. Central teams.
I know Seth McClung will be making his first start since September of last year, but he’s been solid out of the bullpen this season, lasting pitching in relief last Tuesday, when he tossed one inning against the Twins. He’s produced a 3-1 mark with a respectable 3.24 ERA along the way, and tonight he’s going to be looking to make a good impression when he toes the slab as the starter.
Take Milwaukee tonight.
2♦ BREWERS
Bobby Maxwell
Chicago Cubs +120 at CHICAGO WHITE SOX
It's the second game of this weekend series in the battle for the Windy City and we've got a FREE winner for you on the Cubs as they travel across town to take on the White Sox.
The Cubs got a 5-4 win over their rivals on Friday night thatnks to a three-run homer from catcher Geovany Soto. The White Sox just don't have enough offense to back in this matchup of two very good pitchers. We're playing the Cubs and Ryan Dempster (4-5, 3.83 ERA) in this one.
Dempster has a 2.10 ERA in his last four starts but his teammates haven't been giving him any run support, scoring a total of five runs for him in those four starts. Monday he gave up two runs in 6.2 innings but the Cubs didn't get him any run support. He will be out to redeem himself after giving up three runs in six innings and walking six in a 4-1 loss to the White Sox on June 17.
The Cubs are 6-2 in Dempster's last eight Saturday starts and 4-0 in their last four interleague road games against teams with losing records. Meanwhile, the White Sox are 3-8 in their last 11 games as a home favorite.
Mark Buehrle starts for the White Sox and he got knocked around in his last home outing, giving up five runs in 6.1 innings to the Tigers in a 7-6 loss. In fact, the White Sox have lost his last three starts at home.
The Cubs have won 12 of the last 17 meetings against their American League rivals and snapped a four-game losing streak with Friday's win. Play the Cubs today.
2♦ CHICAGO CUBS
Sports Gambling Hotline
Cubs +125 at WHITE SOX
Friday night winner on San Francisco-Milwaukee UNDER the posted total.
Now 15-8 the last 23 days with our free plays!
The Cubs snapped a 4-game losing streak yesterday aftermoon, and we like them to build on yesterday's win with another "W" on the south-side this Saturday afternoon.
Lou Piniella's team is now 10-5 the last 15 times these teams have met in interleague ball,
Ryan Dempster was a hard-luck loser against the Braves his last time out, as he worked 7 innings of 2 run ball, but took the loss. That makes just 6 runs allowed in Dempster's last 20 innings of work, with an 0-2 mark to show for it.
Mark Buehrle is fresh off a win against Cincinnati, as he worked 7 innings without allowing an earned run. His 2 previous starts saw 9 runs score in 12 innings of work.
We feel the price is right for a shot on the underdog Cubs who have played so well in the Pale Hose ball yard this Saturday afternoon.
Play on the Cubbies.
2♦ CUBS
Karl Garrett
Cincinnati at CLEVELAND
G-Man has hit 7 of his last 11 comp plays.
For Saturday, play the OVER between the Reds and the Indians.
These teams opened the weekend at Progressive Field by playing OVER the total last night.
That makes it 4 in a row, and 5 of the last 6 OVER the posted price for the Reds, while the Indians have been HIGH in 2 of their last 3, and 7 of their last 10.
I know full well that starters Homer Bailey, and Tomo Ohka are not likely to be around very long in this game, and I have seen the way the Indians bullpen is just pure garbage this season, so let's go OVER the posted total this Saturday night in the Reds-Indians game.
Bailey and Ohka hit the showers early, the runs add up, and the Reds and Indians combine for 14 runs tonight.
1♦ OVER
Jeff Benton
Seattle -125 at L.A. DODGERS
For Saturday’s freebie, we’ll back Felix Hernandez and the Mariners down in Hollywood against the Dodgers.
Hernandez isn’t just hot, he’s a raging inferno right now. Over his last six starts, the hard-throwing right-hander is 3-0 with a 1.00 ERA. No, that’s not a misprint: He’s given up exactly five earned runs in 45 innings. During this six-start stretch, the Mariners are 5-1 and Hernandez has dialed up 42 strikeouts against just 13 walks. And check out what King Felix has done on the road this season: 4-1, 1.98 ERA, 1.08 WHIP, 39 strikeouts in 34 1/3 innings, with Seattle going 6-2. (In his last four on the road – at San Diego, Baltimore, the Angels and Texas – Hernandez has given up just one earned run and 19 hits in 29 2/3 innings).
Perhaps not as impressive but definitely as important, Hernandez – who has been prone to giving up the gopher ball in his career – has surrendered just two home runs in his last eight starts covering 57 2/3 innings.
Tonight, Hernandez lucks out in that he’s not only working in one of the best pitcher’s parks in baseball, but he gets to “dodge” Dodgers slugger Manny Ramirez, who has one week remaining on his suspension. Without Ramirez, the Dodgers’ offense hasn’t really missed a beat … except in the home-run department (L.A. ranks in the bottom third of major-league teams in homers).
Another piece of good fortune for Hernandez is his mound counterpart tonight. Journeyman lefty Eric Milton is getting his first start since June 5, and while he’s certainly been surprisingly effective in three starts with L.A. (2-0, 2.45 ERA), he hasn’t pitched past 5 1/3 innings in any of those contests. That’s a big deal, because the Dodgers’ bullpen is overworked.
Finally, despite last night’s loss in L.A., the Mariners have won seven of 10 overall (allowing three runs or fewer in all seven wins) and they’re still 6-3 in the last nine meetings with the Dodgers, including 4-3 in So-Cal. Lay the cheap price with Hernandez, who will twirl another gem and guide Seattle to an easy win.
4♦ SEATTLE