RatedPicks
Minn Twins -125
St Louis Cardinals -105
Oak A's/ SD Padres OVER 7.5
Pitt Pirates +130
Larry Ness
LEGEND Play
The Weaver vs. Weaver matchup (Jeff vs Jered) didn't last all that long last night, as neither made it through the sixth inning. It was the first time in seven years that siblings started against each other in the majors. However, older brother Jeff (5 IP / 6 hits 2 ERs) surely got the better of his younger brother, as Jered took the loss in a 6-4 Dodgers win (5.1 IP / 10 hits / 5 ERs). While the Dodgers continue to 'roll' (with or without Manny) at 45-24 (MLB's best record), the win gave them just a 6-5 interleague mark in 2009. Actually, that's pretty rarified air for LA, which had gone an abysmal 20-43 vs AL clubs from 2005-08. The Dodgers' win last night in Anaheim makes them only 39-63 in AL parks since 1997, including 8-29 since 2005. The win also snapped the Angels' seven-game winning streak, one in which they had outscored their opponents, 52-22. The Angels have gone through a lot this year (injuries in their starting rotation, the tragic death of promising young pitcher Nick Adenhart and key regulars missing time with injuries) but at 36-30, are now just a half-game out of first place in the AL West. The finale of this three-game series is set for tonight, on ESPN. Clayton Kershaw (3-5, 4.13 ERA) gets the starts for the Dodgers and John Lackey for the Angels. Kershaw was 5-5 with a 4.26 ERA last season in 22 appearances (21 starts) as a rookie. He didn't get his first ML win until his 10th career start but Kershaw pitched OK for LA last season (team went 13-8 in his starts) and the Dodgers really like this guy. He's got a 4.13 ERA in 13 starts this year and an impresiive hits (53) to innings pitched (69.2) ratio. However, he's just 3-5 (team is 6-7) and he's been WAY more effective at home, as opposed to on the road. He started in Dodger Stadium vs the Angels back on May 22 (5 IP / 4 hits / 1 ER), getting a no decision in a 3-1 Dodgers loss. However, it was a quality effort which is nothing new at home, where in seven starts Kershaw has a 1.91 ERA. In contrast, his road ERA is 6.75 in six road starts. That's part of the Dodgers' problem in this game. The other part of the problem is Angels starter John Lackey. Lackey opened the season on the DL and will take an unimpressive 2-2 record into tonight's game, in seven starts. He's allowed 52 hits in 38.1 innings (ouch!) and owns a 6.10 ERA. However, Lackey is coming off an excellent outing at San Francisco, in which he allowed three ERs in seven innings, with 10 strikeouts and no walks. That's more like the pitcher who has gone 31-14 the previous two seasosn for the Angels, who went 38-19 in all of his starts these last two regular seasons. Lackey's had oustanding success against the Dodgers in his career, going 5-1 with a 1.50 ERA in eight lifetime starts (Angels are 6-2) against them. That includes a 4-0 mark with a 0.33 ERA in four outings against the Dodgers (with 21 straight scoreless innings) here in Anaheim. The Angels are a ML-best 9-2 in interleague play this year and how about John Lackey's record here in Anaheim in interleague play? Can it get any better? Lackey is 8-0 with a 2.00 ERA in 10 starts (Angels are 10-0) at home against NL clubs.
LEGEND Play 25* LA Angels
Red Dog Sports
5* Milwaukee/Detroit Under
Gallardo starts for Milwaukee and his ERA is 2.00 and Verlander's is 2.57 in their recent starts. The Tigers have 27 overs and 38 unders this year. Detroit has 10 unders and 3 overs in their last 13 home games. Look for under on Sunday. You should be able to get under 8.5.
Jack Clayton Guaranteed Selections
3* Brewers at Tigers
Detroit is a terrific park for pitchers, a large outfield, and for this game BOTH teams have an ace on the hill. Milwaukee righty Yovani Gallardo is quietly having a great season, at 7-3 for the first place Brewers with a 2.93 ERA. He doesn't walk anyone, is super-tough to hit and has 85 Ks in 83 innings. The Tiger offense has been slumping all season and needs to face a weak starter to get going, but that's not the case here. Magglio Ordonez said on his benching this week, 'It's embarrassing.' He is 35 and in the middle of a clearly miserable season at the plate, at least relative to Ordonez's past skills, with just 11 extra-base hits and he has two home runs. It has been a baffling exhibition and it has been on display since Ordonez joined the Tigers full-time following March's World Baseball Classic. At least they have ace Justin Verlander going, with a 2.57 ERA his last three starts, plus for the season he has 110 Ks in 90 innings. Look for a lot of strikeouts and few runs. Play the Brewers/Tigers Under the total.
Kiki Sports
2 Units Rangers Millwood
David Banks
Col. Rockies (BEST BET KEY PLAY)
Mill Brewers
Atl. Braves
Tor. Bluejays
Tex Rangers
LA Dodgers
SMOOTH 44
CLEVELAND +150 *MLB GAME OF THE WEEK*
How do you back a team whose bullpen blew 2 games in a row for you? I have no idea but everyone knows I am stubborn and disciplined and the Indians fit a very strong system today and I am not going to ignore it.
MILWAUKEE +115
WHITE SOX +110
TAMPA BAY +100
WASHINGTON +110
LA-DODGERS +115
Scott Spreitzer
IL HIGH-ROLLER **GAME OF THE YEAR!** (3-0, 100%)
I'm laying the price with the Rangers on Sunday. I had a big play this past Monday Night against Barry Zito of San Francisco. He had to change leagues because he couldn't get AL hitters out any more. And, that's held true in Interleague play since Zito has joined the Giants. His ERA was 7.61 against the AL before Monday Night, he then allowed seven earned runs in just 3 2/3 innings! He's likely to have another bad game today against another American League team. Texas is throwing their ace Kevin Millwood. He?s having a career season because the franchise has finally built up a defense behind him. His ERA is an incredible 2.62 this season, and his WHIP is a sparkling 1.19. Posting those numbers in the DH league, while pitching home games in a hitting paradise, is phenomenal. Today, Millwood is facing one of the worst offenses in the inferior league, and he's doing so in a park that helps pitchers. It's an absolute mismatch on the mound and at the plate. I'm laying the price with the Rangers, my High-Roller Game of the Year.
CappingFoo I took out those two plays since they are comps but thanks for helping out 😉
Paul Leiner
25* Over 8.5 Hou/Minn
Rocketman
Seattle Mariners
Marc Lawrence
LA Angels
Nick Parsons
Boston Red Sox
Lenny Del Genio
KC Royals
Ron Raymond
Orioles/Phillies Under