Jeff Benton
I know Kansas City has been in a month-long funk, but it’s not like Arizona has been tearing it up either. After last night’s blowout loss to the Royals, the DBacks are 9-16 in their last 25 games. One reason for the DBacks’ struggles? Today’s starting pitcher, Micah Owings, has been terrible in his last three starts, posting a 9.22 ERA while losing two of the three contests. In fact, Arizona is just 3-6 in Owings’ last nine outings, including 1-3 at home. Meanwhile, I don’t mind Royals right-hander Gil Meche at all. The veteran has recorded four quality starts in his last six outings, and he’s allowed three runs or fewer in five of those six contests. Also, Meche has been solid on the road (3.95 ERA in seven starts) and he’s got great numbers in two career starts against Arizona. Granted, Meche been a tough-luck pitcher this year, as the Royals have lost his last five starts and 10 of his 14 this season. But if he continues to pitch well, the breaks will start falling his way. Also, it’s worth nothing that Meche has been a much better pitcher this year in day games (2-3, 3.99 ERA) than at night (1-5, 6.14 ERA). Solid underdog value with K.C. in this one.
3* KANSAS CITY ROYALS
Tony Weston
The Yankees took the first two games of this series beating the Astros 2-1 Friday then 8-4 Saturday. That loss Saturday for the Astros puts them at 3-13 their last 16 games and puts them at 2-6 their last eight games at home.
The Yankees come into this game 11-6 their last 17 games overall and 7-3 their last 10 road games. New York turns to Chien-Ming Wang to make the start. So far this year he’s 7-2 with a 4.30 ERA. The Yankees are also 11-3 in his 14 starts this year and have won in his last four starts.
Wang will get another victory and the Yanks will destroy the Astros again.
Take New York on the road today.
3* YANKEES
JR MILLER
LAKERS -7.0
Celtics/Lakers OVER 190.5
If you agree with one or both of these picks we think it's a good idea to get your money down early. Both these lines figure to move against us rather than toward us as game-time gets closer. We've had five bets so far on this series and all five of them have been based mostly on motivational factors rather than statistical factors. At this level of play the stats are pretty much equalized. It's the same for these two plays. We're expecting the Lakers to win this game by double digits, going away, and we think the game will go 'Over' 190 points a long time before the whistle blows. Can you say, "Blowout"? It's not that the Lakers are actually so much better than the Celtics, but we think in this particular game, they will be. All the psychological factors are favoring the Lakers. For one thing, look for the Celtics to "coast" in this game. They won't be bringing their 'A' game. At 3-1 for the series, the Celtics' players (and coaches) might easily be picturing winning the championship in front of their home fans. At the same time, the Lakers' players and coaches figure to be super-motivated by their embarrassment in their last game.
Bob Harvey
Florida Marlins vs. Tampa Bay Rays
Tampa Bay Rays-157
In this battle of Florida teams, the vastly improved Devil Rays get the nod as my pick to sweep the "Citrus Series". Florida has lost three straight games overall and 12 of its last 15 on the road. Second baseman Dan Uggla is 0-for-7 in this series, while shortstop Hanley Ramirez and former Tampa Bay slugger Jorge Cantu are both 1-for-8. Yes those players are do to break out of their respective slumps. Rays outfielder Jonny Gomes returned Saturday and homered in his first game back since serving a five-game suspension for his part in a bench-clearing brawl with Boston on June 5, Tampa Bay remains without Carl Crawford. The left fielder is serving the third game of his four-game ban for his part in the same incident.The Rays will give the ball to Edwin Jackson (4-5, 4.06 ERA), who tries to win consecutive starts for the first time since his first two outings of the season. He allowed four runs and a season high-tying 10 hits in seven innings Monday, but got credit for a 13-4 victory over the Los Angeles Angels. Ricky Nolasco will throw 'em down for the Fish and has fared well against the D-Rays. This is more of a momentum play. Jackson is an underated hurler and I think he matches up well with Nolasco. Tampa Bay gets the sweep.
Dustin Hawkins
Colorado Rockies vs. Chicago White Sox
Chicago White Sox -1½ +138
Here on those Hot Sox, looking for another victory against Rockies!!! Jose "the horse" Contreras (3.18 ERA)!!! Chicago has had things going in the right direction!! Aaron Cook Stuggles on the road with 3.78 ERA and 1.45 Whip!!! Just a team the will out hustle the Rockies and scrap for a win!!! Take the White Sox to the Bank!!!
Sports Gambling Hotline
Boston at LAKERS -7
Tough to make a case for the OVER in tonight's game, as 3 of the first 4 in this series have played UNDER the total.
ER in 6 of their last 8 playoff games, and they have also held LOW in 7 of their last 8 games when installed as the underdog.
Los Angeles is on an 8-1 playoff run UNDER the posted price, and 8 of their last 9 games played at the Staples Center have also stayed BELOW the posted price.
The linesmakers have dropped the total on this game by a few points, but we still think we are staring at another in the NBA Finals tonight.
Play on the LOW.
4* UNDER
Jimmy The Moose
Game: Florida Marlins at Tampa Bay Rays
Prediction: Tampa Bay Rays
Reason: Florida is 3-7 in their last 10 games as a dog of +110 to +150. The Marlins are 2-6 in their last 8 interleague road games vs. a team with a winning record. Florida is 1-6 in their last 7 games overall. Tampa is 21-2 in their last 23 games as a favorite between -151 and -200. The Rays are 15-3 in their last 18 home games vs. a team with a winning record. Tampa is 17-7 in their last 24 interleague games as a favorite. Tampa is 8-1 in the last 9 meetings between the clubs. Play on the Tampa Bay Rays
Tony Mathews
Pittsburgh Pirates vs. Baltimore Orioles
Selection: Pittsburgh Pirates +115
Explanation: We will side with the Pittsburgh Pirates as they face-off against the Baltimore Orioles in Sunday's MLB contest.
The Pittsburgh Pirates will use starting pitcher Paul Maholm. Paul Maholm has pitched well as of late. In fact, Paul Maholm has a 2.95 ERA in his last 3 starts. We see Paul Maholm pitching another great game today.
The Baltimore Orioles will use starting pitcher Daniel Cabrera. Daniel Cabrera has been having pitching problems as of late. In fact, Daniel Cabrera has a 7.00 ERA in his last 3 starts. We see Daniel Cabrera pitching another bad game today.
The bottom line, the Pittsburgh Pirates should be able to beat the Baltimore Orioles today!
Take the Pittsburgh Pirates!
John Fina
Selection: Oakland/San Francisco Over 8.5
Reason: Put us down on the Oakland Athletics/San Francisco Giants Over 8.5 for our Free MLB Selection on Sunday. Today we expect a high-scoring game as the Oakland Athletics do battle with the San Francisco Giants. One reason why we expect a high-scoring game is because both these teams will send to the mound struggling starting pitchers. This says it all... The Oakland Athletics Starting Pitcher (Dana Eveland) has a 7.36 ERA in his last 3 starts, while San Francisco Giants Starting Pitcher (Kevin Correia) has a 6.57 ERA in his last 3 starts. As you can see, both these teams will most likely give up many runs today. In addition, the "Over" has been a smart investment in games when the San Francisco Giants are underdogs. That's because the "Over" is 10-5 in the San Francisco Giants last 15 games as an underdog. We expect to see many runs scored once again today! Take the Oakland Athletics/San Francisco Giants Over 8.5!
VEGAS SPORTS PICS
Toronto -110*
New York Yankees -120*
Arizons -150*
Los Angeles Angels -130**
WINNERS EDGE
NBA
LA Lakers - 4 1st Half , 2 units
MLB
Boston Red Sox RL(-1.5) even , 3 units
Seattle Mariners - 140 , 2 units
Houston Astros + 120 , 1 unit
Astros/Yankees under 8.5 , 1 unit
Tony Karpinski
Florida Marlins vs. Tampa Bay Rays
Play: Tampa Bay Rays
We stay with the Rays again today. I thought they would take care of business last night and they did. Tonight I look for the Rays to sweep. The Rays have waited so long to be a team that is in contention. The Marlins now drop to 2 games under .500 on the road. The Rays on the other hand have been flat out amazing at home with a 25-10 record at Tropicana field. I trust Edwin Jackson enough to lay this number at home as TB wins when they are supposed too. Play the TB RAYS
Alex Smart
Washington Nationals vs. Seattle Mariners
Prediction: Seattle Mariners
Jarrod Washburn has put together three consecutive solid outings, and is finally rounding into top form after a slow start to his current campaign , having garnered a stable 3.63 ERA during that span. I expect the momentum of his current efforts to carry into this tilt against, a Washington offense that has averaged just 3.7 RPG on their current campaign via a lowly .236 BA. Play on the Seattle Mariners
Bryan Leonard
Baltimore over Pittsburgh
Paul Maholm has never pitched well on the road and this season has been no different. The Pirates are 1-4 when he takes the mound on foreign ground and he owns a 6.83 ERA away from home. The Orioles are hitting well right now averaging 6.4 runs per game their last eight outings. They have scored 17 runs in the first two games of this series, they should have little trouble today as they look for the sweep.
Baltimore counters with Daniel Cabrera who is coming off his two worst starts of the season. But considering the lineups he has faced as of late his overall work has been impressive. In his last five starts he faced Boston twice, Tampa Bay and the NY Yankees as well as Minnesota on the road. In fact, seven of his last nine starts have been away from home. When pitching here in Baltimore the Orioles have won four of his five starts. We expect that record to increase today as the O's pull off the sweep.
PLAY BALTIMORE
Tom Freese
Washington at Seattle
Washington is 6-0 in the last 6 starts by Tim Redding as an underdog and they are 7-0 with Redding vs. losing teams. The Nationals are 11-3 their last 14 games vs. AL West foes. Seattle is 2-8 the last 10 starts made by Jarrod Washburn and they are 7-15 after losing the first two games of a series. The Mariners are 5-21 their last 26 games vs. losing teams and they are 1-9 as favorites of -110 to -150. PLAY ON WASHINGTON +