JIMMY THE MOOSE
Seattle Mariners at San Diego Padres
Prediction: Seattle Mariners
Reason: The Mariners have won 4 of their last 5 games while the Padres have lost 7 in a row and 11 of their last 12 games. The Mariners are 22-7 in their last 29 games vs. NL West opponents. Seattle is 7-3 in their last 10 games as a dog of +110 to +150. San Diego is 5-17 in their last 22 interleague games. The Padres are 8-23 in their last 31 interleague games vs. a left-handed starter. San Diego has lost 4 of Peavy's last 5 starts. The Padres are 2-5 in his last 7 starts as a favorite. The Mariners are 7-1 in the last 8 meetings between the clubs. Play on the Seattle Mariners +.
MATT RIVERS
For Sunday take the Indians at home minus 1 1/2 runs.
I hate to lay a run and a half to a team with the potential of the Reds but there are just too many factors going the Indians way to pass the home team up here at this price.
First of all Aaron Laffey is a pretty talented lefthander who has been great at home for most of the season. Today he is up against a lefty laden team that just does not seem to hit Southpaws and another example of that just took place in the series opener as CC Sabathia completely mowed down Dunn, Griffey, Bruce and the boys from Cincinnati.
The Reds at Great American are an above .500 team as they use that hitters' park to their advantage. The road though is an entirely different animal as these guys seem to struggle immensely and rarely ever win on the highway.
Bronson Arroyo gets the ball against Laffey and the righty has become a complete enigma. He has had some really quality seasons but all in all has been pretty much garbage this season and is coming off of that start in Toronto where he allowed something like 10 earned runs in one inning of work, no joke. It was that horrific.
Obviously things will be better today and the way the Tribe have been struggling Arroyo may last a good five or six innings but in the end Sizemore and the fellas should be too much.
I do admit I have a little fear here because Cinci has enough pop to always scare me and especially when laying some money but at the Jake we have too many positive factors in backing the home boys.
JEF BENTON
There is so much to like about the BoSox in this spot, starting with Beckett, who has given up two runs or less in five of his last six outings, including surrendering just two runs, 11 hits and four walks (with 14 strikeouts) in his last two outings covering 15 innings. Most impressively, over his last three road outings, Beckett has given up just four runs in 20 innings of work (1.80). Finally, going back to his days with the Marlins, Beckett has shined against the Astros, posting a 2.12 ERA in five starts (34 innings). Over those five starts, Beckett has walked just 10 while striking out 40!
Finally, take a look at some of the numbers with respect to these two teams. The Red Sox are an astounding 52-15 in their last 67 interleague games (42-10 last 52 as a favorite vs. the N.L.), 24-8 in their last 32 interleague road games, 21-9 in their last 30 against the N.L. Central, 55-23 in their last 78 games played on grass, 5-1 in their last six as a road chalk, 20-8 in Beckett?s last 28 road outings and 31-12 in Beckett?s last 43 as a favorite. Meanwhile, despite last night?s 11-10 win over Boston, Houston is still mired in slumps of 7-14 in interleague play, 21-49 as an underdog vs. the A.L., 3-11 against the A.L. East and 8-20 in its last 28 games overall, including 1-7 as a home underdog!
As for the run-line aspect to this play, put it this way: Of Bostons last 21 victories dating to May 21, 19 have come by at least two runs. The point: If the Red Sox do win this game and I cant see how they don?t odds are theyll win it by multiple runs.
3♦ RED SOX (-1 1/2 runs)
TONY WESTON
The Royals and Cardinals have played each other five times so far this season with the Royals holding a 4-1 advantage in those games. The Royals come into this game 11-2 their last 13 games and are 7-2 their last nine games at home.
The Cardinals, on the other hand, are 4-4 their last eight road games and are 4-7 their last 11 games overall.
The Royals will continue their winning ways and get another victory over the Cardinals.
Take Kansas City at home today.
3♦ ROYALS
SPORTS GAMBLING HOTLINE
As the Beatles once sang, "get back Jo".
That's the way we feel today at the Rogers Centre, as we like the Blue Jays to take the series finale against the Braves.
Atlanta did win the Friday night opener, but were on the short side in yesterday afternoon's game to drop to 12-28 on the road for the year.
Starter Jo-Jo Reyes is just 3-5 this season, sporting an ERA of 4.48. We feel he will be hard-pressed to match pitches with AJ Burnett who turned in one gem of a performance his last trip to the hill, as he held the Reds to only one run over eight innings of work.
Toronto has won 4 of their last 6 games, and with Atlanta still an "iffy" road play, we will lay the home wood, and roll with the Blue Jays to take today's tilt.
Play on the Jays.
3♦ TORONTO
BRIAN MARSHALL
Cincinnati Reds vs. Cleveland Indians
Plays On: Cleveland Indians -1.5 Runs
Game Analyses: The Cleveland Indians should be able to beat the Cincinnati Reds by at least two runs in Sunday's MLB game. With that said, we will side with the Cleveland Indians -1.5 Runs!
The Cincinnati Reds will be lead by starting pitcher Bronson Arroyo. Bronson Arroyo has struggled this season. In fact, Bronson Arroyo has a 6.52 ERA on the season. In addition, Bronson Arroyo has a 10.80 ERA in his last 3 starts. We see Bronson Arroyo pitching another bad game today.
The Cleveland Indians will be lead by starting pitcher Aaron Laffey. Aaron Laffey has been pitching very well as of late. In fact, Aaron Laffey has a 2.83 ERA on the season. In addition, Aaron Laffey has a 2.41 ERA in his last 3 starts. We see Aaron Laffey pitching another great game today.
The Cleveland Indians have proven they can beat the Cincinnati Reds. In fact, the Cleveland Indians are 10-4 in their last 14 meetings against the Cincinnati Reds (when playing in Cleveland).
Take the Cleveland Indians -1.5 Runs!
WINNING SPORTS
Seattle/San Diego Under 7
Reason: Put us down on the Seattle Mariners/San Diego Padres Under 7 for our Free MLB Selection on Sunday. Today we expect a low-scoring game as the Seattle Mariners do battle with the San Diego Padres. One reason why we expect a low-scoring game is because both these teams will be sending to the mound solid starting pitchers. This says it all... The Seattle Mariners Starting Pitcher (Erik Bedard) has a 1.93 ERA in his last 3 starts, while San Diego Padres Starting Pitcher (Jake Peavy) has a 2.25 ERA in his last 3 starts. In addition, these teams have been known to play low-scoring games when they meet. In fact, the Under is a Perfect 4-0 in the last 4 meetings between these teams. We expect to see another low-scoring game today. Take the Seattle Mariners/San Diego Padres Under 7!
DAVE COKIN .
STL Cardinals and KC Royals.
Take KC Royals
The Royals finally lost one Saturday, but KC has been money in the bank in interleague play and they've got a good shot to rebound smartly today. Brian Bannister has excellent numbers at home, especially in day games. Braden Looper had trouble keeping the ball inside the park his last outing for the Redbirds. I'm on Bannister and the Royals to score the win.
STEVE JANUS
LA ANGELS
The Angels are one of those rare teams that is better on the road than they are at home and that is why this line is so surprising. The Dodgers are only 5-22 in interleague play against a team with a winning record, and they've gone just 5-11 as a home underdog in their last 16 games in that situation. The Angels are 8-2 this year as road favorites between -110 and -150, and their starter Sunday, John Lackey, is 12-2 in his last 14 starts in the same situation.
JIM FEIST
PHI Phillies and TEX Rangers.
Take Over
A couple of powerhouse offensive teams meet in a great hitter's park in Texas. Philadelphia is second in the NL in runs scored, while surprising Texas is tops in the AL in runs. The two pitchers on the mound are not aces, with ERAs over 4. Texas started 19-15 over the total at home, where they average 6 runs per game, far better than on the road. Look for an offensive show. Play the Phillies/Rangers Over the total!
Jimmy Boyd
Atlanta Braves vs. Toronto Blue Jays
1 Unit on Blue Jays -148
We'll make a small play on the Blue jays Sunday behind the right arm of Mr. Burnett. The Blue Jays are a solid 5-2 in Burnett's last 7 starts as a home favorite of -110 to -150 and 9-2 in their last 11 Sunday games. The Braves are only 6-18 in their last 24 road games vs. a team with a losing record and a pathetic 8-20 in their last 28 road games. Expect Atlanta's road woes to continue here up against a good home starter.
Dave Price
Milwaukee Brewers vs. Minnesota Twins
1 Unit on Milwaukee Brewers -128
It hasn't mattered where Sheets has pitched this season, he has been the best pitcher on the field in nearly every game. We'll get behind him Sunday as he will win his matchup again, giving the Brewers the edge. The Brewers are an impressive 13-3 in Sheets' last 16 road starts, 7-1 in Sheets' last 8 interleague starts, and 25-9 in Sheets' last 34 starts overall. The Twins have been playing well, but the Brewers are playing just as good. Bet the Brew Crew behind their ace.
Carlo Campanella
Baltimore Orioles at Washington Nationals
Baltimore (40-38) finds themselves in the road Favorite role as they square off against Washington on Sunday afternoon. In my recent article, "MLB: Behind the Numbers" I mention that while Baltimore is barely above the mendoza line, their most profitable role is at 13-5 as Favorites this season! We'll back them in this situation on Sunday as they start Guthrie on the mound, who's held Washington to just 3 Earned Runs in 21 Innings Pitched during his last 3 starts against them.
Play on: Baltimore
VEGAS EXPERTS
Los Angeles Angels at Los Angeles Dodgers
Two Angels pitchers combined to no-hit the Dodgers yesterday, but the team still somehow managed to lose. A MLB best 26-14 on the road this season, we don't see the Halos getting swept by their cross-town rivals. This afternoon, they send out John Lackey, who has been stellar since coming off the DL posting a 5-1 mark with a 1.65 ERA. His team has won all five of his starts this year when he's working on 5 or 6 days rest.
Play on: LA Angels
Alex Smart
San Diego Padres -141
The San Diego Padres starting hurler today and the ace of their pitching staff, and National Leagues reigning Cy Young award winner Jake Peavy (5-4, 2.77 ERA) prepares to mow down the opposition today in front of the home town fans. With this being his 4th start ,after a lay off ,because of an elbow injury, Im expecting he could easily be in the best shape of his current campaign, which is not a good omen for opposing batting orders. Note: Peavy has allowed just 4 Ers in his L16 innings of work. With the Mariners sending the often injured and ineffective Erik Bedard to the hill in response, I very much like the Padres chances of winning. Note: Bedard is currently less, than 100% and has rarely thrown more than 100 pitches in a game this season. Final notes & Key Trends: Peavy is 4-0 when starting against Seattle along with an ERA of 1.56 and a minuscule WHIP of 0.779 . Mariners are 2-9 in their last 11 road games vs. a team with a losing home record . Play on the Padres