Dave Cokin.
CLE Indians and SEA Mariners
Take CLE Indians
Cliff Lee has been lights out all season for the Indians and I see little reason to believe that's about to change as he faces the less than daunting Seattle attack. Carlos Silva tosses for the M's, and while he's been a little better lately, he's anything but dominating. Huge edge on the mound for the Indians, and it's a game they should win.
JEFFERSONSPORTS
EARLY RELEASE FOR SUN
MLB
PHILLIES-146
CFL
TORONTO-3 -120
SAPKOWSKI
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MIN Twins
CLE Indians
Free picks
COL Rockies
CHI White Sox
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Nick "BookieKiller" Parsons
As if the ineptitude of their offense wasnt bad enough (due to the quarterback controversy) now the Argonauts have to be concerned about their defense as well. Last season Torontos defense was one of the best in the CFL. However, this season the Argos defense is getting manhandled on a weekly basis. No other CFL team has allowed more overall yardage or more rushing yardage than Toronto. So, why are we suggesting a play ON Toronto this week? Because contrarian handicapping is something that has proven to work time and time again through the years and there is reason to believe that the Argos get back on track at home this week. With regards to the QB battle between Kerry Joseph and backup Michael Bishop it is time to put that to bed. Argos coach Rich Stubler has stated that Joseph is his starting quarterback and he doesnt appear to be wavering on that. Look for his confidence in the ability of Joseph to lead to a higher comfort level for the QB and, at home, Joseph should get back on track after an inconsistent game last week! Toronto's defense, despite their poor overall numbers this season, was respectable in holding Edmonton quarterback Ricky Ray to just 213 yards with only one touchdown while also getting one interception against the Eskimos QB. Edmonton lost their only road game so far this season and now in this rematch of last weeks game in Edmonton look for home field to make a big difference for Toronto. The Argonauts will employ a bend but dont break defense as they allow the Eskimos to get some yardage on the ground again this week but look for them to once again keep Edmonton QB Ray from beating them through the air. Conversely, the Eskimos have proven they can be beaten through the air as Edmonton has allowed eight touchdown passes in its three games. Overall teams are averaging 30 points per game against Edmonton and the Argos take advantage of this opportunity for right back revenge. The Eskimos took the game in Edmonton and the Argonauts return the favor in Toronto on Sunday!
Jeff Alexander Sports
1 Unit on Rockies -179
The Pirates haven't been able to buy a win on the road behind Duke. The Pirates are just 7-25 in Duke's last 32 road starts. The Pirates are 15-39 in their last 54 road games period. The Rockies are 7-1 in their last 8 home games and 4-0 in their last 4 home games vs. a team with a losing record. Cook has been solid all season and we'll bet the Rockies behind him at home for another easy winner.
PlusLineSports Daily Baseball Pick
KC Royals vs Chicago White Sox
Chicago White Sox -1.5 +129
EZWINNERS
MLB
2 STAR: (908) HOUSTON (+$118) over Chicago
(Listing Backe only) (Risking $200 to win $236)
2 STAR: (915) LA Dodgers (+$136) over Arizona
(Listing Lowe only) (Risking $200 to win $272)
CFL
5 STAR: (418) TORONTO (-3.5) over Edmonton
(Risking $550 to win $500)
TONY MATHEWS
Kansas City Royals vs. Chicago White Sox
Selection: Chicago White Sox -1.5 Runs +130
The Kansas City Royals will use starting pitcher Brian Bannister. Brian Bannister has struggled this season. In fact, Brian Bannister has a 5.24 ERA on the season. In addition, Brian Bannister has a 9.92 ERA in his last 3 starts. We see Brian Bannister having another bad game today.
The Chicago White Sox will use starting pitcher John Danks. John Danks has been pitching very well this season. In fact, John Danks has a 2.67 ERA on the season. We see John Danks pitching another great game today.
The Chicago White Sox are 43-15 in their last 58 meetings against the Kansas City Royals (when playing in Chicago), and should be able to get another blowout win today!
Take the Chicago White Sox -1.5 Runs
JOHN FINA
Selection: Colorado Rockies -1.5 Runs +105
Today the Pittsburgh Pirates will be on the road as they take on the Colorado Rockies (the Colorado Rockies are 8-1 in their last 9 home games). We will side with the Colorado Rockies -1.5 Runs! One reason why we will side with the Colorado Rockies is beacuse they will be sending to the mound the much better starting pitcher. This says it all... The Pittsburgh Pirates Starting Pitcher (Zach Duke) has a 7.42 ERA in his last 3 starts, while Colorado Rockies Starting Pitcher (Aaron Cook) has a 3.22 ERA in his last 3 starts. To say the least, the Colorado Rockies should be able to get a blowout win today! Take the Colorado Rockies -1.5 Runs
MATT RIVERS
For Sunday take the Cubs in Houston
Ryan Dempster has not been the same pitcher on the road as at home and Brandon Backe is coming off of that gem in Washington but I do not believe that the Houston righthander will be able to repeat that feat here and will therefore back Dempster and the visitors from the Windy City.
I have no issues with the talented Astros as there is an upside there but all in all the Cubbies are the superior team, with or without the banged up Kerry Wood, and Dempster overall has been really good this season. The sinkerballer has had some issues on the highway but he is still more trustworthy to me than Backe.
Last time out the Houston starter was great in Washington but when push comes to shove Backe is a mediocre hurler who should come right back down to Earth here as the Law of averages kicks in showing what he is.
Look for Derrek Lee and Aramis Ramirez to get their hacks in and in the end Dempster to get another road victory.
JAKE TIMLIN
Sunday selection is the Colorado Rockies -1 1/2 Runs.
On the verge of a four game sweep the Rockies are in great shape for the sweep thanks to being at home and going with their ace in Cook. Yep already knowing how he was before his masterful All-Star performance it is Cook who gives the Rockies their best shot at winning on any given night. After all thanks to his 11-6 record that supports an ERA of 3.57 Cook looks good to get his 12th win tonight against a Pittsburgh team that has been blasted by the Rockies over the last 3 days by a combined score of 17-6 with all three games coming by 2 or more runs for Colorado. Flat out thanks to the Rockies having won 8 of their last 9 at home and going with their ace today I look for nothing less then a Rockies blowout win.
Colorado -1.5 Runs
TONY WESTON
The Mets and Reds let me down with the total yesterday, but I'm heading back to that series, but I'm switching gears as I'm going with New York to get over on Cincinnati.
New York comes into this game 6-4 its last 10 road games and is 13-5 its last 18 games overall.
But the main difference today will be Mets starting pitcher Mike Pelfrey, who is 8-6 this season with 3.64 ERA. Though Pelfrey has a 5.56 ERA on the road, he is 4-2 in eight road starts this year, while the Mets are 4-4 in those starts.
After the Mets went 0-4 in his first four starts away from home, they've gone 4-0 in his last four road starts. Also, over Pelfrey's last seven starts he is 6-0 with one no decision, while New York is a perfect 7-0.
Also, since the start of June, Pelfrey?s ERA has gone from 4.65 to its current 3.64.
Pencil in Pelfrey as your starting pitcher and go with the Mets on the road today.
3♦ METS
BOB HARVEY
CLEVELAND INDIANS
The Cleveland Indians have a huge pitching mismatch as they meet the Mariners in the rubber match of there three-game series. Not much has gone right for the Indians this season, but they've got a good chance to win nearly every time Cliff Lee takes the mound. Lee (12-2, 2.31 ERA) is tied for the AL lead in wins and is second in ERA. Those numbers earned him a start in Tuesday?s All-Star game, and he responded by striking out three and allowing one hit in two scoreless innings. Cleveland is 13-5 when Lee pitches, compared with a 29-49 record in all other games. He won his final start before the break July 11 by striking out seven in six innings of a 5-0 victory over Tampa Bay. Meanwhile the Mariners will go with Carlos Silva whose been as bad as Lee's been good. Silva is 4-11 overall with an ERA of 5.46. But since the beginning of May, he's 1-11 with a 6.93 ERA. His .317 opponent batting average for the year ranks among the five worst in the majors, not what the Mariners were hoping for when they signed him to a four-year, $48 million contract before the season.The right-hander has been a bit better recently, allowing two runs in three of his last four starts
Sportsbettingstats
Boston Red Sox at L.A. Angels
In yesterdays game between these two teams the Angels beat the Red Sox 4-2. The Angles have the best record in the majors, are in 1st place in the AL West with a 8 game lead over the Oakland A's, and are 7-3 in their last 10 games. The Red Sox are 5-5 in their last 10 games and trail the Tampa Bay Rays by 1.5 games in the AL East. Taking the mound for the Angels is Jon Garland (8-6 4.20 ERA), who has been a steady back end of the rotation starter for the Halos and in his last outing went 2 innings giving up 7 runs in a loss. In yesterdays win over the Red Sox the Angels scored 4 runs on 9 hits and left 5 men on base. Taking the mound for the Red Sox is the knuckle-ball master Tim Wakefield (6-6 3.60 ERA), who in his last outing went 7 innings giving up only 1 earned run in a win. In yesterdays loss to the Halos the Red Sox scored 2 runs on 8 hits and left 12 men on base.
Staff Pick: In this game the advantage in the pitching match up is a toss up, even though Wakefield had a better outing in his last start and Garland was shelled for 7 runs in only 2 innings in his last start. Wakefield has been rolling for almost 2 months, as he has a 2.13 ERA in his last 9 starts dating to late May, and he is coming off his best start of the season in that span, as he allowed 1 run and 2 hits in seven innings of a 12-1 win over the Orioles last Saturday. The Angels are cruising in the AL West and have the biggest lead of any division leader at 8 games. The Red Sox have lost 5 straight road games and even though they have the best home record in the majors (57-42) their record away from Fenway is only 21-31. The Halos have only allowed 9 runs in their last 4 games. In their last few games the Red Sox have been getting on base, but they have not been getting clutch hits, as can be shown in last nights game where they stranded 12 runners. Wakefield has had trouble against Angel superstar Vladimir Guerrero, who is 7/16 lifetime against him with 4 home runs. The Red Sox rank 2nd in the AL in runs scored (498) and the Angels rank 10th (420). The Red Sox need to start to win, as being mediocre in the AL East will not allow them to catch the Rays or stay ahead of the Yankees, who will surely make their 2nd half push. Wakefield is pitching well as of late, but the Halos will get to him as they are streaking and playing with a ton of confidence. Look for a close game but for the Angels to win in a game that will see a lot of offense from both teams.
Angels 9 Red Sox 7
VEGAS EXPERTS
Los Angeles Dodgers at Arizona Diamondbacks
Arizona got a much needed win yesterday behind Dan Haren and you have to like them again today with Brandon Webb on the hill. Webb is 9-3 all-time vs. the Dodgers and has won seven straight decisons against them, including a 4-0 mark last year with two shutouts. He also owns an 11-1 TSR against teams with a batting average of .255 or less on the season. Dodgers are just 1-4 in this ballpark in 2008.
Play on: Arizona