SPORTS ADVISORS
NATIONAL LEAGUE
L.A. Dodgers (34-17) at Chicago Cubs (25-23)
The Dodgers conclude their four-game series at Wrigley Field when they hand the ball to southpaw Eric Milton (1-0, 3.00) while the Cubs counter with fellow lefty Sean Marshall (3-3, 3.70) in a nationally televised contest.
Chicago lost Thursday’s series-opener 2-1 but has come back to win the last two by scores of 2-1 on Friday and 7-0 on Saturday. The Cubs have followed up an eight-game losing skid by winning four of their last five, and they’re 12-4 in their last 16 at Wrigley Field. Lou Pineilla’s squad is on further upticks of 17-7 on Sunday, 36-17 at home against southpaw starters and 7-3 in the fourth game of a series.
Los Angeles has dropped consecutive games for just the third time this month and the first time since May 10 and 12. The Dodgers are still 57-29 in their last 86 games dating to last year, including 20-9 in the last 29. Additionally, Joe Torre’s squad is on runs of 5-2 on the highway, 9-5 against the N.L. Central, 20-8 against southpaw starters and 7-3 against teams with a winning record.
Despite losing the last two days, L.A. is still 6-3 in its last nine against the Cubs, including sweeping last year’s best-of-5 playoff series.
Milton earned his first major-league victory since September 2006 on Tuesday at Colorado, limiting the Rockies to a run on seven hits over five innings en route to a 7-1 win. In his first start with Los Angeles on May 16 in Florida, the veteran lefty pitched just four innings, yielding two runs on two hits and four walks, getting a no-decision in his team’s 6-3 loss.
Marshall dominated Pittsburgh on Tuesday, giving up just a run on four hits in five innings in a 6-1 home victory, improving to 2-1 with a 3.70 ERA at Wrigley Field this year. Marshall is 2-1 with a 3.00 ERA in his last three trips to the mound overall, but despite this recent surge, with Marshall pitching the Cubs are still in funks of 7-19 overall, 1-6 at Wrigley, 3-13 versus winning teams, 1-5 against the N.L. West and 2-5 on Sunday.
Milton is 3-3 with a hefty 6.35 ERA in 12 career starts against the Cubs, including 3-1 with a 6.70 ERA in eight starts at Wrigley, where he’s surrendered 14 home runs in 43 innings. Meanwhile, in two career starts against the Dodgers (both in 2006), Marshall gave up nine runs (five earned) in 8 2/3 innings (5.19 ERA), with Chicago winning both games (5-4 on the road and 9-8 at home).
The Dodgers have topped the total in six straight Sunday games, while the Cubs are 5-1 “over” in their last six on Sunday. Otherwise, though, Chicago is on “under” pushes of 5-0 overall (all at home), 5-1 against the N.L. West, 20-8-1 with Marshall pitching, 5-1 when Marshall goes up against the N.L. West and 8-0 when Marshall works on Sunday.
Finally, the under is 10-4 in the last 14 Dodgers-Cubs clashes and 7-2 in the past nine battles in the Friendly Confines (3-0 in this series).
ATS ADVANTAGE: UNDER
AMERICAN LEAGUE
Boston (28-22) at Toronto (29-23)
These A.L. East rivals wrap up a three-game series at the Rogers Centre, with the Blue Jays gunning for the sweep when they send rookie Ricky Romero (2-1, 3.08) to the hill opposite struggling Jon Lester (3-5, 6.07) in a battle of southpaws.
The Blue Jays snapped a nine-game losing skid with Friday’s 6-3 win over Boston, then rallied for Saturday’s 5-3 victory. Toronto has won six straight and 15 of 19 in Canada and is 45-21 at Rogers Centre dating to last year, and Cito Gaston’s club is also 5-1 in its last six on Sunday. However, the Jays remain in slumps of 2-8 against A.L. East foes and 2-6 against teams with a winning record.
Boston is just 3-6 in its last nine games and 3-8 in its last 11 on the road (2-4 on its current trip), but the Red Sox are still on positive streaks of 13-6 against winning teams, 4-2 against the A.L. East and 10-4 versus left-handed starters.
The Red Sox are on a 6-3 roll against the Blue Jays, but they’ve now dropped 10 of their last 14 in Canada. In fact, the host has won all five meetings between these clubs this year and eight of 10 dating to 2008.
Lester’s inconsistency continued Monday at Minnesota as he pitched five scoreless innings before imploding in the sixth and he finished allowing five runs in six frames, losing 5-2. Lester is 1-3 with a 7.66 ERA in his last four starts (0-2, 7.71 ERA on the road).
With Lester pitching, Boston carries streaks of 4-0 against winning teams, 8-2 on Sunday, 4-1 against A.L. East rivals and 13-3 in the third game of a series, but it is 3-7 in his last 10 road starts. On the season, Lester is 1-3 with a 7.04 ERA as a visitor. However, his best start in the past month came against the Blue Jays at home on May 21, allowing a run on eight hits in 6 1/3 innings en route to a 5-1 victory, improving to 2-2 with a 3.52 ERA in six career starts vs. Toronto.
Romero went 2-0 with a 1.71 ERA in three starts in April (2-0, 1.38 ERA in two home starts). However, he got roughed up in his return to the rotation Tuesday at Baltimore, giving up five runs on 11 hits in 5 1/3 innings of a 7-2 loss. Overall, Romero has 16 strikeouts against just five walks in 26 1/3 innings in the big leagues.
The over is 13-7 in Boston’s last 20 games against lefty starters, but otherwise the Sox are on “under” stretches of 12-3-1 overall (5-0 last five, all on the road), 8-1-1 on the road, 11-2-1 on Sunday, 7-2 against winning clubs and 4-1 when Lester works on Sunday. Likewise, Toronto is on “under” runs of 7-2 at home, 10-3 versus divisional foes (5-1 last six) and 4-0 in Romero’s first four major-league starts. Lastly, the under is on a 7-2 roll in this rivalry.
ATS ADVANTAGE: UNDER
Craig Trapp
Los Angeles Dodgers vs. Chicago Cubs
Play: Chicago Cubs
Great day yesterday as Craig continues his MLB HOT STREAK!! 2-0 yesterday nailing both his 5 star and Free MLB R/L winners!! Today Craig will keep up his hot MLB streak (16-6 the last two weeks) with his 5 star Diamond Play of Week. Today's free play from Craig will be in the ESPN Sunday Night Game. Lets look at today's free winner.
Records
LA Dodgers 34-17, 16-12 away (Milton 1-0, 3.00 ERA)
Chicago Cubs 25-23, 16-9 home (Marshall (3-3, 3.70 ERA)
Betting Trends
-Dodgers are 5-2 in their last 6 road games.
-Dodgers are 4-2 in the last 5 meetings.
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-Cubs are 5-1 in their last 5 home games vs. a team with a winning road record.
-Cubs are 11-4 in their last 15 home games.
The Cubs have improved there play as of late and playing the best team in the West (LAD) has brought out the best in them. The last three days has seen the Cubs shut down the most explosive team in MLB only giving up three runs in three games. Lucky for the LAD that they won game one 2-1 but the last two days they have been dominated. Pitching for the Dodgers today is Eric Milton who is 1-0 in three starts but historically he has over a 7.00 ERA vs CHC. The Cubs pitcher will be Marshall who has been very good the last three starts giving up only 2 runs average and lasting 5 innings on average. Love the CUBS to keep up the winning at home and keep the bats of the LAD struggling. SCORE CHC 6 - LAD 2
Marc Lawrence
Play On: St. Louis w/Wainwright vs. Sanchez
The Cardinals and Giants conclude their three games series in San Francisco when Adam Wainwright opposes Jonathan Sanchez at AT&T Park this afternoon. Wainwright has been like money in the bank lately for the Redbirds, having won 14 of his last 18 team starts, including 8 of his last 9 road efforts. O the flip side, Sanchez has dropped 16 of his last 20 team starts. With Wainwright in commanding KW form with 3 walks and 23 strikeouts in his last three starts, we'll back the better team and the better arm here today.
Jeff Benton
Florida +125 at N.Y. METS
We scored an easy 7♦ free-play winner with the Marlins over the Mets on Saturday, and we’ll jump right back on that horse Sunday and back the Fish in this series finale from Citi Field.
Florida sends hard-throwing right-hander Chris Volstad to the mound in this one, and before we get to Volstad’s particulars, I must note that once again a Marlins pitcher will be facing a depleted Mets lineup. Not only are Carlos Delgado and Jose Reyes on the disabled list, but Carlos Beltran is dealing with a lower leg injury that has had him sidelined frequently in the last week (Beltran started yesterday’s game, but had to come out in the fifth inning after aggravating the injury).
You take the Nos. 1, 3 and 4 hitters out of any lineup, and that team is going to be hurting for offense. And if you eliminate a three-game sweep of the crappy Nationals this week in which they scored a total of 18 runs, the Mets have produced three runs or fewer in seven of their past nine games. Now they have to deal with Volstad, whom New York struggled against twice last year even with Reyes, Beltran and Delgado on the field.
Last August in Florida, Volstad gave up a run on five hits in 6 1/3 innings, but his bullpen didn’t back him up and New York prevailed 5-4. Then a month later in the final weekend at Shea Stadium and the Mets gunning for a playoff berth, Volstad again allowed just one run (unearned) and five hits in six innings en route to a 6-1 victory. That gives him a 0.73 ERA in two starts against the Mets.
Today, Volstad matches up against John Maine. Both right-handers have 4-3 records, but Volstad has the superior ERA (3.69 vs. 4.18) and WHIP (1.13 vs. 1.39). Volstad is also 2-1 with a 3.19 ERA in five road starts, four of which Florida has won. Throw in the fact that Florida has won six of Volstad’s last seven road starts dating to last season and is 4-1 in his last five outings as an underdog, I’ll take a shot with the visitor.
3♦ FLORIDA
Bobby Maxwell
Boston -115 at TORONTO
FREE winners the last two nights on the diamond, including Saturday's winner with the Brewers at home over the Reds. Today we've got another one for you as we play the Red Sox in Toronto taking on the Blue Jays.
The Red Sox will not get swept in Toronto and look for them to get a superb outing from lefty Jon Lester (3-5, 6.07 ERA) toda in Canada. The Blue Jays have taken the first two games of this series, rallying for a 5-3 win on Saturday.
Lester has been on the verge of throwing one of his classic gems, including Monday in Minnesota when he threw five scoreless innings but imploded in the sixth and allowed five runs in six frames, losing 5-2. With Lester on the hill, Boston is on streaks of 4-0 against winning teams, 8-2 on Sunday, 4-1 against A.L. East rivals and 13-3 in the third game of a series.
Lester's best start in the last month came on May 21 when he held the Blue Jays to one run on eight hits in 6 1/3 innings and got a 5-1 win. He's got a 3.52 ERA in six career starts against Toronto.
Ricky Romero (2-1, 3.08 ERA) is on the mound for the Blue Jays and he's coming off a rough outing Tuesday in Baltimore when he allowed five runs on 11 hits in 5 1/3 innings of a 7-2 loss.
Boston's offense will get to Romero today and they'll get out of Canada with at least one game in this three-game set. Play the Red Sox.
4♦ BOSTON
Red Dog Sports
San Diego at Colorado
Play: Over 10
These two played an 8-7 game yesterday and the Rockies have played 15 overs, 6 unders and a push in their last 22 home games. Gaudin has an ERA of 6.89 in his last 3 while De La Rosa's ERA is 9.64 in his last 3. Look for another high scoring game on Sunday!
DAVE COKIN
WASHINGTON NATIONALS / PHILADELPHIA PHILLIES
Take PHILADELPHIA PHILLIES
It's been a very rough campaign thus far for Jamie Moyer, but things may be looking up slightly for the old pro. The southpaw has had improved command in his last couple starts, so if there's a breakthrough coming, it could be here. John Lannan has awful numbers against Philly, he's struggled on the road, and considering the differential between these teams, I think the Phllies are actually a bit underpriced today. Play the home team.
JIM FEIST
WASHINGTON NATIONALS / PHILADELPHIA PHILLIES
Take OVER
The Phillies are in the thick of things in the NL East, just behind the Mets. As strange as it sounds, the Nationals have the fourth best batting average in the NL (.267) and are just ahead of the Phillies (.264). However, the Nats pitching is dead last with a 5.67 ERA and whopping 1.637 WHIP. Jamie Moyer's days in the majors are definitely numbered. Moyer is having a horrible season for the World Champion Phillies. The veteran southpaw is 3-5 on the season with a 7.42 ERA in nine starts. John Lannan hasn't been much better with a 2-4 record and 4.11 ERA for the Nationals. In fact, the Phils have hammered Lannan hard in his young career. Lannan is 0-4 lifetime against Philly with a 5.97 ERA. Don't expect much of a pitching duel today as both teams can hit for average and power while the Nats pitching is just terrible. Moyer is well past his good days so expect a lot of runs here on Sunday.
DUNKEL
Boston at Toronto
The Blue Jays go for the sweep and look to take advantage of Boston's 3-7 record in Jon Lester's last 10 road starts. Toronto is the underdog pick (+110) according to Dunkel, which has the Blue Jays favored by 1. Dunkel Pick: Toronto (+110).
Game 951-952: Florida at NY Mets
Dunkel Ratings: Florida (Volstad) 15.256; NY Mets (Maine) 16.262
Dunkel Line: NY Mets by 1; 7 1/2
Vegas Line: NY Mets (-145); 8 1/2
Dunkel Pick: NY Mets (-145); Under
Game 953-954: Washington at Philadelphia
Dunkel Ratings: Washington (Lannan) 14.507; Philadelphia (Moyer) 14.164
Dunkel Line: Washington by 1/2; 10
Vegas Line: Philadelphia (-150); 10 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Washington (+140); Under
Game 955-956: Houston at Pittsburgh
Dunkel Ratings: Houston (Hampton) 12.974; Pittsburgh (Maholm) 14.472
Dunkel Line: Pittsburgh by 1 1/2; 8
Vegas Line: Pittsburgh (-140); 8 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Pittsburgh (-140); Under
Game 957-958: Cincinnati at Milwaukee
Dunkel Ratings: Cincinnati (Owings) 14.950; Milwaukee (Gallardo) 16.402
Dunkel Line: Milwaukee by 1 1/2; 8 1/2
Vegas Line: Milwaukee (-210); 8
Dunkel Pick: Milwaukee (-210); Over
Game 959-960: San Diego at Colorado
Dunkel Ratings: San Diego (Gaudin) 15.007; Colorado (De La Rosa) 16.190
Dunkel Line: Colorado by 1; 10 1/2
Vegas Line: Colorado (-150); 10
Dunkel Pick: Colorado (-150); Over
Game 961-962: St. Louis at San Francisco
Dunkel Ratings: St. Louis (Wainwright) 15.445; San Francisco (Sanchez) 16.442
Dunkel Line: San Francisco by 1; 7
Vegas Line: St. Louis (-160); 7 1/2
Dunkel Pick: San Francisco (+150); Under
Game 963-964: Atlanta at Arizona
Dunkel Ratings: Atlanta (Medlen) 15.357; Arizona (Scherzer) 14.160
Dunkel Line: Atlanta by 1; 10
Vegas Line: Arizona (-165); 9 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Atlanta (+155); Over
Game 965-966: LA Dodgers at Chicago Cubs
Dunkel Ratings: LA Dodgers (Milton) 15.433; Cubs (Marshall) 16.689
Dunkel Line: Chicago Cubs by 1 1/2; 10
Vegas Line: Chicago Cubs (-130); No Run Line
Dunkel Pick: Chicago Cubs (-130); N/A
Game 967-968: NY Yankees at Cleveland
Dunkel Ratings: NY Yankees (Hughes) 16.366; Cleveland (Pavano) 16.718
Dunkel Line: Cleveland by 1/2; 10
Vegas Line: NY Yankees (-120); 10 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Cleveland (+110); Under
Game 969-970: Boston at Toronto
Dunkel Ratings: Boston (Lester) 14.263; Toronto (Romero) 15.362
Dunkel Line: Toronto by 1; 8
Vegas Line: Boston (-120); 9 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Toronto (+110); Under
Game 971-972: Minnesota at Tampa Bay
Dunkel Ratings: Minnesota (Blackburn) 15.451; Tampa Bay (Garza) 16.707
Dunkel Line: Tampa Bay by 1 1/2; 9 1/2
Vegas Line: Tampa Bay (-170); 8 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Tampa Bay (-170); Over
Game 973-974: Detroit at Baltimore
Dunkel Ratings: Detroit (Jackson) 16.340; Baltimore (Berken) 15.062
Dunkel Line: Detroit by 1 1/2; 10
Vegas Line: Detroit (-115); 9 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Detroit (-115); Over
Game 975-976: Chicago White Sox at Kansas City
Dunkel Ratings: White Sox (Danks) 14.684; Kansas City (Greinke) 14.577
Dunkel Line: Chicago White Sox by 1/2; 7
Vegas Line: Kansas City (-175); 8
Dunkel Pick: Chicago White Sox (+165); Under
Game 977-978: Oakland at Texas
Dunkel Ratings: Oakland (Braden) 14.066; Texas (Millwood) 16.519
Dunkel Line: Texas by 2 1/2; 10 1/2
Vegas Line: Texas (-165); 9 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Texas (-165); Over
Game 979-980: Seattle at LA Angels
Dunkel Ratings: Seattle (Olson) 14.645; LA Angels (Santana) 15.913
Dunkel Line: LA Angels by 1 1/2; 10
Vegas Line: LA Angels (-175); 9
Dunkel Pick: LA Angels (-175); Over
NHL
Pittsburgh at Detroit
The Penguins look to bounce back from yesterday's 3-1 loss and build on their 41-18 record in their last 59 games after scoring 2 goals or less in the previous contest. Pittsburgh is the underdog pick (+120) according to Dunkel, which has the Penguins favored by 1. Dunkel Pick: Pittsburgh (+120).
Game 3-4: Pittsburgh at Detroit
Dunkel Ratings: Pittsburgh 14.538; Detroit 13.574
Dunkel Line & Total: Pittsburgh by 1; 4 1/2
Vegas Line & Total: Detroit (-140); 5 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Pittsburgh (+120); Under
MTi Sports
Seattle Mariners at Los Angeles Angels
Seattle is 0-16 on the road as a dog of more than 130 when they blew a lead in their starter’s last start and lost as a dog and the Angels are 9-0 with Santana when he went less than five innings in his last start, as long as they weren’t a dog of more than 150 in that start. Also LA is 7-0 in the last game a home series and the Mariners are 0-10 when they are off a win in which they came back from a deficit. Consider laying the big number.
Play on: LA Angels
Steve Merril
Oakland Athletics vs. Texas Rangers
Play: Over 9.5
Solid line value in this game as my power ratings predict 10.8 runs and my pitcher performance rating indicate a below average outing for both starting pitchers. Texas is also a strong offensive team at home this season where they average 6.0 runs per game and bat .285 as a team. Texas starter Kevin Millwood had a strong April, but it appears he is starting to weaken as he has struggled in his past two starts, allowing 7 runs in just 13.7 innings with a negative 6-8 strikeout/walk ratio
LT Profits
Atlanta Braves @ Arizona Diamondbacks
Young Max Scherzer is in peak form for the Arizona Diamondbacks, while Kris Medlen improved noticeably in his second start for the Atlanta Braves, so look for both youngsters to have success this afternoon.
Scherzer has reeled off three straight Quality Starts, allowing a total of five runs in 19 innings over those outings. Most impressive however is the fact that he had 20 strikeouts in his last two starts (1o strikeouts on each occasion) against only two walks! Scherzer has an electric arm, and if he can maintain this kind of control, he will be a force in the Arizona rotation for many years to come.
Now Medlen was horrible in his Major League debut, but he did improve to allow four runs on only four hits in 5.1 innings in his second start, and he may be in line for a Quality Start today with normal improvement. After all, he really had only one bad inning vs. the Giants on Tuesday, and he know that this may be his last chance to stick in the Atlanta rotation.
Finally, the Arizona offense has been very erratic all year, which is anther reason why the Under is 10-4 in the last 14 starts that Scherzer has made. Add in the fact the Braves are only batting .235 vs. right-handers the last 10 games themselves, and we simply do not see this game hitting double-digits.
Pick: Braves/Diamondbacks Under 9.5
Sports Gambling Hotline
NY Yankees -130 at CLEVELAND
We are on a 10-5-1 comp play run the last 16 days!
In case you are unaware, the Yankees are finally playing up to their vaunted team salary, as Joe Girardi's team has taken the first 2 of this 4 game set at Progressive Field, and they have won 14 of their last 17 overall.
Have to ride New York once again today, as Phil Hughes has won his last pair of starts, and is coming off 8 scoreless at Texas. Expect Hughes to master the Cleveland lineup, and for the Yanks to hammer their former teammate Carl Pavano.
Yes, Pavano did a respectable job back in April, holding New York to just 1 run in 6 innings at the new Yankee Stadium, but back then the Yankees were struggling to find traction. Right now, the Bronx Bombers are living up to their name, and we like them to rough up the Tribe once again today.
Play on New York to continue their winning streak.
5♦ NY YANKEES
Karl Garrett
Los Angeles at CUBS -135
The G-Man's comp play run stands at 9-3 the last 12 days!
Baseball action tonight, and we like the host Cubs to make it 3 in a row over the visiting Dodgers.
Los Angeles won the Thursday opener at Wrigley, but has dropped the last pair of weekend meetings, and with Eric Milton on the hill, look for the dormant Cubs' bats to get healthy.
Chicago is making up for their recent losing streak, and starter Sean Marshall has been able to go 2-1 over his last 3 starts.
Expect Marshall to give Lou Piniella 6 soild innings, and that will be long enough for the Cubs to break through against Milton, and the LA pen.
The Dodgers have done far better than expected in Manny Ramirez' absence, and my feeling is they are due for an extended losing streak, especially on the road.
Take the Cubs.
1♦ CUBS
Drew Gordon
Houston at PITTSBURGH -135
That's 4 straight Free Play winners with the Tigers over Orioles 6-3 Saturday! Part of my 3-0 SWEEP (free & paid plays) across the board yesterday! We keep it rolling Sunday, with yet another FREE winner on the Diamond...
Two southpaws square off today at PNC Park, and maybe if this was 5 years ago, I'd be inclined to back Mike Hampton... But since that's not the case, I'll happily take Paul Maholm in this spot. Why? Well, for starters, he's 2-0 with a stellar 1.98 ERA at home this season! I know full well he's had a couple rough starts of late, but those were on the highway. In fact, his last home start was a real gem, tossing 7 scoreless against the Rockies May 15th!
Meanwhile Hampton has been a disaster of late, going 1-1 with an ugly 7.20 ERA over his last 3 starts. He was especially bad in his last one, getting knocked around for 5 runs on 8 hits over 5 innings against the Rangers at home. Although he does have a nice win over the Pirates already this year, I'm still not convinced... That start was back in April, and since then Hampton has steadily declined.
Finally, although neither team is playing well, at the very least the Pirates are at home, where they sport a winning record & happen to hit lefties particularly well. Pittsburgh averages a hearty 5.4 runs per game against lefties at PNC Park this season, and getting a second crack at the struggling Hampton today is exactly what they need to get back on track. In the end, the Bucs protect their house, as Maholm bounces back nicely at home in this one!
Take Pittsburgh behind Maholm over Houston and Hampton in this MLB match up.
3♦ PITTSBURGH