Bob Balfe
Mets -130 over Padres
Maine/Peavy
Brandon Lang
5 Dime Cardinals - Red-hot offense this early in the season means something, and in this matinee clash, you can expect to see the Redbirds continue their hot hitting against arch-rival Chicago, which has won four of the past five meetings. That streak won’t matter much, as St. Louis has scored in double digits twice in their last five games, and is averaging almost six runs per game. The Cardinals also stroll into Wrigley having won six of their last seven – including two of three in Arizona against a rather good staff. The Cubbies, meanwhile, have put up a mere six runs in their last two games after scoring 28 in their previous four. And if the Rockies can pull out a 5-2 win over Rich Harden, I don’t see any trouble with a bigger rival out of St. Louis getting it done today.
5 Dime Padres - San Diego traveled across the country to play in the inaugural game at Citi Field on the second of back-to-back nights, and still knocked off the Mets. Though New York did notch its first win at their new home in their latest game, tonight it gets to face San Diego-ace Jake Peavy, who is 4-2 with a respectable 3.32 ERA in nine career starts against the Mets. The 2007 NL Cy Young Award winner is 1-1 on the young season, and has posted a rather decent 3.52 ERA thus far. And dating back to last season, the Mets are a disappointing 1-4 in Maine’s last five starts, and 2-5 when he starts against a winning team. The Pads have won eight the last 11 meetings, so I’ll look for the road team to get it done tonight in this one.
5 Dime Giants - I know that Barry Zito had a disappointing start to the new season, but he is 5-4 with a 4.27 ERA in 10 starts against Los Angeles and even more impressive 3-1 with a 2.73 ERA at Dodger Stadium. And after being up late in last night’s game and failing to hold a two-run lead, the Giants will be fired up for their rivals tonight. The Giants also have the motivation of avoiding a six-game road trip without a win. Hey, I know we’re going against a four-game win streak, but Eric Stults? Against Barry Zito? Aaron Rowand is batting .375 and has belted a couple of homers, including one yesterday, and has 7 RBI. I think he’s going to have a field day with Stults tonight.
FREE - Mariners
Chris James Sports
2* Philadelphia Phillies -135
Allsportspicks
Bruins -220
Maddux Sports
Hockey
3 units on Montreal +200
3 units on Chicago -160
Insider Sports Report
4* Chicago White Sox (Danks) -120 over Tampa Bay (Niemann)
Range: +100 to -140
3* L.A. Angels (Saunders) -140 over Seattle (Jakubauskas)
Range: -125 to -160
3* St. Louis (Wainwright) -105 over Chicago Cubs (Marshall)
Range: +115 to -125
Elite Sports Picks
Chicago White Sox (Danks) -120 over Tampa Bay (Niemann)
Discount Sports Picks
5* Toronto (Halladay) -130 over Minnesota (Liriano)
5* Florida (Sanchez)/Atlanta (Kawakami) UNDER 9
Marc Lawrence
TORONTO BLUE JAYS
Tony George
TORONTO BLUE JAYS
Opposite Action Plays
CHICAGO WHITE SOX
Lenny Del Genio
ANAHEIM ANGELS
Rocketman Sports
TORONTO BLUE JAYS
Ron Raymond
CHICAGO BLACKHAWKS
Nick Parsons
Blue Jays/Twins Over