STEVE JANUS
PITTSBURGH PIRATES
The Nats are officially slumping and it's a great time to stare fading them. Over their last ten games overall, Washington is just 2-8. The Pirates aren't a traditional team to follow, but they've achieved a modest 19-15 record at home this season, more than enough to warrant a play against the struggling Nationals on Thursday.
JASON LOWRY
ST. LOUIS
ST. LOUIS is 25-15 against the money line against right-handed starters this season, and their starting pitcher PINEIRO is 10-3 against the money line as an underdog of +100 or higher over the last 2 seasons. While opposing starting pitcher ARROYO is just 8-21 against the money line in June games since 1997. Take the Cardinals!
JOHN FINA
Selection: San Francisco Giants -105
Today the San Francisco Giants will be on the road (the San Francisco Giants are 7-2 in their last 9 road games) as they take on the Colorado Rockies. We will side with the San Francisco Giants! One reason why we will side with the San Francisco Giants is because they will be sending to the mound the much better starting pitcher. This says it all... The San Francisco Giants Starting Pitcher (Jonathan Sanchez) has a 1.80 ERA in his last 3 starts, while Colorado Rockies Starting Pitcher (Greg Reynolds) has a 6.48 ERA in his last 3 starts. As you can see, the San Francisco Giants will have the much better starting pitcher on the mound. To say the least, the San Francisco Giants should be able to beat the Colorado Rockies today. Take the San Francisco Giants!
EZ Winners Thursday Early
1* Arizona (Haren Only)
2* Kansas City (Hurley & Bannister)
Computer Crushers Guaranteed Selections
5000 UNIT BASEBALL CRUSHER WINNER
Detroit -110
The Rock 5-0 so far in the EURO 2008 Soccer
Game #1
Germany -135.....Stronger of the 2 plays
Game #2
Poland +130
Dr Bob
I'll take Boston in a 3-Star Best Bet at +7 points or more and for 2-Stars at +6 1/2 or +6 points.
THE MILLER GROUP
Chicago White Sox @ Detroit Tigers
PICK: Under
REASON FOR PICK: This number is starting to drop so we'll get on the under while we can. In reality, we feel that this total should be sitting at a flat nine, so there is still plenty of value to be had. Look for strong performances from both veteran southpaws today.
Mark Buehrle has really been on his game lately, allowing three earned runs or less in four of his last five starts. In his last three outings against the Tigers he has worked 22 innings and allowed only five earned runs. With a solid, and rested bullpen behind him, we don't believe the Tigers are in for a big day at the plate.
Kenny Rogers has had an up and down season so far, but right now he is on the incline. He has lasted seven innings in each of his last three starts, and allowed a grand total of only 16 hits and three earned runs. In nine career starts against the White Sox as a Tiger, Rogers has seen only two games total more than 10 runs, and only three more than nine. The White Sox bats have been relatively quiet in this series, and they've struggled against lefties all season, hitting just .233 as a team.
We don't need a pitching duel to cash this ticket, but we might just get one anyway. Take the under.
BEN BURNS
Los Angeles Dodgers @ San Diego Padres
PICK: San Diego Padres
REASON FOR PICK: It doesn't matter if the Dodgers are swinging "red hot" bats, they've still never been able to hit Jake Peavy. Indeed, Peavy is an impressive 11-1 in 20 career starts vs. the Dodgers, recording a stellar 2.31 ERA and 1.014 WHIP. Last time they faced Peavy here at PetCo, the Dodgers were coming off a game in which they scored seven runs. Against Peavy, they managed only two hits (one run) the entire game! Including that start, the Padres' ace has a 1.46 ERA and 0.865 WHIP at home this season and is a perfect 5-0 with a 1.18 ERA in seven starts lifetime against them at Petco Park - all San Diego wins. Things figure to be even tougher for the Dodgers when they aren't swinging the bats very well. They scored just one run yesterday which marked the fifth time in their last 10 games in which they managed one run or less. With Kent (leads team in home runs) and Martin (leads team in average, tied for second in home runs) both potentially out of the starting lineup for the visitors, let's look for Peavy to make a triumphant return from the disabled list, continuing his domination in this series.
Consider a play on SAN DIEGO
Rocketman Sports
New York Yankees vs. Oakland Athletics
Play: Oakland Athletics
NY Yankees are 5-17 last 3 years when the total is 8 to 8 1/2. NY Yankees are 2-11 last 3 years on the road when the total is 8 to 8 1/2. NY Yankees are scoring only 4.5 runs per game overall and only 4.0 runs per game on the road this season. Oakland bullpen has a 3.09 ERA overall this year and a 2.52 ERA at home this season. Pettite has a 7.08 ERA his last 3 starts. Blanton has a 3.75 ERA at home this year. We'll recommend a small play on Oakland tonight!
The Experts Guaranteed Selections
ULTIMATE EXPERTS BASEBALL WINNER
Philadelphia w/Moyer -120
Jeff Alexander Sports
1 Unit on Cubs -135
The Braves have been awful on the road all season long so I don't think Soriano's absence in the lineup today will be enough to change the outcome in this one, especially with the Big Z on the hill. The Braves are 8-20 in their last 28 games as a road underdog, 8-24 in their last 32 road games vs. a right-handed starter, and 0-5 in their last 5 overall. The Cubs are 41-13 in their last 54 games as a home favorite, 10-2 in their last 12 games following a win, 8-3 in Zambrano's last 11 starts, and 11-5 in Zambrano's last 16 starts vs. the National League East. I won't list Hudson for the Braves because I like the Cubs regardless if he goes or not, but it is worth mentioning that the Braves are just 1-6 in his last 7 starts vs. a team with a winning record. Take the Cubbies.
Priceless Picks
1 Unit on Cincinnati Reds -122
This is a big bounce back spot for the Reds after getting crushed 10-0 yesterday. Without Pujols in the lineup, the Cards are not going to consistently be able to put up this many runs. The Reds have dropped the first two games of this series and I like them to salvage a win in game 3. The Reds are 10-2 in their last 12 home games vs. a team with a winning record and 12-3 in their last 15 home games. The Reds are also 7-3 in Arroyo's last 10 home starts vs. a team with a winning record. Bet the Reds at home.
BETTORSWORLD
GIANTS +105
CARDS +127
MARLINS +115
CHISOX +100
Info Plays
3* on Pittsburgh Pirates -133
We cashed in Pittsburgh as out 10* Info Play on the premium card last night and we’ll take the Pirates again as a free play Thursday. The Washington Nationals are playing without 4 starters in the field in 3B Ryan Zimmerman, 1B Nick Johnson, OF Austin Kearns and C Paul Lo Duca and they simply aren’t the same team without all of these guns. We will Play Against - Road teams when the money line is +125 to -125 (WASHINGTON) - with a bad bullpen that blows 38% or more of their save opportunities against opponent with a starting pitcher whose ERA is 5.70 or worse on the season (NL). This is a 132-62 ML System hitting 66.1% since 1997. Even better, Play Against - Road teams when the money line is +125 to -125 (WASHINGTON) - with a bad bullpen that blows 38% or more of their save opportunities against opponent with a starting pitcher whose ERA is 6.70 or worse on the season (NL). This is a red hot 66-17 ML System hitting 79.5% since 1997. So the Nationals have a terrible starter in Jason Bergmann going and a sub-par bullpen. This is a losing combination tonight. Bet the Pirates at home.