Bobby Maxwell
Chicago Cubs +145 at TAMPA BAY
Improved to 18-9 with our last 27 days of FREE plays when the D'Backs destroyed the A's on Wednesday. Today we've got a complimentary selection on the Cubs as they take on the Rays in Tampa Bay.
Can the Rays sweep the Cubs out of Tampa Bay? These two have played two tight games in this series as Tampa has won 3-2 and 5-4. We don't think the sweep is there and we're playing the Cubs to get the road win in this one.
Sean Gallagher (3-3, 4.54 ERA) is on the mound for Chicago tonight against the Rays' James Shields (4-5, 3.91). Gallagher has given up three runs or less in five of his first seven big-league starts. He lasted five innings in both of his last two starts, giving up a total of five runs on 10 hits and looked poised even though the Cubs lost both outings at the Dodgers and at Toronto.
Shields hasn't pitched since June 10 when he gave up six runs on 10 hits in eight innings of a 6-1 loss to the Angels. He was suspended for fighting during the Rays' brawl with the Red Sox earlier this month.
Even with losses in the first two games of this series, the Cubs are on a 26-12 roll overall and 6-3 in their last nine. They haven't had a three-game losing streak all season and it won't start tonight. We're playing Lou Pinella's boys to at least get him one win against his old team. Play Chicago.
3* CHICAGO CUBS
PlusLineSports Daily Baseball Selection
NYY -1.5
Players of America
Los Angeles Dodgers vs. Cincinnati Reds
The Play: Cincinnati Reds -170.0
3* (30 Units)
Cleveland Indians vs. Colorado Rockies
The Play: Cleveland Indians +115.0
Star Value: 1* (10 Units)
Chicago Cubs vs. Tampa Bay Rays
The Play: Under 9.0
Star Value: 1* (10 Units)
Pittsburgh Pirates vs. Chicago White Sox
The Play: Pittsburgh Pirates +140.0
Star Value: 1* (10 Units)
WILD BILL
Under 9 Dodgers-Reds (1 unit)
Under 9 Padres-Yankees (2 units)
Under 11 Braves-Rangers (1 unit)
White Sox -155 (2 units)
Blue Jays -115 (1 unit)
Under 8 1/2 A's-D-backs (1 unit)
Over 10 Orioles-Astros (1 unit)
Rays -160 (2 units)
VEGAS SPORTS PICS
Atlanta -105*
Arizona +100*
Houston +115*
JEFF BENTON
For Thursday, well look at some real early baseball action and play the Reds on the run-line (-1.5 runs) against the Dodgers.
First off, I just dont see Cincinnati getting swept by this mediocre, banged-up Dodgers club, which had lost five straight games and 17 of 23 prior to arriving in Ohio. In fact, L.A. hasnt won three in a row since sweeping the Reds in Los Angeles from May 19-21.
Mostly, though, I like the Reds because theyre handing the ball to ace Aaron Harang in this one, while the Dodgers were forced to call up rookie lefty Eric Stults because of injuries to starters Brad Penny and Hiroki Kuroda. Harang bounced back from his worst start of the season at Florida and dominated the mighty Red Sox on Friday, allowing a single run on four hits in seven innings, walking none and striking out seven in a 3-1 home victory. Harang has been money at home this year (3.40 ERA) and, despite a 1-3 record, hes shined in day games (2.98 ERA in seven starts).
Meanwhile, Stults hasnt pitched in the big leagues since late September, and he went 1-4 with a 5.82 ERA in 12 games (five starts) last season. Throw in the fact that the Reds are hitting left-handed pitching very well at home this year (.298 team average) and are 14-7 in their last 21 as a favorite, and its obvious why Cincy is such a big favorite today. But rather than lay the big price, take the Reds on the run-line and look for a comfortable multi-run win by the home team.
4* REDS -1½
MATT RIVERS
For Thursday take the Royals at Busch.
I am certainly not going to call this a value as the Cardinals have been the better team this season when compared with the Royals, with ot without the great Albert Pujols but I will take my chances here today on the visitors from Kansas City with the much much better pitcher.
Zach Greinke started the season in fine fashion and then seemed to tail off a little. But that last start in Arizona was awesome and the righty appears to be back on the right track. Opposing Greinke is Anthony Reyes who will be making his first start of the season. I have always liked the potential of Reyes as he has at times had electric stuff but last season was a total abortion as the guy had lost it a bit losing game after game after game.
Could Reyes show his potential here? I guess there is a small chance of that but if the Redbirds were to have a chance he has to as Greinke should be more than ok today against the Pujols-less Cardinals, even on the road.
The Royals have been pretty good of late as this kid Mike Aviles has made a big splash, David DeJesus has been on fire and a few others like Mark Teahan, Mark Grudzielanek, etc. are not that bad at all.
Big-time pitching advantage for us here and it may sound crazy but I like the Royals here on the road!
STEVE MERRIL
Chicago Cubs @ Tampa Bay Rays
PICK: Tampa Bay Rays
The Cubs have been a much stronger team at home this season, 29-8 SU, compared to just 16-19 SU on the road. The biggest difference has come offensively and the Cubs have been particularly weak against right-handed pitchers, averaging just 4.2 runs and batting only .249 versus RHP away from home.
Chicago scored just 4 runs last night and should struggle again tonight against Tampa?s James Shields who has pitched extremely well this season with a powerful 69-17 strikeout/walk ratio and a solid 1.18 WHIP in his 14 starts. Shields has been especially strong at home with a 1.72 ERA and 0.86 WHIP and a 6-1 SU team record and an incredible 39-8 strikeout/walk ratio this season, and my pitcher performance ratings predict a strong bounce-back effort for Shields tonight after back-to-back road losses.
Kyle Baugues
3* Atlanta Braves/Morton -104
3* St. Louis Cardinals/Reyes -104
3* Chicago Cubs/Tampa Bay Rays UNDER 8.5
JOHN FINA
Cleveland/Colorado Over 10.5
Today we expect a high-scoring game as the Cleveland Indians do battle with the Colorado Rockies. One reason why we expect a high-scoring game is because both these teams will send to the mound struggling starting pitchers. This says it all... The Cleveland Indians Starting Pitcher (Jeremy Sowers) has a 7.23 ERA this season, while Colorado Rockies Starting Pitcher (Jorge De La Rosa) has a 6.89 ERA this season. As you can see, both these starting pitchers will give up many runs today. We expect to see another high-scoring game today! Take the Cleveland Indians/Colorado Rockies Over 10.5!
SPORTS KINGZ
MINNESOTA -150
TORONTO -125
WHITE SOX -155
BALTIMORE -130
Roco Spacamuro
100** Portugal
JB's Computer Plays
Minnesota Twins -140
Chicago White Sox -160
Baltimore Orioles -130
VEGAS EXPERTS
Chicago Cubs at Tampa Bay Rays
The Cubs are a perfect 9-0 this season if coming off back to back losses and despite the oddsmakers opinion on this matchup, we like them to get the job done tonight in Tampa. Rays starter James Shields is coming off consecutive poor outings where his team was outscored by a combined 13-2 margin. With the Cub bats having been silent thus far in the series, we look for MLB's best offense to rediscover itself and salvage a win in this three game set.
Play on: Chicago Cubs
Matt Fargo
Atlanta Braves vs. Texas Rangers
Play: Atlanta Braves
Atlanta recorded a win in Texas last night to get the road winning on the right track once again. We all know the Braves are the worst road team in baseball as their 11-26 record shows but they have been playing better. They have won four of their last six away from home after getting swept in Chicago. Atlanta has a 3.93 ERA over its last 10 games so the pitching has been the key part of the turnaround. The solid pitching has been contagious as Atlanta is 13-6 in its last 19 games after allowing two runs or less.
Texas meanwhile has dropped four of six and while it is just a game under .500, its 18-17 record at home is nothing to be intimidated by. The pitching has been the problem as the team ERA is now at 5.06 on the season which is worst in the American League and worst in baseball. It is a combination of the starting pitching with a 4.92 ERA and the bullpen with a 5.26 ERA. The offense has had to carry the load but even that is struggling now with just four rpg being scored over the last five games.
The good pitching for Atlanta has come from surprise places with both Tom Glavine and John Smoltz on the shelf. We can add Charlie Morton to that list. His Major League debut was solid as he allowed three runs in six innings in a win against the Angels and posting a quality start. Don’t think it was a fluke as this kid is the real deal as he posted a 2.05 ERA while going 4-2 in 12 starts at Richmond. His 6’4” frame allows a lot of heat as well as a devastating curveball.
Scott Feldman is coming off his worst start of the season and that is saying a lot since there has been some bad ones. After starting the season with four straight quality outings, his ERA has risen from 3.45 to 4.84 thanks to allowing five runs or more in three of his last five outings. He has an ERA of 6.30 over this five games span with the Rangers going 0-5 in those games. Texas is 1-8 in his nine starts on the season and the offense has mustered just 3.7 rpg in those outings. Play Atlanta Braves 1.5 Units