Scott Rickenbach
Chicago Cubs @ Tampa Bay Rays
PICK: Tampa Bay Rays
The Rays are a little pricier than the range we like to use on favorites in baseball but we’ll use them in this spot tonight as a free pick. The key here is the home/road dichotomy of these clubs and these hurlers. While James Shields has been simply dominant at home AGAIN this season, the Cubs Sean Gallagher is 0-3 on the road with a 5.79 ERA so far this season. The Cubs are below .500 on the road this season while the Rays have won nine straight series at home. Overall, Tampa Bay has won 24 of their last 28 games at home.
Considering that 86% winning run over 28 games there is definitely value with the Rays in this moderate price range tonight. This is especially true when you factor in that Shields is on the mound for Tampa Bay. He's pitched so well at Tropicana Field and this price range is quite fair for backing him in this spot. Keep in mind that the Rays bullpen has also performed well so far in this series but, with Shields on the bump, they may not be needed much tonight! The Rays notch yet another home win here. Play Tampa Bay
Black Widow Sports
1* on Texas Rangers -105
The Texas Rangers are a solid free play at home tonight against the Braves. Texas will be hungry to get back into the win column after blowout a 2-2 tie to the Braves in the 9th inning to lose late. Atlanta is just 11-26 on the road this season so you can see how rare this road victory was. The Braves are scoring just 3.9 runs per game on the road, while the Rangers are scoring 6.0 runs per game at home. Scott Feldman is undefeated in 5 home starts with a 2.53 ERA for Texas. Take the Rangers behind Feldman on the Money Line.
JEFFERSONSPORTS
EARLY RELEASE MLB FOR THURS
MINNESOTA-136
CINCINATTI-170
COLORADO-125
Adding
Texas-106
Matty O´Shea
Today's Pick: TAMPA BAY RAYS (runline)
The Cubs have not three straight games all season and face a very motivated Rays team that wants this sweep very badly. Consider Chicago manager Lou Piniella and pitching coach Larry Rothschild both managed Tampa Bay, and the crowd has had a mixed reaction so far through the first two game in cheering for both teams. The Rays obviously know this and would love nothing more than to finish this series up with a big victory. In fact, Tampa 2B Akinori Iwamura appealed his three-game suspension just so he could play in this series against the Cubs. James Shields gets the call for the Rays and is a dominant 3-1 at home with a 1.72 ERA. Shields will be opposed by Chicago's Sean Gallagher, who is winless on the road with an 0-3 mark and an inflated 5.79 ERA. Tampa will win this one easily, so take the value and bet the Rays on the runline.
Alex Smart
MLB 2* Chicago White Sox
LT Profits
MLB 2* Pirates/White Sox Over 9.5
Erin Rynning
MLB Chicago WS Over 9.5
MLB 20* Playmaker: Kansas City -105
Rocketman Sports
Kansas City Royals vs. St Louis Cardinals
Play: Kansas City Royals
Kansas City is 26-18 last 3 years in inter-league play. Kansas City is seeking their 5th straight victory tonight. St Louis bullpen has a 5.00 ERA at home this year. Greinke has a 3.48 ERA overall this year. Thompson has a 7.15 ERA overall vs Kansas City since 1997. We'll recommend a small play on Kansas City today!
Bob Akmens
MLB 7* St Louis Cardinals
Vegas-Runner
COL (-121) vs CLE 3* MLB BEST BET of the DAY
Lets come right back with the Rockies this evening and see if they can cash a second straight 3* Best Bet with a win tonight over Cleveland...Sowers has really been struggling since being recalled from AAA, and with limited offense behind him, I expect the Rockies to come out looking to get the much needed sweep.
ARI (-114) vs OAK 2* ML WAGER
STL / 913 KAN Under 8.5 1* TOTAL
CHC (+139) vs TAM 1* ML WAGER
Had originally looked to take the Cubs +1.5 and lay the -150 asking price...but this team hasn't been swept ALL YEAR and with this being a "coming home" for Pinella, I expect the Cubs to come out and give it all they got, while even though TBay would love to Sweep them...they do know they have won the series so we may see them a bit more relaxed tonight...just too much value to pass up with that kind of record against the sweep for Chicago, even against Sheilds...
Vegas Snitch
OK. Make no mistake about it, Germany is FAR talented than Portugal. Portugal is a two man team with a very soft defense. This is a special play for the Snitch, because you are getting an ENORMOUS value with the MUCH better team. Why the value? Here lies the problem: the Germans have been playing AWFUL this tournament, but we will trust the Insiders banking that now this tournament is back to a new beginning, and a clean slate. If these two teams would have played each other few weeks ago, the Germans would be the favorites here, and that is what you call value. Germany has phenomenal defense, and an amazing center piece with Michael Ballack that WILL control the center play. Its time that Ballack starts getting as much respect as the Ronaldo's, Kaka's, and Messi's of the world. Ballack is special, and will show today. Oh, a fellow by the name of Podolski isn't too shabby either (hint the sarcasm) Germany spanked Portugal in the World Cup 3-1, and they win again with a DOMINATING performance. You are getting possibly the most talented team in the world as underdogs today! To the picks we go:
Germany +240 (must win before end of regulation)
Germany +.5
Germany PK +130 (draw end of regulation pushes)
Germany to Advance/Qualify next round +140
Game Over 1.5
Game Over 2
Game Over 2.5
2-Minute Warning
Rockies
Root
Chairman - Rockies
Millionaire - Astros
Mike Rose
MLB 2* Chicago Cubs
MLB 3* Colorado Rockies
Bob Akmens
MLB 4* Colorado Rockies