Jeff Scott Sports
2 UNIT PLAYS
SAN DIEGO/ Minnesota Under 8
The Under is 9-1 in Bakers last 10 starts during game 3 of a series and 11-5 in Bakers last 16 starts as an underdog, while the Under is 7-1 in Padres last 8 interleague games vs. a team with a winning record and 9-2 in Padres last 11 Thursday games, plus the Under is 9-1 in Cuzzis last 10 games behind home plate vs. Minnesota and 7-3-1 in his last 11 games behind home plate vs. San Diego. The pitchng matchup in this game has pitchers duel written all over it. Josh Banks has made 4 starts on the year and has a 2.13 ERA in those starts, plus in his lone home start he allowed just 1 ER in 6 innings of work. Josh's ERA is a bit higher at 3.31 in his last 3 starts, but he has allowed just a .258 OBP in the three games. His starts have averaged 6.5 rpg overall, including 4.5 rpg during the day and 6.7 rpg in his last 3 starts. Scott Baker has also been solid for his team as he comes in with a solid 3.47 ERA overall, including a 3.00 ERA in day games and a nice 2.37 ERA in his last 3 starts overall. Scott's last 3 starts overall have produced just 5.3 rpg, while his days games have averaged just 4.7 rpg. Minnesota's staff ERA has been very good of late as they own a 1.96 ERA in their last 10 games. The Padres score just 3.7 rpg at home with those home games averaging just 7.6 rpg. The Pads also score just 3.8 rpg vs righty starters and have put up just 3 rpg in their last 8. The Twins struggle in day games as they have a .256 BA and score just 3.6 rpg in those games. This game has solid pitching on the mound in a pitchers park, to go along with a solid Under Ump behind the plate. Looks to me like this will be low scoring affing, in the range of 5 or 6 runs.
I ALSO LIKE
CHICAGO -154 over Baltimore
1 UNIT PLAY
DETROIT -131 over St Louis
The Cardinals are 2-8 in their last 10 interleague games as a dog of +110 to +150 and 1-5 in Wellemeyers last 6 starts as an underdog, while the Tigers are 11-1 in their last 12 games as a favorite of -110 to -150 and 5-1 in Robertsons last 6 starts. The Tigers are slowly climbing back into the race for the AL Central as they come in having won 11 of their last 14 games overall and 13 of their last 18 at home. Overall Detroit is 20-17 at home scoring 5.7 rpg and hitting .296 in the process. Nate Robertson gets the ball for the Cats and he is beginning to put it all together. Nate has a 6-6 record with a 5.60 ERA overall, but in his last 3 starts overall he is 3-0 with a 3.93 ERA and in his last 3 home starts he has a 3-0 record with a 2.89 ERA. The Cards have had some problems scoring as they are averaging just 4.1 rpg in their last 12 games, plus they score just 4.5 rpg in day games. Todd Wellemyer has been solid for the cards and would like to shake off his last start which saw him allow 8 ER in just 3.1 inings of work in a 20-2 loss to the Phils, but the Tiger bats are hot right now, while Robertson has been on a roll. Detroit continues it's climb back with a solid win over a solid pitcher.
KBHOOPS
5 units Chicago Soxs UNDER 8 **POD**
4 units Florida +110
4 units Cincinnati -110
Players of America
Game: Tampa Bay Rays vs. Florida Marlins
The Play: Florida Marlins +105
Star Value: 3* (30 Units)
Cincinnati Reds vs. Toronto Blue Jays
The Play: Cincinnati Reds +105
Star Value: 3* (30 Units)
San Francisco Giants vs. Cleveland Indians
The Play: Cleveland Indians -150
Star Value: 3* (30 Units)
SPORTS KINGZ
CUBS -155
CLEVELAND -170
YANKEES -155
OAKLAND -190
Robert Ferringo
2-Unit Play. Take Florida (+110) over Tampa Bay
2-Unit Play. Take New York Yankees (-140) over Pittsburgh
1.5-Unit Play. Take Chicago Cubs (-165) over Baltimore
Andre Gomes
Game: Sacramento Monarchs @ Minnesota Lynx
Pick: 4 units : Minnesota Lynx -3.5
After five losses in a row, Minny finally won a game again! And they did in a great fashion, having the biggest win of the season. They can be very important for them, as they are a young team with three rookies playing major minutes and when these girls have confidence, Minny is one of the most dangerous teams in the league. In that losing streak, the team never lost by double digits points, in fact they lost 3 of those matches by a maximum of 4 points and their lack of confidence didn't provide them the spark to finish off the games. This is not the case today for Minny, as they won their last game and they will receive Sacramento today. It's curious to see that Sacramento is one of the teams which defeated Minny during their five game losing streak. So like the Liberty in their last game, this will also be a revenge game for the Lynx, a spot that they have handled in a great fashion last Tuesday.
Sacramento comes to this game in a terrible mood, as they lost by 73-78 at Indiana two days ago, a game that the Monarchs leaded by as many as 18 points, but they ended up losing after only being capable to score 26 points during the second half. This is a huge contrast of spirit between Minny and Sacramento. I expect a good revenge game for the Lynx today. My power rankings appointed Minny as favorites by 7 points, so 5 points has a lot of value. Take Minny in here.
CHRIS JORDAN
500 A's -1.5
500 Cubs -1.5
500 W Sox
Wunderdog
Phoenix at Chicago
Pick: Game Total OVER 175.5
Is there a total that can hold this Phoenix team to playing under? Not in this range and in this type of matchup. As the season has progressed the pace has gotten faster, especially when the emphasis has been run, run, and run. They are perfecting this type of play. Over the last four games, they have featured 765 points or 193 a game. The Sky has been no stranger to high-scoring games either, as they have allowed over 90 a game in their last three. These teams played in the 100s last time they met, and we don't see this one staying out of the 90s, so OVER gets the call.
Steve Zukiel Guaranteed Selections
Philadelphia vs Oakland
Rating: Guaranteed 70 Unit MLB Game Of The Year
In this contest, my money is on the Oakland A's
This report was done before last night's game was finalized.
These two teams have been heading in opposite directions. The Phillies have lost six straight, getting outscored 31-11 in the process. The A's meanwhile have won three of four and seven of their last 10. The pitching matchup also heavily favors Oakland as they have Rich Harden on the hill against Philadelphia's Adam Eaton. Harden has been all that and a bag of chips this season. The right-hander is a perfect 4-0 while sporting an ERA of 2.44. The A's have had great success with him on the hill as well, having won eight of his 10 overall starts. In fact, Harden has allowed more than two earned runs only twice all season. Adam Eaton meanwhile has been going the other way. Eaten is just 2-5 on the year and sports an ERA of 4.94. Things are even worse on the road, where he is 0-3, the team has won just two of his eight overall road starts, and his ERA is at 5.09. In his last two starts he has gone 0-2 and in just 11 2/3 innings of work, the right-hander has allowed 21 hits and nine runs. YUCK! Harden has owned the NL this season. In three starts, he has gone 2-0, the team has won all three and in 18 2/3 innings, he has allowed just two runs on 10 hits, walking just five while striking out 22. Oakland wins for fun.
STEVE ZUKIEL TAKES THE OAKLAND A'S OVER THE PHILADELPHIA PHILLIES AS MY GUARANTEED 70 UNIT MLB GAME OF THE YEAR
Triple Threat Sports
7* INTERLEAGUE GAME OF THE YEAR
Houston
Chris James Sports (9-2 L5 Days, Won 7 of 8 days)
3* Cleveland
2* Dodgers Under
GREG SHAKER
SDP / MIN Under 8
Note: There are also some -125's out there but do the best you can on this total line. The liklihood of 9 or more runs being scored in this one are just not that good. The Padre Pitcher has been nothing short of extraordinary with 20 K's in his 5 starts this year and a mighty fine ERA and great ratios across the board. Certainly Petco has been his favorite place to pitch with just 1 run allowed over 14 innings. Baker has been a quality thrower all year, he has great ratios, and he is coming off one of his best performances. The Twins Pen has beeb good all year, the Padres Pen is starting to come around after a slow start. San Diego's Run Production remains low and that is an added benefit for today. The Padres sputtering offense continues to struggle, as it went 1 for 6 with runners in scoring position Wednesday, and is just 3 for 26, in such situations in its last three games. San Diego has scored the second-fewest runs in the majors at 293 and we don't have to wonder why. Sometimes plays can be very obvious and sometimes those are the best kind. This is one of those.
MLB Money Line Double-Dime Bet
Marlins - Marlins +105 Unit Value: 2
Wild Bill
Tampa -120 (2 units)
St Louis +125 (5 units)
Under 8 Dodgers-Sox (2 units)
White Sox +110 (2 units)
Under 8 Twins-Padres (2 units)
Under 8 1/2 Phils-A's (4 units)
Phils +185 (4 units)
Cleveland -160 (5 units)
Yankees -140 (5 units)
Reds -110 (1 unit)
Under 8 Reds-Jays (5 units)
Astros -120 (2 units)
ER SPORTS
Playmaker: Pirates
GINA
Texas Rangers at Houston Astros
Texas Rangers have won seven of the last 11 meetings, including Wednesday's, 3-2 victory over the Houston Astros.
Texas will send Kevin Millwood (5-3, 4.61 ERA), to the hill. The right-hander is 5-1 with a 2.19 ERA in seven appearances at Houston and is 6-3 with a 3.48 ERA in 10 career starts versus the Astros. The Rangers have won five of Millwood’s last 6 starts. Houston counters with Wandy Rodriguez (2-3, 2.81 ERA). The Astros are 1-5 in the lefthander’s last 6 starts.
Go with the Rangers with Millwood at the helm to grab his fifth straight win against the Astros at Minute Maid Park.
Texas Rangers +110