Ross Benjamin 15* GOW
Toronto @ Baltimore
Play: Toronto -145 (15*)
The Toronto starter Roy Halladay enters this game in great form off of his last 3 starts posting a 2.03 ERA, a better than 5:1 strikeout to walk ratio, and a 0.81 WHIP. In 13 road starts this season Halladay has posted a 2.78 ERA, a 1.07 WHIP, and almost a 5:1 strikeout to walk ratio. The Baltimore starter Daniel Cabrera enters this game in terrible form off of his last 3 starts posting a 6.32 ERA, a 2.04 WHIP, and having walked more than he has struck out. Since the start of the 2007 season Cabrera is 1-3 in his team starts versus Toronto with a lofty 5.26 ERA. The Orioles are 7-19 in day games this season while the Blue Jays are 20-10 in 2008 during the day. The Baltimore starter Cabrera is 1-8 in his last 9 team starts as a home underdog of 1.50 or less. The Toronto starter Halladay is 17-4 in his last 21 team starts versus Baltimore and 53-18 in his last 71 versus a team with a less than .500 winning percentage. Play on the Toronto Blue Jays as my 15* MLB Game of the Week.
MATT FARGO
Tampa Bay Rays @ Kansas City Royals
PICK: Tampa Bay Rays
It is fade time once again for the Royals. The Royals have been one of the streakiest teams in baseball and losses have come in bunches and there seems to be no letup. Since winning six straight games at home, Kansas City is 3-8 over its last 11 games at Kaufman Field. The issue has been pitching as it has allowed an average of 6.5 rpg over that span. The offense has been part of the problem of late as Kansas City plated one run in each of the last two games against the Tigers and has scored four runs or fewer in six of its last 10.
Tampa Bay took its series against the A’s and it now hits the road with a slim lead in the American League East. This is the type of series that it needs to win in order to remain a contender in the division. The Rays are a totally different team on the road than they are at home as proven by their six-game road losing streak. Prior to that, they won five of six away from home in the previous roadtrip so the ability is there. Tampa Bay is 19-7 in its last 26 series openers.
The Rays send Matt Garza to the hill and he has been a great addition to the staff despite his shortcomings on the road. He has a 3.68 ERA on the season and while the best efforts have come at home, he is in the midst of a great run. He has allowed three runs or fewer in seven of his last eight starts including two on the road. He is coming off one of his best outings of the season and he now faces a team that even though he has never defeated, has success against. In four starts against the Royals, he has a 3.42 ERA and 1.22 WHIP.
Kansas City sends Gil Meche to the mound and it has certainly been an up and down season for him. He is coming off a solid effort against the White Sox in his last outing but he has struggled putting consecutive quality starts together. He has had back-to-back quality performances only four times and only four of his 10 home starts have resulted in a quality outing. He fared well against the Rays earlier this season but in his career he is 1-4 with a 5.40 ERA and 1.51 WHIP in nine start. Play Tampa Bay Rays 1.5 Units
Sportsbettingstats
Tampa Bay Rays at Kansas City Royals
In their last game the AL East leading Tampa Bay Rays beat the Oakland A's 4-3, while the Royals lost to the Detroit Tigers 7-1. The Rays are still leading the AL East after the All-Star game, which not a lot of people called, but the Rays are for real. The Royals are having another tough season, as they are 13 games behind the Chicago White Sox in the AL Central by 13 games. K.C. is well under .500, but at least they are 5-5 in their last 10 games. Taking the mound for the Royals is Gil Meche (7-9, 4.55 ERA), who had a sweet outing last start going 6 innings and giving up only 1 earned run in a win. In the Royals loss yesterday they scored 1 run on 4 hits. On defense the Royals gave up 7 runs on 13 hits to the Tigers. Taking the mound for the Rays is Matt Garza (8-5, 3.68 ERA), who also had a great start in his last outing going 7 innings and giving up 0 earned runs in a win. In yesterday's win over the A's the Rays scored 4 runs on 6 hits and left 5 men on base. On defense the Rays gave up 3 runs on 6 hits to the A's in the win.
Staff Pick: In tonight's pitching match up the Rays have to have the advantage, but the Royals are at home, the Rays are only 19-26 in away games, and they have a 6 game road losing streak. The Rays are only 4-6 in their last 10 games, but are playing a Royals team that has lost 3 in a row. This is basically a battle of teams that are both struggling. The Rays rank 9th in runs scored in the AL (450) an the Royals rank 12th (424). Garza is 0-3 with a 3.42 ERA in 4 career starts against the Royals, but he has pitching well lately as Tampa Bay skipper manager Joe Maddon said "He's been pounding the strike zone as good as anybody we have right now, with high-end stuff." Against the Rays, K.C. starter Meche is 1-4 with a 5.40 ERA in 9 career starts. K.C. has won 6 of its last 7 games started by the right-hander, who is 4-1 with a 3.25 ERA in that span. Neither starter is having much success against the other, but now the games mean something to the Rays and the Royals can "at least" be spoilers. Meche is poised to have a good start and the Royals could use it so they can snap their 4 game home losing streak. Look for a close game with a few runs that the Royals will win at home, while the Rays road woes continue.
Royals 6 Rays 5
JB's COMPUTER PICKS
Toronto Blue Jays -150
Chicago Cubs -200
Rocky Atkinson Triple-Dime Bet
San Diego @ Pittsburgh
Play On: 5* San Diego +105
Hensley is 1-0 with a 0.00 ERA overall this year in his 5 inning pitched. Herrera is 0-1 with a 19.50 ERA overall this year and has a 12.47 ERA at home this season. In 2 games, Herrera has 13 earned runs in 6 innings pitched. San Diego is 11-2 overall vs Pittsburgh last 3 years. Hensley is 1-0 with a 1.50 ERA overall vs Pittsburgh since 1997. We'll play San Diego for 5 units tonight!
PlusLineSports Daily Baseball Pick
Toronto Blue Jays vs Baltimore Orioles
Toronto -1.5 +118
DUNKEL
Philadelphia at NY Mets
The Phillies look to bounce back from last night's loss and build on their 9-4 record as a road underdog between +100 and +125. Philadelphia is the pick (+110) according to Dunkel, which has the Phillies favored straight up by 1/2 a run. Dunkel Pick: Philadelphia (+110). Here are all of today's games.
THURSDAY, JULY 24
Game 901-902: Philadelphia at NY Mets
Dunkel Ratings: Philadelphia (Moyer) 15.654; NY Mets (Perez) 14.978
Dunkel Line: Philadelphia by 1/2; 10
Vegas Line: NY Mets (-120); 9 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Philadelphia (+110); Over
Game 903-904: Washington at San Francisco
Dunkel Ratings: Washington (Redding) 14.381; San Francisco (Cain) 15.927
Dunkel Line: San Francisco by 1 1/2; 8 1/2
Vegas Line: San Francisco (-135); 8
Dunkel Pick: San Francisco (-135); Over
Game 905-906: San Diego at Pittsburgh
Dunkel Ratings: San Diego (Hensley) 14.066; Pittsburgh (Herrera) 15.115
Dunkel Line: Pittsburgh by 1; 10
Vegas Line: Pittsburgh (-105); 10 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Pittsburgh (-105); Under
Game 907-908: Florida at Chicago Cubs
Dunkel Ratings: Florida (Olsen) 14.628; Cubs (Zambrano) 14.156
Dunkel Line: Florida by 1/2; 7
Vegas Line: Chicago Cubs (-180); No Run Line
Dunkel Pick: Florida (+170); N/A
Game 909-910: Milwaukee at St. Louis
Dunkel Ratings: Milwaukee (Sheets) 17.222; St. Louis (Wellemeyer) 15.193
Dunkel Line: Milwaukee by 2; 8 1/2
Vegas Line: Milwaukee (-130); 8
Dunkel Pick: Milwaukee (-130); Over
Game 911-912: Toronto at Baltimore
Dunkel Ratings: Toronto (Halladay) 16.154; Baltimore (Cabrera) 14.986
Dunkel Line: Toronto by 1; 8 1/2
Vegas Line: Toronto (-140); 8
Dunkel Pick: Toronto (-140); Over
Game 913-914: Tampa Bay at Kansas City
Dunkel Ratings: Tampa Bay (Garza) 14.926; Kansas City (Meche) 13.715
Dunkel Line: Tampa Bay by 1; 8
Vegas Line: Tampa Bay (-110); 8 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Tampa Bay (-110); Under
TONY MATHEWS
Toronto Blue Jays vs. Baltimore Orioles
Selection: Toronto Blue Jays -140
The Toronto Blue Jays will use starting pitcher Roy Halladay. Roy Halladay has been pitching very well this season. In fact, Roy Halladay has a 2.89 ERA on the season. In addition, Roy Halladay has a 2.86 ERA in his last 3 starts. We see Roy Halladay pitching another great game today.
The Baltimore Orioles will use starting pitcher Daniel Cabrera. Daniel Cabrera has struggled this season. In fact, Daniel Cabrera has a 4.57 ERA on the season. In addition, Daniel Cabrera has a 6.32 ERA in his last 3 starts. We see Daniel Cabrera pitching another bad game today.
The Toronto Blue Jays are 5-1 in their last 6 meetings against the Baltimore Orioles, and should be able to get another win today!
Take the Toronto Blue Jays
ANTHONY CAPONE
D'Rays /Royals
Play :Royals +110
Meche pitched lights out in his last outing holding the offensive minded Tigers to 1 run on 2 Hits over 6.1 thirds . The D' Rays hand the ball to Matt Garza who has pitched well as his (8-5) record would attest .His last outing was a good one as he beat Toronto (6-4) giving up only 2 hits over 7.2 thirds Innings .
His problem this year has come on the road though and that exactly where he'll find himself today .His record is just (2-4) .He has given up 11 Home Runs in 6 games to go along with 33 Runs !!
He has had a bit of trouble in his home park , but I think he'll pitch well enough to get the Win here .
JOHN FINA
Philadelphia/New York Under 9.5
Today we expect a low-scoring game as the Philadelphia Phillies do battle with the New York Mets. One reason why we expect a low-scoring game is because both these teams will be sending to the mound struggling starting pitchers. This says it all... The Philadelphia Phillies Starting Pitcher (Jamie Moyer) has a 2.75 ERA in his last 3 starts, while New York Mets Starting Pitcher (Oliver Perez) has a 1.42 ERA in his last 3 starts. As you can see, both these starting pitchers have been pitching very well as of late. To say the least, we should see a low-scoring game today. Take the Philadelphia Phillies/New York Mets Under 9.5
SCOTT DELANEY
Let's play the Cubbies on the Run Line tonight, as the Big Z will shut down Florida, after the Fish were hammered at home by Atlanta last night. I know the Marlins tried to make things interesting, trailing 9-0 in the bottom of the ninth, yet scoring four runs to save some face, but they won't be able to hit Carlos Zambrano, who is 5-0 with a 2.25 ERA in 10 Wrigley Field starts this season.
Now 10-4 on the season, Zambrano will be eager to avenge a loss at Houston his last time out. He'll also be anxious to get his team back on track after a treacherous road trip. The Brewers are hot on Chicago's trail, and since the Cubs only seem to gain momentum at home, I'd say this is the perfect opportunity to turn things around.
Lay the run and a half, make sure Zambrano is our pitcher of record for Chicago and enjoy the win!!!
2♦ CUBS RUN LINE
Jason Lowry
Washington Nationals vs. San Francisco Giants
Play: Washington Nationals
We are taking the Nationals on Thursday as they send their ace in Tim Redding to the mound who is a solid 15-6 against the money line in all games this season, and 11-2 against the money line as an underdog of +100 to +150 this season. So take the great value and watch the Nationals walk away with an easy one of the Giants.
Steve Janus
Tampa Bay Rays vs. Kansas City Royals
Play: Tampa Bay Rays
Thursday we have a Tampa Bay team that is 8-3 in their last 11 games against right-handed pitching. The Rays are also a team that has compiled a 15-6 record in their last 21 games against the Kansas City Royals. The Royals are just 1-6 against righties at home in their last 7 chances and 1-5 at home in their last 6 when playing any team with a winning record. Add to those trends the fact that the Royals are only 3-13 behind Thursday's starter, Gil Meche, when they play any team from the AL East division and you get an easy winner on the Rays Thursday.
SportsKingz
CUBS -185
MILWAUKEE -140
TORONTO -140
BEN BURNS
Toronto Blue Jays @ Baltimore Orioles
PICK: Toronto Blue Jays
Both the pitching matchup and the starting time favor the visitors. Halladay has a 2.86 ERA and 0.955 WHIP his last three starts. For the season, he has a 2.85 ERA and 1.087 WHIP on the road. On the other hand, Cabrera has a 5.22 ERA and 1.48 WHIP at home. Over his last three starts, he has an ugly 6.32 ERA and a brutal 2.043 WHIP. Halladay has also been much more successful in this series. He's 17-4 (team is 18-5) with a 2.93 ERA over his career vs. the Orioles. Conversely, Cabrera is 4-7 with a 4.48 ERA and 1.438 WHIP against the Jays. The Jays are 20-12 when playing during the afternoon, averaging 4.9 runs in those games. Baltimore hasn't been nearly so successful. Indeed, the Orioles are 9-22 when playing during the day, averaging only 3.9 runs per game. Consider a play on TORONTO.