Tuesday Premium Service PLays

Brandon Lang

10 Dime Marlins

Matty O'Shea

Triple-Dime Bet

MIN (-135) vs CWS

White Sox manager Ozzie Guillen has used motivational tactics all season in an effort to get the most out of his players. However, I believe he may have made one critical mistake during the final week of the season in calling out starting pitcher Javier Vazquez for not being a big-game pitcher heading into a key three-game series against the Twins. Vazquez will pitch in the series opener on Tuesday and doesn't seem fazed by Guillen's comments. "I'm not looking to have to change minds if people feel that way," Vazquez said. "I won't be paying attention to that. If I do well or if I don't, I'll still go home at the end of my career and be the same person." Guillen has a valid point, but I think his comments will backfire on him in this spot. Vazquez is just 1-4 with a 5.68 ERA during his career at the Metrodome and 5-8 away from home this season with a 4.85 ERA. He got hammered in his last road start at Yankee Stadium on Thursday, surrendering seven runs and six hits in a season-low 3.2 innings on only three days of rest. The Twins are 5-1 vs. Chicago at home this year and will be sending Scott Baker to the mound. Baker is 3-1 in 10 home starts with a 3.28 ERA and got a no-decision in his last start against the White Sox back on July 31, resulting in an eventual 10-6 victory. Minnesota needs to win this game to have a shot at taking over first place with a sweep, so bet the Twins as my Triple Dime AL Game O' the Year.

Nick "BookieKiller" Parsons

Double-Dime Bet

TEX (-134) vs OAK

This is a huge series for the Rangers and A's. On the surface, it may not seem like it because both Texas and Oakland have been eliminated from playoff contention. However, make no mistake about it, both of these teams are fully focused on finishing in second place in the AL West. Each team wants that spot and they know to make serious inroads toward it they need to take care of business in this series. Though I am typing up this analysis prior to the completion of Monday night's game, I do know that no matter what happens in that game, the Rangers and Athletics will be separated by no more than a game and a half in the standings heading into Tuesday. Plus, if Oakland wins Monday's game then they will only be separated by a half game in the standings. Either way, the rest of this series means a lot to each team and, in the case of Tuesday's game, the Rangers have a big pitching edge. Oakland is handing the ball to Josh Outman for Tuesday night's game. The left-hander just turned 24 about a week ago and he's struggled so far at the MLB level. This will be just his fifth game (and third start) and he's getting hit at a .296 clip so far. Also, he's walked five and given up ten hits for a total of 15 base runners in 9.3 innings in his two starts since moving into the rotation. To make matters worse he now has the misfortune of facing the Rangers for the second time in less than two weeks. This will be the first time the inexperienced hurler will be giving a team a second look and that is often when the wheels come off for a young hurler. Keep in mind it also doesn't help that the first time he faced them was in Oakland and now he has to face them in hitter-friendly Texas where the Rangers have the top batting average and top slugging percentage in the majors! While the Rangers lineup pounds the ball tonight, look for them to also get a very strong performance on the mound courtesy of Dustin Nippert! The Rangers right-hander has faced the A's twice this season and allowed just one earned run on eight hits in nine innings of work while striking out ten! He is coming off of a rough start versus the Tigers in his last outing. However, Nippert had been rock solid in his three prior starts as he had allowed four earned runs on 16 hits in 17.3 innings of work. In Nippert's last 21.7 innings he's struck out 24. That is a key number because it shows how good his stuff is and with the A's offense being one of the worst in baseball, we can rely on the Rangers hurler to shut them down while his teammates pile on the runs against Outman. That's what makes this such a strong play and the line value is fantastic with a low number posted on this game. The Rangers are the Big Play Tuesday!

EZWINNERS

5 STAR: (982) SEATTLE (+$128) over LA Angels
(Action) (Risking $500 to win $640)

2 STAR: (957) PITTSBURGH (+$178) over Milwaukee
(Listing Karstens only) (Risking $200 to win $356)

2 STAR: (973) KANSAS CITY (-$114) over Detroit
(Listing Greinke only) (Risking $228 to win $200)

2 STAR: (980) MINNESOTA (-$129) over Chicago
(Listing Baker only) (Risking $258 to win $200)

Greg Shaker

3 UNIT "Game of the Month"

White Sox at Minnesota Twins
Play Twins -130

The Math is easy for this one. Minnesota is 2.5 games behind and a loss tonight puts their chances of getting into the playoffs almost and impossibility. It is do or die time and they do have a good chance of accomplishing their goal, with the WhiteSox struggling here at the dome, winning just once in six games this season. Chicago is in the position they are in due to a poor September and preasure is getting to this team. Vazquez has beaten Minnesota twice at home this season, moving to 5-0 with a 3.19 ERA in seven starts against the Twins since the beginning of 2007. However, he's only 1-4 with a 5.68 lifetime ERA at the Metrodome. He's also had problems with the Twins' top hitters, especially Justin Morneau, who's 14-of-39 with six homers in their meetings. Baker has had his problems verses the Sox, but he has been very good at home this year and the Twins have also been very good here. It will be a packed house and a playoff atmosphere and the Twins will not hesitate to go to their Pen, which is one of the best in the Bigs. That is especially true when they throw here, maintaining an ERA of Under 2.5 runs all year at the Dome. After their huge roadtrip, the Twins return home to play their biggest game of the year. I do not think they will disapoint us and that is why I will lay the -130, much more than I usually do.

San Diego Padres at Los Angeles Dodgers
Play Dodgers -1.5 -120 Unit Value: 2

Despite not playing so well lately, the Los Angeles Dodgers open the final week of the season atop the NL West and very much in control of their fate. The Wildcard is not an option and they enter this game just 2 ahead of the DBacks. They will have their best thrower on the hill for this one and although Chad had his worst outing of the season, last time out, he has been very good when they have needed him. He had posted a 1.86 ERA in winning his previous three outings, and he has been very good here at home. In fact he is 5-0 with a 1.67 ERA in his last six starts at Dodger Stadium. The Padre thrower has been in the Majors just 3 weeks but has already faced the Dodgers 2 times. That is to the advantage to the Dodger hitters, having seen him often and recently. He has not been too spiffy and he will be under a lot of preasure tonight throwing on the road and facing a team that has hit southpaws better than rightside throwers. I will lay the 1.5 runs here..

Chicago Cubs at New York Mets
Play Mets -1.5 -115 Unit Value: 2

Looking ahead to the postseason, Chicago?s Sean Marshall takes the mound in place of Rich Harden, who will pitch Thursday after Carlos Zambrano throws Wednesday. "We're starting to get ourselves re-arranged for postseason," Chicago manager Lou Piniella said yesterday. While it is not written in stone, the Cubs will more than likely be resting some key players over the next few days as well. The Mets are being hounded by the Phillies and Brewers for the Wildcard and this game is about as much of a must win as it gets. Santana is proving his worth lately. He allowed one run and eight hits while striking out eight in seven innings of a 7-2 win over Washington on Thursday to improve to 7-0 with a 2.26 ERA in his last 15 starts. The Mets have hit lefties well and they should be able to score enough runs to get this game for themselves and Johan, so I will lay the 1.5 runs.

What is the difference between "Premium Service Plays" and just "Service Plays"? Thanks and forgive my ignorance...I am new to the site.

What is the difference between "Premium Service Plays" and just "Service Plays"? Thanks and forgive my ignorance...I am new to the site.

Premium Service Plays are paid picks and and the others are free picks but you can can find some great info in the comp plays as well.

Jim Feist

LA Angels / SEA Mariners
Take LA Angels

Game of the Year: Angels.

The best team in the AL against the worst team, at a great price. The Angels are still motivated to clinch the best overall mark. "We have an opportunity to accomplish everything in the regular season that can be accomplished," said Manager Mike Scioscia. "That's important to us." The Angels got six scoreless innings from John Lackey to a 7-3 win over the Texas Rangers on Sunday, running their winning streak to four games and giving them nine wins in 11 tries since they clinched the American League West title. Sunday's win gave the Angels a 3 1/2-game lead over Tampa Bay in the battle for the league's best record, which is worth home-field advantage throughout the playoffs. And it also moved them to closer to the first 100-win season in team history. Starter Jered Weaver may be only 11-10, but he's had a fine season, with fewer hits than innings pitched. He's also on a roll, with a 2.12 ERA his last three starts, fanning 17 in 17 innings. "Clubhouse chemistry is something to consider. If you're winning, it obviously helps clubhouse chemistry," Mike Scioscia said. Clubhouse chemistry has been absent all season from the Mariners. The Mariners limp home after an 0-11 road trip! The 0-11 trip included four losses to the Angels, four to the Royals and three to the A's. Starter Ryan Feierabend is terrible at 1-4 with a 7.25 ERA. He has faced the Angels 3 times....and is 0-3 with a 7.98 ERA! Play the Angels.

FLA Marlins / WAS Nationals
Take FLA Marlins

5-Star on the Marlins.

It's a stretch, but Florida still has something to play for in the National League East standings. "We're still playing for something," first baseman Mike Jacobs said. "We still have a week left to go out and play baseball." The recent 9-game win streak means the Marlins are still behind the Mets for the wild-card berth. They will travel to Washington for a three-game series with the Nationals before concluding the regular season with three games in New York against the Mets. "There's still hope on this team," Marlins right fielder Cody Ross said. "We have three games and then the Mets, so anything can happen. It would be close to miraculous, but it still can happen." Lefty starter Scott Olsen is one reason why, at 2-1 with a 2.84 ERA his last three starts. He's also 6-3 with a 3.86 ERA lifetime against Washington. While Florida is No. 3 in the NL in runs scored, the Nationals are second worst. They've also been out of the pennant race for a long time. Starter Shairon Martis has shown nothing, with an 0-3 record and a 6.23 ERA. He's walked 10 batters in 13 innings! The motivated team will roll. Play the Marlins.

CHC Cubs / NYM Mets
Take Under

Inner Circle Game of the month

Shea stadium is a huge pitcher-friendly park and two dominant aces take the mound in this game. Johan Santana (14-7) has had a strong first season with the Mets. He likes this park, as all pitchers do, with a 2.27 ERA and a 7-3 record in Shea this season. Opponents are hitting .229 off him at home. The Cubs have yet to face him this season, but in his career Santana has a 1.38 ERA against the Cubbies! The Cubs' offense is terrific at home, but they end the season with a 7-game road trip. They are also 13-7 under the total the last 20 games. Chicago righty Rich Harden has been a great acquistion, with a 2-03 ERA and a 10-2 record. He's fanned 177 in 142 innings! The Mets haven't faced him yet, either. These teams have met twice this season and the under is 2-0. Don't look for any scoring with these aces in this park. Play the Cubs/Mets under the total.

Tony George

Double-Dime Bet

Minnesota -133

Like the Twins at home here. Their starter tonight, Scott Baker is 9-4 on the year, but 3-1 at home, with an ERA just over 3, and has allowed just 50 hits in 61 innings pitched at home. Minnesota took 3 out of 4 games in this series back in July at home, and the Sox are just 35-43 away from home on the season and start Vasquez tonight who is just 5-8 on the road with an ERA approaching 5 for the season. Minny off a 2-2 road split at the D Rays who are one of the leagues best, they will welcome a home game and some time to get out of a 4-6 slump their last 10 games, and the White Sox here as a team are only hitting right handers at .238 the last 10 games.

Play 1.5 Units on Minnesota

Stan Sharp

OAK (+118) vs TEX

Stan expects Oakland starter Josh Outman to have a Big outing on the road tonight. Look for Oakland to win this one. TAKE OAKLAND as STAN'S UNDERDOG UPSET BIG BET OF THE MONTH and make them a DOUBLE DIME PLAY.

NSA

20* Angels -140
10* KC -115
10* TB -135 GM 2
10* Cle +105
10* Ari +100
10* Minni -135

Gamebreaker

New York Mets -1½
Milwaukee Brewers -1½
LA Angels
Florida Marlins
Tampa Bay DRays DH#1

Andrew Powers Guaranteed Selections

LATE STEAM BASEBALL WINNER
Tampa Bay w/Shields -155 GM 1

LATE STEAM BASEBALL RUN LINE WINNER
Philadelphia w/Hamels -1.5

Winners Inc. Guaranteed Selections

5000* LATE STEAM BASEBALL WINNER
LA Angels w/Weaver -135