SPORTS ADVISORS
INTERLEAGUE
Tampa Bay (44-31) at Florida (40-35)
Two in-state rivals on the cusp of taking over first place in their respective divisions open a three-game interleague series at Dolphin Stadium, with the Marlins and southpaw Scott Olsen (4-4, 3.51 ERA) set to host the Rays and Andy Sonnanstine (8-3, 4.92).
Both teams were idle Monday after suffering rare series losses, with Tampa Bay dropping two of three at home to the Astros and Florida losing two of three in Oakland. The Rays enter this contest as the hotter of the two teams, having won six of nine, while the Marlins are in a 4-6 funk, including two losses in a three-game series at Tampa Bay last week.
Going back to last June, the Rays are on a 4-1 run against Florida, but prior to this stretch, the Marlins had won 11 of 15 in this rivalry. Finally, the Marlins are 7-3 in the last 10 clashes at Dolphin Stadium, but the visitor is 6-3 in the last nine dating to last season.
Florida is on a 14-6 roll at home, but is just 1-4 in its last five interleague home contests. Meanwhile, the Rays have dominated at home this season (30-13), but they’re under .500 on the highway (14-18).
Tampa Bay is 11-4 when Sonnanstine takes the ball this year, including 4-0 in the last four overall and 5-1 in his six road outings. However, even though the right-hander has allowed three earned runs or fewer in five straight starts, he has only lasted between 5 and 5 2/3 innings in each contest. As a visitor, Sonnanstine is 4-1 with a 4.38 ERA.
Sonnanstine beat the Marlins 7-3 on June 13, allowing three runs on six hits in 5 1/3 innings. He also faced Florida last year at Dolphin Stadium and gave up just two runs on seven hits in seven innings en route to a 9-4 victory. In his 12 1/3 innings against the Fish, Sonnanstine has 15 strikeouts against zero walks.
After three straight quality starts in which he posted a 1.89 ERA, Olsen imploded in his most recent outing at Seattle, yielding five runs (four earned) on 11 hits in 4 1/3 innings, losing 5-4. Florida has lost five of Olsen’s last six starts. On the bright side, the Marlins are 7-3 in the lefty’s last 10 at home, where he is 3-3 with a 2.89 ERA this season.
Olsen faced Tampa Bay once in both 2005 and 2006, giving up a combined four runs (one earned) on eight hits over 11 2/3 innings. The Marlins split the two contests, winning 6-2 on the road in 2005 and losing 3-1 at home the following season.
The over is 6-1 in Olsen’s last seven starts (3-1 at home), but the under is 2-0 in his two career efforts against Tampa. With Sonnanstine on the hill, the over is on a 5-3-1 roll.
The over is 4-1-1 in the last five series meetings (1-1-1 last week). Also, for the Marlins, the over is on streaks of 20-6-4 overall and 13-3-4 in interleague play. Conversely, the under is 16-6-1 in the Rays’ last 23 overall and 16-5 in its last 21 versus southpaw starters, but the over is 22-5-1 in the team’s last 28 interleague road games.
ATS ADVANTAGE: OVER
Philadelphia (42-35) at Oakland (41-34)
After getting swept at home by the Angels over the weekend, the Phillies head across the country hoping to have better luck against another A.L. West opponent when they open a three-game series against the A’s. Philadelphia will send veteran Jamie Moyer (7-4, 4.09) to the mound opposite Oakland’s Joe Blanton (3-10, 4.81).
The Phillies opened a six-game interleague homestand with an impressive 8-2 win over Boston, then proceeded to lose the next five games to the Red Sox and Angels by a combined tally of 26-9. In fact, Philadelphia’s potent lineup was held to two runs or fewer in four of the five defeats. Charlie Manuel’s club has followed up a 14-4 hot streak by losing seven of eight, and the team is 4-13 in its last 17 interleague contests on the highway. Two positives: At 20-17, the Phillies are one of just five teams in baseball with a winning road record, and they’ve also won four straight games as an underdog (all on the road).
Oakland took two of three against Florida over the weekend, but the A’s are just 2-3 in their last five games after going 10-4 in their previous 14. They’ve also alternated wins and losses in their last eight home contests. Oakland is on positive streaks of 20-8 as a favorite, 92-40 against lefty starters at home and 61-23 when hosting N.L. teams at McAfee Coliseum.
These teams last met in 2005 in Oakland, with the A’s taking two of three. The host is 4-1 in the last five head-to-head battles.
The 45-year-old Moyer has defied Father Time of late, allowing two earned runs or fewer in three straight starts and four of the last six. However, despite holding the Red Sox to just two runs on four hits and five walks in five innings in his most recent outing a week ago tonight, Moyer was dealt a 3-0 home loss. That ended Philly’s six-game winning streak with Moyer on the bump.
The Phillies are 10-5 in Moyer’s 15 starts this year, including 6-1 on the road where the lefty is 4-1 with a 2.76 ERA. Also, Moyer has a long history against the A’s, going 17-15 with a 4.46 ERA in 47 career games (43 starts), though he hasn’t faced them since June 2006.
Blanton is coming off his worst outing of the season, allowing eight runs on seven hits over three innings in Wednesday’s 11-1 loss at Arizona. The burly right-hander is 0-4 with a 7.94 ERA in his last four starts, and the A’s are just 4-12 when Blanton pitches this year, including 2-9 at home and 1-11 in night games.
Blanton has actually pitched decently at McAfee Coliseum this year (3.98 ERA), but he has just a 1-7 record to show for it. Also, his one career start against the Phillies came at home in 2005, and he allowed two runs over 7 2/3 innings, winning 5-2.
The under is 3-0 in Moyer’s last three starts overall, 8-3 in his last 11 road outings and 8-2 in his last 10 as an underdog. Also, the under is 36-17-2 in Blanton’s last 55 home starts (2-0 last two) and 9-3 in his last 12 against the National League.
Philadelphia enters this series on a bunch of under streaks, including 4-1 overall, 13-3 against the A.L. West, 5-1 on Tuesdays, 7-2 on the road, 10-4 against righty starters and 4-0 in interleague road games. Meanwhile, the under is 11-4-2 in Oakland’s last 17 against southpaw starters, but the over is 4-1-1 in its last six overall and 6-0-2 in its last eight as a home chalk.
ATS ADVANTAGE: UNDER
Vernon Croy
St Louis Cardinals vs. Detroit Tigers
Play: Detroit Tigers
1 Unit, Take Detroit ML, Detroit has thrived in interleague games with a 38-15 record in their last 53 games and Detroit is a red hot 10-2 over their last 12 games. Detroit is hitting .295 as a team at home this season while averaging 5.8 rpg and Detroit is 7-1 in their last 8 meetings against St. Louis. Kenny Rogers (5-4, 4.36 ERA) has pitched solid over his last 3 starts with an ERA of just 1.23 while allowing 14 hits over just 22 innings. The Tigers are 5-1 when Rogers has started for them at home this season and 6-3 when he has pitched as a favorite. Take the Tigers as my MLB Free play for Tuesday night and make sure you get on my long term MLB run.
Matt Fargo
New York Yankees vs. Pittsburgh Pirates
Play: Pittsburgh Pirates
We all know why this price is what it is and that is because the Yankees are involved. Now New York is playing some excellent baseball but the majority of its recent success has come at home where it is now 22-17 on the season. It is a game over .500 on the road but there are issues as it has a 4.09 ERA to go along with a.261 average, 12 points below its overall average. The Yankees pitching has been outstanding during its recent run but that can change here.
It may be surprising to many but the Pirates are now seven games over .500 at home following a weekend series win against the Blue Jays. Pittsburgh is 6-2 in its last eight home games and this includes a 3-1 record as an underdog. During this eight-game stretch, the Pirates allowed 3.9 rpg which is a vast difference from its 9.7 rpg allowed in its last six road games. They have also rebounded very well of late, going 17-8 in their last 25 games following a loss.
It has been a rough season thus far for Tom Gorzelanny but his last four outings have been his best four-game stretch of the year. Three starts back, he allowed four early runs against the Cardinals and looked like it was going to be an early exit but he rebounded to throw three scoreless innings and that was a turning point. He has allowed three runs in two starts and four in the other two including the last where he was stung by four home runs. Despite that, it was considered a very solid outing as he continues to improve.
Darrell Rasner started the season with four straight quality starts but since then, it has been a rough time. After a 1.80 ERA and 0.88 WHIP in May, he has a 5.73 ERA and 1.68 WHIP in June with only one of those being a quality outing. The Yankees have dropped four of his last five starts and run support has not helped things as they have averaged just three rpg over those five starts. Rasner is 1-3 with a 5.57 ERA and 1.48 WHIP in four road starts. Play Pittsburgh Pirates 1.5 Units
Doc's Sports
Colorado Rockies vs. Kansas City Royals
Play: Under
The Interleague series nobody cares about will open up @ Kauffman Stadium on Monday but game two will feature the best pitching match-up and thus we will not worry about who wins this game and collect with the under. Zach Greinke will toe the rubber for the Royals and he has pitched well this season and is 6-4 with a 3.33 E.R.A. He has not lost since June 8th and has given up just five earned runs total in his last three starts. The Royals are a light hitting team and that should bode well for Jorge De La Rosa, since his number are poor but will keep the Royals in check giving us the victory with the under. Sign-up now for Doc’s NL Side of the Month, which is in play on Tuesday.
BRAD DIAMOND
Play on: Philadelphia over Oakland
Nothing like a road trip to help shake a slump and the negative driven media. Philadelphia is 1-6 last seven games all against the AL top seeds, Boston and LA. Here they face a feisty "small ball" oriented club in Oakland, but all is not lost. Veteran lefty Jamie Moyer of Philly is a leader in the dugout and his persona should help correct the losing streak. In fact, with Moyer Philadelphia is 7-1, while overall going 5-0 as a road underdog.
Marc Lawrence
Play On: Florida w/Olsen vs Sonnanstine
A battle of the Sunshine state takes place in Miami when the Marlins send Scott Olsen up against Andy Sonnanstine and the Rays Tuesday night. This is a rematch from 11 days ago when Tampa won two out of three games at Tropicana Field. The bottom line here is Olsen's 2.89 ERA at home this year is more than a run and a half better than his road ERA and nearly one and a half runs better than Sonnanstine's 4.38 road ERA. With Olsen owning an 0.77 ERA in his career team starts against the Rays, we'll stay at home with Olsen and the Marlins here tonight.
Tom Freese
Chicago at Los Angeles
Los Angeles starter Derek Lowe has allowed 8 runs total in his last 5 starts. The Dodgers are 12-3 UNDER their last 15 games as favorites and they are 8-2 UNDER their last 10 games vs. winning teams. Lowe is 15-7-1 UNDER as a home favorite of -110 to -150. Chicago starter Mark Buehrle has allowed 7 runs total in his last 4 starts. The White Sox are 8-2 UNDER their last 10 road games and they arr 17-5-1 UNDER off a loss. The Pale Hose are 42-18 UNDER their last 60 games as dogs. PLAY ON 'UNDER' (Lowe vs. Buehrle)
Jimmy The Moose
Los Angeles Angels at Washington Nationals
Prediction: Los Angeles Angels
Nationals in tough against best road team in baseball. Angels 24-12 on the road this season, 9-1 in their last 10. Washington just 1-8 in Hill's last 9 starts. Nats have dropped 5 of their last 6 while the Angels are coming off a road sweep in Philly. Look for Angels to take this one easily. Play on LAA -.
Robert Ross
Arizona Diamondbacks at Boston Red Sox
Prediction: Arizona Diamondbacks
Davis will give the D'Backs a chance here at a big price. He is 15-7 against the money line when playing against a team with a winning record over the last 2 seasons. (Team's Record) Take Arizona!
Big Al Mcmordie
Texas Rangers at Houston Astros
Prediction: Houston Astros
At 8:05pm our member selection is on the Houston Astros over the Texas Rangers. This game marks the beginning of the second three-game interleague series of the season between these same two teams, something they have been doing for the past several years. The Astros and Rangers played three games back in the middle of May, that time in Arlington and this time the Astros will be the host at Minute Maid Park. Eric Hurley is a rookie righthander for Texas and although he is only 22-years-old, Hurley has been in the minors gaining experience since 2004. That's the good news. The bad news is that his last two seasons in AAA (including this season) have been uninspiring at best. And in his two major league starts, Hurley is winless against two teams without much offense (Atlanta and Kansas City). Things should be even tougher for Hurley tonight against Houston in a park which has proven to be extremely hitter-friendly and possibly without one of the team's biggest offensive weapon. Outfielder Milton Bradley, who has been red-hot almost the entire month of June, may have to miss this game with an injured quadricep. Whether he's good or bad, Hurley certainly won't go very deep in the game, and that could be bad news for Texas as well as its bullpen has been anything but reliable this season. Take the 'Stros.
Terron Chapman
Philadelphia Phillies vs. Oakland Athletics
Play: Philadelphia Phillies
The Philadelphia Phillies will head west to try and turn things around as they begin a three game interleague set in Oakland. The Phillies have lost five straight, all at home, and 7 of 8 overall.
During their recent slump they have not been hitting and that could very well change tonight. Joe Blanton will start for the A's and he is just 1-7 at home with a 3.98 ERA. The A's have gone 2-9 in his home starts this season and are 1-6 in his last 7 starts against a team with a winning record. He's given up 20 earned runs in his last four starts combined, including getting tagged for 8 runs in only 3 innings in his last outing. Under the lights this year has not been pretty for Blanton and the A's when he takes the hill. He is just 1-9 in night games with his team going 1-11 in games he starts under the lights.
The Phillies will hand the ball to Jamie Moyer and hope he can put in another solid performance. The veteran lefty has been solid this season to the tune of a 7-4 record and 4.09 ERA. He has been tough on the road going 4-1 and seeing his ERA drop to just 2.76. Moyer struggled in Oakland when he was with Seattle but should have more confidence on the mound tonight with a powerful Phillies lineup behind him. The Phillies recent struggles have come at home and they are still hitting a solid .273 against right handed pitching on the road for the season. They are 6-1 in Moyer's last 7 road starts.
A change of scenery and as far as they can get away from Philadelphia right now is what the Phillies need. They should come back together and refocus on the road away from the pressure of having to do so at home. They are one of the best teams in the majors to start a series and are 19-6 in game 1's including 6-3 after a loss.Play on the Philadelphia Phillies for 1 unit.
Tom Stryker
Baltimore Orioles vs. Chicago Cubs
Play: Baltimore Orioles
Talk about an emotional letdown! The Cubs just swept the White Sox in the Crosstown Classic and now must take on an Orioles bunch that own enough talent to pull off this stunning upset.
On the bump for Baltimore will be former Stanford Cardinal Jeremy Guthrie. Even though Guthrie's won/loss record stands a dismal 3-7, his efforts this season have been noteworthy. In 102.2 innings of work, Jeremy has been scratched for 40 earned runs and 94 hits. That adds up to a respectable 3.51 ERA! Equally impressive, with the lights shining, No. 46 has been effective. At night, Guthrie has been nicked for 24 earned runs and 58 hits in 65.2 frames. That equates to a solid 3.29 ERA!
With Carlos Zambrano on the shelf with a shoulder, the Cubbies will hand the ball to southpaw Sean Marshall. Fresh from Triple-A Iowa, Marshall will make his first start for Chicago since September! So far this year, Sean has been a fixture in the Cubs bullpen. In 10 appearances dating back to April 17th, the lefty from VCU has been tagged for four earned runs, eight hits and seven walks in 8.2 innings of work. That's not going to cut the mustard against this opportunistic O's team.
Respect is given to Chicago's sparkling home record. However, Baltimore has cashed nine of its last 12 versus teams from the NL Central and seven of its last eight coming off a day of rest. Take the Orioles with listed pitcher Guthrie.
Scott Ferrall
TEXAS +105 over Houston--I just think the Rangers are better than the Astros-flat out ! I think they'll score more runs and have more big hits in this one at Minute Maid
Baltimore +115 over Chicago Cubs--I'm hoping the Cubs have a let down facing the Orioles and get burned by Guthrie. Chciago has been dominant at Wrigley, but they have to cool off sometime !
Colorado +135 over Kansas City--De La Rosa knocks off the Royals and Greinke at Kaufmann Stadium. The line just looks too automatic for KC, even though they've been on fire lately. I like the pay out if the Rockies can do it !
SAN DIEGO -160 over Minnesota--Peavy is just too tough and he'll cool off those hot Twin bats ( 6 straight wins)
Philly (even odds) over Oakland--I can't take Blanton over Moyer, even with as bad as the Phils have looked lately. Blanton just has no luck and is 3-10 on the year.
DODGERS -125 over White Sox--The Sox aren't a good road team (6 under .500) and they just got beat up by the Cubs over the weekend and had to travel out to LA. LOWE moves to .500 with the win at the Revine. UNDER 8 RUNS
TEXAS +105 over Houston--I just think the Rangers are better than the Astros-flat out ! I think they'll score more runs and have more big hits in this one at Minute Maid
Baltimore +115 over Chicago Cubs--I'm hoping the Cubs have a let down facing the Orioles and get burned by Guthrie. Chciago has been dominant at Wrigley, but they have to cool off sometime !
Colorado +135 over Kansas City--De La Rosa knocks off the Royals and Greinke at Kaufmann Stadium. The line just looks too automatic for KC, even though they've been on fire lately. I like the pay out if the Rockies can do it !
SAN DIEGO -160 over Minnesota--Peavy is just too tough and he'll cool off those hot Twin bats ( 6 straight wins)
Philly (even odds) over Oakland--I can't take Blanton over Moyer, even with as bad as the Phils have looked lately. Blanton just has no luck and is 3-10 on the year.
DODGERS -125 over White Sox--The Sox aren't a good road team (6 under .500) and they just got beat up by the Cubs over the weekend and had to travel out to LA. LOWE moves to .500 with the win at the Revine. UNDER 8 RUNS
LUCKY LEPRECHAUN SPORTS
CHICAGO -129 over Baltimore
The Orioles are 3-12 in Guthries last 15 starts following a Quality Start in his last appearance and 13-38 in their last 51 interleague games as a dog of +110 to +150, while the Cubs are 13-3 in their last 16 home games vs. a team with a winning record and 11-2 in their last 13 during game 1 of a series. I know the Cubs are just off an emotional series with tehir crosstown rivals and that they have Sean Marshall making his first strart of they year, but this is the Cubs at home and I feel a real bargain here at -129. The Cubs have been home favs of -125 -150 13 times this year and they are 11-2 in those games, outscoring their opponents by 3.1 rpg. The Cubs are the best home team in the league with a 32-8 record, scoring 6.5 rpg and giving up just 3.8 rpg. The Cubs hit .311 at home, including .306 vs righties and they score 5 rpg vs righty starters on the year. The Orioles bats have waken up a bit lately, but they are scoring just 4.4 rpg and hit just .247 overall, including hitting just .244 and scoring just 4.1 rpg on the road. The O's also have problems scoring with Guthrie on the mound, as they average just 3.4 rpg in his overall starts, including just 3.5 rpg in his home starts. Guthrie hasa pretty good ERA, but due to lack of run support his overall record is just 3-7. Guthrie is just 2-4 on the road with a 3.78 ERA, including a 1-2 mak with a 4.15 ERA in his last 4 on the road. The Cubs just hit too well at home to think that Baltimore's weak offense can outscore them here, even with Marshall on the mound and even if Marshall gets into trouble the tough Chicago bullpen should take over and keep the Orioles down for the rest of the game.
JB's COMPUTER PICKS
Tampa Bay Rays -105
Los Angeles Angels -155
Chicago Cubs -135