Vernon Croy
Baltimore Orioles vs. Toronto Blue Jays
Play: Toronto Blue Jays
The Jays have the superior pitcher on the mound tonight and Shaun Marcum (9-6, 3.38 ERA) has pitched solid in his 2 games back off the DL. Marcum has allowed just 9 hits over his 2 starts off of the DL while allowing just 2 earned runs over 14.3 innings and he has also pitched solid at home this season with an ERA of just 2.81 over 13 starts. Chris Waters (2-3, 5.73) has struggled over his last 3 starts with an ERA of 7.63 while allowing 22 hits over just 15.3 innings and I look for the Jays to hit him hard tonight at home where they are hitting .267 as a team this season. The Orioles are just 1-7 in their last 8 games in game 1 of a series and the Jays are a red hot 6-0 in their last 6 home games. The Jays are 8-4 in their 12 games against the Orioles this season and the Orioles are just 7-19 in their last 26 games against a team that has a winning record. Take Toronto as my MLB Free Play for Tuesday night and make sure you get on my 4-0 MLB Run which continues tonight.
Nelly
Seattle + over Kansas City
Brandon Morrow was one of the top relievers in the American League and he has made a smooth transition to a starting role with two excellent outings under his belt. Morrow has allowed just six hits and three runs in nearly 13 innings as a starter and his season ERA is an exceptional 1.64. The Mariners are a respectable 10-9 in the last 19 games and Seattle has won 24 of the last 35 meetings with Kansas City including five of the last nine at Kauffman Stadium.
Brandon Duckworth has allowed at least two runs and pitched less than six innings in each of the last four starts he has made. Duckworth has 12 walks allowed and just ten strikeouts earned in 20 innings. Pitching at home has not been beneficial as he owns an 8.00 ERA and a 2.22 WHIP. The Royals enter this series having won four of the past five games but the Kansas City offense has had much better production against left-handed pitching.
Kansas City is eight games below .500 at home this season and the Royals are just 2-6 in Duckworth’s last eight starts. Kansas City has had trouble scoring runs at home with three runs or fewer in twelve of the last 17 home games. Morrow has the potential to a front-of-the-rotation type starter and he will relish the chance to get some late season innings in.
Bryan Leonard
2* Philadelphia at Atlanta
The Phillies hold a pretty sizable hitting edge in this one as the Braves have struggled vs southpaws all season. Atlanta is averaging just 3.93 runs per game here vs lefties, a full 1.44 rpg less than when facing a right-handed starter.Philadelphia also has a huge edge in experience on the mound as the seemingly never aging Jamie Moyer takes the hill. The soon to be 45 year old is having his best season in a long while as he boasts a 9-3 record and sparking 2.61 ERA on the road this year. The Phillies have won six of his last seven overall starts including four straight on the road.Atlanta counters with young James Parr who has been impressive out of the gate. He has yet to be scored upon in his first 12 innings covering two starts. But his minor league numbers don't show him to be ready to pitch well on an everyday basis at this level. Because of his great start the line on this game is well within our parameters. We get a team battling for the playoffs at a cheap price knowing Philadelphia has taken 12 of the last 14 games in this series.PLAY PHILADELPHIA
Jimmy The Moose
Detroit Tigers at Texas Rangers
Prediction: Over
Both team's have very good offensive power and bad pitching. The Tigers starting staff ERA on the road is 4.76 and the Rangers batting average at home is .96. The Tigers send Miner to the mound and over his last 9 starts on grass the over is 6-2-1. Detroit has played the over in 5 of his last 7 starts. The over is 30-11-1 in the Rangers last 41 games vs. AL Central team's. The over is 5-2 in Millwood's last 7 home starts vs. a team with a losing record. The over is 7-3-1 in his last 11 starts vs. a team with a losing record. The over is 5-1-1 in the last 7 meetings between the clubs. Play the over.
Scott Ferrall
Ryan Dempster +110 and Cubs at Wrigley over CC Sabathia and the Brewers
OSWALT -155 and Astros at Florida--ROY is killing everybody these days with filthy stuff
St.Louis +110 at Cincy--Looper over Arroyo at Great American Ballpark
KC -115 over Seattle at Kaufmann
Toronto -180 over Baltimore--Marcum gets it done at Rogers
Cleveland +150 over Minney in UPSET at the Jake over Liriano
Frank Jordan
LAA Angels vs. Oakland Athletics
Play: LAA Angels
The Angels have wraped up the AL West and Francisco Rodriguez has the single season save record as they nearly have a 20 game lead in the division. Look for the Angels to continue to play hard and strong to finish sharp and with the best record in the AL. Play LA Angels
Karl Garrett
Milwaukee at CUBS +115
Gotta go against the fading Brewers at Wrigley Field tonight.
Milwaukee has lost 7 of their last 8, including an untimely 4-game sweep in Philadelphia this past weekend that lead to the firing of manager Ned Yost.
Sure, CC Sabathia has been gold since joining the Brewers, but his last 2 starts have both been no-decisions, and he is up against Ryan Dempster who is a perfect 3-0 in 3 season starts against Milwaukee this year.
Dempster is also 12-3 at home this year, with an under 3 ERA, and the Cubs have come on strong down the stretch with wins in their last 4, and 6 of 8 to extend their NL Central lead to a massive 8 games.
Grab the plus money with the Cubs who are 51-24 at the Friendly Confines this season.
3♦ CUBS
Sports Gambling Hotline
White Sox at NY YANKEES -140
Tonight we will lay a little wood with the Yankees, as it looks like New York is showing some pride in their stadium that is about to close.
The Yankees won their last 2 against Tampa Bay over the weekend, and opened with a nice 4-2 win last night for their 3rd straight home win.
Chicago has now lost 5 of their last 8, and they haven't had much success against the Yankees lately. New York is 3-1 in this year's season series, and 6-1 at home against the Pale Hose since 2006.
Andy Pettitte has really struggled down the stretch, but we believe the tried, and true Yankee will come up big in what could be his last start in this hallowed stadium.
Gavin Floyd counters with 9 runs allowed over his last 14 innings of work.
Let's take the Yankees to keep their late season surge going.
Play on New York.
2♦ NY YANKEES
Sports Advisors
Milwaukee (83-67) at Chicago Cubs (90-58)
One day after the stunning firing of manager Ned Yost, the Brewers hand the ball to CC Sabathia (9-0, 1.59 ERA) to open a crucial three-game series at Wrigley Field. Chicago is scheduled to counter with Ryan Dempster (15-6, 3.02).
After getting swept in a four-game series over the weekend in Philadelphia, Milwaukee lowered the boom on Yost on Monday and turned the team over to third-base coach Dale Sveum. In addition to the current four-game slide, the Brewers have dropped 11 of their last 14 and seven of their last eight, and they begin this series eight games behind Chicago in the N.L. Central and tied with the Phillies in the wild-card race.
The Cubs capped a strange abbreviated series against the Astros with Monday’s 6-1 victory in Milwaukee, which hosted the two-game set after the teams were forced out of Houston in the wake of Hurricane Ike. One day after Carlos Zambrano pitched the first no-hitter for Chicago since 1972, Ted Lilly took a no-hitter into the seventh inning Monday to lead the Cubs to their fourth straight win, which comes on the heels of a 1-8 slump.
On the bright side for the Brewers, they’ve won 12 of their last 16 divisional games, and they’re 5-1 in their past six after an off day. Meanwhile, Chicago is on hot streaks of 29-14 overall, 50-21 at home and 11-3 versus lefty starters. Also, the Cubs swept the Brewers in Milwaukee last month and they hold a slim 6-4 edge in the season series, with the visitor winning eight of the 10 contests.
Sabathia has been sensational since being acquired from Cleveland, delivering a quality effort – at least seven innings pitched and three earned runs or fewer allowed – in all 13 of his starts. Milwaukee is 12-1 behind the big lefty, including eight consecutive wins coming into this contest. What’s more, Sabathia is 5-0 with a 0.85 ERA in five outings on the road, yielding just four runs in 42 1/3 innings.
The only loss Milwaukee has suffered with Sabathia on the hill came on July 28 against the Cubs, as he gave up four runs (three earned) in 6 2/3 innings, getting a no-decision as Chicago rallied for a 6-4 victory.
Dempster has allowed three earned runs or fewer in 25 of his 30 starts, and Chicago is 20-10 behind the right-hander this season, including 14-4 at home and 3-0 against Milwaukee. However, the Cubs have come up empty in Dempster’s last two outings, losing 4-0 to Houston at home and 4-3 at St. Louis, with Dempster yielding three earned runs in seven innings both times out.
Dempster is 12-3 with a 2.90 ERA at home, and he’s won all three decisions this year against the Brewers, posting a 2.37 ERA. For his career, Dempster is 7-2 with a 2.45 ERA and 10 saves in 33 games (11 starts) against Milwaukee.
For Chicago, the under is on streaks of 8-3 overall, 5-1 at home and 9-4 when Dempster starts at Wrigley. Conversely, the Brewers are on over streaks of 4-0-3 overall and 5-2-2 on the road, but the under is 5-2-1 in Sabathia’s last seven starts. Finally, the over is 20-8-3 in the last 31 head-to-head clashes in this rivalry, including 7-2-1 this year.
ATS ADVANTAGE: CHICAGO CUBS
AMERICAN LEAGUE
Chicago White Sox (83-66) at N.Y. Yankees (80-70)
Still clinging to a one-game lead in the A.L. Central, the White Sox continue their critical four-game series at Yankee Stadium, with Gavin Floyd (15-7, 3.77) set to oppose New York veteran Andy Pettitte (13-13, 4.52).
New York scored a 4-2 victory on Monday, its third straight win following a 2-6 slump. Despite the recent mini run, Joe Girardi’s club remains nine games behind the Rays and Red Sox in both the A.L. East and wild-card races.
Chicago is mired in slumps of 3-5 overall, 2-6 on the road and 2-7 versus the A.L. East, but Ozzie Guillen’s troops still lead the Twins by a game in the Central after Minnesota also lost last night. On the positive end of the spectrum, the White Sox are on streaks of 16-6 against lefty starters, 9-4 on Tuesdays, 8-2 with Floyd on the mound and 4-1 when Floyd starts on the road.
New York has won three of the four meetings with Chicago this season, and the Yankees are 8-2 in the last 10 head-to-head clashes overall and 7-1 in the past eight in the Bronx.
Floyd has pitched at least six innings in five straight starts, but he’s gotten roughed up in his last two, surrendering a combined nine runs (all earned) in 14 1/3 innings. He’s 6-4 with a 3.93 ERA on the road this season, and in the right-hander’s first career start against the Yankees on April 24, he allowed five runs in six innings, failing to get a decision in his team’s 7-6 victory.
Pettitte is 0-4 with a 7.15 ERA in his last four starts, including Wednesday’s 4-2 loss at the Angels in which he yielded all four runs (three earned) in 4 2/3 innings. The veteran southpaw is 3-6 with a 5.43 ERA in 11 post-All-Star break starts, and he’s 5-7 with a 5.32 ERA in 15 outings at Yankee Stadium in 2008.
Pettitte is 11-8 with 4.41 ERA in 21 career starts against the White Sox, including a dominating 8-1 home win last year when he gave up just the one run in seven innings.
The over is 6-2 in the last eight series meetings between these teams (3-1 this year), 8-1-1 in Floyd’s last 10 starts overall and 5-1 in Pettitte’s last six outings against the ChiSox. On the flip side, the under is on streaks of 5-1-1 for Chicago on the road, 20-7-2 for Chicago versus the A.L. East, 36-17 with Pettitte on the mound overall and 15-6 when Pettitte toils at home.
ATS ADVANTAGE: NONE
Boston (89-61) at Tampa Bay (88-60)
Six days after facing off in a thrilling 14-inning affair at Fenway Park, the Rays’ Andy Sonnanstine (13-7, 4.47) once again opposes Red Sox ace Josh Beckett (12-9, 4.10), this time at Tropicana Field as these rivals look to break a tie atop the A.L. East.
Boston finally pulled even with the Rays in the division standings courtesy of Monday’s 13-5 rout. The Red Sox have won 15 of their last 21 games since Aug. 24, going 6-2 on the road during this stretch. Additionally, Terry Francona’s team is on runs of 11-4 in divisional games, 19-7 on Tuesdays, 7-2 against right-handed starters and 21-8 when Beckett pitches on the road.
Tampa Bay has lost seven of its last 10 games overall, but the Rays still sport positive streaks of 49-15 at home, 20-10 against right-handed starters, 18-8 with Sonnanstine on the hill and 7-1 when Sonnanstine pitches at home.
With Monday’s rout, the Red Sox snapped a seven-game losing skid in Tampa Bay that dated to last September. In fact, after the home team won the first 14 meetings in this rivalry this season, the visitor has taken the last three.
Beckett (one run in six innings) and Sonnanstine (one unearned run in seven innings) both pitched brilliantly on Wednesday at Fenway Park, but they departed in a 1-1 tie, which wasn’t broken until the 14th inning.
Beckett has made two starts since returning from a stint on the disabled list, allowing just a run on 10 hits with two walks and 14 strikeouts in 11 innings. He’s been solid on the road this year at 7-5 with 3.00 ERA, including 3-0 with a 1.08 ERA in the last three on the highway. The veteran right-hander is also 2-1 with a 2.33 ERA in four starts against Tampa Bay in 2008.
Prior to Wednesday’s strong effort in Boston, Sonnanstine had four consecutive bumpy starts, allowing 16 earned runs in 21 innings (6.86 ERA). He’s also 1-1 with a 6.59 ERA in five career starts against Boston. However, the right-hander is 7-3 at home this season with a 4.88 ERA.
For the Rays, the over is on streaks of 7-0 at home, 12-4 overall (all against the A.L. East), 9-2 against right-handed starters, 4-1 in Sonnanstine’s last five starts overall, 4-0 in his last four at home and 4-1 in his five career outings against the Red Sox. Also, the over is 8-3 in Boston’s last 11 road games and 5-0-1 in its last six on Tuesdays.
ATS ADVANTAGE: BOSTON and OVER
DUNKEL
Baltimore at Toronto
The Blue Jays return home after an eight-game road trip and face a Baltimore team that is 5-12 as a road underdog between +150 and +175. Toronto is the pick (-170) according to Dunkel, which has the Blue Jays favored by 3. Dunkel Pick: Toronto (-170). Here are all of today's games
TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 16
Game 901-902: LA Dodgers at Pittsburgh
Dunkel Ratings: LA Dodgers (Lowe) 15.630; Pittsburgh (Karstens) 15.840
Dunkel Line: Pittsburgh by 1/2; 8
Vegas Line: LA Dodgers (-180); 9
Dunkel Pick: Pittsburgh (+170); Under
Game 903-904: Philadelphia at Atlanta
Dunkel Ratings: Philadelphia (Moyer) 15.892; Atlanta (Parr) 16.916
Dunkel Line: Atlanta by 1; 9 1/2
Vegas Line: Philadelphia (-120); 9
Dunkel Pick: Atlanta (+110); Over
Game 905-906: NY Mets at Washington
Dunkel Ratings: NY Mets (Pelfrey) 15.042; Washington (Perez) 16.227
Dunkel Line: Washington by 1; 9 1/2
Vegas Line: NY Mets (-170); 9
Dunkel Pick: Washington (+160); Over
Game 907-908: St. Louis at Cincinnati
Dunkel Ratings: St. Louis (Looper) 14.289; Cincinnati (Arroyo) 13.320
Dunkel Line: St. Louis by 1; 10 1/2
Vegas Line: Cincinnati (-130); 9 1/2
Dunkel Pick: St. Louis (+120); Over
Game 909-910: Houston at Florida
Dunkel Ratings: Houston (Oswalt) 16.733; Florida (Volstad) 15.613
Dunkel Line: Houston by 1; 7
Vegas Line: Houston (-160); 8
Dunkel Pick: Houston (-160); Under
Game 911-912: Milwaukee at Chicago Cubs
Dunkel Ratings: Milwaukee (Sabathia) 14.248; Cubs (Dempster) 14.832
Dunkel Line: Chicago Cubs by 1/2;
Vegas Line: Milwaukee (-125); No Run Line
Dunkel Pick: Chicago Cubs (+115); N/A
Game 913-914: San Diego at Colorado
Dunkel Ratings: San Diego (Estes) 13.875; Colorado (Jimenez) 14.538
Dunkel Line: Colorado by 1; 8 1/2
Vegas Line: Colorado (-170); 9 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Colorado (-170); Under
Game 915-916: San Francisco at Arizona
Dunkel Ratings: San Francisco (Cain) 13.992; Arizona (Haren) 14.779
Dunkel Line: Arizona by 1; 8 1/2
Vegas Line: Arizona (-165); 8
Dunkel Pick: Arizona (-165); Over
Game 917-918: Chicago White Sox at NY Yankees
Dunkel Ratings: White Sox (Floyd) 16.664; NY Yankees (Pettitte) 15.567
Dunkel Line: Chicago White Sox by 1; 8 1/2
Vegas Line: NY Yankees (-140); 9 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Chicago White Sox (+130); Under
Game 919-920: Minnesota at Cleveland
Dunkel Ratings: Minnesota (Liriano) 15.539; Cleveland (Jackson) 14.003
Dunkel Line: Minnesota by 1 1/2; 8
Vegas Line: Minnesota (-170); 8 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Minnesota (-170); Under
Game 921-922: Baltimore at Toronto
Dunkel Ratings: Baltimore (Waters) 14.172; Toronto (Marcum) 17.318
Dunkel Line: Toronto by 3; 9 1/2
Vegas Line: Toronto (-170); 10
Dunkel Pick: Toronto (-170); Under
Game 923-924: Boston at Tampa Bay
Dunkel Ratings: Boston (Beckett) 16.208; Tampa Bay (Sonnanstine) 16.598
Dunkel Line: Tampa Bay by 1/2; 7 1/2
Vegas Line: Boston (-145); 8 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Tampa Bay (+135); Under
Game 925-926: Detroit at Texas
Dunkel Ratings: Detroit (Miner) 14.745; Texas (Millwood) 14.595
Dunkel Line: Detroit by 1/2; 10 1/2
Vegas Line: Texas (-140); 11 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Detroit (+130); Under
Game 927-928: Seattle at Kansas City
Dunkel Ratings: Seattle (Morrow) 15.746; Kansas City (Duckworth) 14.809
Dunkel Line: Seattle by 1; 10 1/2
Vegas Line: Kansas City (-115); 9 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Seattle (+105); Over
Game 929-930: LA Angels at Oakland
Dunkel Ratings: LA Angels (Lackey) 17.158; Oakland (Gallagher) 15.741
Dunkel Line: LA Angels by 1 1/2; 8 1/2
Vegas Line: LA Angels (-145); 7 1/2
Dunkel Pick: LA Angels (-145); Over
Jim Feist
BAL Orioles @TOR Blue Jays
Take Under
Toronto is 11th in the AL in runs scored and takes on a Baltimore team going more with kids on offense. SS Juan Castro is hitting under .200, while 1B Oscar Salazar and C Ramon Hernandez are hitting under .260. They just went on a 4-1 run under the total. At least the pitching is getting healthy: Closer George Sherrill, who hadn't pitched since Aug. 15 with shoulder inflammation, entered in the ninth with a 7-0 lead over the weekend. He had one strikeout. Runs won't be easy to come by against Toronto righty Shaun Marcum (3.38 ERA). He has excellent stuff, with 15 Ks his last three starts in 18 innings, just 6 walks. The Jays come home after a long road trip so the bats could be a bit rusty, especially against a pitcher they have never seen before, Baltimore lefty Chris Waters. Play the Orioles/Blue Jays under the total.
Dave Cokin
BOS Red Sox @ TB Rays
Take BOS Red Sox
The Red Sox and Rays are now in a virtual dead heat following Monday's blowout Boston win. Tampa Bay has held the top spot for an amazing stretch, in spite of injuries to key personnel, but I think they're going to wake up on Wednesday finally trailing the Red Sox. No one is tougher in money games than Josh Beckett and the Boston ace has alleviated whatever health concerns existed with back to back strong outings. Andy Sonnanstine was terrific at Fenway last week, but I believe the Red Sox bats get to him here. I'll spot the price with the Red Sox.
Steve Merril
St Louis Cardinals vs. Cincinnati Reds
Play:Under
Both offenses enter in poor current form, while both starting pitchers are in excellent form and this should lead to a low-scoring game tonight. The Cardinals have scored 3 runs or less in five of their past seven games, including 2 runs or less in three of their past four games. Meanwhile, the Reds have scored 3 runs or less in each of their past four games. Both bullpens are rested after traveling on Monday and my pitcher performance ratings predict a solid outing by both starting pitchers tonight. The Cardinals’ Braden Looper is coming off a 4-3 loss versus Chicago last week in which he allowed 4 runs, however only one run was earned, and overall he still has a solid 1.32 WHIP this season. Cincinnati’s Bronson Arroyo started the season slowly, but he has really turned things around in the second half and is in excellent current form with a 1.33 ERA and 1.23 WHIP in his past three starts.
Matt Fargo
Philadelphia Phillies at Atlanta Braves
Prediction: Philadelphia Phillies
The Phillies have clawed their way back into the playoff picture both in the division as well as the Wild Card race. Philadelphia trails the Mets by just a half-game entering Tuesday and its weekend four-game sweep against the Brewers put it in a first place tie with Milwaukee for the Wild Card spot. The Phillies are 18-9 over their last 27 games and are peaking at the right time for a second straight season. Philadelphia is 11-4 in its last 15 road games against a team with a losing record.
The Braves have been playing well also, going 5-1 over their last six games and they are also 6-2 in their last eight home games. However, those recent home games have come against teams not in playoff contention and they have struggled against the top competition, going 2-11 in their last 13 home games against a team with a winning road record. Atlanta has dropped 19 of the last 26 meetings at home against the Phillies including all six meetings in Atlanta this season.
Jamie Moyer just keeps on going .He is coming off another great effort against the Brewers as he was a third of an inning short of putting up another quality start. Moyer has a 3.05 ERA since June 6th covering 18 starts, 17 of which he has allowed three runs or fewer. He earned a no-decision in his only start this season against the Braves, holding Atlanta to two runs in 5.1 innings. The Phillies are 4-0 in Moyer?s last four road starts and 24-8 in his last 32 starts against National League East.
The Braves counter with rookie James Parr who has been spectacular in his first two starts with the club. He has tossed six scoreless innings during each of his first two Major League starts. He has been doing everything well but now he faces an offense that can finally get to him. He went against the Rockies and Nationals in those first two games and he now faces the Phillies who are hitting .277 over their last 10 games against right-handed pitching and are 6-2 in their last eight games against a right-handed starter. Play Philadelphia Phillies 1.5 Units
Big Al McMordie
Milwaukee Brewers vs. Chicago Cubs
Play: Milwaukee Brewers
At 8:05pm our selection is on the Chicago Cubs and the Milwaukee Brewers 'under' the total. This game begins a crucial three game series between these two teams, with the Brewers making one last gasp against their division rivals. It's more likely that Milwaukee will be playing for a wild card spot than the division title, as the Cubs have begun to put some distance between themselves and the surprising team from Wisconsin. And this first pitching matchup couldn't be any closer. Both veterans, Milwaukee's CC Sabathia and Chicago's Ryan Dempster have 15 wins, and both have ERAs right around three runs. Sabathia has been everything the Brewers could have hoped for (and more) when they acquired him at the trade deadline. He is 9-0 as a National League starter, but has been stuck on the nine wins since the end of August and could be at least a little frustrated that he hasn't gotten his tenth win since coming over, despite pitching very well in both of his September starts so far. Dempster has also been a bit snake-bitten lately, not having won in his last three starts despite pitching well. He's faced the Brewers once this season, and he was as dominant as he's been all season, going seven innings, giving up one earned run on only five hits with nine strikeouts. The Cubs have unexpectedly already been playing in Milwaukee, as their series against the Astros was moved to this city after Hurricane Ike came through the Houston area over the weekend. Carlos Zambrano's no-hitter on Sunday night may well be the first no-no in history that did not take place in the home park of either team. And Ted Lilly pitched another gem on Monday. Clearly, the Cubs' pitching has been spectacular of late. Take the 'under'.