Lee Kostroski
Chicago White Sox @ New York Yankees
PICK: Chicago White Sox
The Yankees are 1-8 in Andy Pettitte’s last nine starts and he has allowed three or more run in eight of those games. On the season New York is just 6-9 in games that Pettitte has started at home and his ERA at Yankee Stadium is just 5.32. Pettitte has allowed nine or more hits in five of his last nine starts and against a powerful Chicago lineup hits are likely to mean runs.
The White Sox have not been a great road team but this is obviously a critical series for the current AL Central leaders. Gavin Floyd has been the ace of the Chicago staff this season, enjoying a breakout year with a 15-7 record and a 3.77 ERA. Chicago is 8-2 in the last ten starts for Floyd and he has allowed three or fewer earned runs in seven of his last eleven starts. Chicago beat New York earlier this season with Floyd on the mound and he is backed up by an outstanding bullpen.
New York is hitting just .239 in the last ten games and the run production has been down at home. New York has scored four or fewer runs in nine of the last 13 home games. The White Sox have had recent success against left-handers with a .278 average over the last ten games and Chicago is 30-18 this season when facing a left-handed starter. Look for the Sox to pick up a big win and hold onto the division lead.
The Prez
Seattle Mariners @ Kansas City Royals Under 9.5
Umpire: Jim Wolf (13-15, 2.09)
Conditions: 71 degrees at first pitch with light winds blowing out to center field at 5 mph.
Converted closer Brandon Morrow is just two starts into his late season audition in the Mariners' rotation, and so far so good. Morrow tossed 7.2 innings of one-hit ball against the Yankees, then followed that up with five frames of two-run ball against the Angels.
Brandon Duckworth (2-1, 5.85 ERA) is 0-1 with a 4.35 ERA in three career games versus the Mariners, but he hasn't faced the team since 2004. Duckworth, who pitches to contact, has been running strong in three of his four starts since being recalled from Triple-A Omaha on Aug. 24. The right-hander allowed two runs and seven hits, while striking out five in just over five innings at the Metrodome on Thursday.
Given Duckworth’s poor minor league peripherals, he's a temporary fixture in the Royals rotation. However, he needs only pitch to his career numbers tonight to help with the play to the UNDER. The Royals are one of the better catch and throw teams in the league, and Duckworth needs only avoid bunch hits and seeing eye grounders to keep his team in the game.
Morrow (2-3, 1.64), who is making his third start took a no-hitter into the eighth inning of his first outing to earn a 3-1 home victory over the Yanks, and then gave up only two runs on five hits over five innings in his second start. Make no mistake, Morrow is a future stud in the Mariners rotation. The four-pitch right hander has an overwhelming fast ball and a terrific change up to compliment his breaking balls.
Morrow was supposed to throw no more than 100 pitches in his debut, but when he was carrying a no hitter into the late innings, that notion went out the window. And while his last start in LA wasn't horrible, he wasn't nearly as sharp as he was in his first start, and much of this likely had to do with the 109 pitches in his no-hit bid. His 90 pitches in his last start will have him fresh for tonight's light-hitting Royals.
Seattle is the second lowest scoring team in the league at 4.1 runs per game and second worst in the league in free passes at 2.6 per game to only the Royals at 2.4 per game. The M's score only 3.86 runs per game against right-handed starters and the Royals, 3.79 per contest.
KC is the third lowest scoring team in the league at 4.2 runs per game.
Both teams hit left-handed pitching significantly better than right-handers. In fact 31 of KC's wins have come against southpaws
Home plate umpire Jim Wolf is a fair umpire who isn't considered a QuesTec Vest. His 2.09 K:BB ratio is one of the larger numbers in the league and he works a fast and efficient game. His setup behind the plate favors right-handers, and despite his near .500 record of overs to unders he should be considered pitcher-friendly for tonight's game.
The UNDER is 6-0 in Mariners last 6 road games and 6-0 in Mariners last 6 road games vs. a right-handed starter.
The UNDER is 8-3 in Royals last 11 vs. American League West and 4-1 in Duckworth's last 5 home starts.
The UNDER is 5-2 in the last 7 meetings between these two teams.
4 UNIT Play on the UNDER
Lenny Del Genio
Boston Red Sox at Tampa Bay Rays
Prediction: Boston Red Sox
It looks as if one of the great stories in MLB is about to come to a not-so-sweet end as the Rays are poised to hand first place over to the Red Sox. When it matters, there is no one Boston would rather hand the ball to than Josh Beckett. The former World Series MVP is 19-5 L24 in the road favorite role, including 17-2 if priced at $1.25 and higher and a perfect 10-0 in the price range he finds himself in tonight ($1.25-$1.50). Tampa is dying a slow and painful death, having allowed 27 runs in its last three games (all losses) and they are just 4-9 in September. Let's just hope they can at least maintain a Wild Card berth. Take Boston.
Craig Trapp
Houston Astros vs. Florida Marlins
Play: Houston Astros
Today like Roy Oswalt and the ASTROS to win easily. Ace Roy Oswalt tries to extend his franchise-record scoreless innings streak on Tuesday night when the club opens a three-game series against the Florida Marlins at Dolphin Stadium. The right-hander, who has lasted at least eight innings in five of his last six starts, hasn't allowed a run in 32 1-3 innings. He passed J.R. Richard's franchise record of 31 consecutive scoreless innings with a three-hitter in a 6-0 win over Pittsburgh on Thursday -- his second consecutive complete game. Oswalt is 5-3 with a 2.85 ERA in 10 career starts against the Marlins, and the Astros are 7-3 in those games. Look for him to go at least 7 inning and only give up 1 run. SCORE HOU 5 - FLA 2
Gregg Price
New York Mets vs. Washington Nationals
Play: Washington Nationals
These crap teams love nothing more than being able to play spoiler. They have played the Mets tough all year, and people are already talking choke like last year for the mets. Great Value at home.
Black Widow Sports
1* on Toronto Blue Jays -178
Toronto will have no problem taking care of business at home tonight against the struggling Orioles. Toronto starter Shaun Marcum (9-6, 3.38 ERA) will seek his fifth win in his last six decisions. The righthander gave up two runs and five hits with six strikeouts over 7 1/3 innings during Thursday's 6-4 triumph over the Chicago White Sox. The Orioles will counter with rookie Chris Waters (2-3, 5.73 ERA), who is making his ninth career start. The lefthander is will suffer his fourth straight loss tonight. Baltimore is 9-24 (-15.9 Units) against the money line vs. poor power teams - averaging 0.9 or less HR's/game in the second half of the season over the last 2 seasons. Take the Blue Jays on the Money Line.
Black Magic Sports
1 Unit on L.A. Angels -130
With a pair of major goals accomplished, the Angels still have something to play for. They open a 10-game road trip starting tonight in Oakland in hopes of capturing the league’s best record and home-field advantage in the playoffs. The Angels are still in line to claim the majors' best record this season, with the Chicago Cubs (90-58) being their closest contender for that honor. John Lackey is 11-3 with a 3.25 ERA on the season. Lackey is 8-1 with a 1.71 ERA in 10 lifetime starts against Oakland. This is one team that Lackey simply loves facing. Oakland is starting to play a bunch of potential prospects for next season. Lackey is 11-1 in road games when playing against a team with a losing record over the last 2 seasons. Oakland is 8-26 vs. a starting pitcher whose strikes out 5 or more batters per start this season. Cash in with the Angels as the favorite.
3Daily Winners
Milwaukee Brewers vs. Chicago Cubs
Play: Chicago Cubs
Play On home teams like the Cubs who are very good offensive team scoring 5.3 runs or more a game, against a very good starting pitcher like Milwaukee's C.C. Sabathia with ERA under three in the NL, with a starting pitcher like Ryan Dempster who allows 5.5 or less hits a start. This rare system is 8-2 since 2006.
Chip Chirimbes
LAA Angels vs. Oakland Athletics
Play: LAA Angels
The Los Angeles Angels may have clinched a playoff spot but they have not let up on the field. The Angels have now won five straight and will be sending their ace John Lackey (11-3, 3.25 ERA) to the hill against the Oakland A's. Lackey is 14-3 lifetime against Oakland and he's in position to win once more. Take the Angels!
The Prez
5* Astros / Marlins Under 7.5
5* Giants / Diamondbacks Over 8
4* Cardinals / Reds Under 9.5
4* Mariners / Royals Under 9.5
Mike Rose
3* CWS +135
3* TBY +130
3* FLA +135
Wildcat
Chicago Cubs
PlusLineSports
2 games today!!
Game # 1
LA Dodgers vs Pittsburg
LAA Dodgers -1.5
Game #2
Baltimore vs Toronto
Toronto-1.5
EZWINNERS
3 STAR: (908) CINCINNATI (-$123) over St. Louis
(Listing Arroyo only) (Risking $369 to win $300)
3 STAR: (912) CHICAGO (+$113) over Milwaukee
(Listing Dempster only) (Risking $300 to win $339)
3 STAR: (923) BOSTON (-$134) over Tampa Bay
(Listing Beckett only) (Risking $402 to win $300)
JEFFERSONSPORTS
MLB EARLY RELEASES
METS -157 (Pelphrey)
ANGELS -135 (Lackey)