LEE KOSTROSKI
Pittsburgh Pirates @ Houston Astros
PICK: Houston Astros
Brian Moehler has allowed one or fewer runs in four of the last six games and his numbers at home are excellent with a 3.59 ERA despite pitching in a high scoring ballpark. In home games opposing batters are hitting just .235 against him and Moehler beat the Pirates earlier this month. Houston's bullpen does not have great numbers but the unit has a lower ERA, more saves, and fewer blown saves than the relief corps for Pittsburgh.
The Pirates are 16-41 in the last 57 road games and Pittsburgh owns a near MLB-worst 16-32 road record on the season. The Pirates are actually 18-45 in Houston over the last several years as this has been a tough place to play. The Pirates have lost six of the last seven road series, getting swept in three of those sets. Pittsburgh did manage to win the first game of this series but they were fortunate to get the opportunity with a blown save opportunity from the Astros.
A few years ago Ian Snell was one of the rising stars in the NL but he has taken a major turn for the worse this season. Snell is 1-6 in his road starts with a 7.71 ERA. Snell has walked 58 batters in just 100 innings pitched this season and Snell has been tagged for four or more runs in six of his last nine starts. Snell has not won a start on the road since early April so this should be a good situation for the Astros to deliver a win today.
Carlo Campanella comp
Atlanta Braves at Florida Marlins
Prediction: Florida Marlins
Reason: Atlanta favored on the road at Florida on Wednesday, but offer very little value based on their 6-15 record as road Favorites between -100 and -150 this season. Things look even worse in this situation as they start Hudson, who's already 0-6 when starting on the road as a Favorite below -150 this year! Backing the value with Florida at home, as they've won 6 of their last 9 games and own a solid 28-22 home mark.
7* Play On Florida
Dave Cokin
TEX Rangers and CHW White Sox
Take CHW White Sox
Clayton Richard makes his debut for the White Sox Wednesday, and that in itself is a real shocker. Richard hadn't shown anything of note since being drafted back in 2005, and was not even among the top 30 prospects in a less than sensational White Sox farm system heading into this season. But Richard has had a phenomenal year. He was much better than his 6-6 AA ledger might indicate. Since moving up to AAA, Richard is 6-0 with some dynamite peripherals, and he's gotten more than two groundball outs for every one in the air. The lefty is not a big strikeout pitcher, but evidently his sinker is working beautifully. A couple cautionary notes on Richard. Nerves can always be an issue for a first-timer, and I don't like the fact he hasn't started since July 9. But the Rangers are mired in a funk presently, and Kevin Millwood is getting drilled. So I'll give the debuting Richard and the White Sox the vote here.
Jim Feist
TEX Rangers and CHW White Sox
Take Over
The Rangers aren't exactly the kind of team you want to make your major league debut against, especially as a pitcher. Clayton Richard does just that here on Wednesday as he gets his first major league start. It's been a meteoric rise for Richard, who started the season at AA Birmingham and then moved to Triple-A Charlotte before getting the call to the majors here on Wednesday. He will face the best hitting team in baseball, the Rangers. The Rangers lead the Majors with 547 runs scored this season. They send Kevin Millwood to the mound who has been less than impressive. Millwood is 6-6 on the year with a 5.23 ERA, but has lost his last two starts allowing 10 earned runs and 21 hits in just 11 2/3 innings. We expect a lot of runs here on Wednesday and go with the OVER!!
MATT RIVERS
For Wednesday take the money with the Phils.
Brett Myers is back from his minor league stint after the dreadful recent pitching and can go one of two ways here. He can get drilled against a solid New York lineup or the righty could have figured things out and get back to that All-Star form. I'm banking on something closer to the latter as the minors can be humbling and help make a man which Myers has proven to be throughout his solid career as both a starter and a closer.
Both offenses are powerful and should get their licks in as Myers and John Maine should have their hands full so even if I am a little off about Myers it's not like we will certainly lose.
Billy Wagner is not healthy and with the lights out Brad Lidge on our side we certainly are not at a disadvantage in the bullpen category which is fine with me.
In the end this is a very very winnable game that will certainly depend on which Myers shows up. All in all to get Howard, Rollins, Utley, Burrell and the Fightin' Phils plus a little bit in this rivalry spot is certainly worth a play.
JEFF HOCHMAN 10* MLB Over/Under Game of Month
Detroit Tigers vs. Kansas City Royals
Pick: Total: 9.5/-115 Under
My line on this O/U was 9o. These two teams finished late after a long rain delay and now play an early Day game. Both starting pitchers are coming off sub-par performances and usually pitch very well after poor starts. Both teams have not seen much of the opposing starter. Winds Blowing from Center to Home today at 5-10 MPH could only help knock some balls down
STEVE JANUS
CINCINNATI REDS
The Reds are hot at home and hot when they are favored. They are 6-2 in their last 8 when favored at home and 31-13 in their last 44 games as favorites regardless of the venue. Cincinnati's starter, Bronson Arroyo, has also been impressive at home. The Reds are on a 10-2 run when he pitches as a favorite in Cincinnati. San Diego is just 3-14 in their last 17 games against a right-handed starter and they've won only 1 of their last 6 games on the road against a team with a winning record.
JOHN FINA
Washington/San Francisco Over 9
Today we expect a high-scoring game as the Washington Nationals do battle with the San Francisco Giants. One reason why we expect a high-scoring game is because both these teams will be sending to the mound struggling starting pitchers. This says it all... The Washington Nationals Starting Pitcher (Colin Balester) has a 5.87 ERA in his last 3 starts, while San Francisco Giants Starting Pitcher (Kevin Correia) has a 7.20 ERA in his last 3 starts. As you can see, both these starting pitchers have been struggling as of late. To say the least, we should see many runs scored today! Take the Washington Nationals/San Francisco Giants Over 9!
TONY WESTON
We're switching gears a little here and heading back to the American League and looking at some AL East action between the Blue Jays and Orioles. Simply, tonight go with Baltimore at home.
The key difference in tonight?s game will be the pitching of scheduled Orioles pitcher Jeremy Guthrie, who is 6-7 with a 3.60 ERA this season. Guthrie is 3-3 with a 3.74 ERA at home, while Baltimore is 7-3 in his 10 home starts.
Also, Guthrie is 4-1 his last eight starts, while Baltimore is 6-3 in his last nine starts overall. Keep in mind that Guthrie has faced Toronto twice this year and has allowed only two earned runs in 14 innings of work as Baltimore split those two games.
Pencil in Guthrie as your starting pitcher and go with the Orioles at home tonight.
3♦ ORIOLES
TONY MATHEWS
Minnesota Twins vs. New York Yankees
Selection: Minnesota/New York Under 9.5
The Minnesota Twins will use starting pitcher Glen Perkins. Glen Perkins has been pitching very well as of late. In fact, Glen Perkins has a 2.29 ERA in his last 3 starts. We see Glen Perkins pitching another great game today.
The New York Yankees will use starting pitcher Mike Mussina. Mike Mussina has also been pitching very well as of late. In fact, Mike Mussina has a 1.50 ERA in his last 3 starts. We see Mike Mussina pitching another great game today.
The bottom line, we should see a low-scoring game today!
Take the Minnesota Twins/New York Yankees Under 9.5
American Sports Consultants
Chicago -110
St Louis +110
Houston -125
Boston/Seattle Over 8
Atlanta/Florida Over 8
SAPKOWSKI
Best bet
Texas vs. Chi. White Sox over 10
Premium
Texas vs. Chi. White Sox over 5 in 1st 5 IN
Free picks
Cincinnati
Philadelphia vs. NY Mets over 10
Info Plays
3* on New York Mets -125
Following a terrible blown save against the Phillies last night, the Mets will respond in a big way Wednesday. John Maine’s favorite opponent is Philadelphia as you can see by his career numbers against them. Maine is 4-0 with a 2.36 ERA in eight career starts against the Phillies. He is just the guy that can turn it around for New York tonight. Brett Myers is 0-1 with an 8.62 ERA over his last 3 starts for the Phillies. The Phillies are just 1-8 in Myers’ nine road starts this season. Bet New York at home.
Jeff Alexander Sports
1 Unit on KC Royals +111
The Royals have done their best hitting against lefty starters this season, winning their last 5 home games against a southpaw starter. The Royals are 8-1 in their last 9 games vs. a left-handed starter period. The Tigers are only 1-6 in the last 7 meetings, and not surprisingly, are 0-4 in Rogers' last 4 starts vs. the Royals. The Tigers are just 2-8 in Rogers' last 10 starts vs. the American League Central. Bet the Royals in this great home dog spot.
DUNKEL
LA Dodgers at Colorado
The Rockies have won five of their last six and look to build on their 13-9 record at home when the total is listed between 10 and 10 1/2. Colorado is the underdog pick (+105) according to Dunkel, which has the Rockies favored straight up by 2. Dunkel Pick: Colorado (+105). Here are all of today's games.
WEDNESDAY, JULY 23
Game 951-952: San Diego at Cincinnati
Dunkel Ratings: San Diego (Maddux) 15.325; Cincinnati (Arroyo) 14.731
Dunkel Line: San Diego by 1/2; 10
Vegas Line: Cincinnati (-135); 9
Dunkel Pick: San Diego (+125); Over
Game 953-954: Pittsburgh at Houston
Dunkel Ratings: Pittsburgh (Snell) 14.166; Houston (Moehler) 12.654
Dunkel Line: Pittsburgh by 1 1/2; 10
Vegas Line: Houston (-125); 9 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Pittsburgh (+115); Over
Game 955-956: LA Dodgers at Colorado
Dunkel Ratings: LA Dodgers (Kuroda) 15.044; Colorado (Rusch) 16.880
Dunkel Line: Colorado by 2; 11
Vegas Line: LA Dodgers (-115); 10 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Colorado (+105); Over
Game 957-958: Atlanta at Florida
Dunkel Ratings: Atlanta (Hudson) 13.977; Florida (Nolasco) 15.559
Dunkel Line: Florida by 1 1/2; 9
Vegas Line: Atlanta (-120); 8 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Florida (+110); Over
Game 959-960: Philadelphia at NY Mets
Dunkel Ratings: Philadelphia (Myers) 14.863; NY Mets (Maine) 15.768
Dunkel Line: NY Mets by 1; 10 1/2
Vegas Line: NY Mets (-130); 9
Dunkel Pick: NY Mets (-130); Over
Game 961-962: Milwaukee at St. Louis
Dunkel Ratings: Milwaukee (Sabathia) 14.975; St. Louis (Looper) 16.440
Dunkel Line: St. Louis by 1 1/2; 8
Vegas Line: Milwaukee (-130); 8 1/2
Dunkel Pick: St. Louis (+120); Under
Game 963-964: Chicago Cubs at Arizona
Dunkel Ratings: Cubs (Lilly) 14.297; Arizona (Davis) 15.453
Dunkel Line: Arizona by 1; 9 1/2
Vegas Line: Chicago Cubs (-110); 9
Dunkel Pick: Arizona (+100); Over
Game 965-966: Washington at San Francisco
Dunkel Ratings: Washington (Balester) 15.745; San Francisco (Correia) 14.563
Dunkel Line: Washington by 1; 8
Vegas Line: San Francisco (-120); 8 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Washington (+110); Under
Game 967-968: Oakland at Tampa Bay
Dunkel Ratings: Oakland (Smith) 14.017; Tampa Bay (Shields) 15.628
Dunkel Line: Tampa Bay by 1 1/2; 7
Vegas Line: Tampa Bay (-170); 7 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Tampa Bay (-170); Under
Game 969-970: Minnesota at NY Yankees
Dunkel Ratings: Minnesota (Perkins) 15.358; NY Yankees (Mussina) 16.569
Dunkel Line: NY Yankees by 1; 8 1/2
Vegas Line: NY Yankees (-135); 9 1/2
Dunkel Pick: NY Yankees (-135); Under
Game 971-972: Texas at Chicago White Sox
Dunkel Ratings: Texas (Millwood) 15.674; White Sox (Richard) 13.953
Dunkel Line: Texas by 1 1/2; 11
Vegas Line: Chicago White Sox (-110); 10
Dunkel Pick: Texas (+100); Over
Game 973-974: Detroit at Kansas City
Dunkel Ratings: Detroit (Galarraga) 16.015; Kansas City (Greinke) 16.205
Dunkel Line: Kansas City by 1/2; 9
Vegas Line: Kansas City (-110); 9 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Kansas City (-110); Under
Game 975-976: Cleveland at LA Angels
Dunkel Ratings: Cleveland (Laffey) 15.461; LA Angels (Lackey) 17.164
Dunkel Line: LA Angels by 1 1/2; 7
Vegas Line: LA Angels (-160); 8
Dunkel Pick: LA Angels (-160); Under
Game 977-978: Boston at Seattle
Dunkel Ratings: Boston (Buchholz) 14.766; Seattle (Hernandez) 15.562
Dunkel Line: Seattle by 1; 9
Vegas Line: Seattle (-125); 8 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Seattle (-125); Over
Game 979-980: Toronto at Baltimore
Dunkel Ratings: Toronto (Burnett) 15.957; Baltimore (Guthrie) 14.094
Dunkel Line: Toronto by 2; 7 1/2
Vegas Line: Baltimore (-110); 8
Dunkel Pick: Toronto (+100); Under