Weekend Series
Scott Rickenbach
Weekend Series from a Bettor’s Perspective
There are 14 series going this weekend in the bases that run from Friday thru Sunday and all of these are 3 game series. The other series (the Cardinals and Giants) started Thursday and runs through Sunday. We will write a very quick piece on each one as being concise here is the key in covering all the weekend series in one fell swoop! However, note the betting angle as the series prices are mentioned in each article and if we see any particular value we will point it out as something to consider. Now, “Let’s Play Ball”:
Baltimore +145 @ Tampa Bay – The Orioles might be worth a look here. Their bullpen has (surprisingly!) been the best in baseball so far this season. Also, Baltimore has been hitting the ball very well early this season while the Rays bats have yet to come to life this season. Facing Shields on Friday hurts but Baltimore certainly is offering some value in this series.
New York Yankees +120 @ Boston – This is a tough one to get a handle on. The intensity will be there as always but neither team is producing much in the way of runs yet this season. Also, Boston’s bullpen has been very erratic and it’s hard to pinpoint much of an edge in a series that should be tight most of the way.
Detroit -130 @ Chicago White Sox – With the way Detroit is struggling so far this season it’s certainly hard to see any value with them as the road favorite in this series. The White Sox have been producing much more at the plate than the Tigers have so far this season. Yes, Detroit’s bats are finally perking up a bit the last two days but they shouldn’t be trusted just yet. Chisox worth a peek here.
Oakland +190 @ Cleveland – Staying away from the big number here. The Indians should certainly be capable of winning this series but laying 230 is something we never advise. Laying a big price is especially scary here when you consider that the Indians bats have yet to come to life and the A’s bullpen has outperformed Cleveland thusfar. Stay away from this one!
Minnesota +110 @ Kansas City – The Royals bullpen is one of the best in baseball so far this season. Also, both teams are hitting the ball fairly well but yet not coming through in the clutch as neither team is scoring well. That means this one could come down to the pitching and we like what the Royals are doing in that department so far this season. Take a look at the Royals in this one as they are laying a very small price and the home edge helps here.
Los Angeles Angels +115 @ Seattle @ 10:35 ET – Both bullpens are struggling so far this season but the Angels are hitting the ball much better than the Mariners are so far this season. The Angels at an underdog price are certainly worth a look here. Even though the runs scored differential is not great between these clubs so far this season, the Angels were hitting the ball at an average 51 points higher than Seattle heading into Thursday’s action. Los Angeles at plus money has our attention here.
Toronto -125 @ Texas – The Blue Jays are laying a small price here on the road and it is certainly justifiable. Toronto’s bullpen has been much better than the Rangers so far this season. Also, Texas is coming off of a double header on Thursday so they certainly don’t come into this series “fresh”. Toronto is the better team at this early point in the season. This is a tough call with the Rangers having the key home edge so may be best to stay away from this one.
St Louis (NL) @ San Francisco – As noted above, this was the lone weekend series to get started on Thursday so it’s already underway. While there is no series price to bet on we will tell you to keep an eye on the Cardinals throughout this series because the Giants offense had been absolutely anemic coming into this series.
Colorado +130 @ Arizona – Although we don’t like to lay 150 it might be worth a look here with the Diamondbacks. Their offense has been much better than the Rockies offense so far this season. The Arizona bullpen also holds a big edge as well. The Dbacks should take this series.
Atlanta -200 @ Washington – The Braves are heavily favored here because of the pitching match-ups but, as a rule, we stay away from big favorites. Also, who wants to lay this type of price with a Braves team that has lost three straight games and whose bullpen has struggled with giving up the big hits so far this season.
Chicago Cubs +135 @ Philadelphia – The Cubbies are worth a look here at the plus money price. Simply put, Chicago is finding a way to win games right now and, heading into Thursday’s action, the same could not be said for the Phillies. The Phils have been very inconsistent and the road dog Cubs could take two out of three here. Phillies sparkplug Jimmy Rollins is hurting and that is hurting this Philadelphia club right now.
Cincinnati -125 @ Pittsburgh – Pittsburgh just got very frustrated by the Cubs in their just completed series with Chicago. The Reds got a series victory over the Brewers by taking the last two games. Cincy may be the team to ride here, especially with their bullpen off to a much better start than that of the Pirates.
Florida +170 @ Houston – The Marlins are starting to hit the ball well and their bullpen has outperformed Houston so far this season. However, this is a stay away as far as we’re concerned. The starting pitching edge goes to Houston here so just leave this one alone would be our advice.
San Diego +130 @ Los Angeles Dodgers – The Padres bullpen has struggled. The Dodgers pen has been much better. The Padres are hitting for average but can’t score runs. Los Angeles has seen their offense struggle all the way around. Should be a tight, low-scoring series, we’ll pass here.
Milwaukee +155 @ New York Mets – Coming off back to back losses but the Brewers do offer some intrigue here with the solid plus money comeback. Both teams have struggling bullpens and the Mets won’t have much of a starting pitching edge in this series. Two solid offenses so, in a series that could go either way, the Brewers might at least be worth a look here. Still tough to fade the Mets at home but the Brew Crew could get the job done with the way the starting pitching is laid out for this one.
Good luck this weekend as we enjoy the first without college basketball.
VegasInsider.com
Lawrence's MLB weekend cheat sheet
By MARC LAWRENCE
Now that spring has arrived and Major League Baseball is in full bloom, it’s time to take a look at the key matchups on this week’s MLB card.
Will the Detroit Tigers find life in the Windy City better than at home, where they have yet to win a game? Can Joe Girardi’s Yankees serve notice to the Red Sox that they are ready to reclaim AL East honors this season? Let’s take at a few of the big series on tap this weekend (all pitcher records are team starts)…
NATIONAL LEAGUE
Chicago at Philadelphia
Most Recent Series Result: Cubs 11-5 last 16 games
Most Recent Series Result at the Site: Cubs 13-6 last 19 games
Key Series Stat: Phillies are 6-1 on Saturdays vs. the Cubs
Best Arm in the Series: Zambrano 2-0 1.69 ERA home vs. Phillies
Worst Arm in the Series: Hill 1-2 7.47 ERA last three vs. Phillies
San Diego at L.A. Dodgers
Most Recent Series Result: Padres 9-5 last 15 games
Most Recent Series Result at the Site: Padres 11-7 last 18 games
Key Series Stat: Padres are 6-0 on Saturdays vs. the Dodgers
Best Arm in the Series: Peavy 8-1 2.04 ERA last nine vs. Dodgers
Worst Arm in the Series: Germano 0-3 5.60 career vs. Dodgers
AMERICAN LEAGUE
New York Yankees at Boston
Most Recent Series Result: Yankees 6-0 last six games
Most Recent Series Result at the Site: Yankees 11-6 last 17 games
Key Series Stat: Yankees are 1-16 on Fridays in April since 2004
Best Arm in the Series: Pettite 20-10 3.56 ERA career vs. Red Sox
Worst Arm in the Series: Wakefield 2-4 6.81 ERA last six home vs. NYY
Detroit at Chicago White Sox
Most Recent Series Result: White Sox 12-4 last 16 games
Most Recent Series Result at the Site: White Sox 13-7 last 20 games
Key Series Stat: Tigers are 0-12 on Fridays and Saturdays vs. the White Sox
Best Arm in the Series: Vazquez 3-0 3.18 ERA last year vs. Tigers
Worst Arm in the Series: Verlander 0-5 5.96 career at White Sox