Harry Bondi
PHILADELPHIA -110 over Detroit
Love the pitching match-up here as the Phillies throw their best pitcher, Vince Velasquez, against the Tigers worst Mike Pelfrey. Velasquez is 5-1 and ranks among the National League leaders in ERA, at 2.42, and strikeouts per nine innings with 11. Pelrey, on the other hand , is one of the American Leagues worst starters with a 0-4 record and 6.59 ERA. Tigers superstar Miguel Cabrera is a game time decision and may not play tonight after leaving yesterday's game in the seventh inning after getting drilled by a pitch on his left knee.
Rob Veno
Oakland at Seattle
Play: Under 7
Home/road offensive differentials really becoming magnified with the Mariners after scoring 36 runs on the six-game trip they concluded yesterday. For the season thus far (18 games), Seattle has posted home numbers of .218 BA (28th in MLB), .310 OBP, .366 SLG, and .676 OPS (22nd in MLB). In stark contrast, 25 away games have seen the M’s put up a more impressive .269 BA, .334 OBP, .456 SLG, .790 OPS (#5 in MLB). The weak home offensive numbers combined with the stellar start of tonight’s Oakland starter Rich Hill signals difficulties for the M’s lineup tonight. In a start back on April 9, Hill defeated Seattle going 6 innings allowing 1 run on 5 hits while striking out 10 and walking only one. However, his season average of just around 5.2 innings per start could be costly tonight since Oakland’s bullpen is a bit shorthanded. Key arms John Axford and Sean Doolittle have thrown in back-to-back games with the exact same pitch count of 37. For Axford it’s been three appearances in the last four days so expect these guys to get the night off. If either does throw, their effectiveness isn’t likely to be 100%. The Mariners counter tonight with Tajuan Walker who also has a quality start in his one chance vs. Oakland this year. Walker has pitched at home five times this season and four have gone under the total. His home WHIP of 1.21 and his 32/6 K:BB totals have been excellent. This contest adds up to being a pitcher's duel and despite the potential subtractions from the A’s relief corps, it still appears they ha
Bruce Marshall
Angels -103
After facing the swing-and-miss Houston lineup, Texas now has to deal with better contact hitters on the Angels. And since Rangers starter Derek Holland pitched six shutout innings vs. the Halos on April 30, he has allowed 17 runs and 22 hits over 11 IP in his last three starts. Prefer the Angels and starter Nick Tropeano, off of a solid outing vs. the Dodgers when allowing just 1 run in 7 IP.
Bob Balfe
Cavs -6
The Cavs finally had an off game, but I credit Toronto for some great individual efforts. Biymobo had 26 rebounds which is not going to happen again tonight and I expect the Cavs to get back to the foul line like the first two games. Cleveland is the better club and should set the tone early. The Cavs know this is a crucial game to cash as they can finish Toronto off at home. I love the energy in Toronto, but it will not be enough once a guy name LeBron James takes over this evening.
Tigers -110
Velsquez has pitched great this year for the Phillies, but let’s see how he does against good hitting AL Teams opposed to some of the weaker NL Teams and remember he now has to swing the bat. I don’t think the Phillies can put up enough runs to win this game. Pelfrey has struggled this year, but I expect his to get back on track against a weaker hitting club. The talent gap is a lot greater than this even money line.
OC Dooley
Indians +105
This is game-two of a doubleheader where due to needing an "extra" arm Cleveland has recalled Cody Anderson to the major league level for a "one start" scenario before the organization ultimately demotes him to the minors for a THIRD time this campaign. This becomes a critical start for Anderson who at the major league level (7.99 ERA) has repeatedly struggled after winning a job with the big club back in the spring. The good news for Anderson is that he has more major league experience than the opposing hurler and also has a career TWO ERA when facing the White Sox
BUSTER SPORTS
Cleveland at Toronto
Play: Over 197
Each of the first 3 games of this series have been trending way over at the half with the defense coming to play in the second half of each game to put the games under the total (Game 1 was under for most of us although the total at game time was 197.5 which put it over by a half point). We believe that will change tonight. Cleveland shot 35% from the field last game after shooting 55% and 50% in the first 2 games. Irving and Love both had off nights, they shot a combined 4 for 28 from the field. Cleveland went to the FT line only 16 times in Game 3 compared to 33 and 37 in the first two games of the series. Look for them to be way more aggressive tonight and get to the FT line often. The Raptors showed why they won a franchise record 32 home games as they looked like a different team at home scoring 60 points in the first half. They had a run in the fourth quarter however where they didn't score for almost 6 minutes or they would have broken the century mark easily. We see the Raptors playing the same type of game tonight with the 3's flying early and often. The two teams combined for 72, three point attempts in Game 3 compared to only 44 in Game One and 54 in Game 2. The oddsmaker has dropped the total from 199 1/2 in Game 3 to 197 for tonight's game. We see value here and we will take it.
Hollywood Sports
Los Angeles at Texas
Pick: Texas
Texas (25-19) has been a very reliable team at home where they have won 41 of their last 60 games. The Rangers have also won 8 of their last 10 home games with Holland on the hill facing a team with a losing record. Los Angeles (20-24) has lost 4 of their last 5 games against left-handed starting pitchers. Additionally, the Angels have lost 12 of their last 17 road games against teams with a winning percentage over 60% at home.