SPORTS ADVISORS
NBA FINALS
L.A. Lakers (15-7 SU, 12-9-1 ATS) at Orlando (13-10 SU, 11-11-1 ATS)
The Lakers, on the strength of a fortuitous Game 4 victory, look to wrap up their 15th NBA title on the road when they take on the desperate Magic in Game 5 of the NBA Finals at Amway Arena.
Los Angeles forced overtime on a Derek Fisher three-pointer in the waning seconds Thursday, then got another key Fisher trifecta in the extra session that proved to be the game-winner in a 99-91 victory as a 1½-point road underdog. Kobe Bryant had a typical solid effort, with 32 points and eight assists, and Pau Gasol added 16 points and 10 rebounds. Trevor Ariza nearly matched Gasol’s double-double, with 16 points and nine boards.
Hedo Turkoglu paced Orlando with 25 points in Game 4, and Dwight Howard had 16 points and a whopping 21 boards. But the star center went just 6 of 14 from the free-throw line, including two backbreaking misses with the Magic up by three and 11 seconds remaining. In fact, the charity stripe killed Orlando, which went 22 of 37 (59.5 percent) – including four misses by the normally reliable Turkoglu – while Los Angeles got only 20 attempts but made 15 (75 percent). The Magic blew a 12-point halftime lead.
Including this series, Orlando is 3-3 SU and 3-2-1 ATS this season against Los Angeles and 5-3-1 ATS (4-5 SU) in the last nine clashes in this rivalry. In addition, the underdog is 8-1-1 ATS in the last 10 meetings, with the road team going 7-2-1 ATS in that stretch. The Lakers are also 4-1-1 ATS in their last six visits to Amway Arena.
Orlando is 40-12 SU (29-22-1 ATS) at home this season, including 8-3 SU (6-4-1 ATS) in the postseason, but it had a five-game home winning streak (4-1 ATS) snapped with Thursday’s defeat. Los Angeles is 34-17 SU (28-22-1 ATS) on the highway for the year, going 5-5 SU (5-4-1 ATS) in road playoff games, including 3-2 SU and 4-1 ATS in the last five.
The Lakers are 4-1-1 ATS in their last six overall and sport additional pointspread streaks of 23-8-3 as road underdog, 17-7-1 catching less than five points, 11-5 against the Eastern Conference and 8-3 going on two days’ rest. On the flip side, L.A. still carries negative ATS streaks of 3-11-2 in the Finals, 4-11-1 against the Southeast Division and 4-10 following a SU win.
The Magic are on ATS purges of 1-4-1 against the Western Conference, 7-16-1 laying five points or less and 2-4-1 as a playoff chalk of the same price, though they remain on spread-covering upticks of 8-3-1 overall, 21-9-1 against the West, 14-5-1 after two days off and 9-3 on Sunday.
Six of the last seven meetings between these squads in Orlando have cleared the posted price, but Thursday’s game fell well short of the 200½-point total, giving the under a 4-1 mark in this series. In addition, the under for Los Angeles is on tears of 11-3 overall, 8-1 against the East, 6-2 after a spread-cover and 9-4 after a SU win.
Finally, the under for Orlando is on rolls of 7-1 against the West, 8-3 with the Magic as a playoff chalk, 28-12 as a home favorite and 19-7 following a two-day layoff.
ATS ADVANTAGE: UNDER
INTERLEAGUE
Boston (38-24) at Philadelphia (35-25)
The Phillies will pit left-hander J.A. Happ (4-0, 2.98 ERA) against Red Sox ace Josh Beckett (7-2, 3.77) as these clubs wrap up a three-game set at Citizens Bank Park matching the last two World Series champions.
Boston will be gunning for a sweep after taking the first two games by scores of 5-2 on Friday and 11-6 on Saturday. The Red Sox have now won 15 of 18 overall in this rivalry, including the last four in a row, and they’re 10-2 in their last 12 games in Philly. In addition, the Sox are on runs of 10-2 overall, 6-0 on the road, 55-18 in interleague play, 26-9 in interleague roadies and 46-22 against lefty starters.
Philadelphia has returned home from a 10-game road trip and lost two straight. Still, the defending champs remain on upswings of 10-5 overall, 40-19 against winning teams, 6-2 against right-handed pitching and 14-5 as a home underdog.
Happ, who began the year in the bullpen, will make just his second home start of the year, previously getting the win in a 5-4 victory over Washington on May 29. Last Tuesday, he gave up four runs on six hits (two homers) and four walks in a 6-5 road loss to the Mets. The southpaw is 2-0 with a 4.32 ERA in eight home appearances this year, and Philadelphia is 6-2 in his last eight outings overall and 4-0 in his last four at home. Happ will be making his first career start against the BoSox.
Boston is 6-1 in Beckett’s last seven trips to the bump, with the veteran going 5-0 in that stretch while allowing just nine earned runs in 47 2/3 innings, for a sterling 1.69 ERA. In his most recent start Tuesday, Beckett blanked the Yankees 7-0 at Fenway Park, pitching six innings of one-hit ball with eight strikeouts and two walks.
Beckett is 4-2 with a 3.99 ERA in six road starts this season, and he’s 8-3 with a 3.67 ERA in 18 career appearances (16 starts) against Philly. With the veteran right-hander on the hill, the Sox are on runs of 4-0 on the road and 10-4 in interleague play.
The under for Philadelphia is on rolls of 14-6-1 overall, 5-1 against the A.L. East, 6-2 at home, 14-4-1 in interleague play, 7-1 in Happ’s last eight starts and 4-0 behind Happ at Citizens Bank Park. Similarly, Boston is on a plethora of “under” runs, including 22-7-2 overall, 8-3 on the road, 8-3-1 in interleague play, 5-1 in Beckett’s last six outings and 6-2-1 behind Beckett in interleague contests.
ATS ADVANTAGE: BOSTON and UNDER
N.Y. Mets (32-28) at N.Y. Yankees (35-27)
The Mets finish off their Big Apple road series by sending ace left-hander Johan Santana (8-3, 2.39 ERA) to the mound against the Yankees, who will counter with right-hander A.J. Burnett (4-3, 4.89).
One day after a stunning 9-8 loss in the Bronx when second baseman Luis Castillo dropped a routine pop-up with two outs in the ninth, leading to the game-winning runs, the Mets bounced back with a 6-2 victory Saturday. The Mets are now 8-3 in their last 11 interleague contests, but Jerry Manuel’s club remains in slumps of 4-7 overall and 3-6 on the road.
The Yankees remain on runs of 20-10 overall, 13-5 at home, 56-23 hosting National League squads and 8-2 against left-handers, but they are on skids of 2-5 in interleague play and 2-8 against winning teams in interleague action.
The Mets have now taken five of eight Subway Series clashes since last season, going 4-1 in Yankee Stadium. In fact, the visitor is on a 6-2 roll in this rivalry.
Santana is 4-1 in his last five starts, despite allowing a total of 17 runs in 33 innings (4.63 ERA), and he’s gone at least six innings in all five of those outings. The southpaw is 3-2 with a 2.76 ERA in five road starts this year, and the Mets are 21-7 in his last 28 starts overall and 8-2 in his last 10 road outings. Santana is 4-1 with a 3.15 ERA in 10 career outings (seven starts) against the Bronx Bombers.
Burnett was on the short end of a 7-0 whipping at Boston on Tuesday, allowing five runs (three earned) in just 2 2/3 innings, with five walks against just one strikeout. The right-hander is 2-6 in 16 career starts against the Mets, despite a serviceable 3.83 ERA, and he’s 1-1 with a 4.62 ERA in six home starts this season. The Yanks are 5-1 in Burnett’s last six starts when he’s going on four days’ rest.
Saturday’s contest stayed under the total, ending a stretch in which six straight Subway Series meetings at Yankee Stadium had topped the posted price. The over is also 20-8-2 in the Mets’ last 30 interleague road games. Conversely, the under for the Mets is on stretches of 10-4-1 on the road overall, 9-4 in Santana’s last 13 starts overall and 4-1 behind Santana on the highway.
Likewise, the under for the Yankees is on tears of 5-1-1 overall, 7-0 on Sunday, 8-1 in interleague action, 8-2 in home interleague contests and 5-1-1 behind Burnett.
ATS ADVANTAGE: N.Y. METS
Rocketman
Houston @ Arizona
Play: Arizona
Houston is scoring only 4 runs per game overall, 4 runs per game on the road and 3.9 runs per game against right handed starters this year. Houston bullpen has a 5.40 ERA on the road this year. Brian Moehler is 2-4 with a 6.95 ERA overall this year and has a 5.00 ERA his last 3 starts. Arizona is 7-1 at home vs Houston the past 3 years. Moehler has a 5.66 ERA overall vs Arizona since 1997. Astros are 1-5 in their last 6 road games vs. a right-handed starter. Astros are 1-6 in Moehlers last 7 starts as an underdog of +110 to +150. Astros are 2-9 in the last 11 meetings. Astros are 1-8 in the last 9 meetings in Arizona. We'll recommend a small play on Arizona today!
Steve Merril
Boston Red Sox vs. Philadelphia Phillies
Play: Over 9
The Phillies try to salvage one game as they host the Red Sox and a familiar foe in Josh Beckett who has shrugged off a slow start to the season going 3-0 with a 0.44 ERA in his last three outings and giving up just 1 earned run in 20.7 innings pitched. Beckett last saw Philadelphia in 2006 and has gone 8-3 against them with a 3.79 ERA all time. The Over is 11-5 in his 16 outings against the Phillies. Doing well against the righthander are Chase Utley (6-22), Raul Ibanez (3-11), Pedro Feliz (4-9), and Carlos Ruiz (1-3). The Phillies have gone Over in four of their last six and average almost 6 runs per game during the daytime. Going for the Phillies is J.A. Happ who has been converted to a starter from the bullpen. Happ has made four starts going 2-0 with a 3.42 ERA. He has made one start at home giving up three runs and three hits in 5.3 innings pitched against the Nationals. Happ was touched up for four runs in 5.3 innings pitched in his last outing in New York against the Mets. No Red Sox has seen the lefthander, but they average 5.5 runs per game against lefty starters and 6 runs per game during the daytime this season. Both teams dipped into their bullpen yesterday as well leaving the managers handicapped a bit if their starting pitcher struggles today.
Cajun Sports
Minnesota Twins vs. Chicago Cubs
Play: Chicago Cubs
The Cubs host the Twins on Sunday afternoon for the third and final game in their three-game interleague matchup. The Twins are looking for the sweep having won both of the previous two games; we used the Twins in game one of this series as a late phone selection winner on Friday. The Cubs are not only trying to avoid the sweep they are trying to stay above .500 on the season if they fail it will be the first time since the first week of the 2008 season that the Cubs have been below .500. The Twins will send Scott Baker to the bump with his 4-6 W/L record and ERA of 5.59 he will be seeking his third victory in a row. In his last two outings he has been given unbelievable run support getting ten runs in each trip to the bump. On Tuesday he allowed the A’s three runs on four hits over eight innings of work in a 10 to 5 win. Our Pitcher Efficiency Ratings Index projects Baker will struggle here and not find the going quite so easy. If we combine his Pitcher Rating with our TPR (Team Performance Ratings) Index for Minnesota we see that they will not be giving him that type of run support in this contest and they will not get the sweep of the Cubs on Sunday at Wrigley Field. In an effort to avoid the sweep the Cubs will send their most consistent starter to the hill in Ted Lilly who has a record of 7-4 W/L and an ERA of 3.00 on the season. The left-hander spent seven seasons in the American League facing the Twins six times with a record of 3-1 W/L and an ERA of 3.52. The Cubs have struggled at the plate recently scoring a total of six runs during a four-game losing streak which will need to change if they are to have success today. Although Lilly doesn’t need much run support going 6 2/3 innings giving up no runs in Tuesday’s 7 to 1 win over Houston and has an ERA of 0.87 in his last three outings. Our Pitcher Efficiency Ratings Index projects a quality start for the leftie in today’s outing and our TPR Index signals a Cubs win over the Twins by 2.4 runs on Sunday. A check of the database shows the Twins to be in a negative situation that tells us to Play Against AL teams with a starting pitcher whose ERA is 5.20 to 5.70 on the season, starting a pitcher who walked <=1 hitters each of his last 2 outings. This system has posted a record of 61-29 W/L for +32.7 units over the last five seasons and has already won four five times this season for a profit of +3.3 units. We also note that the Twins are 13-30 W/L for -18.1 units when playing on the road versus left-handed starters the last two seasons. The combination of strong fundamental and technical support we will back the host at Wrigley on Sunday as the Cubs avoid the sweep and stay above .500 on the year.
Graded Selection: 2* Chicago Cubs 4 Minnesota Twins 1
Marc Lawrence
Play On: Cincinnati w/Cueto vs Bannister
The Reds and Royals conclude their three game series today when Johnny Cueto takes on Brian Bannister in Kansas City. Cueto enters today's fray with wins in six of his last seven road starts and is 4-1 with a 1.73 ERA in his road career team starts. On the flip side, Bannister is in poor current form at 0-3 with a 9.93 ERA in his last three starts. Back the better arm and the better team here today. Back the Reds.
JIM FEIST
BOSTON RED SOX at PHILADELPHIA PHILLIES
Take: PHILADELPHIA PHILLIES
A little surprised to find the defending world champion Phillies as a small home dog here. Especially when you consider the Red Sox lose their DH for this contest. The Phils are back in first place and have the second best run differential in the NL (+39). The Phillies also lead the NL in Home Runs with 86 and are led by Raul Ibanez (21) and Ryan Howard (19). J.A Happ has been very good for the Phils in both the starter and relief roll with a 4-0 record and 2.98 era. Josh Beckett starts for the Red Sox and he's having a fine season at 7-2 with a 3.77 era. Still, we have a first place team, at home with a batting advantage and a very consistent pitcher on the mound. We'll take the Phillies here as a small home dog and the good value they bring.
BRAD DIAMOND SPORTS
Play on: Atlanta (Lowe) over Baltimore
Love RHP Derek Lowe in this spot. One of the keys in winning at Camden Yards is keeping the ball down in the strike zone. Lowe has a super sinker and slider and should be up to the task against the faltering Birds. Atlanta is 8-1 last nine games in this series, while going 6-1 at Camden Yards. The Orioles are 11-45 on Sunday's and 17-45 in game #3 of a series. Finally, the Birds are 28-57 as an underdog in Inter-League play.
SPORTS ADVISORS
NBA FINALS
L.A. Lakers (15-7 SU, 12-9-1 ATS) at Orlando (13-10 SU, 11-11-1 ATS)
The Lakers, on the strength of a fortuitous Game 4 victory, look to wrap up their 15th NBA title on the road when they take on the desperate Magic in Game 5 of the NBA Finals at Amway Arena.
Los Angeles forced overtime on a Derek Fisher three-pointer in the waning seconds Thursday, then got another key Fisher trifecta in the extra session that proved to be the game-winner in a 99-91 victory as a 1½-point road underdog. Kobe Bryant had a typical solid effort, with 32 points and eight assists, and Pau Gasol added 16 points and 10 rebounds. Trevor Ariza nearly matched Gasol’s double-double, with 16 points and nine boards.
Hedo Turkoglu paced Orlando with 25 points in Game 4, and Dwight Howard had 16 points and a whopping 21 boards. But the star center went just 6 of 14 from the free-throw line, including two backbreaking misses with the Magic up by three and 11 seconds remaining. In fact, the charity stripe killed Orlando, which went 22 of 37 (59.5 percent) – including four misses by the normally reliable Turkoglu – while Los Angeles got only 20 attempts but made 15 (75 percent). The Magic blew a 12-point halftime lead.
Including this series, Orlando is 3-3 SU and 3-2-1 ATS this season against Los Angeles and 5-3-1 ATS (4-5 SU) in the last nine clashes in this rivalry. In addition, the underdog is 8-1-1 ATS in the last 10 meetings, with the road team going 7-2-1 ATS in that stretch. The Lakers are also 4-1-1 ATS in their last six visits to Amway Arena.
Orlando is 40-12 SU (29-22-1 ATS) at home this season, including 8-3 SU (6-4-1 ATS) in the postseason, but it had a five-game home winning streak (4-1 ATS) snapped with Thursday’s defeat. Los Angeles is 34-17 SU (28-22-1 ATS) on the highway for the year, going 5-5 SU (5-4-1 ATS) in road playoff games, including 3-2 SU and 4-1 ATS in the last five.
The Lakers are 4-1-1 ATS in their last six overall and sport additional pointspread streaks of 23-8-3 as road underdog, 17-7-1 catching less than five points, 11-5 against the Eastern Conference and 8-3 going on two days’ rest. On the flip side, L.A. still carries negative ATS streaks of 3-11-2 in the Finals, 4-11-1 against the Southeast Division and 4-10 following a SU win.
The Magic are on ATS purges of 1-4-1 against the Western Conference, 7-16-1 laying five points or less and 2-4-1 as a playoff chalk of the same price, though they remain on spread-covering upticks of 8-3-1 overall, 21-9-1 against the West, 14-5-1 after two days off and 9-3 on Sunday.
Six of the last seven meetings between these squads in Orlando have cleared the posted price, but Thursday’s game fell well short of the 200½-point total, giving the under a 4-1 mark in this series. In addition, the under for Los Angeles is on tears of 11-3 overall, 8-1 against the East, 6-2 after a spread-cover and 9-4 after a SU win.
Finally, the under for Orlando is on rolls of 7-1 against the West, 8-3 with the Magic as a playoff chalk, 28-12 as a home favorite and 19-7 following a two-day layoff.
ATS ADVANTAGE: UNDER
INTERLEAGUE
Boston (38-24) at Philadelphia (35-25)
The Phillies will pit left-hander J.A. Happ (4-0, 2.98 ERA) against Red Sox ace Josh Beckett (7-2, 3.77) as these clubs wrap up a three-game set at Citizens Bank Park matching the last two World Series champions.
Boston will be gunning for a sweep after taking the first two games by scores of 5-2 on Friday and 11-6 on Saturday. The Red Sox have now won 15 of 18 overall in this rivalry, including the last four in a row, and they’re 10-2 in their last 12 games in Philly. In addition, the Sox are on runs of 10-2 overall, 6-0 on the road, 55-18 in interleague play, 26-9 in interleague roadies and 46-22 against lefty starters.
Philadelphia has returned home from a 10-game road trip and lost two straight. Still, the defending champs remain on upswings of 10-5 overall, 40-19 against winning teams, 6-2 against right-handed pitching and 14-5 as a home underdog.
Happ, who began the year in the bullpen, will make just his second home start of the year, previously getting the win in a 5-4 victory over Washington on May 29. Last Tuesday, he gave up four runs on six hits (two homers) and four walks in a 6-5 road loss to the Mets. The southpaw is 2-0 with a 4.32 ERA in eight home appearances this year, and Philadelphia is 6-2 in his last eight outings overall and 4-0 in his last four at home. Happ will be making his first career start against the BoSox.
Boston is 6-1 in Beckett’s last seven trips to the bump, with the veteran going 5-0 in that stretch while allowing just nine earned runs in 47 2/3 innings, for a sterling 1.69 ERA. In his most recent start Tuesday, Beckett blanked the Yankees 7-0 at Fenway Park, pitching six innings of one-hit ball with eight strikeouts and two walks.
Beckett is 4-2 with a 3.99 ERA in six road starts this season, and he’s 8-3 with a 3.67 ERA in 18 career appearances (16 starts) against Philly. With the veteran right-hander on the hill, the Sox are on runs of 4-0 on the road and 10-4 in interleague play.
The under for Philadelphia is on rolls of 14-6-1 overall, 5-1 against the A.L. East, 6-2 at home, 14-4-1 in interleague play, 7-1 in Happ’s last eight starts and 4-0 behind Happ at Citizens Bank Park. Similarly, Boston is on a plethora of “under” runs, including 22-7-2 overall, 8-3 on the road, 8-3-1 in interleague play, 5-1 in Beckett’s last six outings and 6-2-1 behind Beckett in interleague contests.
ATS ADVANTAGE: BOSTON and UNDER
N.Y. Mets (32-28) at N.Y. Yankees (35-27)
The Mets finish off their Big Apple road series by sending ace left-hander Johan Santana (8-3, 2.39 ERA) to the mound against the Yankees, who will counter with right-hander A.J. Burnett (4-3, 4.89).
One day after a stunning 9-8 loss in the Bronx when second baseman Luis Castillo dropped a routine pop-up with two outs in the ninth, leading to the game-winning runs, the Mets bounced back with a 6-2 victory Saturday. The Mets are now 8-3 in their last 11 interleague contests, but Jerry Manuel’s club remains in slumps of 4-7 overall and 3-6 on the road.
The Yankees remain on runs of 20-10 overall, 13-5 at home, 56-23 hosting National League squads and 8-2 against left-handers, but they are on skids of 2-5 in interleague play and 2-8 against winning teams in interleague action.
The Mets have now taken five of eight Subway Series clashes since last season, going 4-1 in Yankee Stadium. In fact, the visitor is on a 6-2 roll in this rivalry.
Santana is 4-1 in his last five starts, despite allowing a total of 17 runs in 33 innings (4.63 ERA), and he’s gone at least six innings in all five of those outings. The southpaw is 3-2 with a 2.76 ERA in five road starts this year, and the Mets are 21-7 in his last 28 starts overall and 8-2 in his last 10 road outings. Santana is 4-1 with a 3.15 ERA in 10 career outings (seven starts) against the Bronx Bombers.
Burnett was on the short end of a 7-0 whipping at Boston on Tuesday, allowing five runs (three earned) in just 2 2/3 innings, with five walks against just one strikeout. The right-hander is 2-6 in 16 career starts against the Mets, despite a serviceable 3.83 ERA, and he’s 1-1 with a 4.62 ERA in six home starts this season. The Yanks are 5-1 in Burnett’s last six starts when he’s going on four days’ rest.
Saturday’s contest stayed under the total, ending a stretch in which six straight Subway Series meetings at Yankee Stadium had topped the posted price. The over is also 20-8-2 in the Mets’ last 30 interleague road games. Conversely, the under for the Mets is on stretches of 10-4-1 on the road overall, 9-4 in Santana’s last 13 starts overall and 4-1 behind Santana on the highway.
Likewise, the under for the Yankees is on tears of 5-1-1 overall, 7-0 on Sunday, 8-1 in interleague action, 8-2 in home interleague contests and 5-1-1 behind Burnett.
ATS ADVANTAGE: N.Y. METS
Scott Spreitzer
Los Angeles Dodgers at Texas Rangers
Prediction: Texas Rangers
I did not agree with the linesmaker when I saw the high price on Chad Billingsley in this matchup. Sure, he's a fine young pitcher. But he's in the inferior National League, and he gets to play his home games in a great pitcher's park. In Interleague play, Billingsley has a pedestrian ERA of 4.14, and a disappointing WHIP of 1.55. The AL really has been that much better than the NL in recent years. Today, Billingsley isn't just facing an AL team, he's facing a division leader that plays in a good hitter's park. The closest NL comparison, if you will, would be Coors Field. Billingsley's lifetime ERA in Coors Field is 6.87! That's the guy laying the big price?! Derek Holland of Texas is in a "first look lefty" spot that I like to exploit. It can be tough for opponents to deal with a lefty the first time they see him. I'll gladly take this big return with a strong home team (20-11 entering the weekend) against a visitor that hasn't set the world on fire outside of its division (14-12 when not playing the NL West entering the weekend). The intense heat in an afternoon start will also magnify home field advantage. The Rangers plus the price is the play.
Rob Vinciletti
Seattle Mariners vs. Colorado Rockies
Play: Seattle Mariners
On Sunday we look to make it 4 winning comps in a row with the Seattle Mariners.Game 973 at 3:10 eastern.Seattle is a nice dog play here as they have a decided pitching edge in this one.J.Vargas has better numbers than his Colorado counterpart Hammel.Vargas has a nice 3.18 road era this year while Hammel has been awful at home with a 8.82 era.He has allowed 16 earned runs in 16 innings with a whopping 30 hits.He hasn't had many easy innings.Colorado is riding high with an 11 game winning streak.However Seattle still appears to be a better team,record wise anyway.Look for the Mariners to upend the Rockies here today.
Craig Trapp
St. Louis Cardinals vs. Cleveland Indians
Play: St. Louis Cardinals
Records
St Louis Cardinals 34-29, 15-14 away (Carpenter 4-0, 1.23 ERA)
Cleveland Indians 28-36, 15-16 home (Lee (3-6, 3.17 ERA)
Betting Trends
-Cardinals are 5-2 in their last 7 interleague games.
-Cardinals are 4-1 in Carpenters last 5 interleague starts.
-Indians are 0-5 in Lees last 5 home starts vs. a team with a winning record.
-Indians are 2-5 in Lees last 7 home starts.
STL and CLE are in the rubber match in CLE on Sunday's ESPN late night Sunday Game. Even better the two aces face off with Carpenter and Lee battling. Lee has not been near as good as he was in his CY young campaign of 08. Lee has doubled his losses from last year. Last 4 starts Lee has been over 3.00 ERA which would be good for most days but today they come up against Carpenter who has been under 1.50 ERA in his last 5 starts. STL had been struggling at the plate but the last three has seen them start to put it together. Today STL wins with Carpenter having a great game. SCORE: STL 3 - CLE 1
Red Dog Sports
Detroit at Pittsburgh
Play: Over 9.5
These two played a 9-3 game on Saturday and the pitching matchup favors the over on Sunday. Dontrell Willis has an ERA of 10.95 in his last 3 starts while Ohlendorf's ERA in that time span is 7.04. Look for another over on Sunday.
Karl Garrett
Detroit at PITTSBURGH
Look for a high-scoring game today when Detroit and Pittsburgh have at it, as both Dontrelle Willis, and Russ Ohlendorf have been giving them up in bunches of late.
Yesterday's meeting between the teams played OVER the total, as there were 12 combined runs, and this one should see at least that many this afternoon at PNC Park.
Willis has allowed 15 runs over his last 12 innings, and for the year his road ERA is up over 8.
Ohlendorf has allowed 12 runs over his last 15 innings of work, and for the year his season ERA is near 5.
Have to believe with the numbers I just listed above, the hitters will once again have their way in the rubber game of this Detroit-Pittsburgh series.
Play the OVER.
3♦ OVER
Bobby Maxwell
Oakland +145 at SAN FRANCISCO
We're in Northern California for today's FREE winner as we grab the plus-money and play the A's in San Francisco against the Giants.
I know San Francisco's Matt Cain has been on fire this season at 8-1, 2.55 ERA, but we like the left Oakland is throwing out there today in Brett Anderson (3-6, 5.25 ERA). I know the numbers don't show it, but he's capable of shutting a team down and has the stuff to get it done tonight.
He's been up and down this season, seemingly delivering a gem the start after a horrible outing. On May 30 he gave up six runs in four innings at the Rangers and followed it up on June 4 by blanking the White Sox in Chicago for seven innings. Then on Tuesday he gave up five runs in 5.2 innings of a loss to the Twins and today look for him to deliver a gem. Plus he's done most of his good work on the road, holding the opposition to two earned runs or less in three of his last six roadies.
Matt Cain gave up four runs in 6.1 innings on Tuesday at Arizona and his offense bailed him out with a 9-4 win. Cain has struggled against the A's, giving up three runs or more in three of his last four starts against them and the A's have won four straight against the Giants with Cain on the hill.
Oakland is 8-4 in its last 12 and 4-2 in their last six as a 'dog. Meanwhile the Giants are just 12-26 against southpaws and 7-15 at home against left-handed starters, plus just 3-10 in interleague games against southpaws.
Play the lefty and the A's in this one.
3♦ OAKLAND
Jeff Benton
N.Y. Mets +110 at N.Y. YANKEES
I'm now on a 7-1 roll with freebies -- including 5-0 the last five days -- after nailing the Astros over Arizona on Saturday. For Sunday’s free play, we’ll back the Mets at the Yankees in the finale of the Subway Series.
The Mets and Yankees have a lot of money tied up in pitchers Johan Santana and A.J. Burnett, but only one of those acquisitions has looked like a sound investment. While Santana (8-3, 2.39 ERA) has continued his stature as one of baseball’s best hurlers since leaving the Twins, Burnett has seemed a little overwhelmed by the bright lights of New York in his first season in the Bronx
Burnett is a mediocre 4-3 with a 4.89 ERA in his first 12 starts with the Yankees, and is coming off his worst start of the season, when he allowed five runs (three earned) on five hits and five walks in 2 2/3 innings against the rival Red Sox.
Burnett is familiar with pitching against the Mets, too, from his seven years with the Marlins. However, he hasn’t fared too well against them, compiling a 2-6 record with a 3.83 ERA in 16 career starts. Santana, on the other hand, is 4-1 with a 3.15 ERA in seven career starts vs. the Bronx Bombers, including 3-0 with a 2.05 ERA at the old Yankee Stadium.
How those numbers translate to the new ballpark remains to be seen, but I can’t imagine the results are going to be very different. Go with Santana and the Mets, who choked away a win in Friday’s series opener but bounced back yesterday and rolled to a 6-2 victory behind journeyman right-hander Fernando Nieve (if the Yanks couldn’t hit Nieve, they’re not going to hit Santana!).
3♦ N.Y. METS