SPORTS ADVISORS
NBA FINALS
L.A. Lakers (14-6 SU, 11-9 ATS) at Orlando (12-9 SU, 11-10 ATS)
The Magic, who dropped the first two games of the NBA Finals on the road, return to Amway Arena in an ostensibly must-win situation for Game 3 against the Lakers, who are now just two wins away from their 15th championship.
After getting blown out 100-75 in Game 1, Orlando stuck with Los Angeles throughout Game 2, going to overtime before falling 101-96 but cashing as a 6½-point underdog. The Magic nearly won it in regulation, but Courtney Lee’s alley-oop layup off an inbounds pass in the final second was off the mark. Rashard Lewis had a game-high 34 points in defeat, hitting 6 of 12 from three-point range, and also added 11 rebounds and seven assists. Hedo Turkoglu added 24 points, while Dwight Howard chipped in 17 points and 16 rebounds, but the star center also had seven turnovers.
After a 40-point effort in Game 1, Kobe Bryant came back Sunday and led Los Angeles with 29 points and eight assists. Bryant’s sidekicks also helped out again, as Pau Gasol had 24 points and 10 rebounds (all on the defensive end), and Lamar Odom contributed 19 points on an 8-for-9 shooting effort. After dominating the glass in Game 1 by a 55-41 margin, the Lakers got outrebounded 44-35 Sunday and gave up 10 three-pointers while hitting just five. However, Los Angeles won the turnover battle 20-12 and outshot the Magic 46.2 percent to 41.8 percent.
With Sunday’s spread-cover, Orlando is now 3-1 ATS (2-2 SU) this season against Los Angeles and 5-2 ATS (3-4 SU) in the last seven clashes in this rivalry. In addition, the underdog is 7-1 ATS in the last eight meetings, with the road team cashing in six of those contests.
Orlando is 39-11 SU (29-21 ATS) at Amway Arena this season, including 7-2 SU (6-3 ATS) in the postseason. Los Angeles is 33-16 SU (27-22 ATS) on the highway, but just 4-4 SU and ATS in the playoffs.
The Lakers, who had won and cashed in three straight prior to Sunday’s ATS setback, remain on pointspread runs of 5-1 after a non-cover, 22-8-2 as a road underdog and 16-7 when catching less than five points. However, they also carry negative ATS streaks of 2-11-1 in the NBA Finals, 3-10 after a SU win and 3-11 against the Southeast Division, and they are 1-4 ATS in their last five against Eastern Conference foes dating to the regular season.
Despite trailing this series 2-0 SU, the Magic remain on several ATS upswings, including 8-2 overall, 4-0 at home, 21-8 against the Western Conference, 38-14 after a SU loss, 5-1 as a playoff chalk and 5-2 following a spread-cover.
The first two games of the Finals have both stayed under the total, with Game 2 falling short of the 202-point osted price despite going to overtime. Furthermore, the Lakers are on “under” tears of 10-2 overall, 10-1 against the Eastern Conference (including the last six in a row), 5-0 against the Southeast Division and 11-5 on the highway. Meanwhile, the under for Orlando is on runs of 13-6 at home, 6-0 against the Western Conference, 8-2 after a SU loss and 7-2 with the Magic favored in the postseason.
On the flip side, the last five Lakers-Magic meetings at Amway Arena have hurdled the posted price.
ATS ADVANTAGE: ORLANDO and UNDER
NATIONAL LEAGUE
Philadelphia (33-22) at N.Y. Mets (30-25)
The Phillies continue a bicoastal 10-game road trip at new Citi Field when they open a three-game series against the rival Mets, with J.A. Happ (4-0, 2.48 ERA) slated to toe the slab for the visitors against Johan Santana (7-3, 2.00).
Philadelphia went 5-2 in Southern California last week, sweeping a three-game series from the Padres then splitting a four-game set with Los Angeles, concluding with Sunday’s 7-2 victory. The Phillies are 8-2 in their last 10 games overall and 13-4 in their last 17 on the highway.
Philadelphia continues to sport baseball’s best road record at 21-8. Furthermore, the defending World Series champions are on lengthy hot streaks of 57-28 overall, 35-16 as a visitor, 38-17 after a victory, 51-22 in series openers, 38-16 against winning teams, 20-7 after a day off and 8-2 versus N.L. East rivals. Meanwhile, New York is on upticks of 7-2 in divisional games, 5-1 at home, 15-5 as a favorite (5-0 as a home chalk) and 57-28 after an off day.
These rivals played a pair of two-game home-and-home series back in early May, with New York going 3-1 overall and 2-0 at home. Dating to last season, the Mets are on a 10-5 overall run in this rivalry, winning five of the last seven clashes in New York.
Happ pitched seven scoreless innings in Wednesday’s 5-1 victory in San Diego, scattering four hits and two walks. The young southpaw has allowed two earned runs or fewer in six of his last seven starts, with the Phillies going 6-1 in those contests. They’re also 4-0 in Happ’s last four against the N.L. East, and he’s 2-0 with a 1.16 ERA on the road this season.
Happ has faced the Mets once in each of the last two seasons – both at home – and he didn’t make it out of the fifth inning in either game, giving up a combined seven runs in 8 2/3 innings, but Philadelphia split the two contests, losing 8-3 and winning 3-2.
Santana has been shaky by his standards in his last four starts, yielding a total of 15 runs (12 earned) in 26 innings (4.15 ERA). Regardless, the Mets are 3-1 during this four-game stretch, and with Santana pitching, they’re still on hot streaks of 20-7 overall, 4-1 in series openers and 10-3 at home, where the veteran southpaw is 4-1 with a 1.37 ERA in six starts this season.
Since being traded to the Mets prior to last year, Santana has faced the Phillies six times and delivered six quality starts, yielding a total of 12 earned runs in 43 1/3 innings (2.49 ERA). That includes a 1-0 home win on May 6, when Santana scattered two hits and a walk while striking out 10 in seven scoreless innings. New York is 3-0 in his last three starts versus Philly.
With Happ starting, the under is on stretches of 7-0 overall, 4-0 as an underdog and 4-0 against the N.L. East, while the under is 9-3 in Santana’s last 12 starts overall, 5-2 in his last seven at home and 8-1 in his last nine series openers.
Philadelphia carries “under” trends of 12-3-1 overall, 4-1 on the road, 5-1 against the N.L. East, 5-0-1 in series openers, 7-2 as a ‘dog, 7-1 against lefty starters and 4-0 after a day off. Likewise, the Mets are on “under” runs of 4-1 overall, 6-1 as a favorite, 4-0 versus the N.L. East, 4-0-1 on Tuesday and 5-1 in series openers.
ATS ADVANTAGE: N.Y. METS and UNDER
AMERICAN LEAGUE
N.Y. Yankees (34-23) at Boston (33-24)
The Yankees make their second trek of the season to Fenway Park for a three-game series against the hated Red Sox, and for the second time in six weeks, New York’s A.J. Burnett (4-2, 4.69) will match up against Boston ace Josh Beckett (6-2, 4.09).
With the Red Sox idle last night, the Yankees took over sole possession of first place in the A.L. East with a 5-3 victory over Tampa Bay to close out a six-game home stand with a 4-2 record. New York enters this series on positive streaks of 19-6 overall, 4-1 on the highway, 7-1 against A.L. East foes and 11-4 versus right-handed starters.
Boston followed up a four-game winning streak (all on the road) by losing two of three at home to Texas over the weekend. Despite that, the BoSox are on upticks of 83-37 at home, 16-6 against the A.L. East, 25-12 as a favorite, 23-10 in series openers, 49-18 after a day off and 4-1 on Tuesday.
Although New York has a one-game lead over Boston in the standings, the Sox are a perfect 5-0 against the Bronx Bombers this season and have won six straight meetings dating to last year (4-0 at Fenway). This year, the Red Sox have scored a total of 38 runs against Yankee pitching.
Burnett is coming off consecutive victories over the Rangers (12-3 at home, 9-2 on the road), allowing a combined three runs and 11 hits in 13 innings (2.08 ERA). With the six-inning scoreless effort at Texas two starts ago, the veteran right-hander improved to 3-1 with a 4.78 ERA in five road starts in 2009.
Burnett’s worst road outing of the season came on April 25 in Boston, as he got rocked for eight runs in five innings, with New York losing 16-11. Still, he’s 5-0 with a 3.52 ERA in nine career starts against the Red Sox.
Beckett has been dominant in his last three outings, giving up only one earned run and 10 hits in 22 2/3 innings (0.40 ERA) with a 22-7 strikeout-to-walk ratio. In Tuesday’s 10-5 victory at Detroit, he took a no-hitter into the seventh inning and finished allowing just two hits in 7 2/3 frames. Boston improved to 5-1 in Beckett’s last six starts, all of them quality outings (three earned runs or fewer allowed in at least six innings pitched.
The Red Sox are 4-1 in Beckett’s five home outings this season and 6-1 in his last seven versus divisional rivals. Also, they’re 6-1 in his last seven starts against the Yankees, including that 16-11 victory over Burnett in April in which Beckett gave up eight runs in five innings. He came back 10 days later in New York and beat the Yanks 7-3, again surrendering 10 hits but only the three runs. Beckett is 8-4 with a 5.80 ERA in 14 career regular-season starts versus the Yankees.
The Yankees are on “under” stretches of 4-1-1 on the road, 8-3-1 against winning teams and 4-1-1 with Burnett pitching. Also, the Red Sox are on “under” runs of 19-7-1 overall, 6-1 at home, 4-0 as a favorite, 7-1 against righty starters, 4-0 after a day off, 4-1 in Beckett’s last five starts overall and 5-2-1 in his last eight at home. Lastly, four of the last five Yanks-Sox clashes in Beantown have stayed low.
ATS ADVANTAGE: BOSTON and UNDER
DUNKEL
LA Lakers at Orlando
The Magic head home after losing Game Two in overtime and look to take advantage of LA's 3-10 ATS record in its last 13 games following a SU win. Orlando is the pick (-3 1/2) according to Dunkel, which has the Magic favored by 6. Dunkel Pick: Orlando (-3 1/2).
Game 705-706: LA Lakers at Orlando
Dunkel Ratings: LA Lakers 125.671; Orlando 131.611
Dunkel Line & Total: Orlando by 6; 201 1/2
Vegas Line & Total: Orlando by 3 1/2; 199
Dunkel Pick: Orlando (-3 1/2); Over
MLB
Philadelphia at NY Mets
The Phillies open up the series looking to build on their 6-1 record in J.A. Happ's last 7 starts. Philadelphia is the pick (+155) according to Dunkel, which has the Phillies favored by 1/2 a run. Dunkel Pick: Philadelphia (+155).
Game 901-902: Cincinnati at Washington
Dunkel Ratings: Cincinnati (Cueto) 14.143; Washington (Zimmermann) 14.510
Dunkel Line: Washington by 1/2; 7 1/2
Vegas Line: Cincinnati (-120); 8 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Washington (+110); Under
Game 903-904: St. Louis at Florida
Dunkel Ratings: St. Louis (Carpenter) 14.622; Florida (Johnson) 15.226
Dunkel Line: Florida by 1/2; 6 1/2
Vegas Line: St. Louis (-135); 7
Dunkel Pick: Florida (+125); Under
Game 905-906: Philadelphia at NY Mets
Dunkel Ratings: Philadelphia (Happ) 15.632; NY Mets (Santana) 15.077
Dunkel Line: Philadelphia by 1/2; 7
Vegas Line: NY Mets (-165); 8
Dunkel Pick: Philadelphia (+155); Under
Game 907-908: Pittsburgh at Atlanta
Dunkel Ratings: Pittsburgh (Ohlendorf) 14.338; Atlanta (Lowe) 15.734
Dunkel Line: Atlanta by 1 1/2; 10
Vegas Line: Atlanta (-200); 8 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Atlanta (-200); Over
Game 909-910: Chicago Cubs at Houston
Dunkel Ratings: Cubs (Lilly) 14.311; Houston (Moehler) 15.490
Dunkel Line: Houston by 1; 8 1/2
Vegas Line: Chicago Cubs (-145); 9
Dunkel Pick: Houston (+135); Under
Game 911-912: Colorado at Milwaukee
Dunkel Ratings: Colorado (Hammel) 15.515; Milwaukee (Looper) 16.786
Dunkel Line: Milwaukee by 1 1/2; 10 1/2
Vegas Line: Milwaukee (-140); 9 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Milwaukee (-140); Over
Game 913-914: San Francisco at Arizona
Dunkel Ratings: San Francisco (Cain) 15.289; Arizona (Buckner) 14.218
Dunkel Line: San Francisco by 1; 9 1/2
Vegas Line: San Francisco (-130); 8 1/2
Dunkel Pick: San Francisco (-130); Over
Game 915-916: San Diego at LA Dodgers
Dunkel Ratings: San Diego (Young) 14.470; LA Dodgers (Billingsley) 15.351
Dunkel Line: LA Dodgers by 1; 9
Vegas Line: LA Dodgers (-205); 7 1/2
Dunkel Pick: LA Dodgers (-205); Over
Game 917-918: LA Angels at Tampa Bay
Dunkel Ratings: LA Angels (Weaver) 15.586; Tampa Bay (Shields) 15.134
Dunkel Line: LA Angels by 1/2; 7
Vegas Line: Tampa Bay (-135); 8 1/2
Dunkel Pick: LA Angels (+125); Under
Game 919-920: Seattle at Baltimore
Dunkel Ratings: Seattle (Vargas) 14.894; Baltimore (Bergensen) 14.587
Dunkel Line: Seattle by 1/2; 9
Vegas Line: Baltimore (-130); 9 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Seattle (+120); Under
Game 921-922: Kansas City at Cleveland
Dunkel Ratings: Kansas City (Bannister) 14.138; Cleveland (Lee) 15.022
Dunkel Line: Cleveland by 1; 7 1/2
Vegas Line: Cleveland (-205); 8 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Cleveland (-205); Under
Game 923-924: NY Yankees at Boston
Dunkel Ratings: NY Yankees (Burnett) 15.954; Boston (Beckett) 17.181
Dunkel Line: Boston by 1; 8 1/2
Vegas Line: Boston (-145); 9 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Boston (-145); Under
Game 925-926: Toronto at Texas
Dunkel Ratings: Toronto (Tallet) 15.932; Texas (Mathis) 14.810
Dunkel Line: Toronto by 1; 10
Vegas Line: No Line
Dunkel Pick: N/A
Game 927-928: Detroit at Chicago White Sox
Dunkel Ratings: Detroit (Willis) 14.438; White Sox (Buehrle) 16.064
Dunkel Line: Chicago White Sox by 1 1/2; 8 1/2
Vegas Line: Chicago White Sox (-155); 9 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Chicago White Sox (-155); Under
Game 929-930: Minnesota at Oakland
Dunkel Ratings: Minnesota (Baker) 16.488; Oakland (Anderson) 15.644
Dunkel Line: Minnesota by 1; 8 1/2
Vegas Line: Oakland (-115); 9
Dunkel Pick: Minnesota (+105); Under
NHL
Detroit at Pittsburgh
The Red Wings are coming off a 5-0 win in Game Five and look to build on their 41-13 record in their last 54 games after scoring 5 goals or more in their previous game. Detroit is the pick (+130) according to Dunkel, which has the Red Wings favored by 1/2 a goal. Dunkel Pick: Detroit (+130).
Time Posted: 7:30 a.m. EST (6/8)
Game 11-12: Detroit at Pittsburgh
Dunkel Ratings: Detroit 14.218; Pittsburgh 13.894
Dunkel Line & Total: Detroit by 1/2; 6 1/2
Vegas Line & Total: Pittsburgh (-150); 5 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Detroit (+130); Over
Marc Lawrence
New York Yankees at Boston Red Sox
Play On: Boston w/Beckett Note: The Red Sox turn to Yankee-killer Josh Beckett in the opener of this pivotal three-game series at Fenway tonight knowing he has cashed in six of his last seven starts against the Pinstripes. With Becket back in fine current form and A.J. Burnett just 1-3 in his last four starts against the Bosox, look for Beckett to continue his winning ways here this evening.
Play on: Boston
Frank Jordan
Detroit Red Wings vs. Pittsburgh Penguins
Play: Pittsburgh Penguins
Detroit and Pittsburgh have played 5 games thus far in the Finals and all 5 games have been won by the home team. Last year Detroit won the cup in Pittsburgh and the Penguin faithful had to watch as their season ended and the champion was crowned in their building. The way these finals are going look for the trend to continue as the Penguins send this series to an ever popular sudden death game 7 with a 4-2 win at home in game 6. Play Pittsburgh
Cajun Sports
New York Yankees vs. Boston Red Sox
Play: Boston Red Sox
Fenway Park will be the site of a three-game set between the host Boston Red Sox and their arch rival the boys from Gotham the New York Yankees. With game one of the series set for Tuesday night with the first pitch at 7:10PM Eastern Time. Tonight’s pitching matchup will feature a rematch these two got together back on April 25th and neither pitched well with a final score of 16 to 11 with Boston winning. Beckett was at Fenway and went five innings giving up ten hits, four bases on balls three strikeouts and eight earned runs in the win while Burnett pitched five innings giving up eight hits, three bases on balls three strikeouts and eight earned runs in the loss. Beckett rebounded from the poor performance even though he won on April 25th it was a poor performance but on May 5th he pitched six innings giving up ten hits one base on balls five strikeouts and three earned runs in a 7 to 3 win over the Yankees and Chamberlain. Over Beckett’s last three trips to the bump he has an ERA of 0.40 a WHIP of 0.750 pitching 7.6 innings allowing 1 earned run on ten hits 7 bases on balls and 22 strikeouts for a 2-0 record. Burnett’s last three outings has seen him pitch 6.3 innings giving up 8 earned runs on 19 hits 7 bases on balls and 22 strikeouts posting a record of 2-1. Boston is 5-0 W/L this season versus the boys from Gotham and 3-0 W/L when playing at Fenway. We expect another solid outing from Beckett tonight as our Pitcher Efficiency Ratings Index projects a Red Sox win with Beckett getting a quality start. Our TPR (Team Performance Ratings) Index projects a Sox win by 0.99 runs and the Math Model have the host winning by 1.47 runs over Burnett and the Yankees on Tuesday night. Lay the short price with the host as the Red Sox continue their dominance over the boys from Gotham.
Graded Selection: 2* Boston Red Sox 4 New York Yankees 3
Scott Spreitzer
Minnesota Twins at Oakland Athletics
Prediction: Oakland Athletics
Oakland did what they do last night. They beat a righthander in a home game. Minnesota did what they do last night. They lost again on the road against a lefthander. The Twins are now 0-10 in road games against southpaws, scoring less than 2 1/2 rpg. The Athletics have now cashed 67% of their home tickets against righthanders, and average almost 6 rpg when those contests take place under the lights. We have the same situation going tonight. Scott Baker will take the bump for the Twins. He's been about as bad as it gets in his road starts in 2009. The righthander is 0-3 in three tries away from home, allowing 14 earned runs and 27 base runners in just 15 1/3 IP. That's a hefty 8.22 ERA and 1.76 WHIP, to go along with a .324 BAA! OUCH! Oakland not only hits righties well at home, but they have won three of Anderson's last four starts. He's allowed just three earned runs and 18 base runners in the three wins, spanning 19 innings of work. That's a 1.42 ERA & 0.95 WHIP. His only rough start in his last four came on the road against Texas and the Rangers absolutely crush southpaws at home, so no surprise there. As mentioned above, Minnesota does NOT exactly crush lefties away from the Metrodome. Look for Oakland to continue the Twins' serious road woes with a big win on Tuesday.
Matt Fargo
Los Angeles Angels @ Tampa Bay Rays
PICK: Los Angeles Angels
This is a great price for the better team as well as the better pitcher. Jered Weaver has been exceptional of late and that has been the case most of the season. He has allowed three runs or fewer in nine of his 11 starts and over his last six starts, he has allowed only one run in five of those, posting a remarkable 1.64 ERA over that span. It is no surprise that his ERA on the season is 2.26 which is third best in the American League. He now faces a Rays team that he has never lost to, going 2-0 with a 2.70 ERA and 0.80 WHIP in three starts, all resulting in Angels wins. Tampa Bay is coming off a series loss in New York and a series against the Yankees is always hard to recover from. The Rays have turned things around at home but it has come against some lackluster competition. They send James Shields to the mound and he is definitely having a very solid season but there have been inconsistencies and the wins are not coming too often. He has a 3.40 ERA on the year but Tampa Bay is only 5-7 in his 12 starts. Only half of his last six starts have been quality outings and he has been allowing a ton of baserunners. Over those last six games, he has a WHIP of 1.37 which is far from potent. He has mowed down the Angels throughout his career at home but this has been a different year and things could easily go the other way. The Angels have won seven of their last eight road games against teams with a losing record while Tampa Bay is on a 0-5 run after allowing five or more runs in its last game. The Angels also fall into a great underdog situation. Play against American League favorites of -150 or less that are averaging 5.2 rpg or more but facing a pitcher who has a WHIP of 1.10 or less over his last 10 starts. This situation is 30-11 (73.2%) over the last five years and being an underdog situation, it is even stronger based on the moneyline winners. 3* Los Angeles Angels
Info Plays
3* on New York Yankees +125
(Listing Burnett)
Reasons why the Yankees win:
1.) The Yankees are playing their best baseball of the season right now. New York is 20-7 in their last 27 games overall. They are 8-1 in their last 9 road games with a total set of 9.0-10.5 runs. Boston’s Josh Beckett has lost his touch this season. Beckett is just 2-7 in his last 9 home starts against a team with a winning record. New York has lost 6 straight games to Boston, and now it’s time to turn the page and get revenge starting with Game 1 tonight.
2.) System Play. We’ll Play On - Road underdogs with a money line of +100 to +150 (NY YANKEES) - stranding 7.5 or more runners on base per game on the season against opponent with a hot starting pitcher- WHIP <= 0.800 over his last 3 starts. This is a 34-19 ML System hitting 64.2% since 1997. A.J. Burnett is 2-1 with a 3.79 ERA over his last 3 starts for New York. Burnett has never lost to Boston, going 5-0 with a 3.52 ERA in his career against the Red Sox. He won’t be losing Tuesday, either. Bet the Yankees on the road.
Rob Vinciletti
St Louis Cardinals vs. Florida Marlins
Play: Under 7
This game is fueled by what appears to be one of the best pitching matchups of the year so far.The Cards send Chris Carpenter to the mound hoping to put a halt to their losing streak.Carpenter has been unhittable in his starts this year with a 0.71 era.In his career vs the Marlins he has a 1.92 era.St.Louis follows that with a solid road bull pen era of 3.11.Florida has their ace going in hard throwing righty Josh Johnson.In his home starts this year Johnson has been dominant with a 1.76 era.This plays perfectly to our under selection as the Cards are struggling at the plate averaging under 3 runs per game over their last 7 games.In this series the under has been the norm of late as 10 of the last 13 have played under including 6 of 7 at this venue.With Florida having gone under 4 of 5 times this year off a day off Ill back the under here in what looks like a low scoring affair.
Red Dog Sports
Cincinnati at Washington
Play Cincinnati
The Reds are 7-4 when Johnny Cuerto starts this year and he has a great ERA of 2.43 while Zimmerman's ERA is 5.71 and the team is 3-6 when he is on the mound. Look for the Reds to win as a small favorite on Tuesday.
Sports Gambling Hotline
LA Lakers at ORLANDO
We have been making a living by going UNDER the total in the NBA Finals thus far, and we will do so once again tonight in Game Three.
The first 2 games in this series have easily held UNDER the total, and that includes Sunday's overtime affair. That makes 3 straight series meetings that have held LOW, and 4 of the last 6 overall between the teams UNDER the total.
But wait, there is more...the Lakers have played LOW in 11 of their last 16 road games, and they are on a 35-17-1 overall UNDER run their last 53 games.
Orlando has played UNDER the posted price in 7 of their last 9 when listed as the favorite.
Yes, the total has come down nearly ten points, but until we see some evidence that they can actually play to an OVER, we will continue to place our coin on the UNDER.
Play the LOW.
4♦ UNDER
Bobby Maxwell
Minnesota at OAKLAND -105
We offering up a FREE winner on the diamond today as we go with the A's at home against the Twins.
The A's have won seven in a row and they are getting some great pitching during this streak, allowing just 11 runs during the seven games. Monday they beat the Twins 4-3 and look for them to do it again today as Oakland continues to roll.
Lefty Brett Anderson (3-5, 5.13 ERA) is on the mound for the A's. He's 2-1 in his last three games with a 3.71 ERA and he looked great in Chicago on Thursday when he blanked the White Sox on six hits over seven innings of a 7-0 shutout win for the A's. His last home outing was May 25 when he held Seattle to one run in six innings and Oakland got a 6-1 win.
Scott Baker (3-6, 5.88 ERA) is on the hill for the Twins and this guy has been a disaster on the highway this season, going 0-3 with an 8.22 ERA. On May 29 he went to Tampa and gave up foru runs on seven hits in 5.2 innings of a 5-3 loss.
Oakland is 10-4 in its last 14 games against the Twins in northern California and Minnesota is just 2-12 in its last 14 games as a 'dog. They are also just 9-27 in their last 36 against lefties and 16-36 in their last 52 on the road. Oakland is 6-1 in their last seven at home and 4-1 in their last five against right-handed starters.
The A's are red-hot and we're not going against the streak tonight. Play Oakland.
4♦ OAKLAND
Karl Garrett
NY Yankees at BOSTON
Tell the manual scoreboard operators in the green monster to get plenty of zeros ready, because the G-Man has a feeling that AJ Burnett and Josh Beckett are going to be mowing the big bats down this Tuesday evening.
Burnett comes in to this start with 2 wins in a row, allowing 3 runs over his last 13 innings of work.
Beckett has been even tougher, allowing just 3 earned runs over his last 29-plus innings of work.
New York stayed UNDER the total last night against Tampa Bay, as they have been UNDER in their last pair, and 3 of their last 5, while Boston has played UNDERS in their last 4, and 8 of their last 10.
Stick with the trends, and watch this game become a serious pitchers duel.
G-Man playing the UNDER.
4♦ UNDER
Jeff Benton
L.A. Angels +125 at TAMPA BAY
A tough free-play loser on Monday with the Pirates, who fell in 15 innings to the Braves. We’ll get back on track Tuesday by taking the Angels at Tampa Bay.
I don’t know if you’ve noticed – certainly the oddsmakers haven’t – but Los Angeles starter Jered Weaver is in some kind of groove. He’s 5-2 with a 2.26 ERA this season, giving up exactly one run in each of his last three starts (all Angels victories) and five of the last six. During this particular six-game stretch, Weaver has pitched at least seven innings five times and posted a 1.64 ERA. Also, in three career starts against the Rays (two of them last year), Weaver is 2-0 with a 2.70 ERA (L.A. won all three games) with 18 strikeouts against just three walks in 20 innings.
Then again, the entire Halos organization has had its way with the Rays in recent years, winning an astonishing 49 of the last 71 contests
Granted, Tampa Bay is going with ace James Shields in this contest, and like Weaver vs. the Rays, Shields has strong career numbers vs. the Angels. But Tampa is just 5-7 with Shields on the hill this season (by comparison, the Halos are 7-4 behind Weaver). Bottom line: This is essentially a matchup of even teams, and I’ll ride the hotter pitcher at a nice underdog price.
3♦ L.A. ANGELS
Chris Jordan
San Francisco -125 at ARIZONA
The Giants were my big play last night, so it’s only fitting to take them tonight in a free-pick role to get us the money. It makes sense, right? Can’t win the big play, but they get it done one night too late.
We’re going to list Matt Cain, who is 3-0 on the highway with a 1.36 ERA and who rolls in with an impressive run against the Snakes. The right-hander might be 1-1 in his last five starts against Arizona, but he’s allowed just eight earned runs over 34 innings of work - an ERA of 2.11.
Cain has allowed two earned runs or less in nine of his 11 starts this season, and in seven of those it was one or less – like over his last four outings. No wonder he has a 1.80 ERA on the year. In his lone start at Arizona this season, he tossed seven frames and gave up just one earned run while striking out five.
We’re just going to list Cain, as he’s the sole reason I like the Giants tonight.
1♦ SAN FRANCISCO GIANTS