Brian Gabrielle
Seattle Mariners vs Oakland Athletics
The Oakland Athletics have won 80% of Dana Eveland's starts dating back to August 2/2008, due mainly to Eveland's brilliant pitching. He is allowing just over 2 rpg in that span and hasn't allowed a ball to leave the parke since August 2nd. That is consistent with Eveland's carrer against the Mariners - he is a perfect 3-0 through 3 career starts against them, allowing just 7 runs combined in those 3 starts. Meanwhile, the Mariners have dropped 3 straight behind Félix Hernández and they don't figure to offer him much run support tonight against the southpaw Eveland, evidenced from Seattle's 19-30 record this season in this spot.
Oakland 5, Seattle 3
Does anyone get Right Angle Sports? They have one of there very few 2 unit plays this week. Thanks
Does anyone get Right Angle Sports? They have one of there very few 2 unit plays this week. Thanks
I find them once in awhile but I post everything I run across so if it's out there I will post it.
Scott Rickenbach
Philadelphia Phillies @ Florida Marlins
PICK: Philadelphia Phillies
Please note this is an opinion play free pick only. It is not a star rated pick as the Phillies could get a little pricier than I like to use as a star rated pick. However, I do see value with Philadelphia here and that’s why you’re reading about them in this spot. Both the Phillies and Marlins are red hot entering this series but, of course, only one team is going to be able to sustain that momentum tonight and my money is on the Phillies in this match-up. Keep in mind that Philadelphia did the same thing last September that they’re now doing this September and I just don’t see them being denied here. The Phillies are in the lead in both the NL East and in the Wild Card race but it’s by the slimmest of margins. However, they’re certainly showing no signs that the pressure is getting to them in any way whatsoever. Last night Pat Burrell was the hero even though he had been mired in a long-term slump and that, in and of itself, is one of many dangers this team presents. They have so many dangerous hitters that almost every at-bat tests a pitcher’s will.
While Johnson certainly has some good numbers this season as well against the Phillies in his career, he has shown a tendency to struggle against left-handed batters. That is bad news when facing the Phillies because Philadelphia has a number of dangerous left-handed batters as well as a pair of rock solid switch-hitters too (Rollins and Victorino). Johnson will have trouble with a lineup that is surging in production at the plate right now. The flip side here is that we expect continued success for Brett Myers on the hill and he may get the added benefit of facing the Marlins when they are without Hanley Ramirez who missed last night’s game. Myers has been throwing some of the best baseball of his career as his earlier demotion to the minors seems to now have brought out the best in him! Myers stuff is dominating and he doesn’t give up a lot of solid contact. The Marlins have a history of strikeout troubles at the plate and with the nasty stuff of Myers on display tonight we expect a lot of ‘swings and misses’. As for the bullpens, the Phillies have one of the best in baseball and they start off this series just like they wrapped up the last one…with a key win! Play Philadelphia on the money line.
Lee Kostroski
Milwaukee Brewers @ Cincinnati Reds
PICK: Cincinnati Reds
There could not be a more painful way for the Brewers to lose an absolutely critical game Thursday afternoon. Leading by four with two outs in the ninth Milwaukee appeared on the verge of a big series win but things came crashing down as closer Salomon Torres faltered. Milwaukee had a great opportunity to put the game away in the eleventh with two runners on and failed giving the momentum back to Chicago as the Cubs sealed the game and essentially wrapped up the division title.
Milwaukee must realize that beating the Reds tonight is just as important but the emotional toll will be significant, especially with the Mets and Phillies both winning Thursday to advance the Wild Card margin. The Reds are 8-6 against Milwaukee this season and though Cincinnati has little play for, they are playing well. The Reds are 12-6 in the last 18 games and Ramon Ramirez gave Milwaukee big problems the last time he faced them.
Ramirez matched up with Jeff Suppan ten days ago and he allowed just one hit and one run over six strong innings. The Brewers are 0-3 in the Suppan’s last three starts as he has an ERA of 8.79 in that span. In the last ten games the Brewers are hitting just .201 against right-handed pitching and the slump will likely continue tonight. The Reds have been finding ways to win the close games that are killing the Brewers. It may be the same story tonight as Milwaukee is 4-13 in the last 17 games.
John Ryan
Game: New York Mets at Atlanta Braves
Prediction: Atlanta Braves
Ai Simulator 3* graded play on the Braves ? Supporting this graded play is a system that has gone 115-84 making 72 units for 58% since 1997. Play on home dogs with a money line of +100 or higher with an overused bullpen that pitches more than 3.2 innings per game and with a cold starting pitcher sporting an ERA >= 6.50 over his last 10 starts. Mets are 7-17 (-11.6 Units) against the money line in road games versus teams who strand 7.5 or more runners on base per game this season. Chipper Jones, who leads the Majors with a .365 batting average, has reached base safely in 41 consecutive games. SS Yunel Escobar's strained right hamstring has been limited to two pinch-hit appearances in the past five games and because he still can't run, his availability for this weekend's series remains questionable. The Mets are being viewed as joking yet again, but they actually have the best record in baseball since July 1st with 44 wins. Anaheim is second best with 43 wins and the Cubs, Dodgers, and Phillies all have 41 wins. Interesting that 4 of the top 5 teams are from the NL since July 1st. The point is simply, that the NY media is putting incredible pressure on this Mets team to win the division. That pressure has become a counter productive force working against that goal. You would never see that the Mets have played well since July 1st in any of the New York newspapers right now. Win or else is the cry and that is a difficult motif to overcome even at the professional level. Mets are in a weak role noting that they are 7-17 (-11.6 Units) against the money line in road games versus teams who strand 7.5 or more runners on base per game this season. Take the Braves
Lenny Del Genio
Game: San Diego Padres at Washington Nationals
Prediction: San Diego Padres
Have to take a shot with Jake Peavy at this price, right? The terrible Nats are just 6-25 vs. pitchers with an ERA of 3.50 or better this season and 7-31 vs. starters that strike out an average of five or more hitters per game. Off BB losses, Washington is just 20-42. San Diego has won 14 of 21 Peavy starts as a road favorite of $1.25 or more. Take San Diego.
Mr A
Baltimore Orioles at New York Yankees
Baltimore's Radhames Liz (6-5, 6.90) is 1-2 with a 6.75 ERA in his last three starts. The right-hander allowed three runs in 4 2/3 innings in his only start against the Yankees in a 9-4 loss on August 22.
New York's Carl Pavano (3-1, 5.26 ERA) is 1-1 with a 6.75 ERA in his last three starts. The right-hander is 3-2 with a 3.48 ERA in six career outings against the Orioles
Baltimore has lost 19 of its last 24 games and is 1-8 in its last 9 road games, 3-6 in its last 9 games at Yankee Stadium. Take the Bronx Bombers to seize their fifth straight win over the gloomy Orioles. New York has won five of their last 6 games at home and seven of Pavano's last 8 starts.
New York Yankees -200
NCAAF
Baylor at Connecticut
The Huskies have won and covered the spread in their last 5 games at home, while the Bears have dropped seven of its last 9 on the road, 2-7 ATS. Look for Connecticut tough defense to stifle the Baylor's offense.
Play Connecticut Huskies -12½
Gina
Detroit Tigers at Cleveland Indians
Cleveland Indians have won seven of the last 10 meetings versus the Detroit Tigers in Cleveland and have won seven of Fausto Carmona last 8 starts against the Tigers, 4-0 in his last four at home.
Go with the Indians to grab their fifth straight victory over the Tigers in a high scoring contest at Progressive Field. Detroit’s' Armando Galarraga is currently struggling. The right-hander allowed five runs and eight hits in his last start against Oakland on September 10 and is 0-2 with a 6.00 ERA in his last four starts. The total has gone over in five of the last 6 meetings in Cleveland.
Cleveland Indians - 105 & Over 9½
Johnny Guild
Baylor Bears at Connecticut Huskies
Baylor Bears will have a big task against the Huskies rushing attack in Connecticut. The Huskies have won and covered the spread in their last 6 home games, while the Bears are just 2-7 ATS in its last nine road games Take the Huskies for their tenth straight win at Rentschler Field.
Connecticut Huskies -12
Scott Spritzer
HOU Astros @ PIT Pirates
Take PIT Pirates
I'm playing Pittsburgh on Friday, my 5* Hammer. The Astros teased their fans, almost over-taking the Brewers, Mets, and Phillies, in the wildcard chase. But man, did the short-lived hope crash with a loud thud! The Astros have now dropped five straight in blowout fashion. The offense hit the wall and then some, scoring just 0, 1, 1, 2, & 1 runs during the skid. Meanwhile, pitching has crashed, allowing 5, 6, 5, 14, and 8 runs. Tonight, Randy Wolf takes to the road mound, and that in itself has been a disaster. Wolf has made a combined 15 road starts for the Padres and Astros this season. He's 2-7 in his decisions, getting rocked for a 6.13 ERA, 1.59 WHIP, and .294 BAA. The Pirates will send Ian Snell to the bump. The Astros are not only in a serious hitting slump over the past five games, but they have scored an average of just 3.0 runs per game in 40 road night games against righthanders this season. Look for the Pirates to add to Houston's struggles with a win on Friday. My 5* Hammer is a play on Pittsburgh
PlusLineSports
St Louis vs Chicago Cubs
Chicago -1.5
Triple Crown
5* Toronto
3* Hou
3* Detroit
3* Seattle
EZWINNERS
1 STAR: (951) ST. LOUIS (+$166) over Chicago
(Action) (Risking $100 to win $166)
1 STAR: (965) SAN FRANCISCO (+$210) over LA Dodgers
(Action) (Risking $100 to win $210)
ATS Lock Club
4 units UConn
4 units Blue Jays
3 units Padres