Vic Monte
5000* NY Yankees -140
Jimmy Boyd
5* Texans +2
5* White Sox +1.5
3* Pirates
Fantasy Sports Gametime
Play Tampa Bay (-190) over Seattle (Top Play of the Day)
Tampa Bay has won 8 of the last 10 games and they have also won 23 of the last 37 games vs. left-handed starting pitchers. Jeremy Hellickson has won 4 of the last 5 home games when the total posted is between 8 and 8.5 runs and he has an ERA of 2.70 in home games this season.
Play Atlanta (-180) over Arizona (Bonus)
Play Oakland (-140) over Toronto (Bonus)
CStars Sports Picks
Minnesota / Seattle Over
Oakland / San Francisco Over
Boston / Kansas City Over
San Francisco Giants
Paul Leiner
250* Seahawks -3
50* Broncos -4
Today's Picks
Kansas City Royals +125
Jack Jones
20* Detroit Tigers -141
15* Chicago White Sox +126
Jeff Benton
40 Dime St Louis Rams
15 Dime Texas Rangers
Keith Glantz
100* LA Angels
DAVID MALINSKY
4* CARDINALS / CUBS UNDER 8.5
This game is starting two hours later than the usual afternoon outing in Wrigley, an unusual time that brings those afternoon shadows into play (shadows that helped Lee Smith to hold the MLB career saves record for 13 years). And given the value that we get from an Edwin Jackson/Matt Garza matchup, it is even easier to get into play.
Baseball has not been kind to Jackson this season – while his 9-8/4.04 is decent, his W’s per 9, K’s per 9, ground-ball ratio and HR’s per 9 all call for something significantly better. The geometry of the sport just has not cooperated, with a .343 BABIP that rates dead last among pitchers with at least 100 IP. But we know where numbers like that go before seasons come to an end, which makes our timing ideal at this value point.
Garza has also not had much luck on those BABIP charts, still residing at a .317, and he is also stuck with only five wins in 23 starts. But like Jackson his W’s per 9, K’s per 9, ground-ball rate and HR’s per 9 all call for something much better than this bottom line can show. He has been particularly dominating from this mound, with a 2.84 ERA and an 87-25 ratio of K’s to W’s, but even that has only been good enough for three wins. That makes the timing ideal for him also, and with Kyle McClellan the only reliever for either team with a fatigue rating, the latter stages are in good hands.
Ben Burns
10* Bills / Broncos Under 37.5
10* Oakland Athletics -144
9* San Francisco 49ers -3
Wunderdog
St. Louis at Chicago Cubs
Pick: Chicago Cubs +100
The St. Louis Cardinals just never overcame the loss of Adam Wainwright this season. And as the season winds down, their playoffs hopes are on life support, trailing the Brewers by 7.5 games in the NL Central. The Cubs scored the victory in the opener of this series last night, and have the momentum coming into game two, with a pitcher gaining momentum as well in Matt Garza. Garza has allowed 3 runs or less in six of his last seven starts, but more importantly in six straight at home. The Cubs have played their best as an underdog at 9-2 in their last 11 games. Take Chicago in this one.
Chip Chirimbes
Indians at Tigers
Pick: Tigers-139
Newly acquired Doug Fister gets the nod for Detroit and he has a major advantage against his counter-part David Huff. The Indians are only 1-8 in Huff's last nine starts on grass and they have won only 7 of their last 26 games in Detroit. Take the TIGERS!
Craig Davis
40 Dime Oakland A's
30 Dime Broncos -3
Bob Balfe
Houston Texans +2
There is a new identity in Houston, as they are trying to get better on defense and to win the close games. Last week Houston was putting starters back in the game in the 4th quarter in a close game on defense. This team had so many heartbreaking losses last year that preseason might not count, but they want to feel what its like to be on the right side of these close games. I like how Matt Leinart has been playing as a backup. Leinart was a first round pick and has tremendous ability. It might have taken a while, but I think he finally is starting to come into his own. This will be big for the Texans in the second half. Take Houston.
Chicago White Sox +128
John Danks has been a good home pitcher this year for Chicago. This line has very good value as Danks is the better of the two pitchers, but just has not gotten the run support to have a decent record. Look for Chicago to win in a low-scoring pitchers duel. Take the White Sox.