MLB hot lines: Friday’s best bets
By Covers.com staff
Thu, Jul 6, 2006
Baltimore at Cleveland – Orioles +156
C.C. Sabathia has struggled in his last two home starts. He’s pitched just 7 1/3 total innings in his last two games at Jacobs field.
Sabathia also allowed nine runs in 2 1/3 innings in his last home start against the Cubs and seven runs in five innings the start before against Anaheim.
Interestingly, both teams rank in the bottom five in the majors in batting against left-handed pitchers, and so do the Orioles. Baltimore has the worst batting average in the majors against lefties, hitting just .234.
Sabathia pitches more like a right-handed pitcher than a left-handed one. He’s shut down the Cardinals and the Reds in his last two starts – teams that rank third and 12th in the majors against left-handed pitching.
Minnesota at Texas – Twins +111
It’s officially time to start backing Carlos Silva. Sure, his ERA is still a monstrous 6.52 and sure, he’s still down 3.52 units on the season, but the big right-hander is obviously over is early season woes. He’s recorded three quality starts in six appearances since returning to the starting rotation (he had been demoted the bullpen) and the Twins have won three of his last four starts.
Minnesota is also a decent team to back under any circumstance right now. They’ve won 21 of their last 24 games and have vaulted up the league’s money rankings. Their 9.96 units in profit trails only division rivals Detroit and Chicago, and AL East leader Boston for the top money mark in the majors.
Toronto at Kansas City – Royals +177
Watch out for the Royals. Baseball’s laughingstock isn’t just an NL beater anymore. Kansas City took two of three games in its most recent series with the Twins and have now won 13 of its last 19 games after beating the Jays last night 6-2.
The Royals will also get to battle Jays starter A.J. Burnett, who’s back to earth after two brilliant starts in his return from the 60-day DL. Burnett allowed seven runs, five earned, in just 4 1/3 innings in his last start against Philadelphia and will now face a turnaround Royals offense that’s averaged over six runs in its last 10 games.
The Jays will also be without managers John Gibbons who is expected to miss the game to be with his father, who is seriously ill. Bench coach Ernie Witt will be the acting manager.
San Francisco at Dodgers – Giants –104
Not sold on backing Dodgers’ starter Chad Billingsley just yet. His is stuff electric, but like most young pitchers, his pitch counts are being limited and he’s experiencing his fair share of struggles.
Billingsley is 0-2 in four starts with a 4.91 ERA and has never pitched past the sixth over that span.
That means we’re sure to see some work from the Dodgers` underachieving bullpen. L.A. relievers are 11-17 this season, have a 4.45 ERA, and are allowing opponents to hit .262.
JT
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