| Red Shirt Join Date: May 2006
Posts: 45
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BEGINNING MONDAY MAY 22
Houston at Washington (4) 22nd, 23rd, 24th, 25th
The Astros are far less imposing outside of Minutemaid Park (only 6-11, -$550) but it’s hard to make a case for the lowly Nationals, who are a pathetic 3-10 (-$895) at RFK Stadium so far. We’ll stay on the sidelines for the time being. PREFERRED: None.
Chicago Cubs at Florida (3) 22nd, 23rd, 24th
The Cubs have really hit the skids after a decent month of April (15-22, -$870), so they no doubt will welcome an opportunity to tee off on the hapless Marlins, who are only 3-14 (-$1135) at Pro Players Park so far. Florida has the 2nd worst pitching in the NL (5.11) so perhaps the absence of Derrek Lee won’t be as much of a factor as it has been in recent weeks. PREFERRED: Maddux.
Milwaukee at Cincinnati (3) 22nd, 23rd, 24th
The Brewers have had trouble securing victories outside of Miller Park (only 6-11, -$515) and despite a lackluster week, this Cincinnati team is still a force to be reckoned with (+$1010 overall).
Arroyo (-$430, 2.03 ERA) and Harang (+$720) are a pair of hurlers who should prevent prolonged losing streaks, and at least one of them should take a turn here. PREFERRED: Harang/Arroyo.
Pittsburgh at Arizona (3) 22nd, 23rd, 24th
The good news for Pittsburgh is that Arizona does not have lefthanders in its rotation (Bucs 1-13, -$1280 vs. southpaws). But with a 3-17 road record (-$1365) it’s hard to see where we’ll get an opportunity to use them. The D’backs are averaging 6.1 runs per game vs. lefthanders, so we’ll lay the fat price when the visitor sends a southpaw to the mound. PREFERRED: Diamondbacks vs. lefthanders.
Atlanta at San Diego (3) 22nd, 23rd, 24th
The Braves could not get the job done in head to head play vs. the Padres in 2005 (only 1-5, -$600) and this looks like a much weaker Atlanta team than we are used to seeing (4.35 team ERA, .266 team BA). They were big losers away from Turner Field last year (-$860) and are not off to a good start in 2006 (only 9-14, -$610). The Padres have won 14 out of 15 (+$1385) and with a 3.80 team ERA, we’ll back them here at Petco Park. PREFERRED: Padres in all games.
Colorado at L.A. Dodgers (3) 22nd, 23rd, 24th
These teams will have squared off at Coors Field last week so check those results. The Rockies got the best of LA in head to head play last year (11-8, +$475) and they’ve been big moneymakers on the road so far in 2006 (+$730). We’ll stick with Aaron Cook (3.27 ERA in eight starts) who beat Roy Oswalt at Minutemaid Park last weekend and who should see action here. PREFERRED: Cook.
St. Louis at San Francisco (3) 22nd, 23rd, 24th
The Cardinals are still the force to be reckoned with in the National League, but they are only 8-8 on the road and could be vulnerable against lefthanders (only 3-4, -$225 vs. southpaws outside of Busch Stadium). Also, the Giants are 7-4 in day games at home (+$215) and they will be playing one day games at ATT Park. PREFERRED: Lefthanders vs. the Cardinals/Giants in day games.
Tampa Bay at Toronto (3) 22nd, 23rd, 24th
The Blue Jays are playing well, and keeping within range of Boston and New York in the AL East. They have gone 16-7 (+$985) in night games and all three of these contests are scheduled evening affairs. The Devil Rays are only 8-13 on the road and averaging just 3.7 runs per game vs. righthanders. If the price is reasonable, stick with the home team in that situation. PREFERRED: Blue Jays at -170 or less.
N.Y. Yankees at Boston (3) 22nd, 23rd, 24th
Lots of righty vs. right matchups are looming in this series and that should favor the Red Sox (Boston +$540 vs. righties with 5.6 runs per game, New York 4-11, -$1205 vs. righties at night). The Yankees could take a significant hit if they don’t salvage at least one win here at Fenway. PREFERRED: Red Sox when righty meets righty.
Oakland at Chicago W. Sox (3) 22nd, 23rd, 24th
This shapes up as a good situation for the White Sox when they are facing any of the Oakland righthanders (Chicago 18-5, +$1010 vs. righties so far). We’ll also take a look at Mark Buehrle (+$335, 3.42 ERA) given the A’s weakness against lefthanders (only 2-6, -$445 in that situation). PREFERRED: Buehrle/White Sox vs. righthanders.
L.A. Angels at Texas (3) 22nd, 23rd, 24th
The Rangers were decimated by the Angels in head to head play last season (only 4-15, -$1095) and they dropped 2 out of 3 at Anaheim earlier this year. Texas is a miserable 5-10 (-$745) vs. righthanders at Arlington this year, so we’ll try our luck with Escobar (3.46 ERA) and Lackey (3.61), at least one of whom should see action in this series. PREFERRED: Escobar/Lackey.
Detroit at Kansas City (4) 22nd, 23rd, 24th, 25th
The Royals are making money vs. righthanders at Kaufman Stadium, but Detroit’s rotation is rock solid right now (3.25 team ERA) so caution is advised when one is on the mound. But KC is still winless vs. lefthanders (0-9, -$900 with 2.6 runs per game) and the Tigers have a trio of quality southpaws who will give us tremendous value when they go. PREFERRED: Lefthanders vs. the Royals.
Baltimore at Seattle (4) 22nd, 23rd, 24th, 25th
The Orioles are only 3-9 against lefthanders (-$720) and winless against them outside of Camden Yards. Jarrod Washburn has been putting together some decent numbers since coming to Seattle from the Angels (3.91 ERA in eight starts) and is expected to get a start here at Safeco in this series. PREFERRED: Washburn.
BEGINNING TUESDAY MAY 23
Philadelphia at N.Y. Mets (3) 23rd, 24th, 25th
Things have tightened up in the NL East, with Philadelphia having made up significant ground after winning 13 of 14 in one stretch (+$1270). They’ll probably miss Tom Glavine, the one pitcher who attacks their weakness vs. lefties, so we’ll stick with the visitor if the price is right. PREFERRED: Phillies at +125 or better.
Cleveland at Minnesota (2) 23rd, 24th
The Twins have fought back to semi-respectability, but they dropped an ugly one to the Chisox in their final hookup last week, blowing a 7-0 lead. Their pitching is a huge problem (5.47 ERA) and their inabilty to beat lefthanders (3-8, -$550 with 3.4 runs per game) is a problem against the Indians, who have a pair of top-notch southpaws in their rotation. PREFERRED: Sabathia/Lee. |
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