JR TIPS AND PICKS
MINNESOTA TWINS vs. TAMPA BAY RAYS
The Twins scored 23 runs in a three-game sweep of the Milwaukee Brewers before totaling 15 in a four-game split with the Boston Red Sox, but were held to four runs in the last two games, including a 3-1 loss Thursday. Minnesota had fewer than six hits for the first time since May 6th. The Twins should get back on track as they have scored at least three runs in each of their five games against Tampa's Shields (3-4, 3.63 ERA), including a 4-3 home win April 28th. The Tampa Bay right-hander gave up five earned runs in his last start at home against Minnesota and is allowing at least 10 hits in three of his last four starts. He yielded a season-high 12 hits and four runs Sunday at Florida. The Rays (23-27) are trying to snap a season-high five-game skid that ended with a four-game sweep at the hands of the Cleveland Indians. Tampa Bay, will look to get their our mojo back at home where they have won five of their last seven at Tropicana Field and are 4-2 in their last six there against the Twins. Minnesota, which has won six of its last eight overall and will start Scott Baker (2-5, 6.32), who will try to win back-to-back starts for the first time this season. The right-hander threw a season-high 8 1/3 innings Sunday to earn the victory in a 6-3 win over Milwaukee. Baker was reached for four runs over six innings in a home loss April 27th to the Rays and is 0-2 with a 9.31 ERA on the road. The twins have scored at least 3-5 runs against Sheilds and the Rays hitters had batting practice against Baker when they last faced him. Look for Tampa to get bats back on track finally playing at home after a long road trip.
TAKE OVER 9 runs
MINNESOTA TWINS vs. TAMPA BAY RAYS
The Twins scored 23 runs in a three-game sweep of the Milwaukee Brewers before totaling 15 in a four-game split with the Boston Red Sox, but were held to four runs in the last two games, including a 3-1 loss Thursday. Minnesota had fewer than six hits for the first time since May 6th. The Twins should get back on track as they have scored at least three runs in each of their five games against Tampa's Shields (3-4, 3.63 ERA), including a 4-3 home win April 28th. The Tampa Bay right-hander gave up five earned runs in his last start at home against Minnesota and is allowing at least 10 hits in three of his last four starts. He yielded a season-high 12 hits and four runs Sunday at Florida. The Rays (23-27) are trying to snap a season-high five-game skid that ended with a four-game sweep at the hands of the Cleveland Indians. Tampa Bay, will look to get their our mojo back at home where they have won five of their last seven at Tropicana Field and are 4-2 in their last six there against the Twins. Minnesota, which has won six of its last eight overall and will start Scott Baker (2-5, 6.32), who will try to win back-to-back starts for the first time this season. The right-hander threw a season-high 8 1/3 innings Sunday to earn the victory in a 6-3 win over Milwaukee. Baker was reached for four runs over six innings in a home loss April 27th to the Rays and is 0-2 with a 9.31 ERA on the road. The twins have scored at least 3-5 runs against Sheilds and the Rays hitters had batting practice against Baker when they last faced him. Look for Tampa to get bats back on track finally playing at home after a long road trip.
TAKE OVER 9 runs
Chris Jordan1♦ ANGELS RUN LINE (LIST Lackey) - Got a feeling we're going to see a blowout here. The Angels will come to bat in this one, and right-handed hurler John Lackey will have his best stuff in just his fourth outing of the season. He's already beaten this team once this season, on May 18, so confidence should prevail when Lackey toes the slab tonight.
He stretched his last start out to seven innings and 101 pitches last Saturday against the Dodgers, and even left his team with the lead. Unfortunately, the bullpen didn't hold and the Angels lost the game. Nevertheless, he looked good in scattering seven hits and striking out five in the outing.
What I like most was his composure when he lost control on the rare occasion. His heater and breaking ball got away a few times, but he handled himself well and pitched with plenty of poise.
I think he'll get the run support he'll need against Jason Vargas, who admittedly has been productive as a part of the Mariners' rotation, but could find some trouble in Anaheim. He's tossed three straight quality starts, and the due theory has to come into play at some point for a youngster like this. He could finally show the tentativeness that he's evaded, as he's pitching near his hometown tonight.
We're not listing the latter, but we're going to take Lackey for sure, as he's 5-0 in his last five starts against the AL West-rival Mariners, and has given up just six earned runs spanning 36 innings in those outings.
Take the Halos tonight and lay the run line.
He stretched his last start out to seven innings and 101 pitches last Saturday against the Dodgers, and even left his team with the lead. Unfortunately, the bullpen didn't hold and the Angels lost the game. Nevertheless, he looked good in scattering seven hits and striking out five in the outing.
What I like most was his composure when he lost control on the rare occasion. His heater and breaking ball got away a few times, but he handled himself well and pitched with plenty of poise.
I think he'll get the run support he'll need against Jason Vargas, who admittedly has been productive as a part of the Mariners' rotation, but could find some trouble in Anaheim. He's tossed three straight quality starts, and the due theory has to come into play at some point for a youngster like this. He could finally show the tentativeness that he's evaded, as he's pitching near his hometown tonight.
We're not listing the latter, but we're going to take Lackey for sure, as he's 5-0 in his last five starts against the AL West-rival Mariners, and has given up just six earned runs spanning 36 innings in those outings.
Take the Halos tonight and lay the run line.
Drew GordonBack-to-back Bonus Play winners with the Reds Wednesday and the Orioles last night! For today's complimentary play, I'm looking at the White Sox at Royals match up...
Solid spot to jump aboard the White Sox here, as they've clearly snapped out of their funk, winning 3 straight series, including 2 of 3 at the Angels in their most recent one. But more importantly, although the pitching match up may seem to favor the Royals in this spot, that just isn't the case and here's why:
True, Brian Bannister has been mighty sharp this season, going 4-1 with a rock-solid 2.79 ERA. HOWEVER, while he's been great overall, he has NOT been effective against the White Sox, going 0-2 with a mind-boggling 10.48 ERA in his last 5 starts against them! White Sox seemingly have his number and I don't see that changing tonight, batting .271 and averaging 4.8 runs per game against righties on the road!
On the flip side, although he's only started 3 games this season, the White Sox southpaw Clayton Richard has been highly effective, going 1-0 with a 2.76 ERA! He was especially nasty in his last one, tossing 6 scoreless innings against the Pirates, while striking out 8 in the process! Herein lies the problem for the Royals, as their offense has been sputtering, averaging just 2.6 runs per game over their last 8, batting just .218 over that span... A match up against the suddenly surging Richard is the last thing they need.
Bottom line, at first glance, its easy to side with Bannister and the Royals here, but upon a deeper review, its clear the play here rests squarely on the White Sox. Not only are they playing better baseball, but they've crushed Bannister in the past and should have little trouble with the Royals bullpen either, which has posted an ugly 7.58 ERA over their last 3 games. In the end, let's grab some of that plus money with the White Sox Friday night!
Take the Chicago White Sox behind Richard over Kansas City and Bannister in this MLB match up.
3? CHI. WHITE SOX
On a 1? to 5? Scale
Solid spot to jump aboard the White Sox here, as they've clearly snapped out of their funk, winning 3 straight series, including 2 of 3 at the Angels in their most recent one. But more importantly, although the pitching match up may seem to favor the Royals in this spot, that just isn't the case and here's why:
True, Brian Bannister has been mighty sharp this season, going 4-1 with a rock-solid 2.79 ERA. HOWEVER, while he's been great overall, he has NOT been effective against the White Sox, going 0-2 with a mind-boggling 10.48 ERA in his last 5 starts against them! White Sox seemingly have his number and I don't see that changing tonight, batting .271 and averaging 4.8 runs per game against righties on the road!
On the flip side, although he's only started 3 games this season, the White Sox southpaw Clayton Richard has been highly effective, going 1-0 with a 2.76 ERA! He was especially nasty in his last one, tossing 6 scoreless innings against the Pirates, while striking out 8 in the process! Herein lies the problem for the Royals, as their offense has been sputtering, averaging just 2.6 runs per game over their last 8, batting just .218 over that span... A match up against the suddenly surging Richard is the last thing they need.
Bottom line, at first glance, its easy to side with Bannister and the Royals here, but upon a deeper review, its clear the play here rests squarely on the White Sox. Not only are they playing better baseball, but they've crushed Bannister in the past and should have little trouble with the Royals bullpen either, which has posted an ugly 7.58 ERA over their last 3 games. In the end, let's grab some of that plus money with the White Sox Friday night!
Take the Chicago White Sox behind Richard over Kansas City and Bannister in this MLB match up.
3? CHI. WHITE SOX
On a 1? to 5? Scale
