Steve Merril
Texas Rangers / Detroit Tigers Over 9.5 / 5 units
Colorado Rockies +1.5 (-130) / 5 units
Philadelphia staged a major comeback versus the Braves on Wednesday, but overall the Phillies have not looked sharp so far this season. The defending champs will have a target on their backs in all games this season and must travel across the country to face a Colorado squad that qualifies as a live dog today and will be extra focused for their home opener.
Colorado won the National League title just two years ago and they have one of the strongest home field advantages in the league. Getting the start is Jason Marquis who is making his debut in a Rockies uniform. Marquis is 3-0 with a 2.03 ERA in four career starts at Coors Field. He has done a great job against table-setter Jimmy Rollins who has managed just 3 hits in 31 at-bats.
The Phillies send World Series hero Cole Hamels to the mound. He’s had an interesting offseason. During spring training Hamels had elbow tightness which caused the delay in his first start of the season. Hamels logged over 262 innings last year which was by far the most in baseball if you included the playoffs. He has never faced the Rockies before and is likely to struggle in the thin air and altitude of Coors Field today.
Play ROCKIES (+1.5 run line) as a 5 unit play.
Monster Buck full card
NBA: Lakers -1, Charlotte Over 187, Knicks +11, Cavs -6, Paces +7
MLB: ChiCubs, Phillies, Rockies
Posted some from my phone already, but its tripping a bit, sorry if this is a double post. GL.
Handicapper: Evan Altemus
Sport: MLB Baseball
Game: Texas Rangers @ Detroit Tigers - Friday April 10, 2009 1:05 pm
Pick: 3 units MONEYLINE: Texas Rangers +130
Texas is going to be an excellent money making team for baseball bettors over the first month of the season. They have one of the best, if not the best, line-up in baseball and have already crushed opposing pitchers this season. They scored 29 runs in their series against Cleveland, and now they get to face a struggling Detroit bullpen. The Tigers bullpen is going to have significant problems while they wait for Joel Zumaya to return. Texas also has the advantage of getting a motivated Kris Benson to take the mound for the start. Benson hasn’t seen action since the 2006 season due to injuries and struggles. However, he appears to be over those problems and pitched well in Spring Training. I look for Texas to continue their momentum and hot hitting in this game. The Rangers have the vastly better line-up, and Detroit’s line-up hasn’t seen Benson’s stuff in almost three years. Look for the Tigers bullpen to get shelled in the last three innings, as they won’t let quality young starter Armando Gallaraga see extensive action in this game.
3 UNIT SELECTION
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