Craig Trapp
MLB | May 18
Minnesota Twins vs. New York Yankees New York Yankees -1½+115
Another MLB Top Play won for Handicapper Craig Trapp yesterday with his Run Line Game of week (TOR -110) winning easy yesterday. Craig's Bonus Play lost with the Mets not being able to push any runs across and losing a close one. Today we will sweep the board no problem.
Records
Minnesota Twins 18-20, 4-11 away (Perkins 1-2, 4.27 ERA)
New York Yankees 20-17, 9-7 home (Pettitte 3-1, 4.00 ERA)
Betting Trends
-Twins are 1-10 in their last 11 road games vs. a left-handed starter.
-Twins are 0-5 in their last 5 games on grass.
-Yankees are 5-1 in Pettittes last 6 starts as a favorite.
-Yankees are 6-2 in Pettittes last 8 starts.
Love taking teams that win in heroic fashion and the Yankees have done it three games in a row. The first three games of the series the Yankees have come back in each to win in walk off fashion. Yankees have won seven straight home games over Minnesota and 22 of 25 meetings in New York. Today the Twins will be down emotionally and the Yankees will dominate with Pettitte who is due for a shut out. The Yankees offense has been good since AROD has came back and today they will knock around Perkins starting for Minnesota. EASY BIG WIN on Monday!! SCORE NYY 6 - MIN 1
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MLB | May 18
Minnesota Twins vs. New York Yankees New York Yankees -1½+115
Another MLB Top Play won for Handicapper Craig Trapp yesterday with his Run Line Game of week (TOR -110) winning easy yesterday. Craig's Bonus Play lost with the Mets not being able to push any runs across and losing a close one. Today we will sweep the board no problem.
Records
Minnesota Twins 18-20, 4-11 away (Perkins 1-2, 4.27 ERA)
New York Yankees 20-17, 9-7 home (Pettitte 3-1, 4.00 ERA)
Betting Trends
-Twins are 1-10 in their last 11 road games vs. a left-handed starter.
-Twins are 0-5 in their last 5 games on grass.
-Yankees are 5-1 in Pettittes last 6 starts as a favorite.
-Yankees are 6-2 in Pettittes last 8 starts.
Love taking teams that win in heroic fashion and the Yankees have done it three games in a row. The first three games of the series the Yankees have come back in each to win in walk off fashion. Yankees have won seven straight home games over Minnesota and 22 of 25 meetings in New York. Today the Twins will be down emotionally and the Yankees will dominate with Pettitte who is due for a shut out. The Yankees offense has been good since AROD has came back and today they will knock around Perkins starting for Minnesota. EASY BIG WIN on Monday!! SCORE NYY 6 - MIN 1
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Rob Vinciletti
MLB | May 18
Arizona Diamondbacks vs. Florida Marlins Total 8½ un-120
On Monday the Bonus Play is on the Under in the Arizona-Florida game.Rotation numbers 903/4 at 7:10 eastern.Taking a look at some of the trends for this game we see that Arizona is 2-10 under on the road this year and has gone under 3 of 4 times when playing with a day off.Florida has gone under 3 of 4 times as a home dog in this range.The Marlins are hitting just .215 over there last 7 games and are now under 500.Fortunately they have Ricky Nolasco starting tonights game.In his home starts against the Diamondbacks he has been lights out allowing 2 runs in over 15 innings work and has a career 2.12 era vs Arizona.The last 3 years theses teams have played under 6 of 8 times here.Low scoring once again here tonight.Those lloking for 2 MLB SYSTEM pounders check out Mondays card.Bases is white hot right now with another late phone winner on KC on Sunday.Tonight there are 2 system plays.One is an 11-2 beauty,the other 12-4 with a 100% subset that wins by an average 7 runs per game.Jump on now and start cashing.Back the UNDER Arizona-Florida for the Bonus Play on Monday bol.
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MLB | May 18
Arizona Diamondbacks vs. Florida Marlins Total 8½ un-120
On Monday the Bonus Play is on the Under in the Arizona-Florida game.Rotation numbers 903/4 at 7:10 eastern.Taking a look at some of the trends for this game we see that Arizona is 2-10 under on the road this year and has gone under 3 of 4 times when playing with a day off.Florida has gone under 3 of 4 times as a home dog in this range.The Marlins are hitting just .215 over there last 7 games and are now under 500.Fortunately they have Ricky Nolasco starting tonights game.In his home starts against the Diamondbacks he has been lights out allowing 2 runs in over 15 innings work and has a career 2.12 era vs Arizona.The last 3 years theses teams have played under 6 of 8 times here.Low scoring once again here tonight.Those lloking for 2 MLB SYSTEM pounders check out Mondays card.Bases is white hot right now with another late phone winner on KC on Sunday.Tonight there are 2 system plays.One is an 11-2 beauty,the other 12-4 with a 100% subset that wins by an average 7 runs per game.Jump on now and start cashing.Back the UNDER Arizona-Florida for the Bonus Play on Monday bol.
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Red Dog Sports
Chicago White Sox at Toronto
Play Toronto
Look for Toronto to win again at home on Monday afternoon. Monday is Victoria Day in Canada and there should be a big crowd to watch this game. Clayton Richard starts for the White Sox and his ERA is 10.80 in his last 3 starts. Scott Richmond has pitched well this year but has struggled in his last 3 (6.48 ERA) but the Blue Jays are a good home team.The White Sox are 1-8 in their last 9 on the road and 1-10 in the last 11 at Toronto. The Blue Jays are 6-2 in Richmond's last 8 starts and 9-3 in their last 12 home games. Look for Toronto to win!
Chicago White Sox at Toronto
Play Toronto
Look for Toronto to win again at home on Monday afternoon. Monday is Victoria Day in Canada and there should be a big crowd to watch this game. Clayton Richard starts for the White Sox and his ERA is 10.80 in his last 3 starts. Scott Richmond has pitched well this year but has struggled in his last 3 (6.48 ERA) but the Blue Jays are a good home team.The White Sox are 1-8 in their last 9 on the road and 1-10 in the last 11 at Toronto. The Blue Jays are 6-2 in Richmond's last 8 starts and 9-3 in their last 12 home games. Look for Toronto to win!
LT Profits
Milwaukee Brewers @ St. Louis Cardinals
Kyle Lohse of the St. Louis Cardinals and Braden Looper of the Milwaukee Brewers are both coming off of back-to-back bad outings, but we look for both to return to their normal forms tonight, keeping this game Under.
Looper in particular should pitch well as he pitched for the Cardinals last season, and is thus very familiar with the strength and weaknesses of the St. Louis batters, giving him a bigger edge than usual for a pitcher facing a team for the first time. He had been in fine form prior to his last two clunkers, posting four Quality Starts in his first five outings this year, and we see no reason why he cannot regain that form here.
The year Lohse is having has virtually mirrored that of Looper. Lohse began the season by allowing two earned runs or less in four of his first five starts, including two scoreless outings, before suddenly getting roughed up by the Phillies and Reds in his last two starts. He has allowed three earned runs or less in five of his last six starts vs. Milwaukee, so this seems like a nice spot to get back on track.
Finally, the Cardinals are hitting just .227 as a team while averaging a paltry 3.40 runs over their last 10 games, so as long as Lohse continues his past success vs. the Brewers, this Under should be in good shape.
Pick: Brewers / Cardinals Under 9
Milwaukee Brewers @ St. Louis Cardinals
Kyle Lohse of the St. Louis Cardinals and Braden Looper of the Milwaukee Brewers are both coming off of back-to-back bad outings, but we look for both to return to their normal forms tonight, keeping this game Under.
Looper in particular should pitch well as he pitched for the Cardinals last season, and is thus very familiar with the strength and weaknesses of the St. Louis batters, giving him a bigger edge than usual for a pitcher facing a team for the first time. He had been in fine form prior to his last two clunkers, posting four Quality Starts in his first five outings this year, and we see no reason why he cannot regain that form here.
The year Lohse is having has virtually mirrored that of Looper. Lohse began the season by allowing two earned runs or less in four of his first five starts, including two scoreless outings, before suddenly getting roughed up by the Phillies and Reds in his last two starts. He has allowed three earned runs or less in five of his last six starts vs. Milwaukee, so this seems like a nice spot to get back on track.
Finally, the Cardinals are hitting just .227 as a team while averaging a paltry 3.40 runs over their last 10 games, so as long as Lohse continues his past success vs. the Brewers, this Under should be in good shape.
Pick: Brewers / Cardinals Under 9
Jimmy The Moose
Arizona Diamondbacks at Marlins
Prediction: Marlins
Two struggling teams meet-up in Florida tonight. Both clubs have lost 7 of their last 10 games. Arizona is 1-5 in their last 6 games as a favorite. In their last 6 opening games of a series they are 1-5. The Marlins are 6-0 in their last 6 home games vs. a team with a winning road % below .400. In their last 11 home games where the total is betwee 7.0-8.5 the Marlins are 9-2. Arizona has lost Haren's 2 starts vs. Florida, while the Marlins have won Nolasco's 4 starts vs. the D'Backs. Arizona is 2-7 in the last 9 meetings. Play on the Florida Marlins +.
Arizona Diamondbacks at Marlins
Prediction: Marlins
Two struggling teams meet-up in Florida tonight. Both clubs have lost 7 of their last 10 games. Arizona is 1-5 in their last 6 games as a favorite. In their last 6 opening games of a series they are 1-5. The Marlins are 6-0 in their last 6 home games vs. a team with a winning road % below .400. In their last 11 home games where the total is betwee 7.0-8.5 the Marlins are 9-2. Arizona has lost Haren's 2 starts vs. Florida, while the Marlins have won Nolasco's 4 starts vs. the D'Backs. Arizona is 2-7 in the last 9 meetings. Play on the Florida Marlins +.
Jimmy Boyd
1 Unit on Milwaukee Brewers +115
The Brew Crew are on fire, having won 5 in a row, 11 of 13, and 19 of 24. I look for them to pull off the sweep against the struggling Cards this evening, who has dropped 4 of 5 and 9 of 13. Both Looper and Lohse have struggled over their last few starts, but I give the edge to Looper here knowing the hitting tendencies of his former mates. Plus, Lohse has not made great success against the Brew Crew with an ERA of 5.31 and a WHIP of 1.382. The Cards are a poor 3-11 against the money line in home games when playing on Monday over the last 3 seasons and just 1-10 in Lohse's last 11 starts with the total set at 9.0-10.5. The Brewers have had St. Louis' number, beating the Cards in 9 of the last 10 meetings overall and 8 of the last 9 in St. Louis. The Brewers are 5-0 in their last 5 games as a road underdog and 14-3 in their last 17 vs. a team with a winning record. Bet the Beer Makers tonight.
1 Unit on Milwaukee Brewers +115
The Brew Crew are on fire, having won 5 in a row, 11 of 13, and 19 of 24. I look for them to pull off the sweep against the struggling Cards this evening, who has dropped 4 of 5 and 9 of 13. Both Looper and Lohse have struggled over their last few starts, but I give the edge to Looper here knowing the hitting tendencies of his former mates. Plus, Lohse has not made great success against the Brew Crew with an ERA of 5.31 and a WHIP of 1.382. The Cards are a poor 3-11 against the money line in home games when playing on Monday over the last 3 seasons and just 1-10 in Lohse's last 11 starts with the total set at 9.0-10.5. The Brewers have had St. Louis' number, beating the Cards in 9 of the last 10 meetings overall and 8 of the last 9 in St. Louis. The Brewers are 5-0 in their last 5 games as a road underdog and 14-3 in their last 17 vs. a team with a winning record. Bet the Beer Makers tonight.
EZWINNER'S FREE SELECTION
(910) Toronto Blue Jays -$156
(Listing Richmond and Richard)
The White Sox are struggling and their starting pitcher Clayton
Richard will be making his second start of the season. He
didn't have much success in his first start nor did he have much
success when he was in the bullpen. I look for the Blue Jays to
stay hot. Lay the juice with Toronto.
2009 Free Selections Record 73-61 (54.5%)
(910) Toronto Blue Jays -$156
(Listing Richmond and Richard)
The White Sox are struggling and their starting pitcher Clayton
Richard will be making his second start of the season. He
didn't have much success in his first start nor did he have much
success when he was in the bullpen. I look for the Blue Jays to
stay hot. Lay the juice with Toronto.
2009 Free Selections Record 73-61 (54.5%)
Ben Burns
Carolina Hurricanes @ Pittsburgh Penguins
PICK: Pittsburgh Penguins
The Penguins are also very expensive for today's opener, even more so than the Wings were yesterday. While the Pens don't quite qualify as one premium selections, I do believe that they'll also find a way to come up with the victory. (Note that those who have followed my complimentary opinions know that we've done very well over the longterm with favorites in this range.)
Both teams have had roughly an equal amount of rest. The Hurricanes last played on 5/14. The Penguins closed off Washington a day earlier, on 5/13. That figures to work in Pittsburgh's favor. The Pens were 6-3 (+2.6) this season, when playing with three or more day's rest in between games. Conversely, the Canes were just 3-7 (-5) in that situation.
With this evening's over/under line listed at 5.5, note that the Pens have gone a profitable 34-12 (+15.2) the past few seasons, when playing at home with a total of 5.5. During the same stretch, the Canes were just 20-26 when playing a road game with a total of 5.5.
Yes, the Canes won both 2009 meetings with the Pens. However, the Hawks had also won the last two regular season meetings with the Wings and we saw what happened to them. Note that the Pens are a profitable 71-55 (+19) the past few seasons when facing a team which defeated them in the previous meeting.
The Pens were 4-1 in the Conference Finals last season, including a 4-2 win as -220 favorites in that series opener. I believe that they'll prove to be the stronger team in this series. Having already seen the rival Wings (the team that beat them in the Finals last year) win their opener, look for the Pens to deliver a huge effort and for them to also start things off with a victory. Consider Pittsburgh.
Carolina Hurricanes @ Pittsburgh Penguins
PICK: Pittsburgh Penguins
The Penguins are also very expensive for today's opener, even more so than the Wings were yesterday. While the Pens don't quite qualify as one premium selections, I do believe that they'll also find a way to come up with the victory. (Note that those who have followed my complimentary opinions know that we've done very well over the longterm with favorites in this range.)
Both teams have had roughly an equal amount of rest. The Hurricanes last played on 5/14. The Penguins closed off Washington a day earlier, on 5/13. That figures to work in Pittsburgh's favor. The Pens were 6-3 (+2.6) this season, when playing with three or more day's rest in between games. Conversely, the Canes were just 3-7 (-5) in that situation.
With this evening's over/under line listed at 5.5, note that the Pens have gone a profitable 34-12 (+15.2) the past few seasons, when playing at home with a total of 5.5. During the same stretch, the Canes were just 20-26 when playing a road game with a total of 5.5.
Yes, the Canes won both 2009 meetings with the Pens. However, the Hawks had also won the last two regular season meetings with the Wings and we saw what happened to them. Note that the Pens are a profitable 71-55 (+19) the past few seasons when facing a team which defeated them in the previous meeting.
The Pens were 4-1 in the Conference Finals last season, including a 4-2 win as -220 favorites in that series opener. I believe that they'll prove to be the stronger team in this series. Having already seen the rival Wings (the team that beat them in the Finals last year) win their opener, look for the Pens to deliver a huge effort and for them to also start things off with a victory. Consider Pittsburgh.
Larry Ness
Milwaukee Brewers @ St. Louis Cardinals
PICK: St. Louis Cardinals
The Cards will try to avoid the dreaded home sweep tonight against the Brewers. St Louis lost 1-0 on Saturday and then 8-2 on Sunday to Milwaukee and has now totaled just 10 runs in its last five games since OF Ryan Ludwick went down with a strained right hamstring. Ludwick (.274, 8 HRs / 26 RBI) had been the Cards' second-most productive player behind Pujols. The Milwaukee offense hasn't had similar problems, as the Brewers have averaged 6.5 RPG while winning 11 of their last 13 games. Since a 4-9 start, the Brewers are now 19-5 and with an overall 23-14 mark, lead the NL Central by 2 1/2 games (over the Cubs). However, winning all three in St Louis, will be no easy task. Braden Looper will get the call for the Brewers against his former teammates. Looper was chosen by the Cardinals in the 1996 draft but was traded in 1998 after appearing in only four games for them. He spent the next seven years as a reliever with the Marlins and Mets but was signed with the Cards in 2006, just in time to help them win the World Series that year as set-up man. He became a full-time starter in 2007 and 2008. The Brewers signed Looper to a one-year deal in February, hoping he could help a rotation which lost CC Sabathia and Ben Sheets to free agency. Looper got off to an excellent start in 2009, going 2-0 with a 2.45 ERA in his first four starts but he's 1-2 with a 7.71 ERA in three May starts. The Cards counter with Kyle Lohse. Lohse was 27-19 back in 2002 and 2003 with the Twins but was a sub-500 pitcher over the next four years. However, he had a breakout season in 2008, going 15-6 with a 3.78 ERA (team was not quite as good as he was, going 18-15 in his starts). It earned him a new contract and like Looper, he started very well in 2009, posting a 1.97 ERA in his first five starts, going 3-0. However, he's lost his last two outings, allowing 16 hits and 13 ERs in just 10.1 innings (11.32 ERA). Lohse was due to start Friday’s opener against the Brewers before it was rained out. He has been dealing with back, knee and elbow soreness recently but he threw some pitches on Sunday without discomfort. Both starters are questionable and I realize the Brewers are playing better right now but I'm siding with Cards NOT get swept at home by this division rival.
Milwaukee Brewers @ St. Louis Cardinals
PICK: St. Louis Cardinals
The Cards will try to avoid the dreaded home sweep tonight against the Brewers. St Louis lost 1-0 on Saturday and then 8-2 on Sunday to Milwaukee and has now totaled just 10 runs in its last five games since OF Ryan Ludwick went down with a strained right hamstring. Ludwick (.274, 8 HRs / 26 RBI) had been the Cards' second-most productive player behind Pujols. The Milwaukee offense hasn't had similar problems, as the Brewers have averaged 6.5 RPG while winning 11 of their last 13 games. Since a 4-9 start, the Brewers are now 19-5 and with an overall 23-14 mark, lead the NL Central by 2 1/2 games (over the Cubs). However, winning all three in St Louis, will be no easy task. Braden Looper will get the call for the Brewers against his former teammates. Looper was chosen by the Cardinals in the 1996 draft but was traded in 1998 after appearing in only four games for them. He spent the next seven years as a reliever with the Marlins and Mets but was signed with the Cards in 2006, just in time to help them win the World Series that year as set-up man. He became a full-time starter in 2007 and 2008. The Brewers signed Looper to a one-year deal in February, hoping he could help a rotation which lost CC Sabathia and Ben Sheets to free agency. Looper got off to an excellent start in 2009, going 2-0 with a 2.45 ERA in his first four starts but he's 1-2 with a 7.71 ERA in three May starts. The Cards counter with Kyle Lohse. Lohse was 27-19 back in 2002 and 2003 with the Twins but was a sub-500 pitcher over the next four years. However, he had a breakout season in 2008, going 15-6 with a 3.78 ERA (team was not quite as good as he was, going 18-15 in his starts). It earned him a new contract and like Looper, he started very well in 2009, posting a 1.97 ERA in his first five starts, going 3-0. However, he's lost his last two outings, allowing 16 hits and 13 ERs in just 10.1 innings (11.32 ERA). Lohse was due to start Friday’s opener against the Brewers before it was rained out. He has been dealing with back, knee and elbow soreness recently but he threw some pitches on Sunday without discomfort. Both starters are questionable and I realize the Brewers are playing better right now but I'm siding with Cards NOT get swept at home by this division rival.
Mike Rose
Tampa Bay Rays -140
Oakland's struggles with its pitching staff have caused plenty of shuffling in the rotation. Today, RHP Sean Gallagher will take the hill for his second start of the young season. His numbers have never been anything to write home about, but the most startling stat about the 23-year old is that opposing batters are hitting .360 against him this season. In his only other start this year, Gallagher allowed a whopping ten hits over five innings, allowing three runs in Oakland's 6-4 loss to Toronto on May 9th. Historically, he has been an awful pitcher away from home, as he is 0-7 with a 7.07 ERA and 1.85 WHIP for his career in 17 road appearances (11 starts). That doesn't bode well for a team that just got finished allowing 34 runs in three days in Detroit.
RHP Jeff Niemann still isn't getting much in the way of respect from the oddsmakers. He isn't going to be pitching deep into games, as he hasn't completed more than six innings of work once in his young career, but those innings that he is throwing are becoming more and more effective as the season wears on. He allowed two runs in five innings to get the W in his last outing at Camden Yards, which exorcized the demons of allowing five runs before recording an out in his first start of the season there. The biggest bugaboo on Niemann has been his K/BB ratio, which is less than 1.00. This will be the big right-hander's third start at home this season, but it will clearly be a much easier task than facing the White Sox and Red Sox.
History will tell you that Gallagher has been a total gas can, and that trend shouldn't buck tonight. Since the Rays came back from behind 7-0 to beat the Indians on Friday night, everything seems to be kicking just right. Expect to see Tampa Bay's winning streak stretch to four games tonight at the expense of the slumping A's.
Tampa Bay Rays -140
Oakland's struggles with its pitching staff have caused plenty of shuffling in the rotation. Today, RHP Sean Gallagher will take the hill for his second start of the young season. His numbers have never been anything to write home about, but the most startling stat about the 23-year old is that opposing batters are hitting .360 against him this season. In his only other start this year, Gallagher allowed a whopping ten hits over five innings, allowing three runs in Oakland's 6-4 loss to Toronto on May 9th. Historically, he has been an awful pitcher away from home, as he is 0-7 with a 7.07 ERA and 1.85 WHIP for his career in 17 road appearances (11 starts). That doesn't bode well for a team that just got finished allowing 34 runs in three days in Detroit.
RHP Jeff Niemann still isn't getting much in the way of respect from the oddsmakers. He isn't going to be pitching deep into games, as he hasn't completed more than six innings of work once in his young career, but those innings that he is throwing are becoming more and more effective as the season wears on. He allowed two runs in five innings to get the W in his last outing at Camden Yards, which exorcized the demons of allowing five runs before recording an out in his first start of the season there. The biggest bugaboo on Niemann has been his K/BB ratio, which is less than 1.00. This will be the big right-hander's third start at home this season, but it will clearly be a much easier task than facing the White Sox and Red Sox.
History will tell you that Gallagher has been a total gas can, and that trend shouldn't buck tonight. Since the Rays came back from behind 7-0 to beat the Indians on Friday night, everything seems to be kicking just right. Expect to see Tampa Bay's winning streak stretch to four games tonight at the expense of the slumping A's.
Jeff Alexander
1 Unit on Tampa Bay Rays -136
The A's have struggled on the road to the tune of 5-11 this season and I'll fade them on the road here as they send Gallagher to the hill, who is 0-9 against the money line after a loss over the last 2 seasons. The Rays should have the edge at the plate against Gallagher and they have been unbelievable at home in this price range, going 41-15 against the money line as a home favorite of -125 to -175 over the last 2 seasons. Lastly, we'll play against road teams - poor offensive team - scoring <=4.7 runs/game on the season (AL), after allowing 7 runs or more 3 straight games, as this system is 37-9 the last 5 seasons. Take the Rays.
1 Unit on Tampa Bay Rays -136
The A's have struggled on the road to the tune of 5-11 this season and I'll fade them on the road here as they send Gallagher to the hill, who is 0-9 against the money line after a loss over the last 2 seasons. The Rays should have the edge at the plate against Gallagher and they have been unbelievable at home in this price range, going 41-15 against the money line as a home favorite of -125 to -175 over the last 2 seasons. Lastly, we'll play against road teams - poor offensive team - scoring <=4.7 runs/game on the season (AL), after allowing 7 runs or more 3 straight games, as this system is 37-9 the last 5 seasons. Take the Rays.
John Ryan
Chicago White Sox vs. Toronto Blue Jays
Play: Toronto Blue Jays
Ai Simulator 3* graded play on Toronto as they face the XWS slated to start at 1:07 EST. CWS are in a series of poor roles for this game that reinforce and under score the grading by the AiS. CWS are just 8-22 (-13.5 Units) against the money line in road games versus a good bullpen whose ERA is 3.75 or better over the last 2 seasons; 3-15 (-11.1 Units) against the money line in road games versus good fielding teams turning 1.1 or more DP's/game over the last 2 seasons; 4-19 (-14.8 Units) against the money line in road games versus teams who strand 7.5 or more runners on base per game over the last 2 seasons. Toronto is a stout 12-3 (+8.6 Units) against the money line versus an overused bullpen that pitches more than 3.2 innings per game this season; 15-4 (+9.1 Units) against the money line as a favorite of -110 or higher this season. Take Toronto.
Chicago White Sox vs. Toronto Blue Jays
Play: Toronto Blue Jays
Ai Simulator 3* graded play on Toronto as they face the XWS slated to start at 1:07 EST. CWS are in a series of poor roles for this game that reinforce and under score the grading by the AiS. CWS are just 8-22 (-13.5 Units) against the money line in road games versus a good bullpen whose ERA is 3.75 or better over the last 2 seasons; 3-15 (-11.1 Units) against the money line in road games versus good fielding teams turning 1.1 or more DP's/game over the last 2 seasons; 4-19 (-14.8 Units) against the money line in road games versus teams who strand 7.5 or more runners on base per game over the last 2 seasons. Toronto is a stout 12-3 (+8.6 Units) against the money line versus an overused bullpen that pitches more than 3.2 innings per game this season; 15-4 (+9.1 Units) against the money line as a favorite of -110 or higher this season. Take Toronto.
James Patrick
NY Mets at Los Angeles
Play: LA DODGERS
Back home after going 4-2 on a six-game East Coast road trip, I’ll take the home team tonight against a NY Mets squad that can put men on base but just can’t drive ‘em across the plate. Look for Wolf to outduel Redding as Joe Torre’s team continues its winning ways at home. Dodgers!
NY Mets at Los Angeles
Play: LA DODGERS
Back home after going 4-2 on a six-game East Coast road trip, I’ll take the home team tonight against a NY Mets squad that can put men on base but just can’t drive ‘em across the plate. Look for Wolf to outduel Redding as Joe Torre’s team continues its winning ways at home. Dodgers!
Jeff Benton
Colorado at ATLANTA
For Monday’s Bonus Play, we’ll take the Braves on the run line (-1½ runs) against Colorado.
Atlanta has its best pitcher, Derek Lowe, on the hill tonight, and he’s going on extra rest after Sunday’s scheduled start against Arizona was rained out. The last time Lowe was on the hill was a week ago tonight when he outdueled Johan Santana in New York, giving up just two runs on five hits in 6 2/3 innings of an 8-3 road victory. Atlanta has won four straight games with Lowe on the mound, all by multiple runs, and four of Lowe’s last five outings have been quality starts.
Lowe also had a lot of success against Colorado during his days with the Dodgers … as long as he wasn’t pitching at Coors Field. In fact, the last five times he’s faced the Rockies outside of Colorado, Lowe gave up 10 earned runs in 35 combined innings (2.57 ERA). On the flip side, check out Rockies starter Jason Marquis’ career numbers against the Braves, his former team: 1-3 with an 11.45 ERA in five starts – that’s 28 earned runs, including 10 home runs allowed, in just 22 innings of work!
On top of that, Marquis is coming off two really poor starts against the Giants and Rockies, yielding a combined 16 runs (14 earned) in 9 2/3 innings. Those two performances sent the right-hander’s season ERA soaring from 3.31 to 5.40. And behind Marquis is a Rockies bullpen that’s falling apart (the bully gave up 10 runs in the seventh inning of yesterday’s 11-4 loss at Pittsburgh and has a 6.00 ERA in the Rockies’ last 10 games).
Finally, Colorado comes into this contest having dropped seven of its last 10 games, while Atlanta has won seven of its last 10. Throw in the fact that the home team is 8-1 in the last nine meetings in this rivalry – with the Braves going 5-0 in the last five played in Atlanta – and I’ll confidently lay the 1½ runs with Lowe and the Braves.
3? ATLANTA -1½
Colorado at ATLANTA
For Monday’s Bonus Play, we’ll take the Braves on the run line (-1½ runs) against Colorado.
Atlanta has its best pitcher, Derek Lowe, on the hill tonight, and he’s going on extra rest after Sunday’s scheduled start against Arizona was rained out. The last time Lowe was on the hill was a week ago tonight when he outdueled Johan Santana in New York, giving up just two runs on five hits in 6 2/3 innings of an 8-3 road victory. Atlanta has won four straight games with Lowe on the mound, all by multiple runs, and four of Lowe’s last five outings have been quality starts.
Lowe also had a lot of success against Colorado during his days with the Dodgers … as long as he wasn’t pitching at Coors Field. In fact, the last five times he’s faced the Rockies outside of Colorado, Lowe gave up 10 earned runs in 35 combined innings (2.57 ERA). On the flip side, check out Rockies starter Jason Marquis’ career numbers against the Braves, his former team: 1-3 with an 11.45 ERA in five starts – that’s 28 earned runs, including 10 home runs allowed, in just 22 innings of work!
On top of that, Marquis is coming off two really poor starts against the Giants and Rockies, yielding a combined 16 runs (14 earned) in 9 2/3 innings. Those two performances sent the right-hander’s season ERA soaring from 3.31 to 5.40. And behind Marquis is a Rockies bullpen that’s falling apart (the bully gave up 10 runs in the seventh inning of yesterday’s 11-4 loss at Pittsburgh and has a 6.00 ERA in the Rockies’ last 10 games).
Finally, Colorado comes into this contest having dropped seven of its last 10 games, while Atlanta has won seven of its last 10. Throw in the fact that the home team is 8-1 in the last nine meetings in this rivalry – with the Braves going 5-0 in the last five played in Atlanta – and I’ll confidently lay the 1½ runs with Lowe and the Braves.
3? ATLANTA -1½
Karl Garrett
Minnesota at NY YANKEES
For Monday, take the Yankees on the RUN LINE to complete the 4-game sweep of the Twins.
After 3 straight walk-off 1-run wins - the last pair via the long ball - you get the feeling that Minnesota has got to be demoralized, and will get romped tonight.
Minny is just 3-22 their last 25 games played in the Bronx, and starter Glen Perkins has been giving them up of late, as the southpaw has allowed 14 runs over his last 17 innings.
His counterpart Andy Pettitte is coming off a sparkling 6 innings of 1 run ball in a win over Toronto to improve to 3-1 this season.
The Yankees winning streak is at 5, and you just get the feeling that tonight is going to be the blowout after 3 straight close one.
Take the Yankees on the RUN LINE.
4♦ YANKEES RUN LINE
Minnesota at NY YANKEES
For Monday, take the Yankees on the RUN LINE to complete the 4-game sweep of the Twins.
After 3 straight walk-off 1-run wins - the last pair via the long ball - you get the feeling that Minnesota has got to be demoralized, and will get romped tonight.
Minny is just 3-22 their last 25 games played in the Bronx, and starter Glen Perkins has been giving them up of late, as the southpaw has allowed 14 runs over his last 17 innings.
His counterpart Andy Pettitte is coming off a sparkling 6 innings of 1 run ball in a win over Toronto to improve to 3-1 this season.
The Yankees winning streak is at 5, and you just get the feeling that tonight is going to be the blowout after 3 straight close one.
Take the Yankees on the RUN LINE.
4♦ YANKEES RUN LINE
Drew Gordon
LA Angels at SEATTLE -110
I know what a lot of you are looking at John Lackey's superb numbers against the Mariners of late, winning 5 straight starts and posting a 1.21 ERA over that span, and immediately penciling him in as the winner, but not so fast! We saw with his last start - a weird 2-pitch effort against the Rangers - that Lackey is indeed rusty, and to expect the same pitcher tonight that produced that 1.21 ERA is a stretch at best... John Lackey still needs time, and that makes him vulnerable in this one.
Another reason he's vulnerable is the sputtering of this Angels offense, who've lost 3 straight and got shutout for the first time since August in Sunday's 3-0 loss. Rangers' Scott Feldman is a decent pitcher, but c'mon now, if they had trouble with him, they're going to have trouble with Washburn at Safeco, where he's been great thus far.
Speaking of Washburn, not only is he 2-0 with an excellent 2.25 ERA at home this season, but he's also got an axe to grind. You see, his worst start of the season came at Angel Stadium in late April, getting knocked around for 6 runs in 5 1/3 innings. However, we've already seen the difference when he pitches at Safeco against the Angels, rewind a couple weeks back from that ugly loss, and he shut down this Angels club for the win back on April 15th, allowing 2 runs over 6 innings! In other words, look for Washburn to get it done tonight.
Bottom line, give me the proven commodity at home over the returning ace with some questions, that's what it comes down to. When you factor in a sudden slump at the plate for the Angels, there's only one clear cut choice, and that's the Mariners at Safeco Monday night.
Take Seattle behind Washburn over the LA Angels and Lackey in this MLB match up.
2♦ SEATTLE
LA Angels at SEATTLE -110
I know what a lot of you are looking at John Lackey's superb numbers against the Mariners of late, winning 5 straight starts and posting a 1.21 ERA over that span, and immediately penciling him in as the winner, but not so fast! We saw with his last start - a weird 2-pitch effort against the Rangers - that Lackey is indeed rusty, and to expect the same pitcher tonight that produced that 1.21 ERA is a stretch at best... John Lackey still needs time, and that makes him vulnerable in this one.
Another reason he's vulnerable is the sputtering of this Angels offense, who've lost 3 straight and got shutout for the first time since August in Sunday's 3-0 loss. Rangers' Scott Feldman is a decent pitcher, but c'mon now, if they had trouble with him, they're going to have trouble with Washburn at Safeco, where he's been great thus far.
Speaking of Washburn, not only is he 2-0 with an excellent 2.25 ERA at home this season, but he's also got an axe to grind. You see, his worst start of the season came at Angel Stadium in late April, getting knocked around for 6 runs in 5 1/3 innings. However, we've already seen the difference when he pitches at Safeco against the Angels, rewind a couple weeks back from that ugly loss, and he shut down this Angels club for the win back on April 15th, allowing 2 runs over 6 innings! In other words, look for Washburn to get it done tonight.
Bottom line, give me the proven commodity at home over the returning ace with some questions, that's what it comes down to. When you factor in a sudden slump at the plate for the Angels, there's only one clear cut choice, and that's the Mariners at Safeco Monday night.
Take Seattle behind Washburn over the LA Angels and Lackey in this MLB match up.
2♦ SEATTLE
Chris Jordan
Chicago at TORONTO
The team that got us closer to the goal is going to provide a decent matinee snack for us,as we gear up for my 10th winning day over the last 12. I loved the Jays with Halladay on the bump yesterday, I think they can make it four straight wins today.
When you're a team on the road, and you jump out to a 2-0 lead like the South Siders did yesterday, then get beat down and have to finish a series in a matinee contest on a Monday, you have no hope.
All the White Sox did this morning at the hotel was pack quickly and say let's get the f%$k out of here after this game.
The Jays have won three in a row, they're playing their best baseball in years and have the best record in the American League.
They're also looking to earn their 10th straight home victory against the White Sox, not to mention their 14th the last 16 meetings in the series.
Much smaller than yesterday, but we're going to lay the run line with the Jays here.
1♦ BLUE JAYS RUN LINE
Chicago at TORONTO
The team that got us closer to the goal is going to provide a decent matinee snack for us,as we gear up for my 10th winning day over the last 12. I loved the Jays with Halladay on the bump yesterday, I think they can make it four straight wins today.
When you're a team on the road, and you jump out to a 2-0 lead like the South Siders did yesterday, then get beat down and have to finish a series in a matinee contest on a Monday, you have no hope.
All the White Sox did this morning at the hotel was pack quickly and say let's get the f%$k out of here after this game.
The Jays have won three in a row, they're playing their best baseball in years and have the best record in the American League.
They're also looking to earn their 10th straight home victory against the White Sox, not to mention their 14th the last 16 meetings in the series.
Much smaller than yesterday, but we're going to lay the run line with the Jays here.
1♦ BLUE JAYS RUN LINE
Scott Rickenbach
Los Angeles Angels @ Seattle Mariners
PICK: Over 8.5
The Mariners just finished up a series where, the reality is, every single game should have gone over the total. Instead, there was a push, a loss by a half run, and what appeared to be a "bad loss" for over players. The key was an unbelievable amount of wasted opportunities for both the Mariners and their opponent (the Red Sox). Tons of men left on base. Piles of double plays (all that always seemed to crop up when big threats were brewing), and the list goes on.
The point of the above is that this is helping to give line value here because Jarrod Washburn has had some struggles against his former club, the Angels. And, as for John Lackey of Los Angeles, he should not be expected to just step in and immediately be 'on his game' as he will finally be making his first "true" start since coming off the disabled list. He tried to make his first start at Texas last week but was ejected after throwing just two pitches. Whereas the last three games played in Seattle have been filled with wasted opportunities, watch this game fly over the total easily. Consider a small play on OVER the total in Seattle on Monday night.
Los Angeles Angels @ Seattle Mariners
PICK: Over 8.5
The Mariners just finished up a series where, the reality is, every single game should have gone over the total. Instead, there was a push, a loss by a half run, and what appeared to be a "bad loss" for over players. The key was an unbelievable amount of wasted opportunities for both the Mariners and their opponent (the Red Sox). Tons of men left on base. Piles of double plays (all that always seemed to crop up when big threats were brewing), and the list goes on.
The point of the above is that this is helping to give line value here because Jarrod Washburn has had some struggles against his former club, the Angels. And, as for John Lackey of Los Angeles, he should not be expected to just step in and immediately be 'on his game' as he will finally be making his first "true" start since coming off the disabled list. He tried to make his first start at Texas last week but was ejected after throwing just two pitches. Whereas the last three games played in Seattle have been filled with wasted opportunities, watch this game fly over the total easily. Consider a small play on OVER the total in Seattle on Monday night.
