Monday 06/29/09 service plays chatter/comps/requests & gm strategy...

[Yanks]

LT Profits Sports Group

Bonus Play

Rick Porcello of the Tigers has been one of the more underrated pitchers in baseball, and he should have his way vs. a weak A's offense. Factor in two good bullpens and go Under here.
The Detroit Tigers are coming off of a three-game series at Houston where they scored a grand total of nine runs, whole the Oakland Athletics have scored three runs or less in four of their last five games.

Now Oakland starter Brett Anderson has some very mediocre overall numbers, but he is coming off of one of his better outings vs. the San Diego Padres, and the spacious dimensions of McAfee Coliseum should help him also. It does not hurt his cause that the aforementioned struggling Detroit offense is batting just .231 vs. left-handed pitching on the road over the entire season, and he has the support of an Athletics bullpen that has a sparkling 2.63 ERA the last 10 games.

The Tigers counter with Rick Porcello, who is quietly having a very solid season with an 8-4 record and a nice 3.55 ERA in 14 starts. He has impressively allowed three runs or less in nine of his last 10 starts, including allowing two earned runs or less in two of those outings. He also has the support of a hot bullpen, as the Detroit pen has a 2.96 ERA the last 10 games, and he is facing an Oakland lineup that is batting .a pathetic 238 overall this year.

The bottom line here is we have two offenses with poor splits vs. the arm orientation of the opposing starter tonight and two solid bullpens, which should mean this game stays in singlr-digits.

Free Pick: Tigers, Athletics Under 9 (-120)

 

[Yanks]

Cajun Sports

Bonus Play

On the verge of being swept in Houston, Brandon Inge rallied Detroit with a 9th-inning homer on Sunday. Now the Tigers look to keep that momentum going in Oakland against the A's.
It appeared the AL Central leading Tigers would get swept in their first series of their current nine-game road trip, but a clutch homer by Brandon Inge put Detroit in the win column versus Houston on Sunday. Detroit will look to ride that momentum into a three-game series in Oakland with the first game set for Monday night.

The Athletics have lost five straight and are a league-worst 5-13 since June 9. The Tigers outscored the Athletics 34-9 during a three-game sweep in Detroit back in May, but the Tigers have struggled here when facing the Athletics, losing seven of their last eight trips to the Bay Area.

Oakland will send Brett Anderson to the bump with his record of 3-7 and 5.74 ERA. He has only faced the Tigers once and that was back in May giving up nine runs and six hits in 3.1 innings of work in a 14-1 loss.

The Tigers will send Rick Porcello to the hill with his 8-4 record and an ERA of 3.55. Porcello is 2-1 with a 3.67 ERA in five starts this month, and in his only appearance against the Athletics in May he threw for six innings allowing one run and three hits in a 9-1 win. We expect more of the same as the Tigers ride the momentum of Sunday's win over Houston and Porcellos arm to a victory.

The Athletics are 9-26 (-17.2) when playing against a team with a winning record this season. Detroit is 22-6 (+14.2) after six consecutive games versus interleague opponents the last three seasons and 14-4 (+9.4) against AL West opponents this season. Lay the chalk with the Tigers as they get the win on Monday night over the Athletics.

Projected Final Score: Detroit-6 Oakland-5

Free Pick: Tigers -122

 

[Yanks]

Ben Burns

Today’s Free Pick

GAME: San Francisco Giants @ St. Louis Cardinals Jun 29, 2009 8:15PM

PICK: San Francisco Giants

REASON FOR PICK: The Cardinals come in having lost four of five games. Now, they'll have to contend with one of the best (and hottest) pitchers in the game. Tim Lincecum gets the call for the visitors and he's been "doing his thing" again this season. Lincecum is 7-2 with a 2.57 ERA on the season. That includes a 4-1 mark with a 2.57 ERA and 1.125 WHIP when pitching on the road. He's been downright dominant recently, too. Over his last three starts, the Giants' ace has averaged 8 2/3 innings while recording an outstanding 1.38 ERA and 0.962 WHIP. Over that three game stretch he has more K's (29) than he has hits (22) and walks (3) combined.

Lincecum will be opposed by Brad Thompson. Naturally, Thompson's numbers don't compare to Lincecum's. Over his last two starts, Thompson has allowed nine runs in 12 innings. For the season, he's 0-1 with a 4.82 ERA and 1.501 WHIP in two home starts, averaging less than five innings in those games.

Lincecum is 3-0 against St. Louis for his career, recording a 2.37 ERA in those three starts. His last start against the Cards came last April. Lincecum tossed seven shutout innings in that game, en route to a 3-0 victory. The Giants are 9-3 in Lincecum's last 12 starts and 5-2 his last seven road starts. They've also been excellent when listed as small road "chalk."

Consider SF

 

[Yanks]

Jamie Tursini

Bonus Play

Chicago Cubs vs. Pittsburgh Pirates

Pittsburgh Pirates -101

Good price to get the underrated lefty Z.Duke at home.

The Cubs are making their 9th straight road appearance, and could be a weary bunch.
Where as the Pirates will be making their 7th straight home appearance.

R.Harden has a great 2.96 ERA, but has allowed 6 HR's in only 24.1 road innings.

Z.Duke has been outstanding at home, at 6-2 and allowing only 51 hits and 11 BB's in 58 innings posting an ERA of 2.64.
He went 7 innings and allowed 2 ER's in a May 5-2 loss at Chicago earlier.

The Cubs struggle on the road vs lefties. They bat only .209 averaging 2.34 runs per 9 innings!
The Pirates bat .301 averaging 5.37 runs at home per 9 innings.

Take Pittsburgh

 

[Yanks]

Pure Lock

Free MLB Play

Boston Red Sox vs. Baltimore Orioles

Boston Red Sox -155

 

[Yanks]

Dave Price

Bonus Play for 6/29/09

Tampa Bay Rays vs. Toronto Blue Jays

Toronto Blue Jays -152

Roy Halladay is 10-1 with an ERA of 2.53 this season. He has been even better of late, going 2-0 with an ERA of 2.14 and a WHIP of 0.952 over his last 3 starts. The Rays may be rolling, but I look for Halladay to silence their bats tonight. The Blue Jays are 4-1 in Halladay's last 5 home starts vs. the Rays and 9-3 in his last 12 starts vs. the Rays overall. The Blue Jays are 11-1 in his last 12 Monday starts, 32-7 in his last 39 starts as a home favorite of -151 to -200, and 41-12 in his last 53 home starts home starts overall. With the Rays just 4-10 in their last 14 road games and 1-7 in their last 8 road games vs. a right-handed starter.
I'll back the Jays at home behind their ace.

1 Unit on Toronto Blue Jays -152

 

[Yanks]

Jr Tips

Bonus Play

SAN DIEGO PADRES vs. HOUSTON ATROS

The struggling San Diego Padres' hitters will have to face their worst nightmare, Houston Atros starting pitcher Roy Oswalt as he will try to continue his dominance of the Padres. San Diego (33-41) is last in the majors with 286 runs, and is batting .234 while losing 16 of 24 games this month and Roy Oswalt is 9-2 with a 2.97 ERA in 12 starts versus the Padres, including a 12-5 victory on May 10th. Oswalt pitched well in his last start Wednesday against Kansas City, allowing one run over seven innings and striking out eight. Houston (35-38) was going for it's fourth straight win Sunday before closer Jose Valverde surrendered a two-run homer with 2 outs the ninth inning of a 4-3 loss to Detroit.The Astros have won five straight against the Padres including a three-game sweep in their last series. The padres starting pitcher Josh Geer (1-2, 5.86) lasted three-plus innings at Houston on May 10th and gave up seven runs in his shortest start of the season. The right-hander has not received a decision after yielding three runs over six innings in each of his last two outings. The hot Houston Atros will continue it's domination over the Padres tonight with their ace on the mound.

TAKE HOUSTON-150

 

[Yanks]

Tommy Gill

Bonus Play

Detroit has been a very hot team as of late winning 8 out of there last 10 games overall. Oakland has been the polar opposite playing very bad ball losing there last 5 games at home to the Giants and Colorado. Detroit at home this season swept Oakland winning the games by 13, 8 and 4 runs. One of those games Porcello (8-4 3.55 ERA) pitched only giving up 1 run in 6 innings. Today we are looking for the same result with the better starter and hitting. Anderson (3-7 5.74 ERA) will be starting for Oakland today and he has had some problem with control this season. At home Anderson is 1-4 5.52 ERA and his last 3 games he has given up 14 runs in 14.2 innings pitched. The Tigers have dominated the AL West this season going 8-1 in their last 9 games. Detroit also has played well to being a favorite this year on the road being 25-10 as a road favorite and 22-8 as a favorite overall.
Lets take advantage of a good spot for Detroit to win this game today.

3* Detroit -130

 

[Yanks]

Frank Jordan

Bonus Play

Houston Astros vs. San Diego Padres

Play: Houston Astros

San Diego is having a rather down year at 8 games under .500 with a 33-41 record, but at home are playing well with a 23-15 record. Houston is hovering around .500 with a 35-38 record and on the road at 16-17. In this one look for Oswalt to get back to .500 at 4-4 with the win and get the Astros to .500 on the road at 17-17.

Play Houston

 

[Yanks]

Sports Gambling Hotline

Bonus Play

White Sox -115 at CLEVELAND

Prefer to lay a little road wood with the White Sox as they take on division-rival Cleveland at Progressive Field on Monday.

The Pale Hose blanked the Cubs yesterday for their 6th win their last 8 times on the diamond, and their second win in a row.

Cleveland got bombed 8-1 yesterday, as the Tribe has now lost their last pair, 4 of 5, and 9 of their last 11 overall.

Chicago starter Gavin Floyd has been in a groove, allowing just 3 earned runs over his last 21 innings of work, while Cleveland starter Carl Pavano has been lit for 18 runs his last 14 innings of work.
Pavano does own a complete game shutout over the White Sox the last time he faced them in early June, as the Tribe is 4-2 in this year's season series with the Sox.

Payback time for Chicago, as they continue Pavano's recent struggles.
Play on the Pale Hose.

2? WHITE SOX

 

[Yanks]

Bobby Maxwell

Bonus Play

San Francisco at ST. LOUIS +115

Got the FREE winner Sunday when the Angels scored the shoot-out win over the D'Backs in Arizona. Today we'll get you another one as we play the Cardinals at home against San Francisco.

St. Louis hasn't been the dominant club it should be at home this season, but you can count on the Cardinals tonight as they light-hitting Giants come to town.

Brad Thompson (2-3, 4.50 ERA) is on the mound for the Cardinals and they are 10-3 at home when he toes the rubber, 9-4 in his last 13 overall and 6-2 in his last eight starts against the N.L. West. He'll be able to keep the Giants' hitters off-balance tonight, and he doesn't have to fear any power coming from San Francisco because there is none in that lineup.
The Giants have ace Tim Lincecum on the mound, but even with his help they will be just mediocre tonight. San Francisco is on slides of 12-28 against squads from the N.L. Central and 9-20 on the road against teams with winning records.

The way Albert Pujols is hitting the ball, he'll be able to drive in a few runs for Thompson tonight and we expect the young right-hander for the Cardinals to keep to Giants to two runs or less.

St. Louis isn't happy having just dropped two of three to the Twins over the weekend. Their fans always support this team and they will be there in full force tonight. Play the Cardinals to win this one.

4* ST. LOUIS

 

[Yanks]

Karl Garrett

Bonus Play

San Francisco -130 at ST. LOUIS
G-Man will lay the road wood this Monday night with Cy Young winner Tim Lincecum as he does battle with the slumping Cardinals.

St. Louis dropped a 6-2 decision at home to the Twins on Sunday, as the Redbirds have now lost 5 of their last 7 games.

San Francisco is a nice young team that is enjoying some success of late, as the Giants shutout the Brewers yesterday for their 6th win in their last 9 games.
Tim Lincecum is hands-down the better of the 2 starters toeing the rubber tonight, and he is fresh off a complete game win over Oakland to up his mark to 7-2 for the year with an ERA of 2.57.

Compare that to Brad Thompson's 2-2 mark with an ERA approaching 5, and there really isn't too much to think about here.
G-Man says lay-it with the Giants.

2* SAN FRANCISCO

 

[Yanks]

Red Dog Sports

Bonus Play

Minnesota at Kansas City

Play under 9

Nik Blackburn has an ERA of 2.88 in his last 3 starts with 4 overs and 10 unders this year. He has given up just 4,1,3,1,2,1 and 0 in his last 7 starts while Hochever has given up just 2,6,1 and 2 in his last 4 starts. The Twins have 22 unders, 8 overs and 2 pushes in their last 32 road games while KC has 25 unders and 10 pushes in their last 25 on Mondays.

Play under 9 in this matchup.

 

[Yanks]

Scott Spreitzer

Bonus Play

Detroit Tigers at Oakland Athletics

I'm laying the price with the Tigers on Monday. We have a meeting of young pitchers with Rick Porcello of Detroit facing Brett Anderson of Oakland. Porcello’s been solid, with an ERA of 3.55, and a WHIP of 1.36. Anderson has struggled, posting a poor ERA of 5.74 and a high WHIP of 1.51 for the season. That's basically enough to put me on Detroit. But I’ve noticed that the Tigers are doing a great job monitoring Porcello’s pitch counts (he hasn’t broken 100 yet), while the A’s haven’t done the same with Anderson. In fact, Anderson set a season high in pitches thrown four starts ago and hasn’t been the same since! His ERA over his last three starts is 8.59, and his WHIP is a ridiculous 1.84. Porcello’s thriving under the guidance of Jim Leyland, and actually has an ERA of 2.52 his last 10 starts because they’re handling him with caution. Recent form is a SLAM DUNK for the Tigers on the mound. And, at the team level, we’re taking a surging division leader against a slumping A’s team that’s 5-13 its last 18 games. The Tigers minus the price is the play. Good luck - Scott Spreitzer.

Play on: Detroit

 

[Yanks]

Vegas Experts

Bonus Play

Los Angeles Angels at Texas Rangers

The Los Angeles Angels ended Interleague Play by winning five in a row and tonight face AL West rival Texas who has already swept them this season. The Angels are going with rookie right-hander Sean O’Sullivan who has a 2-0 TSR on the season. He won his first start on the road against San Francisco as the Angels won 8-1. He went seven innings allowing just one run on five hits. Los Angeles is 12-2 when coming off a win by four runs or more this season and is 49-30 as an underdog over the past two seasons. Go with Los Angeles.

Play on: Los Angeles

 

[Yanks]

IndianCowboy

Monday's Comp Selection

6 of 9 of comp winners. Take the Chicago Whitesox -105 over the Indians. Long story short here, when Pavano last faceed the Whitesox he pitched a complete game shutout on the road which was a shocker. The Whitesox have revenge from that game and Floyd pitched a terrible game in that effort too giving up 8 runs. I see a reversal of fortunes here as Floyd has been pitching well coming into this game as he has put together 7 straight quality starts. Pavano on the other hand has given up 18 runs in his last 13 innings. I look for the Whtiesox to do well here tonight with Floyd getting revenge against both Pavano as well as the fact Floyd looks to get revenge against the team that roughed him up badly at home earlier this year.

 

[Yanks]

Computer Sports

MONDAY FREE WINNER!!

TORONTO-155

 

[Yanks]

Dr. Vegas

FREE Monday Selection

Minnesota -135 over KC

 

[Yanks]

TV Hotline

Free Monday MLB Pick

Houston -145 over San Diego

 

[Yanks]

Harry Doyle Sports

Free Selection MLB

Dodgers - 120