Jack Jones
20* No Doubt Rout on LA Angels -120
The Angels are one of the hottest teams in baseball, winning 6 of their last 7 games overall, aided by a team batting average of .310 and a scoring average of over 7 runs per game on this current stretch. As a basis of comparison, the Royals are 1-6 over their last 7 games, averaging 4.1 runs per game and hitting just .253 as a team. You can clearly see these are two teams heading in different directions. Sidney Ponson hasn't pitched for the Royals since May, but don't expect him to wow you in his return appearance. Ponson was just 1-4 with a 5.92 ERA in 6 starts before hitting the disabled list. The Angels send Sean O'Sullivan to the mound, and even though he only has 4 starts this season, I have much more confidence in him than I do in Ponson. O'Sullivan is 2-0 on the season with a 3.80 ERA and 1.35 WHIP, including a 2.08 ERA and 1.08 WHIP on the road. As a matter of fact, the Angels are 4-0 in his four appearances this year. Obviously that can't keep up forever, but the Angels are playing great ball right now and they should provide him with more than enough support.
15* on Minnesota Twins -120
I'm backing the Twins and Nick Blackburn tonight at Oakland. Blackburn has been sharp all season, earning an 8-4 record with a 3.06 ERA and 1.28 WHIP. Over his last 3 starts, Blackburn has allowed a total of 7 earned runs in 22 innings pitched, giving him an ERA of 2.86 over that stretch. The A's will counter with Gio Gonzalez, who has just 3 starts on the season and who has not earned a win pitching in Oakland in two starts there. So far he is 0-2 with a 7.27 ERA and 2.42 WHIP. I also like that the Twins have been hot offensively, averaging 6 runs per game over their last 7 games, helping them to win 3 of their last 4 overall.
