Steve Janus
3* on Dodgers/Rockies OVER 7.5
This total is set low because neither team has been playing that well offensively, but the starters in this match up make me like the over. San Diego starter, Chad Gaudin has a 5.11 ERA in 12 starts this season, including a 4.76 ERA at the usually-pitcher-friendly Petco Park. Dodgers starter, Hiroki Kuroda, has been solid on the road in 3 starts this season, but has a 4.71 ERA over his last 3 starts. I expect the Dodgers to bounce back on offense with an emotional boost from getting Manny Ramirez back in the lineup and I look at Kuroda to give up a handful of runs to the Padres. Take the over a 7.5 or better if you can get it.
3* on Tampa Bay Rays -135
Rays starter, Scott Kazimir has really struggled this season, but somehow Tampa Bay is still 6-4 over his 10 starts. That's a credit to both the Rays' offense and their relief pitching, each of which have been amongst the best in the league. The Ray's are hitting nearly .280 and scoring just under 6 runs per game against right-handed starters this season, and their bullpen has posted a collective ERA of 3.33 with a record of 13-8. Kazmir just needs to put together a solid outing like he did in his last appearance against the Marlins, going 5 innings and giving up just 2 runs on 4 hits. If he can do that, the rest of the Rays will finish off the Rangers.
3* on Kansas City Royals -145
I'm looking to Zack Greinke to stop Chicago's six-game winning streak tonight. Greinke has been amazing the season, going 10-3 with a 1.95 ERA and 1.02 WHIP in 16 starts. He is currently 6-1 with a 1.78 ERA in 9 home starts, and though his numbers have elevated some in his last three starts, he is still 2-1 with a 3.00 ERA and 1.19 WHIP. The White Sox will have trouble finding runs against the Royals tonight.
5* Blue Chip Bet on St. Louis Cardinals -112
Take the Cards over the Reds tonight. Cincinnati starter, Homer Bailey, has long been touted as one of the best young pitching prospects in baseball, however, each time he gets a call up from the Minors, he gets shelled. Bailey has two starts this season, and though he is 1-0, his ERA in those starts is 8.68 and his WHIP is 2.04. Meanwhile, Joel Pineiro has been a model of consistency for the Cardinals. His 6-9 record is very misleading, because Pineiro has just a 3.44 ERA and a 1.18 WHIP in 15 starts this season. In his last three starts, he's managed a 1.59 ERA and a 0.71 WHIP. I'll take the Cards against the struggling Bailey tonight.
3* on Cardinals/Reds OVER 9
Cincinnati starter, Homer Bailey, has long been touted as one of the best young pitching prospects in baseball, however, each time he gets a call up from the Minors, he gets shelled. Bailey has two starts this season, and though he is 1-0, his ERA in those starts is 8.68 and his WHIP is 2.04. He puts so many runners on base, there will be a lot of opportunities for the Cardinals to score runs. St. Louis may come close to this number themselves and the Reds will tack a few on for good measure.
