Monday Afternoon Tips
By Kevin Rogers
The Monday baseball card involves eight teams playing their home openers, including five during the day. The Phillies will raise their NL pennant flag against the Nationals while the Twins open up Target Field against the Red Sox. We'll begin on the North Side of Chicago with the Cubs and Brewers renewing acquaintances at Wrigley Field.
Brewers at Cubs - 2:20 PM EST
These NL Central rivals have been inconsistent out of the gate, as the Cubs head back to the Friendly Confines following six games on the road. The Brewers began the season facing a pair of playoff teams from a season ago by taking a series from the Rockies while dropping a series to the Cardinals.
Ryan Dempster has seen plenty of success when taking the home mound, but ran into some problems in day starts as a huge favorite. The Cubs dropped three of Dempster's outings under the sun last season as 'chalk' of at least $1.45, including a pair of losses to the White Sox. Dempster opened the season with a solid start against the Braves, scattering three hits in six innings, but the Cubs fell by a 3-2 count. The Cubs won three of Dempster's four starts against the Brewers last season, including both at Wrigley.
Doug Davis looks to bounce back from a shaky Brewers debut. The veteran lefty lasted just four innings while allowing four earned runs and six hits, but the offense bailed out Davis by beating Colorado, 5-4. The southpaw hasn't been afraid of pitching at Wrigley, racking up three quality starts in his last three trips to the North Side. Davis gave up just two earned runs in two outings last season as a member of the Diamondbacks against the Cubs, while winning each time.
The Cubs took 10 of 17 meetings against the Brewers last season, including five of eight matchups at home. Chicago is set as a $1.50 home favorite, but the Cubs are 2-4 the last six home openers.
Nationals at Phillies - 3:05 PM EST
The defending NL Champion Phillies have barely broken a sweat through their first two series, easily taking care of the Nationals and Astros. Washington lost two of the first three to Philadelphia at home to start the season, as the Nats look to avenge that series defeat.
Cole Hamels has owned the Nationals over his career with the Phillies winning six consecutive starts the lefty had made against Washington. The former World Series MVP lasted only five innings in his season debut at Nationals Park by scattering five hits and three runs, but the Phillies came out on top, 8-4. Philadelphia was a money-burning 10-9 last season when Hamels started as a home favorite, losing bettors 7.8 units when backing the lefty.
Jason Marquis was roughed up in his Washington debut, allowing eight hits and six earned runs in four innings of that loss to Hamels and the Phillies. Marquis has always been known as a solid day pitcher, as his teams (Rockies and Cubs) are 5-1 the last six as a road underdog in matinee action.
The Phillies have dominated the Nationals with 16 victories in the last 19 meetings. Washington has had little luck at Citizens Bank Park by dropping eight of the previous nine road meetings in this series, but seven of the last eight have finished 'under' the total. Philadelphia opened as a steep $2.60 home 'chalk,' while the total sits at 9 ½ (Bet $1.20 to win $1.00 on the 'under').
Red Sox at Twins - 4:10 PM EST
With the Metrodome era now done for the Twins, Minnesota moves into brand-new Target Field and will open up hosting Boston. The Twins have opened the season with five wins in their first seven games, while the Red Sox have split their opening six contests.
Boston will send lefty Jon Lester to the mound, who has struggled against this Twins lineup in his career. Lester has yielded 13 earned runs in three career starts versus Minnesota, while dropping a pair of road starts. The southpaw didn't begin the season strong by lasting just five innings and allowing four earned runs in a 6-4 home loss to the Yankees.
Carl Pavano will christen the mound at Target Field as the Twins' righty was superb in his first start of the season. The veteran gave up six hits and one earned run in seven innings of work as the Twins beat the Angels, 4-2. Pavano was reborn in Minnesota after spending the first half of last season in Cleveland, as the Twins won five of his final seven starts. Pavano shut down the Red Sox at Fenway last May as a member of the Indians with a 9-2 victory as a $1.50 underdog.
The Red Sox claimed four of six meetings last season as the two clubs split four games in Minneapolis. Boston is listed as a $1.45 road favorite while the total is set at 9.
Astros at Cardinals - 4:15 PM EST
Houston is the lone winless team in baseball at 0-6 after getting swept by both San Francisco and Philadelphia at home. The road may be the cure for the Astros, but ending their losing ways won't be easy against the defending division champion Cardinals.
Staff co-ace Adam Wainwright takes the mound for the Redbirds, as the righty looks to capitalize following a 6-3 victory over Cincinnati last Wednesday. Wainwright has been automatic against the Astros in his career with St. Louis winning nine of his last ten starts in this series. The 28-year old finished last season with three consecutive losses at Busch Stadium, despite each start being a quality one.
Wandy Rodriguez is known to struggle on the road, as the Astros went 4-8 in the lefty's 12 away underdog starts in 2009. The Houston southpaw was out-dueled by Barry Zito in his last start as the Astros were shut out by the Giants, 3-0. Rodriguez allowed seven hits and three earned runs in six innings, but received no support from his offense. The Astros were a dreadful 1-4 in Rodriguez's five starts against the Cardinals last season, Houston tallied just two runs in three road losses.
St. Louis captured nine of 15 meetings last season, including a 7-2 mark at home. The Cardinals are a hefty $2.20 favorite with the total set at 7 ½.
By Kevin Rogers
The Monday baseball card involves eight teams playing their home openers, including five during the day. The Phillies will raise their NL pennant flag against the Nationals while the Twins open up Target Field against the Red Sox. We'll begin on the North Side of Chicago with the Cubs and Brewers renewing acquaintances at Wrigley Field.
Brewers at Cubs - 2:20 PM EST
These NL Central rivals have been inconsistent out of the gate, as the Cubs head back to the Friendly Confines following six games on the road. The Brewers began the season facing a pair of playoff teams from a season ago by taking a series from the Rockies while dropping a series to the Cardinals.
Ryan Dempster has seen plenty of success when taking the home mound, but ran into some problems in day starts as a huge favorite. The Cubs dropped three of Dempster's outings under the sun last season as 'chalk' of at least $1.45, including a pair of losses to the White Sox. Dempster opened the season with a solid start against the Braves, scattering three hits in six innings, but the Cubs fell by a 3-2 count. The Cubs won three of Dempster's four starts against the Brewers last season, including both at Wrigley.
Doug Davis looks to bounce back from a shaky Brewers debut. The veteran lefty lasted just four innings while allowing four earned runs and six hits, but the offense bailed out Davis by beating Colorado, 5-4. The southpaw hasn't been afraid of pitching at Wrigley, racking up three quality starts in his last three trips to the North Side. Davis gave up just two earned runs in two outings last season as a member of the Diamondbacks against the Cubs, while winning each time.
The Cubs took 10 of 17 meetings against the Brewers last season, including five of eight matchups at home. Chicago is set as a $1.50 home favorite, but the Cubs are 2-4 the last six home openers.
Nationals at Phillies - 3:05 PM EST
The defending NL Champion Phillies have barely broken a sweat through their first two series, easily taking care of the Nationals and Astros. Washington lost two of the first three to Philadelphia at home to start the season, as the Nats look to avenge that series defeat.
Cole Hamels has owned the Nationals over his career with the Phillies winning six consecutive starts the lefty had made against Washington. The former World Series MVP lasted only five innings in his season debut at Nationals Park by scattering five hits and three runs, but the Phillies came out on top, 8-4. Philadelphia was a money-burning 10-9 last season when Hamels started as a home favorite, losing bettors 7.8 units when backing the lefty.
Jason Marquis was roughed up in his Washington debut, allowing eight hits and six earned runs in four innings of that loss to Hamels and the Phillies. Marquis has always been known as a solid day pitcher, as his teams (Rockies and Cubs) are 5-1 the last six as a road underdog in matinee action.
The Phillies have dominated the Nationals with 16 victories in the last 19 meetings. Washington has had little luck at Citizens Bank Park by dropping eight of the previous nine road meetings in this series, but seven of the last eight have finished 'under' the total. Philadelphia opened as a steep $2.60 home 'chalk,' while the total sits at 9 ½ (Bet $1.20 to win $1.00 on the 'under').
Red Sox at Twins - 4:10 PM EST
With the Metrodome era now done for the Twins, Minnesota moves into brand-new Target Field and will open up hosting Boston. The Twins have opened the season with five wins in their first seven games, while the Red Sox have split their opening six contests.
Boston will send lefty Jon Lester to the mound, who has struggled against this Twins lineup in his career. Lester has yielded 13 earned runs in three career starts versus Minnesota, while dropping a pair of road starts. The southpaw didn't begin the season strong by lasting just five innings and allowing four earned runs in a 6-4 home loss to the Yankees.
Carl Pavano will christen the mound at Target Field as the Twins' righty was superb in his first start of the season. The veteran gave up six hits and one earned run in seven innings of work as the Twins beat the Angels, 4-2. Pavano was reborn in Minnesota after spending the first half of last season in Cleveland, as the Twins won five of his final seven starts. Pavano shut down the Red Sox at Fenway last May as a member of the Indians with a 9-2 victory as a $1.50 underdog.
The Red Sox claimed four of six meetings last season as the two clubs split four games in Minneapolis. Boston is listed as a $1.45 road favorite while the total is set at 9.
Astros at Cardinals - 4:15 PM EST
Houston is the lone winless team in baseball at 0-6 after getting swept by both San Francisco and Philadelphia at home. The road may be the cure for the Astros, but ending their losing ways won't be easy against the defending division champion Cardinals.
Staff co-ace Adam Wainwright takes the mound for the Redbirds, as the righty looks to capitalize following a 6-3 victory over Cincinnati last Wednesday. Wainwright has been automatic against the Astros in his career with St. Louis winning nine of his last ten starts in this series. The 28-year old finished last season with three consecutive losses at Busch Stadium, despite each start being a quality one.
Wandy Rodriguez is known to struggle on the road, as the Astros went 4-8 in the lefty's 12 away underdog starts in 2009. The Houston southpaw was out-dueled by Barry Zito in his last start as the Astros were shut out by the Giants, 3-0. Rodriguez allowed seven hits and three earned runs in six innings, but received no support from his offense. The Astros were a dreadful 1-4 in Rodriguez's five starts against the Cardinals last season, Houston tallied just two runs in three road losses.
St. Louis captured nine of 15 meetings last season, including a 7-2 mark at home. The Cardinals are a hefty $2.20 favorite with the total set at 7 ½.
DB SPORTS CONSULTANTS
April 12, 2010
Yesterday’s Record: 2-1, +2.8u
double-dime MLB total bet, Washington / Philadelphia UNDER 9 (-105), 3:05pm est
double-dime MLB side bet, Minnesota ML (+125) over Boston, 4:10pm est
triple-dime MLB side bet, Chicago White Sox ML (-126) over Toronto, 7:20pm est
April 12, 2010
Yesterday’s Record: 2-1, +2.8u
double-dime MLB total bet, Washington / Philadelphia UNDER 9 (-105), 3:05pm est
double-dime MLB side bet, Minnesota ML (+125) over Boston, 4:10pm est
triple-dime MLB side bet, Chicago White Sox ML (-126) over Toronto, 7:20pm est
