SPORTS WAGERS
TORONTO +1.15 over Chicago
The South Side favored here is incorrect. The Jays continue to play well and they continue to not get much credit by the oddsmakers. The Blue Jays are a team that does not receive a lot of wagering support and that has created value on them from the opening day right up until now. It was noted in this space right at the beginning of the year that the Jays are much better than most think. After going 5-1 to open the year and showcasing a bullpen that looks fantastic, the Jays will open up at home after six consecutive on the road. Brian Tallet threw a gem in his season debut in Texas and that’s probably the cruelest place in the majors on pitchers. Tallet lasted well into the seventh inning and surrendered just four hits and two earned runs and the Jays pen did the rest. Tallet is a strong, 6’6 lefty that has a career BAA of just .251 in 190 appearances in the majors, including 32 as a starter. Furthermore, current White Sox hitters are 4-for-28 vs. Tallet, with RHBs Paul Konerko, Carlos Quentin and Andruw Jones going a collective 1-for-15. The White Sox come in having lost both series and that includes losing two of three to the challenged Indians to open the year. They’re 2-4 after playing all six games in Chicago. The South Siders have just two wins in their last 15 games in Toronto and this might be the worst team they’ve had in years. They’re batting a combined .203 thus far and that’s after seeing a whole slew of very average or below average chuckers. Incidentally, that .203 team batting average is last in the majors. Jake Peavy had a spring ERA of 6.55 and followed that up by getting whacked by the Indians. His pitches were all over the place and in fact, he walked two and hit two batters before being yanked in the fifth after surrendering seven hits and five runs. Another concern is that Peavy faced 26 batters and only four of them grounded out while 13 balls were hit in the air and that’s a sign of a guy not getting the ball down. Even if Peavy pitches well, the South Side is seeing BB’s and they hate to win at this joint. Play: Toronto +1.15 (Risking 2 units).
Pittsburgh +1.51 over SAN FRANCISCO
Pittsburgh +1.52 over SAN FRANCISCO (1st 5 innings)
The Pirates have already beaten Dan Haren and Clayton Kershaw, they took two of three from the Dodgers and they’re playing pretty decent ball. They have a lot of speed and they’ve also displayed some early power by going deep eight times already in six games. Russ Ohlendorf is not spectacular by any stretch but finds ways to hang around and he usually gives the Pirates a chance to win just like he did in his season opener when he beat the Dodgers 4-3. He won 11 games last season in 29 starts and allowed just 165 hits in 179 frames. This will be Ohlendorf’s first career start vs. SF, the current members of which are a collective 0-for-13 against him. Barry Zito threw a gem against the Astros but so what. The Astros are the only winless team left and they’ve made every pitcher look good with the exception of 75-yr old Jamie Moyer. Zito was absolutely crushed in the spring, going 0-2 with a 6.55 ERA after allowing 33 hits and 16 earned runs in 22 innings. So, this one is more about taking back a pretty sweet tag against Zito than it is on playing Ohlendorf and thus the split into two separate bets. Play: Pittsburgh in the first five innings +1.52 (Risking 1 unit) Play: Pittsburgh +1.51 (Risking 1 unit).