COMPS:
Marc Lawrence
Milwaukee Brewers at Los Angeles Dodgers
Prediction: Milwaukee Brewers
The Brewers open a two game series with the Dodgers at Chavez Ravine when they send the steady serves of Shaun Marcum up against Los Angeles Monday evening. Marcum takes the mound in terrific KW form with three walks and 22 strikeouts in his last three starts while owning a super-sharp 1.14 ERA on the road this season. With Marcum 15-4 in his career steam starts during the month of May, look for him to improve to 2-0 in his career in this park here tonight. We recommend a 1-unit play on Milwaukee.
VEGAS EXPERTS
San Francisco Giants at Colorado Rockies
Thanks to a rainout yesterday in Chicago, Tim Lincecum's scheduled start has been pushed back to today and we'll take advantage as the Giants look to continue their domination of division rival Colorado. Lincecum is off back to back shutout victories and San Francisco has been surging of late, taking seven of its last eight. Meanwhile, the Rockies are headed in the other direction with losses in seven of their last nine. They have lost five of six in head to head play with the Giants this year and aren't likely to solve Lincecum here as they are hitting only .214 in night games this season.
Play on: San Francisco
Tom Freese
Milwaukee at LA Dodgers
Play: Milwaukee
The Dodgers are 19-22 this year. Los Angeles is 2-6 their last 8 games vs. a team with losing record. The Dodgers are 1-4 their last 5 games vs. a starter with a WHIP of less than 1.15. The Dodgers are 2-8 their 10 games vs. righty starters. Milwaukee is 19-21 this year. The Brewers are 6-2 after scoring 5 runs or more in their last 10 games. Milwaukee is 5-1 their last 6 games vs. a team with a losing record. The Brewers are 5-2 in the last 7 starts made by Marcum.
KARL GARRETT
Bonus Play for Monday is the underdog Cubbies to cool down the surging Reds.
Cincy has indeed won 6 of their last 7, including their last 3, and starter Homer Bailey is off to a 2-0 start with 1 run allowed in 13 innings of work. Problem is, Bailey is 0-2 the last 3 times he has faced Chicago, and he has allowed 13 runs in just 14 innings of work versus the Cubs.
Carlos Zambrano is a perfect 4-0 on the road this season, and he has won his last pair of starts versus Cincy with just 3 runs allowed in 14 innings of work.
Nice value on the underdog Cubs tonight against a Reds team that is about due for a loss.
Take Chicago.
2? CUBS
CHIP CHIRIMBES
Bonus Play
The Oakland A's (20-20) have been great to us this season as their pitching has been the difference when needed and tonight they will be sending lefty Brett Anderson (2-3, 3.21 ERA) to the hill against the Angels. Los Angeles (22-19) who have dropped four of their last six will start Joel Pineiro (2-0, 1.33) who is 9-8 lifetime against the A's. Oakland has won six of their eight Monday games and that trend continues tonight. Take A'S.
MATT FARGO
The Phillies lost their weekend series with the Braves to drop to 3-3 on their current roadtrip and things will not get much easier starting the new week. The good news is that they get a significant edge in this series opener in the starting pitching matchup that will get them back on track. Philadelphia is still a solid 12-7 on the road this season as the pitching remains the catalyst as the Phillies have a 2.93 road ERA which is second best in baseball. The Phillies are 20-6 in their last 26 games following a loss. St. Louis had an even worse weekend as it was swept in Cincinnati to fall from first place to second place in the National League Central. That series put an end to a solid run and at just 10-9 at home, the Cardinals do not have an advantage coming off that roadtrip. The pitching allowed 22 runs against the Reds and the overall roadtrip saw the Cardinals allow an average of 6.3 rpg. The Cardinals are 0-4 in their last four games after scoring five runs or more in their previous game. The Phillies look to bounce back with another ace tonight as Cliff Lee takes the hill. He is having a very good season once again and he has had just one bad start which came in Atlanta in his second start of the year. He has tossed three straight quality starts but was once again unable to pick up the win as the offense has not given him much run support, scoring only six runs in his last four starts. However, the Phillies are 9-0 in Lee's last nine starts when their opponent scores five runs or more in their previous game. He should get better run support tonight as Jake Westbrook takes the mound for St. Louis and he has been all over the place this season. After starting the season with four non-quality outings, he bounces back with three consecutive strong efforts but he imploded once again last time out, allowing five runs in just 2.1 innings against the Cubs. Despite his last two home starts being quality performances, he has a whopping 8.24 ERA and 1.68 WHIP at home and that is not a good sign here. 3* (909) Philadelphia Phillies
Jack Clayton
Bonus Play
Sport: MLB
Game: Indians at Royals
Pick: Royals
Reason: Hard to trust Carlos Carrasco on the road with his 5.29 ERA overall and a 1-2 record. The Indians are 2-11 in Carrascos last 13 starts vs. a team with a winning record and the Royals have a great home record. Play the KC Royals!
SCOTT SPREITZER
I'm backing the Padres on Monday night when their surging bats dig-in against Armando Galarraga. This won't be the first time this season I have gone against Galarraga and it won't be the last...if he stays in the rotation. There's talk that this may be his last start, as far as the near future is concered, for the righthander. When Galarraga first came to the NL as a member of the Diamondbacks, many were thinking it could be another situation of a struggling AL starter who gets it together in the "weaker" hitting league. But Galarraga is a flyball pitcher with a weak career Ks/9 IP ratio. While his strikeout rate is a bit better this season, he still owns a horrible Ks to BB ratio. In fact, Galarraga has just 27 strikeouts, while allowing 20 walks in seven starts. Now the righty, in an attempt to save his "gig," must face the red-hot Padres. But in reality, Galarraga is little more than a journeyman pitcher. San Diego started slowly, but they're a respectable 7-6 in the month of May and just won a series in Denver. Win seven out of every 13 games and you're talking about a decent 87-75 season. The Friars are averaging 5.69 rpg over their last 13 games, and they have scored a whopping 43 runs in their last five games. While I expect Clayton Richard to get offensive support, I don't believe Galarraga will get much from his team's bats. Arizona is in a serious funk at the plate, scoring a grand total of just 45 runs in their last 15 games, or just 3 rpg. The "Snakes" are 4-10 in their last 14 against lefthanders and they're on a 0-4 slide with Galarraga on the hill. Meanwhile, the Padres are 27-15 on the road against teams with an OBP of .325 or less. They're also on a sizzling 9-1 run with Richard on the mound when they're on the road and priced as Even money up to a +1.25 underdog. I'm backing the Padres on Monday night. Thanks! GL! Scott.
Golden contender
On Monday the Bonus Play is on the Tampa Bay Rays. Game 918 at 6:40 eastern. The Rays fit a nice system here tonight that plays on home teams off a home favored loss by 5 or more runs, vs an opponent off a home dog loss. The Pitching matchup is close here. However Burnett has dropped both his road starts and D. Price is 5-2 vs the Yankees. Tampa has a solid 2.24 era and the Yankees have struggled with left handers hitting just .216 heading in to Sunday. The Yankees are on a rare 5 game losing streak. Tampa has dropped the last 2 here at home. Look for the Rays to sting the Yankees tonight and take game 1 of the series.
Dave Cokin
Monday Bonus Play is the Reds
Free Selection from Jim Feist
5/16 04:05 PM PT / 7:05 PM ET
MLB (919) TORONTO BLUE JAYS at (920) DETROIT TIGERS
Take: (920) DETROIT TIGERS
Reason: The Tigers got a unusual Sunday off as their game with Kansas City was postponed. They should be good and rested for tonight's home game against the Blue Jays. The Tigers are one of the hottest teams in baseball, winners of seven straight games and nine of their last 10. And as hot as the Tigers are, starting pitcher Max Scherzer is equally as hot. Scherzer looks to become the majors first seven-game winner with a victory on Monday. Moreover, Sherzer has been almost un-hittable at home, posting a 3-0 record with a 0.96 ERA in four starts. In his last two outings at home he has tossed 16 scoreless innings. Kyle Drabek makes the start for the Blue Jays. Drabek is 2-2 with a 4.81 ERA and is looking to avoid his third consecutive loss tonight. Drabek has had some control issues this season and tonight is not a good time for that to happen against the red-hot Tigers and Scherzer. I'm taking the Tigers here and laying what I think is a very good price for a hot team with a hot pitcher.
Marc Lawrence
Milwaukee Brewers at Los Angeles Dodgers
Prediction: Milwaukee Brewers
The Brewers open a two game series with the Dodgers at Chavez Ravine when they send the steady serves of Shaun Marcum up against Los Angeles Monday evening. Marcum takes the mound in terrific KW form with three walks and 22 strikeouts in his last three starts while owning a super-sharp 1.14 ERA on the road this season. With Marcum 15-4 in his career steam starts during the month of May, look for him to improve to 2-0 in his career in this park here tonight. We recommend a 1-unit play on Milwaukee.
VEGAS EXPERTS
San Francisco Giants at Colorado Rockies
Thanks to a rainout yesterday in Chicago, Tim Lincecum's scheduled start has been pushed back to today and we'll take advantage as the Giants look to continue their domination of division rival Colorado. Lincecum is off back to back shutout victories and San Francisco has been surging of late, taking seven of its last eight. Meanwhile, the Rockies are headed in the other direction with losses in seven of their last nine. They have lost five of six in head to head play with the Giants this year and aren't likely to solve Lincecum here as they are hitting only .214 in night games this season.
Play on: San Francisco
Tom Freese
Milwaukee at LA Dodgers
Play: Milwaukee
The Dodgers are 19-22 this year. Los Angeles is 2-6 their last 8 games vs. a team with losing record. The Dodgers are 1-4 their last 5 games vs. a starter with a WHIP of less than 1.15. The Dodgers are 2-8 their 10 games vs. righty starters. Milwaukee is 19-21 this year. The Brewers are 6-2 after scoring 5 runs or more in their last 10 games. Milwaukee is 5-1 their last 6 games vs. a team with a losing record. The Brewers are 5-2 in the last 7 starts made by Marcum.
KARL GARRETT
Bonus Play for Monday is the underdog Cubbies to cool down the surging Reds.
Cincy has indeed won 6 of their last 7, including their last 3, and starter Homer Bailey is off to a 2-0 start with 1 run allowed in 13 innings of work. Problem is, Bailey is 0-2 the last 3 times he has faced Chicago, and he has allowed 13 runs in just 14 innings of work versus the Cubs.
Carlos Zambrano is a perfect 4-0 on the road this season, and he has won his last pair of starts versus Cincy with just 3 runs allowed in 14 innings of work.
Nice value on the underdog Cubs tonight against a Reds team that is about due for a loss.
Take Chicago.
2? CUBS
CHIP CHIRIMBES
Bonus Play
The Oakland A's (20-20) have been great to us this season as their pitching has been the difference when needed and tonight they will be sending lefty Brett Anderson (2-3, 3.21 ERA) to the hill against the Angels. Los Angeles (22-19) who have dropped four of their last six will start Joel Pineiro (2-0, 1.33) who is 9-8 lifetime against the A's. Oakland has won six of their eight Monday games and that trend continues tonight. Take A'S.
MATT FARGO
The Phillies lost their weekend series with the Braves to drop to 3-3 on their current roadtrip and things will not get much easier starting the new week. The good news is that they get a significant edge in this series opener in the starting pitching matchup that will get them back on track. Philadelphia is still a solid 12-7 on the road this season as the pitching remains the catalyst as the Phillies have a 2.93 road ERA which is second best in baseball. The Phillies are 20-6 in their last 26 games following a loss. St. Louis had an even worse weekend as it was swept in Cincinnati to fall from first place to second place in the National League Central. That series put an end to a solid run and at just 10-9 at home, the Cardinals do not have an advantage coming off that roadtrip. The pitching allowed 22 runs against the Reds and the overall roadtrip saw the Cardinals allow an average of 6.3 rpg. The Cardinals are 0-4 in their last four games after scoring five runs or more in their previous game. The Phillies look to bounce back with another ace tonight as Cliff Lee takes the hill. He is having a very good season once again and he has had just one bad start which came in Atlanta in his second start of the year. He has tossed three straight quality starts but was once again unable to pick up the win as the offense has not given him much run support, scoring only six runs in his last four starts. However, the Phillies are 9-0 in Lee's last nine starts when their opponent scores five runs or more in their previous game. He should get better run support tonight as Jake Westbrook takes the mound for St. Louis and he has been all over the place this season. After starting the season with four non-quality outings, he bounces back with three consecutive strong efforts but he imploded once again last time out, allowing five runs in just 2.1 innings against the Cubs. Despite his last two home starts being quality performances, he has a whopping 8.24 ERA and 1.68 WHIP at home and that is not a good sign here. 3* (909) Philadelphia Phillies
Jack Clayton
Bonus Play
Sport: MLB
Game: Indians at Royals
Pick: Royals
Reason: Hard to trust Carlos Carrasco on the road with his 5.29 ERA overall and a 1-2 record. The Indians are 2-11 in Carrascos last 13 starts vs. a team with a winning record and the Royals have a great home record. Play the KC Royals!
SCOTT SPREITZER
I'm backing the Padres on Monday night when their surging bats dig-in against Armando Galarraga. This won't be the first time this season I have gone against Galarraga and it won't be the last...if he stays in the rotation. There's talk that this may be his last start, as far as the near future is concered, for the righthander. When Galarraga first came to the NL as a member of the Diamondbacks, many were thinking it could be another situation of a struggling AL starter who gets it together in the "weaker" hitting league. But Galarraga is a flyball pitcher with a weak career Ks/9 IP ratio. While his strikeout rate is a bit better this season, he still owns a horrible Ks to BB ratio. In fact, Galarraga has just 27 strikeouts, while allowing 20 walks in seven starts. Now the righty, in an attempt to save his "gig," must face the red-hot Padres. But in reality, Galarraga is little more than a journeyman pitcher. San Diego started slowly, but they're a respectable 7-6 in the month of May and just won a series in Denver. Win seven out of every 13 games and you're talking about a decent 87-75 season. The Friars are averaging 5.69 rpg over their last 13 games, and they have scored a whopping 43 runs in their last five games. While I expect Clayton Richard to get offensive support, I don't believe Galarraga will get much from his team's bats. Arizona is in a serious funk at the plate, scoring a grand total of just 45 runs in their last 15 games, or just 3 rpg. The "Snakes" are 4-10 in their last 14 against lefthanders and they're on a 0-4 slide with Galarraga on the hill. Meanwhile, the Padres are 27-15 on the road against teams with an OBP of .325 or less. They're also on a sizzling 9-1 run with Richard on the mound when they're on the road and priced as Even money up to a +1.25 underdog. I'm backing the Padres on Monday night. Thanks! GL! Scott.
Golden contender
On Monday the Bonus Play is on the Tampa Bay Rays. Game 918 at 6:40 eastern. The Rays fit a nice system here tonight that plays on home teams off a home favored loss by 5 or more runs, vs an opponent off a home dog loss. The Pitching matchup is close here. However Burnett has dropped both his road starts and D. Price is 5-2 vs the Yankees. Tampa has a solid 2.24 era and the Yankees have struggled with left handers hitting just .216 heading in to Sunday. The Yankees are on a rare 5 game losing streak. Tampa has dropped the last 2 here at home. Look for the Rays to sting the Yankees tonight and take game 1 of the series.
Dave Cokin
Monday Bonus Play is the Reds
Free Selection from Jim Feist
5/16 04:05 PM PT / 7:05 PM ET
MLB (919) TORONTO BLUE JAYS at (920) DETROIT TIGERS
Take: (920) DETROIT TIGERS
Reason: The Tigers got a unusual Sunday off as their game with Kansas City was postponed. They should be good and rested for tonight's home game against the Blue Jays. The Tigers are one of the hottest teams in baseball, winners of seven straight games and nine of their last 10. And as hot as the Tigers are, starting pitcher Max Scherzer is equally as hot. Scherzer looks to become the majors first seven-game winner with a victory on Monday. Moreover, Sherzer has been almost un-hittable at home, posting a 3-0 record with a 0.96 ERA in four starts. In his last two outings at home he has tossed 16 scoreless innings. Kyle Drabek makes the start for the Blue Jays. Drabek is 2-2 with a 4.81 ERA and is looking to avoid his third consecutive loss tonight. Drabek has had some control issues this season and tonight is not a good time for that to happen against the red-hot Tigers and Scherzer. I'm taking the Tigers here and laying what I think is a very good price for a hot team with a hot pitcher.
