Brandon Lang
Saturday ...
15 Dime Mets (List pitchers Maine over Lannan)
5 Dime Twins
5 Dime Dodgers
Free pick - Diamondbacks (See daily video for your analysis on this game)
NOTE: Feels good but still a lot of work to be done.
June and July are very important months to me. Really have to build the bankroll for football starting in August.
Couldn't be more pleased with how June has unfolded so far. Just keep getting on the right side of games more than the wrong and I know everything else will take care of itself.
We’ve added 75 dimes to the bankroll the last three days. That is what I am talking about, but trust me, I want more.
Big winning Saturday sets the table for game 2 on Sunday. Sounds like great strategy to me now doesn't it.
Now to your Saturday baseball winners.
15 Dime Mets (List pitchers Maine over Lannan) - The Mets own the Nationals, it's that simple, and better than I liked the boys from Queens to win yesterday, I am banking on them once again to get it done today. Specifically with John Maine taking on John Lannan. New York's red-hot right-hander will win his fifth straight start against the lowly Nationals. Fact is, it doesn't matter who throws for New York, as it's had no concern in seven games against the Nats this season thanks to a 2.81 ERA in winning six of those matchups.
Maine, who was 0-2 with a 7.47 ERA in his first three starts, is 3-1 with a 2.40 ERA in his last five games, including a strong showing against these same Nats on May 25, when he allowed just one run and four hits in six innings of a 5-2 victory for the Mets. Maine has a stifling 1.52 ERA while the Nationals have a bleak .143 batting average in four straight wins against them. He is now 7-2 with a 3.79 ERA in 11 career starts against Washington, so confidence goes a long way in this one. Especially since Washington's weak lineup has scored just one run in each of its last three contests.
He should get the run support we'll need against Lannan, who gave up five runs and eight hits in five innings in that same May 25 clash. The southpaw is 1-3 with a 5.79 ERA in six starts against the Mets, so I'm looking for big ups from the New York lineup. The Washington rotation has been stinking it up pretty good the past couple weeks, as it hasn't had a starter last more than six innings over its last 12 games, losing 10 of those contests.
All New York once again boys.
5 Dime Twins - Off the extra-inning win last night, the Twins will come in hyped up for this one, so we'll bank on the road team to get it done to make it three in row and five out of six. Love Nick Blackburn, who became one of Minnesota's more reliable starters in May. He's had three straight quality starts, and they've come against rather fiesty opponents - Tampa, Boston and the ChiSox. He closed the month of May against those three, allowing just three earned runs over 20 innings of work. Look for him to keep Ichiro and company off-balance with that effective sinker, while working every corner of every angle with that nasty four-seamer. He is 1-0 with a 3.50 ERA in three career starts against the M's, and I think he's primed for win No. 2 against them.
5 Dime Dodgers - Take the home team after an inspiring win over the Phils last night. This is a battle of arguably the N.L.'s top two teams, and we have to believe the Dodgers will come ready to play for a Saturday night showdown, now that the series is tied 1-1. Hiroki Kuroda was impressive in his first start in nearly two months, tossing five solid innings and allowing two runs. He fanned six and displayed the normal velocity we expect from his heater. And lest we forget, Kuroda comes beat the Phils last year in the playoffs. The Dodgers roll in on winning runs of 5-1 against NL East teams, 5-1 when Kuroda is installed as a favorite and 4-1 in his last five home starts. They've also won 13 of their last 18 Game 3s of a series and 22 of their last 30 against righties. All Dodgers tonight.
Saturday ...
15 Dime Mets (List pitchers Maine over Lannan)
5 Dime Twins
5 Dime Dodgers
Free pick - Diamondbacks (See daily video for your analysis on this game)
NOTE: Feels good but still a lot of work to be done.
June and July are very important months to me. Really have to build the bankroll for football starting in August.
Couldn't be more pleased with how June has unfolded so far. Just keep getting on the right side of games more than the wrong and I know everything else will take care of itself.
We’ve added 75 dimes to the bankroll the last three days. That is what I am talking about, but trust me, I want more.
Big winning Saturday sets the table for game 2 on Sunday. Sounds like great strategy to me now doesn't it.
Now to your Saturday baseball winners.
15 Dime Mets (List pitchers Maine over Lannan) - The Mets own the Nationals, it's that simple, and better than I liked the boys from Queens to win yesterday, I am banking on them once again to get it done today. Specifically with John Maine taking on John Lannan. New York's red-hot right-hander will win his fifth straight start against the lowly Nationals. Fact is, it doesn't matter who throws for New York, as it's had no concern in seven games against the Nats this season thanks to a 2.81 ERA in winning six of those matchups.
Maine, who was 0-2 with a 7.47 ERA in his first three starts, is 3-1 with a 2.40 ERA in his last five games, including a strong showing against these same Nats on May 25, when he allowed just one run and four hits in six innings of a 5-2 victory for the Mets. Maine has a stifling 1.52 ERA while the Nationals have a bleak .143 batting average in four straight wins against them. He is now 7-2 with a 3.79 ERA in 11 career starts against Washington, so confidence goes a long way in this one. Especially since Washington's weak lineup has scored just one run in each of its last three contests.
He should get the run support we'll need against Lannan, who gave up five runs and eight hits in five innings in that same May 25 clash. The southpaw is 1-3 with a 5.79 ERA in six starts against the Mets, so I'm looking for big ups from the New York lineup. The Washington rotation has been stinking it up pretty good the past couple weeks, as it hasn't had a starter last more than six innings over its last 12 games, losing 10 of those contests.
All New York once again boys.
5 Dime Twins - Off the extra-inning win last night, the Twins will come in hyped up for this one, so we'll bank on the road team to get it done to make it three in row and five out of six. Love Nick Blackburn, who became one of Minnesota's more reliable starters in May. He's had three straight quality starts, and they've come against rather fiesty opponents - Tampa, Boston and the ChiSox. He closed the month of May against those three, allowing just three earned runs over 20 innings of work. Look for him to keep Ichiro and company off-balance with that effective sinker, while working every corner of every angle with that nasty four-seamer. He is 1-0 with a 3.50 ERA in three career starts against the M's, and I think he's primed for win No. 2 against them.
5 Dime Dodgers - Take the home team after an inspiring win over the Phils last night. This is a battle of arguably the N.L.'s top two teams, and we have to believe the Dodgers will come ready to play for a Saturday night showdown, now that the series is tied 1-1. Hiroki Kuroda was impressive in his first start in nearly two months, tossing five solid innings and allowing two runs. He fanned six and displayed the normal velocity we expect from his heater. And lest we forget, Kuroda comes beat the Phils last year in the playoffs. The Dodgers roll in on winning runs of 5-1 against NL East teams, 5-1 when Kuroda is installed as a favorite and 4-1 in his last five home starts. They've also won 13 of their last 18 Game 3s of a series and 22 of their last 30 against righties. All Dodgers tonight.
THE SPORTS ADVISORS
NATIONAL LEAGUE
Philadelphia (32-21) at L.A. Dodgers (38-19)
Hiroki Kuroda (1-1, 2.53 ERA) makes just this second start since Opening Day when he leads the Dodgers against the Phillies and Joe Blanton (4-3, 5.86) as this four-game series continues at Dodger Stadium.
Los Angeles earned a come-from-behind 4-3 win Friday night, scoring two in the ninth off Phillies’ closer Brad Lidge to even this four-game set at one game apiece. Andre Ethier delivered a bases-loaded hit with two outs in the ninth for the game-winner, to make the Dodgers 10-1 in one-run games at home this season.
Philadelphia had a seven-game overall and five-game road winning streak halted with Friday’s stunning loss.. The Phillies still lead the major leagues with a 20-7 road record (12-3 in the last 15), and they’re on additional upswings of 56-27 overall, 36-17 on the highway, 17-7 against the N.L. West, 4-0 against right-handed starters, 15-5 on Saturdays, 37-15 versus winning teams.
The Dodgers are still just 4-4 in their last eight games and have been held to two runs or fewer in six of their last nine contests. Despite the recent slump, Los Angeles is still on upticks of 36-17 overall, 41-15 at Dodger Stadium, 5-1 against the N.L. East and 9-4 versus winning teams. Also, the Dodgers’ 21-7 home record is the best in the majors, as is their 38-19 overall mark.
Los Angeles has a 3-2 advantage the season series with Philadelphia, but the Phillies are 10-4 in the last 14 head-to-head battles (playoffs included). However, Philadelphia is still just 3-7 in its last 10 games in Hollywood.
Blanton is 3-0 in his last three starts and 3-1 on the highway this season. Monday in San Diego he gave up three runs on six hits in seven innings of a 5-3 Philadelphia victory. He pitched in Los Angeles twice last season, including once in the postseason, and allowed a combined seven runs on 16 hits in 10 inning of work as the Phillies lost the regular-season matchup 7-6 but won the playoff game 7-5. With Blanton on the mound, the Phillies are on streaks of 19-7 overall and 4-0 on the road.
Kuroda opened the season on April 6 by holding San Diego to one run on four hits in 5 2/3 innings of a 4-1 win, then went on the DL and re-emerged Monday and was sharp against the Diamondbacks, allowing two runs on three hits in five innings and striking out six in a 3-2 Dodgers’ loss. He faced the Phillies three times last season and looked good each time, allowing a combined four runs on nine hits in 19 innings of work as Los Angeles went 2-1. The Dodgers are 7-2 in Kuroda’s last nine outings dating to last season (4-1 in the last five at home).
The under for Philly is on streaks of 11-2-1 overall and 6-1-1 on the road, but the over is 10-6-2 in the Phillies’ last 18 against the N.L. West. For the Dodgers, the “under” is on runs of 7-2 overall, 4-1 on Saturday, 5-1-1 against the N.L. East and 4-1 with Kuroda on the mound. However, even though the first two games of this series have stayed low, the over is still 10-4-2 in the last 16 series meetings in Los Angeles.
ATS ADVANTAGE: UNDER
AMERICAN LEAGUE
Texas (32-22) at Boston (32-23)
The Rangers continue their seven-game East Coast road trip when they send rookie Derek Holland (1-2, 6.33) to the mound for his third career big-league start against the Red Sox and Jon Lester (4-5, 5.65) in a battle of southpaws at Fenway Park.
Texas won Friday’s series-opener 5-1 behind the pitching of Kevin Millwood who allowed just one run in seven innings. The Rangers evened their record at 2-2 on the trip and snapped a four-game Red Sox winning streak.
Boston remains on runs of 81-36 at home, 27-12 when playing on grass, 19-8 against teams with a winning record and 12-4 versus left-handed starters. Meanwhile, Texas is on impressive runs of 22-11 overall, 5-1 on Saturday and 4-1 against southpaw starters, but they’re 19-39 in their last 58 contests on the highway versus lefties.
The Red Sox dominated Texas last year, winning nine of 10 head-to-head meetings, and they’ve won eight of the last nine meetings inside Fenway Park. Going back further, Boston is still 25-10 in the last 35 overall against Texas and 34-10 in the last 44 clashes at Fenway.
Holland was roughed up in his last start, giving up six runs (five earned) in five innings of a 9-2 loss to the Yankees back on May 27. In his only road outing, Holland held the Astros to three runs on five hits in 5 2/3 innings of a 6-3 victory two weeks ago.
Lester was dominant in his start on Sunday in Toronto, allowing one run and three hits while striking out 12 in six innings of an 8-2 win. He faced the Rangers twice last season with Boston coming out on top both times as he allowed three runs in each outing. Boston is 41-20 in Lester’s last 61 starts overall and 23-5 in his last 28 home efforts, but the Sox have lost four of Lester’s last five Saturday outings.
Texas carries “under” trends of 18-7-1 overall, 10-3 on the road, 5-1 against lefty starters and 6-2 on Saturday. Similarly, the Red Sox have stayed low in eight their last 10 overall and six of eight at home, but the over is 11-4-1 in their last 16 Saturday contests and 5-0 in Lester’s last five on Saturday. On the flip side, four of the last six Rangers-Red Sox clashes at Fenway have topped the total.
ATS ADVANTAGE: BOSTON and UNDER
NATIONAL LEAGUE
Philadelphia (32-21) at L.A. Dodgers (38-19)
Hiroki Kuroda (1-1, 2.53 ERA) makes just this second start since Opening Day when he leads the Dodgers against the Phillies and Joe Blanton (4-3, 5.86) as this four-game series continues at Dodger Stadium.
Los Angeles earned a come-from-behind 4-3 win Friday night, scoring two in the ninth off Phillies’ closer Brad Lidge to even this four-game set at one game apiece. Andre Ethier delivered a bases-loaded hit with two outs in the ninth for the game-winner, to make the Dodgers 10-1 in one-run games at home this season.
Philadelphia had a seven-game overall and five-game road winning streak halted with Friday’s stunning loss.. The Phillies still lead the major leagues with a 20-7 road record (12-3 in the last 15), and they’re on additional upswings of 56-27 overall, 36-17 on the highway, 17-7 against the N.L. West, 4-0 against right-handed starters, 15-5 on Saturdays, 37-15 versus winning teams.
The Dodgers are still just 4-4 in their last eight games and have been held to two runs or fewer in six of their last nine contests. Despite the recent slump, Los Angeles is still on upticks of 36-17 overall, 41-15 at Dodger Stadium, 5-1 against the N.L. East and 9-4 versus winning teams. Also, the Dodgers’ 21-7 home record is the best in the majors, as is their 38-19 overall mark.
Los Angeles has a 3-2 advantage the season series with Philadelphia, but the Phillies are 10-4 in the last 14 head-to-head battles (playoffs included). However, Philadelphia is still just 3-7 in its last 10 games in Hollywood.
Blanton is 3-0 in his last three starts and 3-1 on the highway this season. Monday in San Diego he gave up three runs on six hits in seven innings of a 5-3 Philadelphia victory. He pitched in Los Angeles twice last season, including once in the postseason, and allowed a combined seven runs on 16 hits in 10 inning of work as the Phillies lost the regular-season matchup 7-6 but won the playoff game 7-5. With Blanton on the mound, the Phillies are on streaks of 19-7 overall and 4-0 on the road.
Kuroda opened the season on April 6 by holding San Diego to one run on four hits in 5 2/3 innings of a 4-1 win, then went on the DL and re-emerged Monday and was sharp against the Diamondbacks, allowing two runs on three hits in five innings and striking out six in a 3-2 Dodgers’ loss. He faced the Phillies three times last season and looked good each time, allowing a combined four runs on nine hits in 19 innings of work as Los Angeles went 2-1. The Dodgers are 7-2 in Kuroda’s last nine outings dating to last season (4-1 in the last five at home).
The under for Philly is on streaks of 11-2-1 overall and 6-1-1 on the road, but the over is 10-6-2 in the Phillies’ last 18 against the N.L. West. For the Dodgers, the “under” is on runs of 7-2 overall, 4-1 on Saturday, 5-1-1 against the N.L. East and 4-1 with Kuroda on the mound. However, even though the first two games of this series have stayed low, the over is still 10-4-2 in the last 16 series meetings in Los Angeles.
ATS ADVANTAGE: UNDER
AMERICAN LEAGUE
Texas (32-22) at Boston (32-23)
The Rangers continue their seven-game East Coast road trip when they send rookie Derek Holland (1-2, 6.33) to the mound for his third career big-league start against the Red Sox and Jon Lester (4-5, 5.65) in a battle of southpaws at Fenway Park.
Texas won Friday’s series-opener 5-1 behind the pitching of Kevin Millwood who allowed just one run in seven innings. The Rangers evened their record at 2-2 on the trip and snapped a four-game Red Sox winning streak.
Boston remains on runs of 81-36 at home, 27-12 when playing on grass, 19-8 against teams with a winning record and 12-4 versus left-handed starters. Meanwhile, Texas is on impressive runs of 22-11 overall, 5-1 on Saturday and 4-1 against southpaw starters, but they’re 19-39 in their last 58 contests on the highway versus lefties.
The Red Sox dominated Texas last year, winning nine of 10 head-to-head meetings, and they’ve won eight of the last nine meetings inside Fenway Park. Going back further, Boston is still 25-10 in the last 35 overall against Texas and 34-10 in the last 44 clashes at Fenway.
Holland was roughed up in his last start, giving up six runs (five earned) in five innings of a 9-2 loss to the Yankees back on May 27. In his only road outing, Holland held the Astros to three runs on five hits in 5 2/3 innings of a 6-3 victory two weeks ago.
Lester was dominant in his start on Sunday in Toronto, allowing one run and three hits while striking out 12 in six innings of an 8-2 win. He faced the Rangers twice last season with Boston coming out on top both times as he allowed three runs in each outing. Boston is 41-20 in Lester’s last 61 starts overall and 23-5 in his last 28 home efforts, but the Sox have lost four of Lester’s last five Saturday outings.
Texas carries “under” trends of 18-7-1 overall, 10-3 on the road, 5-1 against lefty starters and 6-2 on Saturday. Similarly, the Red Sox have stayed low in eight their last 10 overall and six of eight at home, but the over is 11-4-1 in their last 16 Saturday contests and 5-0 in Lester’s last five on Saturday. On the flip side, four of the last six Rangers-Red Sox clashes at Fenway have topped the total.
ATS ADVANTAGE: BOSTON and UNDER
Steven Budin-CEO
Steven Budin-CEO SATURDAY'S PICK NEW YORK CREW
25 DIME RUN LINE RELEASE
Houston Astros (Oswalt) - 1 1/2 Runs over Pittsburgh (Maholm)
Note From Steve Budin:
The title of this release is "1st Half Game of the Year" - you are NOT betting the first half of the game obviously. You are simply making a run line wager on the Houston Astros. Do not get confused.
BOUGHT,PAID AND CONFIRMED---------GL GUYS
Steven Budin-CEO SATURDAY'S PICK NEW YORK CREW
25 DIME RUN LINE RELEASE
Houston Astros (Oswalt) - 1 1/2 Runs over Pittsburgh (Maholm)
Note From Steve Budin:
The title of this release is "1st Half Game of the Year" - you are NOT betting the first half of the game obviously. You are simply making a run line wager on the Houston Astros. Do not get confused.
BOUGHT,PAID AND CONFIRMED---------GL GUYS
Craig Davis Steven Budin-CEO
Craig Davis Saturday's Lineup
60 Dime ---- RED SOX -1 1/2 RUN LINE (With Holland and Lester as listed pitchers)
15 Dime ---- YANKEES -1 1/2 RUN LINE (With Sabathia as listed pitcher)
BOSTON RED SOX (on the run line -1 1/2) (must list both Holland and Lester) --- Wow, it couldn't have played out better for us, could it have? The Red Sox looked like puke last night, scoring just one run against Kevin Millwood and the Rangers, suffering a 5-1 setback at Fenway Park. A setback to the Rangers at Fenway??? Yes, it's true, and I'm shocked because it doesn't happen often. That's why I've rated this play so highly today... because I don't believe Texas has a chance in heck to keep this game within five runs today. Boston rarely loses to Texas to begin with (25-9 in the last 34 meetings), but it's even worse when these two meet in Fenway Park. Boston has taken 34 of the last 43 from Texas at Fenway and have done it by an average of over five runs per game. Tonight will be no different. Prior to last night's loss, Boston had taken 9 of the previous 10 meetings by an average of 5 runs per contest.
Jon Lester takes the hill for Boston tonight, and although he's only started against the Rangers three times in his career, he's 1-0 with a 4.40 ERA in those three starts. You see, for whatever reason, Lester has gotten some great run support when facing the Rangers and I don't see it any differently tonight. The Boston bats were quiet in Game 1 of this series vs. ace Kevin Millwood, but I can't imagine in a million years Derek Holland being able to keep them quiet tonight (more on him in a minute). Lester has been up and down so far this year, but his last start was definitely encouraging. Lester beat the Toronto Blue Jays 8-2, scattering 3 hits and one earned run over six innings while striking out 12 batters. At home, Lester has started 35 games and has compiled an 18-4 record, posting an ERA of 3.53.
Now, back to Holland. As many of you know who have been following me this baseball season, I absolutely hate pitchers who are bounced back and forth between the rotation and the bullpen. It sucks. Holland fits that mold. He's started just two games so far this year with an 0-1 record and a 1-2 overall record in all games pitched (including bullpen). Holland was roughed up in those two starts, including allowing 5 earned runs in five innings of work. Holland's season ERA is 6.33 and his WHIP is an atrocious 1.59, not to mention the fact he fatigues as the game wears on and begins laboring far earlier than most starting pitchers. His numbers get worse the longer he pitches, so our hope today is that the Red Sox get to him early and force Ron Washington to get to his bullpen earlier than normal. Holland stinks and so does the Texas bullpen.
Boston is 7-1 in their last eight home games vs. teams with a winning record, 5-0 in Lester's last five starts vs. a team with a winning record and 22-4 in Lester's last 26 starts as a home favorite. This game will be decided by the 6th inning as I expect the Red Sox to absolutely bombard the Rangers at home tonight.
NY YANKEES (on the run line -1 1/2) (must list CC Sabathia) --- CC Sabathia is now finally pitching in post-season form, allowing just nine earned runs in his last five games for a current ERA of 3.46. Sabathia seems to own the Rays in his career, too, winning seven times in 11 starts with only one loss. He's also struck out 73 batters in 81 innings of work vs. Tampa Bay while allowing the Rays to hit just .229 in those 11 starts. Sabathia has yet to face the Rays this year as a member of the Yankees, and now that they own the best record in the American League they plan on protecting it.
Right now the Yankees and Red Sox, as expected, are tied atop the American League East division as we head into the summer months. New York has won 10 of their last 13 home games while the Rays have continued to struggle on the road, winning just 12 times in 29 games. They send David Price to the hill, having pitched just 9 innings as a starter. Price made a name for himself in the 2008 playoffs, but for some reason wasn't thought to be "ready" to be promoted to the starting rotation this year until just recently. Though his 3.00 ERA is currently better than Sabathia's, let's also keep in mind he hasn't gone past the 6th inning yet and likely isn't ready to run his pitch count up. I'll take my chances against an Evan Longoria-less offensive lineup and a pitcher who hasn't yet proven himself as a full-fledged starter.
BOUGHT,PAID AND CONFIRMED--------GL GUYS
Craig Davis Saturday's Lineup
60 Dime ---- RED SOX -1 1/2 RUN LINE (With Holland and Lester as listed pitchers)
15 Dime ---- YANKEES -1 1/2 RUN LINE (With Sabathia as listed pitcher)
BOSTON RED SOX (on the run line -1 1/2) (must list both Holland and Lester) --- Wow, it couldn't have played out better for us, could it have? The Red Sox looked like puke last night, scoring just one run against Kevin Millwood and the Rangers, suffering a 5-1 setback at Fenway Park. A setback to the Rangers at Fenway??? Yes, it's true, and I'm shocked because it doesn't happen often. That's why I've rated this play so highly today... because I don't believe Texas has a chance in heck to keep this game within five runs today. Boston rarely loses to Texas to begin with (25-9 in the last 34 meetings), but it's even worse when these two meet in Fenway Park. Boston has taken 34 of the last 43 from Texas at Fenway and have done it by an average of over five runs per game. Tonight will be no different. Prior to last night's loss, Boston had taken 9 of the previous 10 meetings by an average of 5 runs per contest.
Jon Lester takes the hill for Boston tonight, and although he's only started against the Rangers three times in his career, he's 1-0 with a 4.40 ERA in those three starts. You see, for whatever reason, Lester has gotten some great run support when facing the Rangers and I don't see it any differently tonight. The Boston bats were quiet in Game 1 of this series vs. ace Kevin Millwood, but I can't imagine in a million years Derek Holland being able to keep them quiet tonight (more on him in a minute). Lester has been up and down so far this year, but his last start was definitely encouraging. Lester beat the Toronto Blue Jays 8-2, scattering 3 hits and one earned run over six innings while striking out 12 batters. At home, Lester has started 35 games and has compiled an 18-4 record, posting an ERA of 3.53.
Now, back to Holland. As many of you know who have been following me this baseball season, I absolutely hate pitchers who are bounced back and forth between the rotation and the bullpen. It sucks. Holland fits that mold. He's started just two games so far this year with an 0-1 record and a 1-2 overall record in all games pitched (including bullpen). Holland was roughed up in those two starts, including allowing 5 earned runs in five innings of work. Holland's season ERA is 6.33 and his WHIP is an atrocious 1.59, not to mention the fact he fatigues as the game wears on and begins laboring far earlier than most starting pitchers. His numbers get worse the longer he pitches, so our hope today is that the Red Sox get to him early and force Ron Washington to get to his bullpen earlier than normal. Holland stinks and so does the Texas bullpen.
Boston is 7-1 in their last eight home games vs. teams with a winning record, 5-0 in Lester's last five starts vs. a team with a winning record and 22-4 in Lester's last 26 starts as a home favorite. This game will be decided by the 6th inning as I expect the Red Sox to absolutely bombard the Rangers at home tonight.
NY YANKEES (on the run line -1 1/2) (must list CC Sabathia) --- CC Sabathia is now finally pitching in post-season form, allowing just nine earned runs in his last five games for a current ERA of 3.46. Sabathia seems to own the Rays in his career, too, winning seven times in 11 starts with only one loss. He's also struck out 73 batters in 81 innings of work vs. Tampa Bay while allowing the Rays to hit just .229 in those 11 starts. Sabathia has yet to face the Rays this year as a member of the Yankees, and now that they own the best record in the American League they plan on protecting it.
Right now the Yankees and Red Sox, as expected, are tied atop the American League East division as we head into the summer months. New York has won 10 of their last 13 home games while the Rays have continued to struggle on the road, winning just 12 times in 29 games. They send David Price to the hill, having pitched just 9 innings as a starter. Price made a name for himself in the 2008 playoffs, but for some reason wasn't thought to be "ready" to be promoted to the starting rotation this year until just recently. Though his 3.00 ERA is currently better than Sabathia's, let's also keep in mind he hasn't gone past the 6th inning yet and likely isn't ready to run his pitch count up. I'll take my chances against an Evan Longoria-less offensive lineup and a pitcher who hasn't yet proven himself as a full-fledged starter.
BOUGHT,PAID AND CONFIRMED--------GL GUYS
SportsOddsAndPicks.com for Saturday:
Major League Baseball
HOUSTON -145 (with Oswalt) over Pittsburgh
OVER 9 RUNS Chicago Cubs at Cincinnati
NHL Playoffs
OVER 5.5 GOALS Pittsburgh at Detroit
141st BELMONT STAKES
SUMMER BIRD to WIN -- Morning Line: 12-to-1
DUNDKIRK to PLACE -- Morning Line: 4-to-1
MINE THAT BIRD to SHOW -- Morning Line: 2-to-1
Major League Baseball
HOUSTON -145 (with Oswalt) over Pittsburgh
OVER 9 RUNS Chicago Cubs at Cincinnati
NHL Playoffs
OVER 5.5 GOALS Pittsburgh at Detroit
141st BELMONT STAKES
SUMMER BIRD to WIN -- Morning Line: 12-to-1
DUNDKIRK to PLACE -- Morning Line: 4-to-1
MINE THAT BIRD to SHOW -- Morning Line: 2-to-1
We Cover Spreads
Mets-113
John Lannan is over valued in this spot tonight vs. the Mets. We know they have been short handed due to injuries but this line still is off in our eyes. Lannan had a bad performance earlier this season vs. the Mets. In just five innings on the hill he gave up eight hits, five earned runs, and had a 0 strike out to 4 walks ratio in the 5-2 defeat. Last season against the Mets he gave up 10 earned runs in three starts while allowing Mets batters a .421 average. The Mets are batting .283 on the highway vs. southpaws this season which doesn't look good for Lannan.
He will be facing John Maine who has dominated the Nats line up in the past. In seven starts over the past three seasons he has allowed just 13 total runs against Washington, less than 2 runs per outing. Over the past three seasons the Nationals batters are only hitting .184 vs. the righty. Earlier this season Nats struggled with Maines' off-speed pitches as he gave up just four hits and 1 earned run in six innings of work. We have no problem laying short chalk against the worst team in baseball. The Mets are 4-0 in Maines' last four starts vs. the Nats and on the other side the Nats are 1-5 in Lannans' previous six starts vs. New York.
Cardinals-119
Aaron Cook has struggled this season with a 4.94 ERA, a 28 to 25 strike out to walk ratio, and his team has lost seven of his 10 starts this season. In just two starts vs. St. Louis in the past three seasons he allowed 9 earned runs. He has been fade material on the road with a 5.81 ERA while allowing 20 earned runs in just 31 innings of work this season. He shows a 1-2 record on the road this season but the Rockies have lost five of his six starts on the highway.
St. Louis is batting .284 vs right handers at home and we expect them to bounce back from last nights 11-4 loss. Todd Wellemeyer who is starting tonight sports an ERA over 5.00; but his last three games he has been steadily improving. He has won two of his last three starts and has a 2.76 ERA with a 12 strike out to 6 walks ratio. He hasn't allowed any long balls in those past three starts so we don't expect the Rockies bats to do as much damage as they have in their last two games. He is a good pitcher and earned 13 wins last year in his first full season as a starter. He already has five under his belt and we think he is going to get stronger as the season progresses. They have the better bullpen between the two teams yielding a 3.75 ERA vs. the shaky Rockies pen with a 4.59 ERA on the year. Colorado has dropped nine of their last 12 games in St. Louis.
Mets-113
John Lannan is over valued in this spot tonight vs. the Mets. We know they have been short handed due to injuries but this line still is off in our eyes. Lannan had a bad performance earlier this season vs. the Mets. In just five innings on the hill he gave up eight hits, five earned runs, and had a 0 strike out to 4 walks ratio in the 5-2 defeat. Last season against the Mets he gave up 10 earned runs in three starts while allowing Mets batters a .421 average. The Mets are batting .283 on the highway vs. southpaws this season which doesn't look good for Lannan.
He will be facing John Maine who has dominated the Nats line up in the past. In seven starts over the past three seasons he has allowed just 13 total runs against Washington, less than 2 runs per outing. Over the past three seasons the Nationals batters are only hitting .184 vs. the righty. Earlier this season Nats struggled with Maines' off-speed pitches as he gave up just four hits and 1 earned run in six innings of work. We have no problem laying short chalk against the worst team in baseball. The Mets are 4-0 in Maines' last four starts vs. the Nats and on the other side the Nats are 1-5 in Lannans' previous six starts vs. New York.
Cardinals-119
Aaron Cook has struggled this season with a 4.94 ERA, a 28 to 25 strike out to walk ratio, and his team has lost seven of his 10 starts this season. In just two starts vs. St. Louis in the past three seasons he allowed 9 earned runs. He has been fade material on the road with a 5.81 ERA while allowing 20 earned runs in just 31 innings of work this season. He shows a 1-2 record on the road this season but the Rockies have lost five of his six starts on the highway.
St. Louis is batting .284 vs right handers at home and we expect them to bounce back from last nights 11-4 loss. Todd Wellemeyer who is starting tonight sports an ERA over 5.00; but his last three games he has been steadily improving. He has won two of his last three starts and has a 2.76 ERA with a 12 strike out to 6 walks ratio. He hasn't allowed any long balls in those past three starts so we don't expect the Rockies bats to do as much damage as they have in their last two games. He is a good pitcher and earned 13 wins last year in his first full season as a starter. He already has five under his belt and we think he is going to get stronger as the season progresses. They have the better bullpen between the two teams yielding a 3.75 ERA vs. the shaky Rockies pen with a 4.59 ERA on the year. Colorado has dropped nine of their last 12 games in St. Louis.
Bob Donahue
Chicago at Cincinnati
Pick: Cincinnati +124
The Chicago Cubs look to win three in a row for the first time in three weeks behind Ryan Dempster. Dempster is coming off a great start going seven innings and giving up no runs on his way to victory. Dempster will be up against a very good rookie making his major league debut, Matt Maloney. Maloney is 4-3 with a 2.00 ERA in ten Triple-A starts this season, and has a stingy .73 ERA in his last five starts. I look for Maloney to come out and shut down this Cubs offense which is not great. The Reds will not regret the call up of this rookie, Take the Reds.
Chicago at Cincinnati
Pick: Cincinnati +124
The Chicago Cubs look to win three in a row for the first time in three weeks behind Ryan Dempster. Dempster is coming off a great start going seven innings and giving up no runs on his way to victory. Dempster will be up against a very good rookie making his major league debut, Matt Maloney. Maloney is 4-3 with a 2.00 ERA in ten Triple-A starts this season, and has a stingy .73 ERA in his last five starts. I look for Maloney to come out and shut down this Cubs offense which is not great. The Reds will not regret the call up of this rookie, Take the Reds.
