<INPUT type=hidden value=3609708 name=hosted_button_id> John Morrison's pick(s) for May 31st, 2009.
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(MLB baseball) -> New York Yankees -130 {Money Line] Their game is against Cleveland at 12:40 PM E.T.
(MLB baseball) -> Minnesota +135 {Money Line} Their game is against Tampa Bay at 1:35 PM E.T.
(MLB baseball) -> St. Louis & San Francisco Under 8 {Total} Their game is at 4:05 PM E.T.
(MLB baseball) -> Los Angeles Dodgers & Chicago Cubs Underr 9.5 {Total} Their game is at 8:05 PM E.T.
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(MLB baseball) -> New York Yankees -130 {Money Line] Their game is against Cleveland at 12:40 PM E.T.
(MLB baseball) -> Minnesota +135 {Money Line} Their game is against Tampa Bay at 1:35 PM E.T.
(MLB baseball) -> St. Louis & San Francisco Under 8 {Total} Their game is at 4:05 PM E.T.
(MLB baseball) -> Los Angeles Dodgers & Chicago Cubs Underr 9.5 {Total} Their game is at 8:05 PM E.T.
BIG AL
At 2:10 pm our selection is on the Kansas City Royals over the Chicago White Sox. You can argue about whether Zack Greinke, Roy Halladay, or Johan Santana has been the better starter over the first couple of months of the season, but there is no argument about which one is the most surprising or most improved. That honor goes to Greinke in a walkover. To be sure, Greinke had very good numbers in 2008, but the way he is going, he is on track to have about the best numbers since Roger Clemens and Pedro Martinez were in their prime. And yet because he pitches for Kansas City, it's never a given when he goes out there that he's going to end up with a "W" at the end of the game. Although they are improved from last season, the Royals are still a sub-.500 squad and will probably end the season that way. But he gets this start at home and against a team with a very similar record to the Royals. After the destruction that KC experienced at the hands of the White Sox on Friday, and its loss last night, rest assured that Greinke will have revenge on his mind. Yesterday's loss was especially heartbreaking, as the White Sox scored two runs in the top of the ninth inning on Saturday to win the game against KC's bullpen. So don't be surprised if Greinke goes all the way this afternoon, and the bullpen has the afternoon off. If he does go the distance, it would already be his sixth complete game of the season. Indeed, Greinke is pitching in rarefied air this season. With an ERA of 0.84, he's the first pitcher since SF's Juan Marichal in 1966 to have an ERA under 1.00 through his first 10 starts. Take the Royals.
At 2:10 pm our selection is on the Kansas City Royals over the Chicago White Sox. You can argue about whether Zack Greinke, Roy Halladay, or Johan Santana has been the better starter over the first couple of months of the season, but there is no argument about which one is the most surprising or most improved. That honor goes to Greinke in a walkover. To be sure, Greinke had very good numbers in 2008, but the way he is going, he is on track to have about the best numbers since Roger Clemens and Pedro Martinez were in their prime. And yet because he pitches for Kansas City, it's never a given when he goes out there that he's going to end up with a "W" at the end of the game. Although they are improved from last season, the Royals are still a sub-.500 squad and will probably end the season that way. But he gets this start at home and against a team with a very similar record to the Royals. After the destruction that KC experienced at the hands of the White Sox on Friday, and its loss last night, rest assured that Greinke will have revenge on his mind. Yesterday's loss was especially heartbreaking, as the White Sox scored two runs in the top of the ninth inning on Saturday to win the game against KC's bullpen. So don't be surprised if Greinke goes all the way this afternoon, and the bullpen has the afternoon off. If he does go the distance, it would already be his sixth complete game of the season. Indeed, Greinke is pitching in rarefied air this season. With an ERA of 0.84, he's the first pitcher since SF's Juan Marichal in 1966 to have an ERA under 1.00 through his first 10 starts. Take the Royals.
Stephen Nover
San Francisco Giants
Jonathan Sanchez is one of the more unpredictable pitchers in baseball. But the Giants lefty is tough at home where he is 2-0 with a 2.42 ERA and 20 strikeouts in 22 1/3 innings.
The Giants are very underrated at home where they have won 17 of their 26 games
Cardinals starter Adam Wainwright is 1-1 with a 5.06 ERA in three career starts versus the Giants. He is not as good on the road as he is at home.
Wainwright is due for a flat spot. He's averaged 109 pitches in his last six starts.
This is a one-unit play for me.
San Francisco Giants
Jonathan Sanchez is one of the more unpredictable pitchers in baseball. But the Giants lefty is tough at home where he is 2-0 with a 2.42 ERA and 20 strikeouts in 22 1/3 innings.
The Giants are very underrated at home where they have won 17 of their 26 games
Cardinals starter Adam Wainwright is 1-1 with a 5.06 ERA in three career starts versus the Giants. He is not as good on the road as he is at home.
Wainwright is due for a flat spot. He's averaged 109 pitches in his last six starts.
This is a one-unit play for me.
John Morrison's pick(s) for May 31st, 2009.
(MLB baseball) -> New York Yankees -130 {Money Line] Their game is against Cleveland at 12:40 PM E.T.
(MLB baseball) -> Minnesota +135 {Money Line} Their game is against Tampa Bay at 1:35 PM E.T.
(MLB baseball) -> St. Louis & San Francisco Under 8 {Total} Their game is at 4:05 PM E.T.
(MLB baseball) -> Los Angeles Dodgers & Chicago Cubs Underr 9.5 {Total} Their game is at 8:05 PM E.T.
(MLB baseball) -> New York Yankees -130 {Money Line] Their game is against Cleveland at 12:40 PM E.T.
(MLB baseball) -> Minnesota +135 {Money Line} Their game is against Tampa Bay at 1:35 PM E.T.
(MLB baseball) -> St. Louis & San Francisco Under 8 {Total} Their game is at 4:05 PM E.T.
(MLB baseball) -> Los Angeles Dodgers & Chicago Cubs Underr 9.5 {Total} Their game is at 8:05 PM E.T.
IC SUNDAY'S COMP PLAY (4 Winners in a Row):
Take Over 9.5 between Atlanta Braves @ Arizona Diamondbacks (Sunday @ 4:30pm). I've always said, the edge always goes to the hitter or the team who got spanked by the other in the game before. For example, we rode both the Angels pitcher and the Mariners pitchers yesterday because in the previous game they were roughed up by both teams for 11 runs. Consequently, the second time these two teams met, the total run output was 7 runs (4-3) game and even that needed 3 runs in the top of the 9th and another run in extras as the game still went under. That is the same philosophy we take today as Atlanta is likely to have some success against Scherzer today. Bear in mind the Braves were roughed up by Scherzer last time out as he went 6 innings in Atlanta, and gave up just 4 hits and 0 runs. He pitched briliantly. Having said that, I believe the Braves get to him early this time out as they have now had a chance to see his stuff and his honeymoon period will come to an end as teams will see him for the second and third time. Medlen is a young arm the Braves have that they are hoping will give them solid work due to several injuries on their pitching staff. The young 23 year old has been struggling averaging around a hit an inning, and he will likely get hit for his fair share of runs as well. The Over is 7-1 when the total is set at this range for the Diamondbacks and the Over is 4-1 with Campos' Sunday games behind the plate.
Take Over 9.5 between Atlanta Braves @ Arizona Diamondbacks (Sunday @ 4:30pm). I've always said, the edge always goes to the hitter or the team who got spanked by the other in the game before. For example, we rode both the Angels pitcher and the Mariners pitchers yesterday because in the previous game they were roughed up by both teams for 11 runs. Consequently, the second time these two teams met, the total run output was 7 runs (4-3) game and even that needed 3 runs in the top of the 9th and another run in extras as the game still went under. That is the same philosophy we take today as Atlanta is likely to have some success against Scherzer today. Bear in mind the Braves were roughed up by Scherzer last time out as he went 6 innings in Atlanta, and gave up just 4 hits and 0 runs. He pitched briliantly. Having said that, I believe the Braves get to him early this time out as they have now had a chance to see his stuff and his honeymoon period will come to an end as teams will see him for the second and third time. Medlen is a young arm the Braves have that they are hoping will give them solid work due to several injuries on their pitching staff. The young 23 year old has been struggling averaging around a hit an inning, and he will likely get hit for his fair share of runs as well. The Over is 7-1 when the total is set at this range for the Diamondbacks and the Over is 4-1 with Campos' Sunday games behind the plate.
Wunderdog
New York Yankees vs. Cleveland Indians
Play: Cleveland Indians +1½
The Yankees are just 22-27 this season to the run line. Dating back to last season they are 13-28 to the run line after 5+ straight road games. Cleveland is 26-16 at home to the run line over that same span. And, Carl Pavano is 11-2 at home against the run line when facing teams that average 5.2+ runs per game. He is also 52-37 over the past decade vs. teams with winning records Cleveland has a good shot at winning this game outright and I like their chances quite a bit with the extra run the run line gives us here.
New York Yankees vs. Cleveland Indians
Play: Cleveland Indians +1½
The Yankees are just 22-27 this season to the run line. Dating back to last season they are 13-28 to the run line after 5+ straight road games. Cleveland is 26-16 at home to the run line over that same span. And, Carl Pavano is 11-2 at home against the run line when facing teams that average 5.2+ runs per game. He is also 52-37 over the past decade vs. teams with winning records Cleveland has a good shot at winning this game outright and I like their chances quite a bit with the extra run the run line gives us here.
Doc's Sports
4-Unit Play Take #978 UNDER 9.5 Runs Texas Rangers Oakland A’s (3:05pm.)
3-Unit Play Take #969 Boston Red Sox -115 over Toronto Blue Jays (1:35pm.)
2-Unit Play Take #957 Cincinnati Reds +170 over Milwaukee Brewers (2:05pm.)
2-Unit Play Take #959 OVER 10 Runs Colorado Rockies San Diego Padres (3:10pm.)
2-Unit Play Take #961 St. Louis Cardinals -160 over San Francisco Giants (4:05pm.)
4-Unit Play Take #978 UNDER 9.5 Runs Texas Rangers Oakland A’s (3:05pm.)
3-Unit Play Take #969 Boston Red Sox -115 over Toronto Blue Jays (1:35pm.)
2-Unit Play Take #957 Cincinnati Reds +170 over Milwaukee Brewers (2:05pm.)
2-Unit Play Take #959 OVER 10 Runs Colorado Rockies San Diego Padres (3:10pm.)
2-Unit Play Take #961 St. Louis Cardinals -160 over San Francisco Giants (4:05pm.)
