CappersJungle
MIN TWINS
Pitcher: N BLACKBURN-R
-103
(20 Dimes)
$206 to win $200
NY YANKEES
Pitcher: CHAMBERLAIN-R
Run Line -1½-145
(10 Dimes)
$145 to win $100
NHL
PIT
GAME2
PUCK LINE -1½+160
(5 DIMES)
$50 TO WIN $80
Bonus Play run in 1st inning chase system
2 Units on Wash game YES TO SCORE in 1st inning
1 Unit YES on Toronto
1 Units YES on Minnesota
1 Units NO SEATTLE
1 Unit NO OAKLAND
MIN TWINS
Pitcher: N BLACKBURN-R
-103
(20 Dimes)
$206 to win $200
NY YANKEES
Pitcher: CHAMBERLAIN-R
Run Line -1½-145
(10 Dimes)
$145 to win $100
NHL
PIT
GAME2
PUCK LINE -1½+160
(5 DIMES)
$50 TO WIN $80
Bonus Play run in 1st inning chase system
2 Units on Wash game YES TO SCORE in 1st inning
1 Unit YES on Toronto
1 Units YES on Minnesota
1 Units NO SEATTLE
1 Unit NO OAKLAND
Brian Joseph Baseball Best Bet
Pittsburgh Pirates (+106) over Washington Nationals
As much as I’ve slammed Ian Snell this year, his batting line of .229/.318/.385 in 111 PAs is actually pretty good. But that’s not the main reason I like the Pirates over the Nationals.
Enter Craig Stammen. Who? CRAIG STAMMEN! Stammen has actually been impressive at Triple-A Syracuse where he has posted a 4-2 record and 1.80 ERA. The problem I see with Stammen in this game is actually his, well, “Stammen-a.” (Should I just go back to the 8-Ball jokes?) In seven starts at Triple-A, Stammen is averaging 5-2/3 innings. That makes the Nationals “relief” a factor.
If the Pirates can make sure to push Stammen’s pitch count early, they get a crack at the awful Nationals bullpen. The 1-15 ‘pen lost another on Wednesday and is ripe for another disaster. Snell could surprise me and that would make this one even easier. Argggh! I’ll take the Pirates to bring home the booty!
Pittsburgh Pirates (+106) over Washington Nationals
As much as I’ve slammed Ian Snell this year, his batting line of .229/.318/.385 in 111 PAs is actually pretty good. But that’s not the main reason I like the Pirates over the Nationals.
Enter Craig Stammen. Who? CRAIG STAMMEN! Stammen has actually been impressive at Triple-A Syracuse where he has posted a 4-2 record and 1.80 ERA. The problem I see with Stammen in this game is actually his, well, “Stammen-a.” (Should I just go back to the 8-Ball jokes?) In seven starts at Triple-A, Stammen is averaging 5-2/3 innings. That makes the Nationals “relief” a factor.
If the Pirates can make sure to push Stammen’s pitch count early, they get a crack at the awful Nationals bullpen. The 1-15 ‘pen lost another on Wednesday and is ripe for another disaster. Snell could surprise me and that would make this one even easier. Argggh! I’ll take the Pirates to bring home the booty!
Randall the Handle
Pittsburgh +1.06 over WASHINGTON PINNACLE
The pathetic Nationals are reeling so badly right now that any take-back against them has to be considered the prudent move. They just can’t win and with each loss it gets more difficult to pick up a W. Tonight they’ll rely on a rookie pitcher again with the worst bullpen in history backing him up. Craig Stammen had a decent ERA at Triple-A Syracuse but ERA does not tell the whole story. He finished the season last year 1-4 with a 7.33 ERA in nine appearances. Eight of those nine appearances were starts with Triple-A Columbus of the International League and it’s also worth noting that he started the year at Class-A. This season at Syracuse he struck out just 14 batters in 40 innings and now he’s being asked to step into a pressure-filled role at the highest level there is. If he can’t whiff minor-leaguers, major-leaguers should smack him around. The Nats are making a lot of premature moves and this can’t turn out good for them. This is a team in big trouble and with the Pirates winning six straight and feeling great they surely have an edge here. Play: Pittsburgh +1.06 (Risking 2 units).
ATLANTA –1½ +1.77 over Colorado PINNACLE
Unlike the Nats, the Braves bring pitching prospects along slowly and only promote them when they’re absolutely ready to make the leap from the minors to the majors. Enter Kris Medlan, a guy that’s been tearing it up in the minors. Pitching this year for the Gwinnett Braves of the Triple-A International League he’s gone 5-0 with a 1.19 ERA. In 37 innings he’s allowed just 20 hits, none of them homeruns, while striking out 44. In three May starts his ERA was 0.45. The kid is ready and the Braves hitters will be a little juiced up in support of Medlan. Aaron Cook has made eight starts and while he’s 2-1, the team is just 2-6 when he starts. Cook has made four road starts and has been completely crushed in all but one of them. That one quality start was in San Diego and that park makes everyone look good. The Braves have won nine of its last 13 games, they’ve scored 20 runs in the last two days against the Rockies and they should have an easy time of it again here. Play: Atlanta –1½ +1.77 (Risking 2 units).
Randall theHandle
Denver +2.20 over L.A. LAKERS PINNACLE
The Nuggets pretty much had the lead the whole game in the opener of this series only to fall behind with about 50 seconds left in the fourth quarter. Had they converted a higher percentage of their free throws, the game might not have been close. Anyway, there is no denying that the Nuggets can go toe-to-toe with the Lakers and then some. Game one was a good lesson and even though they lost, the Nuggets have to be feeling pretty good about their chances here. Carmello Anthony was terrific, Chancey Billups is a playoff monster, the defense is terrific and they’ll make the adjustments and compete again in this one. The Lakers are almost always overpriced and while the 5½ points is tempting, there is just too much value straight up to pass on the Nuggets. Play: Denver +2.20 (Risking 2 units)
Pittsburgh +1.06 over WASHINGTON PINNACLE
The pathetic Nationals are reeling so badly right now that any take-back against them has to be considered the prudent move. They just can’t win and with each loss it gets more difficult to pick up a W. Tonight they’ll rely on a rookie pitcher again with the worst bullpen in history backing him up. Craig Stammen had a decent ERA at Triple-A Syracuse but ERA does not tell the whole story. He finished the season last year 1-4 with a 7.33 ERA in nine appearances. Eight of those nine appearances were starts with Triple-A Columbus of the International League and it’s also worth noting that he started the year at Class-A. This season at Syracuse he struck out just 14 batters in 40 innings and now he’s being asked to step into a pressure-filled role at the highest level there is. If he can’t whiff minor-leaguers, major-leaguers should smack him around. The Nats are making a lot of premature moves and this can’t turn out good for them. This is a team in big trouble and with the Pirates winning six straight and feeling great they surely have an edge here. Play: Pittsburgh +1.06 (Risking 2 units).
ATLANTA –1½ +1.77 over Colorado PINNACLE
Unlike the Nats, the Braves bring pitching prospects along slowly and only promote them when they’re absolutely ready to make the leap from the minors to the majors. Enter Kris Medlan, a guy that’s been tearing it up in the minors. Pitching this year for the Gwinnett Braves of the Triple-A International League he’s gone 5-0 with a 1.19 ERA. In 37 innings he’s allowed just 20 hits, none of them homeruns, while striking out 44. In three May starts his ERA was 0.45. The kid is ready and the Braves hitters will be a little juiced up in support of Medlan. Aaron Cook has made eight starts and while he’s 2-1, the team is just 2-6 when he starts. Cook has made four road starts and has been completely crushed in all but one of them. That one quality start was in San Diego and that park makes everyone look good. The Braves have won nine of its last 13 games, they’ve scored 20 runs in the last two days against the Rockies and they should have an easy time of it again here. Play: Atlanta –1½ +1.77 (Risking 2 units).
Randall theHandle
Denver +2.20 over L.A. LAKERS PINNACLE
The Nuggets pretty much had the lead the whole game in the opener of this series only to fall behind with about 50 seconds left in the fourth quarter. Had they converted a higher percentage of their free throws, the game might not have been close. Anyway, there is no denying that the Nuggets can go toe-to-toe with the Lakers and then some. Game one was a good lesson and even though they lost, the Nuggets have to be feeling pretty good about their chances here. Carmello Anthony was terrific, Chancey Billups is a playoff monster, the defense is terrific and they’ll make the adjustments and compete again in this one. The Lakers are almost always overpriced and while the 5½ points is tempting, there is just too much value straight up to pass on the Nuggets. Play: Denver +2.20 (Risking 2 units)
