BIG AL's THURSDAY AFTERNOON MLB TOTALS S*M*A*S*H
At 3:35 pm our selection is on the Texas Rangers and Oakland Athletics 'under' the total. If the Rangers can get righthander Scott Feldman three more starts this season, and if those three starts can all be on the road, then Feldman has a great chance to become the fourth 20-game winner in Rangers history. His 17 wins are the second most by a Rangers pitcher this decade behind 18 won by Kenny Rogers in 2004 but consider this amazing statistic: Feldman is 12-1 with a 2.58 ERA in 15 games, including 14 starts, on the road this season. To be victorious in that high a percentage of road starts is almost unheard of. Oakland's 21-year-old rookie lefthander Brett Anderson also has a chance to make his mark this season. If Anderson can get just three more strikeouts -- he should be able to do that this afternoon against the free-swinging Rangers -- then he will set the Oakland rookie season record for strikeouts at 142. He seems to be in a strikeout mood lately also, having just fanned a career-high 10 over six shutout innings in his last start against the Indians. He was taken out after 89 pitches because he's passed his career high in innings pitched. It was Anderson's third win in three starts this month, and his command has been tremendous of late: He's averaging one walk over his past six assignments. Finally, the Rangers have gone 'under' the total in 19 of Feldman's 27 starts, and Texas is also 36-15 'under' vs. lefties this year. Take the 'under'. As always, good luck...Al McMordie.
At 3:35 pm our selection is on the Texas Rangers and Oakland Athletics 'under' the total. If the Rangers can get righthander Scott Feldman three more starts this season, and if those three starts can all be on the road, then Feldman has a great chance to become the fourth 20-game winner in Rangers history. His 17 wins are the second most by a Rangers pitcher this decade behind 18 won by Kenny Rogers in 2004 but consider this amazing statistic: Feldman is 12-1 with a 2.58 ERA in 15 games, including 14 starts, on the road this season. To be victorious in that high a percentage of road starts is almost unheard of. Oakland's 21-year-old rookie lefthander Brett Anderson also has a chance to make his mark this season. If Anderson can get just three more strikeouts -- he should be able to do that this afternoon against the free-swinging Rangers -- then he will set the Oakland rookie season record for strikeouts at 142. He seems to be in a strikeout mood lately also, having just fanned a career-high 10 over six shutout innings in his last start against the Indians. He was taken out after 89 pitches because he's passed his career high in innings pitched. It was Anderson's third win in three starts this month, and his command has been tremendous of late: He's averaging one walk over his past six assignments. Finally, the Rangers have gone 'under' the total in 19 of Feldman's 27 starts, and Texas is also 36-15 'under' vs. lefties this year. Take the 'under'. As always, good luck...Al McMordie.
Kelso Highrollers Baseball
Thursday, September 24, 2009
15 UnitsRockies {J.Hammel} (-1½ Runs, +110) over Padres {C.Richard}
8:40 PM -- Coors Field
COLORADO ROCKIES (86-66) – 1½ Runs +110 over San Diego Padres (70-83) Pitching for Colorado: RH Jason Hammel (9-8, 4.35) Pitching for San Diego: LH Clayton Richard (8-5, 4.69) Starting Time: 8:40 TV: Channel 4 San Diego, Fox Sports Rocky Mountains
Partly cloudy with a 30-percent chance of rain. Winds blowing in from left field at 5-10 m.p.h. Game-time temperature: Around 55.
Thursday, September 24, 2009
15 UnitsRockies {J.Hammel} (-1½ Runs, +110) over Padres {C.Richard}
8:40 PM -- Coors Field
COLORADO ROCKIES (86-66) – 1½ Runs +110 over San Diego Padres (70-83) Pitching for Colorado: RH Jason Hammel (9-8, 4.35) Pitching for San Diego: LH Clayton Richard (8-5, 4.69) Starting Time: 8:40 TV: Channel 4 San Diego, Fox Sports Rocky Mountains
Partly cloudy with a 30-percent chance of rain. Winds blowing in from left field at 5-10 m.p.h. Game-time temperature: Around 55.
Norm CFB Saturday
Norm crapped the bed Saturday (8-18) including 1-5 on the Double Plays.
Proceed accordingly:
NCAA
Double Plays
Penn State -9.5 vs Iowa
USC -45 vs Washington State
BYU -14.5 vs Colorado State
Single Plays
Arkansas +17 vs Alabama
Michigan -21 vs Indiana
Miami, FL -2.5 vs Virginia Tech
Kansas -13.5 vs So. Miss
Arizona +2 vs Oregan State
Auburn -32 vs Ball State
TCU +2.5 vs Clemson
Florida State -14.5 vs So. Florida
Georgia -12.5 vs Arizona State
Nevada +7 vs Missouri
Tennessee -21.5 vs Ohio
Navy -28.5 vs W. Kentucky
North Texas +7 vs Middle Tennessee State
Norm crapped the bed Saturday (8-18) including 1-5 on the Double Plays.
Proceed accordingly:
NCAA
Double Plays
Penn State -9.5 vs Iowa
USC -45 vs Washington State
BYU -14.5 vs Colorado State
Single Plays
Arkansas +17 vs Alabama
Michigan -21 vs Indiana
Miami, FL -2.5 vs Virginia Tech
Kansas -13.5 vs So. Miss
Arizona +2 vs Oregan State
Auburn -32 vs Ball State
TCU +2.5 vs Clemson
Florida State -14.5 vs So. Florida
Georgia -12.5 vs Arizona State
Nevada +7 vs Missouri
Tennessee -21.5 vs Ohio
Navy -28.5 vs W. Kentucky
North Texas +7 vs Middle Tennessee State
Norm Hitzges NFL Sunday
15-12 NFL which is much better than his college picks to date.
NFL
Green Bay -6.5 vs St. Louis
Tennessee +2 vs NY Jets
Houston -4 vs Jacksonville
Atlanta +4 vs New England
Houston/Jacksonville Over 46.5
Washington/Detroit Under 38.5
Buffalo/New Orleans Over 52.5
Denver/Oakland Under 35.5
Atlanta/New England Over 44.5
Dallas/Carolina Over 46
15-12 NFL which is much better than his college picks to date.
NFL
Green Bay -6.5 vs St. Louis
Tennessee +2 vs NY Jets
Houston -4 vs Jacksonville
Atlanta +4 vs New England
Houston/Jacksonville Over 46.5
Washington/Detroit Under 38.5
Buffalo/New Orleans Over 52.5
Denver/Oakland Under 35.5
Atlanta/New England Over 44.5
Dallas/Carolina Over 46
4 Unit Play. Take Under 9.5 between the LA Dodgers @ Washington Nationals (Friday @ 7pm est). Padilla comes off a shaky effort with his new ballclub his last time out. I expect him to have a better effort today as he looks to rebound from giving up four runs to the Giants at home as the Dodgers went on to lose the game 4-8. I guess it was a bit expected as Padilla had back to back quality starts giving up just 2 runs in San Fran and Arizona and obviously, San Fran had the revenge angle given that they faced Vincente. As Vincete faces Washington who has not really seen him, I expect him to pitch well. Martin is the second best pitcher on the Nationals staff as he is putting together a string of quality starts and given that the Dodgers don't have a great deal of experience against him - and the fact that 75% of the public favors the Dodgers here and the line is about -150, I expect the Nats hurler to have a quality and competitive start today. The Under is 9-3-1 in Dodger's games when the total is set at this mark and the Under is 4-1 in Martin's last five starts as an Underdog.
4 Unit Play. #910. Take Under 8 between the Chicago Cubs @ San Francisco Giants (Friday @ 10:15pm est). Penny had a disappointing effort his last time out for this new ballclub in the Giants. He gave up seven runs in less than 3 innings at LA. Of course, that came off him dominating the Dodgers at home in San Fran as the Giants went on to win that game 7-2. He had only defeated the Padres in the start prior to that 9-4 giving up just two runs in seven innings. I expect Penny to bounce-back today and the Giants to have a strong chance of winning given they are just four games back of the Rockies. Having said that, I can't go against Ryan Dempster who pitched brilliantly in his last start but fell short 1-2 as he picked up a no-decision. It was a shame as he pitched 8 innings of 1 run ball. Rino usually has a non-quality start after two quality starts and I wouldn't be surprised to see the Giants to also take the side here given the playoff implications that exist. But, given the strong reverse movement on the line here as the Giants opened up at -130, it makes me a bit weary of the side. Rather, let's take the under today. The Under is 5-1 when Dempster faces a winning team on the road and the Under is 13-5-1 when the Giants are favored by this margin at home.
Good luck,
IC
4 Unit Play. #910. Take Under 8 between the Chicago Cubs @ San Francisco Giants (Friday @ 10:15pm est). Penny had a disappointing effort his last time out for this new ballclub in the Giants. He gave up seven runs in less than 3 innings at LA. Of course, that came off him dominating the Dodgers at home in San Fran as the Giants went on to win that game 7-2. He had only defeated the Padres in the start prior to that 9-4 giving up just two runs in seven innings. I expect Penny to bounce-back today and the Giants to have a strong chance of winning given they are just four games back of the Rockies. Having said that, I can't go against Ryan Dempster who pitched brilliantly in his last start but fell short 1-2 as he picked up a no-decision. It was a shame as he pitched 8 innings of 1 run ball. Rino usually has a non-quality start after two quality starts and I wouldn't be surprised to see the Giants to also take the side here given the playoff implications that exist. But, given the strong reverse movement on the line here as the Giants opened up at -130, it makes me a bit weary of the side. Rather, let's take the under today. The Under is 5-1 when Dempster faces a winning team on the road and the Under is 13-5-1 when the Giants are favored by this margin at home.
Good luck,
IC
2-Unit Play. Take #910 San Francisco (-110) over Chicago Cubs (10 p.m., Thursday, Sept. 24)
1-Unit Play. Take 'Under' 8.0 Chicago at San Francisco (10 p.m., Thursday, Sept. 24)
0.5-Unit Play. Take L.A. Dodgers (-145) over Washington (7 p.m., Thursday, Sept. 24)
0.5-Unit Play. Take 'Under' 9.5 L.A. Dodgers at Washington (7 p.m., Thursday, Sept. 24)
0.5-Unit Play. Take #911 Texas (-105) over Oakland (3:30 p.m., Thursday, Sept. 24)
Ferringo
1-Unit Play. Take 'Under' 8.0 Chicago at San Francisco (10 p.m., Thursday, Sept. 24)
0.5-Unit Play. Take L.A. Dodgers (-145) over Washington (7 p.m., Thursday, Sept. 24)
0.5-Unit Play. Take 'Under' 9.5 L.A. Dodgers at Washington (7 p.m., Thursday, Sept. 24)
0.5-Unit Play. Take #911 Texas (-105) over Oakland (3:30 p.m., Thursday, Sept. 24)
Ferringo
*12:35 ET* CIN/PIT! 22-10 RUN
Scott Rickenbach’s MLB 6* (Regular Play) Cincinnati Reds Money Line (-) @ Pittsburgh @ 12:35 PM ET: Arroyo vs Morton –
Cincinnati Reds (Arroyo)-125 over PITTSBURGH PIRATES (Morton)
We don’t play big favorites in baseball and we rarely even step into the “moderate” price range that the Reds are listed at today. However, this is a classic case of two teams heading in opposite directions right now and – along with the pitching advantage that Bronson Arroyo gives us here – we have no qualms about laying the 130+ price on Cincinnati. The Reds have defeated the Pirates seven straight times. Cincy’s two wins in this series have come by a combined score of 22-6. The Pirates have lost eight of their last nine home games and we look for them to struggle once again at PNC Park this afternoon. Pittsburgh is an ugly 5-24 in their last 29 games. As for the Reds, they are 20-10 in their last 30 games. It seems apparent that Cincinnati is already trying to build momentum for next season while the Pirates are simply “playing out the string” and just can’t wait for this season to come to a close. Charlie Morton gets the start for Pittsburgh this afternoon and he’s 1-1 with a 6.35 ERA against the Reds this season. Morton has pitched better since mid-August but still has nearly as many walks as strikeouts over his last five starts. Also, the right-hander has allowed 32 hits in his last 30.1 innings so he certainly hasn’t been dominant. He just got rocked at Cincinnati in his first start this month as Morton gave up six earned runs on 9 hits and 4 walks in just five innings of work. He struck out just one Red in what was a very rough performance for him. Morton is coming off of a strong start in his most recent outing but it came against a Padres club that has one of the weakest lineups in baseball. Morton will be no match for Arroyo here. The Reds right-hander began his career with the Pirates and he shut them down on just four hits in eight shutout innings back on May 1st. Arroyo has been a “machine” of late as he’s lasted at least seven innings in each of his last ten starts. This dates back to August 1st and Arroyo’s ERA is a solid 2.06 since then! Opponents are hitting just .219 against Arroyo in August and September combined and he stays red-hot hear against a Pirates team that can’t wait for this season’s misery to end. Play Cincinnati on the money line as a 6* Regular Play selection.
Scott Rickenbach’s MLB 6* (Regular Play) Cincinnati Reds Money Line (-) @ Pittsburgh @ 12:35 PM ET: Arroyo vs Morton –
Cincinnati Reds (Arroyo)-125 over PITTSBURGH PIRATES (Morton)
We don’t play big favorites in baseball and we rarely even step into the “moderate” price range that the Reds are listed at today. However, this is a classic case of two teams heading in opposite directions right now and – along with the pitching advantage that Bronson Arroyo gives us here – we have no qualms about laying the 130+ price on Cincinnati. The Reds have defeated the Pirates seven straight times. Cincy’s two wins in this series have come by a combined score of 22-6. The Pirates have lost eight of their last nine home games and we look for them to struggle once again at PNC Park this afternoon. Pittsburgh is an ugly 5-24 in their last 29 games. As for the Reds, they are 20-10 in their last 30 games. It seems apparent that Cincinnati is already trying to build momentum for next season while the Pirates are simply “playing out the string” and just can’t wait for this season to come to a close. Charlie Morton gets the start for Pittsburgh this afternoon and he’s 1-1 with a 6.35 ERA against the Reds this season. Morton has pitched better since mid-August but still has nearly as many walks as strikeouts over his last five starts. Also, the right-hander has allowed 32 hits in his last 30.1 innings so he certainly hasn’t been dominant. He just got rocked at Cincinnati in his first start this month as Morton gave up six earned runs on 9 hits and 4 walks in just five innings of work. He struck out just one Red in what was a very rough performance for him. Morton is coming off of a strong start in his most recent outing but it came against a Padres club that has one of the weakest lineups in baseball. Morton will be no match for Arroyo here. The Reds right-hander began his career with the Pirates and he shut them down on just four hits in eight shutout innings back on May 1st. Arroyo has been a “machine” of late as he’s lasted at least seven innings in each of his last ten starts. This dates back to August 1st and Arroyo’s ERA is a solid 2.06 since then! Opponents are hitting just .219 against Arroyo in August and September combined and he stays red-hot hear against a Pirates team that can’t wait for this season’s misery to end. Play Cincinnati on the money line as a 6* Regular Play selection.
Randall the Handle 9/24
Chicago –1.02 over SAN FRANCISCO PINNACLE
The Cubbies are one of the more frustrating teams to wager on because of their inability to move runners over or get them in from third with less than two outs and subsequently fail to score. However, Brad Penny is on the hill and his implosion last game was inevitable. Penny had allowed just four earned runs in 22 frames in his previous three starts before the Dodgers ripped him apart five days ago. If you throw out his start against the Padres in which he struck out six batters, in his other three starts with the Giants he’s struck out five batters in 18 innings. This guy is just so hittable and if the Giants happen to make it to the post-season, he’ll never see the mound. Furthermore, the Cubs hitters have a solid past against Penny and that’s when he was much better throwing for the Dodgers. The Cubs batters have collectively had 93 AB’s against Penny and they have a batting average of .290. By contrast, the Giants collectively are hitting .235 off Ryan Dempster in 132 AB’s. The Cubbies aren’t playing for much but these major-leaguers love to make life miserable for those that are and definitely get a little more jacked up when faced with an opportunity to prevent a team from going to the playoffs. San Fran with Penny on the hill is an unappealing option indeed. Play: Chicago –1.02 (Risking 2.04 units to win 2).
Chicago –1.02 over SAN FRANCISCO PINNACLE
The Cubbies are one of the more frustrating teams to wager on because of their inability to move runners over or get them in from third with less than two outs and subsequently fail to score. However, Brad Penny is on the hill and his implosion last game was inevitable. Penny had allowed just four earned runs in 22 frames in his previous three starts before the Dodgers ripped him apart five days ago. If you throw out his start against the Padres in which he struck out six batters, in his other three starts with the Giants he’s struck out five batters in 18 innings. This guy is just so hittable and if the Giants happen to make it to the post-season, he’ll never see the mound. Furthermore, the Cubs hitters have a solid past against Penny and that’s when he was much better throwing for the Dodgers. The Cubs batters have collectively had 93 AB’s against Penny and they have a batting average of .290. By contrast, the Giants collectively are hitting .235 off Ryan Dempster in 132 AB’s. The Cubbies aren’t playing for much but these major-leaguers love to make life miserable for those that are and definitely get a little more jacked up when faced with an opportunity to prevent a team from going to the playoffs. San Fran with Penny on the hill is an unappealing option indeed. Play: Chicago –1.02 (Risking 2.04 units to win 2).
Jack Clayton
5-Star Baseball Terrible Total of the Month
(903) Dodgers/ (904) Nationals Under the total. Even with 3 errors, last night's game slipped under the total. The Washington offense has really cooled off of late, getting only 5 hits last night. This park is huge, a haven for those on the mound. The Nationals are on an 8-2 run under the total. Vicente Padilla of the Dodgers is having a good year, and coming to the NL has been a big plus, which is common. He is 2-0 with a 3.18 ERA his last three starts. J.D. Martin has been very good for Washington, with a 2-0 record and a 3.18 ERA his last three starts, and LA has never seen him. Play the Dodgers/Nationals Under the total.
5-Star Baseball Terrible Total of the Month
(903) Dodgers/ (904) Nationals Under the total. Even with 3 errors, last night's game slipped under the total. The Washington offense has really cooled off of late, getting only 5 hits last night. This park is huge, a haven for those on the mound. The Nationals are on an 8-2 run under the total. Vicente Padilla of the Dodgers is having a good year, and coming to the NL has been a big plus, which is common. He is 2-0 with a 3.18 ERA his last three starts. J.D. Martin has been very good for Washington, with a 2-0 record and a 3.18 ERA his last three starts, and LA has never seen him. Play the Dodgers/Nationals Under the total.
