Randall the Handle
Cincinnati +2.35 over COLORADO
The Reds may not win here but they’re still one of the hottest teams in the business despite a 4-3 loss in the opener last night. They swept the Braves this past weekend, they’ve won 13 of its past 17 games and at this price the gain outweighs the risk. The real kicker here is that Jason Marquis is nowhere near worthy of this tag and if he pitches for 100 years he would never be worthy. Here’s a guy that has lived an extremely charmed life and at his very best he’s average. Marquis has allowed 10 runs over his past two games to the Mets and Giants, possibly the two worst offenses in the majors. His last nine opponents have been the aforementioned Mets, the Giants twice, Washington, Pitt, the anemic Cubbies, at Cincinnati, at the Mets and at San Diego. Could a nine-game span be any easier? The Rockies won five and lost four of those games and now he’s going to see a different Reds squad at a huge price. So, let the chips fall where they may because if you always bet against Marquis taking back 2-1 or more, you could not possibly lose money over time. Marquis isn’t worthy of this tag against a minor league club. Play: Cincinnati +2.35 (Risking 2 units).
Minnesota +1.00 over TORONTO
The Twins are much better at home where they’re 18-4 against lefties but that’s a pretty significant record and extremely difficult to ignore. They’ll face another southpaw here in Ricky Romero, a guy that got off to a tremendous start but that’s been laboring badly over the past couple of months. Romero has allowed four runs or more in six of his last 10 starts and he was really hit hard in his last against the Yanks. Furthermore, the Jays sparkplug, Aaron Hill, is very likely to miss this one, as he flew home to be with his wife, who is about or already has given birth. Jays are playing miserably and they’re in worse shape without Hill for sure. Brian Duensing has been outstanding since being inserted into the starting rotation. Duensing is coming off back-to-back seven inning gems against the White Sox and Rangers in which he allowed a combined one earned run, struck out 15 and walked just three. The Jays have never seen him and that, too, can’t hurt our chances. Duensing has also induced a lot of ground ball outs, which is another strong indication that he has what it takes. The kid is tough indeed and frankly, the Jays are at a disadvantage here and should not be favored. Jump on this one early. Play: Minnesota +1.00 (Risking 2 units).
