6 Unit Pick Take Over (9) San Francisco at Philadelphia (September 2nd, 7:05)
Man the oddsmaker has overreacted here with J.A Happ on the mound and no doubt about it in great form. They open this total up at (8.5) minus 1.20 and has been bet up to (9) runs. This ballpark while beautiful is a joke when it comes to cheap homeruns. The Giants send Brad Penny making his first start after Boston dropped, Giants manager Bruce Bochy said he would be happy if Penny goes five innings, that would be good since he hasn’t made it past the sixth inning in any of his 24 starts this year. In his last five starts for the Red Sox’s he gave up 27 runs in 26 innings. It while be a beautiful night in Philadelphia and after these two played to a pitcher’s duel on Tuesday and I expect some offense tonight. Get over this soft number.
3 Unit Pick #926 Take Tampa Bay (-1.20) over Boston (September2nd, 7:05)
What has happened to Boston starter Josh Beckett who has allowed twenty earned runs over his last eighteen innings in his last three starts. I don’t have a answer for that, but I will fade him here against a pitcher coming off a bad outing but has been in good form with Matt Garza on the bump for Tampa Bay. In four starts vs. the Red Sox’s this year he is 2-0 with allowing just 15 hits in 28 2/3 innings, plus a career 7-1 with a 2.66 era in 12 starts. The Ray’s are slipping out of the playoff picture but I don’t expect them to fold up camp against Boston.
2 Unit Pick Take over (9.5) Toronto at Texas (September 2nd, 8:05)
Texas swept the doubleheader yesterday with both games staying under after the teams combined for 28 runs in game one of the series on Monday. Both teams used a combined nine relievers on Tuesday after using eight on Monday. We get two tired bullpens with Toronto starter Scott Richmond on the hill after throwing a 111 pitches in his last outing against Texas starter Tommy Hunter who has been better on the road then at Home. It will be hot in Texas tonight at about 96 degrees and we have one of baseballs best over umpires in Jim Reynolds calling balls and strikes.
Thanks and Good Luck-Dave Busk