Craig Trapp
Chicago White Sox vs. Texas Rangers
Play: Chicago White Sox
Craig has his Bonus Play on Sunday in the ESPN MLB game of the night. The last three weeks Craig has picked the ESPN Sunday game of the week in his Bonus Play going 2-1 in that time period. Craig has good trends on his side for today's Bonus Play. Check out the records, trends, free breakdown, and winner!
Records
Chicago White Sox 12-11, 6-5 away Danks (2-1, 2.74 ERA)
Texas Rangers 11-12, 7-6 home Harrison (1-2, 7.89 ERA)
Betting Trends
White Sox are 5-2 in their last 7 games as a road favorite.
Sox are 7-3 in their last 10 road games vs. a left-handed starter.
Rangers are 2-7 in their last 9 home games vs. a team with a winning road record.
White Sox are 2-5 in the last 7 meetings in Texas.
CWS have not been good in TEX last 2 years but have split the first two game and really need a win on Sunday. CHW look to the ace of their staff with Danks going for them Sunday. Danks is coming off a rough start in SEA giving up 5 runs in 4 innings. But he rarely has two games in a row that are poor. TEX has to score big to win as their starting pitching is horrible!! Today CHW holds them under 5 and wins going away. SCORE CHW 8 - TEX 4
Chicago White Sox vs. Texas Rangers
Play: Chicago White Sox
Craig has his Bonus Play on Sunday in the ESPN MLB game of the night. The last three weeks Craig has picked the ESPN Sunday game of the week in his Bonus Play going 2-1 in that time period. Craig has good trends on his side for today's Bonus Play. Check out the records, trends, free breakdown, and winner!
Records
Chicago White Sox 12-11, 6-5 away Danks (2-1, 2.74 ERA)
Texas Rangers 11-12, 7-6 home Harrison (1-2, 7.89 ERA)
Betting Trends
White Sox are 5-2 in their last 7 games as a road favorite.
Sox are 7-3 in their last 10 road games vs. a left-handed starter.
Rangers are 2-7 in their last 9 home games vs. a team with a winning road record.
White Sox are 2-5 in the last 7 meetings in Texas.
CWS have not been good in TEX last 2 years but have split the first two game and really need a win on Sunday. CHW look to the ace of their staff with Danks going for them Sunday. Danks is coming off a rough start in SEA giving up 5 runs in 4 innings. But he rarely has two games in a row that are poor. TEX has to score big to win as their starting pitching is horrible!! Today CHW holds them under 5 and wins going away. SCORE CHW 8 - TEX 4
Cajun Sports
St Louis Cardinals vs. Washington Nationals
Play: St Louis Cardinals
Nationals Park will be the site of today’s final game of this four-game set between the host Washington Nationals and the visiting St. Louis Cardinals. The Cards took the first two games in the series by scores of 9 to 4 on Thursday and 6 to 2 on Friday before the Nationals got a win on Saturday in game three with a final score of 6 to 1. St. Louis will send Kyle Lohse to the bump on Sunday, Lohse is the team leader in ERA with a 1.97 and WHIP with a 1.031 respectively on the season. Washington is 6-27 W/L vs. a NL starting pitcher whose ERA is 3.50 or better the last 2 seasons. Lohse is 3-0 W/L this year and has managed a winning record versus the Nationals (2-1 W/L) even though his ERA is 5.46 when he faces them. The Cards are 5-1 W/L when Lohse takes the bump versus Washington overall. St. Louis is averaging 5.7 runs per game on the road with a batting average of .256 and OBP of .336. With Washington’s starter for Sunday only averaging a little over five innings per start the key for today’s matchup may fall into the hands of each team’s bullpen. The Cards have the edge in this department with a road bullpen ERA of 4.06 while the Nationals home bullpen ERA is 6.06. Washington will send John Lannan to the hill with an ERA of 4.61 and a record of 0-3. Lannan is 9-27 W/L (team record) in all games the last 2 seasons. The Nationals bullpen has come into play when he takes the mound and has cost him a couple of wins this season. Over his last three starts he has an ERA of 1.96 and a record of 0-1 W/L. The Nationals are 4-14 W/L when facing a right-handed starter and average 4.2 runs per game with a batting average of .261 and an OBP of .352. St. Louis is 11-2 W/L vs. an NL team with an on base percentage of .340 or better this season. The Cards are 12-3 W/L when the money line is +125 to -125 this season. Lay the price with the visitor as the Cardinals take this series in our Nation’s Capital 3 games to 1 with a win on Sunday afternoon.
Graded Selection: 2* St. Louis Cardinals 5 Washington Nationals 4
St Louis Cardinals vs. Washington Nationals
Play: St Louis Cardinals
Nationals Park will be the site of today’s final game of this four-game set between the host Washington Nationals and the visiting St. Louis Cardinals. The Cards took the first two games in the series by scores of 9 to 4 on Thursday and 6 to 2 on Friday before the Nationals got a win on Saturday in game three with a final score of 6 to 1. St. Louis will send Kyle Lohse to the bump on Sunday, Lohse is the team leader in ERA with a 1.97 and WHIP with a 1.031 respectively on the season. Washington is 6-27 W/L vs. a NL starting pitcher whose ERA is 3.50 or better the last 2 seasons. Lohse is 3-0 W/L this year and has managed a winning record versus the Nationals (2-1 W/L) even though his ERA is 5.46 when he faces them. The Cards are 5-1 W/L when Lohse takes the bump versus Washington overall. St. Louis is averaging 5.7 runs per game on the road with a batting average of .256 and OBP of .336. With Washington’s starter for Sunday only averaging a little over five innings per start the key for today’s matchup may fall into the hands of each team’s bullpen. The Cards have the edge in this department with a road bullpen ERA of 4.06 while the Nationals home bullpen ERA is 6.06. Washington will send John Lannan to the hill with an ERA of 4.61 and a record of 0-3. Lannan is 9-27 W/L (team record) in all games the last 2 seasons. The Nationals bullpen has come into play when he takes the mound and has cost him a couple of wins this season. Over his last three starts he has an ERA of 1.96 and a record of 0-1 W/L. The Nationals are 4-14 W/L when facing a right-handed starter and average 4.2 runs per game with a batting average of .261 and an OBP of .352. St. Louis is 11-2 W/L vs. an NL team with an on base percentage of .340 or better this season. The Cards are 12-3 W/L when the money line is +125 to -125 this season. Lay the price with the visitor as the Cardinals take this series in our Nation’s Capital 3 games to 1 with a win on Sunday afternoon.
Graded Selection: 2* St. Louis Cardinals 5 Washington Nationals 4
Steve Merril
Boston Red Sox vs. Tampa Bay Rays
Play: Boston Red Sox +1.5
The Red Sox go for a series split on Sunday when they play game four at Tropicana Field against the Tampa Bay Rays. Tampa Bay sends James Shields to the hill to try and get the 3-1 edge in this series. Shields is 2-2 with a 3.74 ERA so far on the year, but he has struggled at home in his lone start with a 6.14 ERA. He absolutely hates facing the Red Sox, going 2-7 with a 5.13 ERA against them. The team is 2-9 in those starts as well. Boston hits .282 against him with David Ortiz (.471), JD Drew (.353), Mike Lowell (.375), Julio Lugo (.333), and Dustin Pedroia (.500) having great success. The Red Sox send new acquisition Brad Penny to the mound who is struggling with life in the AL. Penny is 2-0 with an 8.66 ERA this year. Penny is getting plenty of run support, getting 25 runs in his last three starts from the Red Sox lineup. The burly righthander hasn’t faced the Rays since 2004, going 1-2 with a 4.50 all-time against Tampa. Only five hitters have faced Penny with Pat Burrell getting the most at-bats and checking in at .238. Solid value with the Red Sox +1½ on the runline today.
Boston Red Sox vs. Tampa Bay Rays
Play: Boston Red Sox +1.5
The Red Sox go for a series split on Sunday when they play game four at Tropicana Field against the Tampa Bay Rays. Tampa Bay sends James Shields to the hill to try and get the 3-1 edge in this series. Shields is 2-2 with a 3.74 ERA so far on the year, but he has struggled at home in his lone start with a 6.14 ERA. He absolutely hates facing the Red Sox, going 2-7 with a 5.13 ERA against them. The team is 2-9 in those starts as well. Boston hits .282 against him with David Ortiz (.471), JD Drew (.353), Mike Lowell (.375), Julio Lugo (.333), and Dustin Pedroia (.500) having great success. The Red Sox send new acquisition Brad Penny to the mound who is struggling with life in the AL. Penny is 2-0 with an 8.66 ERA this year. Penny is getting plenty of run support, getting 25 runs in his last three starts from the Red Sox lineup. The burly righthander hasn’t faced the Rays since 2004, going 1-2 with a 4.50 all-time against Tampa. Only five hitters have faced Penny with Pat Burrell getting the most at-bats and checking in at .238. Solid value with the Red Sox +1½ on the runline today.
James Patrick Sports
Carolina vs. Boston
Goaltender Cam Ward has won himself one Stanley Cup and is normally an established, cool & collective team leader between the pipes BUT we'll use our Sunday NHL Playoff complimentary selection on Boston - Carolina Over the Total as the Bruins are 5-1 ATS Over the Total in Sunday action and this series has played Over the Total in 4of 5 match ups.
Carolina vs. Boston
Goaltender Cam Ward has won himself one Stanley Cup and is normally an established, cool & collective team leader between the pipes BUT we'll use our Sunday NHL Playoff complimentary selection on Boston - Carolina Over the Total as the Bruins are 5-1 ATS Over the Total in Sunday action and this series has played Over the Total in 4of 5 match ups.
Marc Lawrence
Play On: Kansas City w/Meche
The upstart Royals conclude their weekend series with the Twins today when they send Gil Meche to the hill in the Metrodome. While Meche enters off losses in his last two starts the fact of the matter is he has been in commanding form on the road this season where he's issued 2 walks against 19 strikeouts. With Meche undefeated lifetime in his career team starts against the Twins, look the Royals to improve to 5-1 on the Sunday road here today.
Play On: Kansas City w/Meche
The upstart Royals conclude their weekend series with the Twins today when they send Gil Meche to the hill in the Metrodome. While Meche enters off losses in his last two starts the fact of the matter is he has been in commanding form on the road this season where he's issued 2 walks against 19 strikeouts. With Meche undefeated lifetime in his career team starts against the Twins, look the Royals to improve to 5-1 on the Sunday road here today.
Scott Rickenbach
Detroit vs Anaheim
Play Under 5.5
The value of getting a 5.5 here is big because five of the Ducks first six post-season games have tallied five goals or less. As for the Red Wings, four of their first five post-season games have tallied five goals or less! Indeed, it's "playoff hockey" and, even though the Red Wings have been scoring a lot of goals, it's their defense and goal-tending that has been most impressive.
Other than one five-goal outburst by the Blue Jackets in Detroit's series with Columbus, the Red Wings have only allowed 1.25 goals per game in the other four games. As for the Ducks, we trust Jonas Hiller between the pipes and we know that Anaheim will have made some defensive adjustments for this game after leaving too many "openings" in their end of the ice in Game One. What does all of this spell? UNDER!
Detroit vs Anaheim
Play Under 5.5
The value of getting a 5.5 here is big because five of the Ducks first six post-season games have tallied five goals or less. As for the Red Wings, four of their first five post-season games have tallied five goals or less! Indeed, it's "playoff hockey" and, even though the Red Wings have been scoring a lot of goals, it's their defense and goal-tending that has been most impressive.
Other than one five-goal outburst by the Blue Jackets in Detroit's series with Columbus, the Red Wings have only allowed 1.25 goals per game in the other four games. As for the Ducks, we trust Jonas Hiller between the pipes and we know that Anaheim will have made some defensive adjustments for this game after leaving too many "openings" in their end of the ice in Game One. What does all of this spell? UNDER!
MTi Sports
Baltimore Orioles at Toronto Blue Jays
Prediction: Toronto Blue Jays
The Orioles have lost five straight and they held the lead in each one of the five games. As we wrote yesterday, The Jays love the opportunity to beat up on a team that is on a losing streak. Toronto is a reliable 15-1 at home vs a team that has lost at least their last four games. In addition, the Blue Jays are 21-1 as a home favorite after a single-digit win in which they left 18+ men on base and it is not the first game of a series, including 13-0 their last thirteen. Also, Toronto is 16-1 at home when they are off a win in which they came back from a deficit and had more than ten hits, as long as it is not the first game of a series. The Jays are 11-0 their last eleven in this situation.
Complementing this last trend in performance nicely is the fact that the Orioles are 1-16 as a dog when they are seeking immediate revenge for a loss in which they held the lead. Baltimore is also 4-18 after a loss in which they used 5+ pitchers, 3-19 after a loss in which they allowed 5+ walk and 4-21 as a dog when seeking revenge for a loss in which they were tied at the end of 6 innings.
Finally, the last game of a road series is not a situation where the Orioles are a good investment. Baltimore is 0-12 as a dog in the last game of a road series, as long as they are not on a one-game losing streak. Baltimore has lost these dozen games by and average of 4.8 runs and in their two active dates so far this season, they lost 19-6 in Texas and 12-1 in Boston.
With 3-0 Scott Richmond going, why aren't the Jays -165? Grab the short price and check out the run-line as well.
Baltimore Orioles at Toronto Blue Jays
Prediction: Toronto Blue Jays
The Orioles have lost five straight and they held the lead in each one of the five games. As we wrote yesterday, The Jays love the opportunity to beat up on a team that is on a losing streak. Toronto is a reliable 15-1 at home vs a team that has lost at least their last four games. In addition, the Blue Jays are 21-1 as a home favorite after a single-digit win in which they left 18+ men on base and it is not the first game of a series, including 13-0 their last thirteen. Also, Toronto is 16-1 at home when they are off a win in which they came back from a deficit and had more than ten hits, as long as it is not the first game of a series. The Jays are 11-0 their last eleven in this situation.
Complementing this last trend in performance nicely is the fact that the Orioles are 1-16 as a dog when they are seeking immediate revenge for a loss in which they held the lead. Baltimore is also 4-18 after a loss in which they used 5+ pitchers, 3-19 after a loss in which they allowed 5+ walk and 4-21 as a dog when seeking revenge for a loss in which they were tied at the end of 6 innings.
Finally, the last game of a road series is not a situation where the Orioles are a good investment. Baltimore is 0-12 as a dog in the last game of a road series, as long as they are not on a one-game losing streak. Baltimore has lost these dozen games by and average of 4.8 runs and in their two active dates so far this season, they lost 19-6 in Texas and 12-1 in Boston.
With 3-0 Scott Richmond going, why aren't the Jays -165? Grab the short price and check out the run-line as well.
Rocketman
New York Mets at Philadelphia Phillies
Play: NY Mets
NY Mets bullpen has been solid with a 3.18 ERA overall this year. Joe Blanton is 0-2 with an 8.41 ERA overall, 0-1 with a 10.05 ERA at home and 0-2 with a 6.61 ERA his last 3 starts. John Maine is 5-0 with a 2.54 ERA overall vs Philadelphia since 1997 and his team is 8-1 in those starts. Mets are 20-9 in their last 29 games as an underdog. Mets are 24-7 in Maines last 31 starts vs. National League East. Mets are 5-2 in the last 7 meetings in Philadelphia. We'll recommend a small play on the NY Mets today!
New York Mets at Philadelphia Phillies
Play: NY Mets
NY Mets bullpen has been solid with a 3.18 ERA overall this year. Joe Blanton is 0-2 with an 8.41 ERA overall, 0-1 with a 10.05 ERA at home and 0-2 with a 6.61 ERA his last 3 starts. John Maine is 5-0 with a 2.54 ERA overall vs Philadelphia since 1997 and his team is 8-1 in those starts. Mets are 20-9 in their last 29 games as an underdog. Mets are 24-7 in Maines last 31 starts vs. National League East. Mets are 5-2 in the last 7 meetings in Philadelphia. We'll recommend a small play on the NY Mets today!
Sports Gambling Hotline
Miami at ATLANTA
We hit our 3rd straight comp play release as Chicago-Boston OVER comes through in Game 7.
Today, we will play the UNDER in Game 7 of the Miami-Atlanta series.
Friday night's 6th game stayed well UNDER the posted total to make it 4 of the 6 games played in this series UNDER the total.
In fact, the LOW has cashed in 8 of the last 10 in this series, and the UNDER has also come through in 6 of Atlanta's last 8 at the Philip's Arena.
Since this is the 7th game, you can expect some tentative play early on from these teams, and another series UNDER come the end of this playoff battle.
24 of the 44 of Atlanta's home games this season have gone UNDER, and this one will too.
Play on the LOW.
2♦ UNDER
Miami at ATLANTA
We hit our 3rd straight comp play release as Chicago-Boston OVER comes through in Game 7.
Today, we will play the UNDER in Game 7 of the Miami-Atlanta series.
Friday night's 6th game stayed well UNDER the posted total to make it 4 of the 6 games played in this series UNDER the total.
In fact, the LOW has cashed in 8 of the last 10 in this series, and the UNDER has also come through in 6 of Atlanta's last 8 at the Philip's Arena.
Since this is the 7th game, you can expect some tentative play early on from these teams, and another series UNDER come the end of this playoff battle.
24 of the 44 of Atlanta's home games this season have gone UNDER, and this one will too.
Play on the LOW.
2♦ UNDER
Tony Weston
Today's Selection
The Mariners can’t take care of business and we end up taking the loss. But we’re getting back on track today and making it 3 of 4 winners as we’re taking the Under on the Dallas Mavericks-Denver Nuggets Total in Game 1 of this Western Conference second-round series.
The Total for this game is hovering around 206.5, depending on where you play this. But it won’t matter because scoring will be at a premium between these two.
While you would typically think of high-scoring affair when you think of these two teams, the Under has been the smart play when these two take the court.
Consider that the Under has come in each of the last three meetings between these two and the Under, long term, is 14-6 over the last 20 meetings between these two.
Keep in mind that over their last three meetings of the regular season these two have totaled, on average, 195.3 points per game and totaled only 196 when they last played in Denver on Jan. 13.
Scoring will be at a premium today as the Under comes through rather easily. Take the Under in this second-round matchup.
3♦ MAVERICKS-NUGGETS UNDER
Today's Selection
The Mariners can’t take care of business and we end up taking the loss. But we’re getting back on track today and making it 3 of 4 winners as we’re taking the Under on the Dallas Mavericks-Denver Nuggets Total in Game 1 of this Western Conference second-round series.
The Total for this game is hovering around 206.5, depending on where you play this. But it won’t matter because scoring will be at a premium between these two.
While you would typically think of high-scoring affair when you think of these two teams, the Under has been the smart play when these two take the court.
Consider that the Under has come in each of the last three meetings between these two and the Under, long term, is 14-6 over the last 20 meetings between these two.
Keep in mind that over their last three meetings of the regular season these two have totaled, on average, 195.3 points per game and totaled only 196 when they last played in Denver on Jan. 13.
Scoring will be at a premium today as the Under comes through rather easily. Take the Under in this second-round matchup.
3♦ MAVERICKS-NUGGETS UNDER
Matt Rivers
For Sunday take the Angels at Yankee Stadium.
Why would I back Anaheim today? For one, I do not buy into Phil Hughes and for two, I do not buy into these Yankees. Besides that though that's a tough question!?!?!?
Obviously Mike Scioscia's Angels are not all that right now without their main man in Vlad Guerrero but Joe Girardi's club has just not impressed me at all without their big gun in Alex Rodriguez. The New Yorkers look old and just not that good. Guys like Brett Gardner, Jose Molina, Ramiro Pena, Angel Berroa and others are not your typical Bronx Bombers. Even veterans like Derek Jeter and Johnny Damon are older and mediocre at the very best. Only Mark Teixeira scares me a bit and I guess Robinson Cano and Jorge Posada have been alright at times so far this season.
The Yankee bullpen is young and inexperienced, save the great Mariano Rivera and I do not see Phil Hughes repeating that very solid first outing of the season in Detroit. Sure Hughes has some quality stuff and may put it all together at some point but the righty was in the minors for a reason and one start does not make a good pitcher.
Joe Saunders had a great 2008 season and has looked pretty good at times this season. The lefty is not going to wow you with electric and overwhelming stuff at all but he gets the job done a lot more than he doesn't and plus some money here makes me say why not!?!?!?
K-Rod is gone which hurts but all in all I am all about the Halos at the Stadium today!
For Sunday take the Angels at Yankee Stadium.
Why would I back Anaheim today? For one, I do not buy into Phil Hughes and for two, I do not buy into these Yankees. Besides that though that's a tough question!?!?!?
Obviously Mike Scioscia's Angels are not all that right now without their main man in Vlad Guerrero but Joe Girardi's club has just not impressed me at all without their big gun in Alex Rodriguez. The New Yorkers look old and just not that good. Guys like Brett Gardner, Jose Molina, Ramiro Pena, Angel Berroa and others are not your typical Bronx Bombers. Even veterans like Derek Jeter and Johnny Damon are older and mediocre at the very best. Only Mark Teixeira scares me a bit and I guess Robinson Cano and Jorge Posada have been alright at times so far this season.
The Yankee bullpen is young and inexperienced, save the great Mariano Rivera and I do not see Phil Hughes repeating that very solid first outing of the season in Detroit. Sure Hughes has some quality stuff and may put it all together at some point but the righty was in the minors for a reason and one start does not make a good pitcher.
Joe Saunders had a great 2008 season and has looked pretty good at times this season. The lefty is not going to wow you with electric and overwhelming stuff at all but he gets the job done a lot more than he doesn't and plus some money here makes me say why not!?!?!?
K-Rod is gone which hurts but all in all I am all about the Halos at the Stadium today!
Jake Timlin
Back to the NBA today and where I am 7-3-1 with playoff freebies.
Well making it 8-3-1 today I like the Hawks at home minus the game 7 points. Yes in what has been the less entertaining series out east I look for yet another blowout win for the home team here today. You see so far in the six games played not one game has been close as the winners in all six games has won by double digits, including the Hawks posting 15 point win in their last game in this series. In fact in the series it is the Hawks who have won and covered 2 of the last 3 games played and thanks now to being at home for a game 7 I look for Atlanta to make it 3 of 4 as they advance in the series with yet another double digit win. Flat out, I liked Atlanta to win this series a week ago and nothing has changed as thanks to being at home it will be Atlanta advancing to the next round.
PICK: Atlanta Hawks
Back to the NBA today and where I am 7-3-1 with playoff freebies.
Well making it 8-3-1 today I like the Hawks at home minus the game 7 points. Yes in what has been the less entertaining series out east I look for yet another blowout win for the home team here today. You see so far in the six games played not one game has been close as the winners in all six games has won by double digits, including the Hawks posting 15 point win in their last game in this series. In fact in the series it is the Hawks who have won and covered 2 of the last 3 games played and thanks now to being at home for a game 7 I look for Atlanta to make it 3 of 4 as they advance in the series with yet another double digit win. Flat out, I liked Atlanta to win this series a week ago and nothing has changed as thanks to being at home it will be Atlanta advancing to the next round.
PICK: Atlanta Hawks
Scott Delaney
Take the Dodgers on the Run Line tonight against San Diego, as the winning continues at Chavez Ravine for the team with the best record in baseball.
The Dodgers have now won three straight overall, and nine in a row at Dodger Stadium, the first time that's occured since the franchise was in Brooklyn.
And with Chad Billingsley on the bump, this should be a dominating blowout win.
Lay the run line and bank the men in blue.
L.A. DODGERS RUN LINE
Take the Dodgers on the Run Line tonight against San Diego, as the winning continues at Chavez Ravine for the team with the best record in baseball.
The Dodgers have now won three straight overall, and nine in a row at Dodger Stadium, the first time that's occured since the franchise was in Brooklyn.
And with Chad Billingsley on the bump, this should be a dominating blowout win.
Lay the run line and bank the men in blue.
L.A. DODGERS RUN LINE
Drew Gordon
Houston -115 at ATLANTA
In years past, I'd be extremely reticent in backing Wandy Rodriguez on the road, and especially at Turner Field, where he's had some issues in the past. But I believe Rodriguez has really turned a corner this season, going 2-2 with an outstanding 1.69 ERA thus far! What's even more promising, is he's kept his ERA way down on the road, posting a 2.77 ERA on the highway thus far. Look for more of the same, as Rodriguez builds off the last time he saw the Braves, allowing just 1 unearned run over 7 innings back in September!
On the flip side, I know plenty of Atlanta-backers were happy to see Jo-Jo Reyes pitch so well in his last start, but I'm not convinced. Allowing 1 run over 7 innings at the Cardinals is noteworthy, but its also important to note that he hasn't beaten an NL team in exactly one year to the day! Guys, don't be fooled by one nice start, Reyes was a disaster in the start prior to the Cardinals (got rocked at PNC Park) and was horrendous in his last home start, allowing 5 runs in 3 1/3 innings to the Mets! Point being, trust Reyes at your own loss!
Also, although they didn't score a ton of runs against lefties last year, the Astros did bat a solid .271 against them. Its still early on this season, but they are averaging a healthy 4.6 runs against southpaws thus far, and a juicy match up against an inconsistent Jo-Jo Reyes is just what the doctor ordered to build off a nice offensive effort yesterday. In the end, Rodriguez has been too damn good to ignore at this price and in this spot.
Take Houston behind Rodriguez over Atlanta and Jo-Jo Reyes in this MLB match up.
3♦ HOUSTON
Houston -115 at ATLANTA
In years past, I'd be extremely reticent in backing Wandy Rodriguez on the road, and especially at Turner Field, where he's had some issues in the past. But I believe Rodriguez has really turned a corner this season, going 2-2 with an outstanding 1.69 ERA thus far! What's even more promising, is he's kept his ERA way down on the road, posting a 2.77 ERA on the highway thus far. Look for more of the same, as Rodriguez builds off the last time he saw the Braves, allowing just 1 unearned run over 7 innings back in September!
On the flip side, I know plenty of Atlanta-backers were happy to see Jo-Jo Reyes pitch so well in his last start, but I'm not convinced. Allowing 1 run over 7 innings at the Cardinals is noteworthy, but its also important to note that he hasn't beaten an NL team in exactly one year to the day! Guys, don't be fooled by one nice start, Reyes was a disaster in the start prior to the Cardinals (got rocked at PNC Park) and was horrendous in his last home start, allowing 5 runs in 3 1/3 innings to the Mets! Point being, trust Reyes at your own loss!
Also, although they didn't score a ton of runs against lefties last year, the Astros did bat a solid .271 against them. Its still early on this season, but they are averaging a healthy 4.6 runs against southpaws thus far, and a juicy match up against an inconsistent Jo-Jo Reyes is just what the doctor ordered to build off a nice offensive effort yesterday. In the end, Rodriguez has been too damn good to ignore at this price and in this spot.
Take Houston behind Rodriguez over Atlanta and Jo-Jo Reyes in this MLB match up.
3♦ HOUSTON
Bobby Maxwell
Colorado +120 at SAN FRANCISCO
Today's FREE winner comes from San Francisco as we play the Rockies to get the best of the Giants in this N.L. West matchup.
The Rockies dominated the Giants on Saturday afternoon and look for them to do the same to San Francisco lefty Barry Zito today.
Zito (0-2, 5.24 ERA) just hasn't been very good since joining the Giants and this season they are 2-2 and he's allowed 22 hits in 22.1 innings. Last time he faced the Rockies was last September when he allowed three runs on six hits in eight innings but lost 3-1 in San Francisco.
For the Rockies, it's Jason Hammel on the mound today making just his second start for them this season. He got roughed up by the Padres on Monday, giving up five runs in three innings but his offense bailed him out and won the game 12-7.
It's been all about the offense for the Rockies lately as they've won four of their last six and scored five runs or more in each of the four wins.
We're counting on Colorado and its offense to get to Zito in this one. Grab the plus money and play the Rockies today.
4♦ COLORADO
Colorado +120 at SAN FRANCISCO
Today's FREE winner comes from San Francisco as we play the Rockies to get the best of the Giants in this N.L. West matchup.
The Rockies dominated the Giants on Saturday afternoon and look for them to do the same to San Francisco lefty Barry Zito today.
Zito (0-2, 5.24 ERA) just hasn't been very good since joining the Giants and this season they are 2-2 and he's allowed 22 hits in 22.1 innings. Last time he faced the Rockies was last September when he allowed three runs on six hits in eight innings but lost 3-1 in San Francisco.
For the Rockies, it's Jason Hammel on the mound today making just his second start for them this season. He got roughed up by the Padres on Monday, giving up five runs in three innings but his offense bailed him out and won the game 12-7.
It's been all about the offense for the Rockies lately as they've won four of their last six and scored five runs or more in each of the four wins.
We're counting on Colorado and its offense to get to Zito in this one. Grab the plus money and play the Rockies today.
4♦ COLORADO
