Sunday 07/26/09 service plays chatter/comps/requests & gm strategy...

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Sunday 07/26/09 service plays chatter/comps/requests & gm strategy...

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FYI, let's limit the comps to the first 2 pages, I need this thread to be used for chatter and what games members would like to pick up or split. Service thread getting way to much chatter. Ty.

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[brewerfan003]

Chris Jordan has an AL Game of the Month: Twins vs. Angels

Winning Day #7 in a Row



400♦ A.L. GAME OF THE MONTH

Twins at Angels, 3:35 p.m.



Either Minnesota wins today,

or the Angels roll large!!!



--------------------------------------



24 of 32 Winning Days



7,152♦ Net Profit in MLB this season

 

[jordan17]

go Halo$ go!

 

[brewerfan003]

go Halo$ go!

my assumption also

 

[goldencontender]

Sunday totals comp GC-

On Sunday the Bonus Play is on the Under in the Tampa-Toronto game.Rotation numbers 917/18 at 1:07 eastern.In this game there are a bevy of solid under angles.In this piece we will examine a few of them.Tampa has gone under 21 of 30 in day games this year,13 of 20 on the road when the total is 9 to 9.5.On Saturday they broke an 8 game under streak with their late 10-9 comeback win.Toronto has gone under 23 of 32 times in Division play this year,5 of 6 times as a home dog from +100 to +125 and have gone under in 6 of the previous 8 games.In this series over the last 3 years in Toronto the under has cashed 17 of 23 times.The Pitching matchup is a good one.J.Niemann one of this years most underated pitchers goes today in Toronto.In his first start there, early in the year he was dominant baffling the Bluejay hitters,changing speeds like a 10 year pro,He finished up that day allowing just 1 run in 7+ innings.In his last 3 starts he has a 1.11 era and had been dominant when you consider his road record while playing in baseball toughest division.Toronto counters with Lefty B.Cecil.In Cecils home starts he has been good with a 3.68 era.He should do well against a Tampa team that has trouble scoring runs in day games.Those looking for a 5 unit Pounder consider a 100% System play that wins by an average 5 runs per game.In this game there is an 11-0 team trend for our side and an 0-7 angle against our opponent.Congrats to those who tailed on Saturdays 2-0 late phone sweep with the Angels and Mets.For the Bonus Play take the Under 9 runs in the Tampa-Toronto game bol.GC-

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Lady Luck: Today's WNBA best bets

Phoenix Mercury at New York Liberty (+2.5, 173)

Madison Square Garden has not been kind to the Mercury. Since 2004, the team is just 1-4 at the historic venue, including a 32-point loss there last year.

And Phoenix still is trying to regain some of its swagger which took it to the top of the Western Conference. The Mercury (12-5) are just 3-3 SU on the road this year, with their most recent loss a 99-86 defeat to Minnesota just before the All-Star break.

But Phoenix should be bolstered by the return of suspended guard Diana Taurasi (20.7 ppg) and already has defeated the Liberty once this season, a 91-84 win in early June.

The Liberty (6-9) are coming off a 15-point loss to Sacramento and are just 3-5 ATS at home this year.

Pick: Mercury


Sacramento Monarchs at Washington Mystics (-5, 150)

The Monarchs have struggled to a 4-14 record this year, but to turn around their poor fortunes, the team might consider moving its home games to the MCI Center in Washington.

Sacramento is 4-1 all-time at the arena and won there last year by three. In fact, the Monarchs all-time record against the Mystics is 9-1. The past three meetings, however, have been decided by an average of just four points per game, including one overtime.

The Monarchs also beat the Mystics earlier this year in California, 87-81.

The real dilemma comes from the Monarchs’ 2-9 SU road record. Its 3-7-1 ATS road record also is poor, but the team is finally getting healthy. Sacramento is coming off a 15-point win over the Liberty in New York and should carry that momentum down I-95 to D.C.

Pick: Monarchs

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Trend Report

1:05 PM
OAKLAND vs. NY YANKEES
Oakland is 1-8 SU in their last 9 games when playing NY Yankees
The total has gone UNDER in 7 of Oakland's last 9 games when playing NY Yankees
NY Yankees are 7-1 SU in their last 8 games when playing at home against Oakland
The total has gone UNDER in 16 of NY Yankees's last 21 games when playing at home against Oakland

1:07 PM
TAMPA BAY vs. TORONTO
Tampa Bay is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games when playing on the road against Toronto
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Tampa Bay's last 6 games when playing on the road against Toronto
Toronto is 0-5 SU in its last 5 games when playing Tampa Bay
The total has gone UNDER in 7 of Toronto's last 9 games when playing Tampa Bay

1:35 PM
BALTIMORE vs. BOSTON
Baltimore is 0-5 SU in its last 5 games when playing on the road against Boston
Baltimore is 0-5 SU in its last 5 games
Boston is 11-1 SU in its last 12 games when playing Baltimore
Boston is 2-5 SU in its last 7 games

1:35 PM
SAN DIEGO vs. WASHINGTON
San Diego is 2-8 SU in its last 10 games on the road
San Diego is 5-1 SU in its last 6 games when playing Washington
Washington is 2-14 SU in its last 16 games when playing at home against San Diego
Washington is 4-13 SU in its last 17 games

1:35 PM
ST. LOUIS vs. PHILADELPHIA
St. Louis is 2-4 SU in its last 6 games on the road
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of St. Louis's last 7 games on the road
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Philadelphia's last 5 games when playing at home against St. Louis
Philadelphia is 12-2 SU in its last 14 games

2:05 PM
ATLANTA vs. MILWAUKEE
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Atlanta's last 5 games when playing on the road against Milwaukee
Atlanta is 5-2 SU in its last 7 games
The total has gone UNDER in 12 of Milwaukee's last 14 games when playing Atlanta
Milwaukee is 2-4 SU in its last 6 games

2:05 PM
NY METS vs. HOUSTON
NY Mets are 3-6 SU in its last 9 games when playing Houston
The total has gone OVER in 5 of NY Mets's last 5 games when playing Houston
Houston is 5-1 SU in its last 6 games when playing at home against NY Mets
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Houston's last 6 games when playing at home against NY Mets

2:10 PM
TEXAS vs. KANSAS CITY
Texas is 9-4 SU in its last 13 games when playing Kansas City
Texas is 2-4 SU in its last 6 games on the road
Kansas City is 1-4 SU in its last 5 games when playing at home against Texas
Kansas City is 1-10 SU in its last 11 games

2:20 PM
CINCINNATI vs. CHI CUBS
Cincinnati is 1-4 SU in their last 5 games when playing Chi Cubs
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Cincinnati's last 7 games when playing Chi Cubs
Chi Cubs are 7-2 SU in their last 9 games
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Chi Cubs's last 7 games

3:10 PM
SAN FRANCISCO vs. COLORADO
The total has gone UNDER in 6 of San Francisco's last 8 games when playing Colorado
San Francisco is 3-7-1 SU in its last 11 games on the road
Colorado is 16-7-1 SU in its last 24 games at home
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Colorado's last 7 games

3:33 PM
MINNESOTA vs. LA ANGELS
Minnesota is 6-11-1 SU in their last 18 games when playing LA Angels
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Minnesota's last 6 games when playing LA Angels
LA Angels are 4-0-1 SU in their last 5 games when playing at home against Minnesota
The total has gone OVER in 4 of LA Angels's last 6 games when playing at home against Minnesota

4:10 PM
CLEVELAND vs. SEATTLE
Cleveland is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games when playing on the road against Seattle
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Cleveland's last 5 games when playing on the road against Seattle
Seattle is 6-3 SU in its last 9 games when playing Cleveland
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Seattle's last 6 games when playing Cleveland

4:10 PM
FLORIDA vs. LA DODGERS
Florida is 7-3 SU in their last 10 games when playing on the road against LA Dodgers
The total has gone OVER in 8 of Florida's last 10 games when playing on the road against LA Dodgers
LA Dodgers are 4-2 SU in their last 6 games when playing Florida
The total has gone OVER in 11 of LA Dodgers's last 15 games when playing Florida

4:10 PM
PITTSBURGH vs. ARIZONA
Pittsburgh is 2-4 SU in its last 6 games when playing Arizona
The total has gone UNDER in 8 of Pittsburgh's last 12 games when playing Arizona
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Arizona's last 6 games
Arizona is 7-3 SU in its last 10 games at home

8:05 PM
CHI WHITE SOX vs. DETROIT
Chi White Sox are 1-5 SU in their last 6 games when playing on the road against Detroit
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Chi White Sox's last 5 games when playing on the road against Detroit
Detroit is 5-1 SU in their last 6 games when playing Chi White Sox
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Detroit's last 5 games when playing Chi White Sox

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Hot Lines: Today's best MLB bets

Florida Marlins at Los Angeles Dodgers (-125, 9)

The Dodgers aren’t unbeatable at home – but they sure are close.

Los Angeles is an MLB-best 33-16 in its own back yard this season. The Dodgers are one of the best pitching teams at home in the majors, posting a 3.13 ERA and allowing opponents to hit a meager .232.

Los Angeles also has no problem hitting in California, as the Dodgers are batting .268 BA as a team there, to go with a balanced power attack: 84 doubles, 41 homers and 10 triples.

Meantime, the Marlins are no slouches on the road. The team’s piching staff has a 3.98 road ERA, one of the best marks in the majors.

The Dodgers, however, are just too good at Chavez Ravine.

Pick: Dodgers


Minnesota Twins at Los Angeles Angels (-135, 9.5)

When the Twins and Angles get together you can expect a slugfest.

These two teams have been lighting up the scoreboard when they get together this season. In six of the team’s seven meetings the over has hit, as the clubs average about 12 total runs per game.

The trend is especially odd for Minnesota, which has a 15-32-1 over/under road record. But for the Angels, who have a 27-18-2 over/under home record, it’s just business as usual.

“When we get a runner on, we’ve been capitalizing on it lately,” Angels infielder Chone Figgins told the Associated Press. “If we get that leadoff hitter on, we usually get that runner from first to third and that keeps us in the ballgame.”

Pick: Over

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Streaking and Slumping Pitchers

Streaking

Derek Lowe (Atlanta Braves)

The 12-year veteran had become a staple of the “Slumping” section as June was easily one of the worst months of his career.

But the 36 year old appears to be preparing for a late playoff push with Atlanta. He has turned in three straight quality starts by keeping the ball down and making opponents hit into his solid defense. And it’s no coincidence he has recorded nearly twice as many groundouts as flyouts the past three games.

Lowe (9-7, 4.26 ERA) was great in his most recent start, allowing just one run in six innings and most importantly walking only one.

“He used that sinker an awful lot. He got groundballs and got some strikeouts, too,” Atlanta manager Bobby Cox told the Associated Press. “I think he’s back to normal again.”

Brian Moehler (Houston Astros)

No one will confuse the 37 year old with an inning-eating ace. But Moehler’s solid play at the end of the rotation has been a huge reason for the Astros surging back into the playoff race.

Moehler (7-5, 4.92 ERA) has turned in four straight quality starts and hasn’t allowed more than three earned runs since June 9, a span of seven starts. The right-hander hasn’t been dominant – opponents are batting .288 BA and he has struck out just 56 against 27 walks – but he has given his team a chance to win during the dog days of summer.

In his most recent outing, a 3-2 win over the division-leading Cardinals, he gave up both runs on six hits over 6 2-3 innings as he struck out five.

“I’m more upset with the walks than anything else,” Moehler told the Associated Press. “I don’t like throwing a lot of pitches out. Too many walks, and strikeouts just come with the territory. To me, a couple of strikeouts and maybe no walks would have been better.”


Slumping

Micah Owings (Cincinnati Reds)

The right-hander has a basic goal on Sunday: try not to pick up an NL-leading 11th loss of the season.

Owings (6-10, 5.33 ERA) has been nothing short of awful his past two starts. He has failed to pitch past the fifth inning in each of those outings, yielding a combined 14 earned runs on 17 hits. To make matters worse, he also has allowed six walks and three homers over that span.

And the Cubs are a team he doesn’t want to face on Sunday. In two starts against them this season, he is 0-2 and has given up a total of 10 hits and seven run in just 10 2-3 innings.

“It was a frustrating night any way you look at it,” Owings told the Associated Press.

John Smoltz (Boston Red Sox)

The future hall of famer has yet to find his form after returning from the disabled list and debuting late last month.

Smoltz (1-3, 6.31 ERA) hasn’t made it past the sixth inning in any of his five starts and has struggled to find his fastball consistently. And while he isn’t walking many batters, the 42 year old is allowing opponents to hit .303 against him.

In Smoltz’s most recent outing, a 6-3 loss to Texas, he gave up all the runs in just 5 2-3 innings on nine hits, including three homers.

“I’m frustrated. I’m pleased with the way I’m throwing the baseball, but the results have been awful. They haven’t matched the effort,” Smoltz told the Associated Press. “I’ll have a hard time sleeping.”

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Sunday Night Baseball: White Sox at Tigers

Chicago White Sox at Detroit Tigers (-142, 9.5)

A key clash in the tight American League Central takes place under the ESPN lights Sunday night when the Tigers host the White Sox at Comerica Park in Detroit in a battle of division leaders.

Sunday’s game matches Chicago left-hander Clayton Richard (3-3 5.00 ERA) against Detroit right-hander Rick Porcello (9-6 4.40 ERA) in a battle of young arms looking to re-assert themselves.

2-1 Oddity

Heading into this pivotal four-game series, the Tigers were riding high atop the AL Central until a string of 2-1 losses allowed the White Sox an opportunity to close the gap.

Detroit’s 2-1 loss to Seattle Thursday marked its fourth loss in the previous five games - all by the score of 2-1.

"If you score one run a game, you aren't going to win," Tiger manager Jim Leyland told reporters. "I don't care how good your pitching is. You can have three (Sandy) Koufaxes and three (Don) Drysdales, you're still not going to win. Let me make it real simple for you… score one run a game, you lose - 99.9 percent of the time, probably."

Bend it like Beckham

White Sox 3B Gordon Beckham has been a pleasant surprise for manager Ozzie Guillen.

After being a 2008 first-round selection, Beckham has made a quick ascent through the White Sox system to become a starter. Guillen admits he never thought the former Georgia star would make an impact so quickly.

"I never thought this kid was going to play this well this fast. The problems he has at third base, we knew that was going to come because he never played there before. This guy is cold blood. He's not afraid, he's cocky in a good way, and it helps him,” Guillen told reporters.

While Beckham's defense is still a task in progress, (he’s switching from shortstop to third), he was hitting .358 BA with 23 RBIs in his previous 32 games entering this series.

No Halladay here

Toronto GM J.P. Ricciardi was overheard on his cell phone earlier this week asking for Dave Dombrowski, his counterpart with the Detroit Tigers.

When asked about the call, Ricciardi responded by saying it was "Not about Roy Halladay. Something else."

Meanwhile the Pale Hose interest in Halladay has also made news. The reality of consummating a trade, however, is slim-to-none.

"To make that work would be a lot of money and a lot of players involved. It's nice to say we need this guy or that guy, but it's not easy (to make trades). I don't think we'll give up half the organization for one guy," Guillen told the press.

Tale of the tape

The 20-year old rookie Porcello recorded his ninth victory this season when he defeated the Mariners 9-7 Tuesday. Porcello coughed up two homers as he allowed five runs on nine hits over five innings. He walked one and struck out four.

He is 11-6 in his 17-team starts with the Tigers with a 1.48 WHIP, including 6-2 at home (all this year). But he’s just 1-2 with a 9.47 ERA in his last three starts. Like his first-year counterpart, Ricky Romero of Toronto, Porcello appears to be hitting a rookie wall.

Chicago’s Richard allowed just four hits over a career-high eight innings in a 3-2 home loss against Tampa Bay Tuesday. He walked two and struck out seven. Richard was 1-2 with a 10.80 ERA in his previous five starts.

The large lefty has won six of his 13 team starts this season with a 1.51 WHIP, but is 0-3 his last three outings with a 7.86 ERA. He is also 1-4 with an 8.43 ERA in July and 0-2 with an 11.25 ERA on Sundays his career team starts.

The bottom line

Neither pitcher brings a lot to like into this fray. Both are unraveling, one a rookie that is not pressure-tested, the other a ‘tweener. One is not likely to out pitch the other.

Instead, let’s take advantage of the fact that both teams have been dead unders to this point of the season. Because of the value they bring, and the fact that neither hurler is in impressive form, look for a well-lit scoreboard tonight. Over and out.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Jake Timlin

Take the Rockies minus the Run Line as they bury the Giants today.


Fresh off their 8-2 win last night the Rockies continue to shine having won 33 of their last 45 games. Well thanks to their ace in Cook who is 6-0 over his last 9 starts I fully expect for Colorado to continue their winning ways today as the build continue to build on their NL Wild Card lead.


For the Giants they counter with Sadowski who is making just his fifth start in his career and doing so with an ERA of 7.45 on the road this year. Meanwhile, for the Giants as a team they are struggling having lost 7 of their last 10 games, including 4 of their last 6 games on the road.


Simple, with Colorado going with their ace in Cook and doing so against a San Francisco offense that sucks right now I don’t see this game being close for long as Colorado will jump out to an early lead and never look back.


4♦ Colorado Rockies -1 ½ Runs

(Based on a 1♦ to 5♦ scale)

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Jeff Benton

For Sunday’s Bonus Play, I’ll play the Phillies on the run line (-1½ runs) against the Cardinals).


Five days ago, I backed the Phillies and Joe Blanton against the Cubs, and Philadelphia came through with a 4-1, 13-inning victory. I said at the time and I’ll say it again: I’m not and never have been a Blanton fan. But you cannot argue with the results the chunky right-hander has put up lately. He’s 2-0 with a 0.83 ERA in his last three starts (all Phillies wins), giving up a total of two runs and 13 hits in 21 2/3 innings. He’s now got eight quality starts in his last 10 outings, giving up two earned runs or fewer in seven of those contests.


Granted, Philadelphia is just 10-8 behind Blanton for the season, but of its last nine wins with Blanton on the mound, eight have been by more than one run. That includes a 6-1 rout of the Cardinals in St. Louis on May 4. In fact, Blanton has faced the Redbirds twice since being traded to Philadelphia last summer, and in each contest, he gave up a run on four hits while pitching a total of 13 innings (1.39 ERA), with the Phillies winning both games.


Meanwhile, with Saturday’s 14-6 rout of St. Louis, the Phillies are now 3-1 against the Cards this season and 5-1 in the last six clashes dating to last year. More recently, Philadelphia is on a 16-3 tear (13-3 at home), and it has pounded out 43 runs through the first six games of its current homestand. The offense should continue to rake tonight against struggling St. Louis right-hander Todd Wellemeyer, who has given up nine runs (eight) earned over 8 1/3 innings in his last two starts. He’s got a 5.68 ERA for the season, a 6.14 ERA on the road and a 5.97 ERA in day games. On top of that, the Cardinals ares 0-3 in Wellemeyer’s three starts against Philadelphia, losing by scores of 7-4, 20-2 and 5-4 – and those were all in St. Louis!


Bottom line: I don’t know how much longer Blanton is going to continue his incredible run, but he certainly hasn’t displayed any signs lately that he’s regressing, and he’s never had any trouble with St. Louis. Besides, even if he does falter a bit today, I’m very confident that Rollins, Utley, Howard, Victorino, Werth and the rest of the Phillies’ potent offense will be able to get their licks in on Wellemeyer and pound out a comfortable victory. Lay the 1½ runs.


(based on a 1? to a 10? Rating)

3? PHILADELPHIA (-1 1/2 runs)

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Matt Rivers

For Sunday take Albert and the Redbirds at the Bank to the Bank.


The Phillies are very possibly the best team in the National League, maybe even superior to the Dodgers, but to get a price back like this with Matt Holliday in the mix for the Cardinals makes me fine in backing the visitors here today.


Albert Pujols is insane and that was without any protection. Now I'm not saying that the former A and Rockie outfielder is a bona fide superstar as Coors Field certainly helped his career immensely but Holliday is very good and much better than anything Tony LaRussa had to protect his superstar before the trade.


Todd Wellemeyer is very average and that could signal some trouble for su but Joe Blanton is truly not much better. Neither hurler should be able to do all that much against the opposing offenses and with the way Charlie Manual's bullpen has been hurting I have no problems taking the coin here. Closer Brad Lidge is certainly not nearly the same guy as last season, Ryan Madson is not either and JC Romero along with Chad Durbin just went on the DL which certainly can't help things.


Wellemeyer against the Phillies' great offense certainly scares me but at this price and with the Phillies deficiencies I'm willing to take my chances on the Redbirds.


2♦ Cardinals (out of 5♦)

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Marc Lawrence

Play On: Philadelphia w/Blanton vs. Wellemeyer

The Phillies and Cardinals put the wraps on this three-game series when Joe Blanton opposes Todd Wellemeyer in Philadelphia this afternoon. Blanton checks in with wins in each of his last three team starts and is also 5-0 in his last five starts in July. Meanwhile, Wellemeyer is 1-5 with a 4.50 ERA in his career starts in this series.

With that we'll stay at home with the Phillies here today.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Red Dog Sports

Texas at Kansas City

under 9.5

Kevin Millwood has 5 overs and 13 unders this year and the Rangers have 43 unders, 15 overs and 1 push in their last 59 games. Look for Texas and KC to play an under on Sunday afternoon as Texas has played plenty of unders this season.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Craig Trapp

New York Mets vs. Houston Astros

Houston Astros -138

HOU -137: These two teams have been heading in opposite directions for the past month. The Mets evened up the series yesterday but still have only won 3 of last 10 games. Today's pitching matchup heavily favors HOU as they send Moeller to the mound. His ERA is not great for the season but he is reliable and keeps his team in the game. He averages 6 innings a game and 3 ER over his last 10 starts. In that stretch HOU won 7 of his 10 starts. Opposing him today is Hernandez for the METS. Yes you can say he is consistent also but he is consistently bad. He has lost 4 of his last 5 starts allowing over 4 runs per game and only lasting 5 innings per game. At the plate the Astros have a big advantage with most of the NYM starters from opening day on the sideline. The Astros play very well at home and the NYM are just trying to survive. Hernandez gets shelled today and HOU wins another series.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Bob Harvey

Minnesota Twins vs. Los Angeles Angels

Los Angeles Angels -136

Get the brooms ready for the Angels who are going to finish off a four-game sweep of the Twins at the Big A.

Does anyone need to convincing about how good this Angel team is? The Halo’s started the season without injured pitchers John Lackey and Ervin Santana. There was the tragic loss of rookie Nick Adenhart and the season ending injury to set-up man Scott Shields. The Angels are presently without Tori Hunter and Vlad Guerrero who are both on the DL. Juan Rivera hasn’t played for week and on and on it goes. With all that adversity the Angels are still kicking butts and taking names. They’ve won eight in a row, nine of their last ten and 12 of their past 13. In those 13 games the Angels have been without Hunter and Guerrero and have actually picked up the pace. They’ve scored 100 runs (7.7 per game) and are batting .326 as a team with double-digit hit totals in nine of those 13. The Angels have made things look easy. They’re batting .401 with runners in scoring position over the past 13 games.

The Twins are reeling. After Saturday’s 11-5 loss, a game in which the Angels scored nine-runs in the fourth, Minnesota has lost five of the six games on their west coast and they’ve been outscored 39-14 during their four-game losing streak. Right now the Twins and for that matter the American League can’t slow down this Angel jugggernaut.

Not that pitching has made much of a difference in this series, for either team, but Ervin Santana will go for Anaheim whil rookie Anthony Swarzak goes for the Twins. Santana, who is struggling to regain his all-star form of a year ago, is 3-5 on the year with an sky high ERA of 6.79. Swarzak comes in with a 2-3 ledger and a 4.15 ERA.

The Angels have abused Twins pitching in this series. Minnesota’s starters, relievers and even closer Joe Nathan have all struggled leaving manager Ron Gardenhire scratching his head.

The way the Angels are hitting right now it’s tough to imagine anyone this side of Toronto being able to shut them down. That’s why there going to get the nod (again) in the series finale.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Dave Cokin

(929) MINNESOTA TWINS
(930) LOS ANGELES ANGELS
Take "(930) LOS ANGELES ANGELS"

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Jim Feist

(901) ST. LOUIS CARDINALS
(902) PHILADELPHIA PHILLIES
Take "Over"

Clash of first place teams here on Sunday as Phillies host the Cardinals. The Phillies have opened up a 6-game lead in the NL East over the Marlins. Philly had its long winning streak snapped on Friday, but rebounded on Saturday with a win over the Cards, 14-6. The Phillies lead the league in runs/game (5.36), home runs (132) and are sixth in team batting average (.261). The Cardinals boast the league's top power hitter in Albert Pujols, who now has 34 HR's and 90 RBI. Raul Ibanez of Philadelphia is tied for 2nd in the league with 24 HR's. Todd Wellemeyer starts for the Cards and it's been a bumpy season for the young righthander. Wellemeyer is 7-8 on the season with a 5.86 ERA and has had control problems with 48 walks and just 68 KO's. Joe Blanton starts for the Phils and while he has been much better of late, the big righty is just 6-4 on the season with a 4.24 era. Blanton has also given up the long ball, with 19 round trippers allowed this season. Should be a offensive shootout here in the city of Brotherly love with two big hitting teams and mediocre pitching.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Tony Weston

The Dodgers couldn’t quite get it done yesterday and end up costing us. That’s fine as I’m delivering today.

We’re coming at it as we’re taking the Run Line on the Phillies against the visiting Cardinals.

They’ve only met four times this season, but the Phillies have take 3 of those meetings and have owned the Cards in each of those matchups.

In their first two meetings this season the Phillies beat St. Louis by an average of 4 runs per game. And in yesterday’s meeting, Philadelphia destroyed the Cardinals 14-6.

Coming into today’s game the Phils have gone 16-3 their last 19 games. In that stretch, Philadelphia has outscored its opponents, on average, 6.5-3.2.

Also consider that Phillies scheduled starter Joe Blanton has pitched very strong lately. Philadelphia is 3-0 his last three starts and has outscored its opponents, on average, 3-1.

On the other side, the Cardinals’ Todd Wellemeyer has had his share of struggles. St. Louis is 0-3 his last three appearances and has lost by an average of 3.3 runs per game in that stretch.

Today, the Phillies will cruise to another win as the Run Line comes in easily in this one.

3♦ PHILLIES (RL) (on a 1♦ - 5♦ Scale)