Friday Service Plays 7/11/08

[the duke]

Comps

St. Louis (pick) at PITTSBURGH Sports Gambling Hotline

Tonight we back the Redbirds to get back into the win column against the Pirates.

Pittsburgh is feeling good about themselves after taking care of the Yankees last night, while the Cards are scuffling at 2-5 their last 7 games.

St. Louis has been able to go 8-3 at PNC Park since last season, and Kyle Lohse continues to impress, as the righty is now 10-2 with a 3.61 ERA for the year.

Zack Duke can't seem to right his ship, and is still below .500 for the year at 4-5 with an over 4 ERA.

Lohse is 2-0 over his last 4 starts against Pittsburgh, while Duke is on an 0-3 run his last 4 starts against the Cards.

We will side with the Cardinals to snap their losing streak at 2 with the win in the Steel City in the weekend opener.

Play on St. Louie.

2♦ ST. LOUIS

Arizona at PHILADELPHIA (-145) Bobby Maxwell

Today we've got another comp play winner coming as we go with the Phillies over the D'Backs.

The slumping D'Backs now head to Philadelphia and have to play a team that has way toom uch firepower in the lineup. We're playing the Phillies in this one even though they haven't been stellar in front of the home crowd lately.

Arizona is just 3-8 in its last 11 road games and 5-22 in their last 27 road games against teams with a winning record.

On the hill is Doug Davis (3-4, 3.74 ERA) for the D'Backs going up against the Phillies' Kyle Kendrick (8-3, 4.39). Davis has given up three runs in each of his last three starts and lost his last one 4-2 to the Padres in Arizona.

Meanwhile Kendrick has been strong lately, giving up three runs or less in five of his last six outings, including one run in six innings on Sunday against the Mets. He faced the D'Backs back on May 7 and gave up three runs in six innings of a 6-5 Philadelphia victory.

The Phillies have gone 12-3 against teams with a losing record and 10-4 against southpaws. And for some reason these guys dominate series openers, going 36-15 in their last 51. We'll take our chances and lay the chalk with them in this one.

4♦ PHILADELPHIA



White Sox (-120) at TEXAS Karl Garrett


Tonight I am going with Chicago at Texas to make it winner #9 in a row.

The White Sox were cooled off a tad last night at Kansas City, but I expect the bats to do some serious damage to Luis Mendoza who has not had a good time of it in his recent call up to the big club.

Mendoza worked on Monday and could not finish 2 innings, as the Angels got to him got 8 earned runs! For the season, Mendoza is 0-3 with a 10.91 ERA.

After being held down at the plate last night, the Sox hitters should have a field day with Mendoza who is likely making his last start in the rotation in this spot.

Gavin Floyd is 10-4 for the year with an ERA just over 3, and he should be able to give Ozzie Guillen's club what it needs tonight.

Take the Pale Hose to get back into the win column.

2♦ WHITE SOX



James Patrick Sports

Chicago White Sox vs. Texas Rangers 8:05 p.m. est.
Our Friday Major League Baseball complimentary selection is #925 White Sox-Rangers Over the Total.


Marc Lawrence

Play On: Seattle w/Hernandez

Note: the Mariners open a three game set with Kansas City when they send Felix Hernandez to the hill against the Royals. This marks Hernandez' first start since turning his ankle on a play at the plate three week ago. At the time he was in season peak form as he enters tonight's fray in terrific KW form 2 walks and 19 strikeouts in his last three starts. Sporting a 1.90 ERA on the road this season, we'll back King Felix and the Mariners here tonight.

 

[the duke]

John Fina


Selection: Tampa Bay/Cleveland Under 8 (-110)

Reason: Put us down on the Tampa Bay Rays/Cleveland Indians Under 8 for our Free MLB Selection on Friday. Today we see a low-scoring game as the Tampa Bay Rays do battle with the Cleveland Indians. One reason why we see a low-scoring game is because both these teams will be sending to the mound solid starting pitchers. This says it all... The Tampa Bay Rays Starting Pitcher (James Shields) has a 2.21 ERA in his last 3 starts, while Cleveland Indians Starting Pitcher (Cliff Lee) has a 2.35 ERA in his last 3 starts. As you can see, both these teams will be using solid starting pitchers. In addition, these teams have played low-scoring games in recent meetings. In fact, the Under is 10-4-1 in the last 15 meetings between these teams. We see another low-scoring game tonight! Take the Tampa Bay Rays/Cleveland Indians Under 8!



Tony Mathews

Matchup: Chicago White Sox vs. Texas Rangers

Selection: Chicago White Sox (-120)

Explanation: We will side with the Chicago White Sox as they face-off against the Texas Rangers in Friday's MLB contest.

The Chicago White Sox will use starting pitcher Gavin Floyd. Gavin Floyd has pitched very well this season. In fact, Gavin Floyd is 10-4 with a 3.22 ERA on the season. We see Gavin Floyd pitching another great game today.

The Texas Rangers will use starting pitcher Luis Mendoza. Luis Mendoza has struggled this season. In fact, Luis Mendoza has a 7.54 ERA on the season. In addition, Luis Mendoza has a 12.91 ERA in his last 3 starts. We see Luis Mendoza pitching another bad game today.

Trend: The Chicago White Sox are 36-15 in their last 51 games as a favorite.

We see the Chicago White Sox beating the Texas Rangers tonight!

Take the Chicago White Sox!



Brian Marshall

Game: Atlanta Braves vs. San Diego Padres

Plays On: San Diego Padres (-150)

Game Analyses: The San Diego Padres should be able to beat the Atlanta Braves in Friday's MLB game.

The Atlanta Braves will be lead by starting pitcher Jo Jo Reyes. Jo Jo Reyes has struggled this season. In fact, Jo Jo Reyes has a 4.40 ERA on the season. In addition, Jo Jo Reyes has a 5.93 ERA in his last 3 starts. We see Jo Jo Reyes giving up many runs once again today.

The San Diego Padres will be lead by starting pitcher Jake Peavy. Jake Peavy has been pitching well this season. In fact, Jake Peavy has a 2.67 ERA on the season. In addition, Jake Peavy has a 1.89 ERA in his last 3 starts. We see Jake Peavy giving up very few hits and runs today.

To say the least, the San Diego Padres should have no problem beating the Atlanta Braves tonight!

Take the San Diego Padres!

 

[the duke]

Comps

Jeff Alexander

St Louis Cardinals vs. Pittsburgh Pirates

St Louis Cardinals -107

1 Unit PLAY on St. Louis Cardinals -107 (listing Lohse and Duke)

Lohse has been a thorn in the side of nearly every
lineup he has faced in the N.L. this season. The Cardinals are 9-1 in Lohse's last 10 starts and 5-0 in their last 5 games as a road favorite. The Pirates are a pathetic 3-13 in their last 16 during game 1 of a series, 1-7 in their last 8 Friday games, and 4-13 in Duke's last 17 starts vs. a team with a winning record. The Cardinals are 47-18 in the last 65 meetings in Pittsburgh. Take the Red Birds.



Steve Janus

Houston Astros vs. Washington Nationals

Houston Astros-122

The Astros are 6-1 in their last 7 games after coming off of a day of rest. Houston has also been supporting Roy Oswalt as of late, particularly as a favorite of between -110 and -150 where the Astros are 9-2 in Oswalt's starts. The Nationals continue to struggle. They've lost 6 of their last 7 games as an underdog, they've lost 6 in a row against teams from the NL Central, and they are 0-7 in their last 7 games at home against a team with an overall losing record.



Jimmy Boyd


Houston Astros vs. Washington Nationals

Washington Nationals +118

1 Unit PLAY on Washington Nationals +118 (listing Redding and Oswalt)
Oswalt has not has the kind of season we have come to expect from him. The Astros are just 3-8 in Oswalt's last 11 road starts. We'll back Redding at home at a great price Friday. The Nationals are 5-0 in Redding's last 5 home starts, 9-2 in Redding's last 11 starts overall, and 8-1 in Redding's last 9 starts vs. a team with a losing record. The Astros are also jusr 1-5 in their last 6 meetings in Washington. Take the Nats against the struggling 'stros.



Dave Price

Minnesota Twins vs. Detroit Tigers

Detroit Tigers -156

1 Unit Play on Detroit Tigers -156 (listing Galarraga)
After going down in 11 innings Thursday, the Tigers will be in bounce back mode Friday. The Tigers are an impressive 20-6 in their last 26 home games, 8-2 in their last 10 during game 2 of a series, and 36-16 in their last 52 games as a favorite. Galarraga gives us some added confidence as the Tigers are 7-0 in Galarraga's last 7 starts vs. a team with a winning record. He has been toughest on the best teams in the league and that's why you see the Tigers as a decent sized fave here, but they are worth the price.


Jason Lowry

Houston Astros vs. Washington Nationals

Washington Nationals +115

Our free pick today is going on the Nationals as they send their ace to the mound in Tim Redding, but you have to like that the Nationals are 13-3 against the money line in home games when playing against a team with a losing record in the second half of the season over the last 2 seasons, and Redding is 12-3 against the money line as an underdog of +100 or higher this season. Take Washington in this one!

 

[the duke]

Comps

Jimmy The Moose

Game: Colorado Rockies at New York Mets Jul 11 2008 7:10PM

Prediction: New York Mets

Reason: Colorado is 6-22 in their last 28 road games. The Rockies are 2-6 in their last 8 road games vs. a left-handed starter. They are 7-20 in their last 27 road games vs. a team with a winning home record. Cook is having a good season for the Rockies but Colorado is 9-24 in his last 33 road starts vs. a team with a winning record. New York has won 6 straight and have climbed back in the division race. The Mets have won 4 of Perez's last 5 starts. The Mets have also won 4 of his last 5 home starts. The Rockies are 6-22 in their last 28 trips to New York. Play on the New York Mets


Scott Delaney

It was another easy winner on Thursday, as the Brewers got it done on the Run Line for us, blasting the Rockies, 11-1.

You know what I say about MLB totals: it?s all in the numbers, right? And just like we hit the Jays/Orioles Over on Wednesday, tonight we?ll nail the under because of the overwhelming support we?re getting with the pitchers involved with this game. Let?s start with Felix Hernandez, whose 1.90 road ERA is the first indicator this one stays low. The other would be that all six of his starts on the highway have stayed below the posted number. Looking deeper into the numbers, the under in games involving Seattle is on winning runs of 6-1 overall, 8-1 when Felix the Cat is the listed favorite, 14-3 in his last 17 starts on the highway and 17-5 in his last 22 outings overall.


With the Royals, we have a staunch performer in Luke Hochevar toeing the slab, as five of his six starts at Kauffman Stadium have stayed underneath the installed figure. And he?s in desperate need of a home start after getting shelled in Baltimore and Tampa to start the month. Despite the bombings, the under is on winning runs of 10-4 when the northpaw is on grass, 6-2 when he comes off four days rest and 9-4 when he?s installed as the pup. Play this one low boys, as I smell a 3-1 or 4-2 type of ball game.

3♦ BREWERS


Big Al McMordie

Arizona D-Backs vs. Philadelphia Phillies (MLB) - Jul 11, 2008 7:05 PM EDT

Play: Money Line:
Philadelphia Phillies -140

At 7:05pm our complimentary selection is on the Philadelphia Phillies over the Arizona Diamondbacks. 23-year-old righthander Kyle Kendrick is building very nicely on his rookie campaign with the Phillies in 2007 when he went 10-4 with a sub-four ERA. He is having a very similar season in 2008, winning the majority of his games, even if he rarely overpowers his opponents and sometimes gets himself into trouble. It would seem that Kendrick is a perfect fit for this club, as he complements the strikeout artistry of Cole Hamels and the crafty lefthandedness of 40-something Jamie Moyer with his own version of no-nonsense control pitching. Kendrick already has close to double-digit wins on the season (8-3) and you'd probably be even more surprised to find out that he is responsible for more wins than any other Philly starter, with his team logging a very impressive 13-5 record in games which he's started so far this season. Arguably, Diamondback lefthander Doug Davis' accomplishments have been much more impressive than those of his team as all Davis has done in the first half is come back from Thyroid cancer surgery to perform very effectively with a 3.74 ERA and 54 strikeouts in only 65 innings. The fact that Davis has a losing record at 3-4 is not so much his fault as that of the hitting of his teammates, and if Davis has a problem this year, it's in the walks department where he has given up far too many in most of his starts. He can't afford to do that against a Philly team that will surely make him pay whenever they have a chance to get a baserunner. His miraculous cancer recovery aside, Davis probably wins the award for tough-luck starter of the first half as he has been in position to win most of his starts, until fate seems to intervene in some way. Take the Phillies.

 

[the duke]

Jim Feist

My free pick of the day is the game between (919) TB Rays and (920) CLE Indians. Take "(920) CLE Indians". This is a good example of one of those pitching situations where the site makes a world of difference. The Rays James Shileds is 7-5 with a 3.64 era this year. However, on the road, he's just 2-4 with a 6.09 era. The Indians Cliff Lee has had a great season, going 11-2 with a 2.43 era so far. At home it gets even better, 4-0 with a 1.84 era. The Rays are a dime favorite and we will have to take the Indians with their best pitcher on the mound against a Rays hurler that is anything but consistent on the road. Take the Indians.



Dave Cokin

My free pick of the day is the game between (925) CHW White Sox and (926) TEX Rangers. Take "(925) CHW White Sox".
The White Sox missed getting the sweep at Kansas City, but I like their chances of getting right back into the win column tonight at Texas. Gavin Floyd is doing some really solid work for the Chisox, and the Rangers might be a little gassed after that wild game with the Halos. I'll play the road favored White Sox here.

 

[the duke]

ARMVIN SPORTS

COLORADO ROCKIES 124

TAMPA BAY RAYS 101



Hondo

The Chisox should adopt a new bullpen policy: Don't ask Dotel. Had that been in effect before last night's game in KC, Hondo's earnings might not have been trimmed to 400 moschittos.

Tonight, he'll ride the longshot against the Bosawx up in Fewnay Pahk - 10 units on Burres and the Birds.



VEGAS STEAMLINE

HOUSTON/WASHINGTON UNDER the total of 8 runs

 

[the duke]

JEFFERSONSPORTS 1-2 yest. (-1.75 units)

MLB RECORD
+29.50 units (+2950 playing 100 per game)

MLB FRI
MILWAUKEE-165

 

[the duke]

SCOTT FERRALL


KANSAS CITY +105 over Seattle--You know I'm crazy right ? My boy Hochevar is gonna throw some 98 MPH GAS at the Mariners and top FELIX THE KING. The M's top gun is coming off the DL. UNDER 8.5 RUNS

Chicago -120 over Texas--Gavin Floyd steps up and stops the Rangers bats. UNDER 10.5 RUNS

YANKS +105 over Jays--JOBA TIME IN TORONTO BABY ! He'll beat Halladay as the Bombers get it done at Rogers for the young gun. UNDER 7.5 RUNS

MINNESOTA +150 over Detroit--Here's for taking chances. Perkins on the road over the Tigers Galarraga. Both these guys are having great seasons so far and it won't be easy getting hits. UNDER 9.5 RUNS

Dodgers -150 over Marlins--Stoltz has been lights out and his ERA is 2.22. He handles Florida and Chris Volstad, who's making his first career start. He's looked good out of the bullpen but I say OVER 8.5 RUNS as LA gets the stciks going and the fans partying at the Revine

SAN DIEGO -150 over Atlanta--Peavy goes off against the Braves. Reyes is the Braves starter and he's had absolutely no luck. UNDER 8.5 RUNS

 

[the duke]

Comps

Tom Freese

Game: Houston Astros at Washington Nationals Jul 11 2008 7:35PM

Prediction: Houston Astros
Houston is 6-1 off a day off and they are 40-16 vs. a team that allowed 5 or more runs in their last game. The Astros are 50-17 after scoring 5 or more runs in their last game and they are 37-18 with Roy Oswalt in Game 1 of a series. Oswalt is in awesome KW form with a 9-1 strikeout to walk ratio in his last 3 starts. Washington is 18-41 their last 59 home games when the total is 7.0 to 8.5 and they are 5-11 their last 16 as home dogs. The Nationals are 7-20 their last 27 games vs. righty starters and they are 0-8 their last 8 home games vs. losing teams. PLAY ON HOUSTON - (Oswalt vs. Redding)



Jack Clayton

MLB
Game: White Sox at Rangers
Date/Time: 7/11/2008 8:00PM EST

Pick: White Sox

 

[the duke]

Alex Smart

Atlanta Braves (-143)
Fri Jul 11 '08 10:05p

The Atlanta Braves enter into todays tilt against the San Diego Padres , off a heart breaking 2-1 loss to LA Dodgers last time out , which was their 24th straight away set back, in games decided by one run. The Padres have, some hard luck stories of their own to tell,as is evident by losing 10 of their L/11 at home. Neither of these teams inspires a whole lot of confidence. But tonights pithing matchup does very much favor the host Padres as they send the ace of their pitching staff, Jake Peavy ( 6-5, 2.67 ERA) to the hill to face a Atlanta team that is hitting just .241 on the road while producing just 3.8 RPG. The Fathers hard throwing right hander is rounding in to form, after starting his season out slowly, and than landing on the disabled list. Since coming of the DL he is 2-2 along with a stingy 2.17 ERA in 5 starts, and is off, one of his best efforts of the season last time out, allowing just 3 hits in 7 innings of work against Arizona.

Meanwhile , his 23 year old pitching opponent from the Braves, Jo-Jo Reyes(3-7, 4.40 ERA)is a hurler that is still experiencing growing pains, as he learns to deal with mlb hitters, while at the same time struggling with his command. He could be a pretty good pitcher one of these days, but for now , he is fade material. It must be noted that Reyes , made his his debut in the majors right here in PETCO, last July 7, giving up 5 runs , including 2 home runs in a 8-5 loss. Im predicting those bad memories come back to haunt the lefty again tonight.

Final notes & Key Trends: Atlanta has lost 21 of 32 games against right handed starters like Peavy this season.

Play on San Diego

 

[the duke]

Comps

Tampa Bay (+105) at CLEVELAND Chris Jordan

You know, Cleveland is just flat-out sad. And as long as I see value prices in games involving the Tribe, I?ll be on the other side of this team every step of the way. I know the team?s ace ? Cliff Lee ? will be on the hill for it tonight, but all life has been whisked away from this team; and even with his quality arm, the offense is atrocious thanks to a rash of injuries. We?re not going to list Lee in this one, after all I wouldn?t mind if he didn?t start, but I will put my boy James Shields on the ticket.

The right-hander notched his seventh win of the season last Sunday by limiting the Royals to two runs on four hits, while he fanned eight in seven innings. The northpaw?s best pitch is a time-standing-still changeup, but when he?s in command of his fastball, mixes in his curve and adds that tailing cutter, he?s as good as any other hurler in the league. I know he?s struggled on the road this season, but he?s on a roll right now (five earned over 20 innings in last three starts) and he?s produced three straight quality starts against the Tribe. Take the road warrior Rays in this one.

2♦ DEVIL RAYS




JB's Computer Plays


Tampa Bay Rays at Cleveland Indians
(R) James Shields (7-5) vs. (L) Cliff Lee (11-2) Cleveland Indians -120

Houston Astros at Washington Nationals
(R) Roy Oswalt (7-8) vs. (R) Tim Redding (6-3) Washington Nationals +115

Cincinnati Reds at Milwaukee Brewers
(R) Josh Fogg (1-2) vs. (L) Manny Parra (8-2) Milwaukee Brewers -180

 

[the duke]

PlusLineSports

Baltimore Orioles vs Boston Red Sox
Boston Red Sox -1.5 +107


Colorado Rockies vs NY Mets
NY Mets -1.5 +159

 

[the duke]

THE SPORTS ADVISORS

AMERICAN LEAGUE

Minnesota (51-41) at Detroit (46-45)

The Twins are scheduled to send left-hander Glen Perkins (5-2, 4.27 ERA) to the mound for the second game of a four-game set against the A.L. Central rival Tigers at Comerica Park. Minnesota, which had been scorching hot before dropping three straight at Boston earlier this week, opened this series with Thursday?s come-from-behind 7-6, 11-inning victory, winning on Justin Morneau?s solo homer. Minnesota is on streaks of 17-5 overall, 6-0 inside the division and 7-2 in the second game of a series.

Detroit, which will counter with rookie right-hander Armando Galarraga (7-2, 3.27), has also climbed back into the division race thanks to a 20-8 run in its last 28 games. In addition, despite Friday?s setback, the Tigers have won 20 of their last 27 at Comerica and are on runs of 40-17 at home against left-handers and 44-19 overall against lefties.

These two teams have already met a dozen times this season, with Minnesota holding an 8-4 advantage, thanks to winning eight of the last 10 clashes. Detroit, though, is still 5-3 in the last eight meetings at Comerica in this rivalry.

The Twins are 4-1 in Perkins? last five starts, with the 25-year-old getting the decision in a 4-3 home win over Cleveland on Sunday, allowing three runs on seven hits in seven innings. Perkins hasn?t given up more than three runs in any of his last six starts, going six or more innings four times in that span.

The Tigers have won six of Galarraga?s last seven starts and are 7-0 against winning teams behind the 26-year-old. Galarraga had a solid outing Saturday at Seattle, allowing one run on five hits in six innings before exiting with a 2-1 lead, but he got his third straight no-decision as the bullpen couldn?t hold up in a 3-2 loss.

Perkins is 2-0 with a 3.75 ERA in four road starts this year, and he?s 1-0 with a 2.33 ERA in five career appearances (two starts) against Detroit. In a June 30 matchup against Galarraga, he got a no-decision at home after allowing two runs on seven hits in 6 1/3 innings of a 5-4 loss.

Galarraga, meanwhile, is 2-1 with a 4.46 ERA at home this season and 0-2 with a 4.71 ERA in four career appearances (three starts) against Minnesota, also getting a no-decision in the June 30 game after giving up four runs on nine hits in six innings. But the Tigers are 1-2 this season against the Twins when Galarraga starts, with Minnesota outscoring Detroit 24-10 in those three contests.

Minnesota has a bevy of ?over? trends, including 14-3 in the second game of a series, 10-2 on the highway against winning teams, 12-5 overall on the road, 23-8-2 on Friday, 10-4 in division play and 6-2 in Perkins? last eight starts. The over is also 16-6-3 for Detroit at home against left-handed starters, and in this rivalry, the over is on a 6-1 run in Detroit. However, the under is 6-1 in Galarraga?s last seven starts.

ATS ADVANTAGE: MINNESOTA


L.A. Angels (55-37) at Oakland (50-42)

Right-hander Jon Garland (8-5, 3.76 ERA) is set to take the hill at McAfee Coliseum when the A.L. West-leading Angels open a three-game weekend series against the division rival Athletics. Los Angeles is coming off a four-game split at Texas, winning a shootout Thursday night 11-10 in 11 innings. Even though the Angels are just 3-5 in their last eight as a visitor, they still have the best road record in the majors at 29-17, and they are 9-3 in their last 12 games against winning teams and 16-7 in their last 23 versus the A.L. West..

The A?s will waste no time getting right-hander Sean Gallagher (3-4, 4.45) into the rotation after acquiring him as part of the trade that sent Rich Harden to the Chicago Cubs earlier this week. Oakland comes into this one after taking three of four at home against Seattle, capped by Thursday?s 3-2, 11-inning victory, with Emil Brown hitting a walk-off solo shot to win it. The A?s have won eight straight series openers ? including a 6-1 road win over the Angels on June 30 ? and they?re on further upticks of 4-0 on Friday and 6-2 against winning teams, but they are 7-15 in their last 22 as an underdog.

These teams have clashed 10 times so far this season, with Anaheim holding a 6-4 edge, winning the last two games in the three-game series that concluded July 2. The Angels are 5-2 in the last seven meetings in Oakland.

Garland is coming off a complete-game six-hitter against Toronto on Sunday. In that outing, he allowed just one run ? a solo homer ? on six hits in a 7-1 home victory. However, Garland hasn?t earned back-to-back winning decisions in more than two months, since beating Kansas City at home and Boston on the road in April. That said, in his last 12 games, he?s allowed three earned runs or less 11 times, and the Halos are 4-1 in his last five road starts.

The 22-year-old Gallagher, inserted into the Cubs? starting rotation on May 11 after two relief appearances, hasn?t won since a 5-3 home victory over Colorado on June 1. The Cubs went 0-5 in his last five outings (all on the road), with Gallagher taking three losses and two no-decisions. Last Friday at San Francisco, the youngster allowed four runs (three earned) on four hits in five innings of an 8-3 loss.

Garland is 5-1 with a solid 3.06 ERA in seven road starts this season, but he?s a dismal 4-10 with a 4.70 ERA in 16 career starts against Oakland. He?s 1-2 with a 5.21 ERA in three starts against the A?s this season, getting a 5-3 road win on June 7, when he allowed two runs on five hits in seven innings. But he took a beating in two home starts, allowing seven runs on 10 hits in six innings in a 14-2 smackdown April 28, and four runs (two earned) on eight hits in the aforementioned 6-1 loss June 30.

Gallagher, meanwhile, will have to adjust to a new home stadium, but with the Cubs, he was 3-0 with a 3.52 ERA in four home starts this year.

In this divisional rivalry, the under is on a 40-19-3 tear in the last 62 meetings overall, including 5-1-2 in the last eight battles at the Coliseum. Furthermore, the under for Los Angeles is 23-9-2 in its last 34 road games, 8-4 against winning teams, 14-6 in series openers, 4-0 behind Garland in a series opener and 9-1-2 in his last 12 starts overall. Finally, for Oakland, the under is on a 7-1 spree and is 8-2 at home, 20-7 with the A?s a pup and 19-7 in series openers.

ATS ADVANTAGE: UNDER

 

[the duke]

Dunkel Index

MLB

St. Louis at Pittsburgh
The Cardinals look to snap a two-game slide and build on their 6-1 record on the road as a favorite between -100 and -125. St. Louis is the pick (-110) according to Dunkel, which has the Cardinals favored by 1 1/2.

Dunkel Pick: St. Louis (-110).


Time Posted: 7:30 a.m. EST
Game 901-902: San Francisco at Chicago Cubs
Dunkel Ratings: San Francisco (Cain) 13.590; Cubs (Marquis) 15.938
Dunkel Line: Chicago Cubs by 2 1/2; 12 1/2
Vegas Line: Chicago Cubs (-140); No Run Line
Dunkel Pick: Chicago Cubs (-140); N/A

Game 903-904: St. Louis at Pittsburgh
Dunkel Ratings: St. Louis (Lohse) 15.205; Pittsburgh (Duke) 13.571
Dunkel Line: St. Louis by 1 1/2; 8 1/2
Vegas Line: St. Louis (-110); 9
Dunkel Pick: St. Louis (-110); Under

Game 905-906: Arizona at Philadelphia
Dunkel Ratings: Arizona (Davis) 14.560; Philadelphia (Kendrick) 14.249
Dunkel Line: Arizona by 1/2; 8
Vegas Line: Philadelphia (-145); 10
Dunkel Pick: Arizona (+135); Under

Game 907-908: Colorado at NY Mets
Dunkel Ratings: Colorado (Cook) 15.616; NY Mets (Perez) 16.384
Dunkel Line: NY Mets by 1; 8
Vegas Line: NY Mets (-135); 8 1/2
Dunkel Pick: NY Mets (-135); Under

Game 909-910: Houston at Washington
Dunkel Ratings: Houston (Oswalt) 13.505; Washington (Redding) 15.021
Dunkel Line: Washington by 1 1/2; 9
Vegas Line: Houston (-130); 8
Dunkel Pick: Washington (+120); Over

Game 911-912: Cincinnati at Milwaukee
Dunkel Ratings: Cincinnati (Fogg) 14.226; Milwaukee (Parra) 16.443
Dunkel Line: Milwaukee by 2; 11
Vegas Line: Milwaukee (-175); 9
Dunkel Pick: Milwaukee (-175); Over

Game 913-914: Atlanta at San Diego
Dunkel Ratings: Atlanta (Reyes) 13.752; San Diego (Peavy) 15.231
Dunkel Line: San Diego by 1 1/2; 6 1/2
Vegas Line: San Diego (-150); 7
Dunkel Pick: San Diego (-150); Under

Game 915-916: Florida at LA Dodgers
Dunkel Ratings: Florida (Volstad) 13.910; LA Dodgers (Stults) 15.769
Dunkel Line: LA Dodgers by 2; 7 1/2
Vegas Line: LA Dodgers (-145); 8 1/2
Dunkel Pick: LA Dodgers (-145); Under

Game 917-918: Baltimore at Boston
Dunkel Ratings: Baltimore (Burres) 14.560; Boston (Buchholz) 16.775
Dunkel Line: Boston by 2; 11
Vegas Line: Boston (-185); 10
Dunkel Pick: Boston (-185); Over

Game 919-920: Tampa Bay at Cleveland
Dunkel Ratings: Tampa Bay (Shields) 15.789; Cleveland (Lee) 13.708
Dunkel Line: Tampa Bay by 2; 7 1/2
Vegas Line: Cleveland (-115); 8
Dunkel Pick: Tampa Bay (+105); Under

Game 921-922: Minnesota at Detroit
Dunkel Ratings: Minnesota (Perkins) 14.999; Detroit (Galarraga) 16.906
Dunkel Line: Detroit by 2; 11
Vegas Line: Detroit (-160); 9
Dunkel Pick: Detroit (-160); Over

Game 923-924: NY Yankees at Toronto
Dunkel Ratings: NY Yankees (Chamberlain) 14.612; Toronto (Halladay) 15.980
Dunkel Line: Toronto by 1 1/2; 6 1/2
Vegas Line: Toronto (-120); 7 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Toronto (-120); Under

Game 925-926: Chicago White Sox at Texas
Dunkel Ratings: White Sox (Floyd) 16.146; Texas (Mendoza) 14.069
Dunkel Line: Chicago White Sox by 2; 10
Vegas Line: Chicago White Sox (-120); 10 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Chicago White Sox (-120); Under

Game 927-928: Seattle at Kansas City
Dunkel Ratings: Seattle (Hernandez) 16.322; Kansas City (Hochevar) 14.606
Dunkel Line: Seattle by 2; 8
Vegas Line: Seattle (-120); 8 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Seattle (-120); Under

Game 929-930: LA Angels at Oakland
Dunkel Ratings: LA Angels (Garland) 14.500; Oakland (Gallagher) 16.261
Dunkel Line: Oakland by 1 1/2; 9
Vegas Line: LA Angels (-110); 8 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Oakland (+100); Over

 

[the duke]

Stu Feiner

Overnight Report

American League

Tampa Bay Rays at Cleveland Indians

How about those Indians last night? You have to just face facts. Tampa is almost two totally different teams. The Rays are 36-14 at home. They fly at home they just go and beat up on teams. It doesn?t matter if it is the Royals or if it is the Red Sox Tampa just gets the job done at home. On the road is a different story.

You don?t have to look much further than last night?s game to get a sense of the Rays road struggles. They went in to Cleveland and played a team that lost ten straight ball games. Ten games in a row and what happened? Tampa got blitzed. They allowed 13 runs and scored a measly two runs.

The Rays are three games under .500 at home. The Indians actually still have a winning record at home. Make the smart play and go with the Indians ?ace?. Cleveland will win again here tonight.

Cleveland Indians (-)

Baltimore Orioles at Boston Red Sox

The Red Sox have it going once again. Boston hasn?t been as consistent as they were earlier in the season. The Red Sox have started to get it going though. They just played a recent three game stretch against the Twins. The Twins were one of the hottest teams in baseball. They came in to Boston playing their best baseball all season. It sure didn?t turn out how Minnesota wanted it too.

The Sox didn?t just win all three games, they broke the Twins hearts. The first two games the Red Sox won by one run. A 1-0 shutout in the opener and than they had a wild come-back and won the second game 6-5, but they weren?t done yet. The third game was something special. They scored eighteen runs and pounded out 23 hits. 23 hits! The Red Sox are the best in the AL at home and that trend will continue tonight.

Boston Red Sox (-)

Minnesota Twins at Detroit Tigers

Look for the Tigers to bounce back from last nights loss. The Tigers offense did their part last night. The Tigers pounded out thirteen hits and scored six runs. The Tigers were on base all day along. Along with their thirteen hits, they also walked seven times. Tonight they may score twelve runs. They won?t need too though because they send their most consistent starter to the hill.

Armando Galarraga is 7-2 on the season. He has earned those seven wins folks. He has pitched eighty eight innings this season and he has allowed just 69 hits. Armando hasn?t made a bad start in almost two months. The last time he has allowed more than four runs was on May 23.

Armando was great in his last start. Six innings, five hits and just one run. That is a very common line from Galarraga. Look for the Tiger arm to get it going again tonight.

Detroit Tigers (-)

New York Yankees at Toronto Blue Jays

Make sure to get on board with the Blue Jays tonight. We know the Yankees are in town but if there is one pitcher that doesn?t have a problem with that it is Mr. Halladay. Roy has been in his best groove all season. For the season his numbers are CY Young material. He has a 10-6 mark and an ERA of 2.88. It doesn?t end there though.

Roy has been dominating time and time again. In the month of June he lost one game. Roy made six starts in June and of course had four quality starts. Roy has been especially great in his last two starts. On the road he threw a complete game shut-out and won 2-0. In his last start Roy went seven innings allowing just two runs and striking out seven.

Roy gets it done anywhere but he has lost just two home games all season. There is a reason why he is ten games over .500 every year. He pitches in the toughest division in baseball and still wins ball games. The Yankees were bad last night against Pittsburgh and their slopping pitching, tonight they will get shutdown again.

Toronto Blue Jays (-)

Chicago White Sox at Texas Rangers

Like the White Sox to win another road game. The White Sox are coming off a series in which they proved two things. They can win tight ball games and they can also win on the road. Sure the Sox still have a sub .500 record on the road but they have been better as of late. Sure they lost last night but that was the final game. In the first game they won 8-7 and in the second game they won 7-6.

The White Sox are arguably the most balanced team in the American League. They are a top ten offensive team and they are a top three pitching team. The White Sox out score their opponents by over a 1.25 runs per game. That is a huge number folks. Over the course of a season they score 200 runs more than the opposition.

Gavin Floyd has been great all season. He is 2-1 in his last three and has ten wins already on the season. Look for him to pitch well on the road tonight.

Chicago White Sox (-)

Seattle Mariners at Kansas City Royals

Big bounce back win from Kansas City last night. They had two tough losses at home against the White Sox. Both games they lost by one run, but just as we said here yesterday the Royals bounced back and won the final game.

We are just dumfounded by this line tonight. How can the Seattle Mariners be favored in this spot? How can the Mariners who are 12 games under .500 on the road be the favorites? We don?t care if Sandy Koufax was pitching, the Mariners just don?t have enough talent to win. Now they have to all answer questions about the release of Richie Sexson. It is just one of those years for the Mariners. They are twenty games under .500. The Royals will get the job done at home.

Kansas City Royals (+)

LA Angels at Oakland Athletics

The Angels are the best road team in baseball. This is a team that is actually better on the road than at home. Would you believe this team is ten games over .500 away from Anaheim? The Angels have the right formula for winning on the road folks.

The Angels have one of the best bull-pens in baseball. Francisco Rodriguez has been the best closer in all of baseball. This closer has 35 saves before the all-star break. He has appeared in 42 games and he has an ERA of just 2.54. His top set-up man has been just as good. Shields is 4-2 on the season and has a sparkling ERA.

The Angels send a capable starter every night to the hill. All five pitchers are .500 or above. Garland already has eight wins and is a solid play on the road.

LA Angels (-)

National League

San Francisco Giants at Chicago Cubs

Love the Cubs to bounce back here at home. The Cubbies are still the best home team in all of baseball. The Cubs are not just five games over .500 or ten games over .500, heck the Cubs aren?t even twenty games over .500 at home. The Cubs are 35-11 at home on the season. There is no question they have had their road struggles. If they want to become a real threat to win a championship they will have to get their act together. None of that matters tonight though.

The Giants come in to Chicago in a bad way. This team has now dropped four straight games. They went to Queens and played the Mets and scored a total of three runs in the three game set. That includes two shutouts. The Giants hit .100 as a team in their three game road series. Now they must continue on the road and play the best the National League has to offer.

Matt Cain has not been throwing well and will not be able to shut-down this line-up. Get back on the Cubs here tonight, the price is right.

Chicago Cubs (-)

Arizona Diamondbacks at Philadelphia Phillies

The Phillies are a team that just plays better when their backs against the wall. When this team had a big lead in the division they started to struggle. Just take a look at last season. It took them almost 150 games to get their act together but when they had to win, they won folks. This year they won?t have the luxury of picking it up in September, the time to pick it up is right now.

The Phillies just won two big games against the Cardinals. Philadelphia sends their hottest pitcher to the hill tonight. Sure we all know Cole Hamels and we aren?t here to tell you that Kyle is the same pitcher but he has been awfully good. Kyle is 8-3 on the season with an ERA steadily decreasing. Not only is Kyle 8-3 but the Phillies are 13-5 in his eighteen starts. He puts the team in a position to win.

Kyle?s last three stats have been real good. In fact five of his last six starts have been very strong. No more than three earned runs in five of those six starts. His last start he shut-down a very good hitting Mets club. Look for the Phillies to take care of business in game one of this important series.

Philadelphia Phillies (-)

St. Louis Cardinals at Pittsburgh Pirates

The Cardinals are coming off a tough series against the Phillies. They were able to just get one of the three games. They beat Cole Hamels but then they had a tough time scoring. The Cardinals just don?t have a strong enough offense. The Cardinals don?t have a ton of power and they don?t have a ton of speed either. The Cardinals are sixteenth in the league in runs scored. They are just thirteenth in the league in home-runs and they are 25th in stolen bases.

Even in there one win against the Cardinals they scored just two runs. They scored a total of five runs in the three games. The Cardinals have begun to come back to earth and will continue to do so. The Brewers and Cubs have showed everyone that they are going for it. Those two teams have proved they want to win and want to win it all.

The Pirates win balls game at home. This is a team that is solid at home. Pittsburgh has the offense to win games. They may not have a ton of well known names but these guys have four or five legitimate hitters. Look for the Pirates to play well again tonight.

Pittsburgh Pirates (-)

Colorado Rockies at New York Mets

They have finally got it going. People have been waiting for the Mets to get going and they are now here. We all know that the Mets have a ton of talent. This is a team that has under-achieved for a long time, but that is now over. Sometimes when a manager gets fired the team responds. Sometimes change is good and that is what the Mets did.

The New York Mets are now 25-18 at home this season. Overall they are four games over .500 on the season. The Mets send Oliver Perez to the mound. His season has taken shape just as the whole teams season has gone along. He has been up and down for most of the season but he has now turned the corner.

Perez has been dominant in his last two starts. That is the thing about Perez, when he has his stuff working, when he is on his game he doesn?t lose. This is a guy that has no hit-stuff every time he takes the mound.

He has allowed just one earned run in his last two starts. Those two starts were against the Yankees and the Phillies. This guy is that good. Look for him to win again and lower his ERA in the process.

New York Mets (-)

Houston Astros at Washington Nationals

If there is one pitcher on the Nationals that is worth getting on board with it is this guy tonight. Tim Redding is 6-3 on the season. That may not look like anything real special but the Nationals are a last place team. It is not easy to be over .500 on a last place team with no offense.

Not only is Redding 6-3 on the season but the Nationals win when he takes the hill. The Nationals are 14-5 in his nineteen starts this season. The Nationals are playing .700 plus baseball with Tim on the hill. You can?t ignore those numbers.

Tim has earned his record as well. Some pitchers go out there and do it with smoke and mirrors but not Redding. He has an ERA of just 4.06 and he hasn?t lost a start since back in the second week of May. The Nationals showed a ton of fight last night, they will do the same here tonight at home.

Washington Nationals (+)

Cincinnati Reds at Milwaukee Brewers

The Brewers bounced back the exact way they were supposed to in their day game on Thursday. David Bush went out there and threw a gem folks. Eight innings just three hits and no earned runs. Along with some relief pitching the Brewers staff yesterday struck out 15 Colorado Rockies.

It wasn?t just their pitching, their hitting came up and scored runs early and often. This team scored eleven runs yesterday. Sometimes run totals tend to get over-examined because of the home-runs. We like to see teams? string together hits and get on base and rally to score. Yesterday the Brewers did score those eleven runs and they did hit two home-runs but they rallied and scored seven runs on nine hits without long balls. That is getting the job done folks.

Manny Para has been real well and now slides in to the three spot in the rotation, look for the Brew Crew to win again at home.

Milwaukee Brewers (-)

Atlanta Braves at San Diego Padres

Jake Peavy is arguably the only pitcher you can trust on the San Diego Padres. Very often the pitching match-up is the only item looked at. That is a crucial mistakes that players and investors make. There is much more to a game then just the pitching match-up. Sure people look at the teams as well, but it also goes beyond that. From the umpire to the stadium to the trends there are a lot of factors in deciding who has the statistical edge. Well tonight that pitching match-up does matter.

Jake Peavy goes for the Padres. Sure Jake is just 6-5 on the season but he has pitched fantastic and is now throwing the ball as well as he has in the entire 2008 campaign. Just check out Jake?s last five starts if you need more proof. A total of seven runs in those five starts.

Jakes? last start was one of his best. He went on the road and beat the first place Diamondbacks? Seven innings of shutout ball, allowing three hits and striking out six. Jake has nasty stuff and also posses? impeccable control. How about 86 strikeouts to just 26 walks this season? Take the Padres.

San Diego Padres (-)

 

[the duke]

Jennifer Barry

Sport: MLB
Matchup: New York at Toronto
Prediction: Toronto Blue Jays -120 W/ Halladay



Chad Jordan

Sport: American League
Match up: Seattle at KC
Prediction: Seattle/KC Under 8.5 Runs


Donald Tran

Sport: MLB
Matchup: Minnesota at Detroit
Prediction: Minnesota Twins +140 W/ Perkins

 

[the duke]

Paul Leiner

Sport: MLB
Game: White Sox vs Rangers
Prediction: 10* White Sox -115



Frank Patron

Sport: MLB
Game: Tampa Bay at Cleveland
Prediction: Cleveland Indians -115 W/ Lee

 

[the duke]

CappersAccess

Fri (MLB) Cubs
Fri (MLB) Blue Jays

 

[the duke]

THE SHARPSHOOTER
CARDINALS -115 OVER PIRATES


HAWKEYE SPORTS
Tampa Bay w/Shields +105 over Cleveland


HUDDLE UP SORTS
FLORIDA Volstad +140


LEE STEVENS
MINNESOTA Perkins +155


TOTALS 4U
SEATTLE/KANSAS CITY OVER 8 1/2


DARKHORSE SPORTSMLB
San Francisco +140 over Cubs


RAZOR SHARP SPORTS
ST LOUIS/PITTSBURGH OVER the total of 9


#1 SPORTS
OAKLAND ATHLETICS pick

 

[the duke]

BIG AL McMORDIE


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New York Mets


At 7:10pm our selection is on the New York Mets over the Colorado Rockies. Based on recent history, it would seem that the Mets' veteran lefthander Oliver Perez has his mojo back and working again. After two very ugly back-to-back interleague starts against Anaheim and Seattle on June 18 and 24, Perez has now thrown back-to-back gems against two of the best offenses in baseball, the Yankees and Phillies. And with the Mets' offense seemingly heating up in the last few weeks, this could be very good news for Perez for the remainder of the season. His opponent tonight is 29-year-old righthander and first-time All-Star Aaron Cook, although Cook certainly has not pitched like he's belonged on anybody's All Star team in three of his last four outings. His last start, in particular, against Florida on July 6 was extremely ugly as Cook gave up 11 hits and seven earned runs in only slightly over seven innings. Cook and outfielder Matt Holliday are the only representatives to the mid-summer classic from a team that in 2007 seemed like it had nothing but All-Stars on its roster. Cook's last matchup against the Mets was at home only about 20 days ago, and it was one of his worst of the season as he surrendered 12 hits and six earned runs in only seven innings. The fear is that as the season goes on, this unlikeliest of All-Stars will continue to revert back to his sub-par form of the last couple of seasons. And his opponent tonight has clearly been sparked by the firing of Willie Randolph and the hiring of new manager Jerry Manuel. They've won six straight and the rejuvenated Mets look ready to dive back into the mix in the NL East as they're within a couple of games of the division lead and may even get there before the break. The Mets have won 15 of 17 games vs. Colorado at Shea Stadium. 5* MLB Game of the Year on New York.