NovaSportsPicks
they rate their games 1* to 5*
Chicago Cubs at Houston Astros
The Cubs are clinging to a small lead in the NL Central, and if they have any plans of winning this division and making noise in the playoffs, then they better start winning on the road. Last night they played a very close ball game which ended in a loss, but it was a better performance from a team who typically struggles away from Wrigley. They are much like the Boston Red Sox from the AL East who are incredible at home, but can't seem to win away from their friendly fans. Today the Cubbies send Carlos Zambrano to the hill. The Big Z has to be thrilled with the addition of another solid starter in the rotation in Rich Harden. This takes some pressure of Carlos, and can allow him to go out there knowing that the team has another solid starter behind him even though the Cubs starting pitching has been solid this year. The Cubs 2-4 hitters failed to get a hit last night in an 0-12 performance, and that won't win many ball games. Hey maybe they were shaking off the All Star Break rust. Today we are looking for a nice strong outing from the Cubbies.
Play: 2* Chicago Cubs -128 (action play)
Boston Red Sox at Los Angels Angels
The exact reason we didn't want to bet a side last night happened. Boston continued with their horrible play away from Fenway, and the pitchers were unable to keep it low scoring in the early innings. The result for us was a 3 unit winner, and we will take it. Today we will go right back at this series. The Sox were embarrassed last night in the blowout, and the face of Theo Epstien in the stands said it all. This team must find a solution to their road woes. Their starting pitching is one of the best in the bigs, and somehow they need to get more run support for these kids. Today it is staff ace Josh Beckett who will try to get the W for the Sox. Beckett will face Saunders today in what should be a better game then last night's snoozer. The Angels own a 3-1 season series lead over Boston, and this very well could be the preview to the AL Championship, and therefore the Red Sox better find a way to beat this ball club. We are getting a solid price on Beckett today, and we will bite on him for a unit. Let's not forget the last time Beckett threw against these Angels he shut them out.
Play: 1* Boston Red Sox -128 (action play)
New York Mets at Cincinnati Reds
After finally getting themselves into a tie for first place the Mets watched their 10 game winning streak come to an end, and watched the Phillies pick up a win over the Marlins to reclaim sole possession of first place in the NL East. The Mets have been playing extremely solid baseball over the past month, and have made up a 6 game deficit in the standings. The Phillies know that the Mets are coming, and a series early next week between these two ball clubs will go a long way in telling us who is going to be there come September. Today the Mets will send Oliver Perez to the hill. This kid should be named Mr. Inconsistency. His last outing he was brilliant, going 6 innings, and allowing just 1 earned run but did not get a decision in the game against the Rockies. The last three starts this kid has known he is throwing for his spot in the rotation and he has responded. He has allowed just 2 earned runs in his last 3 starts, and has gone 7 innings in two of the three. This kid has electric stuff when he is on. When he is off and missing his locations, he walks a boat load of batters, and gets himself into trouble. Today he has to avoid the big inning, and throw like he has in the past three games, and the Mets will win this ball game.
Play: 2* New York Mets -125 (action play)
