Players of America
VERY rare, large 5* play today for these guys (5-3 on year). Been very hot over last two+ weeks.
MIN vs. DET
Sport: Major League Baseball
Game: Minnesota Twins vs. Detroit Tigers
Star Value: 5* (50 Units) Detroit Tigers -135
Writeup: Our first losing day in weeks came with a 1-2 disappointment on Saturday as the Tigers fell short late and the total pick was out of the picture early, but we're picking things up right where we left off with this one. We've been on a furious terror in bases as of late, and don't plan on slowing down one bit heading into the 2008 All-Star Break.
Alright, probably a big sigh and an eye roll from everyone out there when this pick popped up, but bear with us for one second here. Disregard this being a washed out, oversized, meaningless write up, because we're stating the facts here.not some influential BS to sell you on so hear us out. Throw everything you've learned out the window for right now and let's just get a few things straight. Don't think for one second we're chasing down a team that has lost a couple straight (which they have), or following some incredible home series system/trend.because that's just not the case right now. This is baseball and unlike any other sport out there, you can not wager according to the past, present or future of a team's win losses or you'll find yourself in a very deep hole.we all know that. However, this one lines up very nicely and just happens to be a great situation to place a wager.
We rode the Tigers last night as a 3* pick and they nearly mounted a victory in a late comeback but fell a bit short. We're jumping back on this train and this is why. This squad isn't the same one that lost eight, ten, twelve games straight (whatever it was) earlier this season. They actually are a completely different one, period. These guys are in a semi-pennant race for something special in the Central and these mid to late season series with in-division opponents are vital.
Getting to the match up, the Twins have owned the Tigers so far in this road series swiping three of the four so far. Could they sweep? Absolutely, its baseball.but we don't feel the chance is very good here. The Tigers have showed life in every game in the series, but have just fell short. Pitching has been shaky at times, but Detroit's starters have been notorious for that this season.
Justin "Verly" Verlander toes the rubber Sunday afternoon at Comerica Park at 1:05PM EST for Detroit with something to prove. Justin is 2-0 his last three times out with a no decision and has been absolutely impeccable. It seems that he has gotten that touch back that we saw so many times last season including his famous no hitter. In his last three starts, the righty has thrown nearly 19 innings and given up just 14 hits. He holds a WHIP of 1.22 and boasts an ERA of 2.88. He get's some solid run support in his outings, too. When Verlander finishes his work, the Tigers bullpen has been taking over and doing a damn good job. In the last three games, the Detroit bullpen sports an AL Central best 2.62 ERA in 30+ innings. There is some great value on this team in this spot. The last time Verlander threw against the Twins it was May 25 in a 6-1 loss. A little revenge factor here. Odds makers decided to open the bidding on the Tigers that day at -194.quite pricey for an unproven team at the time if you as us. Here we are in Game 4 of the series, so why the drastically lower price? Minnesota is playing great ball, but Detroit has been lately too. Expect some squares to be eating up the Twins value for a sweep Sunday, but we're not buying it. Offensively, Edgar Renteria's status has been updated to "probable" on Sunday as he is coping with a sore hamstring. This addition would put a little more hop in the step of this Tiger's team as they've been a bit more banged up than they would have liked lately.
Right hander Nick Blackburn will be putting his fingers on the seams to start for the Twins. Nick is 1-0 his last three starts and has a season ERA of 3.75. Like the Tigs, don't think the Twins don't have their share of critical injuries too. Second baseman Matt Tolbert and right fielder Michael Cuddyer won't be returning to the lineup anytime soon, both are scheduled for MRI's and possible surgery. Not a huge hit to the team as they've adapted well, but are key losses for sure. The last ten times the Twins and Tigers have met, Minnesota holds a less than impressive ERA of nearly 5.00 while Detroit is under 3.75. The infamous Ron Kulpa is designated to call the balls and strikes and boy does this guy love action. His events average over 2.5 homeruns and nearly 9 runs a game. Back to the teams, the Tigers have a pretty good key-in on Mr. Blackburn. Career wise, Miguel Cabrera has shelled the kid hitting over .665 with a pair of doubles, Curtis Granderson at .500 with a double, Carlos Guillen at .333 and Raburn an even .500 with just four looks.
Stats, history, trends and all of those goodies are great.but spotting value and exploiting it is what wins. You might be scratching your head saying "-135 is value?" On Sunday afternoon's matchup in Detroit.absolutely. Lay the small amount of chalk here, it'll be worth it. Be confident turning this one in, too, and be sure to give a smile when collecting. We're laying 50 units on a 5* wager with the Detroit Tigers today for a final big cash before a three day break.
TRENDS OF THE GAME:
-The Tigers are 19-6 in their last 25 home games.
-The Tigers are 19-7 in their last 26 games on grass.
-The Tigers are 20-9 in their last 29 overall.
Detroit 6, Minnesota 2
NYY vs. TOR
Sport: Major League Baseball
Game: New York Yankees vs. Toronto Blue Jays
Star Value: 1* (10 Units) Under 9
Writeup: For our second and final game we're zoning in on another total in which we've been pretty successful with as of late. This one is between the New York Yankees and Toronto Blue Jays. There was a very similar match up just a couple days ago which we cashed on in Toronto between these two and this one is virtually identical.
The well-known, highly touted Andy Pettitte is schedule to get the start the New York Sunday afternoon and he comes in with pretty good numbers. Andy is 10-6 on the season and has thrown a whopping 120 innings. He has an ERA under 4.00. Even more attractive, Pettitte has a 4:15 ration on overs to unders this season. He has thrown 19 total games and stayed under 15.pretty solid. Johnny Damon and Hideki Matsui, two typical starters for the Yanks, will remain on the DL hindering the offensive explosion of this squad just a bit.
On the other side, right hander A.J. Burnett will start the game. He has a little higher ERA than Andy at 5.20, but remarkably also loves to stay under the total. A.J. has thrown 20 games already this season and stayed under more than half of those. Like the Yankees, the Jays have a few offensive injuries which will keep some of the usual power bats sidelined. Alex Rios, Vernon Wells and Shannon Stewart are all out indefinitely for Sunday's match up.
As we look at the overall figures with these two teams this year, they tend to stay under the total a lot more than over. New York has an O/U ratio this season of 32-57 and Toronto is equally impressive at 38-40. In their last ten games, NYY has stayed under seven times and Toronto five. Fieldin Culbreth will be calling the strikes and he too this season has kept games under the total five more times than over.
Trends and knowing these popular pitches set the stage for this play. Break it out and lay 10 units for a 1* on the UNDER in Toronto this Sunday before the All-Star break.
TRENDS OF THE GAME:
-The UNDER is 7-2-1 in the Yankees last 10 on field turf.
-The UNDER is 9-1 in Pettitte's last 10 road starts.
-The UNDER is 26-10 in the Blue Jays last 36 Sunday games.
-The UNDER is 7-2 in the last 9 meetings of these two teams.
New York 3, Toronto 1