Comp
Jim Feist
INDIANS / ROCKIES OVER
The Indians have very good starting pitching....with the exception of Jeremy Sowers, today's starter. He has an ERA over 7 giving up 28 hits in 18 innings. At least Cleveland's offense is getting better, on a 14-5-1 run over the total. Colorado is an excellent hitter's park and struggling lefty Jorge De La Rosa takes the hill for the Rockies with his 6.89 ERA. Play the Indians/Rockies over the total!
Dave Cokin
BALTIMORE ORIOLES
The 2007 Baltimore Orioles were about as awful as it gets in one-run results, staggering to the finish line at 13-31. Their extra-inning Wednesday win puts the O's at a stellar 17-10 in '08 one-run decisions. This surprising team has also snared 16 wins in games where they've trailed by two runs. Dave Trembley has energized the Orioles and they're worth backing again Thursday against the poor traveling Astros.
Marc Lawrence
BALTIMORE ORIOLES
The Orioles close out their three game series with Houston in Baltimore Thursday evening when they take on Shawn Chacon and the Astros. With the O's one of the few teams scoring runs on a regular basis these days and Chacon in rocky KW form with 9 walks and 6 strikeouts in his last three starts, look for Chacon to fall to 1-8 in his last nine team starts in June here tonight.
Brad Diamond Sports
OAKLAND ATHLETICS
You know quite well that lefty Greg Smith is one of my favorite young hurlers in baseball. In fact, recently the Diamond has used the youngster as a profit center in this column. Thursday should be no different as he goes up against hurler Davis (Arizona) who has suffered serious health issues this season. Recall, the Oakland club is 5-1 versus LHP, 5-0 on the road and 4-0 (before Wednesday night) last four Inter-League encounters. Finally, the pesky A?s have owned the Snakes of late, taking 4 straight.
Matt Rivers
KANSAS CITY ROYALS
I am certainly not going to call this a value as the Cardinals have been the better team this season when compared with the Royals, with ot without the great Albert Pujols but I will take my chances here today on the visitors from Kansas City with the much much better pitcher. Zach Greinke started the season in fine fashion and then seemed to tail off a little. But that last start in Arizona was awesome and the righty appears to be back on the right track. Opposing Greinke is Anthony Reyes who will be making his first start of the season. I have always liked the potential of Reyes as he has at times had electric stuff but last season was a total abortion as the guy had lost it a bit losing game after game after game. Could Reyes show his potential here? I guess there is a small chance of that but if the Redbirds were to have a chance he has to as Greinke should be more than ok today against the Pujols-less Cardinals, even on the road. The Royals have been pretty good of late as this kid Mike Aviles has made a big splash, David DeJesus has been on fire and a few others like Mark Teahan, Mark Grudzielanek, etc. are not that bad at all. Big-time pitching advantage for us here and it may sound crazy but I like the Royals here on the road!
Jeff Benton
4♦ CINCINNATI REDS -1.5 RL
First off, I just don?t see Cincinnati getting swept by this mediocre, banged-up Dodgers club, which had lost five straight games and 17 of 23 prior to arriving in Ohio. In fact, L.A. hasn?t won three in a row since sweeping the Reds in Los Angeles from May 19-21. Mostly, though, I like the Reds because they?re handing the ball to ace Aaron Harang in this one, while the Dodgers were forced to call up rookie lefty Eric Stults because of injuries to starters Brad Penny and Hiroki Kuroda. Harang bounced back from his worst start of the season at Florida and dominated the mighty Red Sox on Friday, allowing a single run on four hits in seven innings, walking none and striking out seven in a 3-1 home victory. Harang has been money at home this year (3.40 ERA) and, despite a 1-3 record, he?s shined in day games (2.98 ERA in seven starts). Meanwhile, Stults hasn?t pitched in the big leagues since late September, and he went 1-4 with a 5.82 ERA in 12 games (five starts) last season. Throw in the fact that the Reds are hitting left-handed pitching very well at home this year (.298 team average) and are 14-7 in their last 21 as a favorite, and it?s obvious why Cincy is such a big favorite today. But rather than lay the big price, take the Reds on the run-line and look for a comfortable multi-run win by the home team.
Sports Gambling Hotline
1♦ LA DODGERS +160
We understand LA has been sliding of late, but this series in the Queen City has been exactly what they have needed to get back on track. Los Angeles has won the first two games, and are now 6-1 in the season series against the Reds. Cincinnati is now mired in a 4-game slide, and have seen losses in 6 of their last 8. Reds starter Aaron Harang is off a nice win over Boston, but the fact remains he is just 3-9 for the season, and to lay this kind of wood is not the kind of "value" we can get behind this Thursday afternoon. Eric Stults will make his first start of the season for Los Angeles, and we feel with the season series results being so heavily slanted in the Dodgers' favor, we have no choice but to side with the big dog in this game. Play on LA.
Chris Jordan
1♦ NY YANKEES -1.5 RL
I will take a shot with Joba Chamberlain here, as it?s taken some time, but he?s found the rhythm the Yanks were hoping he?d have on the rubber and comes in off a stellar performance in Houston. The power right-hander was clocked at 97 miles per hour on his final pitch of the outing, as he tossed six strong innings, scattering six hits and allowing just one run and striking out two. He still doesn?t have a decision as a starter, and has a 2.48 ERA this season. With the Friars still enduring a long road trip, a matinee is not going to do them any good in the Bronx Zoo.
Karl Garrett
3♦ ARIZONA DIAMONDBACKS -110
The Diamondbacks came out firing early last night, as they were able to snap a 3-game slide, and stop the A's 4-game winning streak. I like the D-Backs again today over the Athletics, as Doug Davis has turned in a couple of quality outings over his last three trips to the mound. His counterpart Greg Smith has been adequate, but he usually doesn't last much past the 6th inning, and he is just 2-3 away from home with an ERA of 4.32. Arizona is now 23-15 at home this season, and with the Dodgers starting to inch a little closer in the NL West standings, expect the Snakes to come out strong in this one, and capture the rubber game of this three game set. Take 'Zona!
Bobby Maxwell
3♦ CHICAGO CUBS +145
Can the Rays sweep the Cubs out of Tampa Bay? These two have played two tight games in this series as Tampa has won 3-2 and 5-4. We don't think the sweep is there and we're playing the Cubs to get the road win in this one. Sean Gallagher (3-3, 4.54 ERA) is on the mound for Chicago tonight against the Rays' James Shields (4-5, 3.91). Gallagher has given up three runs or less in five of his first seven big-league starts. He lasted five innings in both of his last two starts, giving up a total of five runs on 10 hits and looked poised even though the Cubs lost both outings at the Dodgers and at Toronto. Shields hasn't pitched since June 10 when he gave up six runs on 10 hits in eight innings of a 6-1 loss to the Angels. He was suspended for fighting during the Rays' brawl with the Red Sox earlier this month. Even with losses in the first two games of this series, the Cubs are on a 26-12 roll overall and 6-3 in their last nine. They haven't had a three-game losing streak all season and it won't start tonight. We're playing Lou Pinella's boys to at least get him one win against his old team. Play Chicago.
John Fina
INDIANS / ROCKIES OVER 10.5
Today we expect a high-scoring game as the Cleveland Indians do battle with the Colorado Rockies. One reason why we expect a high-scoring game is because both these teams will send to the mound struggling starting pitchers. This says it all... The Cleveland Indians Starting Pitcher (Jeremy Sowers) has a 7.23 ERA this season, while Colorado Rockies Starting Pitcher (Jorge De La Rosa) has a 6.89 ERA this season. As you can see, both these starting pitchers will give up many runs today. We expect to see another high-scoring game today! Take the Cleveland Indians/Colorado Rockies Over 10.5!
Stephen Nover
BLUE JAYS / BREWERS OVER 8.5
Toronto's A.J. Burnett is one of those Dr. Jekyll/Mr. Hyde type pitchers. Lately he's been a lot more Hyde. Burnett has been tagged for 10 earned runs and 14 hits in his past two starts, spanning just 9 1/3 innings. Just as ominious is Burnett has issued eight walks during this time frame, while throwing 211 pitches. Milwaukee ranks among the top five clubs in home runs. The Brewers are averaging 5.8 runs during their last nine home games. A day game at Miller Park isn't usually a pleasant afternoon for hurlers. Toronto, though, should be able to score frequently against Milwaukee starter David Bush, who has been so ineffective this season that he was sent to the minors for a spell. Bush is 2-7 with a 5.73 ERA. Brewers closer Salomon Torres could be fatigued after picking up a tough save last night by going 1 1/3 innings. Guillermo Mota, the Brewers' top setup man, had a rough eighth inning last night. It's certainly not asking much for each team to score four runs.
Matt Fargo
ATLANTA BRAVES +100
Atlanta recorded a win in Texas last night to get the road winning on the right track once again. We all know the Braves are the worst road team in baseball as their 11-26 record shows but they have been playing better. They have won four of their last six away from home after getting swept in Chicago. Atlanta has a 3.93 ERA over its last 10 games so the pitching has been the key part of the turnaround. The solid pitching has been contagious as Atlanta is 13-6 in its last 19 games after allowing two runs or less. Texas meanwhile has dropped four of six and while it is just a game under .500, its 18-17 record at home is nothing to be intimidated by. The pitching has been the problem as the team ERA is now at 5.06 on the season which is worst in the American League and worst in baseball. It is a combination of the starting pitching with a 4.92 ERA and the bullpen with a 5.26 ERA. The offense has had to carry the load but even that is struggling now with just four rpg being scored over the last five games. The good pitching for Atlanta has come from surprise places with both Tom Glavine and John Smoltz on the shelf. We can add Charlie Morton to that list. His Major League debut was solid as he allowed three runs in six innings in a win against the Angels and posting a quality start. Don?t think it was a fluke as this kid is the real deal as he posted a 2.05 ERA while going 4-2 in 12 starts at Richmond. His 6?4? frame allows a lot of heat as well as a devastating curveball. Scott Feldman is coming off his worst start of the season and that is saying a lot since there has been some bad ones. After starting the season with four straight quality outings, his ERA has risen from 3.45 to 4.84 thanks to allowing five runs or more in three of his last five outings. He has an ERA of 6.30 over this five games span with the Rangers going 0-5 in those games. Texas is 1-8 in his nine starts on the season and the offense has mustered just 3.7 rpg in those outings.
Steve Merril
TAMPA BAY DEVIL RAYS -147
The Cubs have been a much stronger team at home this season, 29-8 SU, compared to just 16-19 SU on the road. The biggest difference has come offensively and the Cubs have been particularly weak against right-handed pitchers, averaging just 4.2 runs and batting only .249 versus RHP away from home. Chicago scored just 4 runs last night and should struggle again tonight against Tampa?s James Shields who has pitched extremely well this season with a powerful 69-17 strikeout/walk ratio and a solid 1.18 WHIP in his 14 starts. Shields has been especially strong at home with a 1.72 ERA and 0.86 WHIP and a 6-1 SU team record and an incredible 39-8 strikeout/walk ratio this season, and my pitcher performance ratings predict a strong bounce-back effort for Shields tonight after back-to-back road losses.
Stevie Y
NATIONALS / TWINS OVER 9
Were fading the Minny Twins Glen Perkins who sports a huge 4.57 ERA, a 1.57 WHIP and a batting average against of .317. At home this season he is 1-2 with a 5.47 ERA and a .348 batting average against. In his last 3 starts, he has allowed 22 hits and 6 walks in 15.1 innings, for an ERA of 6.00 and a WHIP of 1.854. For the month of June his ERA is 5.87 and his batting average against is .344. Looking @ the Nationals they sport a .276 over the past 10 days. Looking at Washington Shawn Hill a poor 1-3 with a 4.61 ERA & a 1.57 WHIP , throw in a over 7.00 ERA and a .366 batting average against. Hill is also a lofty 5.66 Era and his batting average against is .356. Pitching in a dome this year his ERA is 11.25 and his batting average against is .389. Over the past 3 years, his ERA in domed stadiums is 7.20 and his batting average against is, get ready, .409. The Twins are batting .272 at home this year & this baby has 10-9 written all over it.
Mike Rose
PITTSBURGH PIRATES +140
Phil Dumatrait has been a solid arm in the Buccos starting rotation this season. He comes into this afternoon?s start 3-3 overall with a 3.84 ERA and 1.45 WHIP, and Pittsburgh has won six of his nine overall starts. The Buccos also sport a winning mark in his road starts (3-2) where he owns a personal mark of 1-1 with a 4.54 ERA and 1.51 WHIP. He?s coming off a very disappointing start at Baltimore where he blew a 6-1 lead, but he says he?s corrected the mechanics that haunted him that night. This will be his first career start against the White Sox. Looking to outduel the Pirates left-hander will be Chicago?s Gavin Floyd who didn?t figure into the White Sox 5-4 victory over the Colorado Rockies last Friday. The effort saw his streak of three straight wins get snapped, and he was lucky not to get saddled with the loss after serving up four home runs. He currently stands 7-3 with a 3.30 ERA and 1.07 WHIP allowing 60 hits and 37 runs (31 earned) with a K/BB ratio of 49/31 in just under 85 total innings of work. At home, he?s 4-1 with a miniscule 2.82 ERA and 0.88 WHIP. He made one career start against the Pirates when he was a member of the Philadelphia Phillies back in 2006, but is yet to face them as a member of the White Sox. The Buccos have failed miserably throughout the first two games of this series, but I still expect them to show up in the series finale. Chicago has to be overlooking this spot with a huge set in Wrigley about to take place this weekend. Pittsburgh has secured victories in Game 3 of a series four straight times, and they?re a perfect 5-0 in Dumatrait?s starts if they lost their previous game. Roll with the dogged pirates in this spot as the catch the Palehose overlooking them for bigger game this weekend.
Jimmy The Moose
BALTIMORE ORIOLES
The Astros have lost 7 straight and 9 of their last 10 games overall. In their last 10 road games the Astros are 1-9. In their last 13 games as an underdog the Astros are 1-12. Houston has lost their last 5 interleague games. Houston has lost Chacon's last 3 starts. The Orioles have won 4 of their last 5 games, all have been at home. The Orioles are 13-4 in their last 17 games as a favorite. Baltimore has won 6 of their last 8 interleague games. Baltimore is also 10-4 in their last 14 home games vs. a team with a losing record. Play on the Baltimore Orioles
Jake Timlin
NY YANKEES -1.5 RL
Take the Yankees this afternoon as they earn a big time sweep over the Padres. You see thanks to having won the first two games of this series by a combined score of 16-5 and having won their last 6 games overall New York is in great shape to make it 7 in a row today. After all for the Yankees they are starting to heat up having outscored their opponents 43-11 over their last 6 games and now thanks to the Joba experience looking like a success as Chamberlain pitched six solid innings last start out San Diego is in trouble. Yes the same San Diego team that is just 11-24 on the highway this year as the Padres are struggling on their current trip having lost 4 of their lat 5. Flat out today is a huge mismatch and one where I see the Yankees cruising to yet another Run Line winner.
Drew Gordon
1♦ HOUSTON ASTROS +115
I know the Astros have been struggling, but the fact of the matter is they've got an excellent oppurtunity tonight against the O's Brian Burres. Burres hasn't just been bad over his last 4 starts, he's been absolute garbage, going 1-1 with an astronomical 12.00 ERA! He's 3-2 with an ugly 7.09 ERA at Camden Yards this season, and based on his last 3 efforts there (21 runs allowed in his last 13 2/3 inning there), you can expect the Astros offense to get plenty of chances tonight. Opposing Burres is the Astros Shawn Chacon, who despite having some issues earlier this month, appears to have gotten his focus back, allowing 1 run on 3 hits over 6 1/3 solid innings against the Yankees Friday. Chacon has also had success against the O's in the past, going 2-1 with a 4.02 ERA in 4 career games (2 starts) against them. He may not lock down the O's offense, but you can be sure he'll outpitch the struggling Burres! As a final note, its important to examine the Astros offense. We've already discussed how facing Burres is just what the doctor ordered, but even more so, its clear Houston prefers to hit lefties, batting .295 against them on the season (or 43 points higher than their season average against righties)! Not only that, but if you need further proof, check out the first game of this series, when the Astros and Berkman took it to southpaw Garrett Olson, only to lose late thanks to the bullpen. In the end, Astros capitalize on Burres' struggles, getting a much-needed win in the process! Small play on Houston behind Chacon over Baltimore and Burres in this MLB match up.
Chip Chirimbes
NY YANKEES
Joba Chamberlain seems to be feeling more comfortable in the New York Yankees' starting rotation. Chamberlain looks to build on an encouraging start and lead the Yankees to their second straight series sweep when he faces the San Diego Padres on Thursday. Chamberlain (1-2, 2.48 ERA) is making his fourth start since the Yankees (39-33) decided to move him from the bullpen. He lasted only 2 1-3 innings in his first start against Toronto on June 3 and just 4 1-3 against Kansas City five days later. However, Chamberlain gave up one run in six innings without getting a decision in New York's 2-1 win in Houston on Friday. "Every time you go out, I try to get better and learn from it," the 22-year-old right-hander said. "I have to continue to get better and try to build off this and do better the next time." Chamberlain owned a 2.28 ERA in 20 relief outings this season before joining the rotation, but the Yankees like the variety of pitches he can throw as a starter. Chamberlain will be making his first appearance against the Padres (31-42) as he tries to help the Yankees extend their season-high six-game winning streak. Alex Rodriguez homered for the fourth straight game as New York beat the Padres 8-5 on Wednesday.
James Patrick Sports
BRAVES / RANGERS OVER
Bravos and the Rangers have played OVER the TOTAL in six of eight match-ups and we look for that trend to continue today in Arlington. Our complimentary selection is #908 Atlanta ? Texas OVER the TOTAL.
Dustin Hawkins
TORONTO BLUE JAYS -114
A.J. BURNETT (6-5) 2.98 Road ERA vs. DAVE BUSH (2-7) 5.81 ERA today in Milwaukee!!! Like the Blue Jays in this spot sending one of there top pitchers to the mound to get the big Victory!!! The Brew Crew won a close one last night and look for them to reverse rolls!!! Take The Blue Jays in this one!!
Robert Ross
OAKLAND ATHLETICS
Clubs have traded one-sided losses thus far with the A's on the losing end last night. Even with that they are 19-12 against the money line when playing against a team with a winning record this season while Arizona is 7-16 against the money line when playing against a team with a winning record this season and 14-20 against the money line in home games vs. an AL team with a team batting average of .260 or worse since 1997. Take Oakland!
Mr. A
CHICAGO WHITE SOX -155
The White Sox bats have come alive. They have pounded the Pirates in the first two games of this series, outscoringPittsburgh, 24-7. Take Chicago to continue whipping Pittsburgh and snatch a three-game sweep against the Pirates tonight at Cellular Field. The White Sox have won seven of the last 10 meetings versus the Pirates and six of the last 7 at U.S Cellular Field. The Pirates are just 13-23 away from home this year. Pirates' lefthander Phil Dumatrait (3-3, 3.84) is 1-1 with a 4.86 in his last three starts. The Pirates have lost his last three starts on the road. White Sox's right-hander Gavin Floyd (7-3, 3.30 ERA) is 2-0 with a 3.54 in his last three starts. The White Sox are 7-1 in Floyds last 8 home starts.
