Yesterday 0-0 -0.00 units
Y-T-D (on this site) 18-29 (-11.17 units)
BALTIMORE +1.00 over Minnesota
Have to like the way the Orioles are swinging the bats since the break and can’t imagine that coming to a halt here. They’ll face Carlos Silva who’s been an absolute stiff in July. In fact, Silva has pitched 18 innings this month and has struck out just six hitters, a sure indication that his arm is tiring. He’s also surrendered 24 hits and 12 earned runs over that span for a 5.79 ERA and overall, this year, Silva has been tagged for 154 hits in 118 innings. The Orioles have been lighting it up big time recently having scored 37 times in their past 5 games including a big 10 run outburst against the Bosox when Pedro started. They are likely to be a little more pumped up here because they’ll be playing behind a highly touted first timer in John Maine. Maine has been the subject of much talk around the Orioles' organization since he went 14-3 with a 2.27 ERA with Class A Delmarva and Frederick last season, earning the team's Minor League Pitcher of the Year award. Maine went 4-0 with a 2.25 ERA at Double-A Bowie before being promoted to Triple A Ottawa on May 15 where he has a 3.22 ERA and 51 strikeouts over his last eight starts. Everything is pointing to the home doggy and can’t see any reason not to step in. Play Baltimore +1.00 (Risking 1.6 units).
PITTSBURGH –1½ +1.50 over Cincinnati
Oliver Perez is 5-4, however, he could easily be 11-2 as he’s been one of the best pitchers the game has to offer. Perez ranks sixth in the NL with 122 strikeouts and has held opponents to a .206 batting average. All he’s done is gone 2-0 with a 1.44 ERA over his last four starts and he’ll face a Reds team that comes in here after being swept by the struggling Cubs the past two days. The Cubs were ripe to get beat after being embarrassed by the Cardinals, however, it was the Reds who left town with their proverbial tails between their legs. In addition they’ll have to rely on Juan Acevedo here and he couldn’t get Rodney Dangerfield out these days. He’s lasted a combined 13 innings over his past three starts and over that stretch his ERA was 8.78. On the road, Acevedo is 1-5 with a 6.75 ERA. When a pitcher is struggling the way Acevedo is there’s a good chance that it’s something physical but some pitchers don’t like to say so for fear of losing their starting job. Acevedo is a guy who’s struggled to stay up in the majors and a stint on the DL does not sound appealing. Either way, the pitching match-up heavily favors the home side here and we’re not going to need much support to cash this ticket
Y-T-D (on this site) 18-29 (-11.17 units)
BALTIMORE +1.00 over Minnesota
Have to like the way the Orioles are swinging the bats since the break and can’t imagine that coming to a halt here. They’ll face Carlos Silva who’s been an absolute stiff in July. In fact, Silva has pitched 18 innings this month and has struck out just six hitters, a sure indication that his arm is tiring. He’s also surrendered 24 hits and 12 earned runs over that span for a 5.79 ERA and overall, this year, Silva has been tagged for 154 hits in 118 innings. The Orioles have been lighting it up big time recently having scored 37 times in their past 5 games including a big 10 run outburst against the Bosox when Pedro started. They are likely to be a little more pumped up here because they’ll be playing behind a highly touted first timer in John Maine. Maine has been the subject of much talk around the Orioles' organization since he went 14-3 with a 2.27 ERA with Class A Delmarva and Frederick last season, earning the team's Minor League Pitcher of the Year award. Maine went 4-0 with a 2.25 ERA at Double-A Bowie before being promoted to Triple A Ottawa on May 15 where he has a 3.22 ERA and 51 strikeouts over his last eight starts. Everything is pointing to the home doggy and can’t see any reason not to step in. Play Baltimore +1.00 (Risking 1.6 units).
PITTSBURGH –1½ +1.50 over Cincinnati
Oliver Perez is 5-4, however, he could easily be 11-2 as he’s been one of the best pitchers the game has to offer. Perez ranks sixth in the NL with 122 strikeouts and has held opponents to a .206 batting average. All he’s done is gone 2-0 with a 1.44 ERA over his last four starts and he’ll face a Reds team that comes in here after being swept by the struggling Cubs the past two days. The Cubs were ripe to get beat after being embarrassed by the Cardinals, however, it was the Reds who left town with their proverbial tails between their legs. In addition they’ll have to rely on Juan Acevedo here and he couldn’t get Rodney Dangerfield out these days. He’s lasted a combined 13 innings over his past three starts and over that stretch his ERA was 8.78. On the road, Acevedo is 1-5 with a 6.75 ERA. When a pitcher is struggling the way Acevedo is there’s a good chance that it’s something physical but some pitchers don’t like to say so for fear of losing their starting job. Acevedo is a guy who’s struggled to stay up in the majors and a stint on the DL does not sound appealing. Either way, the pitching match-up heavily favors the home side here and we’re not going to need much support to cash this ticket
