Hi guys, I will be posting my plays starting today for the season.
I will not be spouting off about how I am the greatest thing since sliced bread, I am however confident in my abilities to handicap sports and am here to provide some insight and some winners.
Baseball is a passion for me, has been since I was a kid. It will hopefully as in years past show up as a positive in the wallet due to knowledge of the game, as well as the players, and finding value in the line.
I am unorthodox compared to some when it comes to bases as I do NOT believe that the only way to beat bases is to play dogs, I will play my share, but I look for winners, period, and I don't believe you should ever eliminate half the board before you even get started.
Play bases at Pinnacle guys, every little bit of juice helps, and if your book has a 20 cent line for bases, tell em they are theives, and take your money elsewhere.
OK, Enough babbling and on to the plays.
PLAYS RATED ON 1*-5* scale
3* Minnesota(-104) Santana vs Halladay today and these two couldn't be further apart in performance this spring, Santana has puicked right up where he left off last season, yet to allow a run or a walk in two short starts. I expect the Twins to stretch him out here and he should go at least 4. Halladay has struggled mightily this spring and seems to have lost the confidence that made him a monster a couple years ago. Solid value here with a Twins club that is deeper which is always important in Spring games, as well as the best pitcher in baseball going against a guy trying to find himself.
2* Detroit(+103) The Tigers are one of my sleeper clubs this season and I like them as a dog here with a pitching lineup today of Maroth(2ER in 3IP) this spring, to be followed by Urbina, Farnsworth, and Creek who have allowed only 1ER in 12 Innings combined this spring. Tampa Counters with Dewon Brazleton who although having a respectable 3.60 ERA, has lived on the edge this spring with a WHIP of 2.00 as he has struggled with command allowing 4 walks in 5 IP.
2* San Diego(+103) Like the Padres chances here, as the A's used the best of their bullpen yesterday and they go with Kirk Saarlos to start today. SD counters with Darrel May, and with Hoffman, Linebrink, and young phenom Tim Stauffer available, I see definite value with the dog here.
1* Houston(+112) Give me Oswalt as dog against 5 guys for Cleveland of which only one will be with the big league club going, and I will take a small poke with the Astros for 1*. Pitching lineup for Cleveland is Denney, Watkins, Tadano, Brown, and Rayborn. These guys lack experience, but they have pitched very well this spring therefore we will tread lightly and play for 1*.
1* San Fran(-109) Giants taking the spring very seriously as they are a veteran club, but with a young pitching staff so I think the veteran club sees the value in showing these youngsters that it is going to be important to be sharp early in a well contested division. Mike Matheny may have been THE BEST pickup that noone talked about this offseason as he is perhaps the best handler of pitching in the bigs and it has shown early this spring with the Giants pitching staff going VERY well. Kirk Reuter as been sharp in 5 scoreless innings, and Seattle may again be without Ichiro. Seattle counters with Gil Meche, Bobby Madritsch, and human gas can Matt Thornton who will give the Giants plenty of hope if they fall behind in this one early.
As a side note, Victor Zambrano starting against AJ Burnett today, but Pedro will be pitching in relief in the game today.
That takes me off of what would have been a definite play on Florida as Burnett was razor sharp in last outing.
Good luck all........Slow :eyebrows:
I will not be spouting off about how I am the greatest thing since sliced bread, I am however confident in my abilities to handicap sports and am here to provide some insight and some winners.
Baseball is a passion for me, has been since I was a kid. It will hopefully as in years past show up as a positive in the wallet due to knowledge of the game, as well as the players, and finding value in the line.
I am unorthodox compared to some when it comes to bases as I do NOT believe that the only way to beat bases is to play dogs, I will play my share, but I look for winners, period, and I don't believe you should ever eliminate half the board before you even get started.
Play bases at Pinnacle guys, every little bit of juice helps, and if your book has a 20 cent line for bases, tell em they are theives, and take your money elsewhere.
OK, Enough babbling and on to the plays.
PLAYS RATED ON 1*-5* scale
3* Minnesota(-104) Santana vs Halladay today and these two couldn't be further apart in performance this spring, Santana has puicked right up where he left off last season, yet to allow a run or a walk in two short starts. I expect the Twins to stretch him out here and he should go at least 4. Halladay has struggled mightily this spring and seems to have lost the confidence that made him a monster a couple years ago. Solid value here with a Twins club that is deeper which is always important in Spring games, as well as the best pitcher in baseball going against a guy trying to find himself.
2* Detroit(+103) The Tigers are one of my sleeper clubs this season and I like them as a dog here with a pitching lineup today of Maroth(2ER in 3IP) this spring, to be followed by Urbina, Farnsworth, and Creek who have allowed only 1ER in 12 Innings combined this spring. Tampa Counters with Dewon Brazleton who although having a respectable 3.60 ERA, has lived on the edge this spring with a WHIP of 2.00 as he has struggled with command allowing 4 walks in 5 IP.
2* San Diego(+103) Like the Padres chances here, as the A's used the best of their bullpen yesterday and they go with Kirk Saarlos to start today. SD counters with Darrel May, and with Hoffman, Linebrink, and young phenom Tim Stauffer available, I see definite value with the dog here.
1* Houston(+112) Give me Oswalt as dog against 5 guys for Cleveland of which only one will be with the big league club going, and I will take a small poke with the Astros for 1*. Pitching lineup for Cleveland is Denney, Watkins, Tadano, Brown, and Rayborn. These guys lack experience, but they have pitched very well this spring therefore we will tread lightly and play for 1*.
1* San Fran(-109) Giants taking the spring very seriously as they are a veteran club, but with a young pitching staff so I think the veteran club sees the value in showing these youngsters that it is going to be important to be sharp early in a well contested division. Mike Matheny may have been THE BEST pickup that noone talked about this offseason as he is perhaps the best handler of pitching in the bigs and it has shown early this spring with the Giants pitching staff going VERY well. Kirk Reuter as been sharp in 5 scoreless innings, and Seattle may again be without Ichiro. Seattle counters with Gil Meche, Bobby Madritsch, and human gas can Matt Thornton who will give the Giants plenty of hope if they fall behind in this one early.
As a side note, Victor Zambrano starting against AJ Burnett today, but Pedro will be pitching in relief in the game today.
That takes me off of what would have been a definite play on Florida as Burnett was razor sharp in last outing.
Good luck all........Slow :eyebrows:
