<TABLE cellSpacing=1 cellPadding=3 width=500 border=0><TBODY><TR><TD class=rs_value vAlign=top align=left width="50%">Yesterday</TD><TD class=rs_value vAlign=top align=right width="10%">0</TD><TD class=rs_value vAlign=top align=right width="10%">0</TD><TD class=rs_value vAlign=top align=right width="10%">0</TD><TD class=rs_value vAlign=top align=right width="20%">0.00 Units</TD></TR><TR><TD class=rs_value vAlign=top align=left width="50%">Last 30 Days</TD><TD class=rs_value vAlign=top align=right width="10%">14</TD><TD class=rs_value vAlign=top align=right width="10%">22</TD><TD class=rs_value vAlign=top align=right width="10%">0</TD><TD class=rs_value vAlign=top align=right width="20%">-8.01 Units</TD></TR><TR><TD class=rs_value vAlign=top align=left width="50%">Season To Date (Since April 2005)</TD><TD class=rs_value vAlign=top align=right width="10%">14</TD><TD class=rs_value vAlign=top align=right width="10%">22</TD><TD class=rs_value vAlign=top align=right width="10%">0</TD><TD class=rs_value vAlign=top align=right width="20%">-8.01 Units</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>
Arizona +1.03 over COLORADO (3:05 PM)<?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com
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Any price against the Rockies has got to be considered good value simply because the Rockies are playing at a .167 clip. If and when you wager on the Rockies the last thing you want to hear is, “there’s action in the Rockies bullpen.” This bullpen is a absolute joke that can’t get anyone out. They come in and blow every lead the Rockies have and they also come in and start issuing walks. In fact, the Rockies pen has walked 30 batters in 35 innings and has also allowed seven jacks and 35 earned runs for an ERA of 9.00. Jeff Francis is going to have to pitch the game of his life to keep the bullpen off the field and it’s just not going to happen. Francis is going to be a good one when he puts on about 40 pounds but right now he looks like a 14 year old kid that gets sand kicked in his face when he’s on the beach. He’s averaging just five innings per start and he’s also walked nine batters and struck out just three in his two starts covering just nine innings. Frankly, we couldn’t care less who’s chucking for the Snakes. They’ll score runs today, they’ll get to Francis and they’ll get to the bullpen. You can’t walk people at Coors field and win ball games and the Rockies starter and bullpen combined today have walked 39 hitters in 44 innings. Ouch. Play: Arizona +1.03 (Risking 1.5 units). <o></o>
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NY Mets +1.20 over PHILADELPHIA (7:05 PM)<o></o>
Vincente Padilla will make his season debut for the Phillies after sitting out with triceps tendonitis since spring training. He was bothered by elbow tendonitis last year and a serious lack of consistency. When healthy he has one of the best arms in baseball, however, that hasn't translated into wins. Over the last three years, Padilla is just five games over .500. Last year he went 7-7 in 20 starts. His ERA also increased for the second straight year, from 3.28 in 2002 to 3.62 in 2003 to 4.53 last year. Padilla gets rattled easily and he loses focus in a hurry. Also, he may just find himself a step behind the rest and if the Mets can get to him for a couple of early runs he’ll go wacko like he always does and than the floodgates can follow. Victor Zambrano has a filthy repertoire, featuring a 92-94 MPH sinking fastball, an excellent changeup and an effective slider. If Zambrano can learn to throw strikes and get ahead of the hitters, he’d be one of the majors best. Still, we’re willing to gamble on Zambrano anytime with a tag because if he’s on his game and consistently throws strike one, he’s practically unhittable. Of course the Mets can win here. Play: NY Mets +1.20 (Risking 1.5 units). <o></o>
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Toronto +1.08 over BOSTON (7:05 PM)<o></o>
If there’s a pitcher in the majors that’s looked better than Roy Halliday, we haven’t seen him yet. Halliday dominated the Rangers in his last outing to run his record to 2-0 with a 3.27 ERA in three starts. In 22 innings of work, he’s walked two batters and struck out 18. His pitches have been dancing since the season began and any take-back on Halliday is true value. Jays are playing well and will face a very ordinary Bronson Arroyo here. Not much thought needed to figure this choice out. Play: Toronto +1.08 (Risking 1.5 units). <o></o>
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San Francisco +1.40 over SAN DIEGO
Brian Lawrence does not warrant being a 3-2 favorite over the Giants and that’s all there is to it. Lawrence couldn’t get any Cubs out in his last start, surrendering seven runs and nine hits in just over two innings of work. He’s now gone 5-10 over his past 17 starts with an ERA of 4.53. That’s actually brutal when you consider that more than half of those games were pitched at the friendliest pitcher park in the majors. Jerome Williams will toe the rubber for the Giants. After his solid rookie season in 2003, the team's training staff wasn't happy that Williams took it easy during the off-season and put him on a strenuous workout program. While he was rehabbing from his injury, he was also improving his conditioning and so far, so good. Williams has made one start and went seven innings against the Rockies and allowed just five hits and one earned run. He also struck out five and walked just one batter. Giants a very live pooch here. Play San Francisco +1.40 (Risking 1.5 units).
Arizona +1.03 over COLORADO (3:05 PM)<?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com
fficeffice" /><o></o>Any price against the Rockies has got to be considered good value simply because the Rockies are playing at a .167 clip. If and when you wager on the Rockies the last thing you want to hear is, “there’s action in the Rockies bullpen.” This bullpen is a absolute joke that can’t get anyone out. They come in and blow every lead the Rockies have and they also come in and start issuing walks. In fact, the Rockies pen has walked 30 batters in 35 innings and has also allowed seven jacks and 35 earned runs for an ERA of 9.00. Jeff Francis is going to have to pitch the game of his life to keep the bullpen off the field and it’s just not going to happen. Francis is going to be a good one when he puts on about 40 pounds but right now he looks like a 14 year old kid that gets sand kicked in his face when he’s on the beach. He’s averaging just five innings per start and he’s also walked nine batters and struck out just three in his two starts covering just nine innings. Frankly, we couldn’t care less who’s chucking for the Snakes. They’ll score runs today, they’ll get to Francis and they’ll get to the bullpen. You can’t walk people at Coors field and win ball games and the Rockies starter and bullpen combined today have walked 39 hitters in 44 innings. Ouch. Play: Arizona +1.03 (Risking 1.5 units). <o
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></o>NY Mets +1.20 over PHILADELPHIA (7:05 PM)<o
></o>Vincente Padilla will make his season debut for the Phillies after sitting out with triceps tendonitis since spring training. He was bothered by elbow tendonitis last year and a serious lack of consistency. When healthy he has one of the best arms in baseball, however, that hasn't translated into wins. Over the last three years, Padilla is just five games over .500. Last year he went 7-7 in 20 starts. His ERA also increased for the second straight year, from 3.28 in 2002 to 3.62 in 2003 to 4.53 last year. Padilla gets rattled easily and he loses focus in a hurry. Also, he may just find himself a step behind the rest and if the Mets can get to him for a couple of early runs he’ll go wacko like he always does and than the floodgates can follow. Victor Zambrano has a filthy repertoire, featuring a 92-94 MPH sinking fastball, an excellent changeup and an effective slider. If Zambrano can learn to throw strikes and get ahead of the hitters, he’d be one of the majors best. Still, we’re willing to gamble on Zambrano anytime with a tag because if he’s on his game and consistently throws strike one, he’s practically unhittable. Of course the Mets can win here. Play: NY Mets +1.20 (Risking 1.5 units). <o
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></o>Toronto +1.08 over BOSTON (7:05 PM)<o
></o>If there’s a pitcher in the majors that’s looked better than Roy Halliday, we haven’t seen him yet. Halliday dominated the Rangers in his last outing to run his record to 2-0 with a 3.27 ERA in three starts. In 22 innings of work, he’s walked two batters and struck out 18. His pitches have been dancing since the season began and any take-back on Halliday is true value. Jays are playing well and will face a very ordinary Bronson Arroyo here. Not much thought needed to figure this choice out. Play: Toronto +1.08 (Risking 1.5 units). <o
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></o>San Francisco +1.40 over SAN DIEGO
Brian Lawrence does not warrant being a 3-2 favorite over the Giants and that’s all there is to it. Lawrence couldn’t get any Cubs out in his last start, surrendering seven runs and nine hits in just over two innings of work. He’s now gone 5-10 over his past 17 starts with an ERA of 4.53. That’s actually brutal when you consider that more than half of those games were pitched at the friendliest pitcher park in the majors. Jerome Williams will toe the rubber for the Giants. After his solid rookie season in 2003, the team's training staff wasn't happy that Williams took it easy during the off-season and put him on a strenuous workout program. While he was rehabbing from his injury, he was also improving his conditioning and so far, so good. Williams has made one start and went seven innings against the Rockies and allowed just five hits and one earned run. He also struck out five and walked just one batter. Giants a very live pooch here. Play San Francisco +1.40 (Risking 1.5 units).
