<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%">3</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%">+5.59 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%">24</TD><TD class=rs_value vAlign=top align=right width="10%">37</TD><TD class=rs_value vAlign=top align=right width="10%">0</TD><TD class=rs_value vAlign=top align=right width="20%">-12.12 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%">24</TD><TD class=rs_value vAlign=top align=right width="10%">37</TD><TD class=rs_value vAlign=top align=right width="10%">0</TD><TD class=rs_value vAlign=top align=right width="20%">-12.12 Units</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>
WASHINGTON +1.01 over Philadelphia (7:05 PM)<?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com
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We mentioned last time out how unknown National’s pitcher John Patterson is and that it’s not going to take long for the oddsmakers and the public to catch on. All Patterson has done thus far is go 1-1 with a 0.86 ERA after three starts. He's allowed only two earned runs in 21 innings after three starts and is in the midst of a 14-inning scoreless streak. This is no aberration either. This kid can pitch and his stuff is some of the filthiest around. John Leiber is going to get plenty of play from the public tonight. He’s 4-0 and owns a 2.73 ERA. He’s become the Phillies ace in a matter of less than a month. That’s all very nice indeed but it’s not going to last. We’ve said it before and we’ll say it again. Leiber is just not that good and his numbers will reflect that come the all-star break. He’s off to a great start and we take nothing away from him. However, he’s the second best pitcher on the mound playing for the second best team on the field, on the road, and that absolutely works for us. Play Washington +1.01 (Risking 1.5 units). <o></o>
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Arizona +1.03 over LOS ANGELES (10:10 PM)<o></o>
This equation is a rather simple one and it goes something like this: When Scott Erickson is pitching and we don’t have to lay anything, we’re in, no questions asked. Frankly, we have no idea how this guy has a job in the majors. Is there that much a shortage of starting pitchers on the planet? Erickson has been in the majors since 1990. He missed 2001 and 2003. His first three years were very good, however, after ’92 he’s been batting practice. The man has had one good stretch over the past 12 years in 1997 when he went 16-7 with the Orioles. This year he’s allowed four jacks, 13 earned runs, and six walks in 15 innings of work. He’s also struck out a lousy four batters. Scott Erickson has perhaps one, maybe two starts left in him before the Dodgers ask him to lose the address to Chavez Ravine. The fact that Erickson is favored is completely insane. Tommy Lasorda would go 2-4 with a double, single and two RBI’s against Erickson, Craig Counsell, Luis Gonzalez, Shawn Green, Troy Glaus et all will swallow this guy up and spit him out. Play Arizona: +1.03 (Risking 1.5 units).<o></o>
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Chicago +1.10 over OAKLAND (10:05 PM)<o></o>
Eventually the White Sox will come back down to earth but chances are it’s not going to happen here. The A’s are seeing BB’s and they made John Garland look like Sandy Koufax last night. Oakland is weak offensively and they’ll have to face the White Sox best pitcher tonight in Mark Buehrle. Buehrle has been extremely effective all year and has been that way pretty much his whole career. Not only is he good but he just might be the most durable pitcher in the majors. In fact, Buehrle has pitched at least six innings in 32 straight outings, which is the longest such streak in the majors since Curt Schilling accomplished the feat in 38 straight starts from 2001-03. Chicago has won nine in a row and the A’s have dropped three in a row. Oakland is hitting .233 as a team and they’ve scored a total of 70 runs, the worst in the majors. Win, lose or draw, a single argument can’t be made for the A’s today. Play Chicago +1.10 (Risking 1.5 units).<o></o>
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Los Angeles +1.35 over NY YANKEES
Angels starter Bartolo Colon has been dominating over his last two starts, allowing just one run and six hits over 15 innings, with two walks and 11 strikeouts. That’s no surprise, Colon has been among the best pitchers in the majors over the years and he’s as reliable as anyone. Playing against the Yankees is proving to a very profitable proposition, as there popularity is as high as it’s ever been but their stock is rapidly dropping. Yanks are always overpriced and when you wager against them you get great value. This year the value id even greater because they’re not winning games like they used to. Each player is getting worse and getting older and things may just not get better for the Yankees this year unless they make some dramatic changes, especially in the starting rotation and middle relief, if you want to call it that. Knock out the Yankees starter by the fifth inning and chances are they’ll lose. This Yankee bullpen is horrid. Angels a live dog with strong value. Play Los Angeles +1.35 (Risking 1.5 units).
WASHINGTON +1.01 over Philadelphia (7:05 PM)<?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com
fficeffice" /><o></o>We mentioned last time out how unknown National’s pitcher John Patterson is and that it’s not going to take long for the oddsmakers and the public to catch on. All Patterson has done thus far is go 1-1 with a 0.86 ERA after three starts. He's allowed only two earned runs in 21 innings after three starts and is in the midst of a 14-inning scoreless streak. This is no aberration either. This kid can pitch and his stuff is some of the filthiest around. John Leiber is going to get plenty of play from the public tonight. He’s 4-0 and owns a 2.73 ERA. He’s become the Phillies ace in a matter of less than a month. That’s all very nice indeed but it’s not going to last. We’ve said it before and we’ll say it again. Leiber is just not that good and his numbers will reflect that come the all-star break. He’s off to a great start and we take nothing away from him. However, he’s the second best pitcher on the mound playing for the second best team on the field, on the road, and that absolutely works for us. Play Washington +1.01 (Risking 1.5 units). <o
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></o>Arizona +1.03 over LOS ANGELES (10:10 PM)<o
></o>This equation is a rather simple one and it goes something like this: When Scott Erickson is pitching and we don’t have to lay anything, we’re in, no questions asked. Frankly, we have no idea how this guy has a job in the majors. Is there that much a shortage of starting pitchers on the planet? Erickson has been in the majors since 1990. He missed 2001 and 2003. His first three years were very good, however, after ’92 he’s been batting practice. The man has had one good stretch over the past 12 years in 1997 when he went 16-7 with the Orioles. This year he’s allowed four jacks, 13 earned runs, and six walks in 15 innings of work. He’s also struck out a lousy four batters. Scott Erickson has perhaps one, maybe two starts left in him before the Dodgers ask him to lose the address to Chavez Ravine. The fact that Erickson is favored is completely insane. Tommy Lasorda would go 2-4 with a double, single and two RBI’s against Erickson, Craig Counsell, Luis Gonzalez, Shawn Green, Troy Glaus et all will swallow this guy up and spit him out. Play Arizona: +1.03 (Risking 1.5 units).<o
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></o>Chicago +1.10 over OAKLAND (10:05 PM)<o
></o>Eventually the White Sox will come back down to earth but chances are it’s not going to happen here. The A’s are seeing BB’s and they made John Garland look like Sandy Koufax last night. Oakland is weak offensively and they’ll have to face the White Sox best pitcher tonight in Mark Buehrle. Buehrle has been extremely effective all year and has been that way pretty much his whole career. Not only is he good but he just might be the most durable pitcher in the majors. In fact, Buehrle has pitched at least six innings in 32 straight outings, which is the longest such streak in the majors since Curt Schilling accomplished the feat in 38 straight starts from 2001-03. Chicago has won nine in a row and the A’s have dropped three in a row. Oakland is hitting .233 as a team and they’ve scored a total of 70 runs, the worst in the majors. Win, lose or draw, a single argument can’t be made for the A’s today. Play Chicago +1.10 (Risking 1.5 units).<o
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></o>Los Angeles +1.35 over NY YANKEES
Angels starter Bartolo Colon has been dominating over his last two starts, allowing just one run and six hits over 15 innings, with two walks and 11 strikeouts. That’s no surprise, Colon has been among the best pitchers in the majors over the years and he’s as reliable as anyone. Playing against the Yankees is proving to a very profitable proposition, as there popularity is as high as it’s ever been but their stock is rapidly dropping. Yanks are always overpriced and when you wager against them you get great value. This year the value id even greater because they’re not winning games like they used to. Each player is getting worse and getting older and things may just not get better for the Yankees this year unless they make some dramatic changes, especially in the starting rotation and middle relief, if you want to call it that. Knock out the Yankees starter by the fifth inning and chances are they’ll lose. This Yankee bullpen is horrid. Angels a live dog with strong value. Play Los Angeles +1.35 (Risking 1.5 units).
