<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%">1</TD><TD class=rs_value vAlign=top align=right width="10%">4</TD><TD class=rs_value vAlign=top align=right width="10%">0</TD><TD class=rs_value vAlign=top align=right width="20%">-4.50 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%">31</TD><TD class=rs_value vAlign=top align=right width="10%">48</TD><TD class=rs_value vAlign=top align=right width="10%">0</TD><TD class=rs_value vAlign=top align=right width="20%">-16.34 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%">31</TD><TD class=rs_value vAlign=top align=right width="10%">48</TD><TD class=rs_value vAlign=top align=right width="10%">0</TD><TD class=rs_value vAlign=top align=right width="20%">-16.34 Units</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>
Florida –1½ +1.15 over PHILADELPHIA <?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com
fficeffice" /><o
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Josh Beckett is 3-0 with a 0.82 ERA on the road and that includes a six-inning stint in that minefield in Colorado. In his other two road starts he shut out both Atlanta and Washington. This year he’s been chewing up hitters like nobody else and has already struck out 35 in 33 innings. Beckett will face a Phillie team that sits in last in the division at 10-14 and that’s lost three in a row. As a team, Philadelphia is batting .242 and in its last eight games they’ve scored 17 runs. Cory Lidle has an ERA of 6.00 at Citizens Bank Park. Overall, in four starts he has yet to strike out more than three batters in a game. He’s been with six teams in the past seven years and continues to not be able to fool anyone. Florida has seen Lidle already once this year and the second time could be quite ugly. Play: Florida –1½ +1.15 (Risking 1.5 units). <o></o>
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Kansas City +1.60 over CLEVELAND<o></o>
Scott Elarton better than a 3-2 favorite? Are you kidding me? Yeah, we know it’s the team he’s facing today, however, that team is still going to win in the neighborhood of 60 games this year and this could surely be one of them. Elarton has pitched once at the Jake this year and was smoked. He pitched in Kansas City and didn’t make it out of the fourth inning, allowing 10 hits and five earned runs. He pitched in that pitcher friendly park in Seattle and allowed five earned runs in five innings and the Indians lost 9-1. Elarton has a 9.64 ERA at home and an overall ERA of 8.05. The Indians bullpen is horrible and it’s not like the Indians offense has been picking them up. Win or lose, this is a big time overlay and frankly, we couldn’t care less who is going for the Royals. Elarton shouldn’t be 5 cents over anyone, not even a hockey team. Play: Kansas City +1.60 (Risking 1.5 units). <o></o>
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Detroit +1.33 over CHICAGO<o></o>
Wilfredo Ledezma has an excellent fastball. He not only throws it between 92-95 MPH, but he cuts across the ball with his fingers so it tails in on left-handed hitters. His changeup is another top-of-the-line pitch that he uses effectively against right-handed batters. The White Sox have looked ugly in the box against left-handers and Ledzema, despite his 5.82 ERA, has had just one bad start in three. Jon Garland is 4-0 with a 1.80 ERA, which is very admirable but let’s get serious here for a moment, shall we. Garland is a one- pitch pitcher and he’s been getting away with it so far this year. His sinker is good but he has nothing to compliment it with. Prior to this year, in his five-year major league career, Garland has had one good stretch back in 2001 when he pitched mostly in relief and his ERA was 3.69. Since than he’s been nothing more than a very average pitcher and that’s all he’ll ever be. Don’t let his hot start fool you, he’s not that good and we highly doubt that J. Garland went off to see the Wizard, the wonderful Wizard of Oz. Overlay. Play: Detroit +1.33 (Risking 1.5 units). <o></o>
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Arizona +1.30 over SAN DIEGO<o></o>
In a year in which the favorites are priced lower than years past, it appears as though the D-Backs are getting the least respect in that regard. Every game they’re on the road they’re seemingly getting a nice take-back when other teams like the A’s, Phillies, Astros, etc are taking back much less. This is not the same Arizona team as last year. They’ve done a complete overhaul and own one of the best records in the majors. Only five other teams have more wins. After a rough start to the year Javier Vasquez has turned in consecutive good outings. He followed up seven scoreless innings in a win over San Francisco on April 20 with eight strong in a 4-2 win over the Dodgers on Monday. Vasquez is a quality starter that could crack any rotation in the business. Woody Williams is an aging veteran that’s been very ordinary all year long. He’s certainly no better than our guy and the Diamondbacks offense is not the second best here either. Arizona has lost 10 straight at this venue and it says here they give it everything they have to end that nasty streak and leave town with a win. At the very least, they’ll be in this one with a chance to win. Play: Arizona +1.30 (Risking 1.5 units).<o></o>
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Cincinnati +1.05 over MILWAUKEE<o></o>
Doug Davis opened the year with a 2-0 record and a 2.77 ERA. Doug Davis opened the year with two games against the Pittsburgh Pirates. Doug Davis, when he hasn’t faced the Pirates is 0-3 with a 9.22 ERA. The Reds are 5-1 against lefties and possess a potent hitting line-up that should eat this guy up. They’re not the Pirates. Ramon Ortiz began the year on the DL but returned with a solid five-inning, five hit performance in Houston. The Reds are the superior team and take-back against Davis and the Brewers, when your team name isn’t the Pirates, has got to be considered a gift. Of course the Reds can and should win here. Play: Cincinnati +1.05 (Risking 1.5 units).
Florida –1½ +1.15 over PHILADELPHIA <?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com
fficeffice" /><o></o>Josh Beckett is 3-0 with a 0.82 ERA on the road and that includes a six-inning stint in that minefield in Colorado. In his other two road starts he shut out both Atlanta and Washington. This year he’s been chewing up hitters like nobody else and has already struck out 35 in 33 innings. Beckett will face a Phillie team that sits in last in the division at 10-14 and that’s lost three in a row. As a team, Philadelphia is batting .242 and in its last eight games they’ve scored 17 runs. Cory Lidle has an ERA of 6.00 at Citizens Bank Park. Overall, in four starts he has yet to strike out more than three batters in a game. He’s been with six teams in the past seven years and continues to not be able to fool anyone. Florida has seen Lidle already once this year and the second time could be quite ugly. Play: Florida –1½ +1.15 (Risking 1.5 units). <o
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></o>Kansas City +1.60 over CLEVELAND<o
></o>Scott Elarton better than a 3-2 favorite? Are you kidding me? Yeah, we know it’s the team he’s facing today, however, that team is still going to win in the neighborhood of 60 games this year and this could surely be one of them. Elarton has pitched once at the Jake this year and was smoked. He pitched in Kansas City and didn’t make it out of the fourth inning, allowing 10 hits and five earned runs. He pitched in that pitcher friendly park in Seattle and allowed five earned runs in five innings and the Indians lost 9-1. Elarton has a 9.64 ERA at home and an overall ERA of 8.05. The Indians bullpen is horrible and it’s not like the Indians offense has been picking them up. Win or lose, this is a big time overlay and frankly, we couldn’t care less who is going for the Royals. Elarton shouldn’t be 5 cents over anyone, not even a hockey team. Play: Kansas City +1.60 (Risking 1.5 units). <o
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></o>Detroit +1.33 over CHICAGO<o
></o>Wilfredo Ledezma has an excellent fastball. He not only throws it between 92-95 MPH, but he cuts across the ball with his fingers so it tails in on left-handed hitters. His changeup is another top-of-the-line pitch that he uses effectively against right-handed batters. The White Sox have looked ugly in the box against left-handers and Ledzema, despite his 5.82 ERA, has had just one bad start in three. Jon Garland is 4-0 with a 1.80 ERA, which is very admirable but let’s get serious here for a moment, shall we. Garland is a one- pitch pitcher and he’s been getting away with it so far this year. His sinker is good but he has nothing to compliment it with. Prior to this year, in his five-year major league career, Garland has had one good stretch back in 2001 when he pitched mostly in relief and his ERA was 3.69. Since than he’s been nothing more than a very average pitcher and that’s all he’ll ever be. Don’t let his hot start fool you, he’s not that good and we highly doubt that J. Garland went off to see the Wizard, the wonderful Wizard of Oz. Overlay. Play: Detroit +1.33 (Risking 1.5 units). <o
></o><o
></o>Arizona +1.30 over SAN DIEGO<o
></o>In a year in which the favorites are priced lower than years past, it appears as though the D-Backs are getting the least respect in that regard. Every game they’re on the road they’re seemingly getting a nice take-back when other teams like the A’s, Phillies, Astros, etc are taking back much less. This is not the same Arizona team as last year. They’ve done a complete overhaul and own one of the best records in the majors. Only five other teams have more wins. After a rough start to the year Javier Vasquez has turned in consecutive good outings. He followed up seven scoreless innings in a win over San Francisco on April 20 with eight strong in a 4-2 win over the Dodgers on Monday. Vasquez is a quality starter that could crack any rotation in the business. Woody Williams is an aging veteran that’s been very ordinary all year long. He’s certainly no better than our guy and the Diamondbacks offense is not the second best here either. Arizona has lost 10 straight at this venue and it says here they give it everything they have to end that nasty streak and leave town with a win. At the very least, they’ll be in this one with a chance to win. Play: Arizona +1.30 (Risking 1.5 units).<o
></o><o
></o>Cincinnati +1.05 over MILWAUKEE<o
></o>Doug Davis opened the year with a 2-0 record and a 2.77 ERA. Doug Davis opened the year with two games against the Pittsburgh Pirates. Doug Davis, when he hasn’t faced the Pirates is 0-3 with a 9.22 ERA. The Reds are 5-1 against lefties and possess a potent hitting line-up that should eat this guy up. They’re not the Pirates. Ramon Ortiz began the year on the DL but returned with a solid five-inning, five hit performance in Houston. The Reds are the superior team and take-back against Davis and the Brewers, when your team name isn’t the Pirates, has got to be considered a gift. Of course the Reds can and should win here. Play: Cincinnati +1.05 (Risking 1.5 units).
