MLB Thu, Jul 28, 2005
MLB Hot Lines: Thursday`s best odds
Andrew Folkes
Los Angeles Angels at Toronto Blue Jays – Jays +127
Remember that episode of Seinfeld where George discovers that the secret to success is to do the opposite of whatever he thinks is the best thing to do? Well, when it comes to betting the Toronto Blue Jays, it pays to take a page from the Costanza playbook.
Headed into this series with the Angels, the Jays looked like they were going down hard. They’d dropped two of three to Kansas City and were just a series removed from losing three of four to Tampa Bay. Meanwhile, the Angels had taken three of four from the Yankees and Vladimir Guerrero’s bat was finally showing signs of life.
But two games into this series and the Halos have just a single earned run while the Jays have a pair of wins and 2.69 units in the bank. They’ll also have a fresh arm on the mound tonight in David Busch.
The 25-year-old righty made his first big league start since May 28 against Kansas City this past Saturday and he allowed just three runs through six innings. He had been demoted to Triple-A Syracuse in early June, but now the Jays say he looks better than ever.
“He had better fastball command than prior to his departure,” catcher Greg Zaun said after Saturday’s 9-4 victory. “His ability to throw his fastball where he wanted it made a big difference.”
Cleveland Indians at Seattle Mariners – Tribe +105
The reason to back the Indians in this one can be summed up in two words: Cliff Lee.
The 26-year-old southpaw has been a road warrior for the Tribe this season posting a 3.79 away ERA while recording three of his four shutouts on the trail. Cleveland is 10-2 on the road when starting Lee for a net profit of 9.23 units.
Lee also hasn’t lost to Seattle in four career starts and has allowed the M’s a total of three runs through 14 1/3 innings this season.
Mariners starter Gil Meche has just one win in seven career starts against the Indians. Seattle has dropped four of six tilts to Cleveland this year.
Pittsburgh Pirates at Florida Marlins – over 8 ½
Less than a month ago I was all over the under on any Dontrelle Willis start. But based on the way he’s been pitching lately, this tilt could top 8 ½ before the Pittsburgh Pirates get through the batting order.
Willis has allowed 25 hits and 23 runs in his last three starts, all of which easily cleared the total. In last Friday’s start at San Francisco the Giants tagged him for seven earned in just three innings.
Bucs starter Kip Wells isn’t doing much better allowing 14 earned though his last three appearances. He had a solid outing against Colorado last Friday, but gave up six runs to the Chicago Cubs before the end of the third in his start before that.
Throw in the fact that the Marlins have scored 78 runs in their past dozen games and this one’s a no-brainer.
Philadelphia Phillies at Colorado Rockies - under 11 ½
Oddsmakers continue to give Colorado high totals at home because of Denver’s thin air, but what they don`t seem to realize is that those balls just don’t fly over the walls by themselves.
The Rockies have scored an average of three runs in their last six home games and now it looks like they’ll be with out first baseman Todd Helton for a while. Helton, who strained a calf muscle in Monday’s 5-3 win over the New York Mets, leads the Rockies in batting average, homers and on base percentage and is regarded as the team’s only true offensive star.
“I had a little pang,” manager Clint Hurdle said when asked how he felt about Helton’s injury. “Maybe a big pang. Once I saw him limp off and that he didn`t have to be carried off, I felt a little better. We`ll see.”
The Rockies now have to deal with Philadelphia starter Robinson Tejeda, who’s fresh off a six inning shutout of the San Diego Padres. And don’t expect the Phillies to pick up the run scoring slack either. They’ve scored more than two runs just once in their last five outings. All five rolled under the total.
MLB Hot Lines: Thursday`s best odds
Andrew Folkes
Los Angeles Angels at Toronto Blue Jays – Jays +127
Remember that episode of Seinfeld where George discovers that the secret to success is to do the opposite of whatever he thinks is the best thing to do? Well, when it comes to betting the Toronto Blue Jays, it pays to take a page from the Costanza playbook.
Headed into this series with the Angels, the Jays looked like they were going down hard. They’d dropped two of three to Kansas City and were just a series removed from losing three of four to Tampa Bay. Meanwhile, the Angels had taken three of four from the Yankees and Vladimir Guerrero’s bat was finally showing signs of life.
But two games into this series and the Halos have just a single earned run while the Jays have a pair of wins and 2.69 units in the bank. They’ll also have a fresh arm on the mound tonight in David Busch.
The 25-year-old righty made his first big league start since May 28 against Kansas City this past Saturday and he allowed just three runs through six innings. He had been demoted to Triple-A Syracuse in early June, but now the Jays say he looks better than ever.
“He had better fastball command than prior to his departure,” catcher Greg Zaun said after Saturday’s 9-4 victory. “His ability to throw his fastball where he wanted it made a big difference.”
Cleveland Indians at Seattle Mariners – Tribe +105
The reason to back the Indians in this one can be summed up in two words: Cliff Lee.
The 26-year-old southpaw has been a road warrior for the Tribe this season posting a 3.79 away ERA while recording three of his four shutouts on the trail. Cleveland is 10-2 on the road when starting Lee for a net profit of 9.23 units.
Lee also hasn’t lost to Seattle in four career starts and has allowed the M’s a total of three runs through 14 1/3 innings this season.
Mariners starter Gil Meche has just one win in seven career starts against the Indians. Seattle has dropped four of six tilts to Cleveland this year.
Pittsburgh Pirates at Florida Marlins – over 8 ½
Less than a month ago I was all over the under on any Dontrelle Willis start. But based on the way he’s been pitching lately, this tilt could top 8 ½ before the Pittsburgh Pirates get through the batting order.
Willis has allowed 25 hits and 23 runs in his last three starts, all of which easily cleared the total. In last Friday’s start at San Francisco the Giants tagged him for seven earned in just three innings.
Bucs starter Kip Wells isn’t doing much better allowing 14 earned though his last three appearances. He had a solid outing against Colorado last Friday, but gave up six runs to the Chicago Cubs before the end of the third in his start before that.
Throw in the fact that the Marlins have scored 78 runs in their past dozen games and this one’s a no-brainer.
Philadelphia Phillies at Colorado Rockies - under 11 ½
Oddsmakers continue to give Colorado high totals at home because of Denver’s thin air, but what they don`t seem to realize is that those balls just don’t fly over the walls by themselves.
The Rockies have scored an average of three runs in their last six home games and now it looks like they’ll be with out first baseman Todd Helton for a while. Helton, who strained a calf muscle in Monday’s 5-3 win over the New York Mets, leads the Rockies in batting average, homers and on base percentage and is regarded as the team’s only true offensive star.
“I had a little pang,” manager Clint Hurdle said when asked how he felt about Helton’s injury. “Maybe a big pang. Once I saw him limp off and that he didn`t have to be carried off, I felt a little better. We`ll see.”
The Rockies now have to deal with Philadelphia starter Robinson Tejeda, who’s fresh off a six inning shutout of the San Diego Padres. And don’t expect the Phillies to pick up the run scoring slack either. They’ve scored more than two runs just once in their last five outings. All five rolled under the total.
