Recap:
Yesterday: 2-2 +.30
Consensus Pick 4-2 +1.79----*gonna start tracking
YTD: 50-27 +27.74
MLB Tue, Aug 16, 2005
MLB Hot Lines: Tuesday`s best odds
Julian Dickinson
Toronto Blue Jays at L.A. Angels – (Jays +170)
Maybe I’m missing something here, but this price tag seems a little too Hollywood for such a C-list cast. Jon Saunders was a highly-touted arm when he was drafted in the first round by the Angels back in 2002, but the 24-year-old lefty suffered a torn labrum in 2003, which seriously set back his development. All reports say he’s back on track, but his fastball, which still looks a little sluggish, could get tagged by a Jays lineup that feasts on left-handers.
Of course, Toronto’s Scott Downs isn’t exactly an All-Star either, but he’s been steadily improving since he was lit up in Texas in his Blue Jays debut. He made a very solid start against Detroit on Thursday, allowing only two hits over seven innings in a 2-1 underdog win.
This price is just too steep to gamble on someone like Saunders in his big league debut.
San Francisco Giants at Cincinnati Reds – (Under 9 ½) -1.05
This game is such a great opportunity because you’ve got two great pitchers who’ve earned a bad reputation in the first half of the season – that explains the relatively high total. But now, both of them are starting to look like their old selves again. That’s the opportunity.
Jason Schmidt used to be the most feared starter in the National League. Now he’s just another schmuck on floundering club. But despite his waning reputation, he’s knocked his ERA down to 2.63 over his last six starts and started to show signs of the old Jason Schmidt. In spite of this renaissance, oddsmakers have posted the highest total the former All-Star has seen all year.
His counterpart, Eric Milton, is also in the midst of a below-average season, but he’s on the comeback trail as well. Milton looked sharp in his last start, in which he shut down the Cubs at Wrigley. He had location on his fastball and his offspeed pitches were working well enough to hold Chicago to four hits and one earned run.
Minnesota Twins at Chicago White Sox – (Twins +130)
The Twins are still about 25 units behind the White Sox in terms of total winnings, but it’s been a different story over their last 10 games. The Twins have a better record, better batting average, and their bullpen has surrendered more than a run per game fewer than Chicago’s. And they did most of that work on the road.
Two of those wins came courtesy of right-hander Brad Radke. He’s been the most consistent arm on the Twins’ staff and now that he’s finally getting some run support, there aren’t many teams that should be favored against this guy. Last week, the best hitting team in baseball couldn’t squeeze out a single run against Radke, as he cruised to a 12-0 win over Boston. The White Sox’s .263 team batting average, by contrast, is only good enough for 20th in the majors. Radke should be able to get the win, as long as his teammates can handle Freddy Garcia the way they have in the past.
Chicago Cubs at Houston Astros – (Over 8) Even 100
Andy Pettitte has been virtually untouchable in the second half of the season and the under has been the best bet in his recent starts. So why do I like the over? Well, it has nothing to do with Pettitte.
Greg Maddux will take the ball for the Cubs after throwing a season-high 114 pitches in a complete-game win over the Cardinals on Thursday. Manager Dusty Baker admitted he’s concerned about how the exertion will affect the struggling 39-year-old – and the way his arm has been, you should be worried too. If Maddux can’t make it into the late innings, he probably won’t get much help from the Cubs’ bullpen, which gave up seven runs in last night’s 12-4 debacle.
Yesterday: 2-2 +.30
Consensus Pick 4-2 +1.79----*gonna start tracking
YTD: 50-27 +27.74
MLB Tue, Aug 16, 2005
MLB Hot Lines: Tuesday`s best odds
Julian Dickinson
Toronto Blue Jays at L.A. Angels – (Jays +170)
Maybe I’m missing something here, but this price tag seems a little too Hollywood for such a C-list cast. Jon Saunders was a highly-touted arm when he was drafted in the first round by the Angels back in 2002, but the 24-year-old lefty suffered a torn labrum in 2003, which seriously set back his development. All reports say he’s back on track, but his fastball, which still looks a little sluggish, could get tagged by a Jays lineup that feasts on left-handers.
Of course, Toronto’s Scott Downs isn’t exactly an All-Star either, but he’s been steadily improving since he was lit up in Texas in his Blue Jays debut. He made a very solid start against Detroit on Thursday, allowing only two hits over seven innings in a 2-1 underdog win.
This price is just too steep to gamble on someone like Saunders in his big league debut.
San Francisco Giants at Cincinnati Reds – (Under 9 ½) -1.05
This game is such a great opportunity because you’ve got two great pitchers who’ve earned a bad reputation in the first half of the season – that explains the relatively high total. But now, both of them are starting to look like their old selves again. That’s the opportunity.
Jason Schmidt used to be the most feared starter in the National League. Now he’s just another schmuck on floundering club. But despite his waning reputation, he’s knocked his ERA down to 2.63 over his last six starts and started to show signs of the old Jason Schmidt. In spite of this renaissance, oddsmakers have posted the highest total the former All-Star has seen all year.
His counterpart, Eric Milton, is also in the midst of a below-average season, but he’s on the comeback trail as well. Milton looked sharp in his last start, in which he shut down the Cubs at Wrigley. He had location on his fastball and his offspeed pitches were working well enough to hold Chicago to four hits and one earned run.
Minnesota Twins at Chicago White Sox – (Twins +130)
The Twins are still about 25 units behind the White Sox in terms of total winnings, but it’s been a different story over their last 10 games. The Twins have a better record, better batting average, and their bullpen has surrendered more than a run per game fewer than Chicago’s. And they did most of that work on the road.
Two of those wins came courtesy of right-hander Brad Radke. He’s been the most consistent arm on the Twins’ staff and now that he’s finally getting some run support, there aren’t many teams that should be favored against this guy. Last week, the best hitting team in baseball couldn’t squeeze out a single run against Radke, as he cruised to a 12-0 win over Boston. The White Sox’s .263 team batting average, by contrast, is only good enough for 20th in the majors. Radke should be able to get the win, as long as his teammates can handle Freddy Garcia the way they have in the past.
Chicago Cubs at Houston Astros – (Over 8) Even 100
Andy Pettitte has been virtually untouchable in the second half of the season and the under has been the best bet in his recent starts. So why do I like the over? Well, it has nothing to do with Pettitte.
Greg Maddux will take the ball for the Cubs after throwing a season-high 114 pitches in a complete-game win over the Cardinals on Thursday. Manager Dusty Baker admitted he’s concerned about how the exertion will affect the struggling 39-year-old – and the way his arm has been, you should be worried too. If Maddux can’t make it into the late innings, he probably won’t get much help from the Cubs’ bullpen, which gave up seven runs in last night’s 12-4 debacle.