Recap:
Last Night: 0-4 +-4.55**Consensus LOst
Consensus Pick 7-7 -6.04----*gonna start tracking
YTD: 62-43 +23.65
MLB Thu, Aug 25, 2005
MLB Hot Lines: Thursday`s best odds
Andrew Folkes
Oakland Athletics at Detroit Tigers – Tigers + 145
Let’s face it, the Oakland Athletics just aren’t that good anymore.
This young club stormed its way up the AL West standings after the All-Star break and quickly made a name for itself at the sportsbooks, but the pressure of the impending postseason appears to be taking its toll. The A’s have now lost seven of their last nine games dropping 12.73 units in the process. They’ve also fallen 3 ½ games behind the Angels in their division and are barely clinging to the wild-card lead.
The major cause of the slump is a batting lineup that’s been snoozing ever since the team knocked the Angels out of the top spot Aug. 11. In 11 games since then they’ve averaged just 3.4 runs.
“We`re going into September and still have a chance to do something,” A`s manager Ken Macha told the Oakland Tribune. "If you have one or two guys struggling, that would be fine. But we have about seven or eight. That`s a major concern.”
Macha’s struggling lumber gets to face Tigers lefty Mike Maroth today. He’s had some nasty outings over the last month or so, but has a solid track record versus the A’s. Detroit has also won eight of its last 10.
Cleveland Indians at Tampa Bay Devil Rays – D-Rays +121
It’s pretty much going to be impossible for the Tampa Bay Devils Rays to garner any respect at the books after the season they’ve had - even if they are one of the hottest teams in the majors.
The club has won nine of its last 12 including a pair of wins over the New York Yankees and a three-game sweep of the Texas Rangers, but were listed as favorites just twice through that span.
They’re even paying +121 at home today against Cleveland with ace Scott Kazmir on the hill. The 21-year-old lefty has allowed more than two earned runs just three times in his last 10 starts and held Texas to one run through six innings Saturday.
“He`s going to be a frontline starter,” Rangers first baseman Mark Teixeira said after the game. “What`s impressive is his age. He was very good. He`s going to be a very good pitcher for a long time in this league.”
The Indians have also been on a roll winning six of their last seven, but the D-Rays have been a thorn in their backers’ sides all season. The Tribe has dropped four of six meetings with Tampa for a net loss of 5.30 units.
Chicago White Sox at Minnesota Twins – under 8
The total on this ChiSox-Twins tilt dropped from 8 ½ to 8 faster than you could say “take the under,” but I still think there’s value in betting below the number.
For one thing, you’ve gotta like the starters. Chicago’s Jon Garland and Minnesota’s Carlos Silva have respective ERAs of 3.43 and 3.35. Garland gave up just three earned runs to the Twins in six innings when he last faced them on April 9. Today’s game will mark Silva’s first start against the Sox this season which should give him an advantage.
Both clubs also have some pretty hefty bats on the shelf. The White Sox lost outfielder Scott Podsednik to a groin strain Aug. 13 and have cashed in just two overs in their eight games since then. His .282 average was tops among qualified Sox ( more than 381 plate appearances).
Minnesota lost outfielder Shannon Stewart to a strained shoulder on Tuesday. He was hitting .283 with 52 RBIs and 10 homers. Jacque Jones will also miss tonight’s game for personal reasons. He’s hitting .254 and leads the club with 18 homers.
Colorado Rockies at Los Angeles Dodgers – Rockies +160
Colorado Rockies starter Aaron Cook is nothing short of a miracle.
Diagnosed with blood clots in his lungs last year after he felt faint during a game with the Cincinnati Reds, doctors told him he was lucky he didn’t drop dead on the mound.
A pair of surgeries to remove the clots cut short his 2004 season and was supposed to keep him out of action for the entire 2005 campaign. However, his determination and love for the sport saw him return to the Rockies rotation by late July.
Most miraculous of all (at least as far as bettors are concerned) is his ability to turn a profit in a Rockies uniform. Since coughing up seven earned runs in 4 1/3 innings to the Philadelphia Phillies July 30, he’s allowed a total of seven earned runs in his following four starts. Colorado won each of those contests earning 5.34 units.
Also encouraging is that he seems to have discovered the pitch that works best for him.
"I knew I had a good sinking fastball from the first inning," Cook said after giving up one run to the Chicago Cubs in seven innings Saturday. "From that point on I used very few breaking balls and changeups and stayed with my sinking fastball."
Tonight, he’ll also have the advantage of facing the Dodgers minus outfielder Milton Bradley. Bradley injured his left knee in Monday’s game with Florida and was told by team doctors Wednesday that he’ll likely need season ending surgery to correct it. He’s hitting .290 and has 13 homers and 38 RBIs in 75 games.
Last Night: 0-4 +-4.55**Consensus LOst
Consensus Pick 7-7 -6.04----*gonna start tracking
YTD: 62-43 +23.65
MLB Thu, Aug 25, 2005
MLB Hot Lines: Thursday`s best odds
Andrew Folkes
Oakland Athletics at Detroit Tigers – Tigers + 145
Let’s face it, the Oakland Athletics just aren’t that good anymore.
This young club stormed its way up the AL West standings after the All-Star break and quickly made a name for itself at the sportsbooks, but the pressure of the impending postseason appears to be taking its toll. The A’s have now lost seven of their last nine games dropping 12.73 units in the process. They’ve also fallen 3 ½ games behind the Angels in their division and are barely clinging to the wild-card lead.
The major cause of the slump is a batting lineup that’s been snoozing ever since the team knocked the Angels out of the top spot Aug. 11. In 11 games since then they’ve averaged just 3.4 runs.
“We`re going into September and still have a chance to do something,” A`s manager Ken Macha told the Oakland Tribune. "If you have one or two guys struggling, that would be fine. But we have about seven or eight. That`s a major concern.”
Macha’s struggling lumber gets to face Tigers lefty Mike Maroth today. He’s had some nasty outings over the last month or so, but has a solid track record versus the A’s. Detroit has also won eight of its last 10.
Cleveland Indians at Tampa Bay Devil Rays – D-Rays +121
It’s pretty much going to be impossible for the Tampa Bay Devils Rays to garner any respect at the books after the season they’ve had - even if they are one of the hottest teams in the majors.
The club has won nine of its last 12 including a pair of wins over the New York Yankees and a three-game sweep of the Texas Rangers, but were listed as favorites just twice through that span.
They’re even paying +121 at home today against Cleveland with ace Scott Kazmir on the hill. The 21-year-old lefty has allowed more than two earned runs just three times in his last 10 starts and held Texas to one run through six innings Saturday.
“He`s going to be a frontline starter,” Rangers first baseman Mark Teixeira said after the game. “What`s impressive is his age. He was very good. He`s going to be a very good pitcher for a long time in this league.”
The Indians have also been on a roll winning six of their last seven, but the D-Rays have been a thorn in their backers’ sides all season. The Tribe has dropped four of six meetings with Tampa for a net loss of 5.30 units.
Chicago White Sox at Minnesota Twins – under 8
The total on this ChiSox-Twins tilt dropped from 8 ½ to 8 faster than you could say “take the under,” but I still think there’s value in betting below the number.
For one thing, you’ve gotta like the starters. Chicago’s Jon Garland and Minnesota’s Carlos Silva have respective ERAs of 3.43 and 3.35. Garland gave up just three earned runs to the Twins in six innings when he last faced them on April 9. Today’s game will mark Silva’s first start against the Sox this season which should give him an advantage.
Both clubs also have some pretty hefty bats on the shelf. The White Sox lost outfielder Scott Podsednik to a groin strain Aug. 13 and have cashed in just two overs in their eight games since then. His .282 average was tops among qualified Sox ( more than 381 plate appearances).
Minnesota lost outfielder Shannon Stewart to a strained shoulder on Tuesday. He was hitting .283 with 52 RBIs and 10 homers. Jacque Jones will also miss tonight’s game for personal reasons. He’s hitting .254 and leads the club with 18 homers.
Colorado Rockies at Los Angeles Dodgers – Rockies +160
Colorado Rockies starter Aaron Cook is nothing short of a miracle.
Diagnosed with blood clots in his lungs last year after he felt faint during a game with the Cincinnati Reds, doctors told him he was lucky he didn’t drop dead on the mound.
A pair of surgeries to remove the clots cut short his 2004 season and was supposed to keep him out of action for the entire 2005 campaign. However, his determination and love for the sport saw him return to the Rockies rotation by late July.
Most miraculous of all (at least as far as bettors are concerned) is his ability to turn a profit in a Rockies uniform. Since coughing up seven earned runs in 4 1/3 innings to the Philadelphia Phillies July 30, he’s allowed a total of seven earned runs in his following four starts. Colorado won each of those contests earning 5.34 units.
Also encouraging is that he seems to have discovered the pitch that works best for him.
"I knew I had a good sinking fastball from the first inning," Cook said after giving up one run to the Chicago Cubs in seven innings Saturday. "From that point on I used very few breaking balls and changeups and stayed with my sinking fastball."
Tonight, he’ll also have the advantage of facing the Dodgers minus outfielder Milton Bradley. Bradley injured his left knee in Monday’s game with Florida and was told by team doctors Wednesday that he’ll likely need season ending surgery to correct it. He’s hitting .290 and has 13 homers and 38 RBIs in 75 games.
