NY Mets +1.05 over ARIZONA<?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com
fficeffice" /><o
></o>
Until the D-Backs show signs that they’ve shaken off this Jason Grimsley thing we see no reason to lay off betting against them. Besides, Miguel Batista is about as reliable as a Shaq free throw attempt and his 6-2 record and 4.12 ERA does not tell the whole story. Batista has allowed 90 hits in 74 innings and the opposition is hitting .304 against him and those numbers don’t transpire into a 6-2 record with a 4.12 ERA. What’s really been happening is Batista has escaped jam after jam but that has a way of catching up to you and the Mets are a great bet to do just that. Batista had an ERA of 6.33 after five April starts and that’s the pitcher we’ve grown more accustomed to seeing. Mets are heating up again while the D-Backs still appear shaken up and thus, the Mets have to be considered a live pup. Play: NY Mets +1.05 (Risking 1.5 units).
<o></o>
Detroit –1.05 over TORONTO<o></o>
Another pitcher with a 6-2 record is the Blue Jays Gustavo Chacin and his record is about 10 times more misleading than Miguel Batista’s 6-2 record. Chacin is laboring badly out there and the only reason he’s 6-2 and not 1-7 is because of some serious run support. Chacin has lasted just 12 innings in his last three starts and his ERA over that span is 8.76. At the Rogers Center his ERA is 5.45 and he’s also allowed 13 jacks in 48 innings of work. Chacin is not striking out many, he’s falling behind hitters and he’s just a disaster waiting to happen. The Tigers are 7-1 on the road against lefties and this just might be the most hittable one they’ll face all year. Jeremy Bonderman is a model of consistency. The man has been rock solid all year and needs no introduction whatsoever. The Jays offense has carried them to a decent record but they struggle miserably at the plate against good pitching and we expect the Tigers to cruise in this one. Play: Detroit –1.05 (Risking 2.10 units to win 2).
<o></o>
Oakland +1.40 over NY YANKEES<o></o>
Jeter is likely out, Sheffield, Matsui are on the DL, the bullpen is a mess, Randy Johnson has been battling himself all year and the A’s are starting their annual summer run with six wins in their past eight games. In addition, Dan Haren is 2-0 with a 3.00 ERA in four career starts against the Yankees and that’s with the aforementioned trio in the line-up. Haren can pitch; make no mistake about that. He’s struck out 65 and walked just 15 in 84 innings and possesses some of the nastiest stuff in the business. Yanks, as usual, are overpriced here and there’s really not much more to say. Overlay. Play: Oakland +1.40 (Risking 1.5 units). <o></o>
<o></o>
Baltimore +1.04 over MINNESOTA<o></o>
This equation is about as simple as it gets and goes like this; when a tag is offered against Brad Radke, take it, get in line behind us and ask no questions. Steve McNair in his new digs would go 2-4 against Radke with a double and a triple. Radke has allowed 102 hits in 68 innings to go along with 14 jacks a 4-7 record and a 6.42 ERA. The fact that he’s won four games is a miracle in itself when you consider just how ineffective Radke has been. He’s been digressing for years now and you can expect the Orioles to score plenty more tonight off this stiff. The Orioles are coming off a nice win over Roy Halliday and the Blue Jays and frankly, we couldn’t give a rats ass who’s pitching for the Orioles as long as we’re getting a price against Radke. Play: Baltimore +1.04 (Risking 1.5 units).
fficeffice" /><o></o>Until the D-Backs show signs that they’ve shaken off this Jason Grimsley thing we see no reason to lay off betting against them. Besides, Miguel Batista is about as reliable as a Shaq free throw attempt and his 6-2 record and 4.12 ERA does not tell the whole story. Batista has allowed 90 hits in 74 innings and the opposition is hitting .304 against him and those numbers don’t transpire into a 6-2 record with a 4.12 ERA. What’s really been happening is Batista has escaped jam after jam but that has a way of catching up to you and the Mets are a great bet to do just that. Batista had an ERA of 6.33 after five April starts and that’s the pitcher we’ve grown more accustomed to seeing. Mets are heating up again while the D-Backs still appear shaken up and thus, the Mets have to be considered a live pup. Play: NY Mets +1.05 (Risking 1.5 units).
<o
></o>Detroit –1.05 over TORONTO<o
></o>Another pitcher with a 6-2 record is the Blue Jays Gustavo Chacin and his record is about 10 times more misleading than Miguel Batista’s 6-2 record. Chacin is laboring badly out there and the only reason he’s 6-2 and not 1-7 is because of some serious run support. Chacin has lasted just 12 innings in his last three starts and his ERA over that span is 8.76. At the Rogers Center his ERA is 5.45 and he’s also allowed 13 jacks in 48 innings of work. Chacin is not striking out many, he’s falling behind hitters and he’s just a disaster waiting to happen. The Tigers are 7-1 on the road against lefties and this just might be the most hittable one they’ll face all year. Jeremy Bonderman is a model of consistency. The man has been rock solid all year and needs no introduction whatsoever. The Jays offense has carried them to a decent record but they struggle miserably at the plate against good pitching and we expect the Tigers to cruise in this one. Play: Detroit –1.05 (Risking 2.10 units to win 2).
<o
></o>Oakland +1.40 over NY YANKEES<o
></o>Jeter is likely out, Sheffield, Matsui are on the DL, the bullpen is a mess, Randy Johnson has been battling himself all year and the A’s are starting their annual summer run with six wins in their past eight games. In addition, Dan Haren is 2-0 with a 3.00 ERA in four career starts against the Yankees and that’s with the aforementioned trio in the line-up. Haren can pitch; make no mistake about that. He’s struck out 65 and walked just 15 in 84 innings and possesses some of the nastiest stuff in the business. Yanks, as usual, are overpriced here and there’s really not much more to say. Overlay. Play: Oakland +1.40 (Risking 1.5 units). <o
></o><o
></o>Baltimore +1.04 over MINNESOTA<o
></o>This equation is about as simple as it gets and goes like this; when a tag is offered against Brad Radke, take it, get in line behind us and ask no questions. Steve McNair in his new digs would go 2-4 against Radke with a double and a triple. Radke has allowed 102 hits in 68 innings to go along with 14 jacks a 4-7 record and a 6.42 ERA. The fact that he’s won four games is a miracle in itself when you consider just how ineffective Radke has been. He’s been digressing for years now and you can expect the Orioles to score plenty more tonight off this stiff. The Orioles are coming off a nice win over Roy Halliday and the Blue Jays and frankly, we couldn’t give a rats ass who’s pitching for the Orioles as long as we’re getting a price against Radke. Play: Baltimore +1.04 (Risking 1.5 units).
