Minnesota +1.03 over PITTSBURGH<?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com
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The Twins are heating up big time and have now won five in a row and that includes a three-game sweep over the Red Sox. Minnesota has a losing record because they’re starting pitching has been horrible but when they get a decent performance on the hill they’re as tough to beat as any team in the league. The Twins offense has been solid all year and at the moment they’re sizzling. In fact, in their past three series they scored 18 times at pitcher friendly Safeco Field in Seattle, than another 18 at Camden Yards, and 18 again at home in the aforementioned sweep of Boston. They’ll face Paul Maholm here, a guy that’s allowed 96 hits in 75 innings and that has a lousy BB/SO ratio. He’s walked 37 and struck out 52 and Minnesota just might be the most disciplined team in the majors at the plate. The Twins as a team have struck out just 367 times compared to the Pirates 485. That should bode well here for Boof Bonser, who has whiffed 21 batters in 23 innings and has walked just seven. A tag on the Twins here is as sweet as any on then board today. Play: Minnesota +1.03 (Risking 1.5 units). <o></o>
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Chicago –1½ +1.15 over CINCINNATI<o></o>
Biggest pitching mismatch of the day has Eric Milton opposing Jose Contreras and that’s like putting a piranha in a bowl with a goldfish. Only the bowl here is Great American Ballpark in Cincinnati where the White Sox rolled a 12 yesterday to improve their inter-league record over the Reds to 10-2. The South Side has now won six of eight and they’re starting to look scary again. Contreras is coming off an 11-strikeout, six hitter over the Rangers and the man has not lost since Aug 15 of last year. His ERA over that stretch, covering 19 starts is 2.39. This season he’s 7-0 and on the road he’s 3-0 with a 2.97 ERA. Meanwhile, the Reds have dropped seven of eight and will have to rely on Milton to snap out of it. Fat chance. Milton is 1-3 at home with an ERA of 5.13 and although he’s pitched better this year after getting booed off the mound last year, this venue has been a nightmare for him and things don’t figure to change against this extremely dangerous invader. See ya in the winner’s circle. Play: Chicago –1½ +1.15 (Risking 1.5 units). <o></o>
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OAKLAND +1.15 over Los Angeles<o></o>
Not difficult to side with the A’s here when you consider that they’re the major’s hottest team with six wins in a row and a 12-2 record in the month of June. The Dodgers join a slew of other NL teams that nose-dive when facing the AL, as their 3-10 record in its past 13 inter-league games can attest to. In 2005, just four NL teams had a winning record against the AL and this year that number has dropped to three. Significant? Yeah, we think so. The AL wins the World Series and All-Star game every year and they keep feasting on the NL during the regular season. The AL has superior talent and has for years so be very careful when backing NL teams during inter-league play. Sure, Derek Lowe may have better numbers than Kirk Saarloos but Saarloos has been very sharp in his last three starts. Saarloos beat the Yankees 5-2 last Saturday, allowing four hits and two runs in six innings and prior to that one he gave up five hits and two runs in eight innings but lost 2-1 to Minnesota on June 2. At Texas he allowed just four hits in seven innings but lost 4-3. The Dodgers have dropped three of four and it’s never a bad idea to play on hot teams, especially in their own barn and especially when the guest is from the NL. Wrong side favored. Play: Oakland +1.15 (Risking 1.5 units). http://www.pinnaclesports.com/?refer=xspwagers
fficeffice" /><o></o>The Twins are heating up big time and have now won five in a row and that includes a three-game sweep over the Red Sox. Minnesota has a losing record because they’re starting pitching has been horrible but when they get a decent performance on the hill they’re as tough to beat as any team in the league. The Twins offense has been solid all year and at the moment they’re sizzling. In fact, in their past three series they scored 18 times at pitcher friendly Safeco Field in Seattle, than another 18 at Camden Yards, and 18 again at home in the aforementioned sweep of Boston. They’ll face Paul Maholm here, a guy that’s allowed 96 hits in 75 innings and that has a lousy BB/SO ratio. He’s walked 37 and struck out 52 and Minnesota just might be the most disciplined team in the majors at the plate. The Twins as a team have struck out just 367 times compared to the Pirates 485. That should bode well here for Boof Bonser, who has whiffed 21 batters in 23 innings and has walked just seven. A tag on the Twins here is as sweet as any on then board today. Play: Minnesota +1.03 (Risking 1.5 units). <o
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></o>Chicago –1½ +1.15 over CINCINNATI<o
></o>Biggest pitching mismatch of the day has Eric Milton opposing Jose Contreras and that’s like putting a piranha in a bowl with a goldfish. Only the bowl here is Great American Ballpark in Cincinnati where the White Sox rolled a 12 yesterday to improve their inter-league record over the Reds to 10-2. The South Side has now won six of eight and they’re starting to look scary again. Contreras is coming off an 11-strikeout, six hitter over the Rangers and the man has not lost since Aug 15 of last year. His ERA over that stretch, covering 19 starts is 2.39. This season he’s 7-0 and on the road he’s 3-0 with a 2.97 ERA. Meanwhile, the Reds have dropped seven of eight and will have to rely on Milton to snap out of it. Fat chance. Milton is 1-3 at home with an ERA of 5.13 and although he’s pitched better this year after getting booed off the mound last year, this venue has been a nightmare for him and things don’t figure to change against this extremely dangerous invader. See ya in the winner’s circle. Play: Chicago –1½ +1.15 (Risking 1.5 units). <o
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></o>OAKLAND +1.15 over Los Angeles<o
></o>Not difficult to side with the A’s here when you consider that they’re the major’s hottest team with six wins in a row and a 12-2 record in the month of June. The Dodgers join a slew of other NL teams that nose-dive when facing the AL, as their 3-10 record in its past 13 inter-league games can attest to. In 2005, just four NL teams had a winning record against the AL and this year that number has dropped to three. Significant? Yeah, we think so. The AL wins the World Series and All-Star game every year and they keep feasting on the NL during the regular season. The AL has superior talent and has for years so be very careful when backing NL teams during inter-league play. Sure, Derek Lowe may have better numbers than Kirk Saarloos but Saarloos has been very sharp in his last three starts. Saarloos beat the Yankees 5-2 last Saturday, allowing four hits and two runs in six innings and prior to that one he gave up five hits and two runs in eight innings but lost 2-1 to Minnesota on June 2. At Texas he allowed just four hits in seven innings but lost 4-3. The Dodgers have dropped three of four and it’s never a bad idea to play on hot teams, especially in their own barn and especially when the guest is from the NL. Wrong side favored. Play: Oakland +1.15 (Risking 1.5 units). http://www.pinnaclesports.com/?refer=xspwagers
