Detroit –1.05 over MILWAUKEE (2:05 PM)<?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-comfficeffice" /><o></o>
The Tigers barely broke a sweat yesterday in winning their fifth straight against the NL and improving to 7-1 in inter-league play. They still own the league’s best overall record to go along with the best road record to go along with the best record and winning percentage over southpaws, which is now 16-5. Chris Capuano and Nate Robertson have about as similar stats as any two pitchers in the business. They both have seven wins and their ERA’s are within 0.13 runs of each other. The difference is Nate Robertson plays for the Tigers and Chris Capuano plays for the Brewers. Robertson faces tougher AL hitters all year and Milwaukee has scored a grand total of one run in the two games. The Tigers have a stronger and more reliable bullpen and we just can’t find a single reason to lay off this visitor, that have shown no signs of letting up. Play: Detroit –1.05 (Risking 1.58 units to win 1.5).
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Florida +1.25 over BALTIMORE<o></o>
Have no idea who the scouts are for the Fish but whoever they are they should be paid very handsomely for a job that no other team can come close to over the past seven or eight years. The Marlins just keep producing quality players and sound and talented pitchers and this year is no different. They’ve now won nine in a row and are an incredible 19-6 since May 22. Ricky Nolasco is another product from within the system and he looks as good as any young prospect this year. He’s 3-1 on the road with an amazing ERA of 1.71. At Colorado recently he threw eight scoreless innings and has pitched deep into the game in four of his past five starts. Nolasco has only allowed four bombs in 53 innings of work. So, what is there not to like about the Marlins today with a tag on their backs? How about nothing. Play: Florida +1.25 (Risking 1.5 units). <o></o>
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Toronto +1.28 over ATLANTA<o></o>
Atlanta’s bullpen took the loss again yesterday and chances are good they’ll take the loss again tonight. Ted Lilly almost always gives the Jays a chance to win and you would have to be out of your mind to lay anything with the Braves at the moment. Atlanta is now 3-18 over its past 21 games and has dropped eight in a row. Bobby Cox is so reluctant to even go to his pen and that results in keeping the starter out there longer than he should but is choices are painful. Atlanta’s bullpen has an ERA of 8.66 over its last 10 games and an ERA of 10.64 over its last three games. Tim Hudson threw 123 pitches in his last start and unless the Braves open up a three or four run lead they’re in big trouble if Hudson can’t go at least seven or eight innings. The Braves made Josh Towers look like Pedro Martinez for five innings last night and this host simply can’t do anything right at the moment. Play: Toronto +1.28 (Risking 1.5 units).
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Seattle +1.22 over LOS ANGELES<o></o>
The Mariners are one team among many in the AL that have destroyed their NL counterparts and that alone makes the Mariners worthy of some attention here. Seattle is now 7-0 against the NL and that includes torching a strong Brad Penny last night to the tune of 10 hits and five runs in six innings. The Mariners will face Chad Billingsley, who will be making just is second career start. He pitched ok, but certainly nothing above average in is debut against the Padres. Billingsley’s minor league numbers are anything but overwhelming with an ERA close to four. The Dodgers are 6-8 against lefties and will face one here in Jarrod Washburn. The good thing about Washburn is that he throws strikes and teams have to it him to beat him and right now the Dodgers aren’t hitting anyone. They’ve dropped four straight and they've scored only 13 runs over the last four contests. The Mariners are playing some very good ball after a shaky start and they’re most definitely a live pooch here. Play: Seattle +1.22 (Risking 1.5 units).
The Tigers barely broke a sweat yesterday in winning their fifth straight against the NL and improving to 7-1 in inter-league play. They still own the league’s best overall record to go along with the best road record to go along with the best record and winning percentage over southpaws, which is now 16-5. Chris Capuano and Nate Robertson have about as similar stats as any two pitchers in the business. They both have seven wins and their ERA’s are within 0.13 runs of each other. The difference is Nate Robertson plays for the Tigers and Chris Capuano plays for the Brewers. Robertson faces tougher AL hitters all year and Milwaukee has scored a grand total of one run in the two games. The Tigers have a stronger and more reliable bullpen and we just can’t find a single reason to lay off this visitor, that have shown no signs of letting up. Play: Detroit –1.05 (Risking 1.58 units to win 1.5).
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Florida +1.25 over BALTIMORE<o></o>
Have no idea who the scouts are for the Fish but whoever they are they should be paid very handsomely for a job that no other team can come close to over the past seven or eight years. The Marlins just keep producing quality players and sound and talented pitchers and this year is no different. They’ve now won nine in a row and are an incredible 19-6 since May 22. Ricky Nolasco is another product from within the system and he looks as good as any young prospect this year. He’s 3-1 on the road with an amazing ERA of 1.71. At Colorado recently he threw eight scoreless innings and has pitched deep into the game in four of his past five starts. Nolasco has only allowed four bombs in 53 innings of work. So, what is there not to like about the Marlins today with a tag on their backs? How about nothing. Play: Florida +1.25 (Risking 1.5 units). <o></o>
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Toronto +1.28 over ATLANTA<o></o>
Atlanta’s bullpen took the loss again yesterday and chances are good they’ll take the loss again tonight. Ted Lilly almost always gives the Jays a chance to win and you would have to be out of your mind to lay anything with the Braves at the moment. Atlanta is now 3-18 over its past 21 games and has dropped eight in a row. Bobby Cox is so reluctant to even go to his pen and that results in keeping the starter out there longer than he should but is choices are painful. Atlanta’s bullpen has an ERA of 8.66 over its last 10 games and an ERA of 10.64 over its last three games. Tim Hudson threw 123 pitches in his last start and unless the Braves open up a three or four run lead they’re in big trouble if Hudson can’t go at least seven or eight innings. The Braves made Josh Towers look like Pedro Martinez for five innings last night and this host simply can’t do anything right at the moment. Play: Toronto +1.28 (Risking 1.5 units).
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Seattle +1.22 over LOS ANGELES<o></o>
The Mariners are one team among many in the AL that have destroyed their NL counterparts and that alone makes the Mariners worthy of some attention here. Seattle is now 7-0 against the NL and that includes torching a strong Brad Penny last night to the tune of 10 hits and five runs in six innings. The Mariners will face Chad Billingsley, who will be making just is second career start. He pitched ok, but certainly nothing above average in is debut against the Padres. Billingsley’s minor league numbers are anything but overwhelming with an ERA close to four. The Dodgers are 6-8 against lefties and will face one here in Jarrod Washburn. The good thing about Washburn is that he throws strikes and teams have to it him to beat him and right now the Dodgers aren’t hitting anyone. They’ve dropped four straight and they've scored only 13 runs over the last four contests. The Mariners are playing some very good ball after a shaky start and they’re most definitely a live pooch here. Play: Seattle +1.22 (Risking 1.5 units).