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> Baltimore +1.55 over CHICAGO
Tag here most definitely has influence on this choice, as Daniel Cabrera is always worth a bet taking back better than 3-2. Sure, it’s a little risky because Cabrera is often wild but when this guy is on is game there’s not a tougher pitcher in the big leagues to hit. Cabrera has walked 64 batters in 74 innings but he’s also struck out 82 and he’s only allowed six long balls all year. The opposition is hitting .235 off him and that’s high by Cabrera’s standards, as the enemy usually doesn’t come close to hitting that number off him. Anyway, the man can pitch and there are days when he does throw strikes and than it’s a thing of beauty to watch him chuck. Jon Garland has been shaky all year and aside from last year, he’s always been shaky. This year, in 101 frames he’s been tagged for 121 hits and 19 jacks while striking out only 54 batters. Yeah, the White Sox are strong for sure but when you can get a price like this on Cabrera against Garland or Cabrera against anyone for that matter, just take it and don’t ask questions. Play: Baltimore +1.55 (Risking 1.5 units).
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TAMPA BAY +1.07 over Boston
The Red Sox were bound to go into a tailspin of some sort and while they’re not even close to said tailspin, the signs are there. They’ve struggled at the plate the past two nights, despite scoring six yesterday. When the score was 9-3 the Red Sox scored three more runs that didn’t mean much and tonight they’ll face a rejuvenated Tom Corcoran. Corcoran saw some time last year in the majors but only appeared in 10 games and wasn’t quite ready. However, his minor league numbers over the last two seasons have been dazzling and he’s carried that over to the majors this year. He’s only made three relief appearances followed by two starts and he hasn’t looked a bit out of place in any of them. In 15.1 innings he’s struck out 12 and allowed 12 hits with none of them being of the home-run variety. Than we have the Devil Rays offense that’s as tough as any one through nine. There is not a single break in that line-up and after battering Beckett and Schilling the past two nights Josh Johnson could be in for a rather long and ugly evening. Johnson hasn’t fooled anyone this year. The opposition is hitting a hefty .344 off him and on the road they’re hitting an even heftier .357. He’s 2-4 on the road with a 7.32 ERA and overall he’s surrendered an alarming 114 hits in 81 frames. Johnson and the Red Sox favored in this spot over Corcoran and the D-Rays in simply incorrect. Play: Tampa Bay +1.07 (Risking 1.5 units).
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NY Yankees –1 +1.07 over CLEVELAND
After last night’s 19-1 embarrassment the Yankees have to be feeling sicker than Joey Chestnut. Who is Joey Chestnut you ask. He’s that freak that came second yesterday in that huge, tension-filled event, the fourth of July hot-dog eating contest. Anyway, this isn’t Shawn Chacon that the Indians will see tonight; this is Mike Mussina, a guy that’s walked 22 batters and struck out 104 in 116 innings of work. Mussina is also 9-3 with an impressive 3.17 ERA and you can be sure that the Yanks will be extra motivated here after that shellacking they took last night. Remember, the Indians are not that strong, they’ve struggled offensively all year and they’re also four games under .500. Paul Byrd is surprisingly pitching as well as he ever has but we’re not convinced that he’s all that. He’s a 10-year vet with just 78 career wins that’s now pitching for his eighth team in those 10 years. Byrd is durable and will give is team innings but is nowhere near the caliber of Mussina. A steamed up Yankees with their ace going gets the call in this one. Play: NY Yankees –1 +1.07 (Risking 1.5 units). </o>
fficeffice" /><o> Baltimore +1.55 over CHICAGO Tag here most definitely has influence on this choice, as Daniel Cabrera is always worth a bet taking back better than 3-2. Sure, it’s a little risky because Cabrera is often wild but when this guy is on is game there’s not a tougher pitcher in the big leagues to hit. Cabrera has walked 64 batters in 74 innings but he’s also struck out 82 and he’s only allowed six long balls all year. The opposition is hitting .235 off him and that’s high by Cabrera’s standards, as the enemy usually doesn’t come close to hitting that number off him. Anyway, the man can pitch and there are days when he does throw strikes and than it’s a thing of beauty to watch him chuck. Jon Garland has been shaky all year and aside from last year, he’s always been shaky. This year, in 101 frames he’s been tagged for 121 hits and 19 jacks while striking out only 54 batters. Yeah, the White Sox are strong for sure but when you can get a price like this on Cabrera against Garland or Cabrera against anyone for that matter, just take it and don’t ask questions. Play: Baltimore +1.55 (Risking 1.5 units).
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></o>TAMPA BAY +1.07 over Boston
The Red Sox were bound to go into a tailspin of some sort and while they’re not even close to said tailspin, the signs are there. They’ve struggled at the plate the past two nights, despite scoring six yesterday. When the score was 9-3 the Red Sox scored three more runs that didn’t mean much and tonight they’ll face a rejuvenated Tom Corcoran. Corcoran saw some time last year in the majors but only appeared in 10 games and wasn’t quite ready. However, his minor league numbers over the last two seasons have been dazzling and he’s carried that over to the majors this year. He’s only made three relief appearances followed by two starts and he hasn’t looked a bit out of place in any of them. In 15.1 innings he’s struck out 12 and allowed 12 hits with none of them being of the home-run variety. Than we have the Devil Rays offense that’s as tough as any one through nine. There is not a single break in that line-up and after battering Beckett and Schilling the past two nights Josh Johnson could be in for a rather long and ugly evening. Johnson hasn’t fooled anyone this year. The opposition is hitting a hefty .344 off him and on the road they’re hitting an even heftier .357. He’s 2-4 on the road with a 7.32 ERA and overall he’s surrendered an alarming 114 hits in 81 frames. Johnson and the Red Sox favored in this spot over Corcoran and the D-Rays in simply incorrect. Play: Tampa Bay +1.07 (Risking 1.5 units).
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></o>NY Yankees –1 +1.07 over CLEVELAND
After last night’s 19-1 embarrassment the Yankees have to be feeling sicker than Joey Chestnut. Who is Joey Chestnut you ask. He’s that freak that came second yesterday in that huge, tension-filled event, the fourth of July hot-dog eating contest. Anyway, this isn’t Shawn Chacon that the Indians will see tonight; this is Mike Mussina, a guy that’s walked 22 batters and struck out 104 in 116 innings of work. Mussina is also 9-3 with an impressive 3.17 ERA and you can be sure that the Yanks will be extra motivated here after that shellacking they took last night. Remember, the Indians are not that strong, they’ve struggled offensively all year and they’re also four games under .500. Paul Byrd is surprisingly pitching as well as he ever has but we’re not convinced that he’s all that. He’s a 10-year vet with just 78 career wins that’s now pitching for his eighth team in those 10 years. Byrd is durable and will give is team innings but is nowhere near the caliber of Mussina. A steamed up Yankees with their ace going gets the call in this one. Play: NY Yankees –1 +1.07 (Risking 1.5 units). </o
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