Atlanta–1½ +1.09 over PITTSBURGH (12:35 PM)<?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com
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That chuckling you hear is the Yankees brass discussing how they unloaded Shawn Chacon onto the Bucs in what has to be considered one of the biggest con jobs in history. Chacon hasn’t started in a month, has been absolutely brutal for four months and a change of scenery is not going to help him. Chacon can’t throw strikes and his confidence is completely shot after recording an ERA of 7.00 with the Yanks. Chacon is 1-2 with a 9.72 ERA in eight appearances since being activated from the disabled list on June 11 after recovering from a bruised left shin. Chacon couldn’t get Matlock out at the moment and he’s not pitching for the Yankees anymore, he’s pitching for one of the leagues worst teams that got worse after unloading Sean Casey, Craig Wilson, Oliver Perez, Kip Wells and Roberto Hernandez and getting very little in return. Pittsburgh lost both games since the trade and they scored four times in the two games. If the Braves don’t torch Chacon and win going away we’d be shocked. Play: Atlanta –1½ +1.09 (Risking 1.5 units).
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Houston +1.31 over SAN DIEGO (3:35 PM)<o></o>
Like almost every team in the NL, the Astros are actually back in this thing and after winning last night they’re just four games back of the Reds for the Wild Card. Matt Albers will make his debut as a starter but not his debut as a rookie. He was called up on July 20 from Double-A Corpus Christi and has not allowed a run in two relief appearances. Albers took over for Taylor Buchholz last Thursday and gave up two hits in five scoreless innings in an 8-4 loss to Cincinnati. The kid has wicked stuff and didn’t look a bit out of place in his two relief appearances. He posted a 10-2 record at Double-A Corpus Christi and surrendered just four jacks in 116 innings of work to go along with a 2.48 ERA. He also struck out 95 batters and four in five innings of relief at this level. Meanwhile, the Padres are reeling at the wrong time just like they do every year. They’ve lost five of six and have scored seven runs in their past five games. San Diego scored one run in the first two games of this series against Brandon Backe and Andy Pettitte and they’re about to face a talented right-hander that they’ve never seen before and know nothing about. There’s tremendous value on the Astros this afternoon and if you bet one pooch today this is the one you should strongly consider. Big overlay. Play: Houston +1.31 (Risking 1.5 units).
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Los Angeles +1.14 over CINCINNATI<o></o>
Eric Milton is definitely pitching better this year than last but this choice has more to do with talking back a tag on hot versus cold as oppose to the starting pitchers. Cinci has dropped four in a row and they’ve failed to score more than four runs in any of those contests. Laying juice with struggling teams swinging cold bats is bad strategy. The Dodgers are hot and they’re dangerous. You know they’ll be a little extra pumped up today in support of one of the most respected pitchers to ever wear a uniform, as Greg Maddux makes his Dodger debut. Los Angeles has won five in a row and are closing in on the NL West lead or the Wild Card. The Dodgers have scored 39 times during the five-game winning streak and Eric Milton doesn’t exactly put fear into anyone. Any take-back on the Dodgers here has to be considered a gift and we’re on it. Play: Los Angeles +1.14 (Risking 1.5 units).
fficeffice" /><o></o>That chuckling you hear is the Yankees brass discussing how they unloaded Shawn Chacon onto the Bucs in what has to be considered one of the biggest con jobs in history. Chacon hasn’t started in a month, has been absolutely brutal for four months and a change of scenery is not going to help him. Chacon can’t throw strikes and his confidence is completely shot after recording an ERA of 7.00 with the Yanks. Chacon is 1-2 with a 9.72 ERA in eight appearances since being activated from the disabled list on June 11 after recovering from a bruised left shin. Chacon couldn’t get Matlock out at the moment and he’s not pitching for the Yankees anymore, he’s pitching for one of the leagues worst teams that got worse after unloading Sean Casey, Craig Wilson, Oliver Perez, Kip Wells and Roberto Hernandez and getting very little in return. Pittsburgh lost both games since the trade and they scored four times in the two games. If the Braves don’t torch Chacon and win going away we’d be shocked. Play: Atlanta –1½ +1.09 (Risking 1.5 units).
<o
></o>Houston +1.31 over SAN DIEGO (3:35 PM)<o
></o>Like almost every team in the NL, the Astros are actually back in this thing and after winning last night they’re just four games back of the Reds for the Wild Card. Matt Albers will make his debut as a starter but not his debut as a rookie. He was called up on July 20 from Double-A Corpus Christi and has not allowed a run in two relief appearances. Albers took over for Taylor Buchholz last Thursday and gave up two hits in five scoreless innings in an 8-4 loss to Cincinnati. The kid has wicked stuff and didn’t look a bit out of place in his two relief appearances. He posted a 10-2 record at Double-A Corpus Christi and surrendered just four jacks in 116 innings of work to go along with a 2.48 ERA. He also struck out 95 batters and four in five innings of relief at this level. Meanwhile, the Padres are reeling at the wrong time just like they do every year. They’ve lost five of six and have scored seven runs in their past five games. San Diego scored one run in the first two games of this series against Brandon Backe and Andy Pettitte and they’re about to face a talented right-hander that they’ve never seen before and know nothing about. There’s tremendous value on the Astros this afternoon and if you bet one pooch today this is the one you should strongly consider. Big overlay. Play: Houston +1.31 (Risking 1.5 units).
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></o>Los Angeles +1.14 over CINCINNATI<o
></o>Eric Milton is definitely pitching better this year than last but this choice has more to do with talking back a tag on hot versus cold as oppose to the starting pitchers. Cinci has dropped four in a row and they’ve failed to score more than four runs in any of those contests. Laying juice with struggling teams swinging cold bats is bad strategy. The Dodgers are hot and they’re dangerous. You know they’ll be a little extra pumped up today in support of one of the most respected pitchers to ever wear a uniform, as Greg Maddux makes his Dodger debut. Los Angeles has won five in a row and are closing in on the NL West lead or the Wild Card. The Dodgers have scored 39 times during the five-game winning streak and Eric Milton doesn’t exactly put fear into anyone. Any take-back on the Dodgers here has to be considered a gift and we’re on it. Play: Los Angeles +1.14 (Risking 1.5 units).
