Seattle +1.69 over CHICAGO
Any steam that the White Sox may have had has to have evaporated after last night’s loss that put them 5½ games back of the Twins and six back of the Tigers with just 10 to play. In other words, their season unofficially ended last night and chances are great they’ll show up in body only tonight. Jake Woods is a lefty and the South Side can blame their record against southpaws for the demise; they stunk it up against lefties all year. Meanwhile, the M’s are battling hard these days with four wins in their past five games and their doing it with offense. They’ve scored 49 times in their past seven games and combine that with the price here and the situation it really couldn’t be much better. Not sure what’s going to happen in this game but we are sure that it’s a definite overlay. Play: Seattle +1.69 (Risking 1.5 units).
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Detroit –1½ +1.34 over BALTIMORE
The Tigers can smell the finish line and there will be no letting up in this series. Detroit went into Chicago and did what they had to under pressure and that’s a very good sign indeed. Nate Robertson is an extremely reliable southpaw that’ll usually go deep into his starts. He doesn’t walk many and his ERA is 3.68 and on the road his ERA is 3.50. Robertson’s ERA over his last three starts, covering 22 innings is a ridiculous 0.82. Furthermore, the Orioles are 15-33 against lefties and when facing a good one their chances of winning are less than A-Rod’s chances of winning the “clubhouse leader” award. Kris Benson could pitch for just about any team in the majors but the fact is, he’s 10-11 with an ERA near five and if the Tigers can get to him and the pen for four runs or more we’ll very likely be cashing this ticket. Play: Detroit –1½ +1.34 (Risking 1.5 units).
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Cleveland +1.20 over OAKLAND
The Indians are a dangerous squad to be sure and we really like this intruder when they’re facing a hard-throwing fast-baller like Rich Harden. The Indians usually crush fastball throwers like the one they’ll face here and aside from that Harden is just looking to get into good form heading into the playoffs. You see, Harden has been off for 3½ months and we can assure you he’ll be on a strict pitch count and likely will never see the sixth inning. C.C Sabathia needs no introduction; he’s capable of throwing a gem aagainst any team in the business and you can double that against an offense like the A’s. Oakland is 66-47 against righties but against lefties they’re much less effective. Any tag with Sabathia is worth a look and this pooch has to be considered extremely live this afternoon. Play: Cleveland +1.20 (Risking 1.5 units). <o></o>
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Pittsburgh +1.88 over LOS ANGELES
Nothing like following up one of the most dramatic wins in history with two losses to the Pirates. Pittsburgh will go for the sweep here and there’s no reason they can’t get it. In fact, the Pirates are 35-27 since the all-star break, they’ve won five in a row and the Dodgers have dropped 11 of their past 17 ball games. Lefty Shane Youman makes just his third start of the year for the Pirates and he looks like a keeper. He has very good stuff and the fact that the Dodgers are laboring and have never seen him also increases our chances. Chad Billingsley also has pretty good stuff but the problem with him is that he’s walked 52 and struck out 54 and at this level that’s big trouble. Big price on the Pirates here is most certainly worth the risk. Play: Pittsburgh +1.88 (Risking 1.5 units).
Any steam that the White Sox may have had has to have evaporated after last night’s loss that put them 5½ games back of the Twins and six back of the Tigers with just 10 to play. In other words, their season unofficially ended last night and chances are great they’ll show up in body only tonight. Jake Woods is a lefty and the South Side can blame their record against southpaws for the demise; they stunk it up against lefties all year. Meanwhile, the M’s are battling hard these days with four wins in their past five games and their doing it with offense. They’ve scored 49 times in their past seven games and combine that with the price here and the situation it really couldn’t be much better. Not sure what’s going to happen in this game but we are sure that it’s a definite overlay. Play: Seattle +1.69 (Risking 1.5 units).
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fficeffice" /><o></o>Detroit –1½ +1.34 over BALTIMORE
The Tigers can smell the finish line and there will be no letting up in this series. Detroit went into Chicago and did what they had to under pressure and that’s a very good sign indeed. Nate Robertson is an extremely reliable southpaw that’ll usually go deep into his starts. He doesn’t walk many and his ERA is 3.68 and on the road his ERA is 3.50. Robertson’s ERA over his last three starts, covering 22 innings is a ridiculous 0.82. Furthermore, the Orioles are 15-33 against lefties and when facing a good one their chances of winning are less than A-Rod’s chances of winning the “clubhouse leader” award. Kris Benson could pitch for just about any team in the majors but the fact is, he’s 10-11 with an ERA near five and if the Tigers can get to him and the pen for four runs or more we’ll very likely be cashing this ticket. Play: Detroit –1½ +1.34 (Risking 1.5 units).
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></o>Cleveland +1.20 over OAKLAND
The Indians are a dangerous squad to be sure and we really like this intruder when they’re facing a hard-throwing fast-baller like Rich Harden. The Indians usually crush fastball throwers like the one they’ll face here and aside from that Harden is just looking to get into good form heading into the playoffs. You see, Harden has been off for 3½ months and we can assure you he’ll be on a strict pitch count and likely will never see the sixth inning. C.C Sabathia needs no introduction; he’s capable of throwing a gem aagainst any team in the business and you can double that against an offense like the A’s. Oakland is 66-47 against righties but against lefties they’re much less effective. Any tag with Sabathia is worth a look and this pooch has to be considered extremely live this afternoon. Play: Cleveland +1.20 (Risking 1.5 units). <o
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></o>Pittsburgh +1.88 over LOS ANGELES
Nothing like following up one of the most dramatic wins in history with two losses to the Pirates. Pittsburgh will go for the sweep here and there’s no reason they can’t get it. In fact, the Pirates are 35-27 since the all-star break, they’ve won five in a row and the Dodgers have dropped 11 of their past 17 ball games. Lefty Shane Youman makes just his third start of the year for the Pirates and he looks like a keeper. He has very good stuff and the fact that the Dodgers are laboring and have never seen him also increases our chances. Chad Billingsley also has pretty good stuff but the problem with him is that he’s walked 52 and struck out 54 and at this level that’s big trouble. Big price on the Pirates here is most certainly worth the risk. Play: Pittsburgh +1.88 (Risking 1.5 units).
