<TABLE cellSpacing=1 cellPadding=3 width=500 border=0><TBODY><TR><TD class=rs_value vAlign=top align=left width="50%">Yesterday</TD><TD class=rs_value vAlign=top align=right width="10%">2</TD><TD class=rs_value vAlign=top align=right width="10%">1</TD><TD class=rs_value vAlign=top align=right width="10%">0</TD><TD class=rs_value vAlign=top align=right width="20%">+3.20 Units</TD></TR><TR><TD class=rs_value vAlign=top align=left width="50%">Last 30 Days</TD><TD class=rs_value vAlign=top align=right width="10%">2</TD><TD class=rs_value vAlign=top align=right width="10%">1</TD><TD class=rs_value vAlign=top align=right width="10%">0</TD><TD class=rs_value vAlign=top align=right width="20%">+3.20 Units</TD></TR><TR><TD class=rs_value vAlign=top align=left width="50%">Season To Date </TD><TD class=rs_value vAlign=top align=right width="10%">2</TD><TD class=rs_value vAlign=top align=right width="10%">1</TD><TD class=rs_value vAlign=top align=right width="10%">0</TD><TD class=rs_value vAlign=top align=right width="20%">+3.20 Units</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>
HOME TEAM IN CAPS
All games are listed pitchers unless stated otherwise.
Pittsburgh +1.60 over HOUSTON (SIA)
Ian Snell of the Pirates is a pitcher that about 29 other managers would love to have. Snell is coming off a 14-win season for the Pirates in his first full campaign in the majors and he’s only going to get better. In the spring he went 3-0 with a 3.00 ERA in 21 innings and he struck out 24 hitters. The Pirates look to be a team on the rise after playing better then .500 after the all-star break last season under Jim Tracy. Adam LaRoche at 1B is a big bat the Pirates added after he hit .285 with 32 jacks for the Braves last season. Jason Bay, Jack Wilson, Xavier Nady and newcomer Ronny Paulino (had an outstanding spring) catching, round out a decent looking line-up. The Astros will counter with Jason Jennings and this fit might not be a good one. Jennings was picked up from the Rockies via trade in December and he didn’t get much work in at spring training, pitching just 11 innings. Even more notable, however, is Jennings’ struggles at this venue. He has lost all three of his career starts at Minute Maid Park, compiling a 10.47 ERA in those outings and against the Pirates in his career he’s 1-5 with an ERA of 6.11. Overlay. Play Pittsburgh +1.60 (Risking 2 units). <?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com
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></o>Baltimore +1.25 over MINNESOTA (SIA)
This choice is all about taking back a tag on Orioles starter Daniel Cabrera. Cabrera has the stuff to be a serious contender for the Cy Young award if he can keep his head on straight and throw strikes. Some say he has the best junk in the majors. Cabrera struck out 157 batters last year in just 148 innings but he also walked 102 batters. He’s as tough to hit as any pitcher in the majors when he’s on his game. He’s so talented and he’s actually pitched his best games against the Twins, compiling a 5-1 record in seven starts with an impressive 3.25 ERA. He was sharp in the spring with 23 k’s in 24 innings to go along with a 2.63 ERA. Boof Bonser of the Twins is another starter who has the potential to be a good one and he, too, has some pretty good stuff. However, he’s not the pooch here, Cabrera and the Orioles are and whenever Cabrera is on the hill the Orioles will have a great chance to win if he’s on his game and that’s the way we’re leaning here. Play: Baltimore +1.25 (Risking 2 units).<o
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></o>Los Angeles +1.20 over MILWAUKEE (SIA) <o
></o>The good news for the Dodgers is that they won’t be facing Ben Sheets in this one. Instead they’ll be facing Chris Capuano, a guy whose stock may just be a little too high after he made the all-star team last season and posted 11 wins and a 4.03 ERA. However, Capuano went 0-4 in his last seven starts and followed that up this spring by allowing 19 hits in 16 innings and walking 10 to go along with a 7.02 ERA. Obviously, the spring is not a true indication of what a guy is going to bring to the table to open the year but Capuano was not sharp and that’s a fact. Randy Wolf is a true gamer that has plenty to prove after enduring Tommy John surgery almost two years ago. He struck out 18 batters in the spring in 22 innings and the Dodgers brass has him starting ahead of both Jason Schmidt and Brad Penny, which should tell us something about the confidence they have in him. Wolf returned in late July last season and made 12 starts for the Phillies in a very tough park to pitch in and with those two months last year and spring training under his belt this year it appears he’s ready to go. Play: Los Angeles +1.20 (Risking 2 units).
