3-0 to start off with +3 units. Let's see if I can keep it going today.
Detroit -128: I know that consistently taking road favorites isn't a great idea, but I like Detroit in this spot. Verlander looked good in his first start, but his control wasn't all there. Even then he still didn't let up an earned run. Baltimore has a tough offense, but today I think we see what Verlander is made of. This kid can flat out throw. Playing on the road didn't really faze him last year. I thought this line would be closer to -145 to -150, so I'm happy to take them at -128. 1.28 units to win 1.
St. Louis -129: Yes, another road favorite, but another small one. I think Wainwright has really solid stuff and is undervalued, while the little bit of buzz that formerly existed with Maholm is all but dead. I think that Wainwright will shut down the anemic Pirates offense and Pujols and company can put up enough to pull this one out. Also, I think the public still sees the Cards as slow starters this year after the sweep at home against the Mets. They looked awful in that series, but since then we've seen some life from them. I think they continue to roll this afternoon. 1.29 units to win 1.
Chicago (NL) -162: Complete pitching mismatch. Cubs don't get swept here with Hill on the mound. Wandy Rodriguez is a very low end major leaguer IMO and there is a reason why he had an ERA just under 6 on the road last year (around 5.5 overall I believe). I'll lay the chalk as I believe they are better than 2-1 to win this one. 1.62 to win 1.
Tampa Bay +150: I talked yesterday about how well I think Texas has been playing. I still think their bats are hot, but they have a tough challenge today IMO. James Shields has solid stuff and has fallen under many peoples' radar IMO. Texas has Tejada going today, who the public sees as a better pitcher than he is IMO, due to his first start. But we're talking about a pitcher who was 0-3 last year at home in 5 starts, with a 7.17 ERA, a WHIP above 2, and who allowed 32 hits in 21.1 IPs. I'm not overly confident TB will win, but I think the odds make them a good play today. 1 unit to win 1.5.
I also have leans on San Fran +130, Chi (AL) +101, and Mil +101, but no plays yet. Comments are always welcome.
Detroit -128: I know that consistently taking road favorites isn't a great idea, but I like Detroit in this spot. Verlander looked good in his first start, but his control wasn't all there. Even then he still didn't let up an earned run. Baltimore has a tough offense, but today I think we see what Verlander is made of. This kid can flat out throw. Playing on the road didn't really faze him last year. I thought this line would be closer to -145 to -150, so I'm happy to take them at -128. 1.28 units to win 1.
St. Louis -129: Yes, another road favorite, but another small one. I think Wainwright has really solid stuff and is undervalued, while the little bit of buzz that formerly existed with Maholm is all but dead. I think that Wainwright will shut down the anemic Pirates offense and Pujols and company can put up enough to pull this one out. Also, I think the public still sees the Cards as slow starters this year after the sweep at home against the Mets. They looked awful in that series, but since then we've seen some life from them. I think they continue to roll this afternoon. 1.29 units to win 1.
Chicago (NL) -162: Complete pitching mismatch. Cubs don't get swept here with Hill on the mound. Wandy Rodriguez is a very low end major leaguer IMO and there is a reason why he had an ERA just under 6 on the road last year (around 5.5 overall I believe). I'll lay the chalk as I believe they are better than 2-1 to win this one. 1.62 to win 1.
Tampa Bay +150: I talked yesterday about how well I think Texas has been playing. I still think their bats are hot, but they have a tough challenge today IMO. James Shields has solid stuff and has fallen under many peoples' radar IMO. Texas has Tejada going today, who the public sees as a better pitcher than he is IMO, due to his first start. But we're talking about a pitcher who was 0-3 last year at home in 5 starts, with a 7.17 ERA, a WHIP above 2, and who allowed 32 hits in 21.1 IPs. I'm not overly confident TB will win, but I think the odds make them a good play today. 1 unit to win 1.5.
I also have leans on San Fran +130, Chi (AL) +101, and Mil +101, but no plays yet. Comments are always welcome.
