MLB SUNDAY PICK (4-4-0 YTD +0.15 UNITS) With Writeup

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2007 RECORD: 4-4-0 +0.15 Units <?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" /><o:p></o:p>

SUNDAY 4/15/2007: <?xml:namespace prefix = st1 ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags" /><st1:City w:st="on">Milwaukee</st1:City> Brewers (Ben Sheets) @ <st1:City w:st="on">St Louis</st1:City> Cardinals (Braden Looper)

PLAY ON: <st1:City w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">ST. LOUIS</st1:place></st1:City> CARDINALS (MoneyLine, +105) To Win 1 Unit <o:p></o:p>

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I know it seems like we're always going against all-star pitchers, but these guys do lose games. Ben Sheets went 12-14 in 2004, 10-9 in 2005, and 6-7 in 2006, with a handful of no-decisions as well. <o:p></o:p>
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The Brewers come into this game on a 3-game win streak, and pretty high on their horse. They have a better record than the Cardinals, and just defeated them last night with ex-Cardinal Jeff Suppan on the mound. With a gratifying win over Kip Wells, the Brewers get to face Braden Looper today with their ace on the mound. Sounds too easy. As an ex-bullpen guy who has no starting experience in the major leagues, Looper will get no respect from the Brewers today.<SCRIPT><!--D(["mb","\u003c/font\>\u003c/span\>\u003c/p\>\n\u003cp style\u003d\"margin:0in 0in 0pt\"\>\u003cspan style\u003d\"font-size:10pt\"\>\u003cfont face\u003d\"Times New Roman\"\> \u003c/font\>\u003c/span\>\u003c/p\>\n\u003cp style\u003d\"margin:0in 0in 0pt\"\>\u003cspan style\u003d\"font-size:10pt\"\>\u003cfont face\u003d\"Times New Roman\"\>Ben Sheets is a guy who will finally provide the Cardinals with a challenge. They know this is easily the best pitcher on their division foes roster, and should be hungry after their embarrassing lost to their old pitcher, Jeff Suppan. Sheets represents a big step up from Suppan, and the Cardinals know they will have to bear down this game in order to stay above .500 for the season. \n\u003c/font\>\u003c/span\>\u003c/p\>\n\u003cp style\u003d\"margin:0in 0in 0pt\"\>\u003cspan style\u003d\"font-size:10pt\"\>\u003cfont face\u003d\"Times New Roman\"\> \u003c/font\>\u003c/span\>\u003c/p\>\n\u003cp style\u003d\"margin:0in 0in 0pt\"\>\u003cspan style\u003d\"font-size:10pt\"\>\u003cfont face\u003d\"Times New Roman\"\>Despite having only two starts, Looper has been in the big leagues for quite some time. He was a #3 draft pick, and has shined in the big leagues as a setup-man and closer for over 8 years. His career ERA is \n3.54 and has pitched lights-out baseball after having necessary shoulder surgery last year. St Louis actually decided to make him a starter during the off-season, and it has already paid off. He has a 2.08 ERA, and showed some nasty pitches against the Mets and in his 3-hitter against \nPittsburgh. He has great control, and I was very impressed with his first two outings. In my opinion, Looper has the stuff, the composure, and the experience to be a successful starter as long as he wants. I most definitely would call him a good, solid pitcher, and don't think he should have any trouble with the Brewers' young road offense today. \n\u003c/font\>\u003c/span\>\u003c/p\>\n\u003cp style\u003d\"margin:0in 0in 0pt\"\>\u003cspan style\u003d\"font-size:10pt\"\>\u003cfont face\u003d\"Times New Roman\"\>\u003c/font\>\u003c/span\>\u003c/p\>\n\u003cp style\u003d\"margin:0in 0in 0pt\"\>\u003cspan style\u003d\"font-size:10pt\"\>\u003cfont face\u003d\"Times New Roman\"\> \u003c/font\>\u003c/span\>\u003c/p\>\n\u003cp style\u003d\"margin:0in 0in 0pt\"\>\u003cspan style\u003d\"font-size:10pt\"\>\u003cfont face\u003d\"Times New Roman\"\>Sheets has only amassed six strikeouts in his first two starts combined during the 2007 season, not a good sign for a strikeout pitcher. While he did pitch well against the Dodgers, he was knocked up by the measly Cubs in his second start. He has a dismal 4-13 record against the Cardinals, with a \n",1]);//--></SCRIPT> <o:p></o:p>
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Ben Sheets is a guy who will finally provide the Cardinals with a challenge. They know this is easily the best pitcher on their division foes roster, and should be hungry after their embarrassing lost to their old pitcher, Jeff Suppan. Sheets represents a big step up from Suppan, and the Cardinals know they will have to bear down this game in order to stay above .500 for the season. <o:p></o:p>
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Despite having only two starts, Looper has been in the big leagues for quite some time. He was a #3 draft pick, and has shined in the big leagues as a setup-man and closer for over 8 years. His career ERA is 3.54 and has pitched lights-out baseball after having necessary shoulder surgery last year. <st1:City w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">St Louis</st1:place></st1:City> actually decided to make him a starter during the off-season, and it has already paid off. He has a 2.08 ERA, and showed some nasty pitches against the Mets and in his 3-hitter against <st1:City w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Pittsburgh</st1:place></st1:City>. He has great control, and I was very impressed with his first two outings. In my opinion, Looper has the stuff, the composure, and the experience to be a successful starter as long as he wants. I most definitely would call him a good, solid pitcher, and don't think he should have any trouble with the Brewers' young road offense today. <o:p></o:p>
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Sheets has only amassed six strikeouts in his first two starts combined during the 2007 season, not a good sign for a strikeout pitcher. While he did pitch well against the Dodgers, he was knocked up by the measly Cubs in his second start. He has a dismal 4-13 record against the Cardinals, with a<SCRIPT><!--D(["mb","4.04 ERA. For an ace like Sheets, this definitely indicates some vulnerability to the St Louis lineup. The Cardinals are chomping at the bit to hit up a good pitcher and get their confidence back. They easily have the talent and personnel to put up a huge offensive game today, and should be up for the task. It's about time for this team to start putting up more than .7 runs per game at home. They've been a home-field embarrassment thus far, and as world champions it's definitely time to right the ship. With 51 hits in their last 5 games, the Cards seem to be getting their stroke back. \n\u003c/font\>\u003c/span\>\u003c/p\>\n\u003cp style\u003d\"margin:0in 0in 0pt\"\>\u003cspan style\u003d\"font-size:10pt\"\>\u003cfont face\u003d\"Times New Roman\"\> \u003c/font\>\u003c/span\>\u003c/p\>\n\u003cp style\u003d\"margin:0in 0in 0pt\"\>\u003cspan style\u003d\"font-size:10pt\"\>\u003cfont face\u003d\"Times New Roman\"\>The Brewers offense on the road has always been poor. In one of my earlier bets, they were only able to amass 3 runs against Anibal Sanchez, a guy who pitched a terrible game that day. They are averaging only \n3.5 runs per game on the road, and struggled last year with 4.5 Runs Per Game on the road. Looper is not primarily a fastball pitcher, and if he does throw the fastball it is usually located in a great spot. For a lineup of young hitters with minimal at-bats against Looper, he could pitch especially nicely today. \n\u003c/font\>\u003c/span\>\u003c/p\>\n\u003cp style\u003d\"margin:0in 0in 0pt\"\>\u003cspan style\u003d\"font-size:10pt\"\>\u003cfont face\u003d\"Times New Roman\"\> \u003c/font\>\u003c/span\>\u003c/p\>\n\u003cp style\u003d\"margin:0in 0in 0pt\"\>\u003cspan style\u003d\"font-size:10pt\"\>\u003cfont face\u003d\"Times New Roman\"\>All in all, this is another pretty ballsy play, but I like the team and the pitcher we're playing on. Sheets has pitched decently, but I'm not convinced that he's back to what he used to be quite yet. \n\u003c/font\>\u003c/span\>\u003c/p\>\n\u003cp style\u003d\"margin:0in 0in 0pt\"\>\u003cspan style\u003d\"font-size:10pt\"\>\u003cfont face\u003d\"Times New Roman\"\>Good Luck..\u003c/font\>\u003c/span\>\u003c/p\>",1]);//--></SCRIPT> 4.04 ERA. For an ace like Sheets, this definitely indicates some vulnerability to the <st1:City w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">St Louis</st1:place></st1:City> lineup. The Cardinals are chomping at the bit to hit up a good pitcher and get their confidence back. They easily have the talent and personnel to put up a huge offensive game today, and should be up for the task. It's about time for this team to start putting up more than .7 runs per game at home. They've been a home-field embarrassment thus far, and as world champions it's definitely time to right the ship. With 51 hits in their last 5 games, the Cards seem to be getting their stroke back. <o:p></o:p>
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GL <o:p></o:p>
Chase <o:p></o:p>
<o:p> </o:p>
 

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