2007 RECORD: 6-4-0 +2.15 Units
Great win last night for Texas. There's nothing better than experiencing the Sammy Sosa jumping-jack after he crushes a ball.
WEDNESDAY 4/18/2007: Houston Astros (Chris Sampson) @ Cincinnati Reds (Aaron Harang)
PLAY ON: HOUSTON ASTROS (MoneyLine, +125) To Win 1 Unit
This may seem like the boldest play I've made all season, but I happen to feel very good about our chances tonight. The X-factor in this game immediately falls upon rookie 5-starter, Chris Sampson of the Houston Astros. Sampson is actually pretty old for a rookie, at 28-years of age. In his first and only start this season, Sampson pitched five shutout innings against the Chicago Cubs on the road. After watching literally every pitch of this start, I was immediately high on this guy. He has a cut fastball that moves all over the place, similar to Robinson Tejeda, but with much more control. He can paint both corners of the plate extremely well, and keeps the ball low at all times unless he comes inside on a batters hands. His curveball, though used sparsely, is also very solid. Sampson gets a ton of ground balls, he is known as a fierce competitor, and in 20 innings of major league pitching he has given up just 1 run and 11 hits. What else could you possibly ask for!? He won't strike out a lot of batters, but he works quickly, and has yet to give up more than 3 hits in any major league appearance. Sampson was able to beat out Fernando Nieve in Spring Training for the five-spot, and he certainly pitches a lot better than that. All in all, Sampson is definitely an above-average rookie.<SCRIPT><!--D(["mb","\u003cspan\>* \u003c/span\>\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\"\>Aaron Harang had a brilliant season last year. He led the league in strikeouts, and had a 16-win season for a weak \nCincinnati team. We must realize, however, that Harang was under the radar last year. Now that he has reached "ace" prominence, we have already begun to see him struggle this season. Harang's ERA currently sits at 5.40, and it should be even higher. In his "brilliant" 1-run start against the Cubs, Harang found himself in a ton of jams and 3-ball counts. But against a Cubs team with the clutch-hitting capability of a three-year-old, he was able to squirm out of trouble. In his most recent two starts, Harang has fallen apart. He gave up five runs to \nPittsburgh and five to Chicago without lasting more than five innings in either game. Keep in mind, these are some of the worst offenses in the league. Harangs fastball was flat, his breaker was hanging, and his strikeouts have been low all season. His fastball also tops out in the high 80's, so he won't be power-pitching through anybody Without the strikeouts, Harang will struggle this season. This could be a major problem down the road for a guy that \nCincinnati would like to call their "ace."\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\"\>\u003cfont face\u003d\"Times New Roman\"\>\u003cspan style\u003d\"font-size:10pt\"\>Houston\u003c/span\>\u003cspan style\u003d\"font-size:10pt\"\> could be the hottest team in the league right now. They're currently averaging \n5.7 runs on the road, and have annihilated some quality pitchers. They've won six of their last eight games, and now come into this game hungry to hit up Cincinnati's ace as they trail the Reds by two games in the standings. This team knows how to get favorable counts, hit for power, and not leave runners on base. They are both clutch and smart. In short, I don't expect Harang to be squirming out of the same RISP situations that he avoided in \nChicago. ",1]);//--></SCRIPT>
Aaron Harang had a brilliant season last year. He led the league in strikeouts, and had a 16-win season for a weak Cincinnati team. We must realize, however, that Harang was under the radar last year. Now that he has reached "ace" prominence, we have already begun to see him struggle this season. Harang's ERA currently sits at 5.40, and it should be even higher. In his "brilliant" 1-run start against the Cubs, Harang found himself in a ton of jams and 3-ball counts. But against a Cubs team with the clutch-hitting capability of a three-year-old, he was able to squirm out of trouble. In his most recent two starts, Harang has fallen apart. He gave up five runs to Pittsburgh and five to Chicago without lasting more than five innings in either game. Keep in mind, these are some of the worst offenses in the league. Harangs fastball was flat, his breaker was hanging, and his strikeouts have been low all season. His fastball also tops out in the high 80's, so he won't be power-pitching through anybody Without the strikeouts, Harang will struggle this season. This could be a major problem down the road for a guy that Cincinnati would like to call their "ace."
Houston could be the hottest team in the league right now. They're currently averaging 5.7 runs on the road, and have annihilated some quality pitchers. They've won six of their last eight games, and now come into this game hungry to hit up Cincinnati's ace as they trail the Reds by two games in the standings. This team knows how to get favorable counts, hit for power, and not leave runners on base. They are both clutch and smart. In short, I don't expect Harang to be squirming out of the same RISP situations that he avoided in Chicago.<SCRIPT><!--D(["mb","\u003c/span\>\u003c/font\>\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\"\>\u003cfont face\u003d\"Times New Roman\"\>\u003cspan style\u003d\"font-size:10pt\"\>Cincinnati\u003c/span\>\u003cspan style\u003d\"font-size:10pt\"\> is also playing a bit over their head, but they're coming off of a blowout win against a quality pitcher in Dave Bush. I expect them to come into this game cocky as ever. After scoring 17 runs in two games, this team should come into tonight asleep behind their ace, swinging at anything close to the zone. This is just the way Sampson wants it, and I expect him to cruise against this overrated Reds lineup. \n\u003c/span\>\u003c/font\>\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 line on this game has moved from +130 to +125 with over 67% of the public money on Cincinnati. This undoubtedly means that a lot of sharp money has been bet on \nHouston.\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, I feel great about our chances tonight, and with a +125 line, I definitely wouldn't pass up Houston tonight. \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\"\>Good Luck\u003c/font\>\u003c/span\>\u003c/p\>",1]);//--></SCRIPT>
Cincinnati is also playing a bit over their head, but they're coming off of a blowout win against a quality pitcher in Dave Bush. I expect them to come into this game cocky as ever. After scoring 17 runs in two games, this team should come into tonight asleep behind their ace, swinging at anything close to the zone. This is just the way Sampson wants it, and I expect him to cruise against this overrated Reds lineup.
The line on this game has moved from +130 to +125 with over 67% of the public money on Cincinnati. This undoubtedly means that a lot of sharp money has been bet on Houston.
All in all, I feel great about our chances tonight, and with a +125 line, I definitely wouldn't pass up Houston tonight.
Good Luck
<SCRIPT><!--D(["mb","\u003cspan class\u003dsg\>\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\"\>Chase \u003c/font\>\u003c/span\>\u003c/p\>\n\u003c/span\>",0]);D(["ce"]);//--></SCRIPT>
Great win last night for Texas. There's nothing better than experiencing the Sammy Sosa jumping-jack after he crushes a ball.
WEDNESDAY 4/18/2007: Houston Astros (Chris Sampson) @ Cincinnati Reds (Aaron Harang)
PLAY ON: HOUSTON ASTROS (MoneyLine, +125) To Win 1 Unit
This may seem like the boldest play I've made all season, but I happen to feel very good about our chances tonight. The X-factor in this game immediately falls upon rookie 5-starter, Chris Sampson of the Houston Astros. Sampson is actually pretty old for a rookie, at 28-years of age. In his first and only start this season, Sampson pitched five shutout innings against the Chicago Cubs on the road. After watching literally every pitch of this start, I was immediately high on this guy. He has a cut fastball that moves all over the place, similar to Robinson Tejeda, but with much more control. He can paint both corners of the plate extremely well, and keeps the ball low at all times unless he comes inside on a batters hands. His curveball, though used sparsely, is also very solid. Sampson gets a ton of ground balls, he is known as a fierce competitor, and in 20 innings of major league pitching he has given up just 1 run and 11 hits. What else could you possibly ask for!? He won't strike out a lot of batters, but he works quickly, and has yet to give up more than 3 hits in any major league appearance. Sampson was able to beat out Fernando Nieve in Spring Training for the five-spot, and he certainly pitches a lot better than that. All in all, Sampson is definitely an above-average rookie.<SCRIPT><!--D(["mb","\u003cspan\>* \u003c/span\>\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\"\>Aaron Harang had a brilliant season last year. He led the league in strikeouts, and had a 16-win season for a weak \nCincinnati team. We must realize, however, that Harang was under the radar last year. Now that he has reached "ace" prominence, we have already begun to see him struggle this season. Harang's ERA currently sits at 5.40, and it should be even higher. In his "brilliant" 1-run start against the Cubs, Harang found himself in a ton of jams and 3-ball counts. But against a Cubs team with the clutch-hitting capability of a three-year-old, he was able to squirm out of trouble. In his most recent two starts, Harang has fallen apart. He gave up five runs to \nPittsburgh and five to Chicago without lasting more than five innings in either game. Keep in mind, these are some of the worst offenses in the league. Harangs fastball was flat, his breaker was hanging, and his strikeouts have been low all season. His fastball also tops out in the high 80's, so he won't be power-pitching through anybody Without the strikeouts, Harang will struggle this season. This could be a major problem down the road for a guy that \nCincinnati would like to call their "ace."\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\"\>\u003cfont face\u003d\"Times New Roman\"\>\u003cspan style\u003d\"font-size:10pt\"\>Houston\u003c/span\>\u003cspan style\u003d\"font-size:10pt\"\> could be the hottest team in the league right now. They're currently averaging \n5.7 runs on the road, and have annihilated some quality pitchers. They've won six of their last eight games, and now come into this game hungry to hit up Cincinnati's ace as they trail the Reds by two games in the standings. This team knows how to get favorable counts, hit for power, and not leave runners on base. They are both clutch and smart. In short, I don't expect Harang to be squirming out of the same RISP situations that he avoided in \nChicago. ",1]);//--></SCRIPT>
Aaron Harang had a brilliant season last year. He led the league in strikeouts, and had a 16-win season for a weak Cincinnati team. We must realize, however, that Harang was under the radar last year. Now that he has reached "ace" prominence, we have already begun to see him struggle this season. Harang's ERA currently sits at 5.40, and it should be even higher. In his "brilliant" 1-run start against the Cubs, Harang found himself in a ton of jams and 3-ball counts. But against a Cubs team with the clutch-hitting capability of a three-year-old, he was able to squirm out of trouble. In his most recent two starts, Harang has fallen apart. He gave up five runs to Pittsburgh and five to Chicago without lasting more than five innings in either game. Keep in mind, these are some of the worst offenses in the league. Harangs fastball was flat, his breaker was hanging, and his strikeouts have been low all season. His fastball also tops out in the high 80's, so he won't be power-pitching through anybody Without the strikeouts, Harang will struggle this season. This could be a major problem down the road for a guy that Cincinnati would like to call their "ace."
Houston could be the hottest team in the league right now. They're currently averaging 5.7 runs on the road, and have annihilated some quality pitchers. They've won six of their last eight games, and now come into this game hungry to hit up Cincinnati's ace as they trail the Reds by two games in the standings. This team knows how to get favorable counts, hit for power, and not leave runners on base. They are both clutch and smart. In short, I don't expect Harang to be squirming out of the same RISP situations that he avoided in Chicago.<SCRIPT><!--D(["mb","\u003c/span\>\u003c/font\>\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\"\>\u003cfont face\u003d\"Times New Roman\"\>\u003cspan style\u003d\"font-size:10pt\"\>Cincinnati\u003c/span\>\u003cspan style\u003d\"font-size:10pt\"\> is also playing a bit over their head, but they're coming off of a blowout win against a quality pitcher in Dave Bush. I expect them to come into this game cocky as ever. After scoring 17 runs in two games, this team should come into tonight asleep behind their ace, swinging at anything close to the zone. This is just the way Sampson wants it, and I expect him to cruise against this overrated Reds lineup. \n\u003c/span\>\u003c/font\>\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 line on this game has moved from +130 to +125 with over 67% of the public money on Cincinnati. This undoubtedly means that a lot of sharp money has been bet on \nHouston.\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, I feel great about our chances tonight, and with a +125 line, I definitely wouldn't pass up Houston tonight. \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\"\>Good Luck\u003c/font\>\u003c/span\>\u003c/p\>",1]);//--></SCRIPT>
Cincinnati is also playing a bit over their head, but they're coming off of a blowout win against a quality pitcher in Dave Bush. I expect them to come into this game cocky as ever. After scoring 17 runs in two games, this team should come into tonight asleep behind their ace, swinging at anything close to the zone. This is just the way Sampson wants it, and I expect him to cruise against this overrated Reds lineup.
The line on this game has moved from +130 to +125 with over 67% of the public money on Cincinnati. This undoubtedly means that a lot of sharp money has been bet on Houston.
All in all, I feel great about our chances tonight, and with a +125 line, I definitely wouldn't pass up Houston tonight.
Good Luck
<SCRIPT><!--D(["mb","\u003cspan class\u003dsg\>\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\"\>Chase \u003c/font\>\u003c/span\>\u003c/p\>\n\u003c/span\>",0]);D(["ce"]);//--></SCRIPT>
