<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%">+3.00 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%">44</TD><TD class=rs_value vAlign=top align=right width="10%">55</TD><TD class=rs_value vAlign=top align=right width="10%">0</TD><TD class=rs_value vAlign=top align=right width="20%">-1.54 Units</TD></TR><TR><TD class=rs_value vAlign=top align=left width="50%">Season To Date (Since April 2007)</TD><TD class=rs_value vAlign=top align=right width="10%">71</TD><TD class=rs_value vAlign=top align=right width="10%">97</TD><TD class=rs_value vAlign=top align=right width="10%">0</TD><TD class=rs_value vAlign=top align=right width="20%">-21.51 Units</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>
HOME TEAM IN CAPS
All games are listed pitchers unless stated otherwise.
Chicago +1.12 over LOS ANGELES
The Cubbies are laboring a bit but they did pull out a late victory last night and will head to Chavez Ravine on a positive note. When the Cubs get some pitching they’re extremely tough to beat because they have an explosive offense that ranks second in the NL. They should get that good pitching tonight from Ted Lilly, a guy that pitches under the radar and has been for years. Lilly has been one of baseball’s most consistent and reliable starters for years and he’s never looked better then he has this season. He’s walked just 10 batters in 60 frames whiffing 54 and holding the opposition to a puny .210 batting average. Even more impressive is his WHIP, which is 0.90 and that’s just plain stupid. Derek Lowe can also be tough but he does not bring the same repertoire as Lilly. Lowe is basically a one-pitch pitcher and when his slider is not working so hot, Lowe is in serious trouble. Lowe has pitched just three of his 10 starts at home and faced the Pirates, Padres and Cardinals, not exactly the cream of the crop in terms of offense. All three got to him and in fact he surrendered 24 hits and 10 earned runs in 20 1/3 innings against that trio. Any price on Lilly is worthy of some attention and when you consider that the Dodgers have hit just 26 jacks all year (second worst in the league) and that they’ll need to string together some hits to score, it makes even more sense to play this live pooch here. Play: Chicago +1.12 (Risking 2 units).<?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com
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Houston (team total) over 4½ +1.05
ARIZONA (team total) over 4½ -1.05
We’re going to play both these teams to score over 4½ runs and the absolute worst we expect is a break even outcome but fully expect to cash them both. It’ll be Edgar Gonzalez making his first start in about a month after spending the last month in the bullpen. What’s most notable about Gonzalez is his propensity for giving up the long ball, as he’s already surrendered nine bombs is 36 innings. In his career he’s surrendered 35 homers in 141 innings, or one every four frames, just like this year. Gonzales has a career ERA of 6.37, his ERA at Chase Field this year is 6.53 and if the Astros are ever going to get off the mattress this looks like the place to start. Woody Williams has been batting practice out there. His ERA in May is 5.32 after allowing 14 earned runs in 23 innings and getting knocked out in the fourth inning in his last start. The opposition is hitting a meaty .304 off Williams and what this guy used to have (a little craftiness and a good change) he no longer possesses. No way do both these teams stay under five runs. This is a good hitter’s park and these are two extremely vulnerable hurlers. Play: Arizona over 4½ (Risking 2.10 units to win 2) Play: Houston over 4½ +1.05 (Risking 2 units). <o></o>
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Tampa Bay +1.27 over CHICAGO
If you want to see the best change-up in the game at work then put the television on for this event and watch Jamie Shields. This guy came out of nowhere this year and we’re not talking about one or two or three starts. Shields has pitched 69.1 innings and has allowed just 49 hits. He’s walked just 13 batters while striking out 62 and the best part is the White Sox have yet to face him. This guys numbers just keep going on and on. His ERA is 2.94 and his ERA on the road is 1.50. His WHIP is 0.92, which is first in the AL and he’s yet to lose in nine starts. He’s pitched into the seventh inning in every single start this year and he’s pitched at least eight full innings in five starts. In fact, in all of baseball there has not been a more efficient pitcher then Jamie Shields and it’s for that reason we’ll gladly take back this tag on him. Play: Tampa Bay +1.27 (Risking 2 units). <o></o>
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Oakland –1.03 over BALTIMORE
The equation here is a rather simple one and it goes something like this; when you can take Dan Haren and lay less then a nickel, just do it and don’t ask any questions. Haren is fast becoming one of the best, no check that, he is one of the best in the game. His road ERA is 1.64, his overall ERA is 1.74 and over his last 31 innings the opposition has gone yard on him just once. Haren is the straight goods, end of story. Eric Bedard is a pitcher that could crack any line-up in the business but he’s very hit and miss. He can be brilliant one outing and get bombarded the next. The O’s bullpen is a definite liability and it’s also worth noting that the A’s are a better club against lefties. Oakland has owned Bedard, as he’s never beaten them in five tries and earlier this year the A’s knocked him out in the fifth inning. Lastly, the A’s love this park and in fact have won 13 of their past 15 games at this venue and we don’t see that changing here. Play: Oakland –1.03 (Risking 2.06 units to win 2).
HOME TEAM IN CAPS
All games are listed pitchers unless stated otherwise.
Chicago +1.12 over LOS ANGELES
The Cubbies are laboring a bit but they did pull out a late victory last night and will head to Chavez Ravine on a positive note. When the Cubs get some pitching they’re extremely tough to beat because they have an explosive offense that ranks second in the NL. They should get that good pitching tonight from Ted Lilly, a guy that pitches under the radar and has been for years. Lilly has been one of baseball’s most consistent and reliable starters for years and he’s never looked better then he has this season. He’s walked just 10 batters in 60 frames whiffing 54 and holding the opposition to a puny .210 batting average. Even more impressive is his WHIP, which is 0.90 and that’s just plain stupid. Derek Lowe can also be tough but he does not bring the same repertoire as Lilly. Lowe is basically a one-pitch pitcher and when his slider is not working so hot, Lowe is in serious trouble. Lowe has pitched just three of his 10 starts at home and faced the Pirates, Padres and Cardinals, not exactly the cream of the crop in terms of offense. All three got to him and in fact he surrendered 24 hits and 10 earned runs in 20 1/3 innings against that trio. Any price on Lilly is worthy of some attention and when you consider that the Dodgers have hit just 26 jacks all year (second worst in the league) and that they’ll need to string together some hits to score, it makes even more sense to play this live pooch here. Play: Chicago +1.12 (Risking 2 units).<?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com
fficeffice" /><o></o><o
></o>Houston (team total) over 4½ +1.05
ARIZONA (team total) over 4½ -1.05
We’re going to play both these teams to score over 4½ runs and the absolute worst we expect is a break even outcome but fully expect to cash them both. It’ll be Edgar Gonzalez making his first start in about a month after spending the last month in the bullpen. What’s most notable about Gonzalez is his propensity for giving up the long ball, as he’s already surrendered nine bombs is 36 innings. In his career he’s surrendered 35 homers in 141 innings, or one every four frames, just like this year. Gonzales has a career ERA of 6.37, his ERA at Chase Field this year is 6.53 and if the Astros are ever going to get off the mattress this looks like the place to start. Woody Williams has been batting practice out there. His ERA in May is 5.32 after allowing 14 earned runs in 23 innings and getting knocked out in the fourth inning in his last start. The opposition is hitting a meaty .304 off Williams and what this guy used to have (a little craftiness and a good change) he no longer possesses. No way do both these teams stay under five runs. This is a good hitter’s park and these are two extremely vulnerable hurlers. Play: Arizona over 4½ (Risking 2.10 units to win 2) Play: Houston over 4½ +1.05 (Risking 2 units). <o
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></o>Tampa Bay +1.27 over CHICAGO
If you want to see the best change-up in the game at work then put the television on for this event and watch Jamie Shields. This guy came out of nowhere this year and we’re not talking about one or two or three starts. Shields has pitched 69.1 innings and has allowed just 49 hits. He’s walked just 13 batters while striking out 62 and the best part is the White Sox have yet to face him. This guys numbers just keep going on and on. His ERA is 2.94 and his ERA on the road is 1.50. His WHIP is 0.92, which is first in the AL and he’s yet to lose in nine starts. He’s pitched into the seventh inning in every single start this year and he’s pitched at least eight full innings in five starts. In fact, in all of baseball there has not been a more efficient pitcher then Jamie Shields and it’s for that reason we’ll gladly take back this tag on him. Play: Tampa Bay +1.27 (Risking 2 units). <o
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></o>Oakland –1.03 over BALTIMORE
The equation here is a rather simple one and it goes something like this; when you can take Dan Haren and lay less then a nickel, just do it and don’t ask any questions. Haren is fast becoming one of the best, no check that, he is one of the best in the game. His road ERA is 1.64, his overall ERA is 1.74 and over his last 31 innings the opposition has gone yard on him just once. Haren is the straight goods, end of story. Eric Bedard is a pitcher that could crack any line-up in the business but he’s very hit and miss. He can be brilliant one outing and get bombarded the next. The O’s bullpen is a definite liability and it’s also worth noting that the A’s are a better club against lefties. Oakland has owned Bedard, as he’s never beaten them in five tries and earlier this year the A’s knocked him out in the fifth inning. Lastly, the A’s love this park and in fact have won 13 of their past 15 games at this venue and we don’t see that changing here. Play: Oakland –1.03 (Risking 2.06 units to win 2).
