Ethan Law has a nice dog.
Ethan Law | MLB Money Line
<DT>919 KAN (+235) vs 920 NYY <DT> <DT>Analysis: </DT>KC: LHP Odalis Perez (6-9, 5.73 ERA) vs. NYY: RHP Chien-Ming Wang (12-5, 3.61 ERA) <?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-comfficeffice" /><o></o>
<o> </o>
Series Preview:
The Yankees made short work of the lowly Royals when they squared off at Kaufman Stadium last week (3-1, +$145), but believe it or not, I think redemption is possible this weekend. The tragic events of yesterdays postponement allowed the Royals to have an open date before opening tonight. The immediate effect of the postponement was a significant shuffle in the Kansas City pitching rotation as manager Buddy Bell moved Thursdays scheduled starter Odalis Perez into Friday's slot against the Yankees in New York (I will tell you why thats important in a minute). The day off should really help the Royals regroup which also allows their bodies to hydrate and rest. I live about 15 minutes from Yankee stadium and I got to tell youits absolutely miserable out here with humid hot days and nights. The Yankees had to play a very long game on Thursdaya game that saw several Yankees tire of heat exhaustion most notable Jorge Posada. So we have the fresher team. As promised Im going to address why the pitching change is significant. With Odalis Perez pitching Friday, that means that newly acquired left-hander Kyle Davies will pitch Saturday afternoon, allowing the Royals to send two left-handers to start the series. So what you ask? Well with the Royals opened this game with a +$235 price on them (as the Yankees are bound to be wildly overpriced throughout this series), and they are clearly in a situation where New York has struggled (i.e. against left-handed pitching) where their offense comes into tonight averaging a full 1.1 runs lower against southpaws. Indeed, the Yankees have lost a boat load against left-handed pitching this season, 12-17 -$1,335, while the visiting Royals have posted a fat profit as a visitor this season (+$1340). <o></o>
<o> </o>
Friday Night: As you could probably tell from reading the above, I am going to play on the Royals tonight. They are sending left-hander Odalis Perez (Yankees 12-17 -$1,335 against left-handers this season). Although Perezs ERA numbers are a bit frightening, especially against this Yankee line-up, it should be noted that he has been slightly better on the road (5.27 ERA) than at home (6.14). He pitched respectably against the Yankees in the last series, giving up four runs in six innings. Perez has also won money in away/night games this season +$385 and he has averaged a significant 2 less base runners per nine innings pitched in tonights situation. Meanwhile, his counterpart, Chien-Ming Wang comes into this contest with a rather high 5.84 ERA in four career starts against <?xml:namespace prefix = st1 ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-comffice:smarttags" /><st1:City w:st="on"><st1lace w:st="on">Kansas City</st1lace></st1:City>. He considered by many to be one of the best pitchers in the league but Kansas City hitters have done well against the Wangster as both Emil Brown and Joey Gathright each have gone 4-for-9 (.444) against him. <st1:City w:st="on"><st1lace w:st="on">Kansas City</st1lace></st1:City> is also in their most profitable situation role against a right-handed pitcher (night/away setting) where they have filled their backers pockets to the tune of +$775! I will not be surprised to see a very lackluster performance from a very tired Yankees team that played a 4 hours game and needed 7.1 innings from their already over worked bullpen, and a very strong performance from a well rested Royals club. The price on this game is ridiculous so we have no other choice but to back the underdog tonight.
Verdict: <st1:City w:st="on">Kansas City</st1:City> 6, <st1:State w:st="on">New York</st1:State> 3
PLAY 1* UNIT ON <st1:City w:st="on"><st1lace w:st="on">KANSAS CITY</st1lace></st1:City> +$235
Ben Burns | MLB Money Line
924 TAM (-130) vs 923 BAL
<DL><DD>Analysis: The Rays have struggled against the Orioles this season but I expect them to start this series off with a victory. Shields has cooled off since his superb start. However, he is still 4-2 with a solid 3.93 ERA at home, holding opposing hitters to a .244 batting average. Carbrera, on the other hand, is just 2-6 on the road. He's also 7-11 with a 5.08 ERA for the season including a 4-9 mark with an awful 5.32 ERA in 18 starts underneath the lights. The Orioles have lost back to back road games while the Rays have won three of their last four at home. Consider a play on TAMPA BAY
</DD></DL>
Ethan Law | MLB Money Line
<DT>919 KAN (+235) vs 920 NYY <DT> <DT>Analysis: </DT>KC: LHP Odalis Perez (6-9, 5.73 ERA) vs. NYY: RHP Chien-Ming Wang (12-5, 3.61 ERA) <?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-comfficeffice" /><o></o>
<o> </o>
Series Preview:
The Yankees made short work of the lowly Royals when they squared off at Kaufman Stadium last week (3-1, +$145), but believe it or not, I think redemption is possible this weekend. The tragic events of yesterdays postponement allowed the Royals to have an open date before opening tonight. The immediate effect of the postponement was a significant shuffle in the Kansas City pitching rotation as manager Buddy Bell moved Thursdays scheduled starter Odalis Perez into Friday's slot against the Yankees in New York (I will tell you why thats important in a minute). The day off should really help the Royals regroup which also allows their bodies to hydrate and rest. I live about 15 minutes from Yankee stadium and I got to tell youits absolutely miserable out here with humid hot days and nights. The Yankees had to play a very long game on Thursdaya game that saw several Yankees tire of heat exhaustion most notable Jorge Posada. So we have the fresher team. As promised Im going to address why the pitching change is significant. With Odalis Perez pitching Friday, that means that newly acquired left-hander Kyle Davies will pitch Saturday afternoon, allowing the Royals to send two left-handers to start the series. So what you ask? Well with the Royals opened this game with a +$235 price on them (as the Yankees are bound to be wildly overpriced throughout this series), and they are clearly in a situation where New York has struggled (i.e. against left-handed pitching) where their offense comes into tonight averaging a full 1.1 runs lower against southpaws. Indeed, the Yankees have lost a boat load against left-handed pitching this season, 12-17 -$1,335, while the visiting Royals have posted a fat profit as a visitor this season (+$1340). <o></o>
<o> </o>
Friday Night: As you could probably tell from reading the above, I am going to play on the Royals tonight. They are sending left-hander Odalis Perez (Yankees 12-17 -$1,335 against left-handers this season). Although Perezs ERA numbers are a bit frightening, especially against this Yankee line-up, it should be noted that he has been slightly better on the road (5.27 ERA) than at home (6.14). He pitched respectably against the Yankees in the last series, giving up four runs in six innings. Perez has also won money in away/night games this season +$385 and he has averaged a significant 2 less base runners per nine innings pitched in tonights situation. Meanwhile, his counterpart, Chien-Ming Wang comes into this contest with a rather high 5.84 ERA in four career starts against <?xml:namespace prefix = st1 ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-comffice:smarttags" /><st1:City w:st="on"><st1lace w:st="on">Kansas City</st1lace></st1:City>. He considered by many to be one of the best pitchers in the league but Kansas City hitters have done well against the Wangster as both Emil Brown and Joey Gathright each have gone 4-for-9 (.444) against him. <st1:City w:st="on"><st1lace w:st="on">Kansas City</st1lace></st1:City> is also in their most profitable situation role against a right-handed pitcher (night/away setting) where they have filled their backers pockets to the tune of +$775! I will not be surprised to see a very lackluster performance from a very tired Yankees team that played a 4 hours game and needed 7.1 innings from their already over worked bullpen, and a very strong performance from a well rested Royals club. The price on this game is ridiculous so we have no other choice but to back the underdog tonight.
Verdict: <st1:City w:st="on">Kansas City</st1:City> 6, <st1:State w:st="on">New York</st1:State> 3
PLAY 1* UNIT ON <st1:City w:st="on"><st1lace w:st="on">KANSAS CITY</st1lace></st1:City> +$235
Ben Burns | MLB Money Line
924 TAM (-130) vs 923 BAL
<DL><DD>Analysis: The Rays have struggled against the Orioles this season but I expect them to start this series off with a victory. Shields has cooled off since his superb start. However, he is still 4-2 with a solid 3.93 ERA at home, holding opposing hitters to a .244 batting average. Carbrera, on the other hand, is just 2-6 on the road. He's also 7-11 with a 5.08 ERA for the season including a 4-9 mark with an awful 5.32 ERA in 18 starts underneath the lights. The Orioles have lost back to back road games while the Rays have won three of their last four at home. Consider a play on TAMPA BAY
</DD></DL>