<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%">2</TD><TD class=rs_value vAlign=top align=right width="10%">0</TD><TD class=rs_value vAlign=top align=right width="20%">+0.34 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%">32</TD><TD class=rs_value vAlign=top align=right width="10%">42</TD><TD class=rs_value vAlign=top align=right width="10%">0</TD><TD class=rs_value vAlign=top align=right width="20%">+0.22 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%">168</TD><TD class=rs_value vAlign=top align=right width="10%">199</TD><TD class=rs_value vAlign=top align=right width="10%">0</TD><TD class=rs_value vAlign=top align=right width="20%">+23.35 Units</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>
HOME TEAM IN CAPS
All games are listed pitchers unless stated otherwise.
PHILADELPHIA team total over 5½ -1.06
The Phillies will have the luxury of facing Lance Cormier, a guy that’s been battered around worse then any pitcher we’ve seen in years. Consider that Cormier has pitched just 8.2 frames this season and has been tagged for 17 hits with eight of those being of the home-run variety. We acknowledge that 8.2 innings doesn’t make for a season, however, in each of his three outings and that includes two starts, the opposition has hit .425 off him. This is not the team, nor the venue to turn things around against. His confidence, and that’s a big part of success, has to be completely shattered and it’s also worth noting that he’s walked eight batters in those 8.2 innings. So, to recap, in 8.2 innings, Cormier has allowed 25 baserunners, which equals to loading them up every inning he’s pitched this season. How the Phillies don’t go over this total is beyond us. Play: Philadelphia team total over 5½ -1.06 (Risking 2.12 units to win 2).
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NY Yankees –1½ +1.33 over CLEVELAND
Eric Wedge, the Indians manager, should be named the manager of the year for leading a very ordinary club to a winning record when there are about 10 teams more talented then the Indians that have much worse records. The Indians have two reliable starters in Sabathia and Carmona and three inconsistent and very average one’s on Lee, Westbrook and Byrd. The bullpen is atrocious, their defense is better then nobody’s and the offense is decent but certainly not intimidating, especially of late in which the Indians are routinely putting up two or three runs a game. The fact that the Tribe is 14 games over .500 is a bloody miracle but things are starting to even out for this host. They’ve won just seven of their past 18 games and they never stood a chance last night in the opener. Paul Byrd is very hittable and when you add a sizzling Yankees line-up to the equation it’ll very likely be a rough night for Byrd. Yeah, the Indians may get fortunate and score four or five on Mike Mussina, however, the Yankees will probably score nine or 10. Hot vs cold gets the call here and also gets us to the winner’s circle. Play NY Yankees –1½ +1.33 (Risking 2 units).
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Oakland +1.18 over DETROIT
The Tigers have two wins in their last 10 games and both of those came against the Devil Rays. They’ve now lost 12 of 15 and if it’s not their starters getting lit up it’s the worse bullpen in the majors doing so. Should you decide to wager on the Tigers you’d be best served wagering on them in the first five innings only because once the pen takes over in a close game you’re in big time jeopardy. Justin Verlander is showing signs of trouble and that could be the result of fatigue combined with a pen that can’t get anyone out. You see, when the pen gives up leads the starters feel they have to be perfect and that’s a tough way to pitch. In five starts since the all-star break Verlander has posted an ERA of 5.23. His ERA since June 23 has gone from 2.78 to the current 3.60. Of course he can come up with a gem but so can Dan Haren. In fact, Haren has been as good as any pitcher in the business and is a definite candidate for the Cy Young. He’s 13-3 with a 2.46 ERA and on the road he’s 5-2 with a 2.38 ERA. Since the break, Haren has gone 3-0 with a 3.13 ERA and anytime we can take-back a price on Haren you can usually pencil us in. Lastly, the A’s are very warm at the moment having won seven of 10 and there’s no reason they can’t extend that here. Play: Oakland +1.18 (Risking 2 units).
Added bonus: Two boxing matches:
Geronimo (Gerry) “Fearless” Penalosa +4.20 over Jhonny Gonzalez<o></o>
Geronimo (Gerry) “Fearless” Penalosa by KO, TKO or DQ +11.00 over Jhonny Gonzalez PINNACLE
Tonight on HBO<o></o>
<o></o>
Mr. Penalosa, from Manila, is a boxer and man that I very much respect and admire. He is one of the best-kept secrets in boxing in spite of being one of the best in the world for a long time, too. Unfortunately, not too many people have heard of him…yet. He is a ‘young’ 35, having not had a lot of fights over the last few years and not been in too many tough ones throughout his career. In his last, he lost a very controversial decision to the much bigger Ponce de Leon and he did not have his trainer, Freddie Roach, in his corner either. Gerry is very close with Roach and feels that if he was there he would have won for sure. Roach is one of, if not the best in the business, but he was stuck with De La Hoya at the time. Gerry was not quite active enough but I still felt that he won the fight, as do most experts. He actually hurt the tough and rugged Ponce de Leon on a number of occasions. He is only 5’4” but he can hit and is a master technician in the ring. I believe Roach described him as the ‘Philippine James Toney’ for his calmness in the ring! He has never been knocked out, has a record of 51-6 (34 KO), and his losses were all controversial. To me the wrong man is favoured in this one; all things considered.<o></o>
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Gonzalez is only 25 and boasts a record of 34-5 with 29 KO’s and is almost 4 inches taller, but he is having a heck of a time making this weight. Those who play him as a 4-1 favorite will be doing a lot of sweating this night, especially when Penalosa starts pounding him to the body. He was looking good against Israel Vazquez but eventually got tired out from the non-stop pressure from a hurt Vazquez, before getting knocked out in brutal fashion. I swear that fight and knockout damaged him because in his fight against the ancient Irene Pacheco, he looked terrible and was lucky that Pacheco himself had nothing left in the tank. Gonzales has a very suspect chin and if Gerry hits him often enough it is quite possible that he could ‘GO’. Having to constantly struggle to make weight is a very dangerous thing at these lighter weight classes and he has a very big frame. His body could be very weak going in and that, coupled with a very weak chin to start with, is a recipe for disaster.<o></o>
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Penalosa has been sparring with Bautista, which is another big plus and having Roach back in his corner is simply HUGE!<o></o>
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You’re not often going to find a longshot-priced boxer who is as good as this one and has such a strong chance. He has waited his entire career for this and with millions of people from all around the world watching, will not disappoint. The people back home in the Phillipines already know very well who this fine and talented man is and after he knocks out the false and definitely over-priced favorite, Gonzalez, the whole world will finely take notice of the “Fearless” one.<o></o>
<o></o>
In what is truly a fantastic wagering opportunity, we will go with Geronimo (Gerry) Penalosa, who is more than just a ‘live’ underdog, but the fighter who I believe should be the favorite. We will have to wait a long time to see value this good come along again. This is a rare longshot special that I truly love. Let’s go get him, Mr. Penalosa!<o></o>
<o></o>
Play: Gerry Penalosa +420 Risking 1½ units to win 6.3 units Play: Penalosa WINS INSIDE DISTANCE +8.35 Risking ½ unit to win 4.17 units).
Rey “Boom- Boom” Bautista +1.57 over Daniel Ponce de Leon
Rey “Boom- Boom” Bautista WINS INSIDE DISTANCE +2.78 over Daniel Ponce de Leon 5DIMES<o></o>
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HBO Tonight<o></o>
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Bautista should complete our Daily Double from the Philippines tonight. He is a real up-and-coming, rising star and is only 21 years old and undefeated in 23 fights with 17 knockouts. Anybody who knows anything will tell you just how tough the boxers from the Philippines are.<o></o>
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Interestingly, De Leon opened as only a slight favorite and I wonder why…and so should you! Not too many folks have heard of Bautista, while Ponce de Leon is very well known and popular. Make no mistake about it; I like De Leon and respect him as a human being, not just as a boxer. He always gives a good effort, comes to fight and is rugged and tough. However, I believe that he will be ‘exposed’ tonight. In his last he was given a decision win against our Penalosa in a fight that I thought he lost. Back in Feb 2005, he lost by decision to Celestino Caballero, who has shown that he is not too much at all; just tall and lanky with long arms. <o></o>
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Bautista and DeLeon are about equal in height but I think that the similarities end there. There is a gulf in talent here and De Leon has already shown cracks in his armor. If he ‘really lost’ to 35-year-old Penalosa in his latest, as a huge favorite I might add, what can be expected as he faces this 21 year-old juggernaut?! Of course Penalosa is good, but this youngster is some 14 years younger still and he knows what his countryman did to DeLeon without the presence of Roach in his corner, to boot! Don’t think for a second that Bautista will not ‘go to school’ on that. And losing to Caballero speaks volumes and yet he is still favored over undefeated Bautista? I don’t think so!<o></o>
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This WBO Super Bantamweight title should be the fight that showcases Boom-Boom Bautista and exposes De Leon as a rather limited boxer, likeable but limited.<o></o>
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I am predicting a near shutout win for Bautista but would not be surprised if he manages to stop De Leon inside the distance because he should be hitting him hard and often and I saw what Penalosa’s punches were doing to him. <o></o>
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The line has been set to attract De Leon money but don’t ‘bite’. This one should be an easy win for Rey Bautista, who will emerge as a new STAR and champion and at the same time avenge his countryman’s controversial defeat.
<o></o>
Play: Rey Bautista +1.57 (Risking 1½ units to win 2.38 units). 5DIMES<o></o>
Play: Bautista WINS INSIDE DISTANCE +2.73 (Risking ½ unit to win 1.37)
HOME TEAM IN CAPS
All games are listed pitchers unless stated otherwise.
PHILADELPHIA team total over 5½ -1.06
The Phillies will have the luxury of facing Lance Cormier, a guy that’s been battered around worse then any pitcher we’ve seen in years. Consider that Cormier has pitched just 8.2 frames this season and has been tagged for 17 hits with eight of those being of the home-run variety. We acknowledge that 8.2 innings doesn’t make for a season, however, in each of his three outings and that includes two starts, the opposition has hit .425 off him. This is not the team, nor the venue to turn things around against. His confidence, and that’s a big part of success, has to be completely shattered and it’s also worth noting that he’s walked eight batters in those 8.2 innings. So, to recap, in 8.2 innings, Cormier has allowed 25 baserunners, which equals to loading them up every inning he’s pitched this season. How the Phillies don’t go over this total is beyond us. Play: Philadelphia team total over 5½ -1.06 (Risking 2.12 units to win 2).
<?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com
fficeffice" /><o></o>NY Yankees –1½ +1.33 over CLEVELAND
Eric Wedge, the Indians manager, should be named the manager of the year for leading a very ordinary club to a winning record when there are about 10 teams more talented then the Indians that have much worse records. The Indians have two reliable starters in Sabathia and Carmona and three inconsistent and very average one’s on Lee, Westbrook and Byrd. The bullpen is atrocious, their defense is better then nobody’s and the offense is decent but certainly not intimidating, especially of late in which the Indians are routinely putting up two or three runs a game. The fact that the Tribe is 14 games over .500 is a bloody miracle but things are starting to even out for this host. They’ve won just seven of their past 18 games and they never stood a chance last night in the opener. Paul Byrd is very hittable and when you add a sizzling Yankees line-up to the equation it’ll very likely be a rough night for Byrd. Yeah, the Indians may get fortunate and score four or five on Mike Mussina, however, the Yankees will probably score nine or 10. Hot vs cold gets the call here and also gets us to the winner’s circle. Play NY Yankees –1½ +1.33 (Risking 2 units).
<o
></o>Oakland +1.18 over DETROIT
The Tigers have two wins in their last 10 games and both of those came against the Devil Rays. They’ve now lost 12 of 15 and if it’s not their starters getting lit up it’s the worse bullpen in the majors doing so. Should you decide to wager on the Tigers you’d be best served wagering on them in the first five innings only because once the pen takes over in a close game you’re in big time jeopardy. Justin Verlander is showing signs of trouble and that could be the result of fatigue combined with a pen that can’t get anyone out. You see, when the pen gives up leads the starters feel they have to be perfect and that’s a tough way to pitch. In five starts since the all-star break Verlander has posted an ERA of 5.23. His ERA since June 23 has gone from 2.78 to the current 3.60. Of course he can come up with a gem but so can Dan Haren. In fact, Haren has been as good as any pitcher in the business and is a definite candidate for the Cy Young. He’s 13-3 with a 2.46 ERA and on the road he’s 5-2 with a 2.38 ERA. Since the break, Haren has gone 3-0 with a 3.13 ERA and anytime we can take-back a price on Haren you can usually pencil us in. Lastly, the A’s are very warm at the moment having won seven of 10 and there’s no reason they can’t extend that here. Play: Oakland +1.18 (Risking 2 units).
Added bonus: Two boxing matches:
Geronimo (Gerry) “Fearless” Penalosa +4.20 over Jhonny Gonzalez<o
></o>Geronimo (Gerry) “Fearless” Penalosa by KO, TKO or DQ +11.00 over Jhonny Gonzalez PINNACLE
Tonight on HBO<o
></o><o
></o>Mr. Penalosa, from Manila, is a boxer and man that I very much respect and admire. He is one of the best-kept secrets in boxing in spite of being one of the best in the world for a long time, too. Unfortunately, not too many people have heard of him…yet. He is a ‘young’ 35, having not had a lot of fights over the last few years and not been in too many tough ones throughout his career. In his last, he lost a very controversial decision to the much bigger Ponce de Leon and he did not have his trainer, Freddie Roach, in his corner either. Gerry is very close with Roach and feels that if he was there he would have won for sure. Roach is one of, if not the best in the business, but he was stuck with De La Hoya at the time. Gerry was not quite active enough but I still felt that he won the fight, as do most experts. He actually hurt the tough and rugged Ponce de Leon on a number of occasions. He is only 5’4” but he can hit and is a master technician in the ring. I believe Roach described him as the ‘Philippine James Toney’ for his calmness in the ring! He has never been knocked out, has a record of 51-6 (34 KO), and his losses were all controversial. To me the wrong man is favoured in this one; all things considered.<o
></o><o
></o>Gonzalez is only 25 and boasts a record of 34-5 with 29 KO’s and is almost 4 inches taller, but he is having a heck of a time making this weight. Those who play him as a 4-1 favorite will be doing a lot of sweating this night, especially when Penalosa starts pounding him to the body. He was looking good against Israel Vazquez but eventually got tired out from the non-stop pressure from a hurt Vazquez, before getting knocked out in brutal fashion. I swear that fight and knockout damaged him because in his fight against the ancient Irene Pacheco, he looked terrible and was lucky that Pacheco himself had nothing left in the tank. Gonzales has a very suspect chin and if Gerry hits him often enough it is quite possible that he could ‘GO’. Having to constantly struggle to make weight is a very dangerous thing at these lighter weight classes and he has a very big frame. His body could be very weak going in and that, coupled with a very weak chin to start with, is a recipe for disaster.<o
></o><o
></o>Penalosa has been sparring with Bautista, which is another big plus and having Roach back in his corner is simply HUGE!<o
></o><o
></o>You’re not often going to find a longshot-priced boxer who is as good as this one and has such a strong chance. He has waited his entire career for this and with millions of people from all around the world watching, will not disappoint. The people back home in the Phillipines already know very well who this fine and talented man is and after he knocks out the false and definitely over-priced favorite, Gonzalez, the whole world will finely take notice of the “Fearless” one.<o
></o><o
></o>In what is truly a fantastic wagering opportunity, we will go with Geronimo (Gerry) Penalosa, who is more than just a ‘live’ underdog, but the fighter who I believe should be the favorite. We will have to wait a long time to see value this good come along again. This is a rare longshot special that I truly love. Let’s go get him, Mr. Penalosa!<o
></o><o
></o>Play: Gerry Penalosa +420 Risking 1½ units to win 6.3 units Play: Penalosa WINS INSIDE DISTANCE +8.35 Risking ½ unit to win 4.17 units).
Rey “Boom- Boom” Bautista +1.57 over Daniel Ponce de Leon
Rey “Boom- Boom” Bautista WINS INSIDE DISTANCE +2.78 over Daniel Ponce de Leon 5DIMES<o
></o><o
></o>HBO Tonight<o
></o><o
></o>Bautista should complete our Daily Double from the Philippines tonight. He is a real up-and-coming, rising star and is only 21 years old and undefeated in 23 fights with 17 knockouts. Anybody who knows anything will tell you just how tough the boxers from the Philippines are.<o
></o><o
></o>Interestingly, De Leon opened as only a slight favorite and I wonder why…and so should you! Not too many folks have heard of Bautista, while Ponce de Leon is very well known and popular. Make no mistake about it; I like De Leon and respect him as a human being, not just as a boxer. He always gives a good effort, comes to fight and is rugged and tough. However, I believe that he will be ‘exposed’ tonight. In his last he was given a decision win against our Penalosa in a fight that I thought he lost. Back in Feb 2005, he lost by decision to Celestino Caballero, who has shown that he is not too much at all; just tall and lanky with long arms. <o
></o><o
></o>Bautista and DeLeon are about equal in height but I think that the similarities end there. There is a gulf in talent here and De Leon has already shown cracks in his armor. If he ‘really lost’ to 35-year-old Penalosa in his latest, as a huge favorite I might add, what can be expected as he faces this 21 year-old juggernaut?! Of course Penalosa is good, but this youngster is some 14 years younger still and he knows what his countryman did to DeLeon without the presence of Roach in his corner, to boot! Don’t think for a second that Bautista will not ‘go to school’ on that. And losing to Caballero speaks volumes and yet he is still favored over undefeated Bautista? I don’t think so!<o
></o><o
></o>This WBO Super Bantamweight title should be the fight that showcases Boom-Boom Bautista and exposes De Leon as a rather limited boxer, likeable but limited.<o
></o><o
></o>I am predicting a near shutout win for Bautista but would not be surprised if he manages to stop De Leon inside the distance because he should be hitting him hard and often and I saw what Penalosa’s punches were doing to him. <o
></o><o
></o>The line has been set to attract De Leon money but don’t ‘bite’. This one should be an easy win for Rey Bautista, who will emerge as a new STAR and champion and at the same time avenge his countryman’s controversial defeat.
<o
></o>Play: Rey Bautista +1.57 (Risking 1½ units to win 2.38 units). 5DIMES<o
></o>Play: Bautista WINS INSIDE DISTANCE +2.73 (Risking ½ unit to win 1.37)
