HOME TEAM IN CAPS
All games are listed pitchers unless stated otherwise.
Atlanta +1.07 over NY METS
The Mets are really cooling off after a good run and have now lost four of five with only win coming in a two-game split with the Nats. And just like his team, Mike Pelfrey had a pretty good run to start the year but this guy is a bus trip to the minors waiting to happen. In fact, the only reason Pelfrey is pitching is because the Mets have a slew of injured pitchers. The Phillies torched Pelfrey in his last start and that’s the Pelfrey we expect to see on most nights. He does not have a good repertoire of pitches and relies heavily on his fastball. Until he learns to throw something other than his fastball, the opposition will continue to knock him around for a batting average of .300 or even higher. Jair Jurrjens was acquired from the Tigers in the Edgar Renteria deal. He has some nasty stuff and could end up winning the NL rookie-of-the-year honors. He’s struck out 21 in 25 innings and the league has hit just .235 off him in four starts. The pitching match-up here heavily favors the Braves and so does the current form of these two clubs. Big overlay. Play: Atlanta +1.23 (Risking 2 units). <?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com
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></o>Chicago –1 +1.04 over WASHINGTON
The Cubbies had great success over the Nationals last year and this season they’re about 1000 times more confident then last. Chicago is now 16-7 and has won seven of their last eight while the Nationals have lost 16 of their last 20 games. When your opening day starter is Odalis Perez it pretty much maps out the whole year for you. Perez is a 9-yr-vet that is 66-73 overall and has a career ERA of 4.45. However, five of those years he pitched for the Dodgers and that park has never hurt a pitchers numbers, ever. He was brutal when he was a Brave and he was even more brutal when he was a Royal. Furthermore, chances are very good that Perez won’t get any sport because the Nationals rarely score. The Cubs are 5-1 against southpaws and they’ll send Ryan Dempster to the mound with his 3-0 record and 3.00 ERA. Dempster has allowed just 14 hits in 24 innings and the league is hitting just .169 off him. In his only road start of the year he one-hit the Pirates in seven innings. Can this one actually go any other way? We think not. Play: Chicago –1 +1.04 (Risking 2 units). <o
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></o>Oakland +1.03 over SEATTLE
A torn tendon on his left middle finger cost him three months in 2007, but when he was healthy, Dana Eveland looked every bit the standout he had been in four previous minor league seasons. This year he’s healthy and he’s been nothing short of brilliant. He’s truck out 18 in 23 innings and he’s allowed just 17 hits for a batting average against of just .202. He’s walked 11 but that’s uncharacteristic because he has very good command and he’s also a solid ground-ball pitcher, which definitely works to his advantage. The A’s remain hot while the M’s are cold with four losses in six games. Miguel Batista is a fourth or fifth starter on any team and is one of the more hittable pitchers in the game. He’s been tagged for 30 hits in 24 frames and the league is hitting an even .300 off him, which is about 100 points higher then Eveland. The A’s are a small dog here but based on starting pitchers and form they should be about –1.40 favorite. This one looks pretty strong folks. Play: Oakland +1.03 (Risking 2 units).
