HOME TEAM IN CAPS
All games are listed pitchers unless stated otherwise.
Atlanta +1.02 over PITTSBURGH
When you look at Chuck James’ numbers you’ll see a guy with an ERA of 7.62 and that doesn’t look so good at all. However, James has appeared in three games only, was rocked in one of them and thus, the inflated ERA. Fact is, he’s a very decent lefty that has very decent career numbers. He’s appeared in 60 games in his career with 51 of those as a starter. The opposition has hit just .252 off him and he’s struck out 222 hitters in 299 innings. This year he’s struck out 10 in 13 innings and it’s also worth noting that the Pirates have won only five of 15 games against southpaws. Ton Gorzelanny missed his last start and has been idle for 10 days. That’s not good for a guy that’s having trouble. He was sharp in his last but he still walked five batters on five innings, bringing his total number of walks to 27 in 27 innings. Gorzelanny has struck out just 17. Starting with the last six weeks of the season last year, Gorzelanny has not been right. His ERA last September was 5.77 and this year in six starts it’s 6.91 and until he shows us something completely different we’ll gladly back the potent line-up of the Braves behind a very solid and under-rated Chuck James. Play: Atlanta +1.02 (Risking 2 units).
Colorado +1.08 over SAN DIEGO
Not even Jake Peavy can turn the Padres around. San Diego has now dropped five in a row and their record fell to 12-24. Greg Maddux is going for his 350th career win for the fifth time this year. In four months from now, I might be writing that Greg Maddux is going for his 350th win for the 32nd time. The man is just a very average pitcher now that can throw a good game or a stinker. But it’s more than just that. The Padres are dead last in team batting average at .230. They’re dead last in on-base percentage with an embarrassing .302. They’re dead last in runs scored, RBI’s, stolen bases, and slugging percentage. This Padre team has been a complete joke. Meanwhile, the Rockies are coming around after a rough start. They’ve averaged six runs a game over their last eight and they’ve now won three games in a row. Ubaldo Jimenez has looked a little rough too but don’t be too concerned, as this guy has some of the nastiest stuff in the big leagues and a dose of the anemic Padres should have him fired up and ready to go. Jiminez is major-league quality and then some. San Diego favored when anyone not named Peavy is going is wrong, wrong, wrong. Play: Colorado +1.08 (Risking 2 units).
Florida –1.04 over WASHINGTON
The Marlins are feeling it while the Nats are not. Florida has won five straight and over that stretch they’ve outscored the opposition 33-10. They’re 21-14, they lead the NL East and when a young, talented and enthusiastic group gets on a roll it could last for weeks. The Nats, by contrast, have lost three of four and six of seven to the Fish this year. To make natters worse, Washington had to place both of their catchers (Paul Lo Duca and Johnny Estrada) on the DL, which means they’ll be going with a battery-mate today of two minor leaguers, that being Mike O’Connor on mound and Jesus Flores catching him. O’Connor went 3-8 with a 4.81 ERA in 20 starts for the Nationals in 2006 and in two starts against the Marlins he went 0-1 with a 14.21 ERA. Anyway, the pitchers aren’t even that relevant. What we have here is a minor league team representing themselves as the Nationals with a minor-league pitcher and catcher going and all we need to do is lay four cents. Yeah, we’re in. Play: Florida –1.04 (Risking 2.08 units to win 2).
Baltimore –1.01 over KANSAS CITY
Brett Tomko and the reeling Royals favored over Greg Olsen and the Orioles is about as ludicrous as it gets on the board today. For one, the O’s are the Royals daddy. They’ve beaten them 12 straight times and after awhile that plays on the collective minds of both teams. Then there’s Brett Tomko. Tomko is coming off a season in which he registered a 5.80 ERA and a 1.60 WHIP with the Dodgers and that was pitching half his games at a pitcher’s park. This year he hasn’t been much better and he’ll be pitching for an offense that has scored just 124 runs, which is last in the AL. In three of his last four starts, Tomko has allowed five runs or more. Greg Olsen came off the DL and has thrown two gems in two starts. He pitched into the seventh inning in both starts and has struck out 13 in 13 frames. His BAA against is an impressive .174. Olsen has good skills right across the board with an assortment of quality pitches. He appears more comfortable then ever out there and definitely gives the O’s a better chance of winning here then losing. Play: Baltimore –1.01 (Risking 2.02 units to win 2).
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Timothy “Desert Storm” Bradley +3.65 over Junior Witter
Sat. 5:10 p.m. ET ITV1 and tape delay on Showtime ch. 318 Dish Network 10:45 p.m. ET<o
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Excellent value in this one as we are getting an undefeated and still improving 24 yr. old who is 21-0 with 11 KO’s going up against a man 10 yrs. older in Junior Witter, who is 36-1-2 with 21 KO’s. The WBC Light Welterweight title is on the line at the Nottingham Arena and I am calling the upset in this one.<o></o>
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No doubt about it that Witter is good but there is definitely some trouble in the air that is almost imperceptible to the naked eye and/or casual observer/boxing fan. Witter is obsessed with being recognized by the world and United States, as in his only television appearance some 8 yrs. ago, he gave a dreadful performance and account of himself against our old nemesis, Zab “Super” Judah…of all people! He took the fight on short notice and basically fought only to ‘survive’. Junior certainly did not win over any fans with that ‘display’ and even though he was a lot younger and less mature back then, I still have to wonder just how much ‘heart’ he truly has. It was not as if he was an 18 yr. old at the time. <o></o>
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Witter has been ‘calling out’ Ricky “The Hitman” Hatton for years now and going about it in all the wrong ways. Hatton has said that he will never fight him and Witter is very bitter and upset about it. In short, he is not a happy camper and has been talking about the ‘injustices’ in the sport and in life; not a good mindset to have when going up against an undefeated fighter such as Mr. Bradley.<o></o>
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The “Desert Storm” has hardly lost a round in his pro career and yet he is roughly a 4-1 underdog this Saturday. The man is extremely well-conditioned and although his quality of opposition has not been quite as high as that of Witter, it is not all that shabby, either. Witter has not faced that many good fighters over the years and getting beaten by the over-rated and flawed Zab is not something that you see on Bradley’s resume!<o></o>
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This is no doubt a ‘step-up’ for Bradley but it is also a ‘step-up’ for Witter. Three fights ago he had to go 12 rounds with the ancient and washed-up ‘Chop-Chop’ Corley and in his last he took out the ‘broken-down’ Vivian Harris, who himself was ‘life-or-death’ vs. another ‘wash-up’ in Juan Lazcano in Feb./07. Interestingly, Lazcano is a double-digit underdog in his scheduled fight against Hatton that goes in about 2 weeks!<o></o>
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It’s not going to be an easy task for our man Bradley but it is certainly possible and at close to 4-1 the value is definitely in our court. He’s 10 yrs. younger, undefeated and has no pressure on him while Witter has everything to lose in this fight and I do not know if his ‘head is on straight’ going into this contest. Boxing is so much ‘mental’ and there has to be question marks hovering around the favorite in this one. Witter is far from a ‘cinch’. Timothy “Desert Storm” Bradley is a very ’live’ longshot and we will gladly take our chances on the Californian to shock the U.K. and boxing world and emerge as the WBC Light Welterweight Champion! Play: Timothy Bradley +3.65 (Risking 2 units)
All games are listed pitchers unless stated otherwise.
Atlanta +1.02 over PITTSBURGH
When you look at Chuck James’ numbers you’ll see a guy with an ERA of 7.62 and that doesn’t look so good at all. However, James has appeared in three games only, was rocked in one of them and thus, the inflated ERA. Fact is, he’s a very decent lefty that has very decent career numbers. He’s appeared in 60 games in his career with 51 of those as a starter. The opposition has hit just .252 off him and he’s struck out 222 hitters in 299 innings. This year he’s struck out 10 in 13 innings and it’s also worth noting that the Pirates have won only five of 15 games against southpaws. Ton Gorzelanny missed his last start and has been idle for 10 days. That’s not good for a guy that’s having trouble. He was sharp in his last but he still walked five batters on five innings, bringing his total number of walks to 27 in 27 innings. Gorzelanny has struck out just 17. Starting with the last six weeks of the season last year, Gorzelanny has not been right. His ERA last September was 5.77 and this year in six starts it’s 6.91 and until he shows us something completely different we’ll gladly back the potent line-up of the Braves behind a very solid and under-rated Chuck James. Play: Atlanta +1.02 (Risking 2 units).
Colorado +1.08 over SAN DIEGO
Not even Jake Peavy can turn the Padres around. San Diego has now dropped five in a row and their record fell to 12-24. Greg Maddux is going for his 350th career win for the fifth time this year. In four months from now, I might be writing that Greg Maddux is going for his 350th win for the 32nd time. The man is just a very average pitcher now that can throw a good game or a stinker. But it’s more than just that. The Padres are dead last in team batting average at .230. They’re dead last in on-base percentage with an embarrassing .302. They’re dead last in runs scored, RBI’s, stolen bases, and slugging percentage. This Padre team has been a complete joke. Meanwhile, the Rockies are coming around after a rough start. They’ve averaged six runs a game over their last eight and they’ve now won three games in a row. Ubaldo Jimenez has looked a little rough too but don’t be too concerned, as this guy has some of the nastiest stuff in the big leagues and a dose of the anemic Padres should have him fired up and ready to go. Jiminez is major-league quality and then some. San Diego favored when anyone not named Peavy is going is wrong, wrong, wrong. Play: Colorado +1.08 (Risking 2 units).
Florida –1.04 over WASHINGTON
The Marlins are feeling it while the Nats are not. Florida has won five straight and over that stretch they’ve outscored the opposition 33-10. They’re 21-14, they lead the NL East and when a young, talented and enthusiastic group gets on a roll it could last for weeks. The Nats, by contrast, have lost three of four and six of seven to the Fish this year. To make natters worse, Washington had to place both of their catchers (Paul Lo Duca and Johnny Estrada) on the DL, which means they’ll be going with a battery-mate today of two minor leaguers, that being Mike O’Connor on mound and Jesus Flores catching him. O’Connor went 3-8 with a 4.81 ERA in 20 starts for the Nationals in 2006 and in two starts against the Marlins he went 0-1 with a 14.21 ERA. Anyway, the pitchers aren’t even that relevant. What we have here is a minor league team representing themselves as the Nationals with a minor-league pitcher and catcher going and all we need to do is lay four cents. Yeah, we’re in. Play: Florida –1.04 (Risking 2.08 units to win 2).
Baltimore –1.01 over KANSAS CITY
Brett Tomko and the reeling Royals favored over Greg Olsen and the Orioles is about as ludicrous as it gets on the board today. For one, the O’s are the Royals daddy. They’ve beaten them 12 straight times and after awhile that plays on the collective minds of both teams. Then there’s Brett Tomko. Tomko is coming off a season in which he registered a 5.80 ERA and a 1.60 WHIP with the Dodgers and that was pitching half his games at a pitcher’s park. This year he hasn’t been much better and he’ll be pitching for an offense that has scored just 124 runs, which is last in the AL. In three of his last four starts, Tomko has allowed five runs or more. Greg Olsen came off the DL and has thrown two gems in two starts. He pitched into the seventh inning in both starts and has struck out 13 in 13 frames. His BAA against is an impressive .174. Olsen has good skills right across the board with an assortment of quality pitches. He appears more comfortable then ever out there and definitely gives the O’s a better chance of winning here then losing. Play: Baltimore –1.01 (Risking 2.02 units to win 2).
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Timothy “Desert Storm” Bradley +3.65 over Junior Witter
Sat. 5:10 p.m. ET ITV1 and tape delay on Showtime ch. 318 Dish Network 10:45 p.m. ET<o
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></o>Excellent value in this one as we are getting an undefeated and still improving 24 yr. old who is 21-0 with 11 KO’s going up against a man 10 yrs. older in Junior Witter, who is 36-1-2 with 21 KO’s. The WBC Light Welterweight title is on the line at the Nottingham Arena and I am calling the upset in this one.<o
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></o>No doubt about it that Witter is good but there is definitely some trouble in the air that is almost imperceptible to the naked eye and/or casual observer/boxing fan. Witter is obsessed with being recognized by the world and United States, as in his only television appearance some 8 yrs. ago, he gave a dreadful performance and account of himself against our old nemesis, Zab “Super” Judah…of all people! He took the fight on short notice and basically fought only to ‘survive’. Junior certainly did not win over any fans with that ‘display’ and even though he was a lot younger and less mature back then, I still have to wonder just how much ‘heart’ he truly has. It was not as if he was an 18 yr. old at the time. <o
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></o>Witter has been ‘calling out’ Ricky “The Hitman” Hatton for years now and going about it in all the wrong ways. Hatton has said that he will never fight him and Witter is very bitter and upset about it. In short, he is not a happy camper and has been talking about the ‘injustices’ in the sport and in life; not a good mindset to have when going up against an undefeated fighter such as Mr. Bradley.<o
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></o>The “Desert Storm” has hardly lost a round in his pro career and yet he is roughly a 4-1 underdog this Saturday. The man is extremely well-conditioned and although his quality of opposition has not been quite as high as that of Witter, it is not all that shabby, either. Witter has not faced that many good fighters over the years and getting beaten by the over-rated and flawed Zab is not something that you see on Bradley’s resume!<o
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></o>This is no doubt a ‘step-up’ for Bradley but it is also a ‘step-up’ for Witter. Three fights ago he had to go 12 rounds with the ancient and washed-up ‘Chop-Chop’ Corley and in his last he took out the ‘broken-down’ Vivian Harris, who himself was ‘life-or-death’ vs. another ‘wash-up’ in Juan Lazcano in Feb./07. Interestingly, Lazcano is a double-digit underdog in his scheduled fight against Hatton that goes in about 2 weeks!<o
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></o>It’s not going to be an easy task for our man Bradley but it is certainly possible and at close to 4-1 the value is definitely in our court. He’s 10 yrs. younger, undefeated and has no pressure on him while Witter has everything to lose in this fight and I do not know if his ‘head is on straight’ going into this contest. Boxing is so much ‘mental’ and there has to be question marks hovering around the favorite in this one. Witter is far from a ‘cinch’. Timothy “Desert Storm” Bradley is a very ’live’ longshot and we will gladly take our chances on the Californian to shock the U.K. and boxing world and emerge as the WBC Light Welterweight Champion! Play: Timothy Bradley +3.65 (Risking 2 units)
