HOME TEAM IN CAPS
All games are listed pitchers unless stated otherwise.
Pittsburgh +1.79 over ST. LOUIS
There’s an old saying that says if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it but with a couple of losing seasons in a row playing dogs only, my approach this year is going to be playing a lot of games in the first five innings only because many of my picks are based on the starting pitchers. I’ve lost a huge percentage of games after the fifth inning in the past two years so playing the first five innings just makes sense. Paul Maholm is one of those guys that just goes out there and throws quality start after quality start and gets very little recognition. He’s coming off a dazzling spring in which he went 2-0 with a 1.52 ERA in 23 innings pitched. He also walked just two batters all spring. Last year, Maholm made nine quality starts where he did not receive a decision, tying the Mets’ Johan Santana for the most in the major leagues. During the final four months of 2008 he had a 3.11 ERA from May 31 until the end of the season, the ninth-lowest mark in the NL and fourth-best among left-handers behind C.C. Sabathia, Johan Santana and Philadelphia’s Cole Hamels. Everyone expects the Pirates to be dregs again this year and that maybe so, however, they’re not without talent and with emerging stars Ryan Doumit and Nate McLouth in the middle of the line-up, not to mention some other young talent, the potential is there but more on the Pirates later. Adam Wainright got smacked around pretty good in the spring, allowing 35 hits in 25 frames and walking eight batters. Wainright has proven to be quality pitcher and any team in the league would be happy to have him. However, he’s certainly not stronger than Maholm and the Cardinals really didn’t do much in the off-season to improve. The infield (after Pujols of course) is full of question marks, as Troy Glaus, Khalil Greene and Skip Schumaker could all fall flat. The Cardinals got more out of the outfield of Ankiel, Ludwick and Schumaker than anyone expected and with Chris Duncan back from a neck injury it allowed the Cards to move Schumaker to the infield. Expect none of them to have another “career year” as all three are average at best. Anyway, this isn’t about the Cardinals chances (slim) of having a good year, this is about taking back a sweet price on Paul Maholm in what I’m suggesting is the biggest overlay of the day. Play: Pittsburgh in the first five innings +1.79 (Risking 2 units). <?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com
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TORONTO -½ +1.00 over Detroit (1<SUP>st</SUP> five innings)
The Jays are another team that really didn’t do much in the off-season but they likely won’t be as good as last year because Shawn Marcum and Dustin McGowan have been lost for the year. However, that sure won’t affect this game, as Roy Halliday needs no introduction. The man has been one of the top three pitchers in the business year after year after year. The Jays offense could be better this season with Travis Snider coming off a huge spring in which he hit .379 with four bombs and 10 RBI’s. Vernon Wells and Alex Rios are both great hitters, thus leaving the middle of the line-up in great shape. The Jays should score runs. Meanwhile, the Tigers Justin Verlander is coming off 17 losses last season and a horrible year. He’s been working on a new arm angle (delivery) this spring because he’s not the overpowering pitcher he once was. In 32 spring innings he walked 16 and struck out 15. Now, I don’t know about you, but I wouldn’t want to be wagering on a pitcher experimenting to find a groove and you can triple that when he’s up against Roy Halliday. Play: Toronto in the first five innings -½ +1.00 (Risking 2 units).
All games are listed pitchers unless stated otherwise.
Pittsburgh +1.79 over ST. LOUIS
There’s an old saying that says if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it but with a couple of losing seasons in a row playing dogs only, my approach this year is going to be playing a lot of games in the first five innings only because many of my picks are based on the starting pitchers. I’ve lost a huge percentage of games after the fifth inning in the past two years so playing the first five innings just makes sense. Paul Maholm is one of those guys that just goes out there and throws quality start after quality start and gets very little recognition. He’s coming off a dazzling spring in which he went 2-0 with a 1.52 ERA in 23 innings pitched. He also walked just two batters all spring. Last year, Maholm made nine quality starts where he did not receive a decision, tying the Mets’ Johan Santana for the most in the major leagues. During the final four months of 2008 he had a 3.11 ERA from May 31 until the end of the season, the ninth-lowest mark in the NL and fourth-best among left-handers behind C.C. Sabathia, Johan Santana and Philadelphia’s Cole Hamels. Everyone expects the Pirates to be dregs again this year and that maybe so, however, they’re not without talent and with emerging stars Ryan Doumit and Nate McLouth in the middle of the line-up, not to mention some other young talent, the potential is there but more on the Pirates later. Adam Wainright got smacked around pretty good in the spring, allowing 35 hits in 25 frames and walking eight batters. Wainright has proven to be quality pitcher and any team in the league would be happy to have him. However, he’s certainly not stronger than Maholm and the Cardinals really didn’t do much in the off-season to improve. The infield (after Pujols of course) is full of question marks, as Troy Glaus, Khalil Greene and Skip Schumaker could all fall flat. The Cardinals got more out of the outfield of Ankiel, Ludwick and Schumaker than anyone expected and with Chris Duncan back from a neck injury it allowed the Cards to move Schumaker to the infield. Expect none of them to have another “career year” as all three are average at best. Anyway, this isn’t about the Cardinals chances (slim) of having a good year, this is about taking back a sweet price on Paul Maholm in what I’m suggesting is the biggest overlay of the day. Play: Pittsburgh in the first five innings +1.79 (Risking 2 units). <?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com
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></o>TORONTO -½ +1.00 over Detroit (1<SUP>st</SUP> five innings)
The Jays are another team that really didn’t do much in the off-season but they likely won’t be as good as last year because Shawn Marcum and Dustin McGowan have been lost for the year. However, that sure won’t affect this game, as Roy Halliday needs no introduction. The man has been one of the top three pitchers in the business year after year after year. The Jays offense could be better this season with Travis Snider coming off a huge spring in which he hit .379 with four bombs and 10 RBI’s. Vernon Wells and Alex Rios are both great hitters, thus leaving the middle of the line-up in great shape. The Jays should score runs. Meanwhile, the Tigers Justin Verlander is coming off 17 losses last season and a horrible year. He’s been working on a new arm angle (delivery) this spring because he’s not the overpowering pitcher he once was. In 32 spring innings he walked 16 and struck out 15. Now, I don’t know about you, but I wouldn’t want to be wagering on a pitcher experimenting to find a groove and you can triple that when he’s up against Roy Halliday. Play: Toronto in the first five innings -½ +1.00 (Risking 2 units).
