<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%">1</TD><TD class=rs_value vAlign=top align=right width="10%">3</TD><TD class=rs_value vAlign=top align=right width="10%">0</TD><TD class=rs_value vAlign=top align=right width="20%">-3.82 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%">12</TD><TD class=rs_value vAlign=top align=right width="10%">10</TD><TD class=rs_value vAlign=top align=right width="10%">0</TD><TD class=rs_value vAlign=top align=right width="20%">+6.66 Units</TD></TR><TR><TD class=rs_value vAlign=top align=left width="50%">Season To Date (Since March 2009)</TD><TD class=rs_value vAlign=top align=right width="10%">12</TD><TD class=rs_value vAlign=top align=right width="10%">10</TD><TD class=rs_value vAlign=top align=right width="10%">0</TD><TD class=rs_value vAlign=top align=right width="20%">+6.66 Units</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>
HOME TEAM IN CAPS
All games are listed pitchers unless stated otherwise.
Houston +1.28 over ST. LOUIS
Astros struggling to be sure but will send out the much improved Wandy Rodriguez (W-Rod) here and if this guy could put up the same numbers on the road that he does at Minute Maid he’d be a Cy Young candidate. Rodriguez has improved his ERA, WHIP, strikeout-to-walk ratio and OPS allowed in each of the past two seasons, the latter two categories substantially so. In his season opener on Tuesday he held the Cubs to one run over six innings and didn’t have his best stuff. Dave Duncan of the Cardinals has a history of scooping up players of the scrap heap and getting the most out of them for a couple of years. That’s precisely what he’s done with Kyle Lohse. Lohse couldn’t get batters out in Philly, Minnesota or Cincinnati but he put up some pretty fair numbers last season in his first year under the tutelage of Duncan. He’s a guy that cannot be trusted as a favorite and neither can the Cardinals, a team with a slew of very average players. Astros offense will bust out big time very soon and this could be the day. Play: Houston +1.28 (Risking 2 units). <?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com
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></o>Seattle +1.08 over OAKLAND
Eric Bedard opened his year against the Twins and although he gave up three runs and five hits in six innings he still looked very sharp. He whiffed eight batters and didn’t walk anyone. Remember, this is a guy who was limited to just 15 starts and 81 frames last season after being the most sought after free agent pitcher on the market. He put tremendous numbers when he was with the O’s and that’s because he has terrific stuff, he’s a lefty and has great command of the strike zone. Bedard’s stock is low right now because of a shortened season last year, as he’s become the forgotten man. His first start was very encouraging indeed. Bedard will oppose rookie Trevor Cahill, whom went five innings against the A’s in his major-league debut and gave up five hits and five walks while striking out just one. Cahill has potential but has very little experience above Class A ball and he’s a work in progress. Furthermore, in two starts against left-handers this year, the A’s are 0-2 and this is the best one by far that they’ll face to date. A’s favored here in completely incorrect. Play: Seattle +1.08 (Risking 2 units). <o
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></o>KANSAS CITY +1.22 over NY Yankees
After losing two of three to open the year in Baltimore the Yanks have reeled off two in a row in KC and all I can say to that is big deal. They faced Sidney Ponson and Horacio Ramírez, the Royals fourth and fifth starters and two guys that couldn’t crack another rotation in the league. When the Yanks faced some decent starters in Baltimore they were seeing BB’s and now they’ll face another quality starter in Gil Meche here. Meche threw an absolute gem in his season debut, going seven strong against the South Side and allowing just one earned run. It’s never a bad idea to have a look at going against the Yanks, as they are overvalued every time out. This is a very average club with a bunch of aging vets in Posada, Jeter, Matsui and Damon and a couple of unproven rookies in Cody Ransom and Brett Gardiner that haven’t hit a thing yet. Furthermore, Joba Chamberlain has not proved a thing at this level and the Yanks bullpen is very questionable again. We get a #1 starter at home against a #5 starter and thus, we’re getting tremendous value here. Play: Kansas City +1.22 (Risking 2 units). <o
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></o>Toronto +1.17 over CLEVELAND
The Jays offense is on fire to begin the year, as they lead the league in runs scored, batting average, home runs and every other offensive category. They have one of the leagues best pens, they’re 5-1 to begin the year and they’re a dog against the winless Indians? Are you kidding me? David Purcey was brilliant in his season debut against the very tough offense of the Tigers and he’s absolutely not taking a step up in class here. I liked Purcey last season and he looks even better this year. Anthony Reyes certainly has potential but he’s the Indians fifth starter and he worked just 49 frames last season before being shut down with elbow problems. Even if he pitches well today he’ll be a strict pitch count and the Indians bullpen is a complete disaster. If you make one wager today, this should be it. Again, wrong side favored. Play: Toronto +1.17 (Risking 2 units). <o
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