HOME TEAM IN CAPS
All games are listed pitchers unless stated otherwise.
Pittsburgh +1.04 over WASHINGTON
The Nats are scoring a ton of runs and in fact have scored five runs or more an eye-opening eight games in a row now. Its record over that span is a sickening 1-7 and that’s because nobody can get anybody out. How frustrating this must be for the hitters. Now, in the midst of a 1-7 streak they’re asking a Double-A pitcher with average Double-A numbers to step in and do the job. Talk about throwing fuel into a fire. Lefthander Ross Detwiler will make his major-league debut and although he does have upside, this is not a good situation for him. The kid has allowed 140 hits in 124 minor-league innings at A-ball and Double-AA ball over the past two years and his minor league career ERA is 4.86. He also had a problem throwing strikes and that has delayed his progress. He’s rectified that somewhat but nerves could definitely cause that wildness to return. Russ Ohlendorf is getting better with each start and has five quality starts in seven games this year. He’s pitched six full innings or more in all but one of his starts and he’s coming off a six-inning, two hitter against the Cards. In three May starts the league is hitting just .227 off him and he’s inducing more and more ground balls, which is also a great sign. It’s also worth noting that Ejijah Dukes is on the rack and right now the Nats can’t afford any injuries. Pirates plus anything here has to be considered some decent value and I also like them against southpaws. Play Pittsburgh +1.04 (Risking 2 units). <o
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NY Mets +1.35 over LOS ANGELES <o></o>
The Mets are almost always worth some consideration at a price because they can score runs with the best of them and they’re even more lethal against lefties. They’ll face one here in Randy Wolf and although Wolf has put up some terrific numbers this year, his career numbers suggest he’s going to serve it up any time now. It’s seldom good strategy to wager on a guy whose stock is at its highest and that’s precisely the situation with Wolf. In nine previous years his ERA was under four just twice and that came way back in ’01 and ’02. He’s usually up around the 4.50 range so if history is any indication of how he’ll perform, it’s very likely he’ll get lit up very soon. Wolf is just not good enough to keep dominating. Tim Redding will make his season debut and although he’s a fourth or fifth starter he can keep the Mets in games and let the offense do the rest. If the better starter won every game we’d all be rich but they don’t and that’s why the Mets are a live pooch. They can outscore anyone and just might be the best team in the majors. Play: NY Mets +1.35 (Risking 2 units). <o></o>
All games are listed pitchers unless stated otherwise.
Pittsburgh +1.04 over WASHINGTON
The Nats are scoring a ton of runs and in fact have scored five runs or more an eye-opening eight games in a row now. Its record over that span is a sickening 1-7 and that’s because nobody can get anybody out. How frustrating this must be for the hitters. Now, in the midst of a 1-7 streak they’re asking a Double-A pitcher with average Double-A numbers to step in and do the job. Talk about throwing fuel into a fire. Lefthander Ross Detwiler will make his major-league debut and although he does have upside, this is not a good situation for him. The kid has allowed 140 hits in 124 minor-league innings at A-ball and Double-AA ball over the past two years and his minor league career ERA is 4.86. He also had a problem throwing strikes and that has delayed his progress. He’s rectified that somewhat but nerves could definitely cause that wildness to return. Russ Ohlendorf is getting better with each start and has five quality starts in seven games this year. He’s pitched six full innings or more in all but one of his starts and he’s coming off a six-inning, two hitter against the Cards. In three May starts the league is hitting just .227 off him and he’s inducing more and more ground balls, which is also a great sign. It’s also worth noting that Ejijah Dukes is on the rack and right now the Nats can’t afford any injuries. Pirates plus anything here has to be considered some decent value and I also like them against southpaws. Play Pittsburgh +1.04 (Risking 2 units). <o
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></o>NY Mets +1.35 over LOS ANGELES <o
></o>The Mets are almost always worth some consideration at a price because they can score runs with the best of them and they’re even more lethal against lefties. They’ll face one here in Randy Wolf and although Wolf has put up some terrific numbers this year, his career numbers suggest he’s going to serve it up any time now. It’s seldom good strategy to wager on a guy whose stock is at its highest and that’s precisely the situation with Wolf. In nine previous years his ERA was under four just twice and that came way back in ’01 and ’02. He’s usually up around the 4.50 range so if history is any indication of how he’ll perform, it’s very likely he’ll get lit up very soon. Wolf is just not good enough to keep dominating. Tim Redding will make his season debut and although he’s a fourth or fifth starter he can keep the Mets in games and let the offense do the rest. If the better starter won every game we’d all be rich but they don’t and that’s why the Mets are a live pooch. They can outscore anyone and just might be the best team in the majors. Play: NY Mets +1.35 (Risking 2 units). <o
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