Dopenose 2011 MLB Thread

Haven't really capped baseball in the past, but this year I'm more focused in doing research and scouting. I figured I might as well document how I do..good or bad. Probably will only have a pick a day out none at all, this is just for me to have a place to share information on a side or total that has an advantage...

2011 Record: 0-0, +0 units

Friday, April 1st...

Phillies/Astros under 7 (2 units)

In Halladay's two starts against the Astros last year he had a 1.69 ERA and a WHIP of 0.813. He pitched 16 innings and only allowed 3 Earned Runs. I expect similar results tomorrow.

There are a few other factors that make me love this selection. First, the Phillies have a history of starting the season slow over the past few years. Second, the Phillies don't have a potent offense like we have seen over recent years. With Chase Utley on the DL, it really mixes up their usual batting order. Jimmy Rollins is hitting in the 3rd hole. Raul Ibanez isn't a threat behind Ryan Howard, and the Phillies have no idea what they will be getting from Right Field, even though all the candidates have had a really nice spring training. Lastly, the weather will be a major factor tomorrow. It's going to be cold, rainy, and windy at a normally hitter friendly ballpark. I expect the wind to keep most balls in the park tomorrow!

Tough loss yesterday...should have been a win, but that is the life of betting baseball...

Friday: 0-1, -2.2 Units
Overall: 0-1, -2.2 Units

Saturday, April 2nd...

Pick is down to -125 at some places after it was -140 last night. The movement scares me a little bit, but I think the White Sox are the better team in this game and they should find some way to win it.

I loved the White Sox yesterday and I love them even more today. The White Sox have a very powerful lineup with the addition of Adam Dunn, as was on display yesterday where they put up 14 runs in the first four innings. They have a deep lineup throughout with a good mixture of power, speed, and contact hitters. But what I really love about them today is the pitcher on the mound! Do I love Edwin Jackson? Not really, but I love what he has done in his career against the Indians. Edwin Jackson is 7-1 lifetime against the Indians with a 2.78 ERA and a 1.441 WHIP.

His counterpart on the other hand is Carlos Carrasco who is a young pitcher and hasn't had much success in the big leagues. In his 12 starts in the Majors he is 2-6 with a 5.51 ERA and a 1.67 WHIP. In his two starts against the White Sox last year he pitched 13 2/3 innings, allowing 9 runs, 8 Earned. And as mentioned, I feel this White Sox offense is much stronger than last year with alot of veteran hitters. I expect Carrasco to have a rough go of it today and the White Sox start the season off 2-0!!

2* Selection on the Chicago White Sox -140

Didn't have to sweat the CHW with that early 5-0 lead and a 8-3 win. Hate Sundays in the middle of the season..weird stuff happens...

Saturday: 1-0, +2.0 Units
Overall: 1-1, -0.2 Units

Sunday, April 3rd...

The Braves send veteran Tim Hudson to the mound today and he has completely owned the Nationals in his career. Tim Hudson is 10-2 with an ERA of 1.91 and a 1.076 WHIP against the Nationals! It will be tough to find a better line by any pitcher against any team with that many starts! Tim Hudson will absolutely continue his dominance today and keep the Nationals from crossing the plate more than once or twice! But Tim Hudson is only one part of the equation. The Nationals are sending Jordan Zimmerman to the mound who is a young pitcher still developing but in his short career he has had some success in his two starts against the Braves. Zimmerman is 2-0 against the Braves with a 2.45 ERA and an even 1.000 WHIP. The first game of this series we had the Braves, and they went up 2-0 early and never looked back. Yesterday, the Nationals got a little aggresive and pulled out a nice win over the Braves. Today, I expect it to look very much like Game 1 of this series!

2* Selection on the Braves/Nationals Under 7.5

Buchholz has had success against the Rangers in his short career. You wouldn't guess it by his 1-2 record against the Rangers, but it wasn't his fault. He didn't get much run support from an aging Red Sox lineup, but we all know this is a different lineup they are featuring. In 3 starts against the Rangers over the last 3 years, Buchholz has a 3.24 ERA and a 1.320 WHIP. I expect Buchholz to Buck up and shut down the Rangers Today! But I don't expect similar results for young Matt Harison, who helped keep Neftali Feliz in the bullpen. Harrison has two starts against the Red Sox, one in 2008 and one last year in 2010. In 08', Harrison went 6 innings, allowing 4 Earned Runs on 7 Hits. Last year he went only 4 innings, allowing 6 Earned Runs on only 5 hits, but 3 were Home Runs. I don't expect as many home runs today as that game was played where the Green Monster lives, but I do expect the better hitting Red Sox to put quite a few runs against this young starter.

2* Selection on the Red Sox -140

Bad start..usually start that way. Gotta just grind it back...

Sunday: 0-2, -5.00 Units
Overall: 1-3, -5.2 Units

Monday, April 4th...

2* Selection on St. Louis Cardinals -140