Yesterday 0-0-0-0.00 Units
Last 30 Days 18-29-0 -13.82 Units
Season To Date (Since March 2011)197-252-5 -44.68 Units
HOME TEAM IN CAPS
All games are listed pitchers unless stated otherwise
Game 1
Friday, September 30, 2011 –5:05 PM EST
Tampa Bay +163 over TEXAS
The Rangers had the luxury of coasting into the playoffs and setting up their rotation the way they want it, which means the red-hot C.J. Wilson (1.21 ERA in September) is lined up to make two starts. The Rangers’ offense is as potent as any, and Ron Washington has so many big bats he can barely fit them all in his lineup. And after their trade-deadline moves, they have arguably the deepest bullpen in the playoff field. The Rangers also won their last six games and 10 of its last 11. This team is good and they certainly have a chance to represent the AL in the World Series again. However, this is one game and with a take-back of +163 on Matt Moore and the Rays, we’ll gladly step in. Historically, the Rays are very patient with their pitching prospects, usually elevating them one level per year. Moore appears to be the exception, as he was promoted from Double-A to Triple-A in July and now he's in the big league. Moore has been even better at the higher levels of the minors - his '11 campaign has included a .184 BAA and a no-hitter. Over 155 IP in AA and AAA this year, he struck out an eye-popping 210 batters and walked only 46. He has vastly improved his control and his strikeout rate hasn't suffered one bit. He's added a few ticks to his 88-95 mph fastball and has maintained the effectiveness of his dynamite curveball. His power repertoire works just as well in the late innings as it does early in the game. Moore is strong and durable and is potent against hitters from both sides. Moore made his highly anticipated first major league start on September 22 at Yankee stadium with 11 strikeouts over five innings and no earned runs. The Rays have moved Moore up two levels after another impressive year in the minors. In 9.1 innings in the majors, he struck out 15 and walked three. A rookie with one major league start and two relief appearances is a gamble for sure. But TB won both games in Texas last year in the playoffs, the Rangers have never seen Moore before, the Rays went 31-19 against lefties this season and the big tag makes them very appealing in game one. Play: Tampa Bay +163 (Risking 2 units).
Detroit at N.Y. YANKEES
We’re going to pass on game one in this series and also pass on a series bet. The tag on the Tigers isn’t high enough and we refuse to lay –144 on the Yanks. Detroit's biggest advantage in any series is Justin Verlander but here he'll be matched up against the pitcher who more or less equaled his performance this year in C.C. Sabathia. This sums up the extent of the challenge for the Tigers because their rotation lacks a true No. 2 starter. Doug Fister put up outstanding superficial numbers in two months with Detroit, but he faced a parade of inferior offenses, including four starts against an injury-depleted Cleveland lineup. The Yankees' lineup is deep and patient, finishing second in the AL in OBP and third in slugging despite facing AL East pitching for much of the season, with a league-leading 627 walks, as well as one of the league's best base stealing corps. Of course, the Yankees have their own starting pitching questions beyond their ace, as their second-best starter right now is either soft-tossing Freddy Garcia or strike-throwing Ivan Nova, neither of whom misses many bats. With starting pitching an advantage for neither, and both defensive outfits lacking, we’re leaning to the team with advantages on offense (batting and base-running) and bullpen. It’s easier to imagine the Yankees' lineup beating the Tigers' three non-Verlander starters than the Tigers' lineup doing the same and in terms of bullpens deciding the outcome, the Tigers could run into big trouble. No bets.
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Well, it's been a horrible year with lots of bad beats and being on the wrong dogs at the wrong time. I was sick about not cashing on fading Boston and Atlanta down the stretch but that's what happens when you're losing a lot more games than you're winning. You become gun shy. I'm not going to sugar coat it in any way or make excuses. It was a bad year but I worked harder this year than any other.
In any case, I'm hoping for a good playoff season to chip away at the units lost. I take this stuff seriously and hate losing and posting losers more than anyone.
Best of luck everyone and thank you to all that have supported me and not bashed me this year for a bad year.
PEACE,
sherwood.
Last 30 Days 18-29-0 -13.82 Units
Season To Date (Since March 2011)197-252-5 -44.68 Units
HOME TEAM IN CAPS
All games are listed pitchers unless stated otherwise
Game 1
Friday, September 30, 2011 –5:05 PM EST
Tampa Bay +163 over TEXAS
The Rangers had the luxury of coasting into the playoffs and setting up their rotation the way they want it, which means the red-hot C.J. Wilson (1.21 ERA in September) is lined up to make two starts. The Rangers’ offense is as potent as any, and Ron Washington has so many big bats he can barely fit them all in his lineup. And after their trade-deadline moves, they have arguably the deepest bullpen in the playoff field. The Rangers also won their last six games and 10 of its last 11. This team is good and they certainly have a chance to represent the AL in the World Series again. However, this is one game and with a take-back of +163 on Matt Moore and the Rays, we’ll gladly step in. Historically, the Rays are very patient with their pitching prospects, usually elevating them one level per year. Moore appears to be the exception, as he was promoted from Double-A to Triple-A in July and now he's in the big league. Moore has been even better at the higher levels of the minors - his '11 campaign has included a .184 BAA and a no-hitter. Over 155 IP in AA and AAA this year, he struck out an eye-popping 210 batters and walked only 46. He has vastly improved his control and his strikeout rate hasn't suffered one bit. He's added a few ticks to his 88-95 mph fastball and has maintained the effectiveness of his dynamite curveball. His power repertoire works just as well in the late innings as it does early in the game. Moore is strong and durable and is potent against hitters from both sides. Moore made his highly anticipated first major league start on September 22 at Yankee stadium with 11 strikeouts over five innings and no earned runs. The Rays have moved Moore up two levels after another impressive year in the minors. In 9.1 innings in the majors, he struck out 15 and walked three. A rookie with one major league start and two relief appearances is a gamble for sure. But TB won both games in Texas last year in the playoffs, the Rangers have never seen Moore before, the Rays went 31-19 against lefties this season and the big tag makes them very appealing in game one. Play: Tampa Bay +163 (Risking 2 units).
Detroit at N.Y. YANKEES
We’re going to pass on game one in this series and also pass on a series bet. The tag on the Tigers isn’t high enough and we refuse to lay –144 on the Yanks. Detroit's biggest advantage in any series is Justin Verlander but here he'll be matched up against the pitcher who more or less equaled his performance this year in C.C. Sabathia. This sums up the extent of the challenge for the Tigers because their rotation lacks a true No. 2 starter. Doug Fister put up outstanding superficial numbers in two months with Detroit, but he faced a parade of inferior offenses, including four starts against an injury-depleted Cleveland lineup. The Yankees' lineup is deep and patient, finishing second in the AL in OBP and third in slugging despite facing AL East pitching for much of the season, with a league-leading 627 walks, as well as one of the league's best base stealing corps. Of course, the Yankees have their own starting pitching questions beyond their ace, as their second-best starter right now is either soft-tossing Freddy Garcia or strike-throwing Ivan Nova, neither of whom misses many bats. With starting pitching an advantage for neither, and both defensive outfits lacking, we’re leaning to the team with advantages on offense (batting and base-running) and bullpen. It’s easier to imagine the Yankees' lineup beating the Tigers' three non-Verlander starters than the Tigers' lineup doing the same and in terms of bullpens deciding the outcome, the Tigers could run into big trouble. No bets.
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Well, it's been a horrible year with lots of bad beats and being on the wrong dogs at the wrong time. I was sick about not cashing on fading Boston and Atlanta down the stretch but that's what happens when you're losing a lot more games than you're winning. You become gun shy. I'm not going to sugar coat it in any way or make excuses. It was a bad year but I worked harder this year than any other.
In any case, I'm hoping for a good playoff season to chip away at the units lost. I take this stuff seriously and hate losing and posting losers more than anyone.
Best of luck everyone and thank you to all that have supported me and not bashed me this year for a bad year.
PEACE,
sherwood.
