7/8/14<o
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Tigers vs. Dodgers <o></o>
Recommendation: UNDER 8.5<o></o>
A monthago Justin Verlander was in the worst form of his career. It was a greatopportunity for bettors to “fade” Verlander, and they put a lot of money in theirpockets if they did so. Justin is far from returning to the dominant pitcherthat he was for so many years, but all indications are that he’s fixed hismechanics. He’s been solid in his last 3 starts and is coming off a win overthe A’s that should give him some confidence. He’s also facing an NL team whichmakes things a bit easier due to the pitchers spot. Verlander has owned NLteams throughout his career, going 11-0 with a 1.78 ERA in his last 13interleague games. <o></o>
JV willneed to do a good job tonight, because the Dodgers have lit a fire offensivelyright now. LA scored 27 runs in their series against the Rockies. They were in Coorsfield and hit extremely well with runners in scoring position, so there shouldbe some regression here. Ryu will look to keep the Tigers at bay. Ryu has ahuge home/road dichotomy as he pitches much better on the road. He’s currently6-1 with a 1.62 ERA on the highway. 8.5 seems at least a run too high in thiscontest. Take the UNDER.<o></o>
Braves @ Mets,<o></o>
Recommendation: Braves -139<o></o>
JulioTeheran can sit back and enjoy when he heads to the All-Star game next week.Teheran is scheduled to pitch on Sunday so he won’t be participating in the mid-summerfestivities. He should go out with a solid performance tonight against a badMets offense. Julio has won his last two starts while striking out 14 in 14innings. He also ranks near the top of the NL in ERA and WHIP, which is nosurprise. <o></o>
He’llbe opposed by Jacob DeGrom, who already was beaten by this same Braves team lessthan a week ago. The fact that Atlanta gets to turn around and face DeGrom soquickly will be a huge advantage for them. DeGrom has a good sinker which heuses to get ground balls when he needs them. It is very inconsistent though,and if it tails in and catches too much of the plate, the power hitters inAtlanta’s lineup will crush him. He doesn’t have a good breaking ball orchangeup, so we’re looking at seeing a lot of fastballs come the Braves way.That’s right up ATL’s alley. <o></o>
TheBraves were as hot as any team in the league a few days ago, winning 9straight. They’ve dropped their last 2 with the cause mostly being theinability to hit with RISP. That shouldn’t be a problem tonight and I’ll lookto lay the chalk with Atlanta. Take the Braves. <o></o>
Padres @ Rockies<o></o>
Recommendation: Padres +101<o></o>
Ifthere was ever a spot to bet the Padres this season, this is it. The Padresscored 6 runs on Monday to take an easy victory in the series opener. They’vealso won 6 of their last 8 ballgames. San Diego desperately needs Chase Headleyto produce hits if wants to have any chance in games, and that’s exactly whathe’s been doing. Headley is 12 for his last 26 and has reached base in everygame so far in July. <o></o>
TysonRoss is coming off the best performance of his career. He threw a 3 hitter andoutpitched Johnny Cueto his last time out, something to hang his hat on beforegoing to the All-Star game next week. I’m very high on Ross and believe that hehas tremendous stuff. The problem is he generally doesn’t receive much runsupport which makes him difficult to bet on. They probably won’t be hitting forlong, but the Friars are doing a good job of it right now which makes this asolid play.<o></o>
TheRockies find themselves looking up at the Padres right now in the division. Infact, they’re looking up at everyone because they’re in last place. That’sright, even below the woeful D’Backs. Colorado showed great promise at thestart of the year with an offense that produced at an alarming rate. Injuriesalong with bad starting pitching has taken its toll, and as a result theRockies are 2-8 in their last 10 ballgames. <o></o>
FranklinMorales will make a start for the injured Jhoulys Chacin tonight. The bottom lineis that Morales is absolute garbage. He’s an inconsistent reliever with badcommand who was thrust into the starting rotation because Colorado doesn’t haveanyone else. He’s 0-3 with a 6.81 ERA in his last 3 starts. If the Padres canhit anyone, it will be this guy. With “Cargo” and Cuddyer injured and Tulowitzkibanged up, I’ll take the near even money here. Take the Padres +101.<o></o>
></o>Tigers vs. Dodgers <o
></o>Recommendation: UNDER 8.5<o
></o>A monthago Justin Verlander was in the worst form of his career. It was a greatopportunity for bettors to “fade” Verlander, and they put a lot of money in theirpockets if they did so. Justin is far from returning to the dominant pitcherthat he was for so many years, but all indications are that he’s fixed hismechanics. He’s been solid in his last 3 starts and is coming off a win overthe A’s that should give him some confidence. He’s also facing an NL team whichmakes things a bit easier due to the pitchers spot. Verlander has owned NLteams throughout his career, going 11-0 with a 1.78 ERA in his last 13interleague games. <o
></o>JV willneed to do a good job tonight, because the Dodgers have lit a fire offensivelyright now. LA scored 27 runs in their series against the Rockies. They were in Coorsfield and hit extremely well with runners in scoring position, so there shouldbe some regression here. Ryu will look to keep the Tigers at bay. Ryu has ahuge home/road dichotomy as he pitches much better on the road. He’s currently6-1 with a 1.62 ERA on the highway. 8.5 seems at least a run too high in thiscontest. Take the UNDER.<o
></o>Braves @ Mets,<o
></o>Recommendation: Braves -139<o
></o>JulioTeheran can sit back and enjoy when he heads to the All-Star game next week.Teheran is scheduled to pitch on Sunday so he won’t be participating in the mid-summerfestivities. He should go out with a solid performance tonight against a badMets offense. Julio has won his last two starts while striking out 14 in 14innings. He also ranks near the top of the NL in ERA and WHIP, which is nosurprise. <o
></o>He’llbe opposed by Jacob DeGrom, who already was beaten by this same Braves team lessthan a week ago. The fact that Atlanta gets to turn around and face DeGrom soquickly will be a huge advantage for them. DeGrom has a good sinker which heuses to get ground balls when he needs them. It is very inconsistent though,and if it tails in and catches too much of the plate, the power hitters inAtlanta’s lineup will crush him. He doesn’t have a good breaking ball orchangeup, so we’re looking at seeing a lot of fastballs come the Braves way.That’s right up ATL’s alley. <o
></o>TheBraves were as hot as any team in the league a few days ago, winning 9straight. They’ve dropped their last 2 with the cause mostly being theinability to hit with RISP. That shouldn’t be a problem tonight and I’ll lookto lay the chalk with Atlanta. Take the Braves. <o
></o>Padres @ Rockies<o
></o>Recommendation: Padres +101<o
></o>Ifthere was ever a spot to bet the Padres this season, this is it. The Padresscored 6 runs on Monday to take an easy victory in the series opener. They’vealso won 6 of their last 8 ballgames. San Diego desperately needs Chase Headleyto produce hits if wants to have any chance in games, and that’s exactly whathe’s been doing. Headley is 12 for his last 26 and has reached base in everygame so far in July. <o
></o>TysonRoss is coming off the best performance of his career. He threw a 3 hitter andoutpitched Johnny Cueto his last time out, something to hang his hat on beforegoing to the All-Star game next week. I’m very high on Ross and believe that hehas tremendous stuff. The problem is he generally doesn’t receive much runsupport which makes him difficult to bet on. They probably won’t be hitting forlong, but the Friars are doing a good job of it right now which makes this asolid play.<o
></o>TheRockies find themselves looking up at the Padres right now in the division. Infact, they’re looking up at everyone because they’re in last place. That’sright, even below the woeful D’Backs. Colorado showed great promise at thestart of the year with an offense that produced at an alarming rate. Injuriesalong with bad starting pitching has taken its toll, and as a result theRockies are 2-8 in their last 10 ballgames. <o
></o>FranklinMorales will make a start for the injured Jhoulys Chacin tonight. The bottom lineis that Morales is absolute garbage. He’s an inconsistent reliever with badcommand who was thrust into the starting rotation because Colorado doesn’t haveanyone else. He’s 0-3 with a 6.81 ERA in his last 3 starts. If the Padres canhit anyone, it will be this guy. With “Cargo” and Cuddyer injured and Tulowitzkibanged up, I’ll take the near even money here. Take the Padres +101.<o
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