7/25/14 July Record: 26-21 (55.32%)
Cardinals @ Cubs <o
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Recommendation: Cardinals -134<o></o>
Iunderstand that the Redbirds have lost 3 straight, but this line shoulddefinitely be higher. The disparity between these two teams remains large, andwith the Cards looking to get back in contention with the Brewers, I expect aturnaround to come soon rather than later. Be careful not to overlook the lossof Yadier Molina, as he is an undervalued commodity that holds this teamtogether. Even with Yadi out, the Cards should have no trouble getting thevictory in this one. <o></o>
JoeKelly takes the mound with his new delivery. He had been worried about “tipping”some of his pitches in previous starts, so any concerns about that should nowbe resolved. Kelly also has had great success against the Cubs, as he’s 3-0with a 1.61 ERA against them. He comes into this one after allowing only 1 runon 4 hits in his last start against the Dodgers. <o></o>
Theproblems continue to mount for Travis Wood, who is 0-4 with a 6.82 ERA in hislast 6 starts. Command is a huge issue for Wood right now, as he’s walkingbatters at an alarming rate. He’s getting himself into hitter’s counts, and asa result batters are smacking the ball around even when he is in the strikezone. I have no problem laying this price and see us cruising to an easy victory.Take the Cardinals. <o></o>
Royals vs. Indians <o></o>
Recommendation: UNDER 8<o></o>
Boy Ilove when spots set up like this one. We cashed both games that went into the14[SUP]th[/SUP] inning a couple nights ago, and the “hangover” effect is infull play once again as these squads went to the 14[SUP]th[/SUP] last night.But we’re not just banking on these teams being tired. Yordano Ventura throwsfor Kansas City. I’m going to give Ventura a pass on his last start because weall know that this guy’s stuff is electrifying. He also has had great successagainst the Indians, going 2-0 with 1.29 ERA against them. <o></o>
We’re catchingthe Indians slumping right now. They’ve lost 4 of 5 while batting .198. That’sgood news because this is a team that has the ability to put up runs inbunches. Facing Ventura will likely keep them down. On the other side we’ve gota Kansas City team that just flat out can’t score. This isn’t just a slump, theRoyals haven’t been able to swing the bat all season long. That gives meconfidence that even if Josh Tomlin doesn’t throw great, he will still be ableto keep this team in check. Tomlin hasn’t pitched well at all lately, but doeshave a solid 3.56 FIP against the Tribe’s current roster. “Totals” have beenhot and we’ve got another good one tonight. Take the UNDER. <o></o>
Orioles @ Mariners<o></o>
Recommendation: Orioles +170<o></o>
TheMariners offense is struggling mightily right now. They recorded just 5 hitsand were shut out again on Thursday. They rank near the bottom of the AL inbatting average and on base percentage. In a desperate move to improve theoffense, Seattle brought in Kendrys Morales. Morales will be a solid acquisitionfor the Mariners, but nothing like what they really need if they want to beplaying come October. The M’s have lost 3 straight and will turn to King Felixtonight. <o></o>
It’srare that you’ll find me betting against Hernandez. After all, he might just bethe best pitcher in the game. So if there was ever a spot to go against him,this is it. Hernandez did walk a season high 4 batters his last time out. He’llmost likely be in great form for this contest, but the Orioles just have tooutscore this lowly Mariners offense. Nick Markakis and Nelson Cruz both havegreat lifetime success off Hernandez. <o></o>
I’mvery high on Kevin Gausman. This guy has an elite fastball, a plus slider, anda changeup that absolutely baffles hitters. He on the way to becoming asuperstar and will need to anchor this rotation if the Orioles are going to winthe division. He’s obviously not as good as King Felix, but he can certainlyshut down Seattle’s lineup. <o></o>
Thisgame has a ton of value. Big offensive edge to the Orioles. Pitching edge tothe Mariners. Give us this plus price and we’d be stupid not to take a shot. I’mnot saying bet your mortgage on it, but we have a “live dog” here in theOrioles. Take The Orioles. <o></o>
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Cardinals @ Cubs <o
></o>Recommendation: Cardinals -134<o
></o>Iunderstand that the Redbirds have lost 3 straight, but this line shoulddefinitely be higher. The disparity between these two teams remains large, andwith the Cards looking to get back in contention with the Brewers, I expect aturnaround to come soon rather than later. Be careful not to overlook the lossof Yadier Molina, as he is an undervalued commodity that holds this teamtogether. Even with Yadi out, the Cards should have no trouble getting thevictory in this one. <o
></o>JoeKelly takes the mound with his new delivery. He had been worried about “tipping”some of his pitches in previous starts, so any concerns about that should nowbe resolved. Kelly also has had great success against the Cubs, as he’s 3-0with a 1.61 ERA against them. He comes into this one after allowing only 1 runon 4 hits in his last start against the Dodgers. <o
></o>Theproblems continue to mount for Travis Wood, who is 0-4 with a 6.82 ERA in hislast 6 starts. Command is a huge issue for Wood right now, as he’s walkingbatters at an alarming rate. He’s getting himself into hitter’s counts, and asa result batters are smacking the ball around even when he is in the strikezone. I have no problem laying this price and see us cruising to an easy victory.Take the Cardinals. <o
></o>Royals vs. Indians <o
></o>Recommendation: UNDER 8<o
></o>Boy Ilove when spots set up like this one. We cashed both games that went into the14[SUP]th[/SUP] inning a couple nights ago, and the “hangover” effect is infull play once again as these squads went to the 14[SUP]th[/SUP] last night.But we’re not just banking on these teams being tired. Yordano Ventura throwsfor Kansas City. I’m going to give Ventura a pass on his last start because weall know that this guy’s stuff is electrifying. He also has had great successagainst the Indians, going 2-0 with 1.29 ERA against them. <o
></o>We’re catchingthe Indians slumping right now. They’ve lost 4 of 5 while batting .198. That’sgood news because this is a team that has the ability to put up runs inbunches. Facing Ventura will likely keep them down. On the other side we’ve gota Kansas City team that just flat out can’t score. This isn’t just a slump, theRoyals haven’t been able to swing the bat all season long. That gives meconfidence that even if Josh Tomlin doesn’t throw great, he will still be ableto keep this team in check. Tomlin hasn’t pitched well at all lately, but doeshave a solid 3.56 FIP against the Tribe’s current roster. “Totals” have beenhot and we’ve got another good one tonight. Take the UNDER. <o
></o>Orioles @ Mariners<o
></o>Recommendation: Orioles +170<o
></o>TheMariners offense is struggling mightily right now. They recorded just 5 hitsand were shut out again on Thursday. They rank near the bottom of the AL inbatting average and on base percentage. In a desperate move to improve theoffense, Seattle brought in Kendrys Morales. Morales will be a solid acquisitionfor the Mariners, but nothing like what they really need if they want to beplaying come October. The M’s have lost 3 straight and will turn to King Felixtonight. <o
></o>It’srare that you’ll find me betting against Hernandez. After all, he might just bethe best pitcher in the game. So if there was ever a spot to go against him,this is it. Hernandez did walk a season high 4 batters his last time out. He’llmost likely be in great form for this contest, but the Orioles just have tooutscore this lowly Mariners offense. Nick Markakis and Nelson Cruz both havegreat lifetime success off Hernandez. <o
></o>I’mvery high on Kevin Gausman. This guy has an elite fastball, a plus slider, anda changeup that absolutely baffles hitters. He on the way to becoming asuperstar and will need to anchor this rotation if the Orioles are going to winthe division. He’s obviously not as good as King Felix, but he can certainlyshut down Seattle’s lineup. <o
></o>Thisgame has a ton of value. Big offensive edge to the Orioles. Pitching edge tothe Mariners. Give us this plus price and we’d be stupid not to take a shot. I’mnot saying bet your mortgage on it, but we have a “live dog” here in theOrioles. Take The Orioles. <o
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