6-23-11

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COMPS:

JEFF BENTON COMP

Now for Thursday’s baseball freebie, following comp winners the last two days on the Nationals and DBacks, we’ll back Arizona for a second straight day as it goes for the three-game sweep in Kansas City.

The Snakes have taken the first two games of this interleague matchup by scores of 7-2 and 3-2, giving them five straight road wins (part of a 7-4 overall run). Since May 14, Arizona is 26-12, including 14-4 on the highway. Conversely, Kansas City has lost four in a row and six of seven. And going back to May 13, the Royals are 11-26, including 5-14 at home (losing eight of 10 at Kaufmann Stadium)

In other words, these teams are heading in totally opposite directions!

If that’s not enough to love Arizona, consider that the DBacks are sending red-hot right-hander Daniel Hudson to the mound. Hudson is 2-0 with a 1.23 ERA in his last three starts, giving up just three earned runs, 14 hits and five walks with 19 strikeouts in 22 innings. Arizona is 9-2 in Hudson’s last 11 starts, including 6-1 in the last seven.

Finally, while the DBacks have won seven of nine interleague games and 18 of 26 as a favorite (7-1 last eight as a road favorite), Kansas City has dropped five of six as an underdog and nine of 12 as a home pup. Arizona is also now 6-1 in its last seven games in K.C.
3♦ ARIZONA (LISTING PITCHERS)


CHUCK O'BRIEN COMP

Moving on to today’s complimentary baseball selection – and FYI, I’m on a 10-6 roll with my free picks – go ahead and play the UNDER in this afternoon’s Mariners-Nationals series finale.

I scored a 60 Dime winner on the UNDER in last night’s Nationals-Mariners game (2-1 final score), and I see another low-scoring affair today as Seattle rookie Michael Pineda (7-4, 2.64 ERA) opposes the Nats’ Jason Marquis (7-2, 3.86).

Pineda has given up three earned runs or fewer in seven of his last eight starts, and if you eliminate his one bad outing in this stretch (six runs allowed in 5 1/3 innings of an 8-1 loss at Detroit), Pineda has a 2.00 ERA in his other seven starts over this span. Marquis, meanwhile, is in the midst of a resurgent season, and he’s been great at home (4-0 with a 2.62 ERA in five starts. Also, Marquis has a 2.46 ERA in three career starts against Seattle.

Both these pitchers have been better in day games (Pineda is 2-0 with a 1.89 ERA; Marquis is 3-1 with a 3.41 ERA) than night games (Pineda is 5-4 with a 2.84 ERA; Marquis is 4-1 with a 4.20 ERA). Finally, the under is 9-4 in the last 13 meetings between these teams going back to 2003, while Seattle is on UNDER runs of 6-1 overall, 14-4-1 in interleague play and 4-1-1 with Pineda on the mound, and the UNDER is 9-3 in Washington’s last 12 interleague home games.
3♦ UNDER (LISTING PITCHERS)


DOM CHAMBERS COMP

Taking the Nationals in this matinee clash, as they have a chance to do something they haven't done this late in the campaign for nearly six years - move above the .500 mark.

But at 37-37,and riding a 10-1 win streak into this series finale that finds a West coast team having to prepare at roughly 7 a.m. in their minds, for a 10 a.m. start West coast time, I like the Nationals to handle this.

Though Washington starter Jason Marquis has struggled in Interleague play - he is 4-6 with a 7.76 ERA in his last 15 starts against American League opponents and 0-1 with an 11.37 ERA in his last three - I think he'll be up for the challenge today, knowing what's at stake.

He'll also be out to avenge last Friday's outing versus Baltimore, in which he allowed a season-high 12 hits and four runs to Baltimoreover 5-1/3 innings. Prior to that he was 2-0 with a 1.53 ERA in three previous starts.

He's in for a battle against rookie Michael Pineda, who is facing an uphill climb for the Mariners, who have lost eight in a row in this series and are 0-5 all-time in Washington.

List both and play the Nationals.
3♦ WASHINGTON (LISTING MARQUIS AND PINEDA)


DEREK MANCINI COMP

My clients also know to pay strict attention to my Free Plays, as my 12-2 roll with comp picks is no aberration! Got you another winner with the Tribe last night, and for tonight's selection I'm siding with the Mariners to avoid the 3-game sweep at the hands of the Nationals.

The first thing that stands out about this game is the line. Oddsmakers are begging for Nationals money here, which makes little sense given the way they've played of late. Why would they give you a little plus money to go along with a team that's won 10 of 11 and starting a pitcher who's posted a 2.70 ERA over his L3 starts?

Moreover, I'm expecting a big start from rookie hurler Michael Pineda, who got back on track nicely following an awful start against the Tigers. He held the Phillies to 1 run on 2 hits over 6 innings (took a no-hitter into the 6th) for the win last Friday, and anything like that effort tonight will be more than enough. He's also been superb in day games, going 2-0 with a 1.89 ERA this season.

Neither offense is particularly potent here, but the Mariners are going to have their chances against Marquis, who has struggled in interleague play going 4-6 with a 7.76 ERA in his L15 starts agaisnt A.L. clubs. Throw in a little of the avoid the sweep angle, and I believe we're going to see a razor sharp effort from the M's this afternoon (and the line is telling us as much). Seattle with Pineda over Washington and Marquis.
3♦ SEATTLE


CHRIS JORDAN COMP

Right-hander Roy Oswalt is on the hill to face Chris Carpenter. And normally both these names are in Cy Young talks, but Oswalt is 4-5 and Carpenter is 1-7.

And I'm not sure whether or not I'm taking Oswalt because of his familiarity with the Cardinals from his days with Houston, or because Carpenter hasn’t earned a win since May 10, and opponents are hitting .288 against him.

Whatever the case, the Phillies are stroking the ball right now, and getting timely hitting, and I think they're going to be gung-ho about sweeping the Cards and moving on to the next seris.

Oswalt is due a decent outing, and I'll take his drop-and-drive delivery from over the top to manhandle this Cardinals' lineup that appears lost with Albert Pujols.

Oswalt builds his counts around two-and four-seam fastballs in the 90-to 95-mile per hour range, and though that's been tailed down to the lower 90s consistently right now, he moves his tailing two-seamer in and out and challenges hitters up with the four seamer with confidence. And right now is the right time to bully St. Louis hitters.

Watch tonight as he complements his fastball with that tightly-spun curveball he changes speeds on, or his quick, late-biting slider with tilt.

He also sports an effective change he's not afraid to throw on full counts, and again, with as vulnerable as the Cardinals' hitters are right now, I can't imagine them getting to Oswalt tonight.

Play the Phils.
2♦ PHILLIES (OSWALT OVER CARPENTER)


SCOTT DELANEY COMP

At first glance, the Philadelphia-St. Louis game seems like a trap. Only problem is, there's really no telling which side is the trap.

Is it the red-hot Phillies who could be due for a loss, or is it the Cardinals with struggling ace Chris Carpenter toeing the slab?

Well, I personally believe Carpenter is a trap as the slight favorite, and that Roy Oswalt is going to perform up to standards, following in the footsteps of Roy Halladay and Cliff Lee the last two nights, to limit the listless Redbirds in this series finale.

Remember, Oswalt spent enough time with the Astros - in the National League Central - and has seen this Cardinals lineup aplenty. He's also seen it in a lot better shape.

St. Louis is dinged up, and minus Albert Pujols in the lineup, the Cardinals have appeared lost on offense the last two nights. That's a bonus for Oswalt, as Pujols' 26 hits against him are the most against any active hurler.

As a starter, the fiery right-hander is 9-7 with a 3.12 ERA against St. Louis. Nothing to write home about, but the trio of Halladay-Lee-Oswalt generally inspires one another, and the first two have already pitched gems in this series.

As for St. Louis' ace, well, Carpenter has been downright awful of late, going 0-5 since May 10. I know he's won three straight starts against the Phillies, but he's not been himself this season, as he rolls in with a 1-7 mark and 4.47 ERA. Last Friday he allowed five runs and 10 hits in a 5-4 loss to the lowly Royals. I can only imagine what the now-healthy Phillies' lineup is going to do to him.

List both and play the Phillies, as Oswalt completes the trifecta on the heels of Halladay and Lee's efforts.

5♦ PHILADELPHIA (LISTING OSWALT OVER CARPENTER)


Jack Clayton
Free play

Sport: MLB
Game: Diamondbacks at Royals
Pick: Diamondbacks
Reason: The Diamondbacks are 17-8 in their last 25 games as a favorite and take on the slumping KC Royals, who are 3-7 in their last 10 Interleague home games vs. a team with a winning record. Play Arizona.

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Paul Leiner

100* Mariners -120

50* Mets -140

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Sport System Specialists

2* PHidalephia ML +105

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EasyBaseballBetting

Our systems say to go for:

Phillies (+104),
Royals (+103).

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LT Profits

MLB

Mariners/Nationals UNDER 7.5 -121
Twins +165

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Baseball Prophet 6/23

NY Mets-135

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THE OWAD

MARINERS
w/ Pineda

3* MLB BEST BET
UNDER MARINERS


4* MLB BEST BET
Mets
w/ Capuano

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RAS

WNBA
603 Connecticut/Chicago Over 153

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11TH HOUR PLAYS

6u 904 WAS+110 1st 5
6u WAS+112gm
2u 905 OAK+122 1st 5
2u OAK+125gm
7 U OAK/NYM over 7.5

[golden contender]

Thursday MLB Game of the Week from Blowout System that Wins by 4 Runs Per game + a 17-2 Day Time Inter League totals system. Wednesday card Sweeps the board going 3-0 bringing overall run to 28-8., MLB Free Plays 27-15. Free MLB System Play below.

On Thursday the free MLB System Play is on the Arizona Diamondbacks. Game 909 at 8:10 eastern. The Royals are in a negative system that plays against home dog off a home dog loss if they scored 2 or less runs on 10+ hits vs an opponent off a road favored win that scored 10 or less runs. This system has cashed 10 of the last 12 times. Arizona is 6-0 as a road favorite in this range and has won 6 of 8 vs the AL. KC has lost 6 of 8 vs the NL. D. Hudson makes the start for Arizona and he has been solid of late with a 1.23 era in his last 3 starts. Paulino has a 6 Era vs Arizona. The Diamondbacks also have a solid 3.11 road bullpen era. Look for them to complete the sweep vs a reeling KC Team. On Thursday I have a 17-2 Day time total system that has cashed 17 of 19 times and the MLB Game of the week from a Blowout system that wins by 4 runs per game. Wednesday card sweeps going 3-0. MLB on a 28-8 run. Jump on and cash big on Thursday. For the free Play take Arizona. GC

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INDIAN COWBOY

4* Minnesota/San Francisco UNDER

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KELSO

25 UNIT* MLB* Arizona Diamondbacks -115 ML
5 UNIT* MLB* Philadelphia Phillies +105 ML

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SPORTSHANDICAPPERKING

10 UNIT* MLB* Seattle Mariners ML

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JIMMY BOYD

4* MLB* St. Louis Cardinals ML

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Vince Akins

Phillies at Cardinals
Pick: Under 8

Without Albert Pujols, St. Louis can’t score many runs. They couldn’t score against Halladay, couldn’t score against Lee and won’t score against Oswalt today. Chris Carpenter is solid enough on the other side to keep this one under.

Yesterday, Cliff Lee worked a complete game shutout for Philly in the 4-0 win. The Phillies are 0-8-1 OU since April 17, 2010 within 20 cents of pickem after a win in which their starter pitched at least 8 innings for a net profit of $800 when playing the under.

St. Louis is not a team known from breaking out right away after being shutout. The Cardinals are 2-9 OU since June 25, 2010 after being shutout for a net profit of $690 when playing the under.

This is the sixth of nine straight home games for St. Louis closing out this series tonight. The Cardinals are 0-7 OU since September 16, 2010 with a total over seven, coming off a loss, when playing at least their third straight home game and facing a right-handed starter.

St. Louis was able to defeat Oswalt once this season, 2-1, but he still pitched strong in that game. The Cardinals are 2-12-2 OU since August 17, 2010 as a favorite when they won the last time they faced this starting pitcher for a net profit of $965 when playing the under.

Oswalt struggled a bit in his last start, allowing four runs while striking out just three batters in the loss to Seattle. The Phillies are 0-7-2 OU since August 22, 2010 when Roy Oswalt starts if he struck out no more than six batters in his last start and they scored no more than five runs last game.

While Chris Carpenter has been giving up plenty of overs lately, June is not the month where this usually happens. The Cardinals are 5-20-3 OU since June 02, 2004 when Chris Carpenter starts as a favorite in June for a net profit of $1465 when playing the under.

SPORTSBOOK BREAKERS PREDICTION: Philadelphia 5, ST LOUIS 1

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WUNDERDOG (WNBA)

WNBA 17-10 Season-to-Date +$1080
1 OF 4

Game: New York at Tulsa (12:30 PM Eastern)
Pick: New York -4.5 (+100)

The Tulsa Shock won all of six games a year ago, and is off to a 1-6 start. Bettors have been able to take advantage of their poor play, as the books are padding their lines. But after four straight covers, they have backed off. The Liberty started slowly a year ago, but roared through the second half of the season, and find themselves in a similar position here as losers of four straight. Unlike most teams that go on cruise control coming to Tulsa, the Liberty will have a different agenda here and focus off of the four losses. New York is also 15-7 ATS in their last 22 vs. the Shock including 9-4 ATS on the road (Detroit/Tulsa).
I like New York.

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KEITH GLANTZ

25* MLB* Seattle Mariners ML
25* MLB* Kansas City Royals ML

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MLBPredictions

Kevin
Winner yesterday Under Toronto / Atlanta

1*Arizona Diamondbacks @ Kansas City Royals – DIAMONBACKS TO WIN (-105)

Daniel Hudson is back on the mound for the D’backs and looks to continue where he left off. Hudson pitched a complete game in his last tie out against the White Sox, giving up just 3 hits and 1 earned run. Over his last three games Hudson is 2-0 with a 1.23 ERA and 0.86 WHIP. On the season the D’backs young pitcher is 8-5 with a 3.56 ERA and 1.21 WHIP.
Felipe Paulino is on the mound for the Royals, and is looking for his first win of the season. Paulino has made 4 starts this season after joining the starting rotation, and has a 0-4 record, 4.10 ERA and 1.39 WHIP on the year. His last start against St Louis wasn’t a good one, allowing 5 hits, 4 walks, and 4 earned runs in 6 innings of work (although the majority of the damage came in one inning). The Diamondbacks sit on top of the NL West, with 41 wins on the season, while the Royals are struggling going 11-26 in their last 37 games.
Note the Dbacks are 5-0 in their last 5 road games, 9-1 in their last 10 during game 3 of a series, and 10-2 in their last 12 road games vs a right handed starter. They are also 16-7 in their last 23 following a win and a stellar 24-11 in their last 35 overall. The Dbacks have had success with Hudson lately, going 6-1 in his last 7 starts, and 5-0 in his last 5 starts following a quality start in his previous appearance. The Royals are just 2-8 in their last 10 home games, and 12-30 in their last 42 games as an underdog. Kansas City has lost 4 straight games, and are 3-13 in their last 16 games after scoring 2 runs or less in their previous game (lost 3-2 last night). Arizona has taken 4 straight games in Kansas City, and I like them to complete the sweep tonight.
Take the Dbacks on the moneyline.

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MATT FARGO

8* MLB* New York Mets -134 ML
7* MLB* San Francisco Giants -177 ML

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KILLERSPORTSPLAYS-CHASE DIAMOND

30 DIME* MLB* Oakland Athletics ML
30 DIME* MLB* KC Royals ML
30 DIME* MLB* Saint Louis Cardinals ML