6-24-09

[Mr. IWS]

::moneybag::

[Mr. IWS]

LANG

Wednesday ...

15 Dime Tigers - The line mistake is giving the Cubbies and Rich Harden too much respect. Detroit should be a bigger favorite with right-handed rookie Rick Porcello on the bump tonight.

Love this kid in this situation tonight, as Porcello comes in after allowing three runs - only one of them earned - over 5-2/3 innings against the Cardinals last Thursday in St. Louis.

He struck out three, walked two and produced a one-run lead for the Tigers' bullpen, while earning his eighth victory in 13 starts. He is now 2-1 in four June starts and has allowed just two earned runs in his last two outings.

On the flipside, the run support should be there in facing Harden, who wasn't sharp at all against the Indians in his last start. He surrendered two three-run home runs among the seven hits he allowed in five innings; he simply didn' have command and struggled in getting ahead in the count. He's been leaving the ball up a lot this season, and it's costing him and the Cubs plenty.

That will be the case today.

5 Dime - Cardinals - Told you about Las Vegas-product Brad Thompson in his last start, and here we are again backing him on the road. He received solid run support from the Cardinals' offense his last time out and earned his second win of the year. After giving up a leadoff homer in the first, Thompson settled down and allowed just one run through the next five innings. Though he gave up another homer in the seventh and left after allowing four runs in seven innings, it was enough for the Cardinals to do the rest and preserve the win. With only a few more opportunities to start for Thompson, who's spent more time in the bullpen than anywhere else, he'll make the most of this one in the Big Apple.

5 Dime - Dodgers - Can you feel it???? It's Manny-mania, and while Manny Ramirez is busy in Albuquerque, the Dodgers are gearing up for his return to the lineup the first week of July. All this time without him, and the Dodgers are still the best team in baseball, imagine that. Tonight I like Randy Wolf, who is hungry for a win after coming away from his most recent start with another no-decision, he now has 10 of them. Nevertheless, the southpaw still produced another quality start, allowing one run in six innings, while stranding five runners in scoring position. The Dodgers have won seven of his past eight starts. Play the road team in this one.

FREE - Phillies (see daily video for your analysis)