9-23-09

[Mr. IWS]

Fellas. You could really help out our forum by voting for us by going to this page and clicking the link below

http://www.investwithsports.com/toplist

then click on the little button that says, sports100.

There are no pop-ups or anything like that, and it helps us get more traffic to the forum.

Thanks a lot.

[Mr. IWS]

BIG AL's RED-HOT DIVISION TOTAL OF THE MONTH (28-12 Last 40)
At 8:10pm our AL Central Total of the Month is on the Minnesota Twins and Chicago White Sox 'under' the total. There is little doubt now that lefthander Brian Duensing has secured himself a spot in the Twins rotation for as long as he wants to be there. The rookie southpaw is now 4-1 with a 3.22 ERA and has not been scored on his last two starts, covering over 13 innings and he is 2-0 in those. Duensing has looked impressive since moving into the Twins' rotation, but Friday against Detroit might have been his best start yet. Duensing held the Tigers scoreless over 6 1/3 innings while allowing just four hits, only one of which went for extra bases. As a starter, Duensing is 4-0 with a 1.70 ERA. He has made two starts against the White Sox, the last coming on Sept. 2, when he pitched seven scoreless innings but didn't factor in the decision. Chicago lefthanded ace Mark Buehrle is scheduled to make his 32nd start of the season, and even with the White Sox basically falling from playoff contention, manager Ozzie Guillen said on Friday that Buehrle is likely to take the mound at least one more time. By throwing six-plus innings on Friday, Buehrle became the only active hurler to win at least 10 games, make 30 starts and work 200 innings in nine consecutive seasons. He threw a perfect game on July 23 and hasn't quite pitched to expectations since then, but is still considered one of the best southpaws in the game. The under is 20-7 in the White Sox last 27 games on grass, and I look for another low-scoring game tonight. Take the 'under.' As always, good luck...Al McMordie.

[Mr. IWS]

BIG AL's MAJOR LEAGUE BASEBALL ROAD WARRIOR; 28-12 Last 40
At 10:05 pm our selection is on the Texas Rangers over the Oakland Athletics. Of all the pleasant surprises for the Texas Rangers this season, 23-year-old righthander Tommy Hunter just might be the most pleasant of all of them. Hunter is 8-4 with a 3.25 ERA, and 1.18 WHIP in 16 starts this season and even more impressive, he is 2-1 with a 3.08 ERA in six starts on the road. He has held right-handed hitters to a .203 batting average while left-handers are hitting .263. Opponents are hitting .169 with runners in scoring position, including 3-for-37 when there are two outs. The A's will counter with rookie righthander Clay Mortensen. Mortensen, who came to the A's in July from St. Louis in the Matt Holliday trade, made it two straight victories Thursday night, beating Cleveland. He continued to make progress, showing better command of his pitches and more confidence on the mound. He went five innings, holding the Indians to two runs and four hits while striking out four and walking just three. But Cleveland's lineup is depleted and even when healthy it doesn't have nearly the firepower of the Rangers, even without outfielder Josh Hamilton who continues to sit with a pinched nerve in his back. In fact, after facing Kansas City, Seattle, Minnesota, and the Indians in his last four starts, it's safe to say this will be Mortensen's toughest assignment of late by far. For Hunter's part, he is 1-0 with a 3.65 ERA in two starts against the Athletics. Finally, Oakland is 14-37 vs. pitchers with a WHIP below 1.20. Take the Rangers. As always, good luck...Al McMordie.

[Mr. IWS]

ness 20*perfect storm
CWS