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Baseball (MLB)
CUBS
Game: Los Angeles Dodgers vs. Chicago Cubs Game Time: 5/31/2009 8:05:00 PM Prediction: Chicago Cubs Reason: I'm laying the price with CHICAGO. I've won with the Cubs each of the last two days. In the "writeups" for those selections, I've noted that while the Dodgers are off to a terrific start overall, that their road record is "nothing special." I've also mentioned how important a series this is for Chicago. Not only were the Cubs struggling but the Dodgers had swept them in last year's playoffs. A loss today and the Cubs only get a split. However, a win gives them a series victory and a small measure of payback for last October. With three wins in their last four, the Cubs are suddenly the "hotter" team. I expect them to carry that positive momentum into this evening's game and look for them to hand the Dodgers their first three game losing streak of the young season. Milton was solid for the Dodgers in his last start, as he allowed just one run. However, he only pitched five innings and he did give up seven hits, including a home run. Also, that start came vs. a Colorado team which was really struggling at the time. While he also gave up one run in five innings, Marshall was arguably better in his last start. That's because he gave up only four hits, recording 6 K's (Milton had 3) without allowing a home run. While Milton has only made two starts (went only 4 innings in the previous) Marshall has now made seven starts for the Cubs. He's got a respectable 3.82 ERA in those starts (3.70 ERA including bullpen work) and has gone 2-1 with a 3.00 ERA his last three starts. While he doesn't deliver any complete games, Milton has now allowed three earned runs or less in eight of his last nine starts and 16 of his last 19. He didn't allow more than five runs in any of those 19 starts. As for Milton, even with the Dodgers earning a victory in his last start, his teams are still a brutal 1-8 his last nine starts. That dates back to an 11-3 loss here at Wrigley in 2006. Note that Milton gave up six earned runs in just 1/3 of an inning in that effort. The Cubs won that game by a score of 11-3. Milton's previous start against the Cubs also resulted in a blowout loss, a 9-3 Cubs victory in June of 2006. As for Marshall, the Cubs have won both his starts (both also in 2006) against the Dodgers. I expect "more of the same" here this evening. *"End of the Month Blowout"
OVER mariners/angels
Game: Seattle Mariners vs. Los Angeles Angels Game Time: 5/31/2009 3:35:00 PM Prediction: over Reason: I'm playing on Seattle and LA to finish OVER the total. After back to back low-scoring games to start this series, I expect the bats to finally come alive this afternoon. Ervin Santana, who missed the first 30+ games due to an elbow injury, has struggled since joining the team. In fact, in three starts he's gone 0-2 with an awful 7.81 ERA and 2.131 WHIP. He was particularly brutal last time out, giving up seven earned runs in just a single inning. The final score was 17-3. Santana did pitch very well in his previous start. However, that was against these very same Mariners, meaning that the Seattle hitters have seen him less than two weeks ago. Additionally, note that the Angels bullpen has really struggled. Even before blowing another save yesterday, the LA relievers had a combined 5.88 ERA and 1.672 WHIP, with those numbers coming in at 5.55 and 1.741 here in Southern Cal. Olson was admittedly very sharp last time out. However, that was against the lowest scoring team in the National League (Giants) and he had the advantage of facing them for the first time. In his only other start, he allowed five earned runs in six innings. Even with both those games sneaking below the total, Olson has still seen the OVER go 13-6 his last 19 starts, dating back to last June. Additionally, Olson has an ugly 8.30 ERA and 2.076 WHIP in two starts vs. the Angels. He last faced them here last August. That matchup also came vs. Santana. (The total was 9.5.) Olson lasted only 2 2/3 innings and he gave up six runs. The final score of 9-4 finished comfortably above the number. I expect more of the same this afternoon. *TOW
Baseball (MLB)
CUBS
Game: Los Angeles Dodgers vs. Chicago Cubs Game Time: 5/31/2009 8:05:00 PM Prediction: Chicago Cubs Reason: I'm laying the price with CHICAGO. I've won with the Cubs each of the last two days. In the "writeups" for those selections, I've noted that while the Dodgers are off to a terrific start overall, that their road record is "nothing special." I've also mentioned how important a series this is for Chicago. Not only were the Cubs struggling but the Dodgers had swept them in last year's playoffs. A loss today and the Cubs only get a split. However, a win gives them a series victory and a small measure of payback for last October. With three wins in their last four, the Cubs are suddenly the "hotter" team. I expect them to carry that positive momentum into this evening's game and look for them to hand the Dodgers their first three game losing streak of the young season. Milton was solid for the Dodgers in his last start, as he allowed just one run. However, he only pitched five innings and he did give up seven hits, including a home run. Also, that start came vs. a Colorado team which was really struggling at the time. While he also gave up one run in five innings, Marshall was arguably better in his last start. That's because he gave up only four hits, recording 6 K's (Milton had 3) without allowing a home run. While Milton has only made two starts (went only 4 innings in the previous) Marshall has now made seven starts for the Cubs. He's got a respectable 3.82 ERA in those starts (3.70 ERA including bullpen work) and has gone 2-1 with a 3.00 ERA his last three starts. While he doesn't deliver any complete games, Milton has now allowed three earned runs or less in eight of his last nine starts and 16 of his last 19. He didn't allow more than five runs in any of those 19 starts. As for Milton, even with the Dodgers earning a victory in his last start, his teams are still a brutal 1-8 his last nine starts. That dates back to an 11-3 loss here at Wrigley in 2006. Note that Milton gave up six earned runs in just 1/3 of an inning in that effort. The Cubs won that game by a score of 11-3. Milton's previous start against the Cubs also resulted in a blowout loss, a 9-3 Cubs victory in June of 2006. As for Marshall, the Cubs have won both his starts (both also in 2006) against the Dodgers. I expect "more of the same" here this evening. *"End of the Month Blowout"
OVER mariners/angels
Game: Seattle Mariners vs. Los Angeles Angels Game Time: 5/31/2009 3:35:00 PM Prediction: over Reason: I'm playing on Seattle and LA to finish OVER the total. After back to back low-scoring games to start this series, I expect the bats to finally come alive this afternoon. Ervin Santana, who missed the first 30+ games due to an elbow injury, has struggled since joining the team. In fact, in three starts he's gone 0-2 with an awful 7.81 ERA and 2.131 WHIP. He was particularly brutal last time out, giving up seven earned runs in just a single inning. The final score was 17-3. Santana did pitch very well in his previous start. However, that was against these very same Mariners, meaning that the Seattle hitters have seen him less than two weeks ago. Additionally, note that the Angels bullpen has really struggled. Even before blowing another save yesterday, the LA relievers had a combined 5.88 ERA and 1.672 WHIP, with those numbers coming in at 5.55 and 1.741 here in Southern Cal. Olson was admittedly very sharp last time out. However, that was against the lowest scoring team in the National League (Giants) and he had the advantage of facing them for the first time. In his only other start, he allowed five earned runs in six innings. Even with both those games sneaking below the total, Olson has still seen the OVER go 13-6 his last 19 starts, dating back to last June. Additionally, Olson has an ugly 8.30 ERA and 2.076 WHIP in two starts vs. the Angels. He last faced them here last August. That matchup also came vs. Santana. (The total was 9.5.) Olson lasted only 2 2/3 innings and he gave up six runs. The final score of 9-4 finished comfortably above the number. I expect more of the same this afternoon. *TOW
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