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Re: 7-3-09
Ben Burns
Tampa Bay Devil Rays (Kazmir)-140 over TEXAS RANGERS (Hunter)
REASON FOR PICK: Scott Kazmir shows a 4-4 record and a 7.28 ERA. He's a lot better than those numbers indicate though and his first start since coming off the disabled list indicates that he's ready to "return to normal." Kazmir looked sharp in holding the Marlins to just two earned runs in his first start May 20th. Now Kazmir's second start is also drawn up well for success, as the Rays southpaw is 4-0 (team is 7-0!) with an impressive 2.09 ERA and a .201 BAA in seven career starts against the Rangers. Also, even though he pitched while hurt earlier this season, Kazmir still has managed to go 3-1 on the road with a 4.29 ERA so far this season. On grass Kazmir is 3-0 with a 2.12 ERA this season. At Rangers Ballpark in Arlington, Kazmir is 2-0 in three starts with a 2.70 ERA. While one thinks of Texas being the better offensive club, it's Tampa Bay's offense which is ranked #2 in the majors for both slugging percentage and batting average. The Rays lead the majors in runs scored. On the other hand, the Rangers offense has struggled recently and their .257 batting average is among the worst in the American League. The Rangers' struggles at the plate are likely to continue against an old nemesis, Kazmir. On the other hand, the Rays hot hitting should continue against Tommy Hunter. While he's been respectable in two starst this season, Hunter is still 0-3 in his MLB career (five starts). Hunter has a 9.93 ERA and has a .356 BAA in his first five big league outings. Left-handers have been particularly troublesome, as he's got more walks than strikeouts against lefties plus he has a .385 BAA versus left-handed hitters. Note that the Rays will have a few lefties and a few switch-hitters in their lineup on Friday night. The Rays are 31-20 (+7.7) units against right-handed starters this season and they've won 11 of their last 18 (+3.9) vs. Texas. Consider Tampa. -
Re: 7-3-09
arry Ness' Las Vegas Insider (7-3 since June 16!)
My Las Vegas Insider is on the KC Royals at 8:10 ET. The White Sox beat the Royals 4-1 last night in KC, backed by a strong outing from Mark Buehrle (8.1 IP / 6 hits / 1 ER). The White Sox have now won six in a row, 10 of their last 12 overall and 14 of 18 on the road. During the team's six-game winning streak, Chicago is batting is batting .351 as a team and its pitching staff owns a 2.47 ERA. Are the White Sox for real? I'm not buying it and I believe Zach Greinke will put an end to their winning streak, tonight. Greinke has come into his own this year, entering the game 10-3 with a 1.95 ERA in 16 starts. One must point out that he was nearly unhittable over his first nine starts of '09, allowing just seven ERs over 75 innings (0.84 ERA), while pitching four CGs. He's been merely mortal his last seven starts with a 4.01 ERA, although he?s 2-0 with a 1.88 ERA in his last two outings. The team is 10-6 in all of his '09 starts but here at home, Greinke is 6-1 with a 1.78 ERA (team is 6-3). Lefty John Danks gets the call for Chicago and after a so-so start in '09, he's been pitching very well. Danks did nothing in 2007, going 6-13 with a 5.50 ERA in 26 starts (White Sox were 9-17). He then went 12-9 with a 3.32 ERA in 33 starts (team was 18-15), which included a terrific performance in Chicago's 1-0 playoff win over the Twins for the Central Division title. He's just 6-6 with a 4.08 ERA on the season in 15 starts (team is 8-7) but he's gone at least seven innings in each of his last four starts (1.91 ERA). However, he's just 2-2 and let's note that while he's 4-2 on the road (team is 5-2), his road ERA is 4.99! Greinke, Slowey (Min) and Wakefield (Bos) are all looking to become MLB's first 11-game winner tonight and here's a vote for Greinke getting there. Las Vegas Insider 15* KC Royals.
Good Luck...LarryComment
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