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Minnesota has won 29 of the last 40 games as a favorite of -125 to -175 and they have also won 29 of the last 43 games when playing on a Friday. Francisco Liriano has won 7 of the last 8 games after not allowing an earned run in his last outing and he is 3-0 over the last 3 starts with an ERA 0.00.
50* Play Chicago White Sox (-160) over Baltimore
Baltimore has lost 76 of the last 102 games as an underdog of +150 or higher and they have also lost 25 of the last 35 games vs. left-handed starting pitchers. Bradley Bergesen has lost 20 of the last 24 games as an underdog of +100 or higher and he is 0-2 over the last 3 starts with an ERA of 7.79.
50* Play Texas (-160) over Oakland
Texas pitcher, Cliff Lee has won 6 of the last 7 games as a favorite of -150 or higher and he has also won 9 of the last 11 games when playing in the month of August. Cliff Lee is 4-2 vs. Oakland over his career with an ERA of 2.33 and he has an ERA of 2.51 in all starts this season.
100* Play Montreal (-7) over Saskatchewan
Montreal has won 13 of the last 15 games vs. Saskatchewan at home and they have also won 11 of the last 13 games coming off an UNDER the total. Montreal has won 14 of the last 16 games coming off a win by 20 points or more and they are only allowing an average of 12 points a game on defense this season.
The easy pick here would be to side with the Brewers, returning home to avenge a three-game sweep at Houston last weekend. That isn't the smart way to go, as the Astros have been fantastic over the last eight games, winning seven times. Coincidentally, six of those wins have come since the trades of Roy Oswalt and Lance Berkman, as the losses of those veterans have clearly not affected the Astros. Wandy Rodriguez has been terrific since the end of June, as Houston has won six of his last seven starts, including two over the Brewers. Dave Bush has been on the losing end of those two defeats to Rodriguez and the Astros, while Milwaukee is 2-5 his previous seven outings. I'll take the hotter pitcher at plus money and side with the Astros.
The Cards are 23-8 on Friday openers their last 31 series. They get out of the gate fast. I know Nolasco has been hot and at home he is solid, but have a feeling Wainwright gets it done with a hotter team right now. The Marlins have dropped 4 straight and St Louis is a better team. Although the bullpen has been weak as of late for the Cards, Wainwright is a 5 or 7 inning pitcher and I like their chances with him against a team who are back on their heels tonight. Trap line for Florida, stats say you should take them, but stats are not playing, Cards a better team. Play 1 Unit on St. Louis.
Any time they hand the ball to Cliff Lee, you’re going to get a quality start and he is going to eat a lot of innings. The bullpen really becomes a non-factor when he takes the mound. Lee, in his last nine starts, has needed the bullpen to work just 2.2 innings. Needless to say with an ERA of under 3, don't expect much from the A's here. Dallas Braden has done his best work at home where he owns a 3.17 ERA, so the Rangers won't be digging in for any big innings here either. When facing lefthanders on the road, the Rangers have been 27-9-1 to the UNDER in their last 37. The A's are 23-9 to the UNDER in Braden's last 32 starts at home. I'll play this one to stay UNDER the total.
The Pirates are not that bad at home and Zack Duke is one of the best pitchers in the league (when healthy). Believe it or not, the Pirates have owned the Rockies in recent history and should get a big home win tonight behind Duke. Take Pittsburgh.
B&S PICKS
5 DIME BOOKIE BASHER PLAY Pittsburgh Pirates +120 ML
5 DIME SYNDICATE PLAY Florida Marlins +105 ML
5 DIME BOLD SPORTS UPSET PLAY Boston Red Sox +140 ML
5 DIME BOLD SPORTS UPSET PLAY Oakland A's +140 ML
5 DIME REGULAR PLAY Tampa Bay Rays -120 ML
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