Los Angeles Dodgers at Cincinnati Reds

L.A. dropped 3 in a row at home to their cross town rivals and they are looking for some relief. Relief in Great American Ballpark is not a bad thought. Dodgers have been kicking Reds around for some time and last time these two pitchers met back in April it ended 6-14 Dodgers blow out at Great American Ballpark. Harang has tough time with L.A. and Hiroki Kuroda is one of the Dodgers top money pitcher with Dodgers taking 8-4. All that and Dodgers are only -115, what do you say? A good bounce back spot after a three game loss by L.A a team with 36-27 record and with a day off. Both are bad situation with negative stats for L.A. and though L.A. does hold edge over past record Reds are very similar this season at 36-28 record, 22-15 at home, with excellent 0.8 win margin. I also think Dodgers are a risky proposition where single run games have turned against them over the course of last 10 games.

Take CINCINNATI REDS 

Atlanta Braves at Minnesota Twins

First game of this series was a pitching duel with both starters going 8 strong innings. Tonight the match up will feature good pitching again with Derek Lowe for the visiting Braves, 8-5 with team record the same. He’s been getting good run support and has been money.  You also need to understand the Braves road record of 16-21 is not reflective of Atlanta’s current state.  Eliminating their early slump Braves are playing even away,  splitting Arizona and L.A. series on the road before that sweeping the Phillies, Pittsburgh at home before that winning  on the road and their winning ways started before that.  Yes, Atlanta Braves are good team to back right now.  Cutting to the chase, I like the Twins and Nick Blackburn. They are perfect at home. Yeah, Nick threw 2 forgettable starts out West, but back to the friendly fields in Twin city I expect different.

MINNESOTA TWINS at -113

New York Mets at Baltimore Orioles.

The interleague games are upon us again. Not really big on uncharted matches, or minimal history at best type games, but this game will do. NY Mets are playing well lately, 7-3 last 10, best in the East as a matter of fact. They will make the short trip to Baltimore and give 17-43 Orioles a shot. O's are 22 games behind Tampa, 17 games behind 4th place Toronto and gone 2-8 in last 10. R.A. Dickey getting movement on his knuckler and all systems look set for New York. However O's showed some fight against the Yankees and despite their losing record last 5 games has signs of rising performance leading to last nights win. Jermey Guthrie has pitched well and his team wasting his last outing must weigh in. Baltimore 11-18 at home is pretty bad but, Mets are worse 8-18 away, regardless how short road trip. Backing Baltimore at Camden. Dickey is a familiar pitcher in AL and a known 5th option at that.

Take BALTIMORE

SF Giants at Cincinnati Reds

Love both of these teams, not as a fan, money line seem to feel the same. Giants will go with Jonathan Sanchez, he has been money on the road 3 quality starts out of 5 with hair above 1.00 WHIP. On the home front, Aaron Harang who is eating innings as usual, but bottom of ranks in rotation. He comes off a ND in Washington with Reds taking the loss in a game where he failed to reach 6 innings for the first time in over a month. Although Reds are bleeding with their veteran on the hill, handicappers know it and June suites better for Giants than Reds, I rather take the game after a shut out situation for Reds at home. Also a bounce back spot for Harang. Giants after 3 or more wins in a row has dismal win percentage and they are on the road.

CINCINNATI REDS