Before I make my first pick, I must direct a statement at PETA: Goats are beautiful animals...except when they try to eat your clothing and nibble on the fingers of toddlers at the petting zoo.  The write up that follows contains figurative language.  In other words, no animals were injured in the production of this prose.

Cubs/Pirates Over 10

The Cubs bats have been so mighty and merciless all season long that Billy Sianis' goat, Murphy, of the infamous 1945 curse, is now bludgeoned so bad he almost resembles everyday roadkill -- a bloody mess seemingly turned inside out.  The Cubs have scored 26 runs in the first two games of the series with the Pirates, and today they face lefty Zach Duke (ERA 6.50), the loser of a 12-3 beat down May 23rd.  Duke has only lasted six innings over his last two starts, so the pathetic Pirate bullpen (8.23 ERA the last three games) will face a Cub team that loves to add late runs.  Cubs starter Jason Marquis (ERA 5.29) is coming off a poor performance against the Nationals, a game the Cubs lost 13-5.  Marquis is not Harden, Zambrano, or Dempster, so expect Pittsburgh, batting .282 against right handed pitching, to maybe score a half dozen runs.  Tim Tschida is behind home plate today, and the Over is 5-1 his last six assignments.

Rangers -110

I feel the Rangers are going to have another Royal Rodeo this evening.  The Royals starting pitcher, Brian Bannister, appears to be lobbying for an award the polar opposite of the Cy Young, for he currently has a WHIP of 1.69 and an ERA of 10.12.  Here's the clincher for another Royal roundup tonight: The Rangers are batting over .300 against both right and left handed pitching, and even if Bannister's guardian angel allows him to not suck for a few innings, the Kansas City bullpen (ERA 9.12) is guaranteed to suck.

May your day be profitable...in mind, body, spirit, and wallet.

Monday: 1-0
All-sports record: 17-8