Record 4-3

Profit: $199

 

1. Cleveland (+100) vs Texas: Carmona vs Padilla. In my opinion Carmona will be the key to the Indians pitching staff this year. As I stated earlier, I think it will be difficult for C. Lee to have the type of year he had last year, so Carmona will have to fill that void. Carmona struggled with his control last year walking 70 while striking out only 58. However, he looked very sharp in spring training going 4-1 with a 2.67 ERA, in 27 innings he allowed 24 hits, 8 ERs, 2 HRs, SO 13, and walking 8. If he can carry that ST stuff into Texas today, he should take advantage a free swinging Ranger's offense. Padilla was average at best in Spring Training, which should allow the Indians to get some good looks and better at bats than they were able to muster against Millwood.

 

2. Cubs vs. Astros (+120): Lilly vs Moehler. In Baseball, more than any other sport, trends are a vital element in handicapping baseball. As evident by many of the starters who have already thrown in games this year and also played in the WBC, they have struggled in their opening regular season starts. Oswalt was not his best in his first outting losing to the Cubs 4-2, giving up 2 HRs in the game. Peavy also struggled losing to the Dodgers in his home opener. Therefore, I have to go against Lilly in this match-up. Lilly isn't going to surprise anyone with his stuff and he definetly isn't going to dominate any lineup. So Lilly is a fade early this year. Moehler was real sharp in Spring Training, he didn't get much run support, but his pitching was real solid with a 1.44 ERA, in 25 innings he gave up 19 hits, only 4 ERs, while striking out 14 and walking 4. Look for him to be sharp in this match-up and he should get some run support this time out.

 

Good Luck