My record posting year to date is 11 wins and 15 losses. Looking to start a little run heading into this weekend. Lets get started with todays game.
CHC @ FLA (Harden vs Volstad)
The Pick: CUBS
Who else than Rich Harden has pitched better after the All Star Break? The answer to that question is not too many guys. Harden his last 3 games since the break has given up only 2 runs. He has also walked only 2 people and struck out 21 in those 3 games. Two of those games on the road. I look for Harden to continue his road success and send at least 5 batters home with at least 1 strikeout under their belt. FLA in their last 10 games has scored 41 runs to bring their avg scored last 10 to 4.1 runs. Thats not bad except to the Cubs comparison of scoring 65 runs in 10 games for an average of 6.5 runs scored per game. Expecting roughly a score of CHC 8 and FLA 3. Go Cubs!
Record YTD 11 wins and 14 losses. Strong play today with the Yankees. Somebody blow on the Yankees because they are on fire right now. ANd I don't see that fire going out today vs struggling Kazmir.
Game #1: NYY @ TAM (NYY P.O.D.)
C.C. has a better road era than he does at home and Kazmir has definately stuggled at home this year with an outrageous era. Just a reminder that Kazmir has not won a game since May 9th when his team gave him 8 runs of support early in the game. Without that support Kazmir is not the same pitcher we've seen the past few years. Yanks are 21-11 vs Lefty. NYY are 8-3 last 11 road games. Yanks hit .303 vs lefty on the road while the Rays are hitting a poor .185 last 10 games vs lefty. C.C. given up 3 runs in 14 innings since the All -Star break. Kazmir's career record vs the Yanks is recidulous with a 1.49 era and 4-1 record. and he is also 4-2 with a 1.45 era in 8 home games vs NYY. I'm looking for C.C. to pitch well enough that they can get to the unhealthy Kazmir. In my opinion he is like 85% right now and look for the Yanks to roll 7-3 or so.
Bonus Play: No write up but I am leaning towards the over 7.5 in the LAD @ STL game. I have not played an over all year with STL being the home team. But with Mark Derosa and Holliday now there against a somewhat stuggling Billingsley I look for this to be a 9 run game. Best of luck to all and let's cash these tickets!
There are quite a few plays I see on todays card but I try to play quantity with quality. Record YTD since posting: 10 wins and 13 losses. Let's get into todays baseball card.
Game #1: STL @ PHI: PHI ML The trendy pick is probably Saint Louis but I'm not going in that direction. I'm looking for J.A. Happ to pitch another solid game. This Lefty has some great stuff kind of like Moyer 10x. He keeps the hitters guessing and thats a great thing since STL gives Joel a weak 3.9 runs per game. Look for STL to be tired besides Pujols who was rested yesterday. PHI is 32-28 vs Righty and PHI has finally started to figure out how to win at home. Something they could not get done in the beginning of the season. STL hit leftys poorly sporting a 14-15 record vs southpaws. Final stat for this game is PHI with a 13-5 record vs the NL Central.
Game #2: ATL @ MIL ATL ML I've been a fan of Vasquez for quite some time. Even in his early years with the dreaded Montreal Expos. Anyways he is back and better than ever. He has finally put his skill, knowledge and experience together. 13 of Vasquez' 19 starts were Quality starts. 141 strikeouts to 24 walks is an absolutely rediculous ratio. Look for Parra of MIL to have an average outing but I feel if the Braves can score 4 runs in MIL than it should be a lock.
Been a rough stretch past 2 weeks catching unlucky bounce but thats the way it goes sometimes. Record YTD: 9 wins and 12 losses.
Game #1: BOS RED SOX ML: You have to believe the Sox are too good to lose 4 in a row. The DOdgers for instance rallied the other day to assure themselves they would keep that 3 game losing streak away. Beckett is too good to lose tonight with the pressure on. Don't get greedy on the runline though since the payout is not that enticing.
Game #2: HOU ML: Wandy Rodriguez has been hot of late. Especially beating LA last week on the road. Pujols is 3 for 20 against Wandy and I look for this slump to continue for Pujols.
Okay today is the day we start off Monday with a strong start. My record YTD: 9 wins and 10 losses. Lets get right into Monday's plays,
Game#1: CHC @ PHI Under 9.5
It's no secret to the public that the Cubs have been struggling to score runs. The Phillies are red hot and finally have started to straighten out that lazy bullpen of theirs. Lopez pitched well thus far in the big leagues this year trying to secure a number 5 spot in the roation. LIlly has been pitching rather well this year as he was the only Cub selected to this years NL All-Star team. Couple of quick trends for you guys: Under is 49-38 for CUbs this yr and 25-17 on the road for them as well. The Under for PHI is 44-40 overall and 26-17 at home. Under also on a 10-4 run their last 14 games. Expect to see a low scoring affair!
Game #2: BAL @ NYY: NYY RL
I have to play the numbers in this game. Andy's career numbers vs the Orioles is recidulous with a 24-6 record and 3.8 ERA in 35 games. Yanks have owned BAL all year and that trend continues today. Especially with BOS losing yesterday the Yanks want to gain games when they can. Look for A-ROD and Big TEX to have big games today vs the Orioles 24 yr old rookie hurler. Pettitte 3-0 w a 1.8 ERA vs BAL last season