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MLB 1st-Half Season Package
Premium Plays
Matchup: Atlanta at Cincinnati
Time: 7:10 PM EDT (Fri)
Listed pitchers must go: (R) VAZQUEZ, J vs. (R) VOLQUEZ, E
Play: Cincinnati (ML EVEN)
Line Source: SPORTSBOOK
Posted on: April 24, 2009 @ 10:02:23 AM EDT
Writeups truncated today. The fact that Atlanta is the favorite comes as no surprise as the Braves have been and always will be an overvalued team until the public realizes they are not very good. The pitching staff is good, excluding a weak bullpen, and the offense is no longer intimidating. They have dropped their last two series’ against the Pirates and Nationals and come into face a Reds team that has gotten off to a good start this year. Cincinnati is riding a two-game winning streak and it has won four of its last five and this will be the first home game since April 12th. The Reds send Edinson Volquez to the hill who is coming off his first quality start of the season and he can ride that into tonight against a team he has had good success against. Despite a 0-1 record, Volquez has a 2.25 ERA in two starts against Atlanta, both being quality outings. Cincinnati also falls into a great contrarian situation. Play on home teams when the money line is +125 to -125 starting a pitcher who walked four or more hitters in each of his last two starts and hitting .240 or worse over their last 15 games. This situation is 45-16 (73.8 percent) since 1997. 7* Cincinnati Reds
Pick Courtesy Of: Matt Fargo
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Matchup: Tampa Bay at Oakland
Time: 10:05 PM EDT (Fri)
Listed pitchers must go: (L) KAZMIR, S vs. (R) CAHILL, T
Play: Tampa Bay (ML -135)
Line Source: SPORTSBOOK
Posted on: April 24, 2009 @ 9:59:46 AM EDT
The Rays were completely shut down Thursday by Felix Hernandez and a pair of Seattle relievers. Look for the defending AL Champs to have a much easier time of it as they face the A's tonight. Trevor Cahill is on the hill for Oakland, and while he's rightfully regarded as a top flight prospect, Cahill simply isn't ready for prime time just yet. The lack of command is the clear indicator. Cahill has issued 13 BB in only 17.1 IP. Plus, he's not exactly missing many bats with only 5 K's registered so far. S cott Kazmir goes for TB, and he was not good in his most recent start. Kazmir had all kinds of trouble locating his pitches and got banged around. But the talented southpaw is a very good bet to rebound here. Kazmir has enjoyed a great deal of success against the A's, posting a 6-2, 2.70 career slate. The Rays are not playing great ball by any means, but this is a good spot for them to get a series started on a good note and I will back Kazmir as small road chalk tonight.
Pick Courtesy Of: Dave Cokin
posted by vegastaco
April 24 2009 6:04pm -
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SATURDAY
Premium Plays
Matchup: Milwaukee at Houston
Time: 7:05 PM EDT (Sat)
Listed pitchers must go: (R) SUPPAN, J vs. (L) HAMPTON, M
Play: Milwaukee (ML +108)
Line Source: SPORTSBOOK
Posted on: April 25, 2009 @ 12:06:05 PM EDT
Not too crazy backing Mike Hampton as a favorite like this, especially against a Brewers lineup that has plenty of good right-handed bats (and Prince Fielder). The Brewers are coming off a 5-2 win over the Astros last night, in which Milwaukee got to Felipe Paulino after four scoreless innings. Jeff Suppan looks to keep up Milwaukee's string of solid starting pitching on this road trip, with Braden Looper, Dave Bush, and Yovani Gallardo all coming off quality performances in Brewers wins. Gallardo went the distance last night, as that's good news for a bullpen that needed a bit of rest with this road trip concluding Sunday. Suppan is off his best start of the season, beating the Mets as a road 'dog, allowing 2 ER and eight hits in 6 IP in a 4-2 win. Hampton has thrown over 100 pitches in each of his last two starts, and has been somewhat effective, but did face the Reds and Pirates in those matchups. Houston's offense has gone cold the last two games, scoring just two runs against right-handed starters, while putting up 14 against lefties in the previous two games, both wins. I'll take Milwaukee as a road 'dog tonight to pick up its fourth straight win.
Handicapper: Kevin Rogers
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Matchup: Los Angeles-N at Colorado
Time: 8:10 PM EDT (Sat)
Listed pitchers must go: (R) McDONALD, J vs. (R) JIMENEZ, U
Play: Los Angeles-N (ML +125)
Line Source: SPORTSBOOK
Posted on: April 25, 2009 @ 12:06:05 PM EDT
Los Angeles at Colorado
The Dodgers have dominated the Rockies this year winning again last night in Colorado. The top of the LA lineup is on fire and we expect that to continue tonight against a very hittable foe. Los Angeles has simply pounded Ubaldo Jimenez in his short career. In their first meeting this season they clobbered him for a .389 batting average and .611 slugging percentage. Last year in three meetings they hit .297 with a .453 slugging percentage. In 2007 the Dodgers hit the young righty to the tune of .290 with a .516 slugging percentage. We simply cannot see an offense as talented as the Dodgers being an underdog here regardless of who takes the mound for the visitor.
That player will be two time Dodgers minor league pitcher of the year James McDonald. He faced the Rockies earlier this year holding them to a .250 average and .375 slugging percentage. None of the 16 batters he faced crossed the plate although he only lasted 4.1 innings because of a high pitch count. Look for McDonald to be extended today because of a substantial LA lead.
The price is right as the Dodgers are the far superior squad but yet in an underdog role. We take advantage.
PLAY LOS ANGELES DODGERS
Handicapper: Bryan Leonard
posted by vegastaco
April 25 2009 5:10pm