Wednesday, May 23, 2012

LA Dodgers at Arizona Diamondbacks Suggestion: LA Dodgers (+111)

I'm going right back to the well tonight, as the Dodgers are again the hotter team (they've won six in a row), against an overrated home team (the D-Backs are now 7-14 at Chase Field) with an obvious starting pitching mismatch. The Dodgers would be heavily favored tonight if this game were played in Los Angeles, where they are 19-4. But they are still a respectable 11-9 on the road, while the D-Backs have yet to match the huge strides they made back in 2011. Ted Lilly's last game against Arizona is similar to his last start, both times allowing 0 runs over 7 innings pitched. Joe Saunders lost four of his last six starts against LA, giving up five runs and nine hits over 6.0 innings in his last trip to the mound against them. With the Dodgers batting a respectable .259 against lefties (vs. .239 for the D-Backs), I'm taking them yet again tonight. Invest in the LA Dodgers (+111)

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Tuesday, May 22, 2012

Los Angeles Dodgers at Arizona Diamondbacks
Suggestion: Los Angeles Dodgers

For many of the same reasons as last night, I'm going to back the Dodgers again this evening. Aaron Harang is the better starting pitcher, and has pitched well in his career against Arizona. Trevor Cahill has lost all three games at home, posted a 6.58 ERA, and the D-Backs are not even a .500 team at Chase Field. I'm putting my money on the better team tonight. Invest in the Los Angeles Dodgers (+120)

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Monday, May 21, 2012

LA Dodgers at Arizona Diamondbacks
Suggestion: LA Dodgers (+120)

This game is priced like it's still 2011. But the D-Backs aren't the surprise team this year, they can't even keep a .500 record at home (7-12). Tonight, they'll face Chris Capuano on the mound for the visiting Dodgers, who until his last outing had won five straight for LA, giving up only 36 hits over 50 innings pitched this year. D-Backs starter Patrick Corbin has been rocked in three of four starts this year, and facing a Dodger team that has scored 26 runs over their past four games against tougher competition is not going to help his cause. Invest in the LA Dodgers (+120)

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Monday, May 21, 2012

New York Mets at Pittsburgh Pirates
Suggestion: New York Mets (5 Innings) (-102)

I'm grabbing Johan Santana against a team that he has pitched well against over the years (35 innings, 8 runs, 31 strikeouts, 4 walks). Since getting shelled for 4 runs in 1.1 innings on April 17, he has put up five quality starts for the Mets. Erik Bedard was roughed up at Washington last week, giving up 4 runs and 3 HR over six innings of work. We'll leave the Mets overworked and outmanned bullpen out of the equation tonight, and captialize on betting on the stronger of the two starting pitchers. Invest in the New York Mets (5 Innnings) (-102)

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Saturday, May 19, 2012

Boston Red Sox at Philadelphia Phillies Suggestion:  Philadelphia Phillies (+111)

Boston is favored with Jon Lester on the mound in today's game, but there's no reason for them to be.  Philly's Joe Blanton is having a solid season thus far, striking out 35 while walking only 7 so far this year.  Both teams have been disappointments so far, and Boston's injury report is clogged with former starting players.  Philly has won their last six, and I'm willing to bet that they win today as well.  Invest in the Philadelphia Phillies (+111)

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Sunday, May 13, 2012

Washington Nationals at Cincinnati Reds
Suggestion: Washington Nationals (+123)

Are the Nationals still an 'under the radar' team? You'd think so from the fact that they A) 21-12 and 1st in the NL East, B) have won five of six against the Reds this season, yet they are still an underdog this afternoon. I'm not here to argue over this difference in perception, but I will defenitely step in and invest when I see this happen. Cincinnati's Bronson Arroyo is allowing more hits (28) than innings pitched (17.1) at home. Edwin Jackson pitched brilliantly in his last start against the Reds, a complete game, 2-hit, 9-strikeout performance. After a strong game against Pittsburgh in his last start, there's every reason to back him today in an underdog role. Invest in the Washington Nationals (+123)

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Tuesday, May 8, 2012

Chicago White Sox at Cleveland Indians
Suggestion: Cleveland Indians (-138)

The Indians have been hot, winning seven of their last nine, with only one of those wins being of the one-run variety. Meanwhile, Chicago, losers of six of their last seven, send John Danks to the mound. Danks was roughed up in his last start, against this very team, giving up six earned runs over seven innings. Cleveland starter Justin Masterson won that contest, and has a history of playing well against Chicago, giving up only 13 earned runs over his last 52.2 innings against them. That's enough to put me in play tonight, taking the first place Tribe to win. Invest in the Cleveland Indians (-138)

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Sunday, May 6, 2012

Philadelphia Phillies at Washington Nationals
Suggestion: Washington Nationals (-104)

Washington is rolling now, on a four-game winning streak. They've been the doormats of the NL East since their inception, and now they have a chance to sweep the Phillies in this series. Cole Hammels is pitching outstanding, but Jordan Zimmerman is producing at the same high level (0.84 WHIP, 1.89 ERA, 22 strikeouts, 3 walks). Washington has won the last seven in this series and with this short price, I'm backing the motivated home team to win tonight. Invest in the Washington Nationals (-104)

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Friday, May 4, 2012

Toronto Blue Jays at Los Angeles Angels
Suggestion: Toronto Blue Jays (+114)

No team has failed to live up to their spring training promise more than the Los Angeles Angels. Albert Pujols offensive issues aside, they have burned through the bankrolls of their backers this year. Betting $100 a game on them this year would leave you short over $1200! I don't see it turning around for them tonight with Ervin Santana returning to the mound for them. Santana has posted four poor starts in his last five outings, and in his only good start, the Angels were shut out. In fact the Angels have failed to score a run in any of the last four games he has pitched, a remarkable streak of ineptitude. Toronto starter Henderson Alvarez has pitched four solid games in his first five, despite unremarkable stats. And after a 5-0 win against these Angels yesterday, I'm betting that the Jays cruise again tonight. Invest in the Toronto Blue Jays (+114)

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