1-0 Thursday on 2 unit play, and now 17-16, +3.06. Verlander pitched better than the score indicates, but the 3 errors made the score closer than it should have been. Anyways, I hope Friday's card continues the recent success. Many tempting games….
My favorite:
Texas -1 (-112). 5 units. The White Sox bullpen is atrocious while Texas has an outstanding bullpen right now. Paulino was getting shelled in spring training and the regular season is more of the same. I can't see how the White Sox can hold any lead, but it might be more difficult when your starter is this bad. I've been hoping to get a Paulino start before he get cents to AAA. The Sox lead the league in walks allowed and their bullpen is very much responsible. Their defense used to be one of the league's best, but even that is below average. Texas starter Perez has been lights out this season and has the stuff to get weak contact or Ks. He is still learning, but is getting the White Sox team that is starting to cool down a bit. This lineup has been playing over their head and it had to happen. The Rangers just seem invigorated from the Seattle series, while Chicago looks dispirited after losing late in their last 2 games with Boston. The Rangers are also relying less on homers and playing more small ball, and being patient at the plate.
Colorado -1 (+100). 3 units. Another doomed team, the Phillies, open up a series in Coors. Pettibone pitched well last year, although he has mediocre stuff- but at Coors he got absolutely hammered. I think he'll struggle again. He is coming off shoulder issues this spring, his velocity is down a bit, and now faces the best lineup in the NL. The Phillies are another somewhat demoralized club. Without Burnett or Lee on the mound, and without a competent bullpen, they are a vulnerable team. The veterans seem disinterested, and the youth is not all that talented. I also like Tyler Chatwood in this game. He has been a punching bag the past few years, but scouting reports are saying he is pitching the best baseball of his career. His fastball movement and command have been outstanding, and he now seems more competitive and focused than ever. The Rockies seem to win these series openers at home.
Oakland RL (+105). 3 units. Probably too obvious, but how can I NOT take this game. Sonny Gray has the stuff to keep better teams down, but his bullpen is also outstanding. The best thing about Oakland right now is their VERY timely hitting, they hit late into games, and their pitching is very difficult to hit for younger, less seasoned hitters. Just ask Seattle and LA. The Astros will need a miracle to win any game this weekend. Cosart has been one of the best Astros' pitchers, but he is living on borrowed time. he had one of the worst strand rates last year, relies on 2 pitches too much, and now faces a A's team that would be 12-3 if they hadn't face king Felix 2 times, and maybe better if Johnson hadn't blown 2 early saves. The A's are the best team in baseball now, and might remain so. The Astros BP continues to struggle, and their young hitters< I think, will blossom- but not against Oakland's pitching, and not this weekend.
My favorite:
Texas -1 (-112). 5 units. The White Sox bullpen is atrocious while Texas has an outstanding bullpen right now. Paulino was getting shelled in spring training and the regular season is more of the same. I can't see how the White Sox can hold any lead, but it might be more difficult when your starter is this bad. I've been hoping to get a Paulino start before he get cents to AAA. The Sox lead the league in walks allowed and their bullpen is very much responsible. Their defense used to be one of the league's best, but even that is below average. Texas starter Perez has been lights out this season and has the stuff to get weak contact or Ks. He is still learning, but is getting the White Sox team that is starting to cool down a bit. This lineup has been playing over their head and it had to happen. The Rangers just seem invigorated from the Seattle series, while Chicago looks dispirited after losing late in their last 2 games with Boston. The Rangers are also relying less on homers and playing more small ball, and being patient at the plate.
Colorado -1 (+100). 3 units. Another doomed team, the Phillies, open up a series in Coors. Pettibone pitched well last year, although he has mediocre stuff- but at Coors he got absolutely hammered. I think he'll struggle again. He is coming off shoulder issues this spring, his velocity is down a bit, and now faces the best lineup in the NL. The Phillies are another somewhat demoralized club. Without Burnett or Lee on the mound, and without a competent bullpen, they are a vulnerable team. The veterans seem disinterested, and the youth is not all that talented. I also like Tyler Chatwood in this game. He has been a punching bag the past few years, but scouting reports are saying he is pitching the best baseball of his career. His fastball movement and command have been outstanding, and he now seems more competitive and focused than ever. The Rockies seem to win these series openers at home.
Oakland RL (+105). 3 units. Probably too obvious, but how can I NOT take this game. Sonny Gray has the stuff to keep better teams down, but his bullpen is also outstanding. The best thing about Oakland right now is their VERY timely hitting, they hit late into games, and their pitching is very difficult to hit for younger, less seasoned hitters. Just ask Seattle and LA. The Astros will need a miracle to win any game this weekend. Cosart has been one of the best Astros' pitchers, but he is living on borrowed time. he had one of the worst strand rates last year, relies on 2 pitches too much, and now faces a A's team that would be 12-3 if they hadn't face king Felix 2 times, and maybe better if Johnson hadn't blown 2 early saves. The A's are the best team in baseball now, and might remain so. The Astros BP continues to struggle, and their young hitters< I think, will blossom- but not against Oakland's pitching, and not this weekend.
