Yesterday 0-2 -3.00 units
Y-T-D (on this site) 46-66 (-4.40 units)
Kansas City +1.40 over SEATTLE
Zack Greinke has been one of the most consistent starters that nobody has heard of this year. This guy just flat out brings it each and every time he takes the hill. He’s started 17 games since being called up on May 22 and of those 17 starts, 13 of them have been of the quality variety. He’s won four of his last five starts and in those four wins he allowed just 22 hits and five earned runs in 25 innings of work. He changes speeds with the best of them, he throws strikes, and he’s gaining confidence. He’s also facing a Mariners squad that once again is reeling badly. M’s has lost four in a row and seven of their past eight. Gil Meche has thrown just 77 innings this year and comes into this one with a 5.49 ERA. Mariners are a horrible favorite and unless the oddsmakers know something here, this line appears way off base. Seattle is 32-56 against right-handers and they’ve never faced Greinke before. Royals have the edge here and any take-back has got to be considered a gift. Play Kansas City +1.40 (Risking 1 unit).
Arizona +1.20 over CINCINNATI
Brandon Webb and his 5-14 record could crack the rotation on every team in the majors. He’s most definitely the finest 5-14 pitcher in a long, long time. Webb went 10-9 as a rookie last season, earning a 2.84 ERA in 28 starts and finishing third in the NL Rookie of the Year voting. He struck out 172 in 180 2-3 innings while walking only 68. He’s been almost as sharp this year but a lack of run support has him on the short end in most games. He has held opponents to two or fewer runs in 11 of 16 starts including last Saturday, but earned just one win over that span. His ERA this year is 3.70 and he’s still mowing ‘em down to the tune of 121 k’s in 165 innings. Webb has nasty stuff and we have all the confidence in the world wagering on him here against Brandon Claussen. Claussen has issued 19 walks in his seven starts covering just 35 frames. He’s averaging 19 pitches per inning and that just might be the worst in the majors. It’s never bad strategy to bet against a hurler that can’t throw strikes, especially when the opposition has one of their two aces going. See ya at the cashier’s booth when this one’s in the books. Play Arizona +1.20 (Risking 1 unit).
Colorado +1.25 over FLORIDA
The equation here is rather simple. Give us a tag against Ismael Valdez and you can count us in. Valdez is among the many stiffs in the majors and he’s just a big inning waiting to happen. In three starts with the Fish since the Padres were thrilled to dump him, Valdez has walked seven and struck out six in 15.1 innings. He’s allowed 17 hits and eight earned runs over that span and it seems like he’s in a jam every inning. Florida continues to disappoint and were shut-out last night by Brett Tomko for crying out loud. They’ll face lefty Joe Kennedy here. Kennedy, in 115 innings has allowed just 115 hits and when you consider that he pitches half of his starts at Coors Field then you can’t help but be impressed by his 3.75 ERA. He has a 2.40 ERA over his past three starts. Some pitchers in this league should never be favored and Valdez is one of them. Play Colorado +1.25 (Risking 1 unit).
Y-T-D (on this site) 46-66 (-4.40 units)
Kansas City +1.40 over SEATTLE
Zack Greinke has been one of the most consistent starters that nobody has heard of this year. This guy just flat out brings it each and every time he takes the hill. He’s started 17 games since being called up on May 22 and of those 17 starts, 13 of them have been of the quality variety. He’s won four of his last five starts and in those four wins he allowed just 22 hits and five earned runs in 25 innings of work. He changes speeds with the best of them, he throws strikes, and he’s gaining confidence. He’s also facing a Mariners squad that once again is reeling badly. M’s has lost four in a row and seven of their past eight. Gil Meche has thrown just 77 innings this year and comes into this one with a 5.49 ERA. Mariners are a horrible favorite and unless the oddsmakers know something here, this line appears way off base. Seattle is 32-56 against right-handers and they’ve never faced Greinke before. Royals have the edge here and any take-back has got to be considered a gift. Play Kansas City +1.40 (Risking 1 unit).
Arizona +1.20 over CINCINNATI
Brandon Webb and his 5-14 record could crack the rotation on every team in the majors. He’s most definitely the finest 5-14 pitcher in a long, long time. Webb went 10-9 as a rookie last season, earning a 2.84 ERA in 28 starts and finishing third in the NL Rookie of the Year voting. He struck out 172 in 180 2-3 innings while walking only 68. He’s been almost as sharp this year but a lack of run support has him on the short end in most games. He has held opponents to two or fewer runs in 11 of 16 starts including last Saturday, but earned just one win over that span. His ERA this year is 3.70 and he’s still mowing ‘em down to the tune of 121 k’s in 165 innings. Webb has nasty stuff and we have all the confidence in the world wagering on him here against Brandon Claussen. Claussen has issued 19 walks in his seven starts covering just 35 frames. He’s averaging 19 pitches per inning and that just might be the worst in the majors. It’s never bad strategy to bet against a hurler that can’t throw strikes, especially when the opposition has one of their two aces going. See ya at the cashier’s booth when this one’s in the books. Play Arizona +1.20 (Risking 1 unit).
Colorado +1.25 over FLORIDA
The equation here is rather simple. Give us a tag against Ismael Valdez and you can count us in. Valdez is among the many stiffs in the majors and he’s just a big inning waiting to happen. In three starts with the Fish since the Padres were thrilled to dump him, Valdez has walked seven and struck out six in 15.1 innings. He’s allowed 17 hits and eight earned runs over that span and it seems like he’s in a jam every inning. Florida continues to disappoint and were shut-out last night by Brett Tomko for crying out loud. They’ll face lefty Joe Kennedy here. Kennedy, in 115 innings has allowed just 115 hits and when you consider that he pitches half of his starts at Coors Field then you can’t help but be impressed by his 3.75 ERA. He has a 2.40 ERA over his past three starts. Some pitchers in this league should never be favored and Valdez is one of them. Play Colorado +1.25 (Risking 1 unit).