Tony Weston
Today's Selection:
We come through yesterday again as the Giants take care of business to give us back-to-back Comp Play winners.
We’re nailing No. 3 in a row tonight as we’re taking the Seattle Mariners at home against the visiting Oakland Athletics in Game 2 of this series.
Last night the Mariners erased a 5-run deficit on their way to an 8-7 victory. Last night’s win gave Seattle four straight winners over the A’s this season and going back to last season puts them on a 7-game winning streak over their AL West rival.
Including last night’s win, the Mariners have now won 11 of their last 13 against the AL West and are 9-4 their last 13 home games.
The A’s, on the other hand, have won only 16 of their last 53 games on the road and are only 1-5 their last 6 games against the AL West.
Consider, too, that not only have the A’s struggled overall against the Mariners, but they’re 0-5 their last five games in Seattle.
The A’s will struggle once again in the Emerald City as the Mariners get over in this one. Take Seattle at home in this one.
3♦ MARINERS
Today's Selection:
We come through yesterday again as the Giants take care of business to give us back-to-back Comp Play winners.
We’re nailing No. 3 in a row tonight as we’re taking the Seattle Mariners at home against the visiting Oakland Athletics in Game 2 of this series.
Last night the Mariners erased a 5-run deficit on their way to an 8-7 victory. Last night’s win gave Seattle four straight winners over the A’s this season and going back to last season puts them on a 7-game winning streak over their AL West rival.
Including last night’s win, the Mariners have now won 11 of their last 13 against the AL West and are 9-4 their last 13 home games.
The A’s, on the other hand, have won only 16 of their last 53 games on the road and are only 1-5 their last 6 games against the AL West.
Consider, too, that not only have the A’s struggled overall against the Mariners, but they’re 0-5 their last five games in Seattle.
The A’s will struggle once again in the Emerald City as the Mariners get over in this one. Take Seattle at home in this one.
3♦ MARINERS
Matt Rivers
For Saturday take the Brew Crew at home.
Dan Haren is awesome and could win a Cy Young award at some point but his Arizona teammates just do not score runs for him and I see that trend continuing today. The righty has a miniscule ERA of 1.54 and a phenomenal 36:5 K to BB ration but yet is still somehow 2-3 on the young season.
Braden Looper is fairly mediocre and not on the same level as Haren but the former Met and Cardinal righty is alright and against a team in the Diamondbacks who are offensively challenged at times should fare just fine today. I can totally see the Arizona players once again squeeze the bat a little too tight trying to score some runs for their pseudo ace (with Brandon Webb out injured).
Milwaukee is a club that has an immense upside. Ryan Braun and Prince Fielder are awesome and others like JJ Hardy, Ricky Weeks, Bill Hall and Corey Hart are no joke either. Sure it'll be hard to do a whole lot against a red hot Haren but at Miller Park I can see some runs cross the plate for the home squad.
Arizona is a team that the jury is still out on. They do boast some quality young talent with guys like Justin Upton, Mark Reynolds, Connor Jackson and others but all in all this offense has perenially had issues and on the road here I don't see much changing.
Haren could hurl another quality start but in the end at home with a capable enough starter in Looper I'll take my chances with the Brew Crew.
For Saturday take the Brew Crew at home.
Dan Haren is awesome and could win a Cy Young award at some point but his Arizona teammates just do not score runs for him and I see that trend continuing today. The righty has a miniscule ERA of 1.54 and a phenomenal 36:5 K to BB ration but yet is still somehow 2-3 on the young season.
Braden Looper is fairly mediocre and not on the same level as Haren but the former Met and Cardinal righty is alright and against a team in the Diamondbacks who are offensively challenged at times should fare just fine today. I can totally see the Arizona players once again squeeze the bat a little too tight trying to score some runs for their pseudo ace (with Brandon Webb out injured).
Milwaukee is a club that has an immense upside. Ryan Braun and Prince Fielder are awesome and others like JJ Hardy, Ricky Weeks, Bill Hall and Corey Hart are no joke either. Sure it'll be hard to do a whole lot against a red hot Haren but at Miller Park I can see some runs cross the plate for the home squad.
Arizona is a team that the jury is still out on. They do boast some quality young talent with guys like Justin Upton, Mark Reynolds, Connor Jackson and others but all in all this offense has perenially had issues and on the road here I don't see much changing.
Haren could hurl another quality start but in the end at home with a capable enough starter in Looper I'll take my chances with the Brew Crew.
Bobby Maxwell
Arizona at MILWAUKEE +105
These two teams have split the first two games of this series, but tonight we love the Brewers and we'll gladly play them at home to get this one. Milwaukee has Braden Looper (2-0, 2.45 ERA) on the hill and the Brewers are a perfect 4-0 in his outings this season.
Dan Haren (2-3, 1.54) is on the hill for Arizona, coming off a complete-game win over the Cubs, allowing two runs on three hits in the 7-2 victory. But it's Looper who we're going with in this one as he's done all that's been asked of him this season. He allowed two earned runs in five innings of a 10-5 win over the Pirates back on Monday and prior to that he went to Philadelphia and shut out the Phillies on five hits over six innigns of a 3-1 Milwaukee win.
Arizona is just 5-12 in the last 17 meetings with the Brewers and the D'Backs are just 9-20 in their last 29 on the highway.
Milwaukee has won seven of its last nine at home against Arizona and they'll get it done today. it'll be a low-scoring affair, but look for the Brewers to win it. Play Milwaukee.
3♦ MILWAUKEE
Arizona at MILWAUKEE +105
These two teams have split the first two games of this series, but tonight we love the Brewers and we'll gladly play them at home to get this one. Milwaukee has Braden Looper (2-0, 2.45 ERA) on the hill and the Brewers are a perfect 4-0 in his outings this season.
Dan Haren (2-3, 1.54) is on the hill for Arizona, coming off a complete-game win over the Cubs, allowing two runs on three hits in the 7-2 victory. But it's Looper who we're going with in this one as he's done all that's been asked of him this season. He allowed two earned runs in five innings of a 10-5 win over the Pirates back on Monday and prior to that he went to Philadelphia and shut out the Phillies on five hits over six innigns of a 3-1 Milwaukee win.
Arizona is just 5-12 in the last 17 meetings with the Brewers and the D'Backs are just 9-20 in their last 29 on the highway.
Milwaukee has won seven of its last nine at home against Arizona and they'll get it done today. it'll be a low-scoring affair, but look for the Brewers to win it. Play Milwaukee.
3♦ MILWAUKEE
Sports Gambling Hotline
Chicago at BOSTON
Now it is on to the NBA for a 7th, and deciding game in Beantown.
We will play the OVER in this one, as the alarming regularity of extra hoops these teams have been playing - 3 in a row hitting overtime or better, and 4 of the 6 overall hitting OT or better - has us thinking we could be in for another high-scoring affair.
3 straight, and 7 of the last 8 games played between the teams have eclipsed the posted price, and Chicago has now played OVER the total to a 16-6 tune their last 22 when catching points.
Boston also has a pronounced OVER trend working, as they have been HIGH in 16 of their last 21 when laying points.
Stick with the trends, and play the OVER in Game 7 tonight in Boston.
5♦ OVER
Chicago at BOSTON
Now it is on to the NBA for a 7th, and deciding game in Beantown.
We will play the OVER in this one, as the alarming regularity of extra hoops these teams have been playing - 3 in a row hitting overtime or better, and 4 of the 6 overall hitting OT or better - has us thinking we could be in for another high-scoring affair.
3 straight, and 7 of the last 8 games played between the teams have eclipsed the posted price, and Chicago has now played OVER the total to a 16-6 tune their last 22 when catching points.
Boston also has a pronounced OVER trend working, as they have been HIGH in 16 of their last 21 when laying points.
Stick with the trends, and play the OVER in Game 7 tonight in Boston.
5♦ OVER
Karl Garrett
LA Angels at NY YANKEES
The new stadium in the Bronx has proved to be a hitter's paradise, as the Yankees have played 8 games in their new stadium, and 6 of the 8 (last night included) have landed OVER the posted total.
Today we have the Angels giving the ball to Matt Palmer who has made one big league start, and while he did get the win, he allowed 4 runs over his 6 innings of work. The G-Man expects Palmer to give up his fair share of runs.
As for CC Sabathia, the New York fans probably can't wait to give him the "Bronx cheer", as CC has been a bit of a bust thus far, and his last 15 innings have seen 10 runs score. 3 of Sabathia's 5 New York starts have played OVER the total, and this one will as well.
Until the G-Man sees some solid evidence that the pitching is going to trump the hitting in the new ball park, stick with the OVER trend.
4♦ OVER
LA Angels at NY YANKEES
The new stadium in the Bronx has proved to be a hitter's paradise, as the Yankees have played 8 games in their new stadium, and 6 of the 8 (last night included) have landed OVER the posted total.
Today we have the Angels giving the ball to Matt Palmer who has made one big league start, and while he did get the win, he allowed 4 runs over his 6 innings of work. The G-Man expects Palmer to give up his fair share of runs.
As for CC Sabathia, the New York fans probably can't wait to give him the "Bronx cheer", as CC has been a bit of a bust thus far, and his last 15 innings have seen 10 runs score. 3 of Sabathia's 5 New York starts have played OVER the total, and this one will as well.
Until the G-Man sees some solid evidence that the pitching is going to trump the hitting in the new ball park, stick with the OVER trend.
4♦ OVER
Jeff Benton
N.Y. Mets at PHILADELPHIA -115
For Saturday’s Bonus Play in baseball, we’ll take the Phillies as a small home favorite against the Mets.
This is more a play against New York lefty Oliver Perez than anything else. Yes, Perez was outstanding against the Phillies last year, giving up just one run in four starts covering 26 innings, with the Mets winning three of those contests. But after signing a hefty free-agent contract in the offseason to remain with New York, he hasn’t exactly been earning his paycheck. In four starts in 2009 (three of which the Mets have lost), Perez has given up 20 runs and 23 hits (three home runs) in 19 1/3 innings (9.31 ERA). And in two road outings, he’s 0-1 with a 12.00 ERA (12 runs – 11 earned – allowed in nine innings).
Once again, Perez’s problem continues to be command. He’s walked 15 batters in 19 1/3 innings, and he’s allowed nearly two baserunners per inning (38 combined hits and walks). That is a recipe for disaster in the big leagues, and especially in a hitter’s ballpark like Citizens Bank in Philly.
As for Phillies starter Jamie Moyer, the ageless lefty got off to a rocky start but is coming off his best outing of the season, as he held the Marlins on Sunday to one run in six innings of a 13-2 rout. Philadelphia is 3-0 in Moyer’s last three starts, 5-1 in his last six at home and 26-8 in his last 34 against N.L. East rivals. Also, the Phillies have won six of Moyer’s last nine starts against the Mets, with the 46-year-old delivering nine quality starts (three earned runs or fewer allowed in at least six innings pitched) in nine of his last 10 games against New York.
Throw in the fact that Philadelphia is on streaks of 9-1 against lefty starters and this one’s a no-brainer. Back the home squad.
3? PHILADELPHIA
N.Y. Mets at PHILADELPHIA -115
For Saturday’s Bonus Play in baseball, we’ll take the Phillies as a small home favorite against the Mets.
This is more a play against New York lefty Oliver Perez than anything else. Yes, Perez was outstanding against the Phillies last year, giving up just one run in four starts covering 26 innings, with the Mets winning three of those contests. But after signing a hefty free-agent contract in the offseason to remain with New York, he hasn’t exactly been earning his paycheck. In four starts in 2009 (three of which the Mets have lost), Perez has given up 20 runs and 23 hits (three home runs) in 19 1/3 innings (9.31 ERA). And in two road outings, he’s 0-1 with a 12.00 ERA (12 runs – 11 earned – allowed in nine innings).
Once again, Perez’s problem continues to be command. He’s walked 15 batters in 19 1/3 innings, and he’s allowed nearly two baserunners per inning (38 combined hits and walks). That is a recipe for disaster in the big leagues, and especially in a hitter’s ballpark like Citizens Bank in Philly.
As for Phillies starter Jamie Moyer, the ageless lefty got off to a rocky start but is coming off his best outing of the season, as he held the Marlins on Sunday to one run in six innings of a 13-2 rout. Philadelphia is 3-0 in Moyer’s last three starts, 5-1 in his last six at home and 26-8 in his last 34 against N.L. East rivals. Also, the Phillies have won six of Moyer’s last nine starts against the Mets, with the 46-year-old delivering nine quality starts (three earned runs or fewer allowed in at least six innings pitched) in nine of his last 10 games against New York.
Throw in the fact that Philadelphia is on streaks of 9-1 against lefty starters and this one’s a no-brainer. Back the home squad.
3? PHILADELPHIA
Red Dog Sports
Houston and Atlanta under 8
Houston has played under 35-16-1 in their last 52 overall and the Braves have played under 6-2-1 in their last 9 games. Roy Oswalt has an ERA of 3.94 and Jurrgens has an ERA of 1.72. These two have combined to pitch 3 overs and 7 unders.Look for under 8 on Saturday between Atlanta and Houston.
Houston and Atlanta under 8
Houston has played under 35-16-1 in their last 52 overall and the Braves have played under 6-2-1 in their last 9 games. Roy Oswalt has an ERA of 3.94 and Jurrgens has an ERA of 1.72. These two have combined to pitch 3 overs and 7 unders.Look for under 8 on Saturday between Atlanta and Houston.
Mike Anthony
Chicago Bulls vs. Boston Celtics
Play: Chicago Bulls +6.5
Both of these 2 teams are tired and who knows how Ben Gordons hanstring will hold up. The Bulls are a very young team, but 5 of the 6 games in this series have been decided by 3 points or less. I am backing the Underdog Bulls as a small free pick play on Saturday night!
Chicago Bulls vs. Boston Celtics
Play: Chicago Bulls +6.5
Both of these 2 teams are tired and who knows how Ben Gordons hanstring will hold up. The Bulls are a very young team, but 5 of the 6 games in this series have been decided by 3 points or less. I am backing the Underdog Bulls as a small free pick play on Saturday night!
Marc Lawrence
Play On: LA Dodgers w/Wolf vs Young
The Dodgers host the Padres when Randy Wolf matches serves with Cur Young in this neighborhood NL West Division rivalry tonight. The key to this contest is that Wolf is in commanding KW form with 3 walks and 19 strikeouts in his last three starts while Young can't seem to find the plate, issuing 11 walks against 8 strikeouts in his last three efforts. With that, look for the Dodgers to make it 10 wins in a row on Saturdays here this evening.
Play On: LA Dodgers w/Wolf vs Young
The Dodgers host the Padres when Randy Wolf matches serves with Cur Young in this neighborhood NL West Division rivalry tonight. The key to this contest is that Wolf is in commanding KW form with 3 walks and 19 strikeouts in his last three starts while Young can't seem to find the plate, issuing 11 walks against 8 strikeouts in his last three efforts. With that, look for the Dodgers to make it 10 wins in a row on Saturdays here this evening.
Cajun Sports
Florida Marlins vs. Chicago Cubs
Play: Florida Marlins
The Marlins and Cubs are set to play game three of this four-game set at Wrigley Field on Saturday with the first pitch at 1:05PM Eastern Time. The Cubs had lost seven of their last nine games heading into Friday’s game with the Marlins and were starring at number eight trailing 5 to 2 in the bottom of the sixth when Ryan Theriot hit a grand slam and the Cubs hung on to win 8 to 6. The Marlins had several opportunities to score more runs leaving twelve runners on base which matched a season high for the fish. On Saturday the Cubs will send Ted Lilly to the bump with his 2-2 record and ERA of 3.80. His last trip to the hill Lilly gave up five runs, six hits and four walks in just five innings of work in a 7 to 2 loss to the Diamondbacks. Lilly will be trying to avoid losing three straight for the first time since May 31 2006, when he pitched for the Blue Jays. He would have picked another opponent I’m sure since the left-hander has never defeated the Fish, going 0-4 W/L with an ERA of 5.53 in five starts versus the Marlins. Lilly is 6-14 W/L (-14.0 Units) versus an NL team with a team batting average of .250 or worse the last 3 seasons and 3-11 W/L (-11.5 Units) versus an NL team with a team batting average of .255 or worse the last 2 seasons.
Florida will send Anibal Sanchez to the hill with a record of 1-2 and an ERA of 4.13 on the season. Sanchez allowed five runs in eighteen innings of work over his first three starts but he gave up six runs, four hits and two walks in the first inning of a 7 to 1 loss to the Mets on Monday. He actually settled down after that and held the Mets scoreless over the next five innings before being taken out. The one big inning killed any shot he had at getting the win but he was able to overcome that terrible start and keep his composure which should help him here. He has one career start versus the Cubs back on August 16 he pitched 5 1-3 innings allowing one run, three hits and five walks of a 2 to 1 victory. Florida is 7-0 W/L (+8.4 Units) in road games vs. a bullpen whose ERA is 4.50 or worse this season, 7-0 W/L (+8.4 Units) in road games vs. a bullpen that blows 38% or more of their save opportunities this season and 6-0 W/L (+7.6 Units) versus a bullpen whose WHIP is 1.550 or worse this season. The Fish are 36-19 W/L (+21.2 Units) versus an NL team with a team batting average of .255 or worse the last 2 seasons and 40-18 W/L (+25.1 Units) versus an NL team with an on base percentage .325 or worse the last 2 seasons. We are getting decent value with the underdog Fish here so take the chalk as the Marlins end both one game streaks for each team and get back to their winning ways.
Graded Selection: 2* Florida Marlins 5 Chicago Cubs 4
Florida Marlins vs. Chicago Cubs
Play: Florida Marlins
The Marlins and Cubs are set to play game three of this four-game set at Wrigley Field on Saturday with the first pitch at 1:05PM Eastern Time. The Cubs had lost seven of their last nine games heading into Friday’s game with the Marlins and were starring at number eight trailing 5 to 2 in the bottom of the sixth when Ryan Theriot hit a grand slam and the Cubs hung on to win 8 to 6. The Marlins had several opportunities to score more runs leaving twelve runners on base which matched a season high for the fish. On Saturday the Cubs will send Ted Lilly to the bump with his 2-2 record and ERA of 3.80. His last trip to the hill Lilly gave up five runs, six hits and four walks in just five innings of work in a 7 to 2 loss to the Diamondbacks. Lilly will be trying to avoid losing three straight for the first time since May 31 2006, when he pitched for the Blue Jays. He would have picked another opponent I’m sure since the left-hander has never defeated the Fish, going 0-4 W/L with an ERA of 5.53 in five starts versus the Marlins. Lilly is 6-14 W/L (-14.0 Units) versus an NL team with a team batting average of .250 or worse the last 3 seasons and 3-11 W/L (-11.5 Units) versus an NL team with a team batting average of .255 or worse the last 2 seasons.
Florida will send Anibal Sanchez to the hill with a record of 1-2 and an ERA of 4.13 on the season. Sanchez allowed five runs in eighteen innings of work over his first three starts but he gave up six runs, four hits and two walks in the first inning of a 7 to 1 loss to the Mets on Monday. He actually settled down after that and held the Mets scoreless over the next five innings before being taken out. The one big inning killed any shot he had at getting the win but he was able to overcome that terrible start and keep his composure which should help him here. He has one career start versus the Cubs back on August 16 he pitched 5 1-3 innings allowing one run, three hits and five walks of a 2 to 1 victory. Florida is 7-0 W/L (+8.4 Units) in road games vs. a bullpen whose ERA is 4.50 or worse this season, 7-0 W/L (+8.4 Units) in road games vs. a bullpen that blows 38% or more of their save opportunities this season and 6-0 W/L (+7.6 Units) versus a bullpen whose WHIP is 1.550 or worse this season. The Fish are 36-19 W/L (+21.2 Units) versus an NL team with a team batting average of .255 or worse the last 2 seasons and 40-18 W/L (+25.1 Units) versus an NL team with an on base percentage .325 or worse the last 2 seasons. We are getting decent value with the underdog Fish here so take the chalk as the Marlins end both one game streaks for each team and get back to their winning ways.
Graded Selection: 2* Florida Marlins 5 Chicago Cubs 4
MTi Sports
Los Angeles Angels at New York Yankees
Prediction: Los Angeles Angels
The Angels are 26-9 vs a team that has won at least their last four games and 41-16 after a one run loss. The Yankees are a money-burning 13-15 as a favorite of MORE than 200 when they are off a win in which they came back from a deficit and it is not the first game of a series. The Halos worth a shot at this price.
Los Angeles Angels at New York Yankees
Prediction: Los Angeles Angels
The Angels are 26-9 vs a team that has won at least their last four games and 41-16 after a one run loss. The Yankees are a money-burning 13-15 as a favorite of MORE than 200 when they are off a win in which they came back from a deficit and it is not the first game of a series. The Halos worth a shot at this price.
Tony Karpinski
New York Mets vs. Philadelphia Phillies
Play: Philadelphia Phillies
This is more a play against New York lefty Oliver Perez than anything else. Yes, Perez was outstanding against the Phillies last year, giving up just one run in four starts covering 26 innings, with the Mets winning three of those contests. But after signing a hefty free-agent contract in the offseason to remain with New York, he hasn’t exactly been earning his paycheck. In four starts in 2009 (three of which the Mets have lost), Perez has given up 20 runs and 23 hits (three home runs) in 19 1/3 innings (9.31 ERA). He is over weight and looks awful and another bad outing and he'll be down in AAA.
Throw in the fact that Philadelphia is on streaks of 9-1 against lefty starters and this one’s a no-brainer. Back the home squad to bounce back with a win this afternoon.
New York Mets vs. Philadelphia Phillies
Play: Philadelphia Phillies
This is more a play against New York lefty Oliver Perez than anything else. Yes, Perez was outstanding against the Phillies last year, giving up just one run in four starts covering 26 innings, with the Mets winning three of those contests. But after signing a hefty free-agent contract in the offseason to remain with New York, he hasn’t exactly been earning his paycheck. In four starts in 2009 (three of which the Mets have lost), Perez has given up 20 runs and 23 hits (three home runs) in 19 1/3 innings (9.31 ERA). He is over weight and looks awful and another bad outing and he'll be down in AAA.
Throw in the fact that Philadelphia is on streaks of 9-1 against lefty starters and this one’s a no-brainer. Back the home squad to bounce back with a win this afternoon.
Jimmy Boyd
1 Unit on Astros/Braves UNDER 8
I'll bet the under today with a pair of struggling offenses sending their aces to the hill. Oswalt brings in a ERA of just 2.37 over his last 3 starts and Jurrjens brings in an ERA of only 1.33 over his last 3 starts. The Astros are only averaging 3.0 runs per game on the road this season and the Braves are only scoring 3.7 runs per game at home. Houston is 14-4 UNDER in road games vs. an NL starting pitcher whose ERA is 3.50 or better over the last 2 seasons, 15-6 UNDER in all games this season, and 9-1 UNDER when the total is 8 to 8.5 this season. The UNDER is 6-1 in Jurrjens' last 7 starts overall and 11-3 in Oswalt's last 14 starts overall. Bet the UNDER.
1 Unit on Astros/Braves UNDER 8
I'll bet the under today with a pair of struggling offenses sending their aces to the hill. Oswalt brings in a ERA of just 2.37 over his last 3 starts and Jurrjens brings in an ERA of only 1.33 over his last 3 starts. The Astros are only averaging 3.0 runs per game on the road this season and the Braves are only scoring 3.7 runs per game at home. Houston is 14-4 UNDER in road games vs. an NL starting pitcher whose ERA is 3.50 or better over the last 2 seasons, 15-6 UNDER in all games this season, and 9-1 UNDER when the total is 8 to 8.5 this season. The UNDER is 6-1 in Jurrjens' last 7 starts overall and 11-3 in Oswalt's last 14 starts overall. Bet the UNDER.
Matt Fargo
Arizona Diamondbacks @ Milwaukee Brewers
PICK: Milwaukee Brewers
Arizona grabbed game two of this series on Friday as the Diamondbacks snapped the Brewers four-game winning streak but this is not the spot to jump on Arizona. The Diamondbacks are struggling to start the season and putting them in the favorite role on the road is simply too aggressive. This is just the sixth road game of the season for Arizona who has played a Major League-high 18 home games and yet is still three games under .500. Milwaukee is making a push in the National League Central as it has won eight of its last 10 games but that has only matched what division-leading St. Louis has done as it remains four and a half games out of the lead. The push is against every other team and the Brewers could very well be ready to extend this run much further before three huge series’ against the Cubs, Marlins and Cardinals beginning on May 8th. I was not on the Braden Looper bandwagon to start the season but I am slowly progressing that way. The St. Louis import has been solid in his debut season with the Brewers, posting a 2.45 ERA through four starts. His WHIP is questionable at 1.50 and that is the main reason for keeping this play rated lower than I would have liked. Milwaukee is 3-0 in his three home starts this season and that is not only due to good pitching but a potent offense behind Looper as Milwaukee has averaged 7.7 rpg in those three contests. Another reason for the Diamondbacks chalk here is that Danny Haren takes the hill and he is becoming a very public pitcher. He is 4-4 in quality starts this season and he is coming off a masterful performance at home against the Cubs, pitching a complete game while allowing just three hits. Arizona dropped his lone road start this season as it scored no runs, which is no surprise as it has scored four runs or fewer in nine of his last 17 starts dating back to last season. Milwaukee has won 12 of the last 17 meetings despite the setback last night and it gets it back tonight at a solid price. 3* Milwaukee Brewers
Arizona Diamondbacks @ Milwaukee Brewers
PICK: Milwaukee Brewers
Arizona grabbed game two of this series on Friday as the Diamondbacks snapped the Brewers four-game winning streak but this is not the spot to jump on Arizona. The Diamondbacks are struggling to start the season and putting them in the favorite role on the road is simply too aggressive. This is just the sixth road game of the season for Arizona who has played a Major League-high 18 home games and yet is still three games under .500. Milwaukee is making a push in the National League Central as it has won eight of its last 10 games but that has only matched what division-leading St. Louis has done as it remains four and a half games out of the lead. The push is against every other team and the Brewers could very well be ready to extend this run much further before three huge series’ against the Cubs, Marlins and Cardinals beginning on May 8th. I was not on the Braden Looper bandwagon to start the season but I am slowly progressing that way. The St. Louis import has been solid in his debut season with the Brewers, posting a 2.45 ERA through four starts. His WHIP is questionable at 1.50 and that is the main reason for keeping this play rated lower than I would have liked. Milwaukee is 3-0 in his three home starts this season and that is not only due to good pitching but a potent offense behind Looper as Milwaukee has averaged 7.7 rpg in those three contests. Another reason for the Diamondbacks chalk here is that Danny Haren takes the hill and he is becoming a very public pitcher. He is 4-4 in quality starts this season and he is coming off a masterful performance at home against the Cubs, pitching a complete game while allowing just three hits. Arizona dropped his lone road start this season as it scored no runs, which is no surprise as it has scored four runs or fewer in nine of his last 17 starts dating back to last season. Milwaukee has won 12 of the last 17 meetings despite the setback last night and it gets it back tonight at a solid price. 3* Milwaukee Brewers
Steve Merril
Cincinnati Reds vs. Pittsburgh Pirates
Play: Pittsburgh Pirates
Pittsburgh continues their series at PNC Park as they host the Cincinnati Reds on Saturday. Cincy sends righthander Micah Owings to the bump. He brings with him a 1-2 record and a 3.78 ERA, but Owings has been terrible on the road going 0-2 with a 5.58 ERA away from Cincinnati. Owings has faced the Pirates three times in his career and he is 1-1 with a 6.46 ERA and a WHIP of 1.500. Pittsburgh hits .375 against him with Jack Wilson (3-6) and Nate McLouth (2-5) among those who have succeeded against Owings. Pittsburgh sends Ross Ohlendorf to the hill. He is 2-2 with a 3.24 ERA so far this year. Two of his four starts have been at home where he is 1-1 with a 3.00 ERA. Ohlendorf faced the Reds once last season as a starter, picking up a no-decision in a 6-5 Pittsburgh win. Ohlendorf went six innings, giving up four runs and seven hits. Ohlendorf has improved since the last time he faced Cincinnati and he remains an underrated pitcher as evident by this home underdog price tonight.
Cincinnati Reds vs. Pittsburgh Pirates
Play: Pittsburgh Pirates
Pittsburgh continues their series at PNC Park as they host the Cincinnati Reds on Saturday. Cincy sends righthander Micah Owings to the bump. He brings with him a 1-2 record and a 3.78 ERA, but Owings has been terrible on the road going 0-2 with a 5.58 ERA away from Cincinnati. Owings has faced the Pirates three times in his career and he is 1-1 with a 6.46 ERA and a WHIP of 1.500. Pittsburgh hits .375 against him with Jack Wilson (3-6) and Nate McLouth (2-5) among those who have succeeded against Owings. Pittsburgh sends Ross Ohlendorf to the hill. He is 2-2 with a 3.24 ERA so far this year. Two of his four starts have been at home where he is 1-1 with a 3.00 ERA. Ohlendorf faced the Reds once last season as a starter, picking up a no-decision in a 6-5 Pittsburgh win. Ohlendorf went six innings, giving up four runs and seven hits. Ohlendorf has improved since the last time he faced Cincinnati and he remains an underrated pitcher as evident by this home underdog price tonight.
