Today's Games... 1. 200,000♦ Orioles
2. 50,000♦ Bears
1. Orioles- Boy are a lot of average bettors going to get pissed in this contest... You see, I know full well on the surface this looks like an easy win for the Angels, with "surging" Lackey pitching against the struggling still wet-behind-the-ears lefty Matusz, but after digging a little deeper, you'll find tremendous value in the O's tonight and here's why:
First, it starts with the Orioles offensive explosion last night, scoring a whopping 16 runs on 19 hits, burying Angels stud Jered Weaver and their bullpen! Much like Weaver, Lackey is supposed to be a "lock" tonight, but let me be the one to warn you... This O's offense can and will stay hot tonight at home, where they avergae a hearty 5.4 runs per game against righties this season, batting .295 in the process! I'm warning you Angels-backers, Lackey is going to be tested early and often by a red-hot Orioles offense tonight.
Second, for as hot as Lackey has been, his numbers at Camden Yards are hardly impressive, going 3-3 with a beatable 4.14 ERA in 6 career starts there. Also, you cannot ignore the fact that Lackey threw 131 pitches in his last start, his most on the season by far... To expect another razor sharp outing after exhausting himself in his last start is a stretch at best (and a disaster for Angels-backers at worst).
Finally, there's Brian Matusz, who many are admittingly down on after allowing 5 runs in just 2 2/3 innings at Toronto in his last start. But before you go fading him, consider two things: A. Both of his starts this year have come in hostile territory, and he should benefit greatly from finally getting to pitch at home (as most rookie hurlers do). And B. Remember guys, this kid got drafted 4th overall in 2008. In other words, he's got the stuff, its just a matter of putting it together, and I believe he's going to come into this game more motivated than ever before. He was solid at the Tigers in his debut, and I believe the lefty will get back to attacking batters in this one. In the end, let's go grab that plus money with the O's, as they build off last night's explosion by downing another Angels righty Saturday night!
Take the Orioles behind Matusz over the LA Angels and Lackey as your top-rated play of the day.
Do any of you guys ever get upset about buying picks, man was I leaning Angels today to bounce back. Anyways first posted pick, Paid and Confirmed by me
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