Al DeMarco
Sunday's Play
5 Dime - St. Louis Cardinals
I don't understand how this line isn't St. Louis -175 considering the slumping Royals haven't scored a run in 24 innings, have been shut out in the first two games of the series (hitting a collective .164), and have lost 11 of their last 14 games, a stretch in which they've managed to score a total of 45 runs.
St. Louis, on the other hand, seeks a season-high sixth straight victory with its current run fueled by its starting pitchers, who are a combined 5-0 with a 0.25 ERA in that period. The charge started when today's starter, Joel Pineiro, blanked the then-hot-hitting Cubs on Tuesday, going the distance with a three-hitter for his first shutout since 2003.
Prior to icing the Cubs, Pineiro had lost three straight starts, compiling a 4.74 ERA. That was after opening the season by going 4-0 with a 3.76 ERA. But rather than focus on his streakiness, instead note that he has won all three of his starts at spacious Busch Stadium this season where his ERA is 1.52. Compare that to his 4.99 ERA on the road and you truly get an idea of how critical the homefield is in Pineiro's case.
Kansas City won all four of Brian Bannister's starts after his recall from the minors in late April. But two starts ago, at Oakland, the righthander removed himself from the game because of shoulder soreness. His next start out versus Cleveland at home on May 19 was his worst of the season as he allowed nine hits and five earned runs in six innings pitched. Bannister faced the Cardinals twice during his nightmarish 2008 season, going 1-1 with a 6.94 ERA.
After losing Saturday's game, Kansas City made three roster moves, none of which will immediately impact the club, and none of which involved injured closer Joakim Soria. With seven straight road losses already, and the Cardinals playing their best ball of the season, the elevated price is worth laying.
You might ask why I'm not opting for St. Louis on the Run Line instead. Well, although the Cards have been winning, they haven't resembled the '27 Yankees offensively, scoring a total of 18 runs during their five-game winning streak, 10 of which have come in the first two games versus KC. Going back further, this is a squad that's scored a total of 32 runs in its last 11 games as injuries have taken their toll. That does not inspire confidence in a Run Line play. Plus, if you recall, last Tuesday I backed the Phillies and two Thursdays ago the Yankees as elevated favorites for the same reason: their offenses both concerned me in terms of getting Run Line victory. But, both managed to win on the moneyline and that's the same philosophy I'm going with today with the acknowledgement this play is pushing precariously close to my personal cap in terms of how big of a price I'll lay with a chalk.
* Paid and confirmed
Sunday's Play
5 Dime - St. Louis Cardinals
I don't understand how this line isn't St. Louis -175 considering the slumping Royals haven't scored a run in 24 innings, have been shut out in the first two games of the series (hitting a collective .164), and have lost 11 of their last 14 games, a stretch in which they've managed to score a total of 45 runs.
St. Louis, on the other hand, seeks a season-high sixth straight victory with its current run fueled by its starting pitchers, who are a combined 5-0 with a 0.25 ERA in that period. The charge started when today's starter, Joel Pineiro, blanked the then-hot-hitting Cubs on Tuesday, going the distance with a three-hitter for his first shutout since 2003.
Prior to icing the Cubs, Pineiro had lost three straight starts, compiling a 4.74 ERA. That was after opening the season by going 4-0 with a 3.76 ERA. But rather than focus on his streakiness, instead note that he has won all three of his starts at spacious Busch Stadium this season where his ERA is 1.52. Compare that to his 4.99 ERA on the road and you truly get an idea of how critical the homefield is in Pineiro's case.
Kansas City won all four of Brian Bannister's starts after his recall from the minors in late April. But two starts ago, at Oakland, the righthander removed himself from the game because of shoulder soreness. His next start out versus Cleveland at home on May 19 was his worst of the season as he allowed nine hits and five earned runs in six innings pitched. Bannister faced the Cardinals twice during his nightmarish 2008 season, going 1-1 with a 6.94 ERA.
After losing Saturday's game, Kansas City made three roster moves, none of which will immediately impact the club, and none of which involved injured closer Joakim Soria. With seven straight road losses already, and the Cardinals playing their best ball of the season, the elevated price is worth laying.
You might ask why I'm not opting for St. Louis on the Run Line instead. Well, although the Cards have been winning, they haven't resembled the '27 Yankees offensively, scoring a total of 18 runs during their five-game winning streak, 10 of which have come in the first two games versus KC. Going back further, this is a squad that's scored a total of 32 runs in its last 11 games as injuries have taken their toll. That does not inspire confidence in a Run Line play. Plus, if you recall, last Tuesday I backed the Phillies and two Thursdays ago the Yankees as elevated favorites for the same reason: their offenses both concerned me in terms of getting Run Line victory. But, both managed to win on the moneyline and that's the same philosophy I'm going with today with the acknowledgement this play is pushing precariously close to my personal cap in terms of how big of a price I'll lay with a chalk.
* Paid and confirmed
Ferringo 5-24-09
1.5-Unit Play. Take ‘Over’ 9.0 Milwaukee at Minnesota (8 p.m., Sunday, May 24)
1-Unit Play. Take #928 Minnesota (-125) over Milwaukee (8 p.m., Sunday, May 24)
1.5-Unit Play. Take ‘Over’ 10.5 Texas at Houston (2 p.m., Sunday, May 24)
1.5-Unit Play. Take #916 Boston (-1.5, +105) over N.Y. Mets (1:30 p.m., Sunday, May 24)
1-Unit Play. ‘Over’ 10.0 Baltimore at Washington (1:30 p.m., Sunday, May 24)
1-Unit Play. ‘Over’ 10.0 Colorado at Detroit (1 p.m., Sunday, May 24)
1-Unit Play. Take #906 Detroit (-150) over Colorado (1 p.m., Sunday, May 24)
0.5-Unit Play. Take #922 St. Louis (-140) over Kansas City (2 p.m., Sunday, May 24)
1.5-Unit Play. Take ‘Over’ 9.0 Milwaukee at Minnesota (8 p.m., Sunday, May 24)
1-Unit Play. Take #928 Minnesota (-125) over Milwaukee (8 p.m., Sunday, May 24)
1.5-Unit Play. Take ‘Over’ 10.5 Texas at Houston (2 p.m., Sunday, May 24)
1.5-Unit Play. Take #916 Boston (-1.5, +105) over N.Y. Mets (1:30 p.m., Sunday, May 24)
1-Unit Play. ‘Over’ 10.0 Baltimore at Washington (1:30 p.m., Sunday, May 24)
1-Unit Play. ‘Over’ 10.0 Colorado at Detroit (1 p.m., Sunday, May 24)
1-Unit Play. Take #906 Detroit (-150) over Colorado (1 p.m., Sunday, May 24)
0.5-Unit Play. Take #922 St. Louis (-140) over Kansas City (2 p.m., Sunday, May 24)
