<TABLE cellSpacing=1 cellPadding=3 width=500 border=0><TBODY><TR><TD class=rs_value vAlign=top align=left width="50%">Yesterday</TD><TD class=rs_value vAlign=top align=right width="10%">1</TD><TD class=rs_value vAlign=top align=right width="10%">2</TD><TD class=rs_value vAlign=top align=right width="10%">0</TD><TD class=rs_value vAlign=top align=right width="20%">-1.96 Units</TD></TR><TR><TD class=rs_value vAlign=top align=left width="50%">Last 30 Days</TD><TD class=rs_value vAlign=top align=right width="10%">35</TD><TD class=rs_value vAlign=top align=right width="10%">40</TD><TD class=rs_value vAlign=top align=right width="10%">0</TD><TD class=rs_value vAlign=top align=right width="20%">+6.92 Units</TD></TR><TR><TD class=rs_value vAlign=top align=left width="50%">Season To Date (Since April 2007)</TD><TD class=rs_value vAlign=top align=right width="10%">185</TD><TD class=rs_value vAlign=top align=right width="10%">221</TD><TD class=rs_value vAlign=top align=right width="10%">0</TD><TD class=rs_value vAlign=top align=right width="20%">+17.99 Units</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>
HOME TEAM IN CAPS
All games are listed pitchers unless stated otherwise.
Pittsburgh +1.06 over HOUSTON
Not in the least interested in the Astros as the chalk with a rookie call-up going that’s struggled big time at the Triple-A level. Troy Patton started the year at Double-A, Corpus Christi Hooks before being promoted to Round Rock Express where he made eight starts. Patton went 4-2 with an unimpressive 4.59 ERA at Round Rock and in his last two starts he allowed 14 hits and 10 earned runs in 11 frames. On July 16, he was tagged for 10 hits and nine runs in five innings. The Astros are done for the year and they’re looking at some prospects for next year and one of the reasons they’re looking at Patton is because he’s a lefty. In addition, the Pirates are hot, having won six of seven and also having the best offensive numbers in the majors in the month of August with 159 runs scored and 39 jacks. Matt Morris is finally coming off a decent performance in Colorado of all places and when a team is winning that the Pirates are it changes everyone’s attitude. Hot vs cold gets the call again and any take-back has to be considered a gift. Play: Pittsburgh +1.06 (Risking 2 units).
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Atlanta –1½ +1.15 over ST. LOUIS
Tim Hudson + the Atlanta offense = the best combination in baseball. Besides, despite a decent run over the last month the Cardinals do not impress one bit. For the most part this edition of the Cardinals is made up of a bunch of players taken from the scrap heap and Joel Pineiro can be added to that list. Pineiro pitched six years for the Mariners and had two good years in ’03 and ’04. After that things progressively got worse each season with ERA’s of 4.67, 5.62 and 6.37 before the Red Sox picked him up this year. He pitched 31 games all in relief for Boston totaling just 34 frames and his ERA was 5.03. He was then traded to the Cardinals for cash on August 1 and was instantly thrown into the rotation where’s he’s gone 3-1 with a 3.38 ERA. That’s very nice indeed but the fact is Pineiro is not that good, not even close. The Red Sox would not have given him away in the midst of a pennant race if he showed anything. The Braves should feast off this stiff and that’s all there is to it. The Cardinals are an extremely flawed baseball team with a poor defense, a lousy pen and guys that get base hits with the score 7-1. Play: Atlanta –1½ +1.15 (Risking 2 units).<o></o>
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KANSAS CITY +1.26 over Cleveland
Yeah, the Indians are in first place but it’s not because they’re playing well, it’s because everyone behind them is playing just as bad. In fact, since the break the Indians are 9-12 and over their last 12 games they’re averaging just over three runs a game. Recent call-up Aaron Laffey, has pitched just two games and has lasted just 11 innings combined, walking four and striking out five. He’s also allowed 11 hits and seven earned runs for an ERA of 5.73 and when you have an offense behind you that can’t score it’s tough to win with an ERA like his. In addition, this venue has not been kind to Cleveland, as they’ve dropped nine of its last 12 games here. Kyle Davies has been unspectacular but effective over his last three, allowing just six earned runs in 16 innings for an ERA of 3.24 over that span. The Royals continue to play some very good ball at home, going 9-3 over their last 12 home games. Play: Kansas City +1.26 (Risking 2 units).
BOXING TODAY
Tony Oakey +2.19 over Brian Magee PINNACLE
(Sat. 2 P.M. EST)<o></o>
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The British Light Heavyweight title is on the line this Saturday as Tony “Oakey Kokey” Oakey takes on Brian Magee in Dublin, Ireland.<o></o>
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Magee is taller at around 6 feet, with a record of 28-3, 19KO, and is a year older at 32. He is considered the better boxer, however, he is a very vulnerable and an over-priced favorite here. He always loses the ‘big ones’ and has been described as ‘passionless’ in the ring. Against Reid, he was knocked down four times in 2004; the same Reid who was annihilated by the over-rated Jeff Lacy in 2005. Also at around 167 lbs., Froch knocked him out. Tsypko beat him in Germany in a fight he could and should have won but he once again failed to show a ‘fighting heart’.<o></o>
Brian is the naturally smaller man even though he towers over the 5’8” Oakey.<o></o>
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Oakey looked better than ever in his last when he stopped Spartacus for the first time in his career. He throws a ton of punches and keeps coming forward and never appeared to tire in his latest, by all accounts. His promoter has said that he has never looked or been better and might very well be too strong and even stop Magee. Tony is extremely ‘up’ for this fight and as motivated as heck; not to mention insulted by the fact that he is the underdog.<o></o>
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The value on this one is excellent as a strong case could even be made for the wrong man being favored. Magee just does not warrant being a 2-1 favorite against this Oak Tree because he has proven time and again to ‘blow’ the big ones and his heart just might not be 100% in it and his ‘chin’ is questionable, too.<o></o>
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We will gladly take our chances on this very ‘live’ dog, Tony Oakey, and expect to be cashing this ticket at a very sweet price. Big overlay. Please note that the line goes off at 2 P.M. EST. Play: Tony Oakey +2.19 (Risking 2 units).
NOTE: you can watch the fight here: www.rte.ie/sport