Milwaukee +1.51 over CINCINNATI (12:30 PM)<?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com
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The Reds really aren’t in any position to be a 1.60 favorite at the moment. They’ve dropped five in a row and they’re 0-18 with runners in scoring position over their last three games. Elzardo Ramirez is 2-5 this year and 2-8 in his career with a career ERA of 5.34. Ramirez has also lost to the Cubs twice this year back when the Cubs couldn’t buy a W. For the Brewers, Carlos Villanueva makes his big league debut as a starter. He was tremendous during spring training and he can be counted on to throw strikes. He only walked 14 batters in the minors this year in 61 frames and also struck out 59. In his one inning in relief, ironically at this same park back on May 23, he didn’t allow a run and struck out two Reds. Anyway, we like this angle, that being, playing on promising young pitchers in their first start because the offense will almost always get a little more pumped up in support of the newcomer. It’s never a bad idea to play against cold teams and we make no exception here. Play: Milwaukee +1.51 (Risking 1.5 units).
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NY Mets +1.34 over PHILADELPHIA<o></o>
The Mets are seeing beach balls these days and it really doesn’t matter who they’re facing. In fact, in the Mets last six games, all wins, they’ve scored an eye opening 55 times. Great American Ballpark is not known for cooling teams off and while the Mets will face Philly’s best starter in Brett Myers, the fact is, they’ve seen Myers twice already this year and that can’t hurt our chances. Not only have the Mets won six straight but they’re 7-1 on their current 10 game road trip and the Phillies have dropped four of five. Orlando Hernandez was brilliant in his last start against the shaken-up D-Backs and he’s been terrific on the road all year, compiling a 4-1 record to go along with his impressive 2.61 ERA. Mets are hot, Phillies are cold, we get a tag on the Metropolitans and we’ll gladly take our chances. Play: NY Mets +1.34 (Risking 1.5 units).
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TORONTO –1.05 over Baltimore<o></o>
Rodrigo Lopez is pitching better than he was earlier in the year but that’s like saying there was an exciting soccer game. He’s never had success in Toronto and the Orioles favored over the Blue Jays is simply incorrect. Lopez has allowed 103 hits in 85 innings and he’s also surrendered 16 jacks. The Blue Jays are 21-14 at home while the Orioles are 11-19 on the road. Than we have a lefty going for Blue Jays in Scott Downs. Downs isn’t the second coming of Steve Carlton or anything but he might not have to be to dispose of Baltimore. You see, the Orioles are 1-9 on the road versus lefties and 5-14 overall and that definitely works for us. Baltimore favored in Toronto? We don’t think so. Play: Toronto –1.05 (Risking 1.6 units to win 1.5).
fficeffice" /><o></o>The Reds really aren’t in any position to be a 1.60 favorite at the moment. They’ve dropped five in a row and they’re 0-18 with runners in scoring position over their last three games. Elzardo Ramirez is 2-5 this year and 2-8 in his career with a career ERA of 5.34. Ramirez has also lost to the Cubs twice this year back when the Cubs couldn’t buy a W. For the Brewers, Carlos Villanueva makes his big league debut as a starter. He was tremendous during spring training and he can be counted on to throw strikes. He only walked 14 batters in the minors this year in 61 frames and also struck out 59. In his one inning in relief, ironically at this same park back on May 23, he didn’t allow a run and struck out two Reds. Anyway, we like this angle, that being, playing on promising young pitchers in their first start because the offense will almost always get a little more pumped up in support of the newcomer. It’s never a bad idea to play against cold teams and we make no exception here. Play: Milwaukee +1.51 (Risking 1.5 units).
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></o>NY Mets +1.34 over PHILADELPHIA<o
></o>The Mets are seeing beach balls these days and it really doesn’t matter who they’re facing. In fact, in the Mets last six games, all wins, they’ve scored an eye opening 55 times. Great American Ballpark is not known for cooling teams off and while the Mets will face Philly’s best starter in Brett Myers, the fact is, they’ve seen Myers twice already this year and that can’t hurt our chances. Not only have the Mets won six straight but they’re 7-1 on their current 10 game road trip and the Phillies have dropped four of five. Orlando Hernandez was brilliant in his last start against the shaken-up D-Backs and he’s been terrific on the road all year, compiling a 4-1 record to go along with his impressive 2.61 ERA. Mets are hot, Phillies are cold, we get a tag on the Metropolitans and we’ll gladly take our chances. Play: NY Mets +1.34 (Risking 1.5 units).
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></o>TORONTO –1.05 over Baltimore<o
></o>Rodrigo Lopez is pitching better than he was earlier in the year but that’s like saying there was an exciting soccer game. He’s never had success in Toronto and the Orioles favored over the Blue Jays is simply incorrect. Lopez has allowed 103 hits in 85 innings and he’s also surrendered 16 jacks. The Blue Jays are 21-14 at home while the Orioles are 11-19 on the road. Than we have a lefty going for Blue Jays in Scott Downs. Downs isn’t the second coming of Steve Carlton or anything but he might not have to be to dispose of Baltimore. You see, the Orioles are 1-9 on the road versus lefties and 5-14 overall and that definitely works for us. Baltimore favored in Toronto? We don’t think so. Play: Toronto –1.05 (Risking 1.6 units to win 1.5).
(Bol to you anyway!)
