<o
>
Chicago +1.17 over NY YANKEES (Pinny)
This equation is a rather simple one and goes something like this: whenever we can get a tag on Contreras and the White Sox just pencil us in. Yankees are the chalk here only because they’re the Yanks and we’ve maintained all year how this host is overpriced daily. Jose Contreras hasn’t lost this year and won his final eight games last year to run his streak to 17 decisions without a loss. All he did last year vs the Yanks in two starts is allow one earned run in 15 innings for an ERA of 0.60. Contreras will eventually lose and it could even occur here but making him and the champs a pooch in this contest is ludicrous. Chicago also won 17 of 23 heading into the break while the Big Unit has struggled all year and so has the Yankees bullpen. Play: Chicago +1.17 (Risking 1.5 units).
<?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com
fficeffice" /><o></o>
Colorado +1.25 over CINCINNATI (Pinny)
Only time will tell whether or not the Reds made the right moves by dealing Kearns and Lopez for a couple of relievers but the fact is they gave up two 26 year-old regulars and will have to replace them with somebody. The Reds called up outfielder Chris Denorfia and infielder William Bergolla from Triple-A Louisville to fill the vacant roster spots on Thursday. Denorfia will get a chance to be the primary right fielder, however, the Reds lost some offense for sure and that was their strength. Gary Majewski and Bill Bray aren’t exactly household names and pitching at RFK has a way of making one look a lot better than they really are while Chase Field does not. The Reds traded away two proven players for two middle relievers and you can throw some prospects into the deal too, both ways. In other words, Cinci was robbed blind and now their offense took two steps backwards. They’ll face Jason Jennings here, a guy that has pitched under the radar all year long. Jennings has won his last three decisions, but hasn't earned a victory since June 20. He has allowed two runs or fewer in each of his last three starts to and has been as reliable as any starter in the league. He’ll pitch deep into games and won’t give up much. The Reds will counter with Aaron Harang and while Harang has pitched well for the most part, his home ERA is 5.40 and if he pitches to form here the Rockies have a great chance to win. The trade did not improve the Reds at all and we’re pretty sure the players aren’t too happy. Play: Colorado +1.25 (Risking 1.5 units).
<o></o>
Cleveland +1.15 over MINNESOTA (SIA)
The Twins have come back down to this planet after one of the most remarkable runs in history. However, since that run they’ve lost four of five and Brad Radke doesn’t figure to be the one to get them back on track. Forget about Radke’s recent run of success, the whole team was in a zone and even Carlos Silva was mowin’ ‘em down. Fact is, Radke is a worn down pitcher with very little of anything left in that arm of his. He’s allowed 144 hits in 105 innings and the only reason his ERA has been respectable the past month is because everything was going the Twins way. That’s over and so likely is Radke’s run of good fortune. The Tribe beat Liriano last night and have taken four of five off the Twins this year, Casey Blake is back in the line-up and made an immediate impact last night. Cleveland will score a bunch tonight and if the Twins outscore them, so be it. We know we’re going with the best of it here, as Radke is as big a stiff as any te game has to offer. Play: Cleveland +1.15 (Risking 1.5 units).
</o>
> Chicago +1.17 over NY YANKEES (Pinny)
This equation is a rather simple one and goes something like this: whenever we can get a tag on Contreras and the White Sox just pencil us in. Yankees are the chalk here only because they’re the Yanks and we’ve maintained all year how this host is overpriced daily. Jose Contreras hasn’t lost this year and won his final eight games last year to run his streak to 17 decisions without a loss. All he did last year vs the Yanks in two starts is allow one earned run in 15 innings for an ERA of 0.60. Contreras will eventually lose and it could even occur here but making him and the champs a pooch in this contest is ludicrous. Chicago also won 17 of 23 heading into the break while the Big Unit has struggled all year and so has the Yankees bullpen. Play: Chicago +1.17 (Risking 1.5 units).
<?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com
fficeffice" /><o></o>Colorado +1.25 over CINCINNATI (Pinny)
Only time will tell whether or not the Reds made the right moves by dealing Kearns and Lopez for a couple of relievers but the fact is they gave up two 26 year-old regulars and will have to replace them with somebody. The Reds called up outfielder Chris Denorfia and infielder William Bergolla from Triple-A Louisville to fill the vacant roster spots on Thursday. Denorfia will get a chance to be the primary right fielder, however, the Reds lost some offense for sure and that was their strength. Gary Majewski and Bill Bray aren’t exactly household names and pitching at RFK has a way of making one look a lot better than they really are while Chase Field does not. The Reds traded away two proven players for two middle relievers and you can throw some prospects into the deal too, both ways. In other words, Cinci was robbed blind and now their offense took two steps backwards. They’ll face Jason Jennings here, a guy that has pitched under the radar all year long. Jennings has won his last three decisions, but hasn't earned a victory since June 20. He has allowed two runs or fewer in each of his last three starts to and has been as reliable as any starter in the league. He’ll pitch deep into games and won’t give up much. The Reds will counter with Aaron Harang and while Harang has pitched well for the most part, his home ERA is 5.40 and if he pitches to form here the Rockies have a great chance to win. The trade did not improve the Reds at all and we’re pretty sure the players aren’t too happy. Play: Colorado +1.25 (Risking 1.5 units).
<o
></o>Cleveland +1.15 over MINNESOTA (SIA)
The Twins have come back down to this planet after one of the most remarkable runs in history. However, since that run they’ve lost four of five and Brad Radke doesn’t figure to be the one to get them back on track. Forget about Radke’s recent run of success, the whole team was in a zone and even Carlos Silva was mowin’ ‘em down. Fact is, Radke is a worn down pitcher with very little of anything left in that arm of his. He’s allowed 144 hits in 105 innings and the only reason his ERA has been respectable the past month is because everything was going the Twins way. That’s over and so likely is Radke’s run of good fortune. The Tribe beat Liriano last night and have taken four of five off the Twins this year, Casey Blake is back in the line-up and made an immediate impact last night. Cleveland will score a bunch tonight and if the Twins outscore them, so be it. We know we’re going with the best of it here, as Radke is as big a stiff as any te game has to offer. Play: Cleveland +1.15 (Risking 1.5 units).
</o
>
