<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%">2</TD><TD class=rs_value vAlign=top align=right width="10%">1</TD><TD class=rs_value vAlign=top align=right width="10%">0</TD><TD class=rs_value vAlign=top align=right width="20%">+2.32 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%">36</TD><TD class=rs_value vAlign=top align=right width="10%">32</TD><TD class=rs_value vAlign=top align=right width="10%">3</TD><TD class=rs_value vAlign=top align=right width="20%">+20.48 Units</TD></TR><TR><TD class=rs_value vAlign=top align=left width="50%">Season To Date (Since March 2009)</TD><TD class=rs_value vAlign=top align=right width="10%">67</TD><TD class=rs_value vAlign=top align=right width="10%">77</TD><TD class=rs_value vAlign=top align=right width="10%">7</TD><TD class=rs_value vAlign=top align=right width="20%">-0.10 Units</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>
HOME TEAM IN CAPS
All games are listed pitchers unless stated otherwise.
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CINCINNATI +1.20 over Chicago
The Reds are laboring a bit on offense right now but in their defense they faced a very sharp Carlos Zambrano last night and prior to that they saw Chris Carpenter in St. Louis. Now they’ll take a big step down in class when they face Ryan Dempster. Dempster has some decent looking numbers but numbers can sometimes be deceiving. Pitching at Wrigley with the wind blowing in could make anyone look good and Dempster has been the beneficiary of that on a number of occasions. He’s coming off a gem in Los Angeles but like Wrigley, Chavez Ravine is a pitcher’s dream park and the Dodgers had cooled off dramatically when he faced them. A close look at Dempster reveals that he’s had one of the easiest assignments in the league. He started the year pitching in Milwaukee and allowed four runs in six innings. He then faced the Cards twice in a home-and-home series and allowed seven runs in 12 innings combined. His next games came against Arizona, San Fran, Milwaukee, San Diego, St. Louis, Pittsburgh and the Dodgers. He’s been tagged a few times, especially on the road where he’s 1-3 with a 4.82 ERA. So, in reality and with a soft schedule, Dempster has been very average indeed. Furthermore, the Cubs offense continues to labor, as they’ve scored three runs or less in five of its last six games. The Reds have called up Matt Maloney to make his major-league debut. Maloney has earned this promotion by pitching masterfully at Triple-A Louisville. In 10 starts covering 67.1 innings, he’s walked just nine batters while whiffing 58. His comes in with a 2.00 ERA and a .237 BAA at the Triple-A level. Last year he ranked fourth in the International League in strikeouts (132) and tied with Rigo Beltran for second-most in a season by a Bats pitcher. So, what we have here is a strikeout pitcher that rarely gives up a walk and this park will usually reward that type. Both the Cubbies and Dempster have been unimpressive all year and it says here that Dempster finally gets exposed. Play: Cincinnati +1.20 (Risking 2 units). <o></o>
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Texas +1.81 over BOSTON
No reason whatsoever the Rangers can’t pull off another one. They’re playing hard and they’re playing to win every day and the result of that is a 32-22 record and a winning record on the road as well. Derek Holland has gotten a taste of the majors and has made 11 appearances already this year, nine of them out of the pen. He’s had one good start against Houston and one rough one but it came at home against the Yanks. Holland has good stuff, make no mistake about that and the kid also throws strikes. He’s had some very good appearances, especially when he gets away from Ameriquest Field. In fact, in 14.2 road innings he’s allowed just 13 hits, walked just two and has struck out nine. His BAA on the road is .232. The Rangers are 13-6 against southpaws and will face one here in John Lester. Lester is 4-5 overall and at Fenway he’s 2-2 with a 5.02 ERA to go along with a .314 BAA. He’s already surrendered 11 jacks in 65 frames and the Rangers have been known to go deep. Anyway, the Rangers may not win here but at this price they’re nothing but value and their chances of winning are just as good as the Red Sox. Definite overlay. Play: Texas +1.81 (Risking 2 units). <o></o>
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Kansas City +1.63 over TORONTO
Luke Hochevar returns from the minors after being demoted after three starts between May 12 and May 23. He was absolutely rocked but went down to Omaha, regained his composure and could be in it for the long haul now. Hochevar is a former first overall pick with some outstanding credentials. He anchored Team USA at the World University Championship and as a junior in 2005, went 15-3 with a 2.26 ERA in 19 starts in helping lead the Vols to the College World Series. Following the season, he was named a consensus first-team All-America by Louisville Slugger, Sports Weekly and the NCBWA. Last year he earned his first Major League win in his second start of the season April 26 at home against Toronto, as he allowed one run on six hits over six innings in the 2-1 Royals win. He picked up his second straight win May 3 at Cleveland, defeating defending AL Cy Young winner CC Sabathia, 4-2. After his first nine starts last year he handed out just 15 bases on balls the remainder of the season in 13 starts (76.1 IP), posting the ninth-best walks/nine innings ratio (1.77) in the American League from June 9-Aug. 19. At Omaha this season, after the demotion, following the aforementioned three rough starts, Hochevar went 5-1 with a 1.50 ERA. In 48 innings he walked 12 and struck out 36. There is no denying the kid can pitch and it’s just a matter of time before he puts it all together. The Jays have a history of beating good pitchers and struggling badly against pitchers they’re supposed to beat. It’s also worth noting that the Jays are just 4-12 over its last 16 games. The Royals have a great chance to get off the mattress here and the tag on Hochevar makes this risk a good one. Play: Kansas City +1.63 (Risking 2 units).
HOME TEAM IN CAPS
All games are listed pitchers unless stated otherwise.
<?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com
fficeffice" /><o></o>CINCINNATI +1.20 over Chicago
The Reds are laboring a bit on offense right now but in their defense they faced a very sharp Carlos Zambrano last night and prior to that they saw Chris Carpenter in St. Louis. Now they’ll take a big step down in class when they face Ryan Dempster. Dempster has some decent looking numbers but numbers can sometimes be deceiving. Pitching at Wrigley with the wind blowing in could make anyone look good and Dempster has been the beneficiary of that on a number of occasions. He’s coming off a gem in Los Angeles but like Wrigley, Chavez Ravine is a pitcher’s dream park and the Dodgers had cooled off dramatically when he faced them. A close look at Dempster reveals that he’s had one of the easiest assignments in the league. He started the year pitching in Milwaukee and allowed four runs in six innings. He then faced the Cards twice in a home-and-home series and allowed seven runs in 12 innings combined. His next games came against Arizona, San Fran, Milwaukee, San Diego, St. Louis, Pittsburgh and the Dodgers. He’s been tagged a few times, especially on the road where he’s 1-3 with a 4.82 ERA. So, in reality and with a soft schedule, Dempster has been very average indeed. Furthermore, the Cubs offense continues to labor, as they’ve scored three runs or less in five of its last six games. The Reds have called up Matt Maloney to make his major-league debut. Maloney has earned this promotion by pitching masterfully at Triple-A Louisville. In 10 starts covering 67.1 innings, he’s walked just nine batters while whiffing 58. His comes in with a 2.00 ERA and a .237 BAA at the Triple-A level. Last year he ranked fourth in the International League in strikeouts (132) and tied with Rigo Beltran for second-most in a season by a Bats pitcher. So, what we have here is a strikeout pitcher that rarely gives up a walk and this park will usually reward that type. Both the Cubbies and Dempster have been unimpressive all year and it says here that Dempster finally gets exposed. Play: Cincinnati +1.20 (Risking 2 units). <o
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></o>Texas +1.81 over BOSTON
No reason whatsoever the Rangers can’t pull off another one. They’re playing hard and they’re playing to win every day and the result of that is a 32-22 record and a winning record on the road as well. Derek Holland has gotten a taste of the majors and has made 11 appearances already this year, nine of them out of the pen. He’s had one good start against Houston and one rough one but it came at home against the Yanks. Holland has good stuff, make no mistake about that and the kid also throws strikes. He’s had some very good appearances, especially when he gets away from Ameriquest Field. In fact, in 14.2 road innings he’s allowed just 13 hits, walked just two and has struck out nine. His BAA on the road is .232. The Rangers are 13-6 against southpaws and will face one here in John Lester. Lester is 4-5 overall and at Fenway he’s 2-2 with a 5.02 ERA to go along with a .314 BAA. He’s already surrendered 11 jacks in 65 frames and the Rangers have been known to go deep. Anyway, the Rangers may not win here but at this price they’re nothing but value and their chances of winning are just as good as the Red Sox. Definite overlay. Play: Texas +1.81 (Risking 2 units). <o
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></o>Kansas City +1.63 over TORONTO
Luke Hochevar returns from the minors after being demoted after three starts between May 12 and May 23. He was absolutely rocked but went down to Omaha, regained his composure and could be in it for the long haul now. Hochevar is a former first overall pick with some outstanding credentials. He anchored Team USA at the World University Championship and as a junior in 2005, went 15-3 with a 2.26 ERA in 19 starts in helping lead the Vols to the College World Series. Following the season, he was named a consensus first-team All-America by Louisville Slugger, Sports Weekly and the NCBWA. Last year he earned his first Major League win in his second start of the season April 26 at home against Toronto, as he allowed one run on six hits over six innings in the 2-1 Royals win. He picked up his second straight win May 3 at Cleveland, defeating defending AL Cy Young winner CC Sabathia, 4-2. After his first nine starts last year he handed out just 15 bases on balls the remainder of the season in 13 starts (76.1 IP), posting the ninth-best walks/nine innings ratio (1.77) in the American League from June 9-Aug. 19. At Omaha this season, after the demotion, following the aforementioned three rough starts, Hochevar went 5-1 with a 1.50 ERA. In 48 innings he walked 12 and struck out 36. There is no denying the kid can pitch and it’s just a matter of time before he puts it all together. The Jays have a history of beating good pitchers and struggling badly against pitchers they’re supposed to beat. It’s also worth noting that the Jays are just 4-12 over its last 16 games. The Royals have a great chance to get off the mattress here and the tag on Hochevar makes this risk a good one. Play: Kansas City +1.63 (Risking 2 units).
