<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%">3</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%">+3.10 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%">44</TD><TD class=rs_value vAlign=top align=right width="10%">55</TD><TD class=rs_value vAlign=top align=right width="10%">0</TD><TD class=rs_value vAlign=top align=right width="20%">-2.66 Units</TD></TR><TR><TD class=rs_value vAlign=top align=left width="50%">Season To Date </TD><TD class=rs_value vAlign=top align=right width="10%">69</TD><TD class=rs_value vAlign=top align=right width="10%">96</TD><TD class=rs_value vAlign=top align=right width="10%">0</TD><TD class=rs_value vAlign=top align=right width="20%">-24.51 Units</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>
My record this year has not been great at all, I was off to a horrible start and stopped posting here because I didn't want to cost anyone any money. With that said, I've really been warming up lately and I definitely have my confidence back and feel I have a strong read on MLB. So, I'm going to post my record for the year, although it has not been on this site except for a few plays early on. Good luck.
Houston +1.01 over ARIZONA
Wandy Rodriguez (W-Rod) doesn’t have much to show for his efforts this season but this guy has been extremely consistent all year. In eight starts he’s pitched at least six full innings in six of them and seven full in three of those. Rodriguez has allowed just one earned run in two successive starts and his numbers just keep getting better. He’s struck out 47 while walking just 14 in 49 2/3 innings and the opposition is hitting just .238 off him. He also has a very low WHIP, which is at 1.19. Yeah, the Astros are struggling to score runs, however, Lance Berkman will be back in the line-up tonight and the Snakes are having an even more difficult time. In fact, Arizona scored just one run the past two nights against the Rockies. In addition, rookie Micah Owings has not looked sharp recently. Owings has gone from starter to reliever and now back to starter and in his last game the Pirates knocked him out in the third inning after he allowed seven runs. Another problem Owings has is his lack of control and at this level that spells nothing but trouble, as he’s walked 16 in 32 innings thus far. Lastly, W-Rod is a lefty and the D-Backs have lost three of four against southpaws at Chase Field and we don’t see where they have an advantage in this game. Wrong side favored. Play: Houston +1.01 (Risking 2 units). <?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com
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></o>Washington +1.40 over Cincinnati
As long as the books keep offering take-backs against the dreadful Reds you can pencil us in and you can double that sentiment when Aaron Harang isn’t on the mound. Matt Belisle is beginning to feel the effects of being turned into a starter after appearing in 90 games as a reliever the past two seasons. He’s been torched in his last two starts, giving up 20 hits (10 in each game) and 11 earned runs in 10.2 innings. One of those games was in that pitchers paradise in San Diego where he surrendered seven earned runs in just five frames and that’s equivalent to losing an ass-kicking contest to a one-legged man. The opposition has hit a hefty .400 against Belisle in those past two starts and he’s struck out just three batters, indicating even more how much he’s weakening. Furthermore, the Nats are steaming hot at the plate and their winning ball games. They’ve destroyed this Reds staff over the past three nights, scoring 27 runs and batting .345. The Nats just keep on winning while the Reds keep on losing and once again we find some value going against Cincinnati, a team that has the fewest wins in the business. Does it really matter who’s pitching for the Nats? We think not. Play: Washington +1.40 (Risking 2 units). <o
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></o>Toronto +1.10 over BALTIMORE
Shaun Marcum of the Blue Jays has one of the best young arms in the game and we’re going right back to him here after two brilliant performances since returning to the starter’s role. Marcum is a natural starter and did not perform so good working out of the pen, however, in two starts since being inserted into the rotation all he’s done in 12 innings is allow four hits and two earned runs while whiffing 13 batters. The kid throws strikes and he challenges hitters and that’s half the battle. The O’s will send a good-looking youngster to the mound also but he’s not the one taking back a price. Jeremy Guthrie has impressive numbers to be sure but the jury is still out on this guy as far as we’re concerned because he just has not performed well for any length of time. In fact, the Indians gave up on him after he posted an ERA of 6.00 and 6.98, respectively, over the past two seasons. Some will argue that he wasn’t really given a chance in Cleveland and that does have some merit but this choice is much more about taking back a price on Marcum then it is about playing against Guthrie. Of course the Blue Jays can win here. Play Toronto +1.10 (Risking 2 units).
