HOME TEAM IN CAPS
All games are listed pitchers unless stated otherwise.
TORONTO -1.04 over NY Yankees
Scott Richmond has started six games and the Blue Jays were winners in five of them. In his last start he got roughed up in the second inning (surrendering 5 runs) but then went on to retire the next 21 batters in a row. His pitching line doesn't show it because of the five earned runs allowed but it was probably his most dominant performance of the season. Richmond has pitched at least seven full innings in three straight starts and has pitched six full or more in five straight. The league is hitting just .220 off him. Throw in a rock solid bullpen, the best offense in the league right now, extra momentum from last night's win in front of one of the biggest crowds in about 10 years and what we haveis an extremely live pup here. The Yankees Andy Pettitte usually gets it going in about late July or early August and until then he's always risky. When you wager on the Yanks the last thing you want to hear is "there's activity in the bullpen" because once the starter is lifted it becomes a free for all. Pettitte has been rocked in two straight starts and no matter how you break this one down, we're going with the best of it here. Play Toronto -1.04 (Risking 2.08 units to win 2).
ARIZONA +1.18 over Cincinnati
Have to figure they'll be lots of folks on the Reds today, as the D-Backs can't get out of their own way these days, they're dead last in just about every hitting category going, they've lost the first two games of this series, not to mention seven of its last nine games. Also consider that Johnny Cueto has been lights out in his last five starts with an eye-opening 3-0 record and a 0.80 ERA. Wow. However, he faced the Astros twice, the Pirates once, The Cubbies at Wrigley and the Cardinals. Four of those five starts he faced teams seeing BB's and although his impressive numbers can't be ignored, this park might not be as friendly. Remember, Cueto was inconsistent last year and had far more bad outings then good one's. The line appears cheap and that's always a red flag to me, especially when you consider a rookie pitcher going for the Snakes that's making his major league debut. Bryan Augustein comes in with outstanding minor-league credentials and is absolutely ready for the big time. He throws strikes and in fact, averaged an incredible one walk per 37 batters last season. In his final 6 starts, he tossed 45.0 innings, allowing 7 runs while striking out 31. In 34.2 frames this season at Double-A Mobile, he allowed 17 hits and his BAA was .145. The Reds have never seen him before and often you'll see a team rise to the occassion in support of highly touted newcomers. Line on the Reds is a little too enticing and therefore the Snakes are the play. Play Arizona +1.20 (Risking 2 units).
All games are listed pitchers unless stated otherwise.
TORONTO -1.04 over NY Yankees
Scott Richmond has started six games and the Blue Jays were winners in five of them. In his last start he got roughed up in the second inning (surrendering 5 runs) but then went on to retire the next 21 batters in a row. His pitching line doesn't show it because of the five earned runs allowed but it was probably his most dominant performance of the season. Richmond has pitched at least seven full innings in three straight starts and has pitched six full or more in five straight. The league is hitting just .220 off him. Throw in a rock solid bullpen, the best offense in the league right now, extra momentum from last night's win in front of one of the biggest crowds in about 10 years and what we haveis an extremely live pup here. The Yankees Andy Pettitte usually gets it going in about late July or early August and until then he's always risky. When you wager on the Yanks the last thing you want to hear is "there's activity in the bullpen" because once the starter is lifted it becomes a free for all. Pettitte has been rocked in two straight starts and no matter how you break this one down, we're going with the best of it here. Play Toronto -1.04 (Risking 2.08 units to win 2).
ARIZONA +1.18 over Cincinnati
Have to figure they'll be lots of folks on the Reds today, as the D-Backs can't get out of their own way these days, they're dead last in just about every hitting category going, they've lost the first two games of this series, not to mention seven of its last nine games. Also consider that Johnny Cueto has been lights out in his last five starts with an eye-opening 3-0 record and a 0.80 ERA. Wow. However, he faced the Astros twice, the Pirates once, The Cubbies at Wrigley and the Cardinals. Four of those five starts he faced teams seeing BB's and although his impressive numbers can't be ignored, this park might not be as friendly. Remember, Cueto was inconsistent last year and had far more bad outings then good one's. The line appears cheap and that's always a red flag to me, especially when you consider a rookie pitcher going for the Snakes that's making his major league debut. Bryan Augustein comes in with outstanding minor-league credentials and is absolutely ready for the big time. He throws strikes and in fact, averaged an incredible one walk per 37 batters last season. In his final 6 starts, he tossed 45.0 innings, allowing 7 runs while striking out 31. In 34.2 frames this season at Double-A Mobile, he allowed 17 hits and his BAA was .145. The Reds have never seen him before and often you'll see a team rise to the occassion in support of highly touted newcomers. Line on the Reds is a little too enticing and therefore the Snakes are the play. Play Arizona +1.20 (Risking 2 units).
