VP's Diamond picks: 4/15/14 ​(YTD 25-17-1 +22.65 Units)

[volcom-pike]

1st 5 Innings - PIRATES -0.5 (+125) 3 Units
This is a situation where finishing a suspended game really helps the Pirates, specifically. Both teams' bats will get at least one live AB to warm up before beginning the 1st inning of tonight's game. Mike Leake is not known for being an overpowering pitcher. His fastball hangs around 89-91, and he has a tendency to hang his breaking pitches. This makes him a line-drive generator, and going against game-warmed bats will be an issue. On the other side, Gerrit Cole IS an overpowering pitcher. With a fastball topping out at 101mph, a wicked two-seamer, and a 78-80mph change. He's also been fine-tuning a cutter that has been effective so far this season. He had an early inning hiccup in Chicago on his last start, but it was mostly due to a questionable call and some flukey poor defense from a team that is normally pretty solid in the field. Cole did go on to strike out 10 batters in 6 innings and won the decision.

 

[volcom-pike]

Also worth noting that this is Cole's first start against the Reds. Seeing a 101mph fastball on film is a far cry from being in the batter's box. IMO the first 5 innings leaves little room to size up.

 

[volcom-pike]

Adding:
ASTROS TT UNDER 4(-110) 2 Units
"This kid has the stuff to be a top 10 pitcher in the league in my opinion. A fastball topping off at 101mph (with movement) and a changeup coming in at 85mph on average, is alone good enough to fool even the best bats in the bigs. If that's not enough, he has an above average curveball for a put-out pitch." This is what I said about Yordano Ventura before his start in Tampa last week. He then went 6 IP, giving up only 2 hits, 0 walks, and 0 runs, striking out 6 (all swinging). With today's weather conditions, and the Houston lineup's poor plate discipline, I think the Ventura and the back bullpen hold the Astros to 2-3 runs.

 

[varkeyboy]

Just curious, what is Volcom-Pike?
Also, who'st he chick in your avatar? Love me some titties.

 

[volcom-pike]

Just curious, what is Volcom-Pike?
Also, who'st he chick in your avatar? Love me some titties.

Volcom is a surf/skate apparel company, and Pike is my name.
Her name is Lela Star, of the porn variety.

 

[volcom-pike]

1st 5 Innings - PIRATES -0.5 (+125) 3 Units *WIN*


The Pirates bats didn't hit Leake quite as well as I expected, but they hit him well enough. Great to start the evening with a 3.75 unit win. Hopefully Yordano continues what he did in the 2nd inning, after getting touched in the 1st. I have a few leans for the later games, but I'm not confident enough yet to make them plays.

 

[volcom-pike]

2-0 (+5.75 Units) on the day. Was leaning NYMets, but didn't pull the trigger. Damn shame. I'll take the wins though.