O's win 7-6! That makes me happy to be on the right side of a bullpen meltdown.
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Looks like the bullpen/shotty D is going to give one away now. SF blowing it after holding Chicago down most of the game.Comment -
Record: 4-3-1 [+0.40]Comment -
I've been on every wrong end of a bullpen meltdown this spring until mariners scored 6 in the eighth to beat rangers the other night. I'm pretty gun shy now...used up too much luck with that game.Comment -
I don't worry about it too much in the Spring, I figure it is really the norm at this point. Once the starters go out, it's a crapshoot. At least if you have an idea of who is lined up after, you have a shot to look at how they have pitched. Even then, managers may not stick straight to those guys if the game gets dicey. That's why I try to find the games where I think a team has an edge with lineup or starter AND try to find out who is going to pitch after the starter if possible. Got two in mind for the early starts today, but only one game has a line right now ... so going to wait a little while and do some research in the mean time on pitchers.Comment -
March 11
Braves -135
Buchanan has pitched decently for the Phils this Spring as he suddenly could emerge as a 5th starter with their injury problems. Teheran has done a nice job wiggling out of jams this Spring and has been effective overall. The edge offensively has to go to ATL with PHI struggling to score runs. They have the worst OPS among the Grapefruit League teams and they have failed to score four runs in 10 of their 13 games so far. ATL isn't exactly lighting it up from game to game, but they have been much more productive than that. Their lineup today is almost an every day one with a change or two whereas the Phils are missing a few more regs.
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Record: 5-3-1 [+1.40]Comment -
March 12
Orioles -130
Going against the anemic Phillies offense again today in a replay of last Friday's pitching match-up that led to a 15-4 O's route. Jimenez was solid in his debut, while Burnett got touched up for six runs. O's have been raking all Spring, while the Phils have struggled mightily for runs. Lineups look fair.
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Figures. Today Philly scores runs.Comment -
Record: 5-4-1 [+0.10]Comment -
March 14
Cardinals -125
Cosart was a little bumpy in his last outing. I'll take Wacha as the better starter. Both lineups have hit well this Spring for the most part. Relievers will decide it. No firm news on who follows the starters today.
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Record: 6-4-1 [+1.10]Comment -
March 16
Rays -140
Edge to the Rays with Price starting and the lineup features more regs with BOS giving most of their regs the day off. TB has been winning consistently this Spring too, so all in all - looks like a good try.
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Brewers +110
Big advantage for starting pitching to MIL. Gallardo has looked solid this Spring with a 1.13 ERA. Cahill has been lit up in his last two starts, giving up 11 runs in the process. He did face MIL to open the Spring and that was his best outing. Lineup edge to ARI as they start pretty much their every day, while MIL is resting some regs. I'll take that starting pitching edge though and see if Cahill continues to struggle.
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Maybe the best bullpen meltdown of the Spring ... on the wrong side of it. MIL today. Wow. If they survive the 9th without yacking up the lead, I will be shocked.Comment -
No chance they don't lose. 9th inning was a comedy act from the BP. Up 5-3 ... all without record a single out.
- Cliff Pennington singles on a bunt ground ball to pitcher Zach Duke.
- 2. Shelley Duncan singles on a line drive to left fielder D' Vontrey Richardson. Cliff Pennington to 2nd.
- Offensive Substitution: Pinch-hitter Steve McQuail replaces Kyle Winkler.
- 3. Steve McQuail singles on a line drive to left fielder D' Vontrey Richardson. Cliff Pennington to 3rd. Shelley Duncan to 2nd.
- With Chris Owings batting, wild pitch by Zach Duke, Cliff Pennington scores. Shelley Duncan to 3rd. Steve McQuail to 2nd.
- 4. Chris Owings reaches on a fielder's choice, fielded by second baseman Jeff Bianchi. Shelley Duncan scores. Steve McQuail to 3rd. Chris Owings to 2nd on the throw.
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Record: 7-5-1 [+1.10]Comment -
Ouch. My model liked the Brewers as well. Sounds like a sick beat. Good thing I was too busy this afternoon to bet on them!Comment -
EP. Very off topic and I do apologize for that. Hope I'm not cluttering your thread.
Want your opinion on a prop I'm looking into. Giants total wins over 86.
Any opinion or hunch? I think they improved the rotation a bit from last year and should have a better overall year than 2013Comment -
March 17
Braves -120
Strong edge pitching-wise to ATL with Wood starting. He's been almost flawless this Spring. I actually read Oberholtzer is starting for the 'Stros, so make sure you take ACTION for the pitching selections today if your book has the wrong listing like Baseball Press does today. Obie was crushed by WAS in his last start, so perhaps even a bigger pitching edge for ATL. He did face them once this Spring and was decent with one run given up in two IP. Do not know the flow after that. Lineups, HOU has more regs in - so an edge to them, but I think the pitching gives ATL a little leg up here.
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Props to Baseball Press. Downs was the starter. Love that site. Very accurate.Comment -
March 17th
Brewers -125
Can't be afraid in this spot. MIL has both edges today for me. Lohse as the starter over Paulino who has scuffled this Spring. The ChiSox righty has surrendered at least two runs in each of his starts, nine runs in just 8.1 IP. Loshe has been what you expect, solid but not overly spectacular. MIL looks to have their every day lineup out there. I feel good about MIL even with the meltdown yesterday because it was one guy - Zach Duke who could not get an out.
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Guess the Brewers are my f-ing Albatross. So much for that SP advantage.Comment -
Record: 8-6-1 [+0.85]Comment -
March 18
Yankees -130
I think the starting pitching is a wash. Both guys have had good Springs. Pineda is still in the mix for the 5th starter's spot, so every outing is important for him. Doubront has been mowing dudes down without much hassle, so I think this one probably is decided more after both starters depart. Not sure who the Yanks have in-line after Pineda, but the BoSox have Workman and Hill for sure after Doubront. Workman was better his last time out, but has been hit hard at-times this Spring. Hill will be appearing for just the second time. Definite line-up edge to NYY with BOS resting most regs and the Yankees going with the every day.
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March 18
White Sox +110
This is guesswork for me, but I like the spot. Chavez for OAK now virtually has a rotation spot locked up due to the injuries that hit the A's this week. He's been the
this Spring, not allowing a run yet. I think he'll be do perhaps for a little letdown. Oppositely, Quintana has been garbage this Spring with a horrible outing last time against the Angels. I think he needs to amp it up and get some feel good innings under his belt and with OAK not sporting a heavy dose of regs in the lineup, I'll side with a full ChiSox lineup as another edge.
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So going against logic apparently is not a good idea. 3-0 OAK in the 1st. Fukk.Comment -
Good gosh that white sox pitcher is trash. 6 runs allowed and no outs. What garbageComment -
"Quintana has been garbage this Spring".....and remains garbage....top 1st, 8 runs on 7 hits and nobody out.....I think Mr. Quintana will be in AAA on opening day!Comment -
Yeah this is what you get when you doubt your first inclination on a pick. I had the A's tabbed, but I think getting burned on the pitching match-up with MIL yesterday bumped me off ... live and learn.Comment -
Record: 9-7-1 [+0.85]Comment -
March 19
Phillies +140
Happ has been nursing a sore lower back which could explain his horrid Spring so far. He got pounded in successive outings where he went no longer than an inning. He did pitch a Minor League game a few days ago and has better success, but I'll go against a guy whose confidence has to be shaky. He's also been pissed off at comments from the GM that suggested he did not have a certain spot in their rotation. Kendrick improved in his last start after a shaky opener. I expect he'll give some up, but hopefully will be able to limit the damage. Lineups are both strong. Phils started hitting somewhat better in the last week or so. Jays got shellacked by DET yesterday and that led to the demotion of a couple pitchers, including former ace Ricky Romero. They have had some issues winning this Spring of late with five of their last six resulting in losses.
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Got it now @ +140. We'll see how it goes. Mmoney on Toronto apparently.Comment
