Vegas Dave's Baseball Picks 07/20/09
Season: 74-84, -11.34 units
Pick 1: Houston Astros -102 over St. Louis Cardinals
Astros coming off of a good series against the Dodgers and playing good ball, still don't trust that Kyle Lohse is 100% healthy or game ready. Astros narrow the division lead today.
Pick 2: Minnesota Twins -121 over Oakland A's
Gio Gonzalez may have a bright future ahead, but the present and recent past haven't been particularly kind. Nick Blackburn has been extremely reliable and almost always works late into the game; the Twins should be able to get him the 3 or 4 runs he'll need.
Pick 3: Cincinnati Reds +135 over Los Angeles Dodgers
Is Jason Schmidt really this big of a favorite? Even if he does somehow pitch well, he will be on a very low pitch count. Expect the Reds to get to him early, and hope that Micah Owings has one of his good days today.
Pick 4: Los Angeles Angels -118 over Kansas City Royals
Sean O'Sullivan has been servicable when called upon, and Sidney Ponson is still a complete disaster. Also factor in the way that the Angels always seem to find a way to win and the Royals always seem to find a way to lose, and the price looks right here.
Pick 5: Florida Marlins @ San Diego Padres Over 8 -105
Yes, San Diego is where overs go to die. But VandenHurk vs. Stauffer? There is nothing in this pitching matchup that suggests that even these two measly offenses shouldn't be able to muster up a few runs.
Good Luck!
Pick 1: Houston Astros -102 over St. Louis Cardinals
Astros coming off of a good series against the Dodgers and playing good ball, still don't trust that Kyle Lohse is 100% healthy or game ready. Astros narrow the division lead today.
Pick 2: Minnesota Twins -121 over Oakland A's
Gio Gonzalez may have a bright future ahead, but the present and recent past haven't been particularly kind. Nick Blackburn has been extremely reliable and almost always works late into the game; the Twins should be able to get him the 3 or 4 runs he'll need.
Pick 3: Cincinnati Reds +135 over Los Angeles Dodgers
Is Jason Schmidt really this big of a favorite? Even if he does somehow pitch well, he will be on a very low pitch count. Expect the Reds to get to him early, and hope that Micah Owings has one of his good days today.
Pick 4: Los Angeles Angels -118 over Kansas City Royals
Sean O'Sullivan has been servicable when called upon, and Sidney Ponson is still a complete disaster. Also factor in the way that the Angels always seem to find a way to win and the Royals always seem to find a way to lose, and the price looks right here.
Pick 5: Florida Marlins @ San Diego Padres Over 8 -105
Yes, San Diego is where overs go to die. But VandenHurk vs. Stauffer? There is nothing in this pitching matchup that suggests that even these two measly offenses shouldn't be able to muster up a few runs.
Good Luck!