Friday's Front Page Picks (Jun 1)

**Willie Bee** · 06-01-07, 08:52 AM

Win with Red Sox vs Yankees

Game Time: 06/01/2007 07:05 PM -
By: Tony George | 10starpicks.com

It's the matchup the networks wish took place seven days a week as the Yankees visit the Red Sox in Fenway for the weekend. Back Boston in this series opener with New York.

The Boys from Beantown get their rivals on a serious slide, and although New York won the series two weeks ago in the Bronx, Boston carries a huge advantage at home and are 36-15 dating back to last year.

Boston has won nine out of their last 12 at home, have a better pitcher tonight in Tim Wakefield, plus a stronger bullpen and better depth. New York just dropped five out of six games and in no way should be this tight in terms of the moneyline tonight, plus slugger Jason Giambi is now out with a foot injury, and he is key component in the Yankees' lineup.

The crowd will be into it, and look for Boston to come out on top tonight against the struggling Yanks. Nothing like kicking your enemy when he is down, Take Boston tonight!

Free Pick: Red Sox +108

**Willie Bee** · 06-01-07, 08:54 AM

Tigers, Indians Under 10½

Game Time: 06/01/2007 07:05 PM -
By: Al McMordie | bigal.com

With two solid arms in Maroth and Carmona, and a series trend for low-scoring game, tonight's Tigers, Indians contest in Cleveland should be a very safe bet for the Under.

Our Friday MLB selection is on the Detroit Tigers and Cleveland Indians staying under the total.

It may be premature and he's defintely a longshot, but it's still worth mentioning that there has been at least some Cy Young talk surrounding 23-year-old Cleveland right-handed starter Fausto Carmona. Carmona seems to be getting better with each start, and he has great stuff which has been described as 'nasty' on more than one occasion.

With an ERA of 2.89 Carmona is -- with apologies to the CC Sabathia fans out there -- perhaps the most consistent Tribe starter right now. His last start was this exact same matchup against the Tigers and left-hander Mike Maroth. That game only went a total of eight runs, and this time the Tigers may be without two of their regular starters in the lineup in shortstop Carlos Guillen
(groin) and third baseman Brandon Inge (toe). Both are listed as doubtful.

These two teams have scored a total of nine or fewer runs in six of the last eight games they've played against each other and the Under is 10-1 in Maroth's last 11 starts against Cleveland. Take the Under.

Free Pick: Tigers-Indians Under 10½

**Willie Bee** · 06-01-07, 08:55 AM

Lay it on Los Angeles at Pittsburgh

Game Time: 06/01/2007 07:05 PM -
By: Marc Lawrence | playbook.com

With the opposing southpaws for this one, Randy Wolf for LA and Zach Duke for Pittsburgh, heading in opposite directions right now, the Wolf and the Dodgers are an easy pick.

The Dodgers send southpaw Randy Wolf to the hill in Pittsburgh knowing he is in fine current form and 6-1 in his career team starts against the Pirates (2-0 at PNC Park).

Wolf sports a 3-0 record in his last four starts, with the Dodgers a perfect 4-0 in those games. The left-hander has a 1.44 ERA in the 25 innings worked in those four starts, walking just seven and striking out 27. On the season, Wolf is 6-3 with a 3.41 ERA for Los Angeles, currectly locked in a 3-way tie for the NL West with the Padres and D-Backs.

With Pittsburgh's Zach Duke in struggling KW form with more walks than strikeouts in his last three starts, look for the Dodgers to come up big tonight.

Free Pick: Dodgers -147

**Willie Bee** · 06-01-07, 08:57 AM

Back Brewers -145 vs Marlins

Game Time: 06/01/2007 08:05 PM -
By: Ben Burns | sportspic.com

The Brewers have the best home record in the NL, and will add to that this evening against the Marlins. Make your play on Milwaukee against Florida Friday night.

Yesterday's victory brought the Brewers to a profitable 19-9 at home for the season. That's the best home record in the National League and the 19 victories is tied with the Angels for the most in the major leagues.

Looking back further and we find the Brewers at an impressive 113-77 (59.5%) their last 190 games here in Milwaukee. That includes a 44-24 mark as home favorites in the -125 to -150 range. Despite that excellent record, the price remains relatively reasonable on the top team in the NL Central.

Like most of his Brewer teammates, Jeff Suppan seemingly likes to play at Miller Park as he is 3-1 with a stellar 2.60 ERA at home, averaging 6.9 innings per start. Florida lefty Scott Olsen, on the other hand, is 2-2 with a poor 5.19 (1.789 WHIP) on the road. Consider a play on Milwaukee.

Free Pick: Brewers -145

**Willie Bee** · 06-01-07, 08:58 AM

Kansas City Royals +180 to Sting Devil Rays

Game Time: 06/01/2007 07:10 PM -
By: L.T. Profit Sports Group | who2beton.com

The Devil Rays may be improved, but they simply cannot be trusted at this huge price, especially since the Royals have hit Kazmir well in the past, so look for a big upset.

Now we realize that the Tampa Bay Devil Rays are improved and that Scott Kazmir is going to be a stud for years to come, but we simply must fade Tampa at this ridiculously inflated price.

After all, as improved as the Rays are, do they merit being nearly a two to one favorite over anybody? They are still seven games under .500 overall, as well as one games under .500 at home at 14-15. Besides, the Kansas City Royals have not been Kazmir’s favorite opponent, as he has a 6.35 ERA in three career starts against them.

Do not sell Kansas City starter Brian Bannister short either, despite his 0-3 record. When he surrendered a respectable four runs in seven innings vs. Seattle in his last start, it marked the first time in his six starts this season that he allowed more than three earned runs in a game. Also the Royals actually have a higher winning percentage on the road (10-14, .417) than they do at home (9-21, .300) so far this season.

Finally the Devil Rays beat the Tigers in their last game on Wednesday, and they have had difficulty piecing together victories going a dismal 16-36 in their last 52 games following a win, making the Royals worth an investment at this enormous price.

Free Pick: Royals +180

**Willie Bee** · 06-01-07, 08:59 AM

Get down with the Dodgers at Pirates

Game Time: 06/01/2007 07:05 PM -
By: Brad Diamond | playbook.com

With a 21-6 record in Pittsburgh the last 27 times Los Angeles has played there, the Dodgers are an easy bet as road favorites this evening against the Pirates.

The improving Dodgers continue their Eastern road swing with a key game on Friday with veteran Randy Wolf hurling. The Pirates counter with lefty Zach Duke who has a 5.40 ERA the last three games on the board.

Overall, this series has been controlled by the Dodgers in Pittsburgh as documented by their 21-6 record. Plus LA is red-hot versus left-handed pitchers with a dynamite 8-0 mark. With the Pirates 8-18 behind lefty Duke as an underdog, we're posting the Dodgers here.

Free Pick: Dodgers -147

**Willie Bee** · 06-01-07, 09:00 AM

Texas Rangers +140 to Upset Mariners

Game Time: 06/01/2007 10:05 PM -
By: L.T. Profit Sports Group | who2beton.com

The last-place Texas Rangers are expected to get a boost tonight with the return of Kevin Millwood, who looked good in his rehab start and gives Texas some value at these odds.

Not much has gone right for the last-place Texas Rangers this season, but they have already beaten Jarrod Washburn of the Seattle Mariners once this season, and if Kevin Millwood can regain his form, he gives the Rangers some value at this price.

Granted Millwood has been terrible so far, sitting at 2-6 with a 6.62 ERA. In all fairness however, he was bothered by a stained hamstring all year, going on the Disabled List in April and then probably returning too soon to take a start on May 14. He lasted just 1.2 innings in that return outing before re-aggravating the injury and promptly going right back on the DL. This time however, he had a very nice rehab start on Sunday, retiring 15 of the 17 batters he faced. Keep in mind also that Millwood pitched very well on the road last season, going 9-5 with a very nice 3.74 ERA and 1.19 WHIP away from Arlington.

The Rangers have a horrible team ERA of 5.27, so the emotional boost of having a healthy Millwood back may be enough for them to get this upset victory tonight.

Free Pick: Rangers +140

**Willie Bee** · 06-01-07, 09:02 AM

Cash with the Indians vs the Tigers

Game Time: 06/01/2007 07:05 PM -
By: Dave Price | procappers.com

The Indians are on a roll and have dominated the Tigers so far this season with a 4-0 record. Cash with Cleveland tonight against Detroit at Jacobs Field.

The Indians are 6-0 (+7.4 Units) against the moneyline when playing against a good team (Win Pct. 54% to 62%) this season.

They are also 6-0 (+7.5 Units) against the moneyline vs. a mediocre bullpen whose WHIP is 1.450 to 1.550 this season and 18-4 (+13.0 Units) against the moneyline in home games this season. Cleveland comes off a sweep of the Tigers in Detroit last weekend and continued their recent dominance of the Motown Cats last night with an 11-5 bruising. This one is a no-brainer with the 6-1 Fausto Carmona toeing the rubber.

Free Pick: Indians -158

**Willie Bee** · 06-01-07, 09:03 AM

Twins, Athletics Under 8½

Game Time: 06/01/2007 10:05 PM -
By: Dennis Macklin | procappers.com

The Under has been the way to go on games in Oakland this season, and tonight will be no different. But the Twins and Athletics to stay under the total this evening.

Kevin Slowey is the Twins' top prospect in Triple-A and sported a 6-2 record with a nasty 1.54 ERA at Rochester before being called up. He knows where the plate is as evidenced by his 5/57 BB/K ratio.

Joe Kennedy, Oakland's left-handed starter tonight, has to be shaking his head at 1-4 despite a 3.19 ERA. He´s 0-1 with 2.16 ERA in four home starts this year. The light-hitting A´s (.240 at home) are 16-6 Under at home, 22-7 Under vs righties, and 18-4 Under off a win.

Slowey is reported to be a stud and, barring first-out jitters, runs should be hard to come by from both teams. Play the Under.

Free Pick: Twins-Athletics Under 8½

**Willie Bee** · 06-01-07, 09:04 AM

Take Twins on road at Athletics

Game Time: 06/01/2007 10:05 PM -
By: Jimmy the Moose | sportspic.com

Minnesota will march rookie Kevin Slowey to the hill tonight in Oakland in Slowey's major league debut. Take the Twins this evening on the road against the Athletics.

The Twins are sending rookie Kevin Slowey to the mound to make his big league debut. Expect the right-handed Slowey to keep the A's off balance tonight.

The Twins have won seven of their last eight games. The A's are 4-6 in their last 10. Tonight Oakland has Joe Kennedy (1-4) on the mound. Oakland is just 2-7 in his nine starts this year and 3-13 in his last 16 starts. His last three starts vs. the Twins have all been losses. Play on the Twins.

Free Pick: Twins +120