Tuesday's Front Page Plays (Jun 5)

[Willie Bee]

Put a unit on Big Unit, Diamondbacks

Game Time: 06/05/2007 09:40 PM -
By: Al McMordie | bigal.com

With veteran left-hander Randy Johnson in fine form and the Diamondbacks the best team going right now, back Arizona at home against the San Francisco Giants.

Our Tuesday MLB selection is on the Arizona Diamondbacks over the San Francisco Giants. It's a pitching matchup that features the veteran 40-something flame throwing stud vs. the young version of the same.

Even though Randy Johnson is a lefty and the Giants' Matt Cain is a righty, there are still many similarities between these two starting pitchers. Cain throws in the mid-to-high 90s as Johnson used to do 10+ years ago. And Cain will probably be one of the annual leaders in strikeouts, which actually Johnson may still be as well, if he can stay healthy. Right now it looks as if Johnson is healthy and throwing very well, but that could change at any time. In his last outing, Johnson dominated the Phillies over six innings of shutout ball, striking out an average of a batter per inning. And Johnson really seems to be picking it up lately as he is 3-0 with a 1.02 ERA and 0.51 WHIP in his last 3 starts.

At the same time, Cain has slipped a bit in his last three starts, with an 0-2 record (team record of 0-3) and a 4.05 ERA and 1.50 WHIP. The D-Backs have been absolutely dominant at home against the Giants, having taken the last five games in a row played there, including three of which were played this season in a series at the end of April. You have to like Arizona's chances of winning a pennant with a healthy Randy Johnson and a very good bullpen as well. The Giants are batting only .239 as a team vs. southpaws this season. Take Arizona.

Free Pick: Diamondbacks -133

[Willie Bee]

Mariners with Baek -150 over Orioles

Game Time: 06/05/2007 10:05 PM
By: Marc Lawrence | playbook.com

He may not yet be a household name, but Cha Seung Baek has quietly been one of the most consistent pitchers in baseball this year, so lay the chalk with the Mariners.

Cha Seung Baek of the Seattle Mariners has been one of the better kept secrets in baseball this year.

Baek is in solid current form, with a 3.61 ERA in his last five starts, issuing only four walks against 23 strikeouts in the process. The Mariners team is 6-2, +$578 in all of Baek’s starts.

Look for the Baltimore Orioles to drop to 2-8 on Tuesdays, their worst day of the week, here tonight.

Free Pick: Mariners -150

[Willie Bee]

Play Padres in San Diego vs the Los Angeles Dodgers

Game Time: 06/05/2007 10:05 PM -
By: Alex Smart | sportspic.com

Starter Chris Young and his bullpen give the Padres a solid edge tonight at home in San Diego in the opener of their series with the Los Angeles Dodgers.

Chris Young (6-3, 2.42 ERA), the Padres' starting pitcher tonight against the visiting Dodgers, is in great current form allowing two or fewer earned runs in eight of his 10 starts this season. He will buoyed by what in my humble opinion is baseball's top bullpen as is evident by a miniscule 1.73 ERA including a 0.891 WHIP.

The Dodgers, after going from the East Coast to the West Coast overnight, may be a little jet lagged, which is not a good situation considering the type of pitching they will be facing. Note: Los Angeles' starting pitcher Jason Schmidt (1-2, 7.36 ERA) has not looked all that good this season, and will be making his first start off the DL after a minor league rehab stint.

Final Notes & Key Trends: The Dodgers have lost six of their last seven on the road against a right-handed starter. The Dodgers have lost seven of their last 10 in San Diego. Play on the Padres.

Free Pick: Padres -142

[Willie Bee]

Take underdog Twins at Angels

Game Time: 06/05/2007 10:05 PM -
By: John Ryan | sportspic.com

Minnesota has an immediate chance at pay-back tonight following the Angels' 16-3 rout last night. Take the Twins this evening on the road in Anaheim.

Minnesota was hammered last night in Anaheim 16-3 and have an immediate pay-back opportunity today. Supporting this graded play is a system that has gone 99-76 and has made 53.5 units since 1997. Play on NL road teams with a very good bullpen whose ERA is 3.33 or better on the season against opponent with a starting pitcher whose ERA is 3.20 or better on the season.

Kelvin Escobar was hammered in his last start at home versus the Orioles. He gave up five earned runs, four walks, nine hits, and had just three strikeouts in eight innings of work. Four starts prior he was hammered by Seattle going just 2.1 innings and giving up six earned runs and eight hits. So you can see he has been largely inconsistent and not worth to be installed as a -195 favorite.

Scott Baker gets the nod for the Twins and has been steady, but has pitched his best baseball on the road. He has a 2.16 ERA on the road and 0.72 WHIP. Granted, just one start, but it was against a strong Milwaukee lineup. Escobar's inconsistent starts have led to his team's 3-8 (-11.9 Units) record against the money line as a home favorite of -150 or more over the last two seasons.

Free Pick: Twins +182