Thursday's Front Page Picks (Jun 14)

Willie Bee · 06-14-07, 10:04 AM

Take Reds +120 vs. Angels & Colon

Game Time: 06/14/2007 12:35 PM -
By: Bob Harvey | bobharveysports.com

This game marks the changing of the times, as former Cy Young winner Colon has been brutal lately, while the rookie Bailey will only get better, so grab the Reds.

In an intriguing matchup of the 2005 Cy Young Award winner and a ballyhooed phenom, the Los Angeles Angels send Bartolo Colon out against young Homer Bailey in today's series finale at Great American Ball Park.

Colon started the season 5-0 with a 3.69 ERA after six starts, but since then he has yielded 28 hits and 18 earned runs in 15 innings over his past three outings. As for Bailey, he impressed in his debut for the Cincinnati Reds, and he should improve in his second big league start. Bailey can hit 98 on the radar gun, and has two types of curveballs. He is another big Texan in the Nolan Ryan, Roger Clemens mold, at 6-foot-4 and 205 pounds.

I'm taking the rookie as a home underdog in this one.

Free Pick: Reds +120

Willie Bee · 06-14-07, 10:06 AM

Make Mariners +140 the Play at Cubs

Game Time: 06/14/2007 02:20 PM -
By: L.T. Profit Sports Group | who2beton.com

Jeff Weaver actually looked like a real pitcher in his last outing, not coincidentally in his first start vs. the National League, so look for Seattle to upset the Cubs.

While we realize that Jeff Weaver is starting for the Seattle Mariners today, we simply refuse to bet the Chicago Cubs when they are favored by this much.

Besides, Weaver is coming off of his best start of the season, albeit an abbreviated one, as he held the San Diego Padres to just one earned run and two hits in four innings. Remember that Weaver has had success in the National League the last few years, so it is really not surprising that he showed so much improvement in his first interleague start. We would not be shocked if he has another good outing today before getting bombed again once American League play resumes.

It is no secret that the Cubs have been dreadful as a favorite this season, and Jason Marquis has not exactly been fooling hitters in his last three starts, posting a 5.25 ERA with a horrific 2.33 WHIP. Finally the Mariners have a huge edge in the bullpen, making Seattle worth the investment at this rather generous price.

Free Pick: Mariners +140

Willie Bee · 06-14-07, 10:07 AM

Twins, Santana -175 to Outduel Braves, Hudson

Game Time: 06/14/2007 08:10 PM -
By: Al McMordie | bigal.com

This price looks chalky, but Tim Hudson has never won a game in interleague play while Johan Santana may still be the best pitcher in the league, so lay the wood.

This is actually a play against Tim Hudson of the Atlanta Braves, who is 0-8 for -10.3 units in his career in interleague play.

Of course, it doesn't hurt that the Minnesota Twins are starting arguably the best pitcher in baseball in Johan Santana, who is a sweet 74-24, +35 units at night and 96-36, +32 units as a favorite. He is coming off of a 3-1 loss to Washington, but he came within one pitch of tossing a shutout as the runs came on a three-run homer.

Look for Santana to outduel Hudson on Thursday night.

Free Pick: Twins -175

Willie Bee · 06-14-07, 10:08 AM

Cardinals, Royals Over 10½

Game Time: 06/14/2007 08:10 PM -
By: Ben Burns | sportspic.com

This one absolutely reeks of a slugfest. Bet the Over this evening in Kansas City when Scott Elarton and the Royals host Kip Wells and the St. Louis Cardinals.

These pitchers have both really struggled this season. Kip Wells is 1-6 with a 6.53 ERA and 1.524 WHIP for St. Louis. He's been particularly bad in his last three starts as he an awful 7.16 ERA and 2.082 WHIP during that stretch with the last two of those games finishing well above the number.

Meanwhile, Kansas City's Scott Elarton has a 9.20 ERA and 1.909 WHIP in three home starts this season. The Over was 2-0-1 in those three games. Dating back to last season, Elarton has seen the Over go 8-2-1 his last 11 home starts. Consider a play on the Over.

Free Pick: Cardinals-Royals Over 10½

Willie Bee · 06-14-07, 10:10 AM

Bet Pirates to sweep Rangers

Game Time: 06/14/2007 07:05 PM -
By: Mike Rose | who2beton.com

Texas is a sinking ship with no sign of help on the immediate horizon. Play the Pittsburgh Pirates at home tonight when they finish off their sweep of the Rangers.

I sat and watched in disgust last night as the Texas Rangers got absolutely pummeled from the get-go by the Buccos, and the Rangers moneyline ticket in my hand got ripped up not three innings into the contest.

To say this Texas club is in disarray right now would be putting it mildly. In fact, that's probably the nicest way to describe what's going on with this club. Injuries and bad team chemistry has sucked any passion this club had early on in the season, and it looks to be one of those years to forget for the fans of the red and blue. Pittsburgh, a team you'd never confuse with that of the mighty Yanks or Red Sox offense, has lit this club's pitching staff up in their first two games, getting out to 7+ run leads in both games and coasting the rest of the way.

The Buccos aren't going to sweep many teams this year, but tonight's game gives them a perfect opportunity to pull off the feat. The Rangers recently sent Kameron Loe down to AAA to work on developing some new pitches as MLB hitters were just sitting back and waiting for his dominant pitch since it was the only one he could throw for strikes. However, Brandon McCarthy is back on the DL and they had to bring Loe back right away before he could get any work in. His ERA of 7.40 looks to be on the rise after tonight as the Buccos bats are hot, and they've done an exceptional job of tagging Ranger pitching thus far.

Pittsburgh starter Tom Gorzellany has given up seven earned runs in his last two starts and was a bit shaky in Yankee Stadium over the weekend, but he's one of the best pitchers the Pirates own and he should be good for 6-7 quality innings here against this Rangers lineup severely lacking any pop. Lay the tall chalk here, and get ready to lay it even more against these Rangers for the rest of the season.

Free Pick: Pirates -160

Willie Bee · 06-14-07, 10:11 AM

Bet Brewers, Tigers Under 9

Game Time: 06/14/2007 01:05 PM -
By: John Martin | touthouse.com

Today's pitching matchup, plus the Brewers' slumbering offense, points to the Under as the way to play this afternoon's Brewers-Tigers contest in Detroit.

Four out of the last five meetings between Milwaukee and Detroit have gone under the total. With Ben Sheets on the mound for the Brewers this afternoon, Detroit will be held down in the scoring column.

Milwaukee can’t produce runs recently so look for this game to go down as a pitchers duel today. The Brewers are hitting just .241 on the road. Milwaukee has scored four or fewer runs in their last five meetings with Detroit. The Under is 9-0-2 in Sheets' last 11 interleague starts. The Under is 17-5-1 in Sheets' last 23 road starts vs. a team with a winning record. The Under is 6-2 in Chad Durbin's last eight starts with the total set at 9.0-10.5. Cash in with under nine runs in today’s matchup.

Free Pick: Brewers-Tigers Under 9

Willie Bee · 06-14-07, 10:12 AM

Cash with the Orioles at Camden

Game Time: 06/14/2007 07:05 PM -
By: Bill Young | procappers.com

Baltimore will end their 3-game skid against Washington this evening at Camden Yards. Get on the Orioles tonight as the Birds avoid being swept by the Nationals.

Baltimore has now lost three straight games to Washington and it’s time for the Orioles to get over the hump and slaughter the Nationals today.

Sending Jeremy Guthrie to the mound with his 3-1 record and a 2.70 ERA will definitely help. He faces Jason Simontacchi who has a 6.75 ERA in his last three starts. He also has Baltimore hitters licking their chops.

The Nationals are 5-17 in their last 22 interleague games as an underdog of +151 to +200. The Orioles are 58-28 in their last 86 games as a home favorite of -151 to -200. Take the Orioles behind Guthrie on Thursday.

Free Pick: Orioles -188

Willie Bee · 06-14-07, 10:13 AM

Chalk the Cubs over Mariners

Game Time: 06/14/2007 02:20 PM
By: Dave Price | procappers.com

The Cubs figured out a way to slow the red-hot Mariners yesterday. And this afternoon, Chicago will win the series over Seattle behind the right arm of Jason Marquis.

The Cubs evened up the series with red-hot Seattle yesterday and they will win it today behind right-hander Jason Marquis.

Seattle's starting pitcher, Jeff Weaver, is 0-6 with an ERA of 12.46 this season, and the Mariners are 1-6 in his seven starts. Marquis is 5-3 with an ERA of 3.01. The Cubs are 8-5 against the moneyline in his 13 starts this season. Marquis gives the Cubs the edge in this one today at Wrigley.

Free Pick: Cubs -143

Willie Bee · 06-14-07, 10:15 AM

Bet Royals & Cards Over 10½

Game Time: 06/14/2007 08:10 PM -
By: Mike Rose | who2beton.com

The Cardinals have scored 22 times and allowed 36 runs in their last five games. And this evening's match against the Royals in Kansas City looks like another high-scoring affair.

The Redbirds busted out the whooping sticks last night and handed the Royals a 7-3 beat-down in the process. After getting their behinds handed to them the night before, it was nice to see the defending champs come out and dish out a butt kicking of their own.

The rubber match of the series pits the (2-10) Kip Wells against the (2-2) Scott Elarton in a game that should feature some offensive fireworks considering these two have proven to be their respective club's gas cans of the staff thus far. To go along with Mr. Wells' atrocious W/L record, he owns a bloated 6.33 ERA and has allowed 81 hits in 75 innings of work while issuing 38 free passes. He's ranked terribly according to my pitcher power rankings, and the Royals' bats should touch him up for at least the six runs he's allowed opponents this year if not more.

However, the Cardinals bats should also get a piece of Mr. Elarton whose 7.34 ERA should look mighty attractive to the likes of Albert Pujols, Scott Rolen, and Chris Duncan. These guys should have a field day tonight, and I don't expect Elarton to even make it to the fifth inning in this spot. Mark Carlson and his gaping wide strike zone won't even be enough to save Elarton here, so pay the extra chalk for the high side of this number as the Cards and Royals churn out an offensive feast in the finale of the 1-70 battle.

Free Pick: Cardinals-Royals Over 10½

Willie Bee · 06-14-07, 10:16 AM

Play Nats & O's Over 9

Game Time: 06/14/2007 07:05 PM -
By: Jimmy the Moose | sportspic.com

The Nationals and Orioles have combined for 26 runs in the first two games of their series. Bet the Over tonight when Baltimore and Washington close out their set at Camden Yards.

Both teams used a lot of pitchers last night in their 11-inning game. The over is 7-2-1 in Washington's last 10 games. The over is 6-0 when Jason Simontacchi takes the mound for the Nationals. Over his last three starts his ERA is 6.75.

The Orioles are batting .265 at home and will feast on the Nationals' starter tonight. With both teams hitting well of late and the tired bullpens, expect both starers to go deep into the game even if they aren't sharp. Play the over.

Free Pick: Nationals-Orioles Over 9