Fourth of July Front Page Picks

[Willie Bee]

Braves and Dodgers Over 8½ (-105)

Game Time: 07/04/2007 09:10 PM -
By: Bob Harvey | bobharveysports.com

The Braves and Dodgers went Over again last night, bringing the Over to 18-5 in the last 23 meetings, so look for more of the same tonight.

The Los Angeles Dodgers will be chasing after their fourth straight win as they host the Atlanta Braves tonight in the third game of a four-game series at Dodger Stadium.

The Dodgers posted a 7-6 victory over the Braves in Game 2 of this series last night, as former Brave Wilson Betemit was tough on his former team, hitting a two run homer and two run double leading to an easy Over. Tonight, Mark Hendrickson returns to the Dodger rotation, as they continue their search for a fifth starter. Hendrickson has a brutal 7.88 ERA in his last three starts.

Chuck James, who has turned in some solid starts this season but still has a 4.34 ERA on the road, will take the mound for the Braves. In fact, each of these starters has an ERA over 4.00 overall, and both have shown a propensity for tiring after five innings. Also consider this, after recording five straight Unders, the Braves have come back with six consecutive Overs.

Finally, the Over is now 18-5 in the last 23 meetings between these clubs, including 8-2 at Chavez Ravine, s0 look for this one to top the number as well.

Free Pick: Braves, Dodgers Over 8½ (-105)

[Willie Bee]

Play Mariners -111 to top Royals

Game Time: 07/04/2007 08:10 PM -
By: Al McMordie | bigal.com

After being stunned this week with manager Mike Hargrove's resignation, the Seattle Mariners will look to continue their recent good run tonight in Kansas City against the Royals.

Our Fourth of July MLB selection is on the Seattle Mariners over the Kansas City Royals. Seattle skipper Mike Hargrove stunned just about everyone in the baseball world, including himself apparently, by announcing early this week that he was resigning. This odd situation is made even stranger by the fact that the Mariners are in the middle of one of their most successful runs in quite some time and closing in on the first place Angels.

But whatever the reason, the Mariners know they must move on as a team and continue to try and win games. The biggest surprise of this team has been the performance of their starters, including tonight's pitcher, left-hander Jarrod Washburn. Not only has Seattle won nine of Washburn's 16 starts, but he has performed better on the road than at his stingy home ball park (3-2 with a 3.68 ERA away from Safeco).

Kansas City's Brian Bannister is starting to come down to earth after beginning the season inexplicably looking like Cy Young. Bannister has a 5.71 ERA in his last three starts and he has already lost to Seattle twice this season -- by a combined score of 14-2! The KC offense is only batting .246 vs. southpaws this season. Take Seattle.

Free Pick: Mariners -111

[Willie Bee]

Indians & Tigers Under 9½ on ESPN

Game Time: 07/04/2007 07:05 PM -
By: L.T. Profit Sports Group | who2beton.com

Kenny Rogers has been insane since last year’s playoffs, and Jake Westbrook has looked good since his return, so go Under on ESPN tonight.

Kenny Rogers has been pitching out of his mind since the playoffs last year, and Jake Westbrook has also pitched well since his return, so we expect the Cleveland Indians and Detroit Tigers to struggle to score runs tonight.

Few people will forget the post-season that Rogers has in 2006, as he tossed 23 scoreless innings in three starts, and although he had a late start this season, he has picked up right where he left off. He tossed six scoreless innings in his 2007 debut, and he then showed he was human in his last start by allowing one run on four hits in six frames. Rogers also tossed Quality Starts in his last two outings against the Indians last season, allowing a total of four runs and only eight hits in 14 innings of work.

Westbrook has come back strong after a stint on the Disabled List, posting Quality Starts in both of his starts since returning while allowing four runs in 14 innings. In fact, if we ignore his shortened outing on May 2 where he was pulled after 1.1 innings and landed on the DL shortly after, Westbrook would have four consecutive Quality Starts.

These teams stayed Under the total last night despite the game going into extra innings, and we expect both of these starters to work deep into the game tonight, resulting in another Under in this ESPN telecast.

Free Pick: Indians, Tigers Under 9½ (-110)

[Willie Bee]

Play Red Sox -1½ (-115) over Devil Rays

Game Time: 07/04/2007 01:05 PM -
By: Alex Smart | who2beton.com

The Devil Rays have now lost nine consecutive games, and with Tim Wakefield 15-2 against them lifetime, play Boston on the runline.

The Tampa Bay Devil Rays enter into this contest against the host Boston Red Sox in Fenway Park in struggling form, having lost nine straight games.

Things do not look to get much better here, as they send the inconsistent Edwin Jackson (1-8, 6.88 ERA) to the hill to face a Red Sox team that has averaged 5.5 runs per game at home this season via a .288 team batting average. Boston starter Tim Wakefield has not looked great this season ,but he has been extremely dominant in his career vs. the Devil Rays, as is evident by an overpowering 15-2 record, along with a stingy 2.91 ERA in 32 appearances.

Finally, Boston is 20-6 in day games this season, winning by an average of 2.3 runs per game, while Tampa Bay is 3-35 in their last 38 games in the second half of the season. Considering these trends along with this pitching matchup, and the overall form of both teams, it is an easy decision to back the Red Sox against the runline.

Free Pick: Red Sox -1½ (-115)

[Willie Bee]

Dog Diamondbacks on road at Cards

Game Time: 07/05/2007 07:15 PM -
By: Larry Cook | procappers.com

With the series square at a game apiece, the Diamondbacks look to take the lead as underdogs this evening in St. Louis. Back Arizona with Livan Hernandez on the hill versus the Cards.

The Diamondbacks are receiving solid value today as a road underdog. Arizona is 7-1 in their last eight games against the NL Central Division after a nice win over St. Louis last night.

The Cardinals are just 1-7 in their last eight games as a favorite. St. Louis is 8-17 in their last 25 versus a team that features a winning record like the Diamondbacks. The Cardinals have only been able to put away bad teams. Arizona is one of the top teams in all of baseball right now. Bet the Diamondbacks to win Wednesday.

Free Pick: Diamondbacks +121

[Willie Bee]

Chalk up Padres -210 over Marlins

Game Time: 07/04/2007 09:05 PM -
By: Ben Burns | sportspic.com

Yes, it is a very chalky price, but Chris Young is in top form and has been unhittable at home, so back the All-Star snub and the Padres here.

I do not often suggest laying such a large price, but the San Diego Padres are 3-0 as a home favorite in the -200 to -225 range this season, and they figure to have a major advantage on the mound this evening.

Chris Young is 2-0 in his last three starts with a stingy 1.12 ERA and 0.81 WHIP, with the Padres as a team winning all three of those starts by a combined score of 14-7. On the other hand, Josh Johnson of the Florida Marlins is 0-3 with a horrid 10.97 ERA and an obscene 3.19 WHIP over his last three starts, with the Marlins losing all three of those games by a combined score of 33-10!

If that is not enough, Young also has an incredible 0.94 ERA in seven home starts this season, allowing just 27 hits and five runs through 48 innings, so make a play on the Padres.

Free Pick: Padres -210

[Willie Bee]

Play Padres & Young vs Marlins

Game Time: 07/04/2007 09:05 PM -
By: Bill Young | procappers.com

Chris Young will try to make a case for his inclusion on the NL's All-Star roster. Lay the heavy chalk on the Padres at home in San Diego when they host the Florida Marlins this evening.

Chris Young is 8-3 on the season with an unbelievable 2.14 ERA. He has only a 1.12 ERA in his last three outings. This guy better not get snubbed from the All-Star Game. He will do everything in his power to make sure he sways the voters tonight with another gem on the mound.

He faces Josh Johnson who is 0-3 with a 10.97 ERA on the year. Young won’t have a problem putting this Marlins team away early while getting the run support he is looking for from his mates. The Marlins are 18-42 in their last 60 games as an underdog of +151 to +200. The Marlins are 0-5 in Johnson's last five starts. The Padres are 12-2 in Young's last 14 starts during the second game of a series. Take Chris Young and the San Diego Padres.

Free Pick: Padres -210

[Willie Bee]

Bet Phils & Astros Over 9

Game Time: 07/04/2007 02:05 PM -
By: Dennis Macklin | procappers.com

The Phillies and Astros conclude their season series in Houston this afternoon. And with all five of the previous games going over the total, there's no reason to think this one will be different.

All five games of the Phillies-Astros series hav gone over this year, and this afternoon should be no exception.

Philadelphia's Cole Hamels has been hit hard in his last three starts (6.97), and his road ERA is 4.47 in nine starts. The Astros' Chris Sampson has a whopping 7.71 ERA in his last three outings allowing 33 baserunners in just 18 innings of work. Sampson faced the Phillies on April 23 and took one for the team allowing seven runs on an unbelievable 14 hits in four innings. The Phillies are 7-2 over in their last eight; Houston is 8-4 over in their last 12 and have allowed their opponents less than five runs just twice in 13 games. Play the Over.

Free Pick: Phillies, Astros Over 9

[Willie Bee]

White Sox to whip Orioles

Game Time: 07/04/2007 07:05 PM -
By: Dave Price | touthouse.com

After a very poor stretch earlier this season, the White Sox have been hot of late. Back Chicago at home with Jose Contreras on the mount tonight against the Baltimore Orioles.

The White Sox have caught some fire just before the All-Star break, winning seven of their last nine games.

Chicago has thumped on Baltimore over the last three seasons, winning 12 of 17 matchups, including five of seven last year and two of three in Baltimore. We'll waste no time backing them today at home. The White Sox' Jose Contreras is 5-2 against the moneyline in his career starts against the O's. Take the Sox.

Free Pick: White Sox -136

[Willie Bee]

Back Tigers & Rogers vs Indians

Game Time: 07/04/2007 07:05 PM -
By: Jimmy the Moose | sportspic.com

The Tigers look to rebound from yesterday's extra inning loss behind their veteran ace Kenny Rogers. Back Detroit this evening at home when they continue their series with the Indians.

The Indians' Jake Westbrook is 1-3 on the year with a 6.10 ERA. Cleveland is 2-5 in Westbrook's last seven starts vs. Detroit. The Indians have lost three of the last four games Westbrook has started in Detroit.

Kenny Rogers makes his third start of the season and his first two were very good. Rogers is 2-0 with a tiny 0.75 ERA. The Tigers are 8-2 in his last 10 starts. Detroit has won four of Rogers' six starts vs. Cleveland. The Indians are 0-5 when Westbrook starts vs. Rogers. Play on the Tigers.

Free Pick: Tigers -126