Tuesday Front Page Picks (July 24)

Willie Bee · 07-24-07, 09:38 AM

Go with Orioles -107 to fly past Devil Rays

Game Time: 07/24/2007 07:05 PM -
By: Al McMordie | bigal.com

Daniel Cabrera has had success vs. Tampa Bay throughout his career while Scott Kazmir has struggled with the Orioles. Baltimore gets the call at home here.

The Baltimore Orioles get the call over the Tampa Bay Devil Rays tonight.

Orioles starter Daniel Cabrera is a perfect 4-0 lifetime in eight appearances vs. the Devil Rays, with a 3.56 ERA. Cabrera's mound opponent will be left-hander Scott Kazmir, who has struggled against the Orioles with a 5.01 career ERA in eight appearances.

This includes a dismal start by Kazmir vs. Baltimore earlier this year in which he gave up six hits and four walks in just four innings pitched.

Free Pick: Orioles -107

Willie Bee · 07-24-07, 09:39 AM

A’s, Angels to stay Under 8½

Game Time: 07/24/2007 10:05 PM -
By: L.T. Profit Sports Group | who2beton.com

Kelvim Escobar has been brilliant at home, while Lenny DiNardo continues to impress. With the Under now 58-36 in all A’s games, look for more of the same.

The Oakland Athletics and Los Angeles Angels were involved in a slugfest last night, a 12-6 A’s victory, but that was due to two off pitchers on the mound (Colon, Gaudin), so expect a return to normalcy here.

Even with that 12-run explosion last night, the Athletics are still hitting a pathetic .209 as a team over their last 10 games while averaging 3.70 runs per game, a figure that drops to 2.78 runs if we throw out tonight. Do not expect another eruption tonight vs. Kelvim Escobar, who has a 0.79 ERA over his last three starts, as well as a brilliant 1.95 ERA and 1.04 WHIP at home for the entire season. As if that is not imposing enough, Escobar has also posted Quality Starts in each of his last five outings vs. Oakland.

Do not forget about A’s starter Lenny DiNardo here either. Yes, we admit that we thought he pitched over his head in the first half of the year, but DiNardo just keeps proving us wrong. He allowed just three hits in seven scoreless innings against the Texas Rangers last time out, lowering his ERA for the season to a rather amazing 2.51 despite a 4-6 record. Furthermore, his ERA is actually slightly better on the road, at 2.25.

Finally, the Under is now 58-36-5 in all Oakland games this season, including 44-20 when they face right-handed starting pitchers, so look for those patterns to continue here.

Free Pick: Athletics, Angels Under 8½ (-110)

Willie Bee · 07-24-07, 09:40 AM

Take Twins & Jays Under 9

Game Time: 07/24/2007 07:05 PM -
By: Ben Burns | sportspic.com

Tonight's pitching matchup at the Rogers Centre in Toronto points to the Under cashing. Bet below the total this evening when the Blue Jays play host to the Minnesota Twins.

Yesterday's game managed to find its way above the number. However, the Under remains a healthy 7-2 the last nine times the Twins took the field and an even better 7-1-1 in Toronto's last nine games. This should prove to be another relatively low-scoring affair.

Both starters come off quality outings against top-tier offenses. Blue Jays right-hander Dustin McGowan held the surging Yankees to four hits and two runs through seven innings in his last start, a 3-2 victory. Meanwhile, Minnesota's Scott Baker held the hot-hitting Tigers to three runs through 6.1 innings en route to a 4-3 loss. Prior to that, Baker limited Oakland to five hits and two runs through six complete innings. That game also stayed below the number with a final score of 6-2. Including those results, the Under has gone 8-3 in Baker's 11 starts for the season. That includes a 4-1 mark on the road. Baker has also seen the Under go 2-0 in his two starts vs. Toronto, a 2-1 win and a 4-3 win.

The Jays have seen the Under go 13-2 as home favorites in the -125 to -150 range. In case the line dips below that mark, it's worth noting that they've also seen the Under go 4-2 when playing at home with a line ranging from +100 to -125. Consider a play on the Under.

Free Pick: Twins-Blue Jays Under 9

Willie Bee · 07-24-07, 09:41 AM

Cash with Kazmir, Rays at O's

Game Time: 07/24/2007 07:05 PM -
By: Vernon Croy | 10starpicks.com

Left-hander Scott Kazmir gives Tampa Bay the upper hand in this evening's game in Baltimore. Back the Devil Rays behind Kazmir when they take on Daniel Cabrera and the Orioles.

There is very good value here tonight since Tampa Bay has the superior pitcher on the mound.

Devil Rays southpaw Scott Kazmir has pitched solidly over his last three starts with an ERA of just 2.50. Baltimore right-hander Daniel Cabrera has been anything but solid this season with an ERA of 5.93 at home. Tampa Bay is also hitting .324 as a team while averaging 5.9 runs per game over their last seven games. Play the Rays.

Free Pick: Devil Rays -102

Willie Bee · 07-24-07, 09:42 AM

Cubs to deal Cards loss in St. Louis

Game Time: 07/24/2007 08:10 PM -
By: Steve Zukiel | touthouse.com

Too many factors favor the surging Cubs in tonight's game against the Cardinals. Back Chicago this evening when they meet their longtime rivals at Busch III in St. Louis.

In this contest, my money is on the Chicago Cubs who are playing great baseball. They are now five games above .500 and despite being on the road, they are two games above .500 there while the Cardinals are actually below .500 at home.

Carlos Zambrano has been all that and a bag of chips for the Cubs as of late. He struggled early this season but now is in Cy Young form. The right-hander is 12-7 on the year and sports a 3.69 ERA. Decent numbers, but they only get better. On the road he is 7-2 while his ERA has gone down to 3.13. And in his last nine starts overall, the right-hander has allowed more than two runs only once. That is amazing.

Kip Wells goes for the Cardinals and though he pitched a gem in his last start, that was more of an aberration than anything else. Let's not forget despite that great outing in his last outing, he is still 3-12 on the year while sporting an ERA over 6.30.

Chicago is playing better baseball and they have the better pitcher on the mound. Take the Cubs in this one.

Free Pick: Cubs -140

Willie Bee · 07-24-07, 09:43 AM

Cubs to cut Cards behind Zambrano

Game Time: 07/24/2007 08:10 PM -
By: Tom Freese | sportspic.com

The chalk isn't too heavy in this one despite what appears to be a big mismatch on the mound. Back the Cubs and Carlos Zambrano tonight when they open a series In St. Louis.

Chicago starter Carlos Zambrano has been pitching lights out of late allowing 11 runs total in his last nine starts overall. Zambrano has been on the winning side in seven of his 10 road starts this year.

St. Louis starter Kip Wells has been on the losing side in 14 of his 17 starts this year, including 1-6 at home. The Cardinals are just 4-11 in Game 1 of a home series this year. Play on the Chicago Cubs (Zambrano vs. Wells).

Free Pick: Cubs -145

Willie Bee · 07-24-07, 09:45 AM

Bet Braves to top Giants

Game Time: 07/24/2007 10:15 PM -
By: Alex Smart | who2beton.com

The only thing the Giants have going for them right now is Barry Bonds' persuit of Hank Aaron. Back Tim Hudson and the Atlanta Braves tonight on the road in San Francisco.

The NL West last place San Francisco Giants prepare to take it on the chin again tonight against an Atlanta Braves team that will send one of their top hurlers, Tim Hudson (10-5, 3.24 ERA), to the hill.

The right-hander is 4-0 in his last five starts along with a stingy 2.61 ERA. That's not a good omen for a Giants team that has hit just .249 at home this season. With the Giants sending the struggling Matt Morris (7-6, 4.08 ERA) to the bump, this looks to be a solid situation to back the Braves as short road chalk. The veteran Giants righty has not won since June the 11 and is 0-3 in his last six starts along with a bloated 8.35 ERA. Play on the Braves.

Free Pick: Braves (-130)

Willie Bee · 07-24-07, 09:46 AM

Dog Dodgers at Houston

Game Time: 07/24/2007 08:05 PM -
By: Jimmy the Moose | sportspic.com

Nothing is going right for the Astros this season, and playing them as favorites is just short of suicide. Back the Dodgers as tiny pups this evening when they battle in Houston.

The Dodgers have won seven of their last 11 games. Los Angeles has won their last five road games and is 24-8 in their last 32 road games vs. a team with a losing record. In their last 11 games vs. NL Central opponents they are 8-3.

The Astros are 4-12 in their last 16 games vs. NL West opposition. Houston has dropped five of their last six vs. teams with a winning record. Jason Jennings is on the mound tonight and Houston has lost his last seven home starts. The Astros have lost his last six starts as a favorite. Play on the Dodgers.

Free Pick: Dodgers +101