3* Red Sox -113: (Big play for me) Tim Wakefield closes at -153 and Jon Lester's only -113 against the team with the worst record in the league? 
I know Shields has been very good for much of the year, but the fact is, for whatever reason, he's not the same pitcher right now. He's given up 5 runs or more in four is his last eight starts. Shields' ERA during that span: 6.89. He'll be under a lot of pressure to pitch deep in the game with the bullpen situation in Tampa, and given the way Boston's offense is performing lately, particularly Manny, who's swinging the bat better than he has all year, that's a lot to ask. With the easy win on Friday night, the Sox were able to rest both Papelbon and Okajima, and both will be available Saturday. Lester was sharp in his first outing against a very good Cleveland lineup, and with all the media hype and interest that came with his first start in over a year now behind him, he should be more relaxed tomorrow. Lester will be a front of the rotation pitcher in the very near future.
2* Giants -114: Matt Cain's the best 3-12 pitcher in a long time. He's gotten no run support all year, but facing Dontrelle Willis may give SF's offense the best chance in a while to offer Cain some run support. Willis hasn't shown any sign of improving upon his miserable season and he's struggled mightily in four career starts at AT&T (1-2, 9.00 ERA, 1.94 WHIP, .329 BAA).
1* Tigers/Angels U 10 -115: Two very good young lefties. Saunders has been consistent all year, and while Miller really struggled with his control in his last start, when he's throwing strikes he's about as filthy as any pitcher in the AL.
Leans but no play at the moment: Mariners -115, Nats in both games.
Good luck everyone.
I know Shields has been very good for much of the year, but the fact is, for whatever reason, he's not the same pitcher right now. He's given up 5 runs or more in four is his last eight starts. Shields' ERA during that span: 6.89. He'll be under a lot of pressure to pitch deep in the game with the bullpen situation in Tampa, and given the way Boston's offense is performing lately, particularly Manny, who's swinging the bat better than he has all year, that's a lot to ask. With the easy win on Friday night, the Sox were able to rest both Papelbon and Okajima, and both will be available Saturday. Lester was sharp in his first outing against a very good Cleveland lineup, and with all the media hype and interest that came with his first start in over a year now behind him, he should be more relaxed tomorrow. Lester will be a front of the rotation pitcher in the very near future.2* Giants -114: Matt Cain's the best 3-12 pitcher in a long time. He's gotten no run support all year, but facing Dontrelle Willis may give SF's offense the best chance in a while to offer Cain some run support. Willis hasn't shown any sign of improving upon his miserable season and he's struggled mightily in four career starts at AT&T (1-2, 9.00 ERA, 1.94 WHIP, .329 BAA).
1* Tigers/Angels U 10 -115: Two very good young lefties. Saunders has been consistent all year, and while Miller really struggled with his control in his last start, when he's throwing strikes he's about as filthy as any pitcher in the AL.
Leans but no play at the moment: Mariners -115, Nats in both games.
Good luck everyone.
