Tuesday Front Page Picks (Aug 07)

Willie Bee · 08-07-07, 09:54 AM

White Sox +115 vs. Cleveland Indians

Game Time: 08/07/2007 08:11 PM -
By: LT Profits Sports Group | who2beton.com

The White Sox have now won four straight games, as the offense has awoken from a year-long slumber. Take Chicago to bash Jake Westbrook at home tonight.

Do not look now, but the Chicago White Sox have woken up offensively, and they get the call hosting Jake Westbrook and the Cleveland Indians tonight.

The White Sox have now won four consecutive games while scoring 30 runs in the process, an average of 7.29 runs per contest. This team is much better offensively than it showed in the first half of the season, so it would not surprise us with this resurgence continues for the rest of the year. Chicago starter John Danks has been erratic, but his home ERA of 4.79 actually looks outstanding when compared to Westbrook’s road numbers.

Yes, Westbrook has looked good in recent starts, but keep in mind that his last five outings have all come at home. He is 0-3 on the road this season with an atrocious 8.78 ERA and 1.69 WHIP in five road starts! In his only start here in Chicago this year, the White Sox lit him up for seven earned runs on seven hits and three walks in just five innings of work.

Moreover, that outing came when the Sox were not hitting, so we look for them to put up more than enough runs here tonight to pull off the home upset.

Free Pick: White Sox +115

Willie Bee · 08-07-07, 09:55 AM

Kansas City Royals (-103) vs Twins

Game Time: 08/07/2007 08:10 PM -
By: Michael Alexander | 10starpicks.com

Despite being swept over the weekend by the Yankees in New York, the Royals are playing better ball right now. Back Brian Bannister and the Royals this evening at home vs the Twins.

The Minnesota Twins take to the road tonight as they travel to Kansas City to face the Royals in a repeat of last week's three-game set in the Twin Cities.

Last night the Twins got blanked by the Indians to split their weekend series. The Twins are still looking at that divisional title as they sit only 5½ games in back of the Indians at 57-54 having won six of their last nine games. Minnesota will start off tonight's series by sending right-hander Boof Bonser to the hill. Bonser has not been the most effective hurler this season as he is only 5-7 with a rather high 4.61 ERA. When Bonser has strayed away from home he is only 2-4 with an even higher 5.11 ERA. In his career versus Kansas City, Bonser is only 1-2, including a 5-3 loss to this team in his last start.

The Kansas City Royals, long out of the playoff picture, have actually been playing some pretty good ball since the All-Star break. They are coming off a sweep at the hands of the red-hot Yankees but prior to that series won five of eight. The Kansas City bats have done decent at home this season producing 5.0 runs per game on a respectable .274 hitting.

Tonight the Royals will send their own right-hander to the hill in Brian Bannister who has been having a fantastic season versus opposing hitters with a very good 3.45 ERA. Over his last three starts Bannister has been sensational, going a perfect 2-0 with a sparkling 1.71 ERA.

Supporting Angles: Kansas City is 17-9 (+18.6 Units) against the moneyline after five or more consecutive road games this season. Minnesota is 11-21 (-11.9 Units) against the moneyline vs. a starting pitcher with good control (less than 1.75 BB/start) this season. Kansas City is 21-17 (+14.7 Units) against the moneyline vs. an AL starting pitcher whose ERA is 4.00 to 4.70 over the last two seasons.

Kansas City's only win in their last six games came in Minnesota with this exact pitching matchup. Today we see it again but this time the Royals are at home. I'm taking Kansas City in this one.

Free Pick: Royals -103

Willie Bee · 08-07-07, 09:56 AM

Take Twins (-105) at KC Royals

Game Time: 08/07/2007 08:10 PM -
By: Tom Stryker | 10starpicks.com

Boof Bonser and the Twins go for a little payback tonight from a loss with the same pitching matchup last week at home. Make your play on Minnesota at Kansas City vs the Royals.

Back on August 1, Brian Bannister got the best of the Twinkies in the Homer Dome. The former USC Trojan limited Minnesota to three earned runs and eight hits in seven frames as Kansas City pulled off the 5-3 upset. It's time for the Twins to grab a little payback.

On the hill for Minnesota will be right-hander Boof Bonser. Yes, Mr. Bonser was on the losing end of that August 1 contest and he'll be champing at the bit for redemption. Bonser pitched well in the loss allowing just two earned runs and eight hits in seven frames. Rest assured, he'll do much better this time around.

At times this season Bonser has been hit-or-miss. Fortunately, his road work has been reliable. In nine starts on foreign soil, No. 26 has produced a soft 2-4 record and has allowed only 28 earned runs and 62 hits in 49.1 innings of work. That adds up to a 5.11 ERA. Also, in three performances against KC this year, Bonser has limited the Royals to five earned runs in 17 frames.

Kansas City's Bannister has been solid in his last three starts. Facing the Twins, Rangers and Tigers, Brian popped for a 2-0 record and allowed just four earned runs and 16 hits in 21 frames. That mini-run is respectable. But, technically speaking, this is not the spot for the Royals.

Minnesota has cashed 15 of its last 23 versus Kansas City and the red-hot Twins enter off last night's crushing 4-0 shutout home loss to Cleveland. The Twins will be motivated and primed for revenge. Take Minnesota with Bonser.

Free Pick: Twins -105

Willie Bee · 08-07-07, 09:57 AM

Play KC Royals (-105) vs. Twins

Game Time: 08/07/2007 08:10 PM -
By: Nelly's Sportsline | playbook.com

Royals right-hander Brian Bannister might be the most underrated starting pitcher in the AL. Cash on Kansas City tonight behind Bannister against the Twins and Boof Bonser.

The Twins are making up ground in the AL Central but the lineup is averaging just 2.9 runs per game in the last 10 contests. The Royals have had success against Minnesota this season as the teams are 4-4 in the series and KC has been hot at the plate with a .301 team average in the past 10 games.

The Royals are 6-3 in the last nine home games and Kansas City should have an edge on the mound tonight. Brian Bannister has allowed more than four runs just once this season in 17 starts and the Royals are 9-8 with him on the mound. His 1.16 WHIP is excellent and he has been very consistent in keeping opponents in check.

Boof Bonser has a 5.56 ERA for the Twins since June and Minnesota is just 2-7 in his last nine starts. The Twins do feature a great bullpen but the offense has not proven it can contribute enough to win on the road.

Free Pick: Royals -105

Willie Bee · 08-07-07, 10:01 AM

Play Padres (-145) at Cardinals

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

Jake Peavy gives the Padres a huge advantage on the mound in this one. Side with San Diego tonight when the Pads continue their road trip in St. Louis against the Cardinals.

Our Tuesday MLB selection is on the San Diego Padres with Jake Peavy over St. Louis and Anthony Reyes.

Peavy has been perfect on the road this season, going 5-0 with a 0.98 ERA and 0.83 WHIP. The Padres are 6-2 in the Mobile, Alabama, native's eight road starts overall. Reyes, on the other hand, has been dreadful no matter where he has pitched. He's 1-10 on the season with a 6.07 ERA. Take the Padres.

Free Pick: Padres -145

Willie Bee · 08-07-07, 10:02 AM

Marlins +145 at Philadelphia Phillies

Game Time: 08/07/2007 07:05 PM -
By: LT Profits Sports Group | who2beton.com

Jamie Moyer has been hit hard in his last six starts, and he could be approaching the end of his career. Back the Marlins as a nice underdog vs. Moyer tonight.

Jamie Moyer of the Philadelphia Phillies has had an outstanding career, but he may be coming toward the end of the line based on his recent performances.

Moyer has allowed 27 earned runs and 62 baserunners in 35.2 innings over his last six starts, translating to a 6.81 ERA and a 1.74 WHIP. He is catching a Florida Marlins lineup here that is hitting better vs. left-handed pitchers (.279) than vs. right-handers (.264) this season.

Now Marlins starter Rick Vanden Hurk may be nothing special, but he has had his moments this season and has allowed two earned runs or less in three of his last four starts. He can be tough on a Phillies lineup that has never faced him before.

The Marlns have also scored six runs in each of their last two games, so we expect them to give Vanden Hurk enough run support to spring this upset.

Free Pick: Marlins +145

Willie Bee · 08-07-07, 10:03 AM

Play Padres and Cardinals Over 8

Game Time: 08/07/2007 08:10 PM -
By: Jimmy the Moose | sportspic.com

This total has been set at least a run too low due to Jake Peavy being on the mound for San Diego. Play the Over this evening in St. Louis when the Cardinals host the Padres.

The Padres have played the Over in four of their last six games. In their last 10 games as a favorite, San Diego is 7-3. In their last nine games as a road favorite the Over is 6-2-1.

The over is 8-3-1 in the Cardinals' last 12 games overall. In their last 18 games where the total has been set from 7-8½, the Over is 14-3-1. The Over is 8-3-1 in the last 12 meetings between the teams in St. Louis. St. Louis right-hander Anthony Reyes has pitched poorly all season and after the Padres were embarassed last night by a 10-5 score, look for their bats to wake up tonight. Play the Over.

Free Pick: Padres-Cardinals Over 8