Wednesday's Front Page Plays (Aug 22)

Willie Bee · 08-22-07, 09:52 AM

Chicago Cubs, San Francisco Giants Under 8

Game Time: 08/22/2007 10:10 PM -
By: Mike Rose | who2beton.com

A pair of southpaws meet in San Francisco this evening when the Cubs send Rich Hill to the mound to oppose the Giants' Barry Zito. Cash on the Under tonight at AT&T Park.

If you stayed up late enough last night, you were witness to one of the better comeback victories of this baseball season. The Cubbies were dominated by the Giants' Tim Lincecum for eight innings and looked destined to fall by a 1-0 final count. However, lady luck jumped into the Cubbies bullpen in the top of the ninth as they rallied for five runs to shock the AT&T Park crowd and take Game 1 of the series.

Game 2 of the series pits a couple of lefties against one another as the Cubs' Rich Hill squares off against the Giants' Barry Zito. Hill bounced back from his massacre in Colorado and pitched a gem in Game 1 of their series against St. Louis last Friday afternoon. His stuff was electric as he only allowed three hits and one earned run while striking out seven and issuing two free passes.

Barry Zito is off a tremendous start as well, and maybe his best effort in a Giant uniform. He pitched 1-hit ball through seven innings and struck out eight in the Giants' 3-0 win over the Marlins last Friday night. Both of these guys have faced each respective club this season, and each earned a very low scoring victory. I expect more of the same tonight as these two starters look to be on top of their game heading into this match-up. Neither club can hit lefties for a lick, so grab the Under here in a game that has 2-1 or 3-2 written all over it.

Free Pick: Cubs-Giants Under 8

Willie Bee · 08-22-07, 09:54 AM

NY Mets, SD Padres Over 7½

Game Time: 08/22/2007 07:10 PM -
By: Al McMordie | bigal.com

With New York averaging over seven runs per contest in their last seven, and San Diego scoring for their ace Jake Peavy, the Over is the play at Shea between the Mets and Padres.

Our Wednesday night MLB selection is on the San Diego Padres and New York Mets going over the total in their contest at Shea Stadium.

Mets starter Brian Lawrence definitely needs to make the most of every start he gets from here on out. Pedro Martinez, who has been out all year with a shoulder injury, is rehabilitating very well in the minors and may not be very far away from returning to the big league club. This is not only potentially bad news for Lawrence, but also for the rest of the league as the Mets seem to be peaking at the right time even without Martinez in their arsenal.

The Mets' offense has been on fire lately, scoring a total of 53 runs in their last seven games, or an average of over seven runs per game. Although Lawrence may be nothing more than a stopgap for the Mets, the Padres are starting this game with Jake Peavy, who is not only a regular member of the team's rotation, but the ace of their staff. And although Peavy's pitching abilities are well documented -- he's the leading candidate for the NL Cy Young award -- what is not as obvious at first blush is how great his run support has been. In Peavy's last five starts, the Padres have scored a total of 35 runs, for an average of seven runs per game.

In addition, five of Peavy's last seven starts have gone over the total. The over is 20-8-2 in the Mets' last 30 games. Take the Over.

Free Pick: Padres-Mets Over 7½

Willie Bee · 08-22-07, 09:55 AM

Houston Astros -141 vs Nationals

Game Time: 08/22/2007 08:05 PM -
By: Nelly's Sportsline | playbook.com

After dropping the first two games of this series, the Astros are looking to get back in the win column behind Woody Williams who has pitched well of late. Back Houston at home vs. the Nationals.

The Nationals had lost four in a row before winning the first two of this series in Houston, catching the Astros coming off travel from the West coast. Most of the season has been a disappointment for veteran acquisition Woody Williams but he has put together three consecutive high quality starts in his most recent outings, all resulting in Houston wins.

Left-hander Mike Bacsik gained infamy for giving up #756 to Barry Bonds but he also earned a trip to the bullpen after struggling in his early August starts. Bacsik will get another chance tonight but his ERA soars to 5.40 in road games. Houston is one of the better hitting teams against left-handed pitching and the Astros should be ready to dominate a Washington squad that has struggled away from home.

Free Pick: Astros -141

Willie Bee · 08-22-07, 09:59 AM

Phillies & LA Dodgers Under 10

Game Time: 08/22/2007 07:05 PM -
By: Scott Spreitzer | sportspic.com

The Dodgers are having trouble plating runs and the Phillies will be facing a tough pitcher in Derek Lowe. Play the under tonight in Philadelphia when the Phils host Los Angeles.

The Dodgers have scored just 32 runs in their last 12 games, losing nine of those contests and falling into a tie for third in the NL West, six games behind the front-running Arizona Diamondbacks.

Meanwhile, the Phillies face a starter in Derek Lowe who is in a spot he relishes. Not only is he 2-0 with a 1.80 ERA in four starts against Philly as a Dodger, but the righty has been almost unhittable pitching on five days rest which is the case tonight. We'll look for both lineups to have their problems at the plate, leading to a low-scoring affair. The Under gets the money on Wednesday.

Free Pick: Dodgers-Phillies Under 10

Willie Bee · 08-22-07, 10:00 AM

Braves, Reds Over 11 in Cincy

Game Time: 08/22/2007 07:10 PM -
By: Jimmy the Moose | sportspic.com

With the Braves' offense running on all cylinders, the Over is 34-14 in their last 48 games. Bet the Over this evening in Cincinnati with the Reds host Mark Teixeira and Atlanta.

The Over is 34-14 in the Braves' last 48 games. In their last 35 starts vs. a right-handed starter, the Over is 26-8-1. In Atlanta's last 11 road games vs. a team with a losing record the Over is a profitable 8-3.

Since Mark Texeira was added to this lineup, the offense has been clicking on all cylinders. In Lance Cormier's last seven starts the Over is 5-1-1. On the year Cormier has an ERA of 9.90.

In the Reds' last 59 games the Over is 38-18-3. The Over is 11-1 in their last 12 games vs. a team with a winning record. The Over is 8-1 in the last nine meetings between the clubs in Cincy. Look for both teams to exchange runs in this high-scoring game. Play the over.

Free Pick: Braves-Reds Over 11

Willie Bee · 08-22-07, 10:02 AM

Mariners (+100) at Minnesota Twins

Game Time: 08/22/2007 01:10 PM -
By: Mike Rose | who2beton.com

Winners of five straight, the Mariners go for a sweep this afternoon against the Twins. And with Miguel Batista on the hill for Seattle, the M's should extend their winning streak in Minnesota.

Seattle...Minnesota? Offense...no offense? Hot, or colder than a wet noodle? These are the questions you have to ask yourself heading into the final game of this three game set between the Mariners and Twins.

Throughout the first two games of this series, the M's have outscored the Twins by a 16-6 count and it doesn't look like their bats are going to fizzle out anytime soon. These guys are raking right-handed pitching of late to the tune of a .310 batting average, and they've averaged six runs per game in their last 10 overall. Miguel Batista has been an innings eater for them all season long, and boasts a respectable 13-8 record to boot.

Minnesota hasn't been able to put runs on the board for months now, and can you trust their offense enough right now to outscore the Mariners in this matchup? I sure don't! Even if the M's rest a couple of their big bats, I'm still confident in them enough to be able to exceed whatever the Twins are able to muster against Batista.

Carlos Silva has had success against Seattle in his career. However, most of his wins were attained against a much different M's team than the one that will take the field this afternoon. It's quite simple people. Seattle is a contender for a playoff spot, while the Twins are a pretender. Grab the better team at plus money as they complete the sweep and head to Texas looking to add to their lofty run production.

Free Pick: Mariners +100

Willie Bee · 08-22-07, 11:56 AM

Play Mariners to sweep the Twins

Game Time: 08/22/2007 01:10 PM -
By: Michael Alexander | 10starpicks.com

Despite winning five straight and sitting in the thick of the playoff race, the Mariners draw the underdog tag today. Cash on this great value when Seattle sweeps the Twins in Minnesota.

The surprising Seattle Mariners look for the sweep today as they close out their three game series with the Minnesota Twins. Last night's win kept them knocking on the door of first place as they sit only two games out and only one in the loss column at 71-52. The Mariners have excelled in dome games this season going 4-1 and scoring an average of 7.6 runs per game.

In today's matchup they will be facing Minnesota right-hander Carlos Silva. The veteran has pitched well recently but overall has struggled going only 9-12 with a 4.17 ERA. Seattle has done well versus righties producing profits of +580 on the year. The Twins, who were inching closer to the NL Central top spot while Cleveland and Detroit were struggling now has fallen 6½ games back after losing their second in a row last night and 6th of their last 10 overall.

Unlike the Mariners, the Twins have had trouble against right-handed hurlers posting only a 42-44 mark for a -870. Today they will face Mariner right-hander Miguel Batista who will be making his 25th start of the season. Batista has pitched well recently going 2-1 and posting a 3.50 ERA over his last three.

Supporting Angles: Batista is 16-6 (+16.0 Units) against the moneyline as a road underdog of +100 or higher over the last two seasons. Seattle is 10-2 (+8.7 Units) against the moneyline after batting .333 or better over a 5-game span this season. Minnesota is 15-23 (-10.3 Units) against the moneyline after scoring two runs or less this season.

Anytime you can take a team who is hot (Seattle) and in the hunt for the playoffs as an underdog, you just can't pass it up. I'm taking Seattle in this one.

Free Pick: Mariners +108

Willie Bee · 08-22-07, 12:31 PM

St. Louis Cardinals -133 vs Marlins

Game Time: 08/22/2007 08:10 PM -
By: Jimmy Boyd | procappers.com

The Cardinals are 8-3 at home this season when Braden Looper pitches in front of the St. Louis fans. Back the Redbirds tonight when Looper goes against the Florida Marlins.

I like the Cardinals tonight at home in St. Louis against the struggling Florida Marlins.

Florida has lost seven straight games while the Red Birds have won nine of their last 12. These teams are headed in two different directions so we'll take St. Louis behind Braden Looper who has been their ace at home this season. He is 8-3 against the moneyline at home this season. Take the Cards.

Free Pick: Cardinals -133

Willie Bee · 08-22-07, 12:52 PM

Astros -140 vs Nationals in Houston

Game Time: 08/22/2007 08:05 PM -
By: Scott Rickenbach | playbook.com

After not only losing the first two games of this series but also getting downright embarrassed, we have no doubts that the Astros will get back on track tonight in Houston.

After not only losing the first two games of this series but also getting downright embarrassed, we have no doubts that the Astros will get back on track tonight!

The full season numbers on Woody Williams are not impressive with his 7-12 record and a 4.92 ERA. However, the veteran righthander has been rock solid in his last three outings and he also had a decent performance in Washington last month even though he took the loss. The fact is that Williams has now delivered three straight quality starts and he has given the Astros at least six innings of work in eight of his last nine outings. Look for another workmanlike effort tonight.

The Nationals' bats have been hot and, as such, they certainly may notch a few markers against Williams and a suspect Astros bullpen. However, it would take much more than a few for the Nationals to be able to notch another road win tonight. We say that because we fully expect Mike Bascik to get hammered. The Washington southpaw struggled in his most recent start and was recently demoted to long relief. The only reason he came back to the rotation is because Washington deems him as a more viable option than Matt Chico. However, that really isn't saying much.

The fact is that the Nationals rotation has some weakness at the back end and Bacsik is a part of that. This matchup doesn't set up well for him and the Astros are poised for a bounce back effort. That clearly means that Bacsik is in the wrong place at the wrong time. That makes the Astros well worth the moderate price here. Play Houston on the moneyline.

Free Pick: Astros -140