Thursday's Front Page Picks (Aug 30)

[Willie Bee]

Cleveland Indians (-140) vs. Seattle Mariners

Game Time: 08/30/2007 07:05 PM -
By: Marc Lawrence | playbook.com

Tonight's makeup game in Cleveland should go the way of the home team that is 13-5 on Thursday this season. Take the Indians in this one against the Mariners.

The Tribe hosts the Mariners in a one-game makeup series knowing they have cashed in 13 of their 18 games on Thursday this season, their best day of they week.

Cleveland will send rookie left-hander Aaron Laffey to the mound for just his fourth start of the season. Laffey (2-1, 4.76) will be making his first start at home and is off consecutive winning efforts. Seattle counters with another left-hander, Horacio Ramirez, who has been strong at home and absolutely awful on the road this yeear with a 2-3 record and 9.86 ERA in eight away assignments.

With the M's in off a home game in Seattle last night, and Ramirez in terrible strikeout-to-walk form (5:6) in his last three starts, we'll stay at home with the Indians here tonight.

Free Pick: Indians -140

[Willie Bee]

Play Pirates (-121) versus Reds

Game Time: 08/30/2007 07:05 PM -
By: Al McMordie | bigal.com

The Pirates, winners of 10 of their last 14, go for their fourth straight series win with a decided advantage on the mound in this one. Play Pittsburgh at home against the Cincinnati Reds.

Our Thursday night MLB selection is on the Pirates over the Cincinnati Reds at PNC Park in Pittsburgh.

The Pirates are once again going to play the role of spoiler down the stretch. For the last two weeks, Pittsburgh has been one of the hottest teams in the league, taking series from the Astros, Rockies, and Phillies. A win tonight would give them three of four in this series against the Reds as well, and it would be their 10th victory in their last 13 games.

They'll have to do it against 27-year-old right-handed starter Matt Belisle who until this season was used almost exclusively in relief. The Reds may want to think about using him out of the bullpen next year, as he is having by far his worst season in the majors starting 24 games in which he has appeared. The move to starter is a bit puzzling considering that Belisle was pretty effective as a reliever in 2006, and it's not like the Reds are particularly deep there. In fact, they have one of the worst bullpens in baseball with a 4.71 team relief ERA for the season and it's even worse of late.

The Pirates will start right-handed veteran Matt Morris, a decent, if not overpowering starter who has done better since joining Pittsburgh from the Giants and also has pitched extremely well in night games (7-4 with a 3.42 ERA).
Pittsburgh's bullpen has been outstanding lately sporting a 1.35 ERA over the last three games. Take the Pirates.

Free Pick: Pirates -121

[Willie Bee]

Phillies +120 vs New York Mets

Game Time: 08/30/2007 01:05 PM -
By: Scott Rickenbach | playbook.com

The Phillies had taken the first three games of this series by limiting the Mets' offense to two runs in each contest. Today, Philadelphia earns the 4-game sweep at home vs New York.

We are going to continue riding the money train with the Phillies. Philadelphia has all the confidence in this matchup right now while the Mets continue to struggle to score runs. Until New York gets it's offensive woes turned around, they are a play-against.

The Phillies are finding ways to win and they smell "blood in the water" as they have certainly injured the Mets by taking the first three games of this series. Kyle Lohse has been rejuvenated since coming to Philly in a midseason move and he should enjoy success against the Mets sticks as they continue to press at the plate.

As for Orlando Hernandez, we are well aware of his career success against the Phillies and the fact that he is throwing decent of late. However, momentum is a real tangible asset in baseball and the Phillies have a very solid lineup that is comprised of hitters who are all feeling it right now. Play Philadelphia on the money line for Thursday.

Free Pick: Phillies +120

[Willie Bee]

NY Yankees -150 versus Red Sox

Game Time: 08/30/2007 01:05 PM -
By: Scott Spreitzer | sportspic.com

The Yankees look to complete a sweep this afternoon over the Red Sox behind right-hander Chien-Ming Wang. Bet New York at home versus Curt Schilling and the Boston Red Sox.

Curt Schilling has not had much success lately against the Bronx Bombers. In three starts this season, he's allowed 14 earned runs and 31 baserunners in 18 IP for a high 7.00 ERA and 1.72 WHIP.

The Red Sox have lost three of his last four starts on the road and are just 5-5 in away games with Schilling toeing the rubber overall. He'll also be facing the Yanks at their best. New York has pounded right-handers in home day games for seven runs per game this season.

Meanwhile, the Bosox are scoring just 3.8 RPG in road day games against righties. That won't cut it against Chien-Ming Wang. The Yankee righty has delivered in the Bronx this season helping the Yankees to a 7-1 mark in his last eight home starts. He owns a 3.20 ERA and 1.18 WHIP in 13 home starts on the season. Look for the Yanks to complete the sweep with an afternoon win.

Free Pick: Yankees -150