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14-18Comment -
I'm actually seeing folks on the Cards today...why do you guys like them so much? Zambrano is the one pitcher left uninjured on the Flubs staff that has absolutely chewed the Cardinals up (well...maybe one of two if you add old man Maddux).
Zambrano 2005 vs STL
3 Wins 1 ND
32.2 INN, 4 ER
There is hardly a pitcher in the bigs I'd take when the Cards have Carpenter on the hill but Zambrano at home as an underdog? Seems like there is some value there.Comment -
Agree Wassymac. Zambrano owned Cards last season and so did Cubs for that matter. Home advantage is always bigger on divisional series and especially on a big rivalry matchup like this. Cubs have started season well with bats pruducing a lot of runs. Definately a value bet with over +100 odds.
I'm on Cubs.Comment -
i'm waiting to see that cardnails lineup card. i wondering if larusa is gonna put in the regulars or the "B" team. that right there will tell the tail of this game.Comment -
It is always a mystery but I'm guessing LaRussa throws out the A team though (Given the rivalry...Ace vs Ace...etc...)Comment -
Just have to add this...evidently the little Bears gave the Cards a cold shower after the game...
From the St. Louis Today Newspaper:
Most Cardinals players - and one very perturbed manager - were jolted by a sudden loss of hot water during post-game showers. Center fielder Jim Edmonds described it as "the complete Single-A experience" after La Russa emerged from his office to vent his displeasure. Some players waited until after returning to the team hotel to shower. Others gritted their teeth and dove in for a chilling experience.
"I wouldn't tip these guys. I wouldn't tip 'em," La Russa advised his players within earshot of visiting clubhouse personnel.Comment -
Early NL games for Saturday...
Florida (D.Willis) at New York (T.Glavine) – 1:10 p.m. (ET)
Dontrelle Willis ND’d in his first start earlier this week in Houston, using up 107 pitches in 5 IP and allowing just a hit along with three walks to three strikeouts. D-Train is a Met Killer the last few seasons going 8-1 in 11 starts with a 1.85 ERA in 78 IP (65-17 K:BB). Willis is unbeaten (3-0) over five starts in Flushing, Queens, with a 2.48 ERA in 36.1 IP. Julio Franco (.364, 22 AB) and Carlos Beltran (.364, 11 AB) have given Willis the toughest time; Cliff Floyd (.167, 18 AB) and David Wright (.188, HR, 16 AB) have struggled against the southpaw.
Tom Glavine won his season opener this week against the Nationals with six good innings using 100 pitches. He has had some tough luck against FLA the past few seasons going 1-6 despite a decent 3.56 ERA in 11 starts covering 68.1 innings. Control has been his bugaboo with 26 walks allowed to just 24 Ks. Likewise, Glavine has struggled in the W-L columns at Shea going 15-20 in 48 starts since 2003 (nearly 300 IP) despite a decent 3.70 ERA. Miguel Cabrera (.333, HR, 10 RBI, 21 AB) and Wes Helms (.500, HR, 8 AB) have hit Glavine well.
Ed Montague figures to be behind the plate for this one, and he is a bit of a hitters’ umpire. So that could be interesting with a pair of decent pitchers on the mound. The weather calls for chance of showers with a high of 55° and north winds 15-25 MPH (blowing in from left). There’s value in the +140 on Willis and the Marlins considering how well D-Train has done against the Mets and in Shea. And the combination of weather and solid pitchers on the mound suggest a low-scoring game though I don’t particularly like the u7½ (-115) price.
Pittsburgh (O.Perez) at Cincinnati (A.Harang) – 1:15 p.m. (ET)
Oliver Perez had a no-decision in his first start of the year, tossing into the 6th-inning against Milwaukee and allowing just one run with nine strikeouts during his 95 pitches. He is not a great pitcher in April, but has done well since 2003 against the Reds (12 starts, 5-2, 3.69 ERA, 68.1 IP, 92-28 K:BB). Ryan Freel has hit Perez well (.316, HR, 19 AB). Perez has given up some long balls, but otherwise performed well against Adam Dunn (.286, 2 HR, 14 AB), Rich Aurilia (.208, 2 HR, 24 AB) and Ken Griffey Jr (.000, 5 K, 10 AB).
Aaron Harang was roughed up in his Opening Day start, giving up nine runs (six earned) on nine hits in five frames to the Cubs for the loss. In eight career starts against the Pirates, Harang is 5-2 with a 4.27 ERA in 46.1 IP (nearly 3½-to-1 K:BB ratio). He is 10-15 in 37 starts (4.32 ERA) in Cincy the last few seasons. Craig Wilson (.389, HR, 18 AB), Jack Wilson (.529, 17 AB) and Jason Bay (.417, HR, 12 AB) have slapped Harang around like a red-headed stepchild.
Larry Poncino will work the plate, a rather middle of the road field arbiter (63:37 strike-to-ball ratio in 36 games behind plate in 2005). Games average just over 10 runs with him behind the plate in 2005, and home teams were 16-20). He was behind the dish earlier this week in Texas when the Rangers cracked the BoSox, 10-4. The forecast is for the thermometer to not quite reach 50° with very strong gusts (20-30) out of the NNE (blowing in from LF corner). My philosophy is to ride streaks until they decide they’re done, meaning stay on Pittsburgh losing until they win. But the game is basically a pick ‘em with both teams -105 between a pair of dogs. If anything, I bet the u9½ (-110) based on weather alone.
Arizona (B.Webb) at Milwaukee (D.Davis) – 2:05 p.m. (ET)
Brandon Webb had a no-decision in his first start though he pitched more than well enough (7 IP, 5 hits, 1 run, 98 pitches) to pick up a win at Colorado. He has pitched very consistently the last few years both home and away and is at his strongest in April (11 starts, 6-1, 2.40 ERA). Webb is 0-1 in four starts against the Brewers (3.00 ERA, 24 IP). His lone decision was a loss in Milwaukee with this just his third career start there. Geoff Jenkins has 2 HR off Webb in 12 AB, but only three hits overall. Brady Clark is hitless with a walk in nine plate appearances against the Arizona right-hander.
Doug Davis burned 111 pitches in his start last Monday at home against the Pirates, a no-decision in which he allowed six hits and four walks compared to six strikeouts and nine groundball outs. Not known for being strong in April (5.78 ERA in 11 starts since 2003), Davis has no record in three career starts against Arizona (20.2 IP, 2.75 ERA, 17-9 K:BB). In 39 career starts at Miller Park, Davis is 14-10 with a 3.08 ERA in over 250 innings while holding the opposition to a low, low .221 batting average. Craig Counsell (.375, HR, 8 AB), Damian Easley (.375,8 AB) and Shawn Green (.500, HR, 6 AB) have done the most damage against the left-handed Davis.
Bill Miller is behind the plate for this one. In 33 matches as plate ump in 2005, he was more friendly to pitchers (3.67 ERA) with batters hitting just .257 despite banging 70 HR which was a little high on the scale. Weather will not be a factor inside the Selig Shrine. I’ll ride Milwaukee’s win streak in this one despite not liking the price (-120).Comment -
You know, there are some things about La Genius that I like very much (his charity work with animal shelters for one). But making comments like this shows just what a pious, condescending prick he can be at times. Expecting the water and power lines in an early 20th-century edifice to operate with 21st century precision is ludicrous. The clubhouse personnel had nothing to do with this, and punishing them for it is pure equine excrement.Originally posted by WassymacComment -
I'm playing the Cubs cause Zambrano is on my fantasy team
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let me get you guys thoughts on the phillies/dodgers game.
i can see derick lowe getting lit up once again today, but i'm sold on the fact that ryan madson can.Comment -
leaning towards fading the yankees and randy johnson as they play late at the angels.
strongly considering the following:
cardinals
blue jays
angelsLast edited by mlwitchking; 04-08-06, 11:22 AM.Comment -
ok guys, heres what i've narrowed it down to so far today:
Florida
Washington
Kansas City
Baltimore
Seattle
LA Angels
i'm trying to narrow it down to 3 games. please lmk out of all these games, which ones should i take ?Comment -
I like the Angels with the Yanks in a little downward spiral right now. But damn! Hard to bet against Randy Johnson, so I'm letting that one slide.
I like the Mariners because Jaime Moyer is money at Safeco. You bet him in every start he makes there this season and you will win. The trouble is that Eric Chavez and Frank Thomas have hit Moyer well in the past and Sexson, for whatever reason, goes weenie on you when Zito's on the hill.
As I proved yesterday by taking the Nats against my 'Stros, I am a horrible prognosticator when it comes to Houston games. But I would never --- NEVER --- bet against Roy Oswalt.
You mentioned the Dodgers-Phillies game, and I like Ryan Madson after his good spring. But this is his first regular season start this season, and only the second of his career. Something inside me says the Dodgers will cinch it up now for a little spurt with both Nomar and Gagne out. I ride the Phillies' losing streak.
Schilling is money in day games away and has pitched well in limited action at Camden Yards the last few years.
I don't like the ChiSox-Royals game at all for some reason. Just have no feel for that one.
FLA-NYM already rained out.Comment -
no feeling on the whitesox-royals game indicates a greater chance of the royals winning than their odds of +150Comment -
florida game rained out according to mlb.com. ted lilly lasted for 7 outs for the blue jays.Comment -
I really like KC and Baltimore dan. I played KC +1.5 though. Both plays are 2 units each.Comment -
One more Saturday game...
Detroit (J.Verlander) at Texas (K.Millwood) - 8:05 p.m. (ET)
Justin Verlander makes just the third start of his career and has never faced any of the hitters in the Rangers lineup. I usually bet on the pitcher when this happens, but with the weather...see below.
Kevin Millwood took a bit of a beating in a loss on Monday at the hands of the Red Sox, and this will be his first chance to face the Tigers at Ameriquest. He has had good success against Ivan Rodriguez (.174, HR, 23 AB), Dmitri Young (.200, 15 AB), Brandon Inge (.167, 12 AB) and Carlos Guillen (.000, 5 AB). Pudge Rodriguez has never hit well at Arlington, for some reason.
Bob Davidson should be the home ump, and he leans slightly towards a tight zone. He worked the Tuesday game earlier this week in Houston when Andy Pettitte got lit up by a young Marlins club. The weatherman is calling for partly cloudy skies, highs in the mid-60s (maybe not quite that warm by game time) and winds around 20 out of NNW (blowing OUT to right and right-center). I like the o10½ at +100 in this one. And there's good value in the Tigers (+125) at VIP if you want to ride Detroit's season opening streak another game.
I'm thinking 4+ HR in tomorrow's boxscore.Comment -
heres a little trend for you guys.
Zito is like 0-8 in his last 8 road games.Comment -
4 hits in the 1st,Millwood's struggling again.Comment
