Front Page Picks (Tue., Jul 29)

Willie Bee · 07-29-08, 10:50 AM

Detroit Tigers and Cleveland Indians stay Under 10

Game Time: 07/29/2008 07:05 PM -
By: Bob Harvey | bobharveysports.com

Look for a low-scoring game in Cleveland tonight when Detroit sends Armando Galarraga to the mound against the Indians' Matt Ginter. The Tribe and Tigers stay under.

Pitching should dominate tonight as the Detroit Tigers and Cleveland Indians resume their series at Progressive Field.

In his last outing, Detroit’s Andres Galarraga took a perfect game into the seventh inning before surrendering a hit. Gallaraga, who started the year in the minors, has been a godsend for the pitching starved Tigers. He’s 8-4 on the year with a 3.27 ERA and he’s been even better against Cleveland going 2-0 with a 2.92 ERA.

Former Tiger Matt Ginter gets the call for Cleveland tonight. Ginter is 1-1 with a 2.45 ERA and has a 1.80 ERA in five career relief outings versus Detroit. Both teams are sub .500 to the low side this season while the Tigers are 30-21-2 to the Under this season. Both offenses are struggling and both pitchers are hot coming into this contest.

Free Pick: Tigers-Indians Under 10 (-120)

Willie Bee · 07-29-08, 10:51 AM

Ride Red Sox -107 vs Lackey, Angels

Game Time: 07/29/2008 07:05 PM -
By: Matt Fargo | 10starpicks.com

The Angels got to Dice K and the Red Sox last night for a 7-5 win in the series opener at Fenway Park, but Boston bounces back this evening against John Lackey and the Halos.

I mentioned in this week’s diamond preview how this series is a possible preview of a second consecutive postseason meeting. The Angels have the best record in baseball but do they really need to be the favorites here in this spot? Not against the Red Sox who still possess the best home record in baseball.

Boston was able to salvage the final game of its series against the Yankees and getting swept could have taken its toll on this team. The Red Sox are hitting .295 at home, fourth best in baseball. Boston is 30-10 on the season after a win in Game 2, 3 and 4.

As mentioned, the Angels have the best record is baseball but that doesn’t mean they need to be favored on the road against a team that is arguably just as good. Especially a team that has owned them over the past few years. They have been doing it with solid pitching as the offense has been strangely absent on the road, hitting just .249 which is fifth worst in the American League. Even the overall hitting of .261 is lower than expected. Los Angeles is 8-21 in the last 29 meetings in Boston.

One of the reasons for this price is the pitching of John Lackey. He is having a solid season as he is 8-2 with a 3.02 ERA in his 13 starts. He has had some trouble of late as two of his last three starts were forgettable as he allowed six runs in those. What is not being taken into consideration are the struggles he has had in this venue. In seven starts at Fenway Park, he is 1-4 with a 7.46 ERA and 2.03 WHIP. Only two of those were quality outings. The Angels are 2-11 in Lackey’s last 13 starts against the Red Sox.

The other reason for this price has been the pitching of Clay Buchholz which has been inconsistent. This will be his fourth start since getting called back up from the minors and while his ERA is 6.60 over the those three outings, he showed much better signs last time out. He allowed three runs in 5.1 innings while striking out seven. Two home runs were the issue. He was roughed up for four earned runs in 4.2 innings against the Angels two starts back but tossed a quality start against them last season in a win over Lackey. Play Boston for 1½ units.

Free Pick: Red Sox -107

Willie Bee · 07-29-08, 10:53 AM

Take Tigers -113 at Cleveland Indians

Game Time: 07/29/2008 07:05 PM -
By: Al McMordie | bigal.com

For all that has gone wrong for the Tigers this year, young hurler Armando Galarraga has been a bright spot. Back Detroit tonight in the second game of their series in Cleveland.

Our Tuesday night MLB selection is on the Detroit Tigers on the road in Ohio over the Cleveland Indians.

With all of the disappointments this season for the Tigers, including newly-acquired starter Dontrelle Willis, veteran closer Todd Jones (who was recently removed from that role after a series of poor outings), and the early-season slump of leadoff man and starting center-fielder Curtis Granderson, they must be feeling pretty happy about the progress of 26-year-old right-handed starter Armando Galarraga. The Venezuela native starts tonight's game for Detroit, and has been the best positive surprise this season for this Tiger organization. And he seems to keep getting better and better with each start as he took a perfect game into the seventh inning of his last start against the Kansas City Royals on July 23.

As good as Galarraga has been overall this season, he has been even better on the road for this franchise. In 10 starts this season away from Comerica Park, Galarraga is a very dominant 6-2 with a 2.69 ERA. In addition, Galarraga has already beaten this Cleveland team twice this season, by a combined score of 18-4. Take the Tigers.

Free Pick: Tigers -113

Willie Bee · 07-29-08, 10:57 AM

Sheets and Brewers -117 vs. Cubs

Game Time: 07/29/2008 08:05 PM -
By: Marc Lawrence | playbook.com

The Cubs rallied to take Game 1 of this huge series between NL Central leaders in Milwaukee. But the Brewers rally tonight in Game 2 when they send Ben Sheets to the hill vs. Chicago.

The Brewers host the Chicago Cubs in Game 2 of this pivotal four-game series when Ben Sheets takes the hill in Milwaukee.

As steady as ever, Sheets has issued 11 walks against 46 strikeouts in his last seven home starts. He loves hurling in July, too, as evidenced by a 9-3 mark when at home. In those 12 starts he compiled a powerful 12 walk/84 strikeout ratio as well.

His counterpart, Carlos Zambrano, is winless in his last three starts against Milwaukee and sports a not so impressive 24/35 walk-to-strikeout ratio in his last nine starts. With Big Ben 4-0 in his last four team starts against Chicago, we'll back the Brewers here tonight.

Key Stat: Milwaukee is 18-1 at home on Tuesday. We recommend a 1-unit play on Milwaukee with Sheets.

Free Pick: Brewers -117

Willie Bee · 07-29-08, 10:58 AM

Halladay, Blue Jays -151 vs. Rays

Game Time: 07/29/2008 07:05 PM -
By: Jimmy the Moose | sportspic.com

Roy Halladay is a pitching machine, and the Blue Jays have won 43 of his last 55 starts at the Rogers Centre. Take Toronto Tuesday evening when they host the Tampa Bay Rays.

Tampa Bay has been playing great for most of the season but tonight they face a hot Blue Jays team with their ace on the mound. The Rays are 4-10 in their last 14 games as an underdog. Tampa has lost six of Matt Garza's last seven road starts.

The Jays have won six of their last seven games. Toronto is 10-2 in their last 12 home games. The Blue Jays are 8-1 in their last nine games as a home favorite and 43-12 in Roy Halladay's last 55 home games. In his last 51 starts vs. division opponents, the Jays are 36-15. Toronto has won four of his last five home starts vs. the Rays.

Free Pick: Blue Jays -151

Willie Bee · 07-29-08, 10:59 AM

Chicago White Sox +110 over Twins

Game Time: 07/29/2008 08:10 PM -
By: LT Profits Sports Group | who2beton.com

Clayton Richard allowed four earned runs in four innings in his big league debut, but he did post seven strikeouts with just one walk. Look for some marked improvement from this promising youngster.

Clayton Richard was not that great in his major league debut for the Chicago White Sox, but we look for the highly touted prospect to improve with one start under his belt and handle the Minnesota Twins here tonight.

Sure, Richard allowed four earned runs and seven hits in four innings, but it is not as if there were no highlights as Richard did have seven strikeouts vs. just one walk. The young southpaw also had a great strikeout to walk ratio in the minors, so he will only get better as he gains more experience in the majors.

Glenn Perkins has also shown some nice flashes for the Twins, but he is coming off of possibly his worst start of the season vs. the New York Yankees, as he was reached for five earned runs and nine baserunners in six innings. He was not that effective in his only other start against the White Sox either, as he allowed eight baserunners in 5.1 innings of a 7-5 Minnesota loss.

Finally, the White Sox have pummeled southpaws to the tune of a .311 average the last10 games, which also does not bode well for Perkins here.

Free Pick: White Sox +110

Raine1 · 07-29-08, 01:12 PM

Nice.....thanks!!

accuscoresucks · 07-29-08, 01:29 PM

damn thats it willie

we need more