Looking at today's games, it does appear the following upsets look very probable:
Pirates +173
San Francisco Giants +210
Angels +128
Detroit Tigers +120
Athletics +190
Baltimore Orioles +116
Reasons:
*Pirates: The Pirates got a huge boost yesterday by winning with Karsten on the mound. After sweeping the Brewers in style, the Cubs may have just come down to earth. Nothing may change today about the Cubs and with Malholm's arm at their disposal, the Pirates may steal this one again.
*Giants: Zito is capable of shutting out the toothless Padres, more so that he pitches better on the road. If the Giants can summon 2 runs here, Zito can get the road win he's so overdue for.
*Angels: There's really no need to advance a reason why the Angels could win today. Weaver's ERA against the Yankees (3.27) is slightly better than Mussina's ERA against the Angels (3.71). Add that to the Angels' awesome road record and current form and there's no need not to expect them to win.
*Tigers: TB Rays normally rely more on good pitching than on offense to win games. Given the ability of the Tigers' offense, they can outscore the Rays tonight. More so that the Rays have no pitching edge in this one. Sonnanstine's home ERA (4.59) is hardly any better than Rogers' road ERA (4.83).
*Athletics: We all know what Lester is capable of but the Red Sox have not faced Eveland, which means the Red Sox could find the going tough today. Plus the Red Sox's offensive production is far from convincing at the moment. The A's could have won yesterday and that should spur them to a win tonight. Finally, Lester is 1-2 against the A's. That record could tumble down to 1-3 after tonight's game.
*Orioles: Expect a repeat of yesterday's performance from the O's. If the O's bats stay hot, they should outscore the Mariners easily. The O's win tonight and the game goes over the cynical total of 7½.
Pirates +173
San Francisco Giants +210
Angels +128
Detroit Tigers +120
Athletics +190
Baltimore Orioles +116
Reasons:
*Pirates: The Pirates got a huge boost yesterday by winning with Karsten on the mound. After sweeping the Brewers in style, the Cubs may have just come down to earth. Nothing may change today about the Cubs and with Malholm's arm at their disposal, the Pirates may steal this one again.
*Giants: Zito is capable of shutting out the toothless Padres, more so that he pitches better on the road. If the Giants can summon 2 runs here, Zito can get the road win he's so overdue for.
*Angels: There's really no need to advance a reason why the Angels could win today. Weaver's ERA against the Yankees (3.27) is slightly better than Mussina's ERA against the Angels (3.71). Add that to the Angels' awesome road record and current form and there's no need not to expect them to win.
*Tigers: TB Rays normally rely more on good pitching than on offense to win games. Given the ability of the Tigers' offense, they can outscore the Rays tonight. More so that the Rays have no pitching edge in this one. Sonnanstine's home ERA (4.59) is hardly any better than Rogers' road ERA (4.83).
*Athletics: We all know what Lester is capable of but the Red Sox have not faced Eveland, which means the Red Sox could find the going tough today. Plus the Red Sox's offensive production is far from convincing at the moment. The A's could have won yesterday and that should spur them to a win tonight. Finally, Lester is 1-2 against the A's. That record could tumble down to 1-3 after tonight's game.
*Orioles: Expect a repeat of yesterday's performance from the O's. If the O's bats stay hot, they should outscore the Mariners easily. The O's win tonight and the game goes over the cynical total of 7½.
