Front Page MLB Picks (Fri., Sep 12)

[Willie Bee]

LA Dodgers -125 at Colorado Rockies

Time: 09/12/2008 09:05 PM -
By: LT Profits Sports Group | who2beton.com

The Dodgers have been lighting up the scoreboard lately, scoring five runs or more in 10 of 11 games, and they have an underrated pitcher in Billingsley on the hill. Lay the modest price with LA here.

Chad Billingsley is quietly having a great season with surprisingly little fanfare considering the media market he pitches in, and he gives the Dodgers the edge on the road vs. the Colorado Rockies tonight.

Perhaps Billingsley has flown under the wire because of his 14-10 record, which while good, does not qualify as elite status. However, the fact of the matter is that he could be a 20-game winner if LA gave him any run support before Manny Ramirez arrived. He has an excellent 3.02 ERA in 29 starts, and he is second in the National League behind only Tim Lincecum in strikeouts, with 186 in 182 innings.

Now granted, Jeff Francis has regained his form from last season recently, with five consecutive Quality Starts. However, the Dodgers have been killing southpaws since Manny arrived, and they are batting a hearty .309 against them over the last 10 games. It may not be easy vs. Francis, but LA has scored five runs or more in 10 of their last 11 games.

Anything close to that should be enough given the year that Billingsley is having.

Free Pick: Dodgers -125

[Willie Bee]

Cliff Lee, Cleveland Indians -200 vs. Kansas City Royals

Game Time: 09/12/2008 07:05 PM -
By: Bob Harvey | who2beton.com

Cleveland hurler Cliff Lee is having a magical season, and that should continue Friday night at home when the southpaw and the Indians host the Kansas City Royals.

I’ve got two words for you tonight: Cliff Lee. The Cleveland southpaw is worth the high price and then some.

Lee is 21-2 with a 2.28 ERA. He has not only locked up the AL Cy Young Award, but is well on his way to one of the greatest statistical seasons in recent memory. Lee is also 3-0 with a sparkling 1.13 ERA in his last three starts and has allowed no more than two earned runs in a start just once in his last 10 overall.

Lee has also developed that aura of invincibility. He’s a perfect 9-0 in his last 10 starts and is 9-0 at home with an ERA of 2.14. He’s obviously been good against the American League, but he’s been especially dominant against the Royals, posting a 4-0 record with a 2.15 ERA in four starts against Kansas City this season.

Overall Cleveland is 22-6 in Lee’s last 28 starts. Lee has put up staggering numbers this season and unlike the Royals, Lee and the Indians are still playing as if they were in a pennant race. Take Cleveland and lay the lumber!

Free Pick: Indians -200

[Willie Bee]

Manny, Los Angeles Dodgers -128 at Colorado Rockies

Game Time: 09/12/2008 09:05 PM -
By: Al McMordie | bigal.com

The Dodgers have finally built a nice cushion in the NL West and they won't let it slip away this weekend at the Rockies. Lay it down on Los Angeles Friday in Colorado.

Our Friday night MLB selection is on the Los Angeles Dodgers over the Colorado Rockies at Coors Field in Denver.

The Dodgers gambled that acquiring slugging outfielder Manny Ramirez from the Red Sox would help to finally lead the Dodgers to the NL West pennant for the first time since 2004. Well the gamble seems to be paying off. The Dodgers are red hot and so is Manny. Despite being told by new manager Joe Torre to cut his hair when he arrived in southern California, Manny is still sporting the dreads more than a month after first putting on the Dodger Blue, and with the way he is swinging the bat, having him change his hairstyle is likely not on anyone's mind right now.

But it hasn't been just Ramirez lifting the Dodgers to new heights lately. Outfielder Andre Ethier has been even hotter than Ramirez over the past week, and was just awarded NL Co-Player of the Week after putting up ridiculous numbers. And tonight's starter, righthander Chad Billingsley, has also contributed to the success of this team and has probably been the most consistent member of the rotation since the All-Star break.

Rockies southpaw starter Jeff Francis has pitched very well lately (a 2.21 ERA in his last three starts) but only has four victories the entire season. Francis' biggest problem is that he struggles badly at home with a 2-6 ERA and 5.21 ERA at Coors Field. The Dodgers are hitting lefties very well (.273 team BA vs. .257 against righties). Take the Dodgers.

Free Pick: Dodgers -128

[Willie Bee]

New York Yankees +122 vs. Rays

Game Time: 09/12/2008 07:05 PM -
By: Christopher Quinn | christopherquinn.mysbrforum.com

The Yankees are set to open what could be the final homestand at venerable Yankee Stadium tonight, and New York is going to lay the wood on the Tampa Bay Rays to start it off.

After a tough series with the Red Sox, things don’t get any easier for the Rays as they head to Yankee Stadium. In 15 meetings with New York this season, the Rays are 6-9. The Yankees are on life support in the AL Wild Card race, and they know that they need a sweep against Tampa Bay to even have a chance of making a late playoff push.

According to the calendar Fridays belong to the Yankees with a record of 8-2, while the Rays have continually struggled to put up numbers on Fridays with a record of 2-8.

Rays manager Joe Maddon has decided to flip-flop the rotation for tonight’s game, giving Matt Garza the rock against the Pinstripes tonight. Garza will be throwing in what would have been James Shields’ spot. Garza has been very mediocre this season on the road with an overall record of 4-6. He has lost his last two starts, one of which was to the Yankees, and has given up seven runs total in those games.

The Pinstripes will be sending Sidney Ponson, a good set-up man, to the mound where he is 3-1 this season at home with an ERA of 4.41. The Yankees are going to be relying on their big hitters to step up tonight and give Mariano Rivera a chance to close this game out.

There will be magic in the air tonight as the Yankees begin what could be their final homestand at The House That Ruth Built.

Free Pick: Yankees +122