[Illusion]

Post your comments and leans in this thread. If you have a play post it in the regular best bets thread. Remember, this is for comments and leans only. No results will be tracked from this thread.

[bigboydan]

as far as i'm concerned baltimore is the play on thursday, and thats the end of the discussion for me

[Willie Bee]

Cleveland (F.Carmona) at Baltimore (E.Bedard) – 3:05 p.m. ET
WEATHER: Warm for this time of spring in Baltimore, with today’s high reaching 83° and sunny. Winds are out of NW at 5-10 MPH (in from left).

UMPIRES: Laz Diaz is scheduled behind the plate. So far this season he’s calling strikeouts at almost a 2-to-1 ratio to walks. Home teams are 2-1 and the under (9, 10, 10½) is 3-0.

Fausto Carmona hopes to build on his first MLB start last Saturday in Detroit. He worked six strong innings with 88 pitches in a 7-2 win over the Tigers. He’s never faced the O’s and is pitching at Camden Yards for the very first time. Lefty’s were 4-for-8 against him in that game while righty’s were just 1-for-12.

Southpaw Eric Bedard is making his fourth start of the season with a perfect 3-0 record and nifty 2.25 ERA so far in wins over the Devil Rays (twice) and Angels. This is his third start of the season at home, and the Orioles are averaging over eight runs in his starts so far this season, including a big fan of whoopass in his season debut, a 16-6 lashing of the Rays. He’s yet to allow a homer in 2006 and has 11 Ks against but a single BB. He has no record and a 3.18 ERA in his three previous starts opposite the Indians and is 8-10 lifetime in 27 starts at Camden. Tribe batsmen most likely to give him some trouble are Ronnie Belliard (3-for-6) and Travis Hafner (2-for-5). Victor Martinez and Casey Blake are a combined 0-for-10 against Bedard with five strikeouts and three walks.

MY PLAY: The two teams have combined for 43 runs the last two games and, with is a getaway for the umpires and both teams, I’m thinking that Diaz could increase his strike zone some. The real key is Diaz has never seen Carmona, so it’s a bit of a mystery how he will like, or not like, Fausto’s offerings. I like the -105 on the under (9).


Detroit (J.Bonderman) at Oakland (B.Zito) – 3:35 p.m. ET
WEATHER: A few clouds with an afternoon high in the mid-60s. Clouds should increase as the day wears on with winds out of WSW at 10-15 MPH (out to right-center).

UMPIRES: Ramon Armendariz is next in line on this crew. He’s subbing for Sam Holbrook on Crew B. Not sure if Holbrook is just on an early vacation or not, but Armendariz has been with them all week. Armendariz usually works PCL games and began subbing in the majors in 2005.

Jeremy Bonderman won his season opener on the road but has lost his last two starts at home to stand 1-2 with a 6.23 ERA. He was raked for seven runs in less than 4 IP last Saturday at home in a 7-2 loss to Cleveland. He’s actually a little better pitcher over his career in day starts, and owns a 3-3 mark, 3.75 ERA in his last six starts against the A’s. In Oakland, Bonderman is 2-1 in three starts with a 2.57 ERA. Several Athletics have hit him well in the past, including Eric Chavez (.385), Milton Bradley (.429), Adam Melhuse (.571), Jason Kendall (.500) and Jay Payton (.750). He gives Mark Kotsay, Mark Ellis, Bobby Crosby and Frank Thomas fits (.143 combined).

Left-hander Barry Zito (1-2, 7.53) is 0-2 at home so far this season, his only win coming in Seattle when he held the Mariners to one hit over 6 IP. He was bombed in Oakland’s season opener at home against the Yankees, allowing seven runs and four walks before hitting the showers with the second inning still in progress. The opposition is batting .303 against Zito in Oakland where he is now 21-19 in his last 52 starts, his ERA at NetAssafee just over four in that span. Against the Tigers, Zito has a 4-2 record in his last seven starts with a 2.81 ERA. Ivan Rodriguez (.348, HR, 23 AB) and Placido Polanco (6-for-9) see the ball well when facing Zito. Polanco is 5-for-9 so far in this series with 4 RBI. Brandon Inge, Magglio Ordoñez, Craig Monroe and Omar Infante are hitting just .123 with just a single long ball against Zito.

MY PLAY: Gimme’ the home team at -120 in this one.


New York (S.Trachsel) at San Diego (J.Peavy) – 10:05 p.m. ET
WEATHER: One of about 325 gorgeous days San Diego has each year. Today’s high should be about 70°, a few clouds, no chance of rain and NW winds 10-15 MPH (in from left-center).

UMPIRES: New crew.

Steve Trachsel takes the hill for the third time this season, sitting 1-1 with a 4.09 ERA so far. This is his first start on the road this season, and he was hit pretty hard last Saturday in New York in an 8-2 loss to the Brewers. This is his first start at Pet Food Park in San Diego, and only his second start against the Padres since 2003. Vinny Castilla (.347, 5 HR, 49 AB), Eric Young (.350, 3 HR, 40 AB) and Mike Piazza (.265, 2 HR, 34 AB) should be looking forward to facing Trachsel. Dave Roberts and Brian Giles are both 2-for-12 lifetime against Trachsel.

Jake Peavy (1-2, 5.50) has pitched well in two of his three starts so far this season, his bloated ERA primarily due to a pounding he took in San Diego against the Rockies 11 days ago. Against the Mets, he’s 2-1 with a 3.94 ERA in five career starts and he’s handled their top hitters pretty well with Paul Lo Duca, Carlos Beltran, Cliff Floyd, David Wright and Carlos Delgado a combined 8-for-44 (.181) with nine strikeouts and only one homer (Floyd) allowed. Peavy is probably happy that Piazza (.400, 10 AB) is on his team now.

MY PLAY: Trying to cap Trachsel is about as easy as figuring out what mood a woman will be in a few hours from now. If he wore a skirt and lipstick on the mound, it would be perfect. The trouble is, this is generally about the time he starts to heat up, teasing his employers and their fans with flashes of brilliance. I’m also looking for a much better game out of Peavy this time compared to his last start at home. I’m taking the under 7 at +100.

[Wassymac]

Heavy on the Brewers today. Their bullpen is banged up but atleast got a nice break yesterday with Capuano's 8 inning performance. The Reds bullpen has been used nearly 9 innings in the last two games. I'll take my chances with the better team, more consistent pitcher (Brewers 9-3 in last 12 Ohka starts), home field (Brewers 5-1 @Home), and even without Kolb and Heiling probably a better bullpen.

[Juiced]

Hi guys, I'm new at this but looking to learn, what do you think of Bodog prop bet Reds over 4 runs -120? They have been averaging 6.16 runs per game and playing the Brewers this seems like a lock.

[moses millsap]

F'n Corey Patterson

[bigboydan]

Hi guys, I'm new at this but looking to learn, what do you think of Bodog prop bet Reds over 4 runs -120? They have been averaging 6.16 runs per game and playing the Brewers this seems like a lock.

first off, welcome to the sbr forum

good luck with your play

[moses millsap]

I see Rondell White has 2 hits, what the hell is going on?

[Razz]

Miggy T gives the O's a 2-1 lead.

[moses millsap]

3-2 Indians after Bedard hangs a curve

[bigboydan]

baltimore tied it up at 3-3 now.

hey owned, empty your PM box.

[moses millsap]

Yeah, got lucky on this miss play in right.

I emptied it.

[moses millsap]

Bedard serves up another one on an 0-2 count.

[moses millsap]

Javy goes yard

[Illusion]

Damn, you wanna talk about a see saw game.

[moses millsap]

Conine choked last time he had runner on 3rd and 1 out. Let's see what he can do with the bases juiced.

[bigboydan]

what are you bitching about now owned. the O's are winning 9-4 now in the 7th

[bigboydan]

looks like the A's bettors today are going to take it right up the ass. Duchscherer in there trying to close it out, when Street should be.

[bigboydan]

baltimore cashes rather easy

[Winston Smith]

And they're tied. Ken Macha for Manager of the Year.

[Willie Bee]

What an at bat by Inge! Draws walk on 15 pitches!

You'll see that one tonight on SportsCenter.

[bigboydan]

Granderson walked, and the tigers takes the lead.

[bigboydan]

F.Y.I.

bonds isn't in the lineup tonight

San Francisco
AB R H RBI BB K LOB Season Avg
R. Winn lf 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .377
O. Vizquel ss 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .348
S. Finley cf 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .214
M. Alou rf 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .303
T. Greene c 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .500
R. Durham 2b 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .156
L. Niekro 1b 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .212
P. Feliz 3b 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .173
J. Wright p 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .000
Totals 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

Arizona
AB R H RBI BB K LOB Season Avg
C. Counsell ss 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .340
J. DaVanon cf 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .455
C. Tracy 3b 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .328
L. Gonzalez lf 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .224
C. Jackson 1b 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .275
S. Green rf 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .222
O. Hudson 2b 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .236
J. Estrada c 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .182
C. Vargas p 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .000
Totals 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

[onlooker]

Duchscherer in there trying to close it out, when Street should be.

I was dumbfounded when I seen Duchscherer in there instead of Street. That cost the A's backers IMHO.

[bigboydan]

Washington is crushing the phillies tonight

[onlooker]

Looks like the Giants are at it again. Up 5-0 in the 1st and only 1 out. Can they hold this lead better then a few days ago? I say no, with how terrible that bullpen is.

[Winston Smith]

F.Y.I.

bonds isn't in the lineup tonight

Must be the second consecutive day ending in 'y' thing.

[onlooker]

F.Y.I.

bonds isn't in the lineup tonight

With Winn in LF, Finley in CF and Alou in RF. They are a better team. These guys are also hitting better then Bonds. I would pitch hit Bonds later in the game if need be.

[Illusion]

Anybody watching the Reds/Brewers game? This is another slugfest.

[onlooker]

Anybody watching the Reds/Brewers game? This is another slugfest.

I was, then switched over the the SF/ARZ game to see what was going on there.

[bigboydan]

i'm watching the mets/SD game myself right now.

[Illusion]

I'm switching back and forth since I have action on both games.