Saturday, July 25, 2009

Directions to the ATM Machine

Here are some simple directions for making a bit of scratch this Saturday afternoon:

Chicago @ Detroit - This has proven to be a great series so far and we expect that to continue through the weekend. The Tigers are the slightly better team in this match up and their hitters have really hit Gavin Floyd very well throughout his career (the sample size is pretty significant). As such, I'd expect Detroit to throw up some runs today. That is good news for Edwin Jackson who continues to mow down AL hitters in a truly breakthrough season. He should pitch well enough to earn the win here but beware of Jim Thome who absolutely kills Jackson (batting .700 vs. Edwin in his career). I'll take the Tigers to win another entertaining game. Give Chicago the 1.5 runs to move the moneyline to +145. Detroit takes this one 6-2. LOCK IT UP

St. Louis @ Philadelphia - That was a hell of a debut for Matt Holliday. It will certainly be interesting to see if that was a sign of things to come. If so, the Cards have suddenly become a much better team. However, I'd be hard pressed to expect the Phils to drop two games in a row, even with Rodrigo Lopez on the hill. That offense should have its way with Kyle Loshe today, just as they did back in May. Expect a few long balls from the Philadelphia sluggers. Take the Phils (-124) to win this one 7-6. LOCK IT UP

Cleveland @ Seattle - The Indians made this pick a very easy one based on their 9-0 blowout last night. There's no chance they win two in a row on the road. They actually face a real pitcher tonight in Erik Bedard. Unfortunately for Cleveland fans, they are handing the ball to Jeremy Sowers (2-7, 5.77). Expect Ichiro and the rest of the M's to wake up angry today. This one should be relatively easy for Seatlle. Take the Mariners minus 1.5 runs (+120) to win 6-2. LOCK IT UP

Minnesota @ LAA - Another tale of two teams doing different things. The Angels are contributing mightily to the Locks' rapidly increasing BAT and that makes us very happy. Today should be another day in the life of the awful road Twins. Nick Blackburn should get knocked around by the scrappy Angels' lineup and nobody aside from Mauer, Morneau and Kubel is getting anything done for Minnesota. I like the Halos minus 1.5 runs yet again (+170) to win easily. Expect a final of 7-4. LOCK IT UP

Atlanta @ Milwaukee - I'm expecting Yovani Gallardo to finally wake up today and throw a gem. He certainly is due. Tommy Hanson is a viable opponent but I think that Ryan Braun and/or Prince Fielder might have a big fly in them that plays a huge roll in this game. I'm cautiously getting back to being a Brew Crew supporter. Take Milwaukee (-130) to get back on track with a 5-3 victory. LOCK IT UP

NYM @ Houston - The Pets are so bad that I am picking a team that is starting Russ Ortiz. This is unreal. But if the Pets can't win with Johan on the mound, how can they win at all. Houston is playing themselves into a legitimate playoff contender (much to my surprise). Playing the Pets certainly will help that cause. Take the Stros minus 1.5 runs (+165) to continue NY's misery. Final score of 7-4. LOCK IT UP

San Diego @ Washington - I'd rather watch a donkey sprint at the Solano County Fair than this game. No chance of a pick here.

Baltimore @ Boston - Unfortunately, this one is very straightforward. The O's can't do anything against John Lester. No matter how bad Boston's offense is going right now, they'll score runs on Jeremy Guthrie. This game will not be close. Take Beantown minus 1.5 runs (-110) to rock Baltimore, 7-1. LOCK IT UP

Texas @ Kansas City - Good team vs. bad team. Team with something to play for vs. team ready for the season to end. Home team vs. road team. I'm trying to find some reason to even consider the Royals here. Nope, there aren't any. Rangers continue to roll here even against a recently hot Luke Hochevar. Take Texas (-108) to win handily, 6-3. LOCK IT UP

Pittsburgh @ Arizona - Nope. See San Diego @ Washington

San Francisco @ Colorado - I like the Rockies to bounce back at home here. Jorge De La Rosa seems to have turned a bit of a corner in his career and is now a respectable sometime very good starting pitcher. Jonathan Sanchez is a nice story following his no-hitter but his road stats are still abysmal (0-7, 6.02). Coors Field is not designed to help out struggling pitchers. The Rocks should score often today and win this one easily. Take Colorado minus 1.5 runs (+120) to be the victorious team, 7-3. LOCK IT UP

Florida @ LA - I'm rolling the dice on the Fish in this one. I think they gained a lot of confidence in beating Clayton Kershaw last night. Now they face the struggling Hiroki Kuroda. This is another opportunity for the young Marlins to establish themselves as a legit playoff contender. Rick VandenHurk pitched well against the Padres (I know, it's the Padres) last time out and should keep Florida in this one. I like the Fish to squeak out another W in MannyLand. Take the Marlins (+150) to win 6-5. LOCK IT UP

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