Friday Freakout - Part 2

Here's a breakdown of all Friday night games:

Oakland @ NYY - You don't have to be wildly perceptive to recognize that the Yankees are in the midst of a pretty good run right now. Even getting down 3-0 early last night with their ace on the hill didn't slow this team down. With Phil Hughes' new role as an 8th inning lockdown artist, you now need to beat the Yankees at a 7 inning game. The A's begin the the post-Matt Holliday era tonight. Not sure too many A's fans are crushed to see him go. What a disappointing tenure that was. Brett Anderson has been lights out recently (bringing a string of 21 scoreless innings into this contest). However, the Yankees are familiar with him and have knocked him around already this year. Joba takes the hill for the Yanks looking to build on a very solid outing last time out. I think this one stays relatively tight but the A's just don't have the offensive firepower to get this done. We'll continue to ride the Yankees to the bank. Take NY minus 1.5 runs (+105) to win 5-2. LOCK IT UP

San Diego @ Washington - Time to return to our boycotting ways. We just can't muster enough interest in this series to break these games down. If you want to bet this battle of buttnuts, you're on your own.

St. Louis @ Philadelphia - Now here is a baseball series. Two first-place teams; one having significantly upgraded its lineup earlier in the day. Some big-time hitters (Pujols, Utley, Howard, etc.). This should be fun. Unfortunately for St. Louis, they've burned through their two best starters the past two games so won't get to throw either one at the Phillies' vaunted lineup. Instead, tonight they turn to Joel Pineiro who is having a resurgence under the tutelage of pitching coach Dave Duncan. The Phillies counter with undefeated rookie J.A. Happ (7-0, 2.68). There is not much of a track record for either of these teams against these pitchers so we're flying a bit blind on this one. The Cards are not at their best against lefties and we doubt Holliday will arrive in time to play in this game. Plus, regardless of who is pitching, it is hard not to see the Phils putting runs up on the board. We're going with the home team to win a close one. Take the Phils (-135) to win 5-4. LOCK IT UP

Tampa Bay @ Toronto - Talk about a pitchers' duel. Garza vs. Halladay promises to be just that. So much so that we're seeing the smallest u/o line in an AL East battle (7) in a long time. That is just too small of a number for our comfort (though the under may certainly come in). We're smelling a bit of an upset here. Garza seems due for a dominating performance. He has the stuff, he just needs to channel it. Halladay is great but not unbeatable. I like the moneyline on TB, plus picking the Rays allows me to yell TAMPA BITCHES! Take the Rays (+130) to knock off Roy in what might be his last start as a Canadian. TB wins 3-2. LOCK IT UP

Baltimore @ Boston - Is this the game that the BoSox bats finally wake up? We're not optimistic. Brad Bergesen dominated the Sox last time they faced off and you know I'm always looking for an excuse to back the O's and their young bats. I think Brad Penny is beginning to hit the wall a bit. Baltimore knocked him around pretty good last time. I'm predicting that the Beantown free fall continues for another day. Take the O's (+145) to kick this series off with a W. Final score is 7-5. LOCK IT UP

Atlanta @ Milwaukee - The Braves are rolling (we didn't see that coming) and send Javy Vazquez to the hill to take on the tough-to-read Brew Crew. Manny Parra has looked good since his return from AAA but is due for a misstep. Chipper has 2 HRs and 3 career ABs against Parra and the rest of the Bravos hit him well too. Until the Brewers start to pitch, they're in trouble. Especially against an offense as hot as Atlanta. We like the Braves (-128) to win this one 6-3. LOCK IT UP

NYM @ Houston - Johan takes the hill and this is the only time every five days that you can even consider backing the Pets. However, keep in mind that he is very un-Santana like on the road this year (4-5, 4.20). The Pets get a chance to face former teammate Mike Hampton who is pitching reasonably well this season. Neither of these teams lights up the scoreboard against lefties but the Astros are riding a nice little run (sweep of St. Louis) and the Pets are, well, the Pets. Based on Johan's start, you can get quite an attractive moneyline on the hometown Stros. I'd take it. Houston (+115) to win 5-3. LOCK IT UP

Texas @ Kansas City - I really enjoy picking against the Royals with Greinke on the hill because you get such a great moneyline. This guy is very good but not nearly as unhittable as he was to start the season (when he shut out these Rangers with 10 Ks). I think this Ranger team is very good and will continue to be heard from up until September. I also like the cut of this Scott Feldman's jib. He keeps Texas in games, plain and simple. I think the Rangers figure Greinke out just enough to steal this game. Take Texas (+132) to prevail 4-3. LOCK IT UP

San Francisco @ Colorado - The Giants' tour of the U.S. continues with a stop in Denver this weekend. The Rockies have been one of baseball's hottest teams recently and SF's offense has gone AWOL. However, Matt Cain is pitching and the Giants are an underdog. That is something that I am interested in. Cain spun 6 shutout innings in Denver earlier this year so isn't intimidated by Coors Field. I like the Giants to get back on track here and scratch out a W. Take SF (+110) to win a low scoring affair (especially for Coors) - 4-2. LOCK IT UP

Pittsburgh @ Arizona - See San Diego @ Washington. This ain't happening.

Minnesota @ LAA - Another day, another terribly demoralizing road loss for the Twinkies. You've got to wonder how much more this team can take. On the other hand, what about the Halos. This is a very, very good team that just knows how to play baseball the right way and win games. And that is with Torii Hunter and Vladdy Daddy on the DL. Scary. They give the ball to their ace, John Lackey tonight and then take batting practice against Francisco Liriano. I'm not predicting good things for Minnesota. Take LAA minus 1.5 runs (+140) to win easily, 8-3. LOCK IT UP

Cleveland @ Seattle - The Indian train wreck pulls into the Pacific Northwest. Aaron Laffey on the mound does not inspire confidence against a Mariner lineup that just faced him. It also means that the Indian bullpen will also be playing a prominent role in this game. That is very good news for Seattle and Ryan Rowland-Smith who gets his second start of the year. The scoreboard has the potential to explode in this one. Regardless, we expect the M's to have the bigger number next to their name when all is said and done. Score another one for scrappy Seattle. Take the Mariners minus 1.5 runs (+170) to win, 9-6. LOCK IT UP

Florida @ LA - It is really difficult to take the under when it is sitting at 7 runs, but I think this is the perfect match-up for it to work out. There are very few pitchers in the Bigs right now that can throw it better than Josh Johnson and Clayton Kershaw. Dr. Kershaw has already dominated the Fish one time this year. Here's looking at number 2 tonight. This game could go either way in terms of who wins, but there is little doubt in my mind that it ends up being a 3-2 or 2-1 type game. With that in mind, take the under (-105). LOCK IT UP

Chicago @ Detroit - Game 2 - The stats bear out that it is incredibly difficult to sweep both games of a doubleheader in baseball. With the Tigers cruising along in what looks to be a victory in Game 1, we are initially biased to go with the ChiSox in Game 2. Then I noticed that the Sox are giving the ball to El Fato - Bartolo Colon. Here's a guy who was literally reported missing earlier this month. Is he really the answer to preventing the double-dip sweep? Well, I guess when the other team is turning to a guy named Eddie Bonine (sounds like an anti-nausea medication), then Bartolo might just be the better starter in the game. Considering the starting pitchers and the fact that the skippers will likely be resting some regulars in the late game, this one shapes up as a disaster. So I'll just go with my no double-header sweeps rule and back Chicago. Ride the ChiSox (EVEN) and the big man to victory. LOCK IT UP