meser
25-05-07, 15:30
@ BA 2007: 19W/19L +16.42 units
Seattle Mariners @ KC Royals,
7 units on Mariners ML, 1.87 @ Pinnacle
Very interesting matchup here. And I am high on the Mariners and Felix Hernandez (2-2, 2.77 ERA), despite facing another terrific pitcher, Gil Meche (3-2, 2.44 ERA). After his stint on the DL, Hernandez had two outings. And even if he didn't pitch as well as he can, I would say he had some rather encouraging stuff.
The Mariners was Gil Meche's only team, before signing a five-year, $55 mil contract with the Royals, a move which was the subject of many news artices and controversies. Well, Meche stuck to his job and delivered some outstanding starts, but his batters didn't help him that much. The Royals are still the Royals and even this 8-3 streak doesn't impress me. Meche admitted his April start in Seattle was very emotional, he had "butterflies"; he was indeed a bit off, allowing three unearned runs and 10 hits, but picked up the win. Well, I see this as a minus, like his last start, when he gave up five runs and two homers in five innings @ Coors Field, against Colorado.
Both teams have hot batters and surprising bullpens, but I still give the edge to the Mariners.
LA Angels @ NY Yankees,
4 units on Angels ML, 2.13 @ Pinnacle
Let's see if we can still cash in by fading the Yankees. The Yankees just won a series against long-time rivals the Red Sox, so we may have a small letdown spot here. Their batting started to work a bit, but the spark is not quite there. Apart from the Moose, Wang and Pettitte, their pitching is still an unknown. That includes rookie Tyson Clippard, who had an excellent MLB debut - who allowed just one run and three hits in six innings in a 6-2 win over the Mets on Sunday - but who may have some trouble against the smallball approach of the Halos lineup.
Angels throw a young pitcher of their own on the mound. But Jered Weaver is one pitcher who really proved himself. After an average season start (1-3 with a 5.12 ERA), the right-hander returned to his electric stuff and went 2-0 with a 1.83 ERA and 1.22 WHIP in his last three outings. Weaver already beat the Yankees on their home ground last August, allowing one run and three hits in six innings.
Every team gives its best when they play the Bronx Bombers and as the Yankees are not at full throttle, we may pick up something for ourselves along the way.
Philadelphia Phillies @ Atlanta Braves
5 units on Braves RL, 2.35 @ Pinnacle
The Phillies still have quite a hard time winning and fielding Jamie Moyer (4-3, 4.37 ERA) may not prove to be a turning point. Moyer looks to be in a funk - he has given up 12 runs and 17 hits (including four homers) over 9.2 innings in his last two starts. His record against the Braves also shows some poor numbers: 1-6, 5.37 ERA in eight career appearances, with a 6.00 ERA on Turner Field.
Braves counter with another veteran. Tim Hudson (5-2, 2.42 ERA) comes after an inadequate start, too, in which he allowed a season-high six runs in 4.2 innings, but against tough AL contenders, Boston Red Sox. However, Hudson owned the Phillies this year, limiting them to three runs and six hits in 15 innings during two starts. Braves also have a better and a more rested bullpen coming into the matchup. They benefited from a complete game from John Smoltz, while the Phillies pen worked a total of five innings in yesterday's 11 inning game in Miami.
Leans:
Minnesota Twins ML
Florida Marlins ML
GL !!
Seattle Mariners @ KC Royals,
7 units on Mariners ML, 1.87 @ Pinnacle
Very interesting matchup here. And I am high on the Mariners and Felix Hernandez (2-2, 2.77 ERA), despite facing another terrific pitcher, Gil Meche (3-2, 2.44 ERA). After his stint on the DL, Hernandez had two outings. And even if he didn't pitch as well as he can, I would say he had some rather encouraging stuff.
The Mariners was Gil Meche's only team, before signing a five-year, $55 mil contract with the Royals, a move which was the subject of many news artices and controversies. Well, Meche stuck to his job and delivered some outstanding starts, but his batters didn't help him that much. The Royals are still the Royals and even this 8-3 streak doesn't impress me. Meche admitted his April start in Seattle was very emotional, he had "butterflies"; he was indeed a bit off, allowing three unearned runs and 10 hits, but picked up the win. Well, I see this as a minus, like his last start, when he gave up five runs and two homers in five innings @ Coors Field, against Colorado.
Both teams have hot batters and surprising bullpens, but I still give the edge to the Mariners.
LA Angels @ NY Yankees,
4 units on Angels ML, 2.13 @ Pinnacle
Let's see if we can still cash in by fading the Yankees. The Yankees just won a series against long-time rivals the Red Sox, so we may have a small letdown spot here. Their batting started to work a bit, but the spark is not quite there. Apart from the Moose, Wang and Pettitte, their pitching is still an unknown. That includes rookie Tyson Clippard, who had an excellent MLB debut - who allowed just one run and three hits in six innings in a 6-2 win over the Mets on Sunday - but who may have some trouble against the smallball approach of the Halos lineup.
Angels throw a young pitcher of their own on the mound. But Jered Weaver is one pitcher who really proved himself. After an average season start (1-3 with a 5.12 ERA), the right-hander returned to his electric stuff and went 2-0 with a 1.83 ERA and 1.22 WHIP in his last three outings. Weaver already beat the Yankees on their home ground last August, allowing one run and three hits in six innings.
Every team gives its best when they play the Bronx Bombers and as the Yankees are not at full throttle, we may pick up something for ourselves along the way.
Philadelphia Phillies @ Atlanta Braves
5 units on Braves RL, 2.35 @ Pinnacle
The Phillies still have quite a hard time winning and fielding Jamie Moyer (4-3, 4.37 ERA) may not prove to be a turning point. Moyer looks to be in a funk - he has given up 12 runs and 17 hits (including four homers) over 9.2 innings in his last two starts. His record against the Braves also shows some poor numbers: 1-6, 5.37 ERA in eight career appearances, with a 6.00 ERA on Turner Field.
Braves counter with another veteran. Tim Hudson (5-2, 2.42 ERA) comes after an inadequate start, too, in which he allowed a season-high six runs in 4.2 innings, but against tough AL contenders, Boston Red Sox. However, Hudson owned the Phillies this year, limiting them to three runs and six hits in 15 innings during two starts. Braves also have a better and a more rested bullpen coming into the matchup. They benefited from a complete game from John Smoltz, while the Phillies pen worked a total of five innings in yesterday's 11 inning game in Miami.
Leans:
Minnesota Twins ML
Florida Marlins ML
GL !!