 |
 |
 |
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
B.C. Lions @ Saskatchewan Roughriders u50.0 (-110)
Fri Jul 3 '09 9:05p
This is a totally new season for the Lions, and for the first time in quite a few years, they aren’t considered the cream of the crop in the Western Division. No team suffered as many critical losses in the offseason as BC, as DE Cameron Wake, who led the CFL in sacks in each of the L/2 seasons, is now a Miami Dolphin. RB Stefan Logan, RB Charles Roberts, LB Jason Pottinger, and SB Jason Clermont have all also moved on, and there hasn’t been a heck of a lot come in to replace them. Quarterback play has been inconsistent for the Leos for the L/4 seasons, and once again this year, Jarious Jackson and Buck Pierce will probably both be seeing plenty of PT. The duo did throw for almost 5,200 yards and 36 TDs last season, and HC Wally Buono tends to go with the hot hand. Tonight, Pierce is expecting to get the nod, but Jackson will likely see some snaps at the first sign of Pierce’s struggles.
The Riders may have the worst team in the Western Division this season, but they’re still good enough to compete for a playoff spot thanks to the crossover position in the second season. Regina is always a nightmare to go into for opposing teams, but Riderville will be rocking tonight with memories of that whooping their team got from the Lions to end their ’08 season. QB Darian Durant has been tabbed as the man this season. He showed flashes of brilliance at times last year, but he also proved that he is a raw quarterback with a lot of work to be done to succeed at this level. Save QB Stephen Jyles, there really aren’t any other options for HC Ken Miller to turn to under centre, so this is Durant’s team regardless. The running game for the Riders will be hurt tonight by the absence of RB Wes Cates, who led the league in rushing TDs last season with 12. Expect RB Hugh Charles to carry the load tonight.
Neither offense looks like it’s ready to score 30 points in a game yet this season. Yes, Pierce and Jackson have a lot of experience under centre and can lead the Leos down the field, but there’s a huge void in the BC running game as well with both Logan and Roberts having departed. Especially early in the season, expect to see these offenses struggle. Asking them to come up with 50 points combined is a hefty task.
|
|
|
|
|
Free Picks from other expert handicappers
|
|
|
|
|
Bob Harvey |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Los Angeles Angels (-147)
Fri Jul 3 '09 10:05p
The last place Baltimore Orioles continue to struggle on the road. The Birds are now 11-24 away from Camden Yards following a 5-2 loss to the Angels on Thursday night.
Just about everywhere you look the numbers are bad for Baltimore. They’re 0-3 against the Halos this season and 7-21 in the last 28 meetings. The Orioles are just 3-7 in their last ten outings and are hitting just .236 on the road while posting an ERA of 6.01 as a visitor.
Tonight Baltimore will face Ervin Santana who has had two stints on the DL this season. It’s amazing how things can change in a year. In 2008 Santana was a member of the AL All-Star team. This season he’s had more stints on the disabled list than he has wins. Santana has been on the 15-day disabled list since June 23rd. He experienced stiffness in his throwing arm following a start in Tampa Bay. He’ll take the mound this evening with a 1-3 record and an ERA of 7.47 in six starts.
The Orioles will counter with David Hernandez who is 1-2 on the season with a 4.19 ERA. In his last three starts he’s had as many walks as strikeouts and his ERA is just a smidge under 5.
After a slow start with the bats, the Angels have come to life offensively. Los Halos have scored 34 runs in their last five games and Bobby Abreu has been a big reason for the increased production. Abreu, who homered twice on Thursday night, has driven in 27 runs since the start of June. The only hitter in the Al who has matched Abreu’s production is teammate Juan Rivera.
The Angels have somehow kept things together in a season where lesser teams would have unraveled. Even with a rusty Santana on the mound tonight, I like the Angels to keep things rolling.
|
|
|
|
|
LT Profits |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
St. Louis Cardinals @ Cincinnati Reds u9.5 (-110)
Fri Jul 3 '09 7:10p
Joel Pineiro of the St. Louis Cardinals has been pitching well all season with very little to show for it, but the key to this Under could very well be Homer Bailey of the Cincinnati Reds.
Bailey was a highly regarded prospect in the Cincinnati system, and he showed some flashes of brilliance when he was first called two years ago. However, he regressed badly last season and found himself back in the minors until finally being recalled again to take his first 2009 Major League start on May 23, when he was bombed again.
However, after a brief return to the minors, he looked decent in his second start upon his recall vs. the Cleveland Indians last week, when he got the win while allowing three runs on only three hits in five innings. Now, he has the advantage of facing a struggling St. Louis offense that is averaging just 2.30 runs per game over the last 10 games while batting a horrific .213 as a team during this time.
As for Pineiro, he is probably the most unfortunate 6-9 pitcher in baseball, given his 3.44 ERA and 1.18 WHIP. In fact, Pineiro has now allowed three earned runs or less in seven of his last eight starts, and yet he has gotten so little support for the quite Cardinal bats that they are only 2-6 as a team in those games. Naturally, that has made him a great Under pitcher, as it is 10-4-1 in all of his starts this year.
Tonight could be more of the same, especially if Bailey builds on his improved start the last time out, making for yet another Under.
MLB Free Pick: Cardinals, Reds Under 9.5 (-110)
|
|
|
|
|
Rocketman Sports |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Florida Marlins (-150)
Fri Jul 3 '09 6:10p
Pittsburgh @ Florida 6:10 PM EST
Play On: Florida (Morton/Volstad) Listed
Pittsburgh comes in with a 36-43 overall record this year while Florida is 41-39 on the season. Florida has won 3 in a row and 8 of their last 11 games overall. Pittsburgh is only 14-26 on the road this year. Charlie Morton is 1-1 with a 6.00 ERA overall vs Florida since 1997. Pirates are 1-4 in their last 5 games with the total set at 7.0-8.5. Pirates are 1-4 in their last 5 games on grass. Pirates are 1-4 in their last 5 overall. Pirates are 0-4 in their last 4 games vs. a right-handed starter. Marlins are 8-0 in their last 8 home games. Marlins are 6-0 in their last 6 home games vs. a team with a losing record. Marlins are 6-0 in their last 6 vs. a team with a losing record. Marlins are 8-0 in their last 8 games on grass. Marlins are 5-0 in their last 5 home games vs. a right-handed starter. Marlins are 12-2 in their last 14 games as a home favorite. Marlins are 6-1 in their last 7 games following a win. Marlins are 6-1 in their last 7 games with the total set at 7.0-8.5. Marlins are 6-1 in their last 7 when their opponent allows 5 runs or more in their previous game. Marlins are 5-1 in their last 6 games vs. a right-handed starter. Marlins are 13-3 in their last 16 games as a favorite. Marlins are 4-1 in their last 5 after scoring 5 runs or more in their previous game. We'll recommend a small play on Florida tonight! Thanks and good luck, Rocky
|
|
|
|
|
Steve Merril |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Colorado Rockies (-125)
Fri Jul 3 '09 8:10p
FREE PLAY
The Rockies return home to host Arizona after a nine game road trip thru California. Going for the Rockies is Jorge De La Rosa who is 4-7 with a 5.64 ERA this season. De La Rosa is coming off a solid effort in Oakland going six innings and giving up two runs on five hits, while striking out five and walking only two hitters. De La Rosa is 1-2 with a 3.08 ERA all time against Arizona, having lost to them 2-0 in April on the road. In that game he gave up just two runs and six hits in 6.7 innings pitched. Arizona hits .224 against De La Rosa with Chris Snyder (2-11), Stephen Drew (2-10), Chris Young (2-9), Chad Tracy (1-6) and Mark Reynolds (1-6) struggling the most. Arizona is 8-14 against lefties this season averaging just 3.6 runs per game and hitting only .224.
Arizona will send Max Scherzer to the hill where he's 5-5 with a 3.67 ERA. In his last three starts he's given up 7 earned runs in 16.3 innings pitched going 2-1 in that span. He's faced Colorado once losing 3-2 to them in Colorado. In that game he gave up three runs and seven hits in six innings. Garrett Atkins (2-3), Clint Barmes (1-3), Chris Ianetta (1-3) and Brad Hawpe (1-2) had the most success against him in that game. At home Colorado averages 5.8 runs per game and hit .279 as a team. The Rockies are also a fantastic 21-5 SU in their past 26 games.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
 |
|
 |
|
|
