MLB Series Wagering- Yankees at Rays

With the summer slipping into August this weekend, the baseball pennant races start to take shape with more meaningful games over the next two months. What better way to start building the momentum than with the two best teams in baseball. The first place New York Yankees (65-36, +7.8 units) head south to visit Tampa Bay (63-38, +6.5), who trails by two games in the loss column.

The atmosphere should be electric with all three games sold out and for New York; they have other side bar stories. This is the Yankees first team visit since the passing of George Steinbrenner who resided in Tampa. Alex Rodriguez will continue his elusive quest for home run No. 600. When asked if he feels pressure after failing to connect for a long ball in seven straight games, A-Rod answered this way. “We’re winning, so this is fun,” Rodriguez said. “I’m focusing on something more important: a pennant race.”

The Rays picked the right time to get hot having won six in a row and a continuation of such play would jettison them into first place by the end of the weekend. “I’m sure there’s going to be a vibe,” Tampa Bay manager Joe Maddon said. “They’re playing well. We’re playing well. It’s going to be interesting. I know we’re going to be excited to play.”

The pitching matchup has two young hurlers. Phil Hughes (12-3, 4.04 ERA), after a brilliant start has had rocky moments of late, being tagged for five runs or more in three of previous five starts. Location has been Hughes downfall and the Yankees are only 14-16 (-11.5 Units) against the money line with an on-base percentage of .360 or better over their last 15 games. Online sports betting outlets have New York as -107 ML wager, as the Yankees seem to thrive against top notch competition with a 12-3 record in road games when playing against teams with a 62% or higher win percentage in the second half of the season.

Tampa Bay is 100-48 in home games against right-handed starters the past three seasons and sends Wade Davis (8-9, 4.32) up the hill. Davis has gotten in a nice groove with three consecutive victories and 2.11 ERA. “Every series is important, but this is a big series for us to go out and win some games against them to stay up there with them,” Davis told the Rays’ official website. “If we can do that, then we’ll be in a good situation.” The right-hander is 1-1 with a 4.63 ERA in two starts against New York this year and A-Rod has two jacks off of him.

Game 1 Edge: New York

The Rays are hoping outfielders B.J. Upton and Ben Zobrist are close to 100 percent after missing time this week with sprained ankle and lower back stiffness respectively, getting ready for New York. The second game of the series will also feature Matt “no-hitter” Garza (11-5. 4.08), who faced the minimum 27 batters (one walk) his last time out. Garza was able to work effectively up in the strike zone against depleted Detroit lineup. Tampa Bay is 8-2 in Garza’s starts at Tropicana Field, where they have won 10 of 11 coming into the series.

The Bronx Bombers arrive in St. Pete’s having won eight of 11 and have split eight meetings with the Rays. Manager Joe Girardi’s club began the series 31-20 in the visiting gray uniforms, thanks to being victorious in 16 of last 21 contests. Javier Vazquez (9-7, 4.54) started the season on shaky ground, but has since stabilized with 8-3 mark and 3.16 ERA. The Yanks are 36-16 in last 52 and have won four of last five Vazquez road starts. The Yankees right-hander is 5-5 (4.71) in last 10 starting assignments against Tampa Bay, with Carl Crawford batting .368 against him since 2006. Garza is 1-3 (3.26) vs New York and A-Rod (.467) and Nick Swisher (.500) have been the most troublesome batters he faces from that lineup.

Game 2 Edge: Tampa Bay

The series finale from the Trop has C.C. Sabathia (13-4, 3.15) on a major roll. The big left-hander is 8-1 with 2.10 ERA in last 10 outings and is 14-4 in August of late. He’s been tough all year on right-hand hitters, as they are batting only .234 against him. New York plays great all the time including during the day, with 25-12 record as they prepare for this TBS 1:30 Eastern tilt.

Tampa Bay will start James Shields (9-9, 4.79) who also possess quality August numbers with a 12-6 record. Shields has to start missing more bats, with opponents hitting .281 against him (.266 lifetime) and he is on career path for home runs allowed, already being taken deep 22 times. The Rays are equally effective in day games with 20-10 record and are 11-9 to commence the weekend as underdogs.

Game 3 Edge: New York

New York has won 26 of last 44 conflicts between these teams and is 12-9 at the Trop the past three years. Both teams are at the top of their games, both respecting, but do not fearing the other, which makes for fascinating series.

I’ve hit five straight weekend series wagers and though I’d like to see Tampa Bay win, I’m betting New York and here is why. Sometime next season I’ll write an article about this, but the Rays have double digit hits just once in past seven tries, which has me believing they are living off of great pitching. New York can match Tampa Bay in this area and shutdown their attack. Coincidently, the Yankees have nine or more base knocks in seven of previous nine games, suggesting they will score more runs and takes the series.

Sportsbooks series odds: New York -120, Tampa Bay -110

3Daily Winners Pick: New York

Total Domination Fuels Two MLB Matchups

Baltimore and Pittsburgh have been two of the weakest franchises in baseball for a number of years. The Orioles haven’t had a winning season since their division title in 1997 and Pittsburgh is on historic sports streak, as their last winning campaign came in 1992. When you are this bad, everyone has a shot to beat you, however certain teams can really put the hurt on you and both clubs face a nemesis that just doesn’t let up this evening.

Thank you sir may I have another

It was just four years ago, despite being a horribly run franchise, Baltimore (29-63, -20.8 units) always had the cushion of Tampa Bay (56-36, +2.8) below them to at least have a little dignity, keeping them out of last place in the AL East. No more, as the Rays figured out how to put together a farm system and Baltimore, they are still trying to work that point out.

The O’s came into the season believing they had turned a corner, with the development of a few of their younger players, despite the fact they were on a streak of the next season being worst than the prior since 2004.

This quickly turned into a futile campaign with abysmal 2-16 start. Enter Tampa Bay. The Rays are 6-1 vs. the Orioles this year, including 4-0 at Camden Yards, where the teams will meet again. Over the past three seasons, Tampa Bay is 15-7 where crapcakes are plentiful and 31-13 overall.

Sports betting online outlets have Baltimore as +180 home underdogs, after their 8-1 shellacking last night and the Birds are 2-19 after scoring one run or less this season. They will send potential sacrificial lamb Jake Arrieta (3-2, 4.62 ERA) to the mound and Baltimore is 11-36 off three straight losses against division rivals the last three seasons.

Tampa Bay will start Matt Garza (10-5, 4.05) who is 8-1 with a 2.48 ERA in 10 career starts against the Orioles and is 2-0 this season, permitting two earned runs in 16 innings and striking out 14. For this 7:05 Eastern contest, the Rays are 14-4 on the division road this season.

Oh that’s going to leave a mark

Prosperity and abundance are two words seldom associated with the Pittsburgh Pirates (32-60, -12.3). After scoring 21 runs on 36 hits in last two contests in taking the series against Houston, the Bucs must have been arm and leg weary and could only muster a lone run and six base-knocks against renowned Chris Capuano and other bullpen pitchers from Milwaukee (43-51, -7.8) in 3-1 defeat (Capuano’s first win in three years).

Pittsburgh losing to the Brewers is as predictable Lindsey Lohan and Mel Gibson being in the news, after awhile you hardly even notice.

The Pirates have fallen to the Brew Crew in nine of 12 matchups this year (5 of 6 at PNC Park) and they are 8-32 vs. Milwaukee since 2008. The latest slump has Pittsburgh losing nine of 11 and they are 8-27 with double revenge against opponent this season.

Betting on sports participants will note the Bucs are +117 underdogs with their best young pitcher Brad Lincoln (1-3, 5.14) taking the ball. Lincoln has mid-90’s heat, a curveball with a hard break and improving changeup. His problems have come leaving the ball up against big league hitters and has been tagged for four homers in last two starts. Pittsburgh is 50-101 after batting .250 or worse over a 20-game span.

Milwaukee counters with Dave Bush (4-7, 4.07), who has pitched his best baseball of the season of late, with 2.45 ERA in his last trio of starts. Half of Bush’s wins in 2010 have been at the expense of Pittsburgh and the Brewers are on 7-1 streak as a road favorite in the -110 to -150 range. The Crew is 7-0 against Pitt. when Bush is the starting pitcher since July 5, 2008.

MLB Series Wagering- Rays at Yankees

The two best teams in baseball square off in the Bronx to begin their second half of the season. Tampa Bay (54-34, +2.7 units) trails New York (56-32, +7.4) by two games and would like to close the gap even further with a series triumph. The Rays have played with the off-kilter intensity of Mel Gibson, not in the present form, but like his character in “Mad Max –Road Warrior”. Tampa Bay has far and away the best road record in baseball at 28-14 (+12) and they are flat out fantastic in the division with 12-2 mark, which includes a pair of wins May 19-20 at Yankees Stadium.

For New York fans and many of the players, this series starts with a melancholy feel, as legendary public address announcer Bob Sheppard and “The Boss” George Steinbrenner, both passed away this past week. “I think he’s a father figure to everyone that was in our organization in the past or present, because he really took care of his players,” Jeter said. “You know, whether it was a player that’s on the team now or someone that played for a week 30 years ago.

The Yankees will wear patches on their uniforms for the remainder of the season to honor Steinbrenner and Sheppard.

New York returns home like they are just out of the microwave, winners of eight of last nine. Among the hottest Yankees is pitcher C.C. Sabathia (12-3, 3.09 ERA), whose been delivering as consistently as UPS. Sabathia is 8-0 since June began with miniscule 1.81 ERA. In fact, in his last 38 2/3 innings, the big lefthander has permitted four earned runs. The Bronx Bombers are -175 money line favorites at online sports betting outlets and no wonder with the big man 15-0 vs. teams averaging 2.75 or less extra base hits per game in the second half of the season over the last three seasons. (Team's Record)

After scuffling for awhile, the Rays are back online, also winners of eight of last nine outings. Tampa Bay deserves notice for 12-1 record vs. an AL starting pitcher with ERA of 3.20 or better this season, nonetheless, James Shields (7-9, 4.87) is curious choice as starting pitcher for series opener. Shields is 1-8 with a 7.00 ERA in his last nine outings and 2-7 with 5.54 ERA in 11 career starts against the Yankees.

“I’m happy that we’re playing them right out of the gates,” Shields told MLB.com. “We’re right behind them right now and it’s a good chance for us to pick up a couple of games on them.” With those words in mind, you can’t help of thinking of Ace Ventura saying “All righty than”.

Game 1 Edge: New York

The team in pinstripes has the third best home record in baseball starting this series at 28-13. For those seeking sports betting tips, New York is playing 40 of final 74 games at home, which will give them definite edge along with inflated money and run lines. A.J. Burnett (7-7, 4.75) will again pitch on this FOX Saturday afternoon affair. Two weeks ago Saturday, he was dreadful at Los Angeles, lasting just three innings and permitting six runs. That concluded a stretch of five June starts with an ERA over 11 and the Yankees coaches deducted Burnett needed to start using his change-up more and this has brought immediate results, allowing two total runs in last two starts covering 13 2/3 innings. The Yanks are 43-18 in Game 2’s, but have won just one of Burnett’s previous six starts.

Jeff Niemann (7-2, 2.77) has arguably been manager Joe Maddon’s most dependable starter all season, particularly on the road. Niemann is 4-0 (the Rays are 8-0 in 2010 when he starts) in visiting uniform and Tampa Bay is inconceivable 17-2 in the second game of a series when the 6’9 right-handed toes the rubber. The Rays best bet to win is grab the lead before the eighth inning since New York is 4-26 when trailing after seven frames and 48-4 when leading.
Game 2 Edge: Tampa Bay

The series finale matches a pair of lefties, one representing the past and present, with the other already an All-Star with unlimited future. Andy Pettitte (11-2, 2.70) is 38 years old and is getting better with age, being an All-Star again this season. Pettitte is extremely knowledgeable hurler, quickly figuring out what pitches are working from his repertoire and keeping hitters off-balance. Pettitte and teammates are 12-3 as favorites this year and 22-10 in day games. Skipper Maddon would be wise to load lineup with right-hand sticks as opposing LH hitters are batting .167 vs. Pettitte’s tosses.

The Rays counter with All-Star starter David Price (12-4. 2.42) who is fulfilling the promise as Tampa Bay’s top pick of the 2007 June draft. The 24-year old has all the pitches, including a tight slider and improving change-up. He and the Rays are 6-0 in the division and 6-1 in the day time.

Game 3 Edge: New York

This should be a highly competitive series given how each team has played. Tampa Bay has 3-2 lead this season and somewhat surprisingly, the last six meetings have gone Over the total for those betting on sports. Both clubs are exceptional in their roles of home and away, yet the visiting team has taken five of past six. Despite this, it’s very difficult to bet against the Yankees at home, thus will be betting them for this weekend.

Sportsbook series odds: Tampa Bay +170, New York -220

3Daily Winners Pick: New York

Sunday Stuff and more Winners

Two more official winners on Saturday, takes us to 103-57 as we continue to follow the sensational exploits of Ron’s top plays and he has another today. We also have a perfect Top Trend and a MLB system that is over 86 percent! Good Luck

What I heard yesterday – The Chicago Cubs average over six runs a game when they win and 2.4 RPG when they lose, quite a separation.

Make sure to come around even during the All-Star break, I will have articles and another college football preview to checkout.

On Twitter at: http://twitter.com/3Dailywinners

Free Baseball System -1) Play Against all underdogs with a money line of +175 to +250 like the M’s, who are subpar AL hitting team (BA .265 or less), against a good starting pitcher (ERA of 4.20 or lower), who are batting .225 or worse over their last five games. Since 2006 this adds up to 51-8 record, 86.4 percent.

Free Baseball Trend -2) Jeff Niemann and the Rays are 13-0 vs. poor power teams, averaging 0.9 or less home runs game over the last two seasons.

Free Baseball Pick -3) Ron continues to spew winners with 53-14 mark and has Angels and A’s Under 7 this afternoon.

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Start of great holiday weekend

Having a vast number of duties to attend to, been a little so on the upkeep but we are still 90-52 in last 142 plays right here at 3Daily Winners. Ron of the Left Coast Connection is still clicking away winners and offers his best play for Free. We have a perfect trend on an AL visitor and the Best System is a totals play at 85 percent! Good Luck

Over the last 10 days, 3Daily Winners is #2 in MLB units at Cappers Monitor.

What I thought the last few days – It is a delight to have my daughter home. She’s a big Dodgers fan (don’t ask why) and we are going the next two nights.

On Twitter at: http://twitter.com/3Dailywinners

Free Baseball System -1) Play Under on road teams like the Giants against the total when they average less than a home run per game, against a starting pitcher who gives up 0.5 or less HR’s a start, with a starting pitcher whose winning percentage is better than 70 percent. Got that, what you need to know is this totals system is 34-6, 85 percent.

Free Baseball Trend -2) Tampa Bay is 10-0 after three straight games with two or more stolen bases over the last two seasons.

Free Baseball Pick -3) Ron of the LLC continues to shine on 25-8 MLB run and has the Tigers to maul the Mariners.

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Step up to the dish and swing away on Thursday

With Tuesday’s plays, we stand at 85-46. Because of so many early games I couldn’t post this sooner, but we still have three solid systems to look at tonight on the diamond. The early and late Top Trends are both perfect, however we will count only the latter one for record keeping. You know who is to win the Dodgers vs. Angels battle, I think I do with Free Play. Good Luck

What I saw yesterday – I had the Yankees on the run line last night and though they won 6-5 in extra innings (I’m 4-13 past nine innings this season- OMG), I did not. Here is the stupid part. The D-Backs handed out THIRTEEN WALKS (previous MLB high this season was 11), New York had 10 hits and they still only scored six runs.

On Twitter at: http://twitter.com/3Dailywinners

Free Baseball System -1) See the MLB systems below

Free Baseball Trend -2) Didn’t get to post on time, but Tampa Bay is now 20-0 in home games after scoring four runs or less three straight games over the last three seasons. Instead for this evening, consider the Mets who are 8-0 vs. AL teams scoring 4.7 or less runs a game in 2010.

Free Baseball Pick -3) Our Free picks haven’t been up to usual standards of late, thus I’ll take a trip to the dish with the Halos to sweep the Dodgers.

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Major League Baseball Trendy Talk

It’s the final week of interleague play for this season and today four matchups in particular stand out on the baseball scorecard. We have a blend of hot pitchers, hot teams and a hot rivalry for this Tuesday.

St. Louis at Toronto 7:07 E

Call them what you will, lefties, port-siders or southpaws, whatever the name, Cardinals rookie lefty Jaime Garcia (6-3, 1.59 ERA) and the Blue Jays Brett Cecil (7-3, 3.58) have both been highly effective.

Garcia at 23 years old has overcome Tommy John surgery, which caused him to miss all of 2009, yet he’s been incredibly effective, not conceding more than two earned runs in his 13 starts this season. A lack of run support has left Garcia and St. Louis (38-31, -6.4 units) at just 6-7 overall this season, totaling three or fewer runs in seven of his trips to the mound.

Cecil suffered his first loss in five weeks at San Diego, being pounded for five runs in six innings. Prior to that, the Toronto left-hander has given up six total runs in five outings. Cecil and the Jays are is 12-4 vs. teams averaging 2.75 or less extra base hits per game.

With the total at 7.5, Garcia and the Redbirds are 10-0 UNDER in night games and merely 20-26 in June games over the last two seasons. The free-swinging Blue Jays (38-32, +10.2) are 6-10 against lefty starters this season (2.9 runs per game), but 12-3 OVER vs. a very good bullpen like Cards whose ERA is 3.33 or better this season.

San Diego at Tampa Bay 7:10 E

The Padres (40-29, +13.8) continue to be the biggest surprise in the National League, leading the NL West this far into the 2010 campaign, with exceptional pitching and timely hitting. San Diego leads the Major Leagues with 3.01 ERA and also in strikeouts (541). San Diego comes up big when it matters most, ranking 4th in ERA with runners in scoring position and 2nd overall with the same threat and there are two outs. The Friars have been at their best against quality competition with 14-4 mark playing against team with 54% to 62% win percentage this year.

Tampa Bay (42-27, +1.6) still have top notch record, but their 8-9 mark in June has dropped them out of first place in the AL East. Two reasons for this fall, the Rays starting pitchers have an ERA over 5.50 since the middle of May and players like B.J. Upton (.230 batting average) Carlos Pena (.200) are hurting their ability to score runs in the upper part of the batting order. The Rays are pedestrian 18-15 at Tropicana Field; however they are 36-12 in home games after scoring two runs or less.

Tampa Bay is smallish -132 ML home favorite largely because San Diego’s Mat Latos is 6-1 since May 7, with opposing hitters showing a sordid .197 batting average against the 6’6 right-hander.

The Pads are a pretty reliable 12-7 (+8.5 units) as a road underdog of +100 to +150 this season.
Atlanta at Chicago White Sox 8:10 E

Two of the hottest teams in the big leagues collide this evening in Chi-Town. The Chicago White Sox (34-34, -2.7 units) are back to .500 having won six straight and 10 of 11 and are within shouting distance of Minnesota in the AL Central at 5.5 games back. The biggest reason for Chicago’s turnaround is their continued dominance of the National League, with a 10-2 record this season and 34-14 since 2008.

Atlanta (42-28, +11.1) has been no slouch, with five consecutive conquests and winners of eight of last 10. The Braves have also thrived in interleague action with 7-2 mark in 2010. The Atlanta offense has been working in harmony with its pitchers. Atlanta leads the NL in scoring at 5.1 runs per game and when they score five or more runs in a contest, they are perfect 31-0. (42-0 dating back to last season)

A great pitching matchup of two terrific young hurlers, featuring Tommy Hanson (7-3, 3.27) vs. John Danks (6-5, 3.18). Hanson and the Braves are -113 ML road favorites and are 16-3 in the first half of the year since he arrived last season. Danks has not received a great deal of run support this campaign, but is 7-3 when throwing on five days rest (Sox record) and the Pale Hose are 22-8 as a home underdog of +100 to +125 since 2008.

L.A. Dodgers at L.A. Angels 10:05 E

Another chapter unfolds in the Freeway series, which moves south to Orange Country and Anaheim. The Angels (39-33, +5.1) are the hotter team having won six of nine, yet have lost ground in the AL West, with the Rangers reeling off eight wins in a row. The Halos swept the Dodgers (38-31, -0.3 units) nine days ago and are 17-4 versus NL West opponents over the last two seasons.

The Dodgers are having their typical issues with the AL, sporting 2-7 record and they are 29th in interleague play the last four years at 21-37. They will lean on Clayton Kershaw (7-3, 2.97) to end four game losing streak. The club with the blue hats is 36-17 after a loss by two runs or less (2-0 at Boston) and Kershaw and teammates are 9-0 against a team with a winning record this season.

The Angels are +112 home pooches and are 16-8 at the Big A as underdogs of +100 or higher. Ervin Santana (6-5, 3.91) and Halos are 9-1 (+10.8 units) as an underdog of +100 to +150. Manager Mike Scioscia’s club has taken 16 of previous 23 meetings; however the road team has won five straight series.

Sunday Action - Over and Out

Saturday brought yet another 2-1 day, raising record to 77-40. The Best System is 46-11 since 1997. Had a choice of five perfect Top Trends, went with the one most likely to win in my opinion. Mike offers his Free and best play today. Good Luck

What I share today – I’m on vacation until June 22, thus no articles written by me until I return unless I have something really important to say here. I will try and have Free Plays, but it will be spotty, especially early in the week.

On Twitter at: http://twitter.com/3Dailywinners

Free Baseball System -1) Play Against any team like the Orioles who are nasty AL offensive team (4.5 runs or less a game), against a good NL starting pitcher with ERA of 3.70 or less, batting .240 or worse over their last 15 games. Mark this system down as 46-11, 80.7 percent.

Free Baseball Trend -2) A ton of great trends today, but I’m going with Detroit 11-0 in home games vs. NL teams scoring 4.3 or less runs a game on the season over the last three years.

Free Baseball Pick -3) Mike of the LCC is +4.70 legit units the last few days and has Tampa Bay as top play.

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Toronto tilted towards totals system

The AL East is unrelenting unless you draw the Baltimore Orioles. All the teams can hit, have pitching and are more than adequate catching the baseball. Though the Toronto Blue Jays (+10 units) have been terrific this season at 33-27, thanks to hitting home runs and good starting pitching, this week at least they haven’t belonged in the same class as Tampa Bay.

After winning a home series against the Yankees, Toronto began a road trip that started on the west Florida coast, before heading truly west to face National League teams. The Blue Jays have a Major League leading 97 home runs and are tied for second in the American League with 34 quality starts.

Since Tampa Bay (39-20, +8.5) has gone from a one of the worst teams in baseball to one the best, Toronto has had almost no success against the Rays. They are 4-19 the last three years vs. Tampa Bay, after being torpedoed 9-0 and 10-1 in the first two games of this series.

The Jays will attempt to stem the tide, using Brett Cecil (6-2, 3.43 ERA). The second year left-hander has allowed a total of three runs in 23 1/3 innings over his last three starts. Cecil owns a four-game winning streak and has held opponents to a .170 batting average in this stretch. Even as well as Cecil has pitched, Toronto will need some offense and is 1-10 after scoring three runs or less three straight games.

Tampa Bay is 18-6 against left-handed starters this season and will look to get Wade Davis (5-5, 5.03) back on track, as he has a 10.80 ERA in his last three starts. “Wade had a tough night,” Rays manager Joe Maddon said. “Fastball command issues got him. Overall he was just missing his spots.”

Bookmakers have Toronto as +125 money line underdogs, but more importantly the Blue Jays fit a totals system for the final game of the series that is listed at Un9.

Play UNDER on all teams like Toronto when the total is 9 to 9.5, after scoring one run or less two straight games, against opponent after scoring 10 runs or more.

Dating back 13 years, this system is 31-8, 79.5 percent; with the average total score 7.7 runs per game. Other circumstances also lend themselves to this be a winning play as Toronto is 17-5 UNDER after permitting 10 runs or more and Tampa Bay is 10-2 UNDER at Tropicana Field with a hot bullpen whose ERA is under 3.00 the last 15 games.

With home plate umpire Mike Winters 8-5 UNDER behind the plate, the odds could be your favor for this action this evening.

Baseball Systems that round the bases

On this Tuesday in baseball, believe it or not there are other baseball games as or possibly even more important than Pittsburgh at Washington. While you can still buy a ticket to Roy Halladay’s perfect game in Florida (at full price no less, go Marlins), there are four baseball systems (plus a bonus play) in place tonight for the online sports betting fan which could add to cash to wagering account.

Florida at Philadelphia 7:05E

Another lesser known rookie will be making his debut, as power hitter Mike Stanton will be in the Marlins batting order. The 20-year-old outfielder has been tearing it up Double-A Jacksonville (hitting .311 with 21 homers and 52 RBIs in 52 games) and his first big league at bat will be against Kyle Kendrick (3-2, 4.62 ERA) who has found a groove and is 3-1 with a 2.79 ERA in his last six outings.

Philadelphia (30-26, -6.4 units) still isn’t hitting the baseball, averaging two runs per contest in last 13 outings, however their fielding has been impeccable, with no errors in last five games. The Phillies are -138 money line choice and favorites with a ML of -125 to -175, after three straight games where they committed no errors, starting a pitcher whose given up one or less earned runs in his last two outings are 65-19 since 2006. (Note: The San Francisco Giants and Matt Cain also fit this system)

Toronto at Tampa Bay 7:10E

The Rays are seventh in the American League in home runs, but still manufacture runs well enough to be third in baseball at 5.2 per game. Tampa Bay (37-20, +6.5) won on Sunday 9-5 in Texas to salvage a .500 road trip and send Jeff Niemann (5-0, 2.79) up against Toronto’s (33-25, +12) power laden lineup.

The Blue Jays lead the Major’s in home runs yet only bat .245 as a team and Niemann and the Rays are 8-0 vs. an AL team with a team batting average of .255 or worse this season. Tampa Bay is a -195 ML pick and home favorites with a ML of -175 to -250, averaging 0.9 or less dingers a game on the season, after a win by four runs or more, are 27-4 the previous three years.

Kansas City at Minnesota 8:10E

Zack Grienke (1-7, 3.60) might be feeling the pressure of late with the lack of run support and trying to be too perfect. Last year’s Cy Young award winner has a 7.04 ERA in last three starts, allowing 24 hits in 15 1/3 innings. He’s received the lowest run support in the American League at 2.64 per start.

“The last month I haven’t really been myself, I guess,” said Greinke. “Everything looks tougher, like the hitters look better and the strike zone looks smaller. It just seems tougher out there at the moment.”

The Kansas City hurler will take on a Minnesota team (33-24, +3.2) scrambling for bodies with a number of injuries and not hitting the ball. With oddsmakers setting the total Un8, the play is UNDER when a ice cold hitting team is batting .200 or worse over their last five games, against opponent with a frigid starting pitcher, whose ERA is 7.00 or higher over his last three starts. In the last 13 years this system is 67-28 below the number.

St. Louis at L.A. Dodgers 10:10E

The Cardinals offense could be a Dateline mystery on NBC, ranking a pedestrian 14th overall at 4.6 runs per game. Manager Tony LaRussa gave the appearance at least that last night’s game was not particularly important using two pitchers Blake Hawksworth and P.J. Walters, in a 12-4 loss to Los Angeles (34-24, +3.6).

Evidently, LaRussa is focusing on the last two games of the series and has Chris Carpenter (7-1, 2.76) on one extra day rest taking on Dodgers starter Hiroki Kuroda (5-4, 3.63). Carpenter is 9-0 with a 2.42 ERA in his last 14 regular-season road starts; however has 5.21 ERA when pitching with five or more days rest.

Does it make it a wise to bet to back the underdog Dodgers at +115, since National League clubs scoring 4.3 to 4.8 runs a contest vs. a NL starter with an ERA of 3.70 or less, after allowing 10 runs or more, are 19-49?

MLB Series Wagering- Rays at Rangers

In American League action, it’s a battle of two division leaders this upcoming weekend for a three-game series. Before the season began, you probably could have made some cash saying on the first weekend of June, you predict the Tampa Bay and Texas would be in first place in their respective divisions, yet that is exactly what has happened. Though the season still has four months left, this is meaning confrontation in the pecking order of the American League.

Neither club enters this series playing their best baseball of the season. Tampa Bay (36-18, +7.9 units) is 4-6 in last 10 games, with the pitching sputtering in allowing 4.9 runs per contest. Manager Joe Maddon has gotten the scouting reports and knows the Rangers are for real.

“They got better,” Maddon told MLB.com. “They’ve really pitched well against us. I think they’re pitching substantially better. And you’ve got Vladimir (Guerrero) playing like he did a couple of years ago right now. And that’s definitely going to make them a better ballclub.”

Texas (28-25, -1) has fallen off their saddle seven of the last 10 outings and seen their lead over Oakland dwindle to zilch; leading the A’s by one percentage point in the AL West standings. What has caused the slide for the Rangers is an inconsistent offense, totaling 26 runs in the three victories and 20 runs in the seven defeats.

In trying to figure out what to expect, both teams are playing from a position of strength. The Rays are marvelous 21-6 on the road and Texas is 18-9 at Rangers Ballpark in Arlington.

Tampa Bay won 7-3 at Toronto on Wednesday and is 16-3 in road games after a win this season and will start Wade Davis (5-4, 4.04 ERA) who has permitted more than three runs only three times in his 10 starts. The 24-year old has needed relief help, pitching more than six innings just twice.

Sportsbooks have Texas as -130 money line favorites behind left-hander C.J. Wilson (3-3, 3.48). After an impressive beginning, Wilson is 0-2 with a 9.56 ERA in his past three starts and will have to do his part for his club to improve on 14-3 record vs. AL teams allowing 3.7 or less runs per contest. The converted reliever has posted a 1.35 ERA against Tampa Bay in 13 appearances out of the bullpen, however the Rays are 17-6 vs. lefty’s this year.

Game 1 Edge: Tampa Bay

Saturday’s matchup is a FOX regional afternoon telecast. Tampa was 3-6 and just 1-5 at Arlington last season and will look for quick reversal of fortune. The Rays starting pitchers didn’t handle the smallish dimensions of the Rangers ball-yard, allowing better than a run per inning in the 28 they threw in 2009. James Shields (5-3, 3.62) will seek to change this direction for his team. The right-hander has almost a 5-to-1 strikeout to walk ratio, however, working the plate as well as he does leaves him to susceptible to the long ball and he has given up 11 (third most in AL) home runs.

Tommy Hunter was supposed to be part of the Texas rotation from opening day after last year’s 9-6 campaign with a 4.10 ERA. Hunter strained a muscle in his left ribcage in Arizona in March and has made six starts at Triple-A Oklahoma City before being recalled (1-2, 4.05). The Rangers won six of his eight home starts a year ago, but are only 7-19 on Saturday’s.

Watch the line carefully on this contest with the Rays 9-1 coming into the series when the money line is +125 to -125. Shields has not pitched since last Saturday and is 5-0 with five days rest.

Game 2 Edge: Tampa Bay

Rich Harden (3-1) will pitch the finale for Texas and he’s brought his club luck, as they have won eight of his 11 starts in spite of 5.33 ERA. Normally when the right-hander has problems, its loss of command and walks too many batters, with low hit totals. That has not been the case in Rangers uniform, as Harden has been wild enough to concede 37 base on balls in 54 innings, but also has been touched for 55 hits.

Watching Matt Garza (5-4, 3.08) pitch, the feeling is something is missing. You witness the mid-90’s fastball that can saw off a bat like beaver and has curve and slider that can freeze hitters. Despite the obvious ability, he is 24-25 in a Rays’ uniform for his career, not always having the right mental makeup when he doesn’t have his A-Game. Against Texas, Garza is 3-3, however is 1-3 with a 5.96 ERA at Arlington.

Game 3 Edge: Texas

Both teams have started to swing the bats better the last few contests, which could lead to totals plays on the Over in the series. The Rays are the better overall team and they can negate the Texas home field edge with how outstanding they have played on the road. This is not a walkover by any means and I’ll throw support to Tampa Bay, but only by the slimmest of margins.

Sports Betting Series odds: Tampa Bay -145, Texas +115

3Daily Winners Pick: Tampa Bay

2010 Record – 3-5

Memorial Day Baseball Action

For many people today it is cookouts, time to spend with family and friends or watch a “Criminal Minds” marathon. While participating in these or other activities the baseball sports better still wants to get his fill of action, just with a little more urgency, with having other fun things to participate in.

Let’s not waste any more time and get to it for those that prefer online sports betting.

At 1:05 Eastern the two best teams in the NL East do battle, Philadelphia (28-21) at Atlanta (28-22). The Phillies have won 20 of last 26 Monday assignments and send Joe Blanton (1-5, 5.63 ERA) to the mound. Though everything counts, the Braves Tommy Hanson (4-3, 4.06) has 2.89 ERA this year if you subtract May 20 dud (eight runs in just 1 2/3 innings) against Cincinnati. Hanson and Atlanta are 7-2 at home facing teams with winning records; however the Phils have taken 15 of last 21 in Hotlanta.

At 1:35 Eastern on WGN the Chicago Cubs (24-27) begin a road trip in Pittsburgh (20-31). The Cubs begin their nine game excursion having a bad taste in the mouth courtesy of the Pirates, who have won five of six against Chicago in 2010 and are 7-1 dating back to last season. The Cubs have played down to or below their level of competition with 2-8 record against losing teams. Pittsburgh gladly returns home where they are 8-3 after road trip of a week or more. Seven of the previous 10 meetings have gone UNDER the total in the Steel City.

At 4:15 Eastern, the city with the Arch hosts the surprise team of the NL Central, Cincinnati (31-20). The Reds have played the fewest road games of any squad in the National League (21) and taken advantage of it with a sensational home record of 19-10. Cincy will be the first team to face St. Louis rookie Jaime Garcia (4-2, 1.14) a second time and is 8-3 against left-handed pitchers. The Reds are 7-1 when Bronson Arroyo (5-2, 4.30) pitches a series opener, yet are 2-6 if the right-hander faces a team above .500. The Cardinals (29-22) have relished playing the Reds at home, with 37-15 record and are perfect 12-0 on Monday’s.

At 7:07 Eastern, Tampa Bay (34-17) returns to the road with not only the best record in baseball, but with remarkable 19-5 mark as the visiting team. Matt Garza (5-3, 2.97) lacked his usually excellent fastball control in his last start, a loss to Boston and amazingly he and the Rays are 2-12 on the road against clubs like Toronto (30-22) with a positive record. At a sluggish start (6-10), the Blue Jays have won eight of nine at the Rogers Centre and are 10-1 seeing right handed hurlers in home whites. Watch the total of this matchup with these AL East teams a combined 7-3 UNDER north of the border and Garza 7-1 UNDER vs. Toronto.

On last thing, take a moment from sports betting to remember the real reason for Memorial Day, to honor those that have died serving our country to protect our freedom.

Gentlemen, start your engines

Another perfect day takes us to 62-26, 70.4 percent! It’s not as good as some handicappers that consistently hit 80 percent (wink-wink), but not too shabby. We’ll see if our luck can continue with the LCC having another Free play in the NL. The Top Trend is about a pitcher who is almost unbeatable at home and the Best System is far down the Left Coast and is 46-10. Good Luck

What I’ll thought today – With Kendry Morales having one of the most freak accidents you can have on the diamond, the Halos could well be in the heap of trouble. Without him they only have two players (Torii Hunter and Bobby Abreu) hitting over .260.

Remember when you couldn't watch the Indy 500 live and had to listen to it on the radio and it was cool?

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Free Baseball System -1) Play Against road underdogs with a money line of +125 to +175 like the Nationals with a NL starting pitcher whose ERA is 3.00 or better on the season, against opponent with a starting pitcher whose WHIP is 1.250 to 1.350. Dating back 13 years, this MLB system is 46-10, 82.1 percent.

Free Baseball Trend -2) James Shields and Tampa Bay are 17-2 as a home favorite of -150 to -175.

Free Baseball Pick -3) The LCC consensus plays have been awesome and they are 7-0 on Cincy today with a mixture of ML or RL action. For our purposes, it’s just the Reds.

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Thursday's Top Material

We’re back after a 1-1 Tuesday and have three plays on tap to supports 56-26 record. The Best System and Best Bet are from the same game and have extremely impressive figures. Talk about impressive one AL team has an 18-0 angle going tonight. Good Luck

What I’ll learned today – Dwight Howard registered 21 points, 10 rebounds and five blocked shots to help Orlando avoid playoff elimination in Game Five on Wednesday night. Howard had 32 points, 16 rebounds and four blocked shots to help Orlando avoid a series sweep in Game Four. Only one other player has recorded 20-or-more points, 10-or-more rebounds and at least four blocked shots in consecutive games with his team facing elimination in both games: Elvin Hayes in 1979. (Thanks Elias)

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Free Baseball System -1) Play On home favorites with a money line of -125 to -175 like Cincy, batting .290 or better over their last 20 games, in May. Over the past three seasons this system is electrifying 27-6.

Free Baseball Trend -2) Tampa Bay is 18-0 in home tilts after scoring four runs or less three straight games over the last three seasons.

Free Baseball Pick -3) The LCC consensus plays continue to deliver wins and profits and are backing the Reds 14-0 this evening. WOW!

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Rays bust mini-slump according to MLB System

It was bound to happen; Tampa Bay (32-15, +9.2 units) is officially in their first slump of the year, having been swept at home by Boston in three games. The Rays “Sox” homestand continues and they will look for much better outcomes against the team from Chicago.

The Rays offense has been the culprit of their failures, touching home plate just four times against the Red Sox and have scored more than four runs only once in their last six tries.

Tampa Bay has fallen to third in the American League in runs scored in part because their team batting average is now seventh (.256), with players like B.J. Upton slumping (batting .146 in his last 23 games).

Starting pitcher Jeff Niemann (4-0, 2.54 ERA) would certainly appreciate an offensive lift since he has yet to register a win at Tropicana Field this season despite 2.95 ERA in his four starts. Though Tampa Bay has scored 19 runs in Niemann’s starting assignments at the Trop, 14 of those runs have come after he’s been taken out of the game, giving him no decisions. At least the Rays bullpen continues to excel with 3.41 ERA and 82.4 percent save percentage.

Ozzie Guillen and the White Sox (20-26, -9.6 units) wish they had the kind of problems Tampa Bay has. Guillen’s club has not hit all season as evidenced by .240 batting average (13th) and ranking 10th in the AL in runs scored (4.2) and on-base percentage (.316).

Guillen might be a little testy coming into this four-game series having been tossed from yesterday’s win in Cleveland. The Sox skipper is also tired of witnessing tonight starting pitcher Gavin Floyd (2-4, 6.31) not pitching up to capabilities.

“He is not a kid any more (referring to Floyd), he’s not a guy we need to teach or be careful what he is going to do, how many pitches he’s going to throw,” manager Ozzie Guillen said. He has stuff to win 20 games; it’s about making him believe that.”

Floyd does have good numbers in a couple areas with a better than 2-to-1 strikeout to walk ratio (43-19) and has only been taken deep four times in nine starts. His downfall has been a combination of leaving the ball up in the zone and catching too much of the plate, being tagged for 66 hits in 51 1/3 innings.

The Rays opened as -165 money line favorites and the morning line has them up to -177 at most online sports betting outlets. Has the word on this superb system gotten out?

Play Against road underdogs with a money line of +125 to +175, with a mediocre AL team batting average of .260 or less, against a club with a good bullpen (ERA <=3.75), whose starting pitcher gives up one home run or less every other start.

Betting against teams like the Pale Hose in this spot has been profitable with 43-9, 82.7 percent record the previous five seasons. Tampa Bay usually responds well to poor pitching performances like yesterday with 13-2 mark in home games after allowing nine runs or more over the last three seasons.

Rays’ pitcher Niemann has enjoyed excellent success against below average competition and is 18-4 pitching against a team with a losing record since last year. (Rays Record)

For the skeptical sports betting participant, this should be the knockout punch –Manager Joe Maddon’s squad is 18-0 at home after scoring four runs or less three straight games since 2008.

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MLB Systems that hit all bases

The weather is heating up across most of the country, which makes going a baseball a very comfortable experience. On the topic of hot, this Wednesday we have four smokin’ systems in the big leagues that begging to be considered for online sports betting.

Oakland at Baltimore 7:05E MASN

After smacking the ball around the yard for 31 hits in two games early last week, the Athletics offense has gone nearly dormant with more than seven base hits once in last six outings. Oakland is 12th in runs scored in the American League at 3.8 per game and will face Baltimore’s Brian Matusz (2-4, 5.26 ERA), whose last three outings have been like the stock market. (3 2/3, six runs allowed -seven shutout innings – 2 1/3, seven runs allowed)

Sportsbooks have total on this tilt of Ov8.5, but history shows AL teams that score 4.5 or less runs a contest after three consecutive games of seven hits or fewer, against a starting pitcher with ERA in 4.70 to 5.70 range, have a strong tendency to play UNDER with 39-13 record since 1997.

Boston at Tampa Bay 7:10 E NESN

For the last several years the Red Sox have scuffled in Tampa Bay with 6-16 record coming into the series. They are starting to turn that around with a pair of wins to begin three-game set. Boston will go for the sweep of the AL East division leaders having won four in a row and eight of nine.

The Red Sox have been swinging hot bats and are now second to Toronto in home runs in the big leagues with 62 and they’ve received excellent pitching, holding the Rays to one run in the first two games. John Lackey (4-3, 5.07) continues to struggle with his new club and will take on Matt Garza (5-2, 2.37) who is 8-2 against the BoSox.

Oddsmakers have made Boston +144 road underdogs and teams averaging 1.25 or more home runs game after allowing two runs or less and are visiting dogs of +125 to +175, are 26-86 the last five seasons.

Pittsburgh at Cincinnati 7:10E

While San Diego and Tampa Bay have garnered most of the attention for their early season exploits, one team has quietly gone about their business, yet is surprisingly tied for a division lead. The Cincinnati Reds are 26-20 (+6.5), with seven wins in their last 11 contests. The Reds strength has been their offense, averaging 5.6 RPG since May 4.

Tonight, Cincy is a -166 ML choice and home favorites of -125 to -175, batting .290 or better over their last 20 games, in May, are 45-13 since 2006.

Arizona at Colorado 8:40E

On the baseball card for Hump Day, one of the biggest presumed mismatches is this NL West battle. The reason is simplistic, National League Cy Young Award candidate, Ubaldo Jimenez (8-1, 0.99) is pitching, leading baseball in wins and earned run average.

How dominant has Jimenez been; he’s the second major league starter in the past 90 years to begin a season with nine starts of six or more innings while giving up three or fewer runs.
The Rockies are -240 ML faves against Arizona’s up and down offense and road underdogs of +175 to +250, batting .250 or worse over their last 20 games, against opponent with a hot starting pitcher whose WHIP is 1.000 or less over his last five starts are beggarly 3-47. Ouch!

All systems from the Foxsheets.

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Tuesday's Top Plays

The wins just keep coming at 3Daily Winners as we were 3-0 yesterday taking us to 48-23, 67.6 percent on this hot streak. The Free Play and the Top Trend are the same team and they have impressive numbers. Our Best System is over 80 percent the last 13 years and really rocking at 88 percent the last three. Good Luck

What I thought today – If the Lakers played likes they did in Game 1 against Phoenix the rest of the playoffs, they could save a lot of time and money and just give them the trophy now. It is a thing of beauty to watch an elite player in any sport “locked in” like Kobe Bryant was last night.

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Free Baseball System -1) Play On home favorites like the Dodgers with a money line of -175 to -250, averaging 0.9 or less home runs a game on the season, after a win by four runs or more. In the last three years this little system is 22-3.

Free Baseball Trend -2) The Chicago Cubs are 19-0 in home games vs. a very good bullpen whose WHIP is 1.250 or better over the last three seasons.

Free Baseball Pick -3) The Left Coast Connection was 8-0 behind Tampa Bay as ML or RL play but I won’t count that because the game is over. Their next best choice was the Cubs at 9-1.

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Trying to stay ahead of the game this Sunday

Only an extra inning defeat prevented us from 3-0 Saturday, nevertheless we are still 42-23 in last 65 plays. Today’s 82.3 percent system and perfect trend are tied together on the west coast of Panhandle State. The fella’s from the LCC are in agreement about who wins tonight’s Sunday night MLB game with Free Play. Good Luck

What I saw today - The Tigers overcame a 6-1 deficit and rallied back to defeat the Red Sox 7-6 in extra innings on Saturday. That marked the fourth time this season that the Tigers have won a game in which they have trailed by at least five runs. No other team has done that more than once this season (the Mets, Arizona and Toronto have one such win each). Detroit only won three games of that type all of last season and have not done that more than four times in a season since 1941 (five). Thanks Elias

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Free Baseball System -1) Play Against all underdogs with a money line of +100 or higher like the Mariners who are motion sickness AL team scoring 4.2 or less run a contest, against a club with a quality bullpen of 3.33 ERA or less, on a good fielding streak, 10 straight games with one or less errors. This system is 28-6, 82.3 percent the last five seasons.

Free Baseball Trend -2) Tampa Bay is 15-0 at home after scoring four runs or less in three straight games over the last three seasons.

Free Baseball Pick -3) The Left Coast Connection has the Phillies by 10-0 vote for tonight.

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Wednesday's Top Action

Tuesday’s results were 1-1, not the stuff of legends but 36-20, 64.2 percent isn’t too bad. SR was correct with his Free Play and looks in the same exact direction for the next one. The Top Trend shows the Brew Crew in an uncomfortable situation. The Best System is an AL Central showdown at 83.7 percent. Good Luck

What I did today- In afternoon MLB action, I took the Reds and Twinkies. If you would like to receive my free plays on regular basis, sign up to the right.

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Free Baseball System -1) Play Against road underdogs like the White Sox with a money line of +125 to +175, a meager AL team batting average of .260 or less, against a team with a good bullpen (ERA <=3.75), with a starting pitcher whose gives up a home run once every other start. This system clocks in at 83.7 percent, 41-8.

Free Baseball Trend -2) The Milwaukee Brewers are 1-11 revenging a home loss vs opponent of six runs or more over the last two seasons.

Free Baseball Pick -3) Slick Rick is 9-1 the last three days and expects the Rays again to shine over Halos.

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Baseball bettors more profitable with right knowledge

Sports talk radio and sports forums are loaded with people that have opinions on all kinds of topics. Some are informed, many are not. Throwing out the often tired “_______ sucks” does not qualify as riveting or informed perspective on a particular team or player. If the teams or players are playing good or bad, for the sports bettor, it pays to know and understand why.

“It’s not working”

The Baltimore Orioles (-10.6 betting units) started the year 2-16, getting a head start on their usual second half collapse. Playing in a division with the Yankees, Boston and Tampa Bay does not make the job any easier and they’ve only faced confounding Toronto in the first three games of the season before anyone realized they would be this good to this point.

The Orioles are only scoring 3.3 runs per game and though they are 7-8 since horrific beginning, they are not doing anything at the top of the batting order. Baltimore manager Dave Trembley keeps trying to find one hot bat for the No. 1 slot of the batting order, but thus far, nothing has worked with Cesar Izturis (.218 at press time) Julio Lugo (.224) and Adam Jones (.230) all having a turn without producing to help Ty Wigginton or Matt Wieters drive in runners.

The Chicago Cubs and Houston Astros (-8) have the same basic problem as they have muddled along in 2010. The Cubs (-12.6) placed Ryan Theriot at the front of the lineup and he gets on base regularly with .329 batting average. Marlon Byrd and Geovany Soto are both hitting over .325 but the middle of the lineup is a black hole on the north side of Chicago. It’s not a good sign when one of your starting pitchers (Ryan Dempster) has a higher batting average (.230) than those in the heart of the order. Derrick Lee (.220, 28 K’s) Aramis Ramirez (.159, 31 K’s) and Xavier Nady (.186, 10 K’s in 43 AB’s) are swinging and missing, giving new meaning to the “Windy City” and the Cubs not scoring enough runs to win.

Houston’s Michael Bourn is batting lead-off, hitting .289 with on-base percentage of .366 and is nearly automatic to reach second base after a single with 11 stolen bases. Unfortunately he might have to start stealing third and home with Lance Berkman hitting .197 and Carlos Lee at .200. This less than dynamic duo has 18 combined runs batted in, which 33 National League players have surpassed individually.

There is a very good reason why White Sox slugger Paul Konerko leads the Major Leagues with 13 home runs, yet has only 27 rbi’s, nobody ahead of him in the batting order is ever on base. Leadoff man Juan Pierre has stolen 15 bags, but he can’t steal first and .244 BA leaves Chicago missing opportunities. The same is true of Gordon Beckham in the No. 2 slot of late, batting a shocking .188 and leading the Pale Hose in strikeouts with 28. Its little wonder the White Sox (-7.4) are hanging out with Cleveland and Kansas City in the lower regions of the AL Central instead of hunting down Minnesota

So that’s how you do it

It’s either seldom or never heard, “The Washington Nationals are my favorite bet”. The Nats are in second place at 18-15 behind two-time National League champion Philadelphia and are the tops in baseball betting at +11.4 units. How could this possibly be the world wonders?

Eventually, Washington will slide below .500 if they keep being outscored by a half a run a contest. Nonetheless, at least for now, four elements have changed. The first bit of credit goes to skipper Jim Riggleman, who’s altered the tone in the locker room. For years, Nationals players didn’t seem to care if they won or lost, but now those in the clubhouse daily see joy when they win and remorse when they suffer a defeat.

Next, Washington is in the middle of almost all NL offensive stats, which gives them a chance and their defense which has been one of the worst since moving to D.C., is at least average and they are getting to more balls that lead to outs. Lastly, the Nats are not blowing as many games late with Tyler Clippard and closer Matt Capps both having ERA’s under 2.00.

The San Diego Padres (+9.4) are atop the NL West, thanks to a nasty pitching staff and just enough offense. Pads pitchers have hung seven zeroes on opposing teams and held seven others to one or two runs, which doesn’t necessitate having the pressure of scoring a lot of runs to stay in the game.

San Diego pitchers are second in the NL is ERA (2.71) and BAA (.224). Padres’ hurlers are in the top six in strikeouts and top five in fewest walks allowed, which stops scoring threats from exploding. Everything is so cheery around Petco Park, even talk of trading Adrian Gonzalez has stopped.

Toronto’s unlikely quick start this campaign has been fueled by starting pitching (2nd in the AL in quality starts) and hitting the long ball. The Blue Jays (+7.3) hitters lead baseball with 51 home runs, which has meant no prolonged scoring droughts.

As good as Toronto has been, Tampa Bay (+7.2) has been that much better in the standings. In spite of a great deal of youth among its starting staff, the Rays top five starting pitchers have an ERA all under 3.20. They have 23 quality starts, the finest in the AL and the entire staff has the best ERA (2.80) and skimpiest BAA permitted at .223.

Tampa’s team batting average is pedestrian at .254; however they are third in baseball in runs scored and clutch when it counts, second in the AL in runs scored when there are two outs. This is still the most athletic team in the game and if first sacker Carlos Pena would stop trying to pull everything and hit balls to left-center like he used, the offense would only improve.

The final team to bet on is the Yankees, which is usually a bad choice considering what the losses cost. Presently, New York is hitting and pitching so well you have to think about them every day, especially on the run line.

The Yankees margin of victory is 2.2 RPG and they are 21-7 in games decided by two or more runs. Betting them on the run line is a safe wager at -150 or more on the money line, because they are so dominant and it keeps the losses to a minimum.

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