I
indiancowboy
Guest
As you know my term at another website has come to an end and that will probably be the best thing for my capping so I can focus on what I enjoy and that is school/capping. I guess it is similar to anything in life, when you can focus more on something, be appreciated for it and have less drama, it's probably the most basic standard recipe for success.
Tigers Run-Line +110
I trust Justin Verlander and the Tiger offense. The Tiger offense put up 15 runs on the Glavine and the Mets and they actually won 15-7 only for Leyland to be ticked off as he thought they had a lack of pitching that game. Go figure. However, the Tigers are facing the Brewers who when playing interleague ballgames and in particular, playing better teams, have struggled. I don't foresee their pitching holding up and the likes of Vargas and Suppan being able to sustain their play. This team received a very generous schedule to start off the season due to season's past and now that they are playing better teams, they are struggling. There are few teams that I would put the run-line on and the Tigers are one scoring 6.03 runs per game. The Tigers have won 6 of their last 8 games and Suppan has given up 23 earned runs in his last 6 starts. Doesn't seem horrible except for the fact he only pitches 5 innings on average and gives up those 4 earned runs during that stretch. The Tigers are no stranger to him, as they reeled off 17 hits and 6 earned runs last year when they faced him twice. Verlander had one bad start against the Indians a while back giving up 7 runs, that was only due to a back to back which is very tough for a pitcher to win right after he defeated that team as it is an issue of pride for the opposing team, and Verlander before that had given up 5 consecutive 2 earned run games.
Pirates/Rangers Over 9
I think this game has a good chance of going over. Recent trends show that their bats are picking up. The Pirates come off a rough series with the Yanks as you are aware and they want to get back on track. Texas actually has the worst road record in baseball, but at least they have been swinging the ball well of late. Texas reminds me of the old school Cincy Reds, where they had terrible pitching, but can swing the ball well - I guess that can be said about a lot of teams every year including this year's Yanks early on. I personally feel bad for Millwood as he was quoted as saying that he is doing everything he can to turn things around, but nothing seems to be working for him right now. Millwood has given up 30 earned runs in his last 6 games. His ERA's in each game? 9, 7.5, 7.95. 21.69, 7.2 and 17.21. I can't wager on the Pirates on the side either b/c I really don't trust Zach Duke, probably more than Millwood right now though. Duke is 2-6 on the year with a 5.75 ERA. Michael Young is starting to swing the ball well and basically 2 non-aces on the mound and the line is 9 which I'm willing to take a shot on the over with. The over is 5-0-1 following a Rangers loss and 6-0-1 in Pirates last 7 interleague games vs. a team with a losing record (actually all their last 7 games have been against losing teams).
Angels -135
You know who might be the hottest team in the league outside of the Mariners, probably the Angels for a long extended period of time (actually Yanks are on a good streak as well) winning 12/16. They come off a tough loss to the Cards in a game they gave up their lead, a game that I was on, and I think the bounce-back well today. I think the last time the Angels had back to back losses was May 23rd and before that May 6th. Escobar has pitched well this seasons except for 2 bad outings recently, but the Angels are 8-3 when is on the mound and he has a 7-3 record with a 2.76 ERA. Be careful with this line as I would have expected it to jump more, but it hasn't, but I like the Angels team as a whole and don't mind putting change on them. They still lead their division and Arroyo has had a tough year as he is 2-7 with a 5.01 ERA. The baseball "IQ" of the Angels is solid, probably equivalent to the A's, and this team can pick up on pitches very quickly. Arroyo's ERA in his last 4 games has been brutal 27, 13.50, 14.40 and 8.11 giving up 26 runs in his last 4 starts. Arroyo is no stranger to the Angels having pitched in the A.L. and I don't think Bronson has won an interleague game all year and even last year. Angels are 5-0 in their last 5 games as a road favorite of -110 to -150 and 7-1 in their last 8 interleague games. The Reds are 0-7 in Arroyo's last 7 starts as an underdog.
Some decent Dogs
If you're looking for some good dogs, I suggest maybe the Dbacks b/c Webb is 10-3 when is on the mound and Wang is just 5-4 when he is on the mound for the Yanks. This is a rematch of the past world series and should be a good game. Honestly, it's a coin flip between these 2 pitchers and offenses and the value is good for the dog here. I also think the Braves are a solid dog today as Slowey got hit for 10 hits last time and Davies always follows a good start with a bad start, i.e.: Earned runs of late: 4,1,2,1,8,5.
Other Leans that I did not play
Mets - I like John Maine a lot but the Mets just are not scoring any runs of late besides the Detroit series, so I am laying off although I think they clearly have the pitching edge today.
There is no total on the Cubs/Mariners game, but I think that game could go over with the M's hot streak and the fact that Washburn has not been pitching too well. Something to look at when the line comes out.
NBA Leans: The line here is incredibly interesting. Here you have a Spurs team that is not an underdog going into this game as I thought this line would be +1.5 for the Spurs or Cleveland favored by -1.5 and why could it not be conceivable for the Spurs to be underdogs given they were blown out by the Jazz at home in game 3. I call this game the Fulcrum game, whenever it is 2-0 in a series b/c it is a game that essentially tips the see-saw. However, it is just hard for me to believe the Cavs will blowout the Spurs b/c they just don't have answers for some of the matchup problems this team poses and this includes the big 3 of Parker, Duncan and Ginobli. They just don't have answers. Big Iggy can't cover Duncan, there is no answer for Parker as Snow is a offensive liability and who is to guard Manu? I do feel that the game goes cavs/over or spurs/under, but no play for me but those are my thoughts. I would not be surprised though if this was similar to the Pistons winning at Chicago in game 3 and the Spurs to win this game. But, no play as I'll give Cleveland the benefit of the doubt.
Thoughts on Barry Bonds
If Bud Selig actually suspends Barry Bonds prior to him breaking the record, it is very shady. That's all I'm saying. Look, I am no fan of Bonds and frankly, I think he has juiced and am fairly confident about that. However, it is very similar to the notion that Mcgwire, Sosa, Palmeiro and Canseco all juiced as well too. I just think that the media makes the guy out to be more of a monster than he actually is. I try my best to see both sides of the issue when everything is considered. I was listening to Mike and Mike this morning, and I personally believe that Major League Baseball might be the worst run entity out all the U.S. major sports. This is considering the day to day operations and not football pensions of course, which the NFL is having some serious problems with. At least, the NBA and NFL make decisions and stick to them. Bud Selig, can't make a decision at all, and to suspend a guy possibly as the indictment is to come soon prior to him breaking the record, and not doing this well before is ridiculous. I'm not saying that he shouldn't be indicted, but the timing is very disappointing.
That's what I got gents, looking forward to reading your posts.
take care,
ic
Tigers Run-Line +110
I trust Justin Verlander and the Tiger offense. The Tiger offense put up 15 runs on the Glavine and the Mets and they actually won 15-7 only for Leyland to be ticked off as he thought they had a lack of pitching that game. Go figure. However, the Tigers are facing the Brewers who when playing interleague ballgames and in particular, playing better teams, have struggled. I don't foresee their pitching holding up and the likes of Vargas and Suppan being able to sustain their play. This team received a very generous schedule to start off the season due to season's past and now that they are playing better teams, they are struggling. There are few teams that I would put the run-line on and the Tigers are one scoring 6.03 runs per game. The Tigers have won 6 of their last 8 games and Suppan has given up 23 earned runs in his last 6 starts. Doesn't seem horrible except for the fact he only pitches 5 innings on average and gives up those 4 earned runs during that stretch. The Tigers are no stranger to him, as they reeled off 17 hits and 6 earned runs last year when they faced him twice. Verlander had one bad start against the Indians a while back giving up 7 runs, that was only due to a back to back which is very tough for a pitcher to win right after he defeated that team as it is an issue of pride for the opposing team, and Verlander before that had given up 5 consecutive 2 earned run games.
Pirates/Rangers Over 9
I think this game has a good chance of going over. Recent trends show that their bats are picking up. The Pirates come off a rough series with the Yanks as you are aware and they want to get back on track. Texas actually has the worst road record in baseball, but at least they have been swinging the ball well of late. Texas reminds me of the old school Cincy Reds, where they had terrible pitching, but can swing the ball well - I guess that can be said about a lot of teams every year including this year's Yanks early on. I personally feel bad for Millwood as he was quoted as saying that he is doing everything he can to turn things around, but nothing seems to be working for him right now. Millwood has given up 30 earned runs in his last 6 games. His ERA's in each game? 9, 7.5, 7.95. 21.69, 7.2 and 17.21. I can't wager on the Pirates on the side either b/c I really don't trust Zach Duke, probably more than Millwood right now though. Duke is 2-6 on the year with a 5.75 ERA. Michael Young is starting to swing the ball well and basically 2 non-aces on the mound and the line is 9 which I'm willing to take a shot on the over with. The over is 5-0-1 following a Rangers loss and 6-0-1 in Pirates last 7 interleague games vs. a team with a losing record (actually all their last 7 games have been against losing teams).
Angels -135
You know who might be the hottest team in the league outside of the Mariners, probably the Angels for a long extended period of time (actually Yanks are on a good streak as well) winning 12/16. They come off a tough loss to the Cards in a game they gave up their lead, a game that I was on, and I think the bounce-back well today. I think the last time the Angels had back to back losses was May 23rd and before that May 6th. Escobar has pitched well this seasons except for 2 bad outings recently, but the Angels are 8-3 when is on the mound and he has a 7-3 record with a 2.76 ERA. Be careful with this line as I would have expected it to jump more, but it hasn't, but I like the Angels team as a whole and don't mind putting change on them. They still lead their division and Arroyo has had a tough year as he is 2-7 with a 5.01 ERA. The baseball "IQ" of the Angels is solid, probably equivalent to the A's, and this team can pick up on pitches very quickly. Arroyo's ERA in his last 4 games has been brutal 27, 13.50, 14.40 and 8.11 giving up 26 runs in his last 4 starts. Arroyo is no stranger to the Angels having pitched in the A.L. and I don't think Bronson has won an interleague game all year and even last year. Angels are 5-0 in their last 5 games as a road favorite of -110 to -150 and 7-1 in their last 8 interleague games. The Reds are 0-7 in Arroyo's last 7 starts as an underdog.
Some decent Dogs
If you're looking for some good dogs, I suggest maybe the Dbacks b/c Webb is 10-3 when is on the mound and Wang is just 5-4 when he is on the mound for the Yanks. This is a rematch of the past world series and should be a good game. Honestly, it's a coin flip between these 2 pitchers and offenses and the value is good for the dog here. I also think the Braves are a solid dog today as Slowey got hit for 10 hits last time and Davies always follows a good start with a bad start, i.e.: Earned runs of late: 4,1,2,1,8,5.
Other Leans that I did not play
Mets - I like John Maine a lot but the Mets just are not scoring any runs of late besides the Detroit series, so I am laying off although I think they clearly have the pitching edge today.
There is no total on the Cubs/Mariners game, but I think that game could go over with the M's hot streak and the fact that Washburn has not been pitching too well. Something to look at when the line comes out.
NBA Leans: The line here is incredibly interesting. Here you have a Spurs team that is not an underdog going into this game as I thought this line would be +1.5 for the Spurs or Cleveland favored by -1.5 and why could it not be conceivable for the Spurs to be underdogs given they were blown out by the Jazz at home in game 3. I call this game the Fulcrum game, whenever it is 2-0 in a series b/c it is a game that essentially tips the see-saw. However, it is just hard for me to believe the Cavs will blowout the Spurs b/c they just don't have answers for some of the matchup problems this team poses and this includes the big 3 of Parker, Duncan and Ginobli. They just don't have answers. Big Iggy can't cover Duncan, there is no answer for Parker as Snow is a offensive liability and who is to guard Manu? I do feel that the game goes cavs/over or spurs/under, but no play for me but those are my thoughts. I would not be surprised though if this was similar to the Pistons winning at Chicago in game 3 and the Spurs to win this game. But, no play as I'll give Cleveland the benefit of the doubt.
Thoughts on Barry Bonds
If Bud Selig actually suspends Barry Bonds prior to him breaking the record, it is very shady. That's all I'm saying. Look, I am no fan of Bonds and frankly, I think he has juiced and am fairly confident about that. However, it is very similar to the notion that Mcgwire, Sosa, Palmeiro and Canseco all juiced as well too. I just think that the media makes the guy out to be more of a monster than he actually is. I try my best to see both sides of the issue when everything is considered. I was listening to Mike and Mike this morning, and I personally believe that Major League Baseball might be the worst run entity out all the U.S. major sports. This is considering the day to day operations and not football pensions of course, which the NFL is having some serious problems with. At least, the NBA and NFL make decisions and stick to them. Bud Selig, can't make a decision at all, and to suspend a guy possibly as the indictment is to come soon prior to him breaking the record, and not doing this well before is ridiculous. I'm not saying that he shouldn't be indicted, but the timing is very disappointing.
That's what I got gents, looking forward to reading your posts.
take care,
ic
But he needs to find his groove as Matthews isn't in killing mode either. However, Figgins started to hit again, having Kotchman and Anderson back helps the issue as well. I expected more from Hillenbrand though. 
