Unicorn
NHL Enthusiast
YTD 148-154 -16.16 Units
ytd up to 13.06: 119-132 -71.64 Units
ytd since 15.06: 29-23 +55.48 Units
----------
Hey guys. As mentioned earlier in Tuesday daily thread, I've played 3 posted plays plus one additional.
TAMPA BAY (Garza) @ 1.80 for 3.5 Units
Continuing to give support to Rays. The kids are battling and winning. Tonight may be the best shot Boston may have in this series but still, I like Tampa more. Wakefield has been pitching well over his last 8 starts or so, but Garza seems like he found his groove, too, pitching great in his last 3 starts. Although Wakefield is 19-3 in his career vs Tampa, with 3.16 ERA, in his starts @ Tampa since 2006, he's only 3-2 with not so good 4.03 ERA and 1.45 WHIP. Especially it's important that his winning streak against them ended 2 in his last start in '07 and now he's lost 2 consecutive starts against them (both at Tampa). Considering Wakefield will start on extended rest tonight (6 days), it's worth noting that he's only 1-3, 4.95 ERA and with 1.52 WHIP so far in this situation. Last night's comment about far better Rays pen still stands (now they're 11-3 with 2.01 ERA and 1.00 WHIP along with 88% save pct at home!). I'm expecting another battle tonight but hopefully, the Rays come out as winners, again.
PHILADELPHIA (Kendrick) @ 1.95 for 3.5 Units
As I've said earlier, I believe Kyle Kendrick has been way undervalued. Just a short reminder here, the Phillies are 12-4 this season when he starts. They're 8-1 in his road starts and 12-2 in his night starts while he's been pitching well of late, averaging 6 innings per starts along with 3.50 ERA and 1.22 WHIP. Kendrick will start on 6 days rest - a situation where he's been so far 4-1 with 2.97 ERA, 1.07 WHIP and .232 BAA. Great numbers, indeed. Phillies have been struggling big time lately against RHP, but considering they've been facing many good RHP over the same span (Rangers Eric Hurley, Oakland's big-inning escape artist Joe Blanton and two very good Angels' pitchers, Card's Kyle Lohse...) - I'm actually not so suprised. The good thing is that they'll face Braves' rookie tonight, Charlie Morton. Charlie looked promising from time to time but we'll see will he be able to handle Phillies big bats and some of the best situational hitters over there. Lukily, the Braves have been struggling lately, too, and will probably be without Chipper, Infante and Escobar again. A quick reminder - the Braves are only 2-10 without Jones in the lineup so far. I'm surely expecting an interesting series, but hopefully the Phillies will be able to take game one with their most reliable pitcher on the mound tonight.
HOUSTON (Rodriguez) @ 1.75 for 3.5 Units
I'm all over the Astros again tonight. They'll be facing another leftie tonight, this one being rookie, while the Dodgers will also face a leftie, Wandy Rodriguez who's been extremely efficient this season so far plus he's pitching at home. Over the last 2 seasons, Wandy has compiled a home record of 8-5 with 2.64 ERA, 1.06 WHIP and .209 BAA - really excellent numbers I'm sure any of the top pitchers will gladly take any day
Also, Wandy will be pitching on 5 days rest tonight, and so far he's been great in that situation, posting only 0.41 ERA (!!!), with 0.59 (!!!) WHIP and only .154 BAA! Dodgers usually hit well LHP but lately, they've been struggling against them, averaging only .223 BA, .270 OBP and 1.3 runs per game. And as I've already said - Rodriguez at home is as tough as anyone so they might have their work cut for them. Also, Kemp is questionable for tonight with some eye problems while they'll again be without their top lead-off hitter - Juan Pierre, who's been on DL for a few days now. I like Houston chances tonight, although the Dodgers have been good at bouncing back after series opener loss so far. We'll see...
And my last play (suprise, suprise)... (coming shortly)...
ytd up to 13.06: 119-132 -71.64 Units
ytd since 15.06: 29-23 +55.48 Units
----------
Hey guys. As mentioned earlier in Tuesday daily thread, I've played 3 posted plays plus one additional.
TAMPA BAY (Garza) @ 1.80 for 3.5 Units
Continuing to give support to Rays. The kids are battling and winning. Tonight may be the best shot Boston may have in this series but still, I like Tampa more. Wakefield has been pitching well over his last 8 starts or so, but Garza seems like he found his groove, too, pitching great in his last 3 starts. Although Wakefield is 19-3 in his career vs Tampa, with 3.16 ERA, in his starts @ Tampa since 2006, he's only 3-2 with not so good 4.03 ERA and 1.45 WHIP. Especially it's important that his winning streak against them ended 2 in his last start in '07 and now he's lost 2 consecutive starts against them (both at Tampa). Considering Wakefield will start on extended rest tonight (6 days), it's worth noting that he's only 1-3, 4.95 ERA and with 1.52 WHIP so far in this situation. Last night's comment about far better Rays pen still stands (now they're 11-3 with 2.01 ERA and 1.00 WHIP along with 88% save pct at home!). I'm expecting another battle tonight but hopefully, the Rays come out as winners, again.
PHILADELPHIA (Kendrick) @ 1.95 for 3.5 Units
As I've said earlier, I believe Kyle Kendrick has been way undervalued. Just a short reminder here, the Phillies are 12-4 this season when he starts. They're 8-1 in his road starts and 12-2 in his night starts while he's been pitching well of late, averaging 6 innings per starts along with 3.50 ERA and 1.22 WHIP. Kendrick will start on 6 days rest - a situation where he's been so far 4-1 with 2.97 ERA, 1.07 WHIP and .232 BAA. Great numbers, indeed. Phillies have been struggling big time lately against RHP, but considering they've been facing many good RHP over the same span (Rangers Eric Hurley, Oakland's big-inning escape artist Joe Blanton and two very good Angels' pitchers, Card's Kyle Lohse...) - I'm actually not so suprised. The good thing is that they'll face Braves' rookie tonight, Charlie Morton. Charlie looked promising from time to time but we'll see will he be able to handle Phillies big bats and some of the best situational hitters over there. Lukily, the Braves have been struggling lately, too, and will probably be without Chipper, Infante and Escobar again. A quick reminder - the Braves are only 2-10 without Jones in the lineup so far. I'm surely expecting an interesting series, but hopefully the Phillies will be able to take game one with their most reliable pitcher on the mound tonight.
HOUSTON (Rodriguez) @ 1.75 for 3.5 Units
I'm all over the Astros again tonight. They'll be facing another leftie tonight, this one being rookie, while the Dodgers will also face a leftie, Wandy Rodriguez who's been extremely efficient this season so far plus he's pitching at home. Over the last 2 seasons, Wandy has compiled a home record of 8-5 with 2.64 ERA, 1.06 WHIP and .209 BAA - really excellent numbers I'm sure any of the top pitchers will gladly take any day
Also, Wandy will be pitching on 5 days rest tonight, and so far he's been great in that situation, posting only 0.41 ERA (!!!), with 0.59 (!!!) WHIP and only .154 BAA! Dodgers usually hit well LHP but lately, they've been struggling against them, averaging only .223 BA, .270 OBP and 1.3 runs per game. And as I've already said - Rodriguez at home is as tough as anyone so they might have their work cut for them. Also, Kemp is questionable for tonight with some eye problems while they'll again be without their top lead-off hitter - Juan Pierre, who's been on DL for a few days now. I like Houston chances tonight, although the Dodgers have been good at bouncing back after series opener loss so far. We'll see...And my last play (suprise, suprise)... (coming shortly)...
