SJ is locked and loaded for Saturday MLB. 

Season Record:

MLB:    22-11-1 (+38.50 units)

NBA:    4-4-1   (-1.8 units)

2011 NFL:  48-33-7 (+34.75 units)

2011-2012 NCAA:  18-15-1   (-6.8 units)

*All bets are weighted between 1 and 5 units.

 

Last Week (1-2, -2.8 units)

Winnin' with Swingin' is offered here at SBR for your reading and listening enjoyment (nobody knows how to flatter themselves like me) each and every Saturday.  So if you are an active gambler or if your fantasy baseball interests lure you away from your mundane daily activities then you know that a week in the gambling/fantasy sports world might as well be a month.  It's hard to remember if not impossible to clearly recall what we did exactly a week ago. 

Therefore, it was with shock and dismay that I reviewed my record from last Saturday and, wonder of all wonders, we lost!  Yes, it's been a while and we didn't lose much but dammit we lost.  We ventured an opinion on the Phillies -1 ½ (+150) for 3 units and they lost outright 5-4 to Ricky Nolasco and the Miami Marlins.  Hey, we saved the vig, what can I tell you?

We then surmised that the Houston Astros would snap their tailspin but nooooo, not on this night.  They lost a slugfest to the Reds 12-9 as +115 home underdogs for 3 units.  Remind me to stay the hell away from Houston please.  They lose when I back them and destroy me when I advise a wager against them. 

Ah, but there was silver lining, not much of one but here it is.  We backed the Seattle Mariners at a good price (+140) for only 2 units against the woeful Gavin Floyd and the White Sox.  Finally, we did something right.  The Mariners redeemed us and won 10-8 which brought us back +2.8 units.  Let's see if there are more big dogs in our future as we venture into the Major League waters on Saturday June 9th, 2012.

 

4:10 PM ET  San Diego Padres at Milwaukee Brewers

The Brewers defeated San Diego last night and have now notched three wins in a row as they take the field on Saturday yet again against the anemic Padres offense.  There are times when you bet a team because they're simply that good or fade a team because they are just that bad.  This play falls in the latter category.

The Padres own a 19-40 record, the worst in the major leagues.  They also have the second lowest run total and the very worst run differential at -72.  They used four pitchers last night as the Brew Crew lit up the scoreboard with 9 runs.  Factor into this equation that the Padres are using a converted reliever to start this game as Andrew Cashner will be pressed into service. 

If you think he's ready to go deep just read what manager Bud Black had to say, "We'll see how it goes. Ideally, he'll pitch into the third inning (Saturday) and we'll see where his pitch count is."

All the way into the 3rd inning?!  And don't forget, the Padres used their pen last night to the tune of three relievers.  This looks like good fade material and we will even lay the run line as the Brewers should be able to score plenty today.  Play Milwaukee -1 ½ (+150) for 3 units.

 

4:10 PM ET  Detroit Tigers at Cincinnati Reds

If there is such a thing as a due factor than Jason Verlander is overdue.  The guy is a certified, genuine beast on the hill but he has struggled recently.  In his last three starts he is 0-3 with a 4.43 ERA and thankfully that will lessen the odds on Detroit today.  Though his recent starts may give you pause for cause, let's look at how he has fared in interleague play shall we? 

Verlander is 16-2 with a 2.75 ERA in interleague play during his career.  He flirted with a no-hitter against Pittsburgh in a 6-0 victory on May 18th, his last victory.  Now he goes up against a Cincinnati Reds club that has a torrid hitter in Joey Votto at the plate but a tail-spinning pitcher in Bronson Arroyo who is winless this year at home.  He has lost his last three outings and has a 5.46 ERA in those appearances.  He got touched by the Astros for 5 runs over 6+ innings of work last Sunday in his latest appearance.

Yes, the Reds won a 10th inning nail biter last night as they nipped the Tigers 6-5 and Detroit has now lost eight of their last eleven games.  But they may be getting centerfielder Austin Jackson back as he has been rehabbing since the middle of May.

I would love to play the Tigers on the run line particularly because they are guaranteed all 27 outs as the visitor but we will lay the lumber and like it.  Play the Tigers -140 for 3 units.

 

*4:10 PM ET  LA Angels at Colorado Rockies

Oh my, where do I begin?  Let's start with the Rockies starting pitcher today, Jeff Francis.  Yes, that Jeff Francis from 5 years ago when the Rockies won their only pennant.  Francis had been toiling away in the Cincinnati Reds farm system until he opted out of his contract and signed with the Rockies.  He had posted an underwhelming 3-6 record with a 3.72 ERA for Triple-A Louisville this season.  The Rockies have been outscored 23-3 during their three game losing streak and they have not scored more than 4 runs since June 1st.

The Angels will start Dan Haren who was roughed up earlier this season though he is finally harnessing his enormous talent and getting back on track.  Haren has given up only 3 runs over his last three starts.  The Angels had no problems with the Rockies last night and today will not be any different.  * MAX PLAY  Play the Angels -1 ½ (+120) for 5 units.

 

7:15 PM ET  LA Dodgers at Seattle Mariners

The computer is telling me that the Dodgers should be about -180 favorites in this spot.  While I'm not always convinced the computer has it right, I'm thinking there may be something to be said for artificial intelligence as it pertains to the Dodgers over the Mariners tonight.

Clayton Kershaw is chucking for the Dodgers and they have to be smarting after getting no-hit last night for the first time in 18 years.  But I like the fact that Seattle had to use 6 pitchers last night.  Perfect, because the Dodgers will be feasting if the Mariners have to go to the pen early and pull starter Jason Vargas.

Kershaw is a very good pitcher who is not having a particularly good year.  But he has not been getting any run support while Jason Vargas is a decent, though not upper echelon pitcher, who has been the beneficiary of big time run support from his club.  I say the Dodgers wake up and get the victory.  Play the Dodgers -135 for 2 units.