Another
week begins as we try and locate the best MLB betting value out there. Find out
which two plays we find most appealing. We're getting a little tired of these
splits. Let's try and break the monotony with a sweep today.
There are three very large favorites today, starting with
Roy Halladay and Philadelphia who MLB odds makers have installed as -200 favorites at home against Milwaukee. Then
there's Arizona, behind Ian Kennedy, who are at -205 against Colorado and the
Los Angeles Angels (C.J. Wilson) against Kansas City.
Cleveland vs. Baltimore
The Indians have had a miserable time so far in this series,
losing each of the first three games. They fell 10-2 and 3-1 on Friday and
Saturday respectively and last night they lost 4-3 despite a late rally in the
ninth inning.
Tonight we're picking Cleveland to avoid the home sweep,
with Justin Masterson set to get the call.
Masterson, despite some inconsistency, is a solid 3-4 with a
3.54 ERA at home this season, much better than his 5.33 mark on the road. He
was also outstanding in his sole appearance against the Orioles, pitching seven
innings and allowing five hits and one earned run while getting the winning
decision.
This seems to be a good matchup for Masterson tonight, considering Baltimore's hitters have had a hard time figuring him out in the
past. Adam Jones is .118 (2-for-17) all-time against him, while Nick Markakis
(.158), Jim Thome (.190), Mark Reynolds (no hits in six at-bats), Matt Wieters
(.250) and Wilson Betemit (.250) have struggled too.
For the Orioles, Tommy Hunter will be on the mound and,
although he was efficient in his latest start, it's been an all-around
disastrous season for the righty. He's 4-4 with a 5.71 ERA, while going 1-3
with a 6.81 ERA away from Baltimore.
In addition, Hunter came in as a reliever against Cleveland
(his only meeting against them this season) on June 30 and surrendered eight
hits and five runs in 1 and 2/3 innings. All signs are pointing towards a big
Indians win tonight.
Play the Cleveland Indians -1.5 (+130)
L.A. Angels vs. Kansas City Royals
We're putting faith in another home favorite tonight and
backing the Angels at home versus the Royals.
Last night Los Angeles wrapped up a series-win over the
Texas Rangers with a 7-4 victory. Mike Trout added two more hits and Albert
Pujols continued his hot run with a two-run blast., while Dan Haren was solid
in his return from the DL.
C.J. Wilson starts tonight and he, alongside Jered Weaver,
have been the two main cogs of the staff. Wilson is 9-6 with a 2.82 ERA and
owns a 3.05 ERA at home thus far this season. He'll be going up against Kansas
City's Bruce Chen.
Chen had one of his best pitching efforts of the season
against the Angels, giving up only three hits in six scoreless innings back on
April 6. That said, that was without Trout in the lineup and we don't have to
remind you what he's done to energize this offense.
With Trout, Pujols and Mark Trumbo swinging the ball great
at the moment, we think the Angels will be able to get after Chen.
From there Wilson should take care of the rest. He's coming
off two tough starts (@ NYY, @ DET) in a row and should relish the opportunity
to show what he's capable of at home against a much weaker offensive team in
Kansas City. Back the Angels on the runline.
Play
the L.A. Angels -1.5 (+105)