Another winning week last week makes it 7 out of 8 non-losing weeks with a record of 33-22. Aside from that, I went 2-0 this past week during the weekdays ( in other articles that you can check out). Let's continue the consistency and excellence as we approach the month of August, when things get serious.
Here's some MLB weekend picks for July 30th and July 31st.
Saturday, July 30, 2011
New York Mets at Washington Nationals
Carlos Beltran has been traded to the San Fransisco Giants and the New York Mets
continue to play well without him. They've won 5 consecutive games at 55-51
while their opponent the Washington Nationals have lost 6 consecutive games.
The Mets defeated the Nationals 8-5 on Friday. Taking the mound for New York is
knuckleballer R.A. Dickey (5-8, 3.74).
Dickey hasn't had the same kind of year
as last season but is always a major threat to throw a shutout whenever he
takes the mound. Dickey picked up the victory in his last outing, a 4-2 defeat
of the Cincinnati Reds in where he gave up 2 runs and 8 hits in 6 2/3 innings.
The Mets have been running on all cylinders since the return of David Wright.
Since his return, Wright is 17 of 38 with 10 runs, 3 doubles, 2 HR, 12 RBI.
This is a good spot for New York.
Pick- Mets -105 (great odds-- I really like this pick)
Pittsburgh Pirates at Philadelphia Phillies
The Pittsburgh Pirates have been mighty tough and have been the surprise in baseball with
a 54-50 record. On Saturday, they'll be tested by pitching great Cliff Lee
(9-7, 3.05). The Phillies have the best record in the majors at 66-39 and are
39-18.at home. With their pitching staff and a solid group of hitters, they're
the best team in baseball and should win the World Series.
In tonight's matchup Pittsburgh sends
James McDonald (7-4, 3.95) to the mound. McDonald has won 2 consecutive
decisions, shutting out the opposition in both games. He doesn't go deep into
games but he hasn't given up a run in his last 11 2/3 innings.while striking
out 16. This pitcher's matchup will keep this a low scoring game. The total (7.5)
is fairly high considering the way that McDonald has been pitching and the fact
that Cliff Lee is starting.
Pick- Pittsburgh-Philadelphia under 7.5
Los Angeles Angels at Detroit Tigers
Dan Haren takes the mound for the Angels against 2009 1st round pick (selected
number 9) Jacob Turner. Turner has yet to pitch a ball in the
major leagues. His first test is against the 58-49 Angels and Haren (10-6,
3.01). Haren lost a tough one in his last outing, when the Angels were defeated
by the Indians 3-2. Haren gave up just 1 run on 3 hits with 10 strikeouts in 7
2/3 innings.
Detroit at 56-50, leads the American League Central Division. They
also crushed the Angels 12-2 on Friday.behind the hitting of Victor Martinez
and Carlos Guillen. I think this game will come down to the offensive
production of the Angels. Dan Haren will pitch well, and I like the Angels to get
payback against the first time starter Turner. The Angels look good here on the
road.
Pick - Los Angeles Angels -118
Kansas City Royals at Cleveland Indians
It will be interesting to see if the Tribe can bounce back from a 12-0 defeat
at the hands of the 45-61 Kansas City Royals. The Indians started off the
season well, but have totally tailed off as of late. The offense has been
subpar to say in the least. Can they wake up against Kansas City starter Felipe
Paulino (1-8, 4.54)? If there was ever an opportunity that presented itself,
this would be it for Cleveland.
The Indians have lost 3 in a row and scored 7
runs in their last 6 games. I don't trust the Indians in this spot after
getting thrashed on Friday night. However, I do trust them not to produce
offensively. Look for K.C. to simmer down and for this game to be low scoring.
Pick - Cleveland-Kansas City under (8 in some books and 7.5 in some others) I
prefer the 8 but would take either
Sunday, July 31st, 2011
San Fransisco Giants at Cincinnati Reds
Normally, I would say that this is a good pitching match between Johnny Cueto
of the Reds and Barry Zito of the Giants, but both have been hit hard as of
late. The total should still stay fairly low due to the overall brilliance of
Cueto and his sub 2.00 ERA. In Zito's last 2 starts, he's given up 14 runs and
13 hits in just 10 2/3 innings. That's certainly not good enough for any team,
nevertheless the San Fransisco Giants who rank towards the bottom in all
offensive categories. Pitching is usually the Giants strength but not in this
game.
The odds will favor Cincinnati too much. There will be no value and Cueto
had a rare poor performance in his last outing. I can see Jay Bruce and Joey
Votto giving Zito a tough time.
I'm also lack confidence in Cueto, who gave up 6 runs and 7 hits in 5 innings
in a 8-6 defeat to the New York Metropolitans. Taking an over with Johnny Cueto
is a risk, but I think this is one that can't be passed up.
Pick- Cincinnati - San Fransisco over 8
Los Angeles Angels at Detroit Tigers
On Sunday, we go right back to the Tigers and Angels as two of the best
pitchers in the league in Justin Verlander and Jerrod Weaver face off. Odds
aren't available as of yet but I'm focusing in on the total and I'm assuming
that it will be very low. Let's say as low as 5.5 to 6.5. Not much needs to be
said except for the fact that the Tigers are a good hitting ball club but these
pitchers should dominate this game. The White Sox managed to get 4 runs and 7
hits off of Verlander in his last outing but now he's playing at home.
The
Angels need the game more than the Tigers. The Tigers lead their division by
2.5 games while the Angels are 2nd in the American League West. Jerrod Weaver has pitched
about as good as a pitcher can pitch. He's given up just 7 runs in 60 2/3
innings. I'm going to make 2 picks here and rely on the arm of Mr. Weaver.
Picks- L.A. Angels (odds to be determined)
L.A. Angels - Detroit under the total
(and it should be very low-big risk)
Sunday Night Baseball
Chicago Cubs at St. Louis Cardinals
I haven't taken any heavy favorites and I think that I'm entitled to take one
for the week. The Chicago Cubs will always find a way to disappoint the bettors
and their fans. Various times, they've held late inning leads and coughed them
up. This is a team that I have no faith in whatsover (I'm not going big into
statistics on this).
Ryan Dempster is a decent starter for the Cubs. He's a
lifetime 7-8 against the Cardinals, which happens to be the same record that he
has on the season, with ERA's nearing 5.00. Jake Westbrook has pitched
well for the Cards. He's given up 5 runs and 16 hits in his last 19 innings.
His last 2 outings have been victories. On Friday, the Cardinals defeated the
Cubs 9-2. Look for Holliday, Pujols and company to make easy work of the lowly
Cubbies.
Pick - St Louis moneyline ( sorry to disappoint. I usually go big but playing
it safe on a Sunday night)
There you have it. Looking for another winning week. Aside from that I wish you
all luck as we enter August. See you next week.