SJ is locked and loaded with his picks for today's MLB action.
Season Record:
MLB: 25-12-1 (+46.50 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 (3-1, + 8.00 units)
Yes kids,
another bankroll boosting episode of Winnin' with Swingin' last week as we went
3-1 (+8 units) and yet another maximum 5 unit play hit when the Angels -1 ½
(+120) crushed the Rockies 11-5 in Colorado. Our 5 unit plays, like a rare gem or an exotic creature, bring wonder and
amazement to all who bask in its presence. You don't see them often but when you do, it's a sight to behold.
Seriously
though, can you imagine me writing like this if I was down 46 units instead of
up forty-six? I'd be thanking the good
Lord above that something finally fell my way. Instead, I am a rising star in the famed Hall of Douchery, therefore I will
also tell you that we won a 3 unit play with the Tigers (-140) over the Reds
and we clicked again as the Dodgers (-135) dispatched the Mariners for 2
units. Unfortunately, a sweep was not to
be as the Brewers -1.5 (+150) fell to the Padres (the lousy stinkin' Padres of
all teams!) 5-2. Hey, at least we saved
the vig by betting the run line (notice how I deflect the fact that we lost by
implying how sharp I was to bet the run line, straight from Chapter 14 in my
brand new book, Douche Moves).
.jpg "Minnesota Twins Fan")
Before we
get rolling with today's MLB picks, I want to give big ups to a few of the guys who contributed to last
week's thread that I start each and every Saturday in the Players Talk
Forum. My man Cougar Bait, number one on
my speed dial and number one in my heart (was that a little gay?...I think so),
gave his two cents as did Dartmouthemcee who is gainfully employed at one of
the finest academic institutions in the land, and finally Jimmy G 415 and
Brahma Bull. Ok, kids without further
ado, let's get to it.
As always, feel free to share your thoughts and picks in my forum thread.
2:10 PM ET Milwaukee
Brewers at Minnesota Twins
Tears for Fears was an 80's group who
made you cry every time you listened to them. Michael Fiers is a major league pitcher who made me cry when I bet on him last week. That's right, the same Michael Fiers who cost me my only play last week
and was tagged for 4 runs without giving up a long ball but was dinged around
for 10 hits. It wasn't an exceptional
outing to be sure but the kid has got some good stuff. He has a nice change-up but more importantly
is adept at knowing when to use the off speed stuff to keep the hitters off
balance.
The Brew Crew defeated the Twins last
night 5-3 and I believe they have an excellent opportunity to win again as Ryan
Braun is scorching the ball lately (.408 in a 20 game interleague streak) and
was a Twin killer last night, launching a three run shot in Friday's opener
with Minnesota. The Twins hand the ball
off to Liam Hendricks (0-2, 9.00 ERA) who was recalled from Triple-A Rochester
to replace the injured Carl Pavano. In
his only start this season, Hendricks floundered allowing six runs in just over
two innings of work.
Let's hope this is not a case of drinking once again from the
same poison well as last week and play the Brewers +105 for 2 units.
4:05 PM ET Colorado
Rockies at Detroit Tigers
Fister...I don't even know her! I just had to say it, forgive me. Doug Fister is back from the DL and on the bump today for the Tigers. He's looking to regain the spectacular form
he demonstrated from last season when he went 7-1 with a 1.87 ERA in 10 starts
since they acquired him from Seattle. The Tigers allowed the Rockies to creep back in late last night and
ultimately got blown out in extra innings 12-4.
Rookie pitcher Christian Friedrich was
torched his last time out for the Rocks when he surrendered nine runs
(including 4 homeruns) in only 4 innings of work against the Angels on
Sunday. He is still getting to know his
way around the majors but Detroit has a lineup that can introduce themselves
quite rapidly to rookie pitchers. We
look for the Tigers to avenge last night's loss and feast on the rook. Play Detroit - 1 ½ (+130) for 3 units.
7:15 PM ET Boston Red Sox
at Chicago Cubs
There was always a kindred spirit
between these two clubs. Both historic
franchises and noted for tormenting generations of fans by not winning it
all. But that all changed in 2004 when
the Red Sox finally brought home a World Championship and subsequently won
again a few years later. Instead of
being a band of brothers, Sox fans now view Cubs fans as their mentally
challenged cousins. Their empathy has
turned to sympathy, if not pity. But
what does all this have to do with Sox ace John Lester versus some guy with a
name I cannot even pronounce? Well
nothing really but it is a macrocosm for the game being played today.
The Red Sox are truly better than
their 31-33 record suggests while the Cubs are exactly what their 22-42 record depicts. Play the better pitcher, the better team and
don't worry about the Cubs home field advantage. There are 162 games in a season, half the
time these guys don't even know what day it is, let alone where they are. Play the Red Sox -145 for 3 units.
7:15 PM ET Baltimore
Orioles at Atlanta Braves
Atlanta's Brandon Beachy has pitched
famously this season with a 1.98 ERA and WHIP of 0.99. But he is 0-3 with a far more mortal 3.47 ERA
in four starts since tossing a five hit, complete game shutout on May 17th
against the Marlins to bring his record to a rather pedestrian 5-4 considering
how well he has pitched. His start
against the Yankees was pushed back due to a sore elbow which may explain his
hasty exit in his last game against the Blue Jays on June 8th. The Braves have not provided much run support
for Beachy this season but they did muster a 4-2 victory last night over the
O's.
Jason Hammel (6-2, 3.22 ERA) has had a
terrific season thus far but like his counterpart, he has struggled
recently. He is 0-1 with a 4.58 ERA over
his last three starts and has been hampered by a sore knee. He has also not fared well against Atlanta
recording a dreadful 0-3 mark with a 9.00 ERA in 5 starts.
However, this game appears to be much closer than
the baseball odds makers would have you believe. I
am wary of Beachy's elbow and I believe Hammel is a better pitcher than he has shown
in the past so his record against Atlanta may be a bit misleading (he did start
against Atlanta when the Orioles took a 5-4 victory back in August of '10 but
he did not get a decision, allowing 3 runs over 6 1/3 innings.) They say there is no value in losing but I
think this more of a coin flip than the mismatch Vegas believes it to be so I
will take the vig instead of laying it. Play
the Orioles +145.