The I's have never faced French, and his current numbers look solid. Not only have the M's seen Huff, but they tallied a 6-2 victory in that game. The M's are coming off a heart-wrenching 9th inning loss to the Tigers. While the Indians are coming off a sweep averting 3-11 TROUNCING of the Halos.
Not only has the away side been dominant through the season series between these two clubs, but the Indians opened up an extreme can of whoop-ass when last these two met (outscoring the M's 31-6). The M's have likely been looking forward to this series w/ such fire, that it could be said that that was the reason they were unable to sew up that would-be 'almost' victory Thursday night.
(H) PIT -130
In the 'who is more helpless and inept' contest, that trophy definitely goes to The Reds. Hands down(!) Phillips and Votto each took early exits from their two most recent games (one player per game). I would think that one or both will be rested today. Owings is making his first start in near to a month. I respect Owings as a player and a pitcher w/ thump, but he's already been having a lackluster season. This first start off the DL promises to be a rocky one for him.
Conversely, Charlie Morton is coming off of perhaps the worst start had by any pitcher this season. The Cubs hit his pitches like they knew what was coming. Fortunately for Morton, the Reds are not the Cubs, this is not going to be an afternoon game at Wrigley, and it is (more or less) impossible for him to have a more horrid outing than his most recent one. Additionally, it is a certainty that the Pirates' pitching coaches have been working w/ him EXTENSIVELY, since that Valentine's Day Massacre of a match.
PIT also just finished off sweeping the Brewers. That series has got to have some carryover, momentum wise.
(H) WSH +120
It might prove difficult to pinpoint, but somewhere along the past month . . . The Nationals turned a corner. Not only have they been kicking ass and taking names, but they just finished a very competitive set w/ the red hot Colorado ROX.
The Brewers just got swept by the Pirates. Their offense is still dependent upon two players. Their bullpen still sucks. Washington, like Milwaukee, is coming off of a sweep. I believe the home side will want this game more. Besides, are they really gonna lose a fourth home game on the row? . . . To the Brewers(!?) . . . REALLY??! Time will tell.
(H) TOR +115
Again, not to sound like a broken record, but are the J-birds really going to lose a fourth home game on the row? The Angels just got their tails kicked [3-11], by a recently better yet still hapless Indians club. Also like the MIL/DC game, these visitors have taken two of the most recent tilts in their respective season series (MIL as a host, ANA as a visitor).
The Halos recent schedule has been really easy for them. Too easy. When last they visited Rogers Centre, ANA lost Game 1 of that series (Halladay was on the hill for the J's AKA The Toronto Canadian Blue Jays of Canada).
(A) PHI [-1.5] -115
The Phillies are on a tear. Hamel v Pelfrey will be a rematch of a 10th of June game (5-4) which the Phils won. The Mets just finished getting worked over by the Bravos, I doubt they'll have the energy to rebuff these cheese-steaks. There is also some new drama w/ Sheffield, which promises to further disrupt what little team cohesiveness NY had in the first place.
FLA/ATL - under\8.5 {-105}
This should be a great game . . . series. I have no wish to get caught in the crossfire. I'm leaning towards the 'under'. However, the total has yet to be set (as I write this). We shall see. BOL to anybody whom shows this contest action. . . . Okay, the line is out. I'm in.
(A) TEX +138
The Rays record over their previous ten games, looks like A Tale of Two Cities. Tampa is looking very streaky right now. And I can not trust them to bounce right back, after that loss to the O's last night. Texas does not have a good history of winning in their trips to The Trop. However, they are in the midst of a season which is setting itself apart from seasons past.
Arlington just stomped the shit out of the Twins in the Metrodome [11-1], so maybe they have slain their astro-turf daemons. Given their great play, and the Rays' shitty play; I'm willing to wager that . . ."yes, they have".
Welcome back, Pudge.
>>>This is what I do.<<<
~ g