Armani

Winning Points
BEGINNING THURSDAY JUNE 1
Arizona at Atlanta (4) 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th
The Diamondbacks have looked sensational in recent days (7-2,
+$550 last 10 days with 6.3 runs per game) and they’ve got one of
the better pitching bullpens in the NL (3.79 ERA, 4th lowest). They
took 2 out of 3 from the Braves a couple of weeks ago, but you cannot
discount Atlanta, a team that has moved up considerably in the
NL East standings. They are 12-6 at Turner Field this season (+$455)
and it looks like Brandon Webb, the visitor’s ace righthander, will
miss this series. The rest of the Arizona starters don’t thrill us vs.
this caliber opponent, so we’ll steer clear for now. BEST BET: None.

Philadelphia at L.A. Dodgers (4) 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th
The Phillies had their hot streak, but they’ve really cooled off in a
big way (only 3-7, -$525 last 10 days with a 6.07 ERA among
starters), while the Dodgers continue to surge (7-2, +$550 with 7.0
runs per game and a 3.33 ERA among starters last 10 days). LA took
2 out of 3 from this team at Citizen’s Bank and they’ve got a huge
statistical edge over the home team. The only Philadelphia pitcher
who gives us concern is Brett Myers (2.86 ERA in 10 starts), so pass
when he is on the mound. But the rest of the Philadelphia rotation
is fair game. BEST BET: Dodgers unless opposed by Myers.

Minnesota at Oakland (4) 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th
The Twins swept the A’s when they ventured into the Metrodome a
while ago (+$335), but considering Minnesota’s pitiful record as a
visitor (7-17, -$925) we’re going to look for a reversal of fortunes
here. We’d feel better if Oakland wasn’t in a bit of a slump, but
they’ve got a pair of southpaws in Halsey & Zito who match up well
vs. this lineup (Twins 6-12, -$625 vs. lefties with only 3.28 runs per
game) and a hot righthander in Danny Haren, who’s been on fire in
the month of May. There’s a good chance all three will see action
this weekend. BEST BET: Zito/Halsey/Haren.

BEGINNING FRIDAY JUNE 2
San Diego at Pittsburgh (3) 2nd, 3rd, 4th
The Padres have cooled off, falling to the back of the pack in the
topsy-turvy NL West, and they could have an up and down weekend
here at PNC Park. Despite their many woes, the Pirates have posted
a stunning 11-2 record at home vs. righthanders in night games
(+$1105), and they’ll get a couple of chances to improve on that
mark vs. this all -righty rotation. The Padres lose money in night
games (12-19, -$955) so grab the Bucs in the evening contests, hopefully
at a very reasonable price. BEST BET: Padres in night games.

San Francisco at N.Y. Mets (3) 2nd, 3rd, 4th
The Mets too 2 out of 3 at ATT Park when they were on their west
coast swing, but they’ve cooled off a bit in recent days, while the
Giants have staged a nice comeback, fueled by some outstanding
starting pitching (2.77 ERA last 10 days). It’s difficult to go against
the Mets at Shea Stadium, given their 16-8 record at home. But
they’ll be laying a huge price when Tom Glavine makes his next
start, and that makes the Giants (8-3, +$560 vs. lefties with 6.1 runs
per game) too good to pass up. BEST BET: Giants vs. Glavine.

Cincinnati at Houston (3) 2nd, 3rd, 4th
This is a tricky matchup for couple of reasons.The Astros are very
hard to beat here at Minutemaid Park (18-9, +$400) and the Reds are
slumping. But Houston has very bad numbers vs. righthanded pitching
(-$655) while the Reds have excelled in that situation, particularly
as a visitor (10-5, +$795). We’ll use the visitor in righty vs. righty
matchups, but only when their top hurlers Brandon Arroyo (+$375,
2.29 ERA) and Aaron Harang (+$475, 2.58 ERA) are on the mound
for the visitor. BEST BET: Arroyo & Harang vs. righthanders.

Washington at Milwaukee (3) 2nd, 3rd, 4th
The Brewers have a dynamic offense (.277 team BA, 2nd best in the
NL) but because of pitching injuries their team ERA is now the highest
in the league (4.96) and Chris Capuano, their only top notch
starter, won’t take the mound this weekend. But it’s hard to work
up any enthusiasm for the Nationals (21-30, -$665 overall), so we’re
content to stay on the sidelines for now. We’ll take a closer look at
this series as game day draws near. BEST BET: None.

Chicago Cubs at St. Louis (3) 2nd, 3rd, 4th
The Cubs have taken 4 out of 6 from first place St. Louis (+$270)
but those games took place earlier in the season, before the Cubs
collapsed. This series has bloodbath written all over it, the only
question is if the prices on the favorite are prohibitively high.
Chicago ranks dead last offensively (.249 team BA with only 3.6 runs
per game) while St. Louis is on top of its game (3.81 team ERA, lowest
in the league, .274 team BA with 5.1 runs per game). We’ll go
with the front running Cardinals if the price is affordable, but right
now we’re not too optimistic. BEST BET: Cardinals at -185 or less.

Florida at Colorado (3) 2nd, 3rd, 4th
The Rockies have dropped back to around .500 and the slide may
continue in the days ahead, but they should have enough ammunition
to drub the lowly Marlins at Coors Field. They stomped on this
team in a three game sweep earlier in the year (+$305) and they
continue to enjoy surprisingly good pitching numbers for a team
playing at this high altitude (4.28 ERA). Florida checks in with a dismal
15-33 mark (-$1240) so we’ll try our luck with a pair of
righthanded hurlers who have looked sharp in 2006, and who are
slated to be on the hill this weekend. BEST BET: Cook/Kim.

L.A. Angels at Cleveland (3) 2nd, 3rd, 4th
The Indians lost sight of the leaders in the AL Central in a hurry, and
it’s going to be very difficult to climb over both the Tigers and
White Sox at this point. But they’ve got a very potent attack (.291
team BA, 5.7 runs per game) and one of the top lefthanders in the
majors (Sabathia 1.52 ERA in six starts) primed for a start in this
series). The Angels are mired in last place in the AL West (only 21-
29, -$1050 overall), they’ve averaged just 3.8 runs per game vs.
southpaws. and none of the pitchers in their rotation gives us much
to worry about vs. the hot Cleveland bats. BEST BET: Sabathia.

N.Y. Yankees at Baltimore (3) 2nd, 3rd, 4th
Not much hope for the O’s to climb back into the AL east race given
how poorly their pitchers have performed (5.61 team ERA, 2nd
worst in the league). The Yankees will no doubt be overpriced as
usual, but we still see some solid opportunities. They are 12-3 vs.
lefties in 2006 (+$835 with 7.1 runs per game) and are likely to see
a struggling Eric Bedard (5.67 ERA in 11 starts, 14.55 last two).
Baltimore is only 4-11 (-$820) vs. lefties, so take a shot with Randy
Johnson as well. BEST BET: R. Johnson/Yankees vs. Bedard.

Boston at Detroit (3) 2nd, 3rd, 4th
This is a challenging homestand for the Tigers, with this series coming
on the heels of a four game set with the Yankees. But they are
the most profitable team in the majors by far (+$1940) and they’ve
got a trio of lefties leading the best pitching staff in baseball (3.36
team ERA). The Red Sox are far less imposing against lefties (-$215
with 4.9 runs per game, one full run less that vs. righties) so stick
with the hot home team. BEST BET: Lefthanders vs. the Red Sox.

Toronto at Tampa Bay (3) 2nd, 3rd, 4th
The Blue Jays look like they may mount a serious challenge in the
AL East, but they’ve not fared all that well on the road, particularly
in day games (1-6, -$515), and the Devil Rays are a pesky team that
has turned a profit vs. righties here at Tropicana Field (10-7, +$510).
We’ll look to grab some nice prices as Tampa Bay looks to play
spoiler. BEST BET: Devil Rays vs. righthanders & in day games.

__________________
EVERYPLAY posted here and everywhere else is UNCONFIRMED unless you buy it and post it yourself!