Sports Picks & Predictions

7* National TV Game of the Month (ESPN2) on Red Sox -101
The Key: The Red Sox are 10-2 in their last 12 games as a road underdog, 17-6 in their last 23 road games and 41-15 in their last 56 vs. the National League East. Boston has won five consecutive series in Philadelphia and is 11-5 in its last 16 games there. The Phillies have not won a home series from Boston since 2003. Take the Red Sox.

6* Perfect Angle Power Play on Twins -107
The Key: The Dodgers have had problems with southpaw starters lately and are 0-4 in their last 4 games against them as a result. Looking back, the Dodgers are 7-24 in their last 31 interleague games vs. a left-handed starter and 3-12 in their last 15 interleague road games vs. a left-handed starter. The Twins, meanwhile, are a perfect 12-0 in Duensing's last 12 starts as a home favorite. Take Minnesota.

7* Interleague *HEAVY HITTER* on Yankees -126
The Key: The Brewers are just 15-24 on the road this season, and I expect their road struggles to continue with Greinke stepping to the hill. He has an ERA of 5.64 on the road this season and is just 2-5 on the money line in his career against the Yankees. The Yankees are 12-4 in their last 16 overall and 70-31 in their last 101 interleague home games. Take the Yanks.

7* Interleague Bailout Game of the Year on Padres -139
The Key: The Royals are 10-21 on the road this season and an embarrassing 18-48 in their last 66 road games. I fully expect their road struggles to continue with Francis on the hill tonight. The Royals are 4-11 in his last 15 starts and 1-6 in his last 7 road starts. While pitching for Colorado last season, he was 0-3 on the ML with an ERA of 10.64 against the Padres.

5* Monday Night Baseball CA$H COW (ESPN2) on Rays -126
The Key: The Reds are 3-10 in their last 13 games against the AL, 9-27 in their last 36 interleague road games vs. a team with a winning record and 16-36 in their last 52 road games period vs. a team with a winning record. The Rays are 21-8 in their last 29 games as a favorite of -110 to -150 and 5-0 in their last 5 games as a favorite. They have won 4 in a row and 8 of their last 9. Take Tampa.

6* Sunday MLB Bailout on Mariners +106
The Key: The Marlins won yesterday but are 0-5 in their last 5 following a victory. Plus, Florida has been pure fade material, losing 23 of its last 27 games. Take the M's at a great price.

6* Sunday Night Baseball CA$H COW (ESPN) on Indians +130
The Key: The Giants have been fade material with Bumgarner on the hill all season, especially in the chalk. The Giants are just 1-7 in his starts this season when the money line is even to -150. The Giants are losing these games by an average score of 4.3 to 2.1. Take the Tribe.

5* Cardinals +108
The Key: Look for the Cards to salvage a game in the finale of their 3-game set with Toronto. The Cardinals are a terrific 19-8 in their last 27 in game 3 of a series while the Blue Jays are a poor 5-17 in their last 22 in game 3 of a series. Take the Redbirds.

5* Twins +140
The Key: The Twins majorly disappointed yesterday but they are still showing nice value in the underdog role here. The Twins are 4-0 in Pavano's last 4 starts, 4-0 in his last 4 road starts, 4-0 in his last 4 interleague starts and 4-0 in his last 4 starts as an underdog. Take the Twins.

7* Interleague *HEAVY HITTER* on Red Sox -126
The Key: Really like Boston's chances of avoiding the sweep. The Red Sox have won 81 of their last 115 interleague games and haven't been swept in interleague play since 2002. The Bucs have swept a team in interleague play in 10 years. Bet Boston.

6* Braves -122
The Key: The Padres are 4-9 in their last 13 overall and 0-5 in Moseley's last 5 starts as an underdog. The Braves are 8-3 in Jurrjens' last 11 starts. Take Atlanta.

7* Interleague Dog of the Year on Twins +135
The Key: Gallardo is struggling. The Brewers have lost each of his last 3 starts, during which he's posted an ERA of 6.43. Liriano, meanwhile, is dealing. He's carrying an ERA of 1.80 over his last 3 starts - the last 2 resulting in Minnesota wins. Plus, Milwaukee has struggled against southpaws, only scoring 3.5 runs/game off of them. Take the Twins showing tremendous value in the dog role.

6* Red Sox -133
The Key: I'll gladly jump on the Red Sox at this price. Following 3 straight defeats, they'll bring their A-game here. The Red Sox are 7-1 in their last 8 games as a road favorite. Bet Bean Town.

5* A's +176
The Key: Cahill is not getting the respect he deserves from odds makers here. The Athletics are 5-1 in his last 6 interleague starts and 13-3 in his last 16 starts when pitching on 5 days' rest. The Phillies are 2-7 in Hamels' last 9 interleague starts. Take the A's.

6* Reds -104
The Key: The Orioles are 1-6 in Matusz's last 7 Saturday starts and 0-4 in his last 4 interleague starts. The Reds are 5-1 in Arroyo's last 6 starts as a road favorite and 17-5 in his last 22 road starts vs. a team with a losing record.

6* Giants -118
The Key: The Indians are 6-22 in their last 28 interleague road games and have lost 7 of their last 8 series openers. The Giants are 8-2 in Sanchez's last 10 home starts. Take San Fran.

7* MLB *HEAVY HITTER* on Mariners -152
The Key: The Mariners are 14-4 in their last 18 games as a favorite of -151 to -200, 9-1 in their last 10 interleague games as a favorite of -151 to -200 and 11-4 in Hernandez's last 15 starts as a favorite of -151 to -200. Take the M's.

6* White Sox -113
The Key: Tough spot for the Nats after an emotional win yesterday and then the resignation of their manager. The White Sox, who are 38-13 in their last 51 games against the NL, will be the more focused club.

5* Brewers -137
The Key: The Brewers are a perfect 10-0 in home games following a home loss this season. Bet the Beermakers.

7* MLB *HEAVY HITTER* on Cardinals -110
The Key: The Phillies are 1-6 in their last 7 games as an underdog, 2-6 in Oswalt's last 8 starts, 1-4 in his last 5 road starts and 0-4 in his last 4 starts against a team with a winning record. The Cardinals are 5-1 in their last 6 games as a home favorite, 26-11 in their last 37 games vs. a team with a winning percentage above .600 and 18-8 in their last 26 in the third game of a series. The Cards are also 52-19 in Carpenter's last 71 home starts, 6-1 in his last 7 starts as a home favorite of -110 to -150 and 5-1 in his last 6 starts vs. the Phillies. Cash in with the Cards.

6* Interleague CA$H COW on D-backs -109
The Key: The Royals ate 0-4 in their last 4 overall and 0-4 in their last 4 matchups against the D-backs. KC is also 0-4 in its last 4 games after losing the first 2 games of a series. The Diamondbacks are 5-0 in their last 5 road games and 5-0 in Hudson's last 5 starts following a Quality Start in his last appearance. Take the Snakes.

6* Wednesday Night Baseball CA$H COW (ESPN) on Phillies -151
The Key: The Phillies have won 9 of their last 11 overall and they are 5-1 in Lee's last 6 starts. The Cards have lost 8 of their last 10 and Lohse is 0-3 on the money line in his last 3 starts against the Phillies. Plus, the Cards are without their best player (Pujols). Take the Phillies.

6* MLB Line Mistake on A's +106
The Key: Odds makers have the wrong team favored here and that gives us an excellent opportunity to cash in on the A's at a great price. The A's have won 6 straight and the Mets are only 1-8 in Dickey's last 9 home starts.

7* MLB *HEAVY HITTER* on Indians -126
The Key: The Rockies are 1-8 in Hammel's last 9 starts while the Indians are 10-1 in Tomlin's last 11 home starts. Plus, the Indians are 22-5 in their last 27 games as a home favorite. Take the Tribe.

6* Tigers -113
The Key: The Tigers are 11-4 with Scherzer on the mound this season. Plus, the Tigers are an awesome 65-32 in interleague play since 2006.

6* White Sox -135
The Key: The White Sox have won 43 of their last 61 interleague games since 2008 for the best interleague record during the span. And no one has more interleague wins than Buehrle's 24. Pound the White Sox.

7* MLB *HEAVY HITTER* on Brewers -135
The Key: Milwaukee is an undefeated 9-0 at home following a home loss this season, outscoring the opposition 41-17 in these games. Bet the Brewers.

6* Red Sox -1.5 +111
The Key: Boston has won 14 of its last 16 games. 13 of those wins have come by at least 2 runs. San Diego's offense and pitching staff have both struggled while losing 9 of 10. Take Boston on the run line.

6* Monday Night Bailout on Tigers +136
The Key: The Tigers are showing nice value at this price against a Dodgers club that has lost 6 of its last 7 at home and each of its last 5 series openers. The Dodgers have been a great interleague fade, dropping 61 of their last 90 interleague games and 39 of their last 54 interleague games vs. a team with a winning record. Kershaw is a solid lefty, but he often gets very little support and the Tigers have pounded the southpaws. They are 12-3 in their last 15 games vs. a left-handed starter and 21-7 in their last 28 interleague games vs. a left-handed starter. Take Detroit.

6* Monday Night Baseball CA$H COW (ESPN) on Yankees +110
The Key: The Yankees have rattled off 8 wins in their last 10 games and are 8-2 in their last 10 on the road. The Yankees are also 6-0 in Nova's last 6 starts on 4 days' rest and 4-0 in his last 4 road starts vs. a team with a winning record. The Reds, meanwhile, are 1-6 in their last 7 interleague games and 1-5 in Cueto's last 6 home starts. Take New York.

7* Interleague Game of the Week on Indians -117
The Key: I really like Cleveland at home tonight. It has won its last 7 interleague games and is on a 5-0 run at home against the Rockies in interleague play. The Tribe is an impressive 22-5 in its last 27 home games as a favorite and 5-0 in Fausto Carmona's last 5 home starts as a favorite. The Rockies are an extremely disappointing 20-50 in their last 70 interleague road games when up against right-handed starter. Take Cleveland.

6* Sunday Night Baseball Bailout (ESPN) on Cubs +168
The Key: The Cubs aren't getting the respect they deserve here when you consider how well they've played the last week. Plus, the Cubs are one of the few teams Sabathia has struggled against. He's just 1-2 (1-3 on the ML) with an ERA of 5.76 in 4 career starts against Chicago. Several Cubs have very good numbers against Sabathia, including Alfonso Soriano (12 for 36 with five homers), Reed Johnson (9 for 30) and Aramis Ramirez (7 for 16). Wells have pitched well his last two times out. Those efforts have led to wins over the Phillies and Brewers. It's also worth noting that the Cubs are 5-2 in Wells' last 7 starts as an underdog. Expect the Yankees to struggle at the plate given this is their first time seeing him.

6* MLB Late Afternoon Annihilator on Mariners +140
The Key: We cashed in a nice winner on the Phillies +132 yesterday but they are clearly being overvalued at this price today. Philly is a lousy 15-24 as a road favorite of -125 to -175 since the beginning of last season. It's also just 2-6 in its last 8 against Seattle. Take the M's, who 10-2 in their last 12 games following a loss.

7* MLB *HEAVY HITTER* on Braves +100
The Key: The Braves are such a solid and gritty team that they just don't get swept that often. They are an impressive 12-2 in their last 14 in the 3rd game of a series and 5-0 in their last 5 following losses in the 1st 2 games of a series. The Braves are also a strong 7-2 in their last 9 games as an underdog. Atlanta has also won 12 of Jurrjens' last 15 home starts. Take Atlanta.

6* Saturday Night Bailout on Phillies +132
The Key: We'll gladly take the better team in this matchup at this underdog price. The Phillies have won 7 of their last 8 and are an impressive 35-16 in their last 51 games following a loss. The M's are 1-5 in their last 6 games following a victory and have lost 17 of their last 22 when matched up against an opponent with a percentage greater than .600. Take Philly.

6* Interleague Underdog CA$H COW on Tigers +145
The Key: The Tigers, who are 6-0 in their last 6 games following a loss, are showing tremendous value at this price when you consider the struggles of Ubaldo Jimenez. The Rockies are 1-7 in his last 8 home starts and 2-11 in his last 13 starts as a favorite. Take the Tigers.

7* Interleague *HEAVY HITTER* on Reds -121
The Key: Volquez has been dealing since getting called by up from the minors and this is the prime time to back him. That's because the Reds are an impressive 22-6 in his last 28 starts when he gets the start following a team loss. They are winning these games by an average of 2.2 runs. Plus, Cincy is 6-1 in his last 7 home starts while the Jays are 0-4 Morrow's last 4 starts overall.

7* Interleague Game of the Year on Twins -126
The Key: The Twins are a perfect 10-0 in Duensing's last 10 starts as a home favorite of -110 or higher. They're winning these starts by an average score of 5.6 to 2.1. The Twins have won 11 of their last 13 while the Padres have dropped 5 of their last 6. Plus, San Diego is familiar with Duensing at all. Take the Twins.

6* Mets -132
The Key: The Halos have lost 8 of their last 11 overall and they have lost 5 straight when Pineiro gets the ball in the underdog role. The Mets have won 14 of their 20 in interleague play and are 5-0 in their last 5 games following a loss. Take New York.

6* Red Sox -114
The Key: The Red Sox are the hottest team in baseball. They've won 11 of 12 and are in position to keep it rolling with interleague play resuming. The Sox have won 78 of their last 107 games against the NL and they're 24-4 in their last 28 games vs. a team with a winning record. The Brewers have struggled away from home this season and have lost their last 5 against Boston. Take the Red Sox.

6* MLB Bailout on D-backs -133
The Key: A San Francisco lineup missing some of its best sticks will have trouble plating many runs against Ian Kennedy, who's 7-2 this season and has a 2.16 career ERA against the Giants. Arizona has won 20 of its last 29 and is on an impressive 8-0 tear in the third game of a series. Take the Snakes.

7* NL East Game of the Month on Braves -120
The Key: Atlanta is 4-0 in its last 4 games after dropping the first two games of a series. It is also on an impressive 11-2 run in the third game of a series and has cashed 27 of its last 39 tickets when valued as a home favorite of -110 to -150. In addition, New York has lost 12 of its last 16 games when Dickey gets the start. Take Atlanta.

6* Cardinals -101
The Key: Lohse threw a complete game 2-hitter in a 5-0 win over Washington earlier this season to improve to 7-2 on the ML in 9 career starts against the Nats. With Lohse on the mound, and Matt Holliday back in the lineup, St. Louis should salvage a game in this series.

7* MLB *HEAVY HITTER* on Mariners -119
The Key: I love the M's at home at this price with Bedard on the hill. He's been dealing and the M's have won 7 of his L8 starts, including 5 straight, as a result. Plus, the Angels are 1-5 in their last 6 games vs. a left-handed starter. Take Seattle.

6* Wednesday Night Baseball CA$H COW (ESPN) on Yankees -126
The Key: Holland has been pure fade material on the road. In fact, the Rangers are just 6-15 in his last 21 road starts. Plus, the Yankees are 7-1 in their last 8 games vs. a left-handed starter. New York's 12-4 win yesterday was its 5th in the last 6 meetings against Texas. Expect the Yankees to continue their winning ways against the Rangers.

6* Early CA$H COW on Dodgers -121
The Key: Despite losing the first 2 games of the series, the Dodgers are still 28-12 in their last 40 against Cincy. Also like the fact that they're 5-2 in Billingsley's last 7 starts vs. the Reds. Plus, the Reds are 2-8 in Wood's last 10 road starts and 0-8 in his last 8 starts vs. the National League West. Take LA.

7* NL Central Game of the Year on Brewers -136
The Key: We'll back the better team with the better starter on the hill in a highly motivated spot. The Brewers are 22-8 in their last 30 overall, 10-1 in their last 11 games following a loss and 7-0 in their last 7 during game 2 of a series. They are 6-1 in Gallardo's last 7 starts and 4-0 in his last 4 starts against the Cubs. The Cubs are 3-11 in their last 14 overall, 0-6 in their last 6 during game 2 of a series and 1-8 in Wells' last 9 starts when he work on 4 days' rest. Take Milwaukee and best of luck.

6* Cardinals -137
The Key: Expect the Redbirds to get back in the win column this evening against a Washington club they've defeated 16 times in the last 22 meetings. They shouldn't have much trouble against Washington starter Yunesky, who is 0-8 on the money line in his first 8 career starts. Bet St. Louis.

6* Blue Jays -147
The Key Toronto has won 23 of its last 25 at home against Baltimore, including 14 in a row. In addition, plays against all AL underdogs with a money line of +100 or higher (BALTIMORE) - terrible offensive team scoring <=4.2 runs/game on the season - after allowing 9 runs or more are 125-45 the last 5 seasons. Take Toronto.

6* NL Central CA$H COW on Cubs -105
The Key: The Brewers have really struggled offensively away from home, hitting just .228 and scoring only 3.3 runs per game. Expect those struggles to continue tonight with Dempster stepping to the mound for Chicago. He's 15-2 with an ERA of 2.90 against the Brewers. Plus, the Cubs have had plenty of success against Wolf, who's just 5-10 with an ERA of 4.40 when starting against them. He's lost his last 3 starts in the series. Take the Cubbies.

7* MLB *HEAVY HITTER* on Marlins -134
The Key: Fading Arizona starter Zach Duke here as he is 0-10 on the money line as a road underdog of +125 to +150 since the start of last season, with his teams losing these contests by an average score of 5.7 to 3.4. Also, the lefty is 0-7 on the money line in his career against Florida, carrying an ERA of 6.49 in those contests. Take the Marlins.

6* Monday Night Baseball CA$H COW on Indians +1.5 -125
The Key: The Indians have an excellent opportunity to win this game outright with the struggling AJ Burnett stepping to the hill for New York. He's so overvalued here that it gives us the opportunity to get 1.5 insurance runs at a decent price. The Yanks have dropped 5 of Burnett's last 7 starts and 17 of his last 22 when matched up against a team with a winning record. The worst possible night of the week to back AJ has been Monday. Consider that the Yankees are 0-7 in his last 7 Monday starts. The Indians are 4-1 in Carrasco's last 5 starts, and he should benefit from New York's lack of familiarity with him. Take the Tribe on the run line.

6* Sunday Night Baseball CA$H COW (ESPN) on Giants -111
The Key: The Reds have lost 10 of 14 on the road and are 0-5 in their last 5 road contests when Volquez takes the hill against a team with a winning record. The Giants, meanwhile, have won 7 of Sanchez's last 9 home starts. Expect the World Series champs to earn a split tonight.

6* D-backs -122
The Key: Arizona has the edge against the struggling Marlins with Kennedy stepping to the mound. He's 3-0 on the road this season with an ERA of 1.62. The Marlins, meanwhile, are just 1-5 in Vazquez's last 6 starts. Take the Snakes.

6* Tigers -115
The Key: Expect the Tigers to bounce back strong behind Scherzer. They are 7-0 in his last 7 starts when getting the ball in the 3rd game of a series and 6-0 in his last 6 starts vs. the American League West. Take the Tigers.

7* AL East Game of the Year on Rays -123
The Key: The best name in baseball (in my opinion) - Dave Price - is 24-5 on the ML in his last 29 starts against the AL East. Now, that's domination. He's been deadly against the Orioles, going 5-1 on the ML in his career with an ERA of 2.52. I don't see Guthrie being able to keep Baltimore in this game. He's 4-9 on the ML in his last 13 starts against the Rays and 3-8 on the ML in his last 11 overall. Take the Rays.

7* NL *HEAVY HITTER* on Giants -110
The Key: The Reds aren't in good hands with the lefty Wood tonight. They are 0-7 in his last 7 starts vs. the NL West and 0-4 in his last 4 Friday starts. Meanwhile, the Giants have done their best hitting against lefties, going 5-0 in their last 5 home games vs. left-handed starters. They are also 4-0 in their last 4 games vs. a starter with a WHIP greater than 1.30. Plus, Giants' starter Vogelsong has an ERA of just 0.64 at home. Take SF.

6* AL Game of the Night on Tigers -117
The Key: Penny has held down the fort at home, going 3-1 (5-1 on the ML) with an ERA of 2.66, while Detroit has dominated lefty starters. The Tigers have won 14 of 19 games against southpaw starters this season while carrying a hefty .357 on-base percentage in those games. This means bad news for Bedard.

6* MLB Underdog CA$H COW on Mets +108
The Key: The Mets are showing good value with Gee taking the mound considering he is 6-0 (8-0 on the ML) with an ERA of 2.90 this season. Also, Mets have won 9 of the last 12 in this series.

6* NL Bailout on Padres -125
The Key: Washington scheduled starter Livan Hernandez is 0-7 on the money line in his last 7 overall starts, 0-7 on the money line in his last 7 away starts and 0-9 on the money line in his last 9 starts at San Diego. Pound the Padres.

6* NL CA$H COW on D-backs -117
The Key: After blowing a 2-1 lead in the bottom of the 10th to fall for a third straight time, expect the D-backs to bounce back strong here. Arizona has still won 16 of its last 22 overall and it is a perfect 6-0 in its last 6 in the third game of a series. Collmenter has been lights out for the Snakes. Expect him to lead them to a 7th straight Game 3 victory this evening.

6* NL Game of the Night on Brewers -156
The Key: The Brewers are 8-0 in their last 8 games following a loss. Plus, they're facing Pelfrey, who is 1-8 on the money line in his last 9 road starts. Wolf is 11-3 on the money line in his last 14 starts against the Mets. Take the Brewers.

6* MLB Run Line Play of the Day on Astros +1.5 -130
The Key: The stros are showing good value on the run line considering the success Norris has had against St. Louis. He's 5-2 (6-2 on the ML) when starting against the Cards with an ERA of 2.66. Plus, the Astros are 10-4 in Norris' last 14 home starts. Garcia, meanwhile, is 0-1 (0-2 on the ML) when starting against the Astros with an ERA of 6.10.

7* MLB *HEAVY HITTER* (ESPN) on Yankees -130
The Key: It's bounce back time for the Yankees, which are 5-1 in their last 6 games following a loss. The Red Sox are 3-7 in Wakefield's last 10 road starts. Burnett is 5-1 with a 3.63 ERA at home this season. Take New York.