[InTheHole]

Rob Vinciletti

MLB | Jul 05
New York Mets vs. Philadelphia Phillies

Philadelphia Phillies -108

On Sunday the free play is on the Philles.Game 905 at 1:35 eastern.The comps have been solid of late as we cashed the last 2 nights with the Giants and the Yanks.Today we look at the Phils as they go for a back breaking sweep against the under manned Mets.I have a nice system here that plays against the Mets today.What we want to do is play against road teams off a road dog loss that scored 2 or less runs and had 5+ hits if the opponent is off a home favorite win scoring 4 or less runs if the total in the game was posted at 10 or higher.All road teams in this set are 21-62 su.IF our road team comes in favored they are just 3-14 su.Currently the Mets are a slight road fav as they have ace Johan Santana on the mound.Santana has struggled on the road this year with a 5.18 era.The Phils send righty J.Blanton to the mound today and while he has struggled in his home starts this year he has beaten the Mets in his lone start and doesnt have much too face here against the injury riddled Mets.Ny is just 3-7 as a road fav from -100 to -125 this year and 3-8 in Sunday affairs.The Phillies are 9-3 on Sundays and are averaging 6 runs per game in day games this year, and 5.6 runs per game vs leftys.Those looking for a DOUBLE SYSTEM blowout side winner consider the late phone play with one of the systems winning by more than 4 runs per game.Those with me trhe last 2 nights have cashed out big.On Sunday we end the week big.For the free play go with the Phillies.


Big Al McMordie

MLB | Jul 05
Oakland Athletics vs. Cleveland Indians

Cleveland Indians -215

At 1:05pm our selection is on the Cleveland Indians over the Oakland Athletics. Every ace throws in a clunker now and then, and southpaw starter Cliff Lee of the Cleveland Indians threw in a big one in his last start at home against the White Sox, surrendering seven earned runs on 11 hits in just three innings last Tuesday. There doesn't seem to be any rational reason for this as Lee has been great this season in every category except wins, so we'll just chalk that one up to waking up on the wrong side of the bed. Lee must be feeling good about his chances of bouncing back this afternoon against an A's team whose record is every bit as bad as his own team's, and one who Lee has dominated throughout his career. Lee is 4-1 with a 2.39 ERA in nine career starts against Oakland, including an incredible 2-0 with a 0.61 ERA in 2008, his Cy Young winning season. He also gets this start at home and against the unheralded Gio Gonzalez. The Indians offense is healthy once again as it has recently welcomed back to the lineup Grady Sizemore and Asdrubal Cabrera, two of its biggest offensive weapons. The loss of Mark DeRosa may weaken Cleveland's lineup a little bit, but it still has more weapons than the under-powered Oakland batting order. Take the Indians. As always, good luck...Al McMordie.


Robbie Gainous

MLB | Jul 05
Arizona Diamondbacks vs. Colorado Rockies

Colorado Rockies -115

The Diamondbacks and Rockies take the field at Coors on Sunday afternoon for the final game in their three-game weekend set. Arizona will send Dan Haren to the bump with his 7-5 W/L record and ERA of 2.19 on the season. Haren has been solid on the road as well posting a record of 3-1 W/L with an ERA of 2.45. The problem for Haren and his teammates is the Rockies are playing well and have won twenty of their last twenty-seven when facing right-handed starters. Not only that they are 22-5 W/L their last 27 overall which includes 6-0 W/L at home and 5-0 W/L when installed as a home favorite. Colorado will send Ubaldo Jimenez to the hill with his 6-7 W/L record and ERA of 3.74 overall this season including 4-2 W/L when he takes the bump at home with an ERA of 3.79. Jimenez is only 1-1 W/L over his last three starts but in the last two he has pitched well enough to win just didn�t get the run support he needed. On June 23 he gave up four earned runs on the road at the Angels and lost 4 to 3 then on June 29 he gave up two earned runs at the Dodgers and lost 4 to 2. We expect that to change here today as the Rockies are averaging 5.8 runs per game at home this season with a batting average of .278 and an OBP of .358 while the Diamondbacks are averaging only 4.0 runs per game on the road with a batting average of .222 and an OBP of .294. Arizona has struggled in the role of underdog going 24-53 W/L their last 77 games and 18-40 W/L when installed as a road underdog. Combine these factors and angles with the fact the Diamondbacks are only 17-42 W/L their last 59 road games when facing a team with a winning record and we have a super situation with the Rockies at home over the Diamondbacks. So lay the short price with the host as they cash the winning ticket at Coors Field on Sunday afternoon.
Graded Selection: 2* Colorado Rockies 7 Arizona Diamondbacks 3


Craig Trapp

MLB | Jul 05
New York Mets vs. Philadelphia Phillies

New York Mets -110

Rough day yesterday as Craig ended his super hot streak losing his top 5 star play which ended his 3 day winning streak. But 3-1 the last 4 days for his top plays is not horrible. Today Craig has an early 5 star R/L Top play so make sure you don't miss it. Today's Free play is the National League East huge matchup!!

Hard to believe that we are getting the best pitcher in the National League at even money. Santana is going for the NYM today and trying to end a 2 game losing streak for the Mets. Santana had a really tough outing the last time out but just throw it out to a bad night. A ton of injuries have this Mets team at best half strength but if they can score three runs Santana will do the rest. A complete game winner Santana will not give up more than 1 run.

For Philly today they go to struggling pitcher Blanton. Blanton has not won in his last 6 starts and his ERA is over 4.5 in those starts. Today he will get banged around and not make it out of the 6th inning. Another problem for Phillies lately has been the bullpen as they are one of the worst in recent years. PHI has not been great at the plate either only scoring over 4 runs in one game in last 5.

Score: NYM 5 - PHI 1

[InTheHole]

Jeff Benton

N.Y. Mets at PHILADELPHIA (PK)

I scored an easy 4♦ with the Mariners over the Dodgers with my most recent free selection last Saturday, and I’ll return to action today with another complimentary winner as I back the Phillies over the Mets.

Certainly, the starting pitching matchup in this one looks to favor the Mets, with Johan Santana (9-6, 3.34 ERA) squaring off against Philly’s Joe Blanton (4-4, 5.08). And it’s no secret to anyone who’s been with me the last couple of years that I’m not a fan of Blanton at all. That said, I’m willing to overlook the perceived starting pitching mismatch for one basic reason: The Mets are absolutely dreadful right now.

By losing the first two games of this series 7-2 and 4-1, New York has lost seven of its last nine games. The two victories? A 1-0 win at Milwaukee on Wednesday and a 9-8, 10-inning makeup-game victory at Pittsburgh on Thursday. During this nine-game stretch, the Mets have scored two runs or fewer six times, and they’ve been held to three runs or less in nine of their last 12 games. What’s more, in the 10 games that preceded Saturday’s 4-1 loss to the ancient Jamie Moyer, New York had hit .238 as a team, including .232 against right-handers

Now, in full disclosure, the Phillies aren’t exactly tearing the cover off the ball themselves right now. But the offense has come to life a bit in the first two games of this series (11 runs), and Philadelphia has now won four straight games against the Mets while tallying 22 runs.

Finally, as for the great Santana, gotta tell ya, I haven’t been impressed at all lately. The lefty gave up six runs in six innings in Tuesday’s 6-3 loss at Milwaukee, and New York is just 2-4 in his last six starts with Santana yielding a total of 27 runs (25 earned) in 36 1/3 innings (6.19 ERA) while striking out just 18 batters. And if you go back to June 1, the Mets have just 11 wins in their last 31 games.

Throw in Blanton’s strong career numbers against the Mets (1-0, 2.14 ERA in three starts), and I’ll back the better all-around team, at home, in this pick-em spot.

3♦ PHILADELPHIA (based on a 1♦ to 10♦ scale)



Bobby Maxwell

Houston (even) at SAN FRANCISCO

I handed you a FREE winner on Saturday with the Yankees who needed extra innings to take care of the Blue Jays. Today I've got another one for you as I love the Astros in San Francisco against the Giants.

A couple of great pitchers who have had great careers are squaring off in this one, but I like Houston righty Roy Oswalt (4-4, 4.02 ERA) to get the best of the Giants and veteran southpaw Randy Johnson (8-5, 4.70).

Oswalt is starting to finally come around this season, going 1-1 in his last three games witha 2.74 ERA. In his last two starts, he's allowed two runs on nine hits in 15 innings and threw a complete game in San Diego on Monday, winning 3-1.

The Astros have won his last two starts agaisnt the Giants, getting great offensive support in 7-3 and 12-4 wins last season.

Johnson has given up three runs or more in three of his last five games and when he faced the Astros last August, he gave up three runs on eight hits in seven innings of a 3-0 loss.

Houston is 17-7 in its last 24 games against the N.L. West and 20-7 in its last 27 Sunday contests. With Oswalt on the hill, they are 39-14 in his lst 53 starts against N.L. West squads and 4-1 in his last five as a road favorite.

The Astros have won six of the last eight meetings with the Giants and they'll get this one today. I'm backing Oswalt and the Astros.

3♦ HOUSTON



Matt Rivers


Sunday take the number back with the A's at the Jake.


Yes I'm stubborn to back the horrific A's once again as they easily could get drilled here thanks to the monster disadvantage on the mound but bad teams cannot be laying prices such as this and Cleveland is still a bad team!

Gio Gonzalez is not good at all and I'm not going to act like he is. On the opposite extreme Cliff Lee is the reigning Cy Young award winner who can dazzle at the drop of a hat. But with that said Lee was just rocked in that last outing against the White Sox at home and maybe, just maybe, could have a little bit of a tired arm after pitching a lot of innings in the first half of this season.

Both teams have struggled mightily overall this season leading me to believe that truly neither can really stake a claim to ever having such an advantage in a game no matter the pitching matchup.

We will need Holliday or Giambi or Cust or one of the Oakland big boppers to do something today as we are behind the eight ball a bit from the get go but to be able to go against Eric Wedge and his disastrous and underachieving Indians plus this number is too good to totally pass up.

1♦ (out of 5) Athletics


Jake Timlin

Take the Phillies for the sweep as the Mets continue to slide.

In what is a No Brainer I love the Phillies at today’s price tag as with the Mets having lost their last 4 games in the series and 7 of their last 9 games. Even worst news for the Mets is the fact that their ace in Santana has lost 3 of his last 4 starts, including his ugly performance last start out where he allowed five earned runs in a 6-3 loss to Milwaukee.

Meanwhile, for the Phillies they counter with Blanton who while his high ERA and his 0-1 mark over his last four starts benefits big time today facing a weak New York line up still missing Delgado, Beltran and Reyes.

Let face it, with the Mets missing most of their offense they are going to continue to struggle against a motivated Philadelphia team looking for the sweep.

2♦ Philadelphia Phillies

(Based on a 1♦ to 5♦ scale)


Tony Weston

Tough loss yesterday as the Blue Jays blow the game and cost us another win in this spot.

That’s fine because we’re getting back on track as we’re taking the Phillies at home against NL East rival New York.

After a a tough 3-game sweep at the hands of the Braves, the Phillies have come back strong against the Mets with wins in each of their first two meetings in this series. So far, in games 1 and 2, Philadelphia has outscored New York 11-3.

Including the wins so far this weekend the Phillies have taken 4 straight against the Mets and have taken 3 of 4 at home against their NL East rival.

Consider, too, New York has only 2 wins its last 9 games and is just 2-6 its last 8 road games.

The Mets will continue their losing ways and drop another on the road at the Phillies. Take Philadelphia at home in this one.

3♦ PHILLIES (on a 1♦ - 5♦ Scale)

[InTheHole]

Marc Lawrence

Play On: NY Mets w/Santana

Note: The Mets wrap up their holiday series with the Phillies Sunday afternoon when they send ace southpaw John Santana to the mound in Philadelphia. Santana toes the rubber knowing he is 14-5 in his last nineteen team starts in July and 14-6 his last twenty team starts on Sundays. With Santana in sold form, look for him to improve to 7-2 in his career team starts against the Phils here today.



Red Dog Sports

Detroit at Minnesota
Under 9

These two have combined for 66 overs and 90 unders this year. Rick Porcello has 6 overs and 9 unders while Nik Blackburn has 4 overs and 11 unders. Blackburn's ERA is 2.74 in his last 3 starts. Look for an under on Sunday.


Greg Daraban

907 Atlanta at 908 Washington
Lowe vs Olsen
Saturday Washington won 5-3 Lowe a bit over priced and over bet at 6-7 after throwing well opening night. Olsen is 1-4, but Nats can win a series if they nail this one.

Take 908 Washington


Jim Feist

(905) NEW YORK METS
(906) PHILADELPHIA PHILLIES

Take "(905) NEW YORK METS"

Despite all their recent injuries, the Mets are still close in the NL East. Thanks mainly to no team in the NL East really playing all that great with the Phillies and Marlins just barely above .500. The Mets will look to their Ace, Johan Santana to help them knock a game off the Phillies lead today. Santana is 9-6 on the season with a 3.34 era. Most importantly, Santana has had great success in his career against the Phillies with a lifetime 4-0 mark in eight games with a 2.95 era, 16 walks and 49 KO's. Joe Blanton starts for the Phillies and he's been struggling this season. Blanton is 0-1 in his last three starts with a 4.67 era. Blanton's 5.08 season ERA is inflated also. The Mets need a win here on Sunday and Santana is the guy that can give it to them.



Dave Cokin

(929) TAMPA BAY RAYS
(930) TEXAS RANGERS

Take "(929) TAMPA BAY RAYS"

Matt Garza is not as reliable on the road as he is at home, but he's been throwing the ball well and has a decent shot to at least limit the Rangers in today's series windup. Scott Feldman has been a surprise for Texas, but he's facing a very tough offense here. The Rays need this game as the last thing they want is to suddenly hit the skids after climbing back into the AL East race, so I'll lean Tampa Bay's way for the Sunday free play.

[InTheHole]

Karl Garrett

NY Mets at PHILADELPHIA (pick)

G-Man is on a 4-2 comp play run the last 6 days.

NL East series finale from the Bank today, and I am all over the Phillies to garner the sweep of the Metropolitans.

The Mets have now lost 7 of their last 9 games, and even "ace" Johan Santana has been unable to find consistent footing this season, as the southpaw is an un-Santana-like 3-4 with an over 5 ERA away from home this year.

Santana's last start against the Phillies saw 5 runs score in 7 innings of work, but he was able to leave with the win. That won't be the case today, as the New York offense is just non-existent these days, and cannot be counted on to give any New York starter solid run support.

True, Joe Blanton has been non-spectacular this season, but the Phillies are now 3-1 at home against the Mets this season, and have their ducks in a row, as they get the brooms out this afternoon at home.

Phillies to pull of the 3-game sweep.

2♦ PHILADELPHIA



Drew Gordon

Chi. White Sox (-105) at KANSAS CITY

I'm now on a 22-10 roll with the plays I'm giving away, incl. the Marlins over the Pirates 5-3 Saturday! For today's complimentary play, we're looking at the Chi. White Sox/Kansas City match-up.

Good spot to back the White Sox, as they look to rebound from Saturday's 6-4 loss to the Royals. Offensively they were solid, but Gavin Floyd got roughed up by what has been a sputtering KC offense... Look for the Royals to get back to their anemic ways this afternoon, as Clayton Richard gets the nod in this one.

The White Sox southpaw has been much more effective on the road, going 2-0 with a solid 4.02 ERA this season. Not only that, but in his last start against the Royals (also at Kauffman), he was stellar, allowing 2 runs on 6 hits over 7 innings for the win back on May 29th! He also struck out 7 and walked only 1 batter in that effort, making for one of his more effective starts on the year.

The same cannot be said for the Royals Brian Bannister, who despite some solid efforts in June, has NOT fared well against the White Sox, going 2-4 with an astronomical 8.15 ERA in 10 career starts against them! There's no doubt he was excellent in his last home start, limiting the Twins to 1 earned over 7 innings, but he received just 1 run of support in a bitter loss. More of the same today, because even if Bannister can break out of his funk against the White Sox, who's to say their pathetic offense will get anything done against Richard?!

Bottom line, look for the White Sox to get back on track today, as they are clearly playing better ball than the Royals, winners of 7 of their last 8 overall. Not only that, but what appears to be a pitching mismatch is actually an edge for the Sox, as Bannister has traditionally been a disaster against the South Siders. White Sox take care of business Sunday afternoon!

Take the Chicago White Sox behind Richard over Kansas City and Bannister in this MLB match up.

3♦ CHI. WHITE SOX



Sports Gambling Hotline

Detroit (+130) at MINNESOTA

We are on a 55-42-4 comp play run the last 101 days.

Underdog play on Detroit today, as Rick Porcello has already handled Minnesota, and Nick Blackburn once this season, and we expect him to turn the trick once again.

Porcello worked 7 innings without allowing an earned run back on May 5th at home in a win over the Twins. On that day, Blackburn was handed the loss, as he allowed 6 runs in just 3 frames of work.

Detroit was on the short side yesterday, but we like them to take the rubber game this afternoon.

The Metrodome is a tough place to play, but Detroit is 12-11 at Minny's park since 2007, and we like them to improve on that mark in this spot.

Porcello is 8-5 for the year, while his counterpart Blackburn has dropped his last pair of starts for the Twins.

Play on the Motown Cats to leave Minnesota with the series win.

1♦ DETROIT



Chris Jordan

Tampa Bay (-125) at TEXAS

I'm playing a total tonight, as I like this late game.

The nationally televised game between contenders in their respective divisions will come down to which pitcher lasts longer. And while I’m admittedly inclined to side with expert junk-ball specialist Matt Garza, I won’t take my chances against a team that ranked No. 1 in runs scored last season, and is better this season while currently sitting at 13th in the league.

This is a strange Rangers team, which has put up double digits repeatedly throughout the year, only to come back the next night – or two, three, four in a row thereafter – and fizzles at the plate. To wit: the Rangers have scored 10 or more runs five times this season. In their next game they’ve never put up more than five and average 3.4 runs in the immediate game afterward.

That being said, on a night after winning 12-4, I’m being careful with Garza taking the hill, knowing he can set this aggressive lineup and keep it off-balance with his repertoire of pitches.

As for Texas, right-handed Scott Feldman has now started 13 straight appearances after opening the year in the bullpen and has been consistent for the Rangers with a 6-2 record. And while he rolls in with a 4.09 ERA for the season, as a starter that number drops to 3.38. That tells me that once the 26-year-old was able to expand his arsenal and had a bigger pitch count to work with, he was much more comfortable on the hill. In those 13 starts, he’s allowed no more than two earned runs in seven of those outings, and no more than three in 11 of them.

With Feldman toeing the slab, and taking a look specifically at the betting numbers, the under is on runs of 27-11 overall, 7-1 in Arlington and 9-1 against A.L. East foes.

On top of that, and even more relevant to the here and now, the low is 11-4-1 in all of Garza’s starts in 2009, including his last seven starts. Even better, each of Garza’s seven road starts this season has stayed low. The righty’s three starts against Texas last season stayed under.

As a team, the defending American League champion is on under runs of 6-1 overall (4-1 on the road), 5-1 against teams with a winning record and 16-5-1 against right-handed starters. Likewise, Texas brings under tendencies of 37-15-1 overall, 20-7-1 at home, 7-1 against the A.L. East and 22-8-1 against right-handers (13-3-1 at home).


Finally, the under is on a 5-2 run when these two do battle in Arlington. In front of nationally televised audience, look for these two pitch lights out.

2♦ UNDER Rays/Rangers