Oriole Redemption

Tampa Bay Rays @ Baltimore Orioles (Niemann vs. Matusz)

Today I threw an underdog up for the write up. Baltimore hosts Tampa for game 2 of the 3 game series. Guthrie was solid yesterday (7 innings, 3 runs)-Garza was better-Rays won. I think the Orioles take game 2, Niemann doesn't have good tags in Camden Yards and Baltimore will protect their house. Matusz is starting for the Orioles tonight, and Brian Roberts is unfortunately still injured-but aside from that, I think Baltimore snaps the 4 game skid. I think very highly of the Rays but its a long season and they're gonna get some speeding tickets along the way, and Im predicting they catch one tonight.

Baltimore Orioles (+116)

Also:

LA Angels@ NY Yankees (-170) {Santana@Pettite}

Arizona DBacks @ LA Dodgers (-165) {Kennedy@Kershaw}

Cincinnati Reds@ Florida Marlins (-120) {Arroyo@Robertson}

Yankees, Marlins, Dodgers Win;

Squaring Off With My Cities

Minnesota Twins @ Chicago White Sox (Blackburn @ Buerhle)
The White Sox have dropped their last 3- the 1st 2 in extras to Cleveland, then Minnesota before dropping their 2nd in a row to the Twins yesterday in a 2-1 pitchers duel. No rubber game for the White Sox in this series, this 3rd one is more like a "salvage" game and Im waiting to see what kind of noise Sox manager Ozzie Guillen will stir up in the media after this unfortunate start for his squad (record of 1-4). The Twins have been polar opposites to their contending counterparts, and I wouldn't expect much different throughout the season, they are stacked all over the spectrum of that lineup/rotation. Today the White Sox send out lefty ace Mark Buerhle who has a knack for shutting down the Twins in U.S Cellular. This is the White Sox best and last shot to avoid a home sweep in opening week to the team they will probably be chasing for the AL Central crown. The Twins send out Nick Blackburn who has started his season strong out the gate the last 2 years. Minnesota has opened the season with 6 straight road games as well as today before they start play at their new home, the Target Center. I think the White Sox steal this one in the series, but it will surely be a close game. With that lineup the Minnesota Twins will always put up a fight.
Chicago White Sox (-123)

Toronto Blue Jays @ Baltimore Orioles
The Blue Jays won the 1st 2 at Camden Yards this year, shutting out Baltimore 3-0 yesterday. Jays starter Sean Marcum doesn't have his best performances in this ballpark as recent history would suggest, and the fact that Baltimore got shut out yesterday doesn't help his cause for a win either. The Orioles sends the vet Millwood to the mound in order to snap this home losing streak to the Jays I would expect him to avoid the sweep for his ball club. A key component to the Orioles success with the bat and baserunning is injured (2B Brian Roberts), a definite setback to them. I think the Orioles hold Marcum to an average outing, and Millwood throws an exceptional game-this being his 1st start in his new home park, Camden Yards.
Baltimore Orioles (-117)

Take To The Waters...

L.A Dodgers@ Florida Marlins (V.Padilla vs. J.Johnson)

Seems like the perfect scenario to take Florida. Kuroda shut down the Marlins bats yesterday and the Dodgers cakewalked (I expected). Marlins send their ace Josh Johnson out vs. Dodger vet Vincente Padilla, I expect the former to go deep into the game and pick up the win. Florida can hit, plain and simple and they will have the security of good starting pitching today. It is crucial that the Marlins win the games that Johnson and Nolasco start. The rest of the rotation is suspect to say the least, and in the #3,4,5 spots the Marlins will probably have to rely heavily on outstanding hitting to pull of W's.

Florida Marlins (-150)

Seattle Mariners@Texas Rangers (F.Hernandez vs. M.Harrison)

Seattle has been on a losing streak since the Oakland series and in the wrong circumstances, it would get no easier in Texas. However, today presents good circumstances for the Mariners. The dominance shifts from strong pitching (Oakland) to a hitters park and the bats to back it (Texas) as opposition to the Mariners. Seattle sends out Felix Hernandez, dubbed "King Felix" to handle the Texas lineup. He has an excellent pitching history in Arlington, TX-incredible numbers against the Rangers bats in general. The hype with Felix speaks for itself and more often than not, as observers we know what to expect from him. Matt Harrison has decent #s against the Mariners and you can probably expect a good performance out of him also-although generally he is not very good. If the Mariners are looking to snap a losing streak, or at least until Cliff Lee returns-Felix is the starter to trust.

Seattle Mariners (-150)

Remainders:

(Carlos Zambrano & Aaron Harang must start) CHI Cubs0.0 @ +111

(J Garcia & Y Gallardo must start) MIL Brewers0.0 @ -133
(J Moyer & F Paulino must start) PHI Phillies0.0 @ -137
(V Padilla & Josh Johnson must start) FLA Marlins0.0 @ -150
(M Talbot & Jeremy Bonderman must start) CLE Indians0.0 @ +144
(D Lowe & T Wellemeyer must start) ATL Braves0.0 @ -124
(J Beckett & Zack Greinke must start) KC Royals0.0 @ +109
(Felix Hernandez & Matt Harrison must start) SEA Mariners0.0 @ -150
(C Sabathia & W Davis must start) NY Yankees0.0 @ -138
(Dana Eveland & D Hernandez must start) BAL Orioles0.0 @ -144
(M Latos & J Hammel must start) SD Padres0.0 @ +136

Feature:Dodgers@Pirates, Cubs@Braves

L.A Dodgers @ Pittsburgh Pirates (Game 3 of series) [RF Ramirez-OUT]

There is no reason to be surprised the Pirates took the 1st 2 games of this series. Duke and Ohlendorf are good pitchers, and if you look at the Pirates lineup there is alot of talent with the bats, with Jones, McCutchen and Doumit. Adding Iwamura seems to me like a good move, but the remainder of the season will tell. Dodgers starter Billingsley has pitched well in day games throughout his young career and considering the Pirates took the 1st 2, Ill give Dodgers credit for avoiding the sweep. For the Pirates, Maholm is an underrated starter who looks brilliant at times. He throws well at home, not the best in day games-throughout his young career. I think he will have a decent start today, but the Dodgers win close.

L.A Dodgers (-150)

Chicago Cubs @ Atlanta Braves (Game 3 of series)

The Cubs are heavy underdogs here, the line opened at (+175). I figured Atlanta would be favored b/c of starter Tommy Hanson who had an amazing rookie year (11-4, 2.90 ERA), and the home field aspect, but not this heavily favored. Also, my opinion on constituting a favorite doesn't necessarily mean I expect them to win. This is one of those cases.

The Cubs send out starter Randy Wells who pitched well for them last campaign,(12-10 3.05 ERA). Atlanta can hit, and the Cubs can as well but I'm expecting a pitchers duel here. Whatever happens when the starters get pulled is fair game though as far as manufacturing runs goes. Losing the 1st 2 games of the series, I think the Cubs pull it together and leave Turner Field with a win, avoiding the 3 game road sweep.

Chicago Cubs (+175)

Heres The List:

(Chad Billingsley & Paul Maholm must start) LA Dodgers0.0 @ -150
(B Penny & Bronson Arroyo must start) STL Cardinals0.0 @ -110
(R Wells & T Hanson must start) CHI Cubs0.0 @ +175
(D Willis & B Bannister must start) KC Royals0.0 @ -116
(R Romero & C.J. Wilson must start) TOR Blue Jays0.0 @ +144
(D Fister & B Anderson must start) SEA Mariners0.0 @ +153
(B Matusz & J Niemann must start) BAL Orioles0.0 @ +160
(J Masterson & G Floyd must start) CHI White Sox0.0 @ -136
(K Slowey & J Pineiro must start) MIN Twins0.0 @ +113

Detroit Tigers @ Kansas City Royals

Detroit Tigers @ KC Royals
Arguably the closest knit division in baseball, the American League Central tends to contain well rounded teams, and there does not appear to be much of a heirarchy in the division. We know Kansas City and Cleveland are expected to round out the bottom, but between the White Sox, Twins and Tigers-1st place could likely end up coming down to a 1 game playoff (again). Unless we get some surprises, KC and Cleveland don't have the back end of their pitching rotations, or bullpens to stretch a healthy amount of wins through this season. With all the off-season acquisitions however, it looks like we are in for a competitive race between the projected top 3 teams in the Central.
Arizona Diamondbacks' youthful cornerstone prospect Max Scherzer was dealt to Detroit primarily for hard throwing RH, Edwin Jackson. He blossomed with a few slip ups his rookie year with the D'Backs, but the upside was incredible and the potential on him was outstanding. I bet alot on the D'Backs when he took the mound for a start, and more often than not, whether I played a straight win or a +1 or 2 (run line) they took care of business. I expect a good start from Scherzer tonight, but he could get a bit jittery in the new uniform and an opposing ballpark-even so, I would give the Tigers the merit here. Me favoring Detroit in this game has more to do with Scherzer's counterpart on the mound. KC Royals starter Luke Hochevar still has a tall ceiling to reach, with a bit of experience under his belt and being a highly touted prospect out of the U of Tennessee. He hasn't produced consistently thus far, although showing flashes of brilliance on occasion. I am not willing to count him out yet, but I have seen his numbers and performances against this Detroit Tigers lineup and the results are ugly-they pretty much hammer him every outing. I understand this is a different season, and these pitchers fine tune their mechanics to the point where Hochevar may very well just go out there and shut down all the Tiger bats...but that would be wishful thinking for a Royals fan. It is my belief that Detroit takes the 1st two games in Kansas City, tonight's being the 2nd.
Detroit Tigers (-130).

: Colorado Rockies vs. Milwaukee Brewers

Colorado vs. Milwaukee
Lets start with the similarities. First, Both play in parks owned by prestigious American breweries. Also, both are somewhat in the Midwest region of the U.S- Colorado more so in the Mountain West like the NCAA conference states (what up Chris). Both play in hitters parks, Colorado obviously being more famous for this feat with their intense altitude level, playing on "higher ground". Today's matchup is the 2nd game in this series, Colorado taking the 1st in an ace vs. ace battle (Jimenez vs. Gallardo). Today the Brewers send out newly acquired veteran starter Randy Wolf, a model of consistency throughout his career. The Rockies current roster is batting .216 against him, and although historically he hasn't had much success pitching in Miller Park, keep in mind he was the opposing pitcher everytime he had an outing there. Its now his home ball park, and he had better get used to it, being Milwaukee's no. 2 starter in the rotation. Although early in the season, it will be somewhat important that he makes a good impression tonight, and pitching against a team that has struggled to hit him in the past is a bonus. Also being @ home, and the fact that the Brewers lost yesterday gives me enough of a reason to expect a (W) from Milwaukee tonight. The Rockies send out starting pitcher Greg Smith, in place of often injured Canadian starter Jeff Francis who is spending the start of the season on the DL (again). Greg Smith doesn't give off much of a sampling vs. the Brewers lineup-only Carlos Gomez is 2/3 vs. G. Smith with a HR...and Gomez doesn't really hit home runs.
Milwaukee Brewers (-1) @ -125.

Spectrum is Horizon League vs. ACC**(A Baseball Look As Well)**

Butler Bulldogs vs. Duke Blue Devils

I didn't expect either of these teams to get this far in the tournament, I actually had both teams getting knocked out in the second round...interestingly enough, the teams I had knocking them out respectively (Louisville, Vanderbilt) did not get a chance to, unable to survive elimination in the 1st round. They are to my surprise, in the title game, and although not the 2 best teams in the NCAA this year-we are in for a compelling game. Michigan State lost big to UNC in Detroit last year, dubbed a "home court" for them. Duke isn't last years North Carolina team, and Butler has done nothing to disprove their consistency. Win or lose, chalk one up for the mid-majors, and the Horizon League. Butler +8.

Baseball Plays:

**Minnesota Twins (+1) @ LA Angels {S.Baker @ J.Weaver}

**Seattle Mariners @ Oakland A's (+1) {F.Hernandez @ B.Sheets}