August 28th Sports Picks

I took a small loss yesterday as I went 3-3 for -138.  I feel really good about a lot of games today.  Here are my picks:

Dodgers -1.5 -115 $230 to win $200
- LA lost a tough game yesterday.  The good news for them is Travis Wood is not pitching for the Cubs.  They get to hit against Edwin Jackson who has been getting hit hard lately.  In his last start he gave up 5 earned runs, 10 hits in 6 innings against the light hitting Padres in San Diego.  On the other side, Nolasco has pitched outstanding over his last four starts.  In his last start he only allowed 2 hits and no runs over 8 innings against a very good Red Sox team.  Ricky is also better in day games (2.81 ERA).

Nationals -1.5 -120 $180 to win $150
- I'm a huge fan of Stephen Stasburg who is capable of shutting out any team.  He gets to face the Miami Marlins today.  Washington has been putting up runs so I like the run-line in this game.

Pirates -1.5 +135 $150 to win $202.50
- Pittsburgh is still a very good team and they are home against the Brewers who have struggled this year.  Morton has been very good over his last four starts.  Gorzelanny has struggled over his last two starts giving up 12 earned runs in 8.1 innings.
  
Phillies -1.5 EVEN $140 to win $140
- Cole Hamels is still a premiere pitcher in this league and he has pitched very well over his last 6 starts and he has been pitching deep into games as he has pitched at least 7 innings in all of those starts.  Matsuzaka goes for the Mets and he probably shouldn't be pitching in the MLB.

Cardinals -160 $160 to win $100
- Adam Wainwright has a 2.58 ERA on the season and 2.06 ERA at home.  He's been on his game over his last two starts giving up just 2 runs, 11 hits and 1 walk in 16 innings.  The Reds looked really flat last night and I don't think they have the energy to win this one.  I reduced my bet to just $160 due to the fact that Homer Bailey has the stuff to shut out any team.  However, he hasn't pitched all that well over his last four starts and has a 5.61 career ERA against St. Louis. 

Dbacks -175 $350 to win $200
- I'm a little nervous about this bet because Arizona has screwed me many times this year but I couldn't pass it up.  Wade Miley has pitched well over his last 10 starts only giving up more than 2 runs in 3 of those starts (3,3,4 ER).  San Diego has sort of fallen back to being a really bad team again.  They are throwing Robbie Erlin, and his 7.15 ERA, out there tonight. 

Tigers -170 $340 to win $200
- Great teams don't have losing streaks and don't get swept at home.  Detroit fits into that definition and I am very confident they come back tonight with some urgency and take care of business against the A's.  Fister has been good over his last 8 starts only giving up more than 2 runs twice (3,4).  He has a career ERA of 2.45 against Oakland and is good at home (3.11 ERA).

Red Sox -150 $300 to win $200
- I really like getting the Red Sox at home for only -150.  Baltimore hasn't been playing well of late and John Lackey has had a great season.  He is much better at home with a 2.07 ERA.  Bud Norris hasn't pitched very well especially over his last two starts where he has given up 11 earned runs and 18 hits over 10.1 innings.  He has a 5.25 career ERA against Boston.

Rays -1.5 +120 $130 to win $156
- Tampa has really impressed me this year.  I think this is their best team they have ever had.  Chris Archer is the real deal and he has a 2.93 ERA on the season.  I don't believe the Angels have seen him before and that's bad news for LA.  The Angels have won four straight but they are dealing with injuries and new players, etc.  I really like the Rays to win this game by more than one.

Jonny