MLB
Saturday, June 7
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Hot Lines: Saturday's best MLB bets
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Cincinnati at Florida (-130, 9)
Scott Olsen has been getting way too much credit this year. The hot-headed lefty hasn't been arrested yet in 2008, which is good, but let's not get too excited about that - he's still lost his last three starts.
Everybody got overexcited about this kid when he started the season by pitching his club to eight wins and just one loss, but when you look closer at his numbers, it's clear that those wins weren't all on his arm. This power pitcher has only 32 strike outs this season, and on only one occasion has he whiffed more than five batters in a game. By contrast, he's allowed six home runs in his last four starts and hasn't lasted beyond the sixth inning in any of them.
With numbers like that, bettors would be wise to take their chances with a veteran like Bronson Arroyo, who isn't having the best season of his career, but is still a solid starter on any day. On top of that, the Reds' bullpen has been outstanding in recent games, and the emergence of young sluggers like Joey Votto, Brandon Phillips and Jay Bruce has made the Reds a very dangerous offensive team. Cincy hasn't been hot on the road this season, but as their lineup continues to improve, they'll get great value in away games.
Pick: Reds
Saturday, June 7
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Hot Lines: Saturday's best MLB bets
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Cincinnati at Florida (-130, 9)
Scott Olsen has been getting way too much credit this year. The hot-headed lefty hasn't been arrested yet in 2008, which is good, but let's not get too excited about that - he's still lost his last three starts.
Everybody got overexcited about this kid when he started the season by pitching his club to eight wins and just one loss, but when you look closer at his numbers, it's clear that those wins weren't all on his arm. This power pitcher has only 32 strike outs this season, and on only one occasion has he whiffed more than five batters in a game. By contrast, he's allowed six home runs in his last four starts and hasn't lasted beyond the sixth inning in any of them.
With numbers like that, bettors would be wise to take their chances with a veteran like Bronson Arroyo, who isn't having the best season of his career, but is still a solid starter on any day. On top of that, the Reds' bullpen has been outstanding in recent games, and the emergence of young sluggers like Joey Votto, Brandon Phillips and Jay Bruce has made the Reds a very dangerous offensive team. Cincy hasn't been hot on the road this season, but as their lineup continues to improve, they'll get great value in away games.
Pick: Reds
Comment