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**bryce** · 09-28-2010, 05:06 PM

Good luck bum!

**StarDust Bum** · 09-28-2010, 05:21 PM

Aces try to propel AL East leaders to playoff berths

After failing to secure playoff berths Monday night, the Yankees and Rays turn to their respective aces to solidify postseason spots on Tuesday. CC Sabathia takes on the Blue Jays north of the border while David Price will get the start against Baltimore in St. Pete. Both teams can clinch a playoff spot with a win or a Boston loss.
NEW YORK YANKEES (93-64)
at TORONTO BLUE JAYS (81-75)

First pitch: 7:07 p.m. EDT
Line: New York -190, Toronto +180 Total: 8.5

CC Sabathia (20-7, 3.26 ERA) will try to pick up his league-leading 21st win of the year Tuesday night, and in the process, attempt to send the Yankees to the postseason for the 15th time in 16 years. The southpaw ran into a world of trouble last start against Tampa where he lasted 5.1 innings, giving up seven runs on 10 hits while taking the loss. Sabathia is 1-1 with a 4.43 ERA over his past three starts. He has good career numbers against the Blue Jays, with an 8-3 mark and a 3.33 ERA in 11 starts against Toronto.

Rookie Kyle Drabek (0-2, 4.91 ERA) opposes Sabathia and makes just the third start of his career Tuesday. Drabek has given up six runs on 13 hits over 11 innings of work in his two outings. The 22-year-old has taken the loss in both of those outings, dropping games to Seattle and Baltimore.

This trend from the FoxSheets points toward a New York victory:

Play Against - All underdogs with a money line of +175 to +250 (TORONTO) - below average hitting team (AVG <=.265) against a good starting pitcher (ERA <=4.20) -AL, cold hitting team - batting .225 or worse over their last 5 games. (55-12 over the last 5 seasons.) (82.1%, +30 units. Rating = 2*)

BALTIMORE ORIOLES (62-94)
at TAMPA BAY RAYS (93-63)

First pitch: 7:10 p.m. EDT
Line: Tampa Bay -240, Baltimore +220 Total: 8

David Price (18-6, 2.84 ERA) will try to do Tuesday what Wade Davis could not do Monday – send the Rays to the playoffs. Price has won his past three decisions and the Rays have won his past five starts. Last time out, Price got the better of CC Sabathia in New York, scattering eight hits and three runs over six innings and picking up the win. The right-hander has been impressive at home this year, taking an 8-2 mark and 2.11 ERA into Tuesday’s game. Price is 3-0 with a 2.59 ERA in four career starts against Baltimore.

Baltimore will send Brad Bergesen (8-10. 4.90 ERA) to the mound. Bergesen has quietly put together a solid string of outings, giving up two runs or less in each of his past five starts. His most recent outing was a win in Boston where he gave up one run in six innings. Just prior to that, he threw a complete game, giving up one run on seven hits in a 3-1 Oriole victory over Toronto. However, the Rays have been a thorn in Bergesen’s side. In three career starts, he is 0-3 with 9.00 ERA and a WHIP of 2.21.

Given Bergesen’s struggles against the Rays, the FoxSheets side with Tampa Bay:

Play On - Home favorites with a money line of -200 or more (TAMPA BAY) - with a team batting average of .265 or worse on the season (AL) against opponent starting a pitcher who gave up 1 or less earned runs last outing. (52-7 since 1997.) (88.1%, +37.3 units. Rating = 3*).

**StarDust Bum** · 09-28-2010, 05:22 PM

Tuesday Tips

Less than a week remains in the baseball regular season with several things undecided heading into October. The AL East is still up in the air, while the NL West and NL Wild Card are in flux. The Rays and Yankees are each taking on division counterparts out of contention, as both teams are basically in the postseason. Meanwhile, the Braves looked to be a team that was a lock to make the playoffs, but they may be sitting at home watching postseason baseball next week.

Marlins at Braves - 7:05 PM EST

Atlanta is 10 games better than Florida this season in the win column, but betting on one or the other all season would have you at even money. Bobby Cox's team is playing for its playoff lives at this point, after dropping five of six at Philadelphia and Washington. The Marlins have played spoiler before on the road, ending the Mets' hopes at the playoffs twice in two seasons (2007-08).

A pair of reliable arms takes the mound as Tim Hudson opposes Anibal Sanchez. Hudson (16-9, 2.80 ERA) is still a dark horse in the Cy Young race, as the Braves' veteran goes for his second win in his last six outings. The former Athletics' righty is winless in his previous two starts at Turner Field, losing to the Cardinals and Mets as substantial favorites. Hudson struck out a career-high 13 batters the last time he faced the Marlins on August 28, beating Florida, 12-3.

Sanchez (12-11, 3.60 ERA) take the mound for Florida, as the right-hander tries to rebound off two subpar starts against the Brewers and Cubs. The 26-year old is 1-3 in his previous four outings as a road underdog, including an 8-3 setback at Milwaukee his last time out. The Marlins are 1-2 in Sanchez's three starts against the Braves this season, as the Fish dropped his lone outing in Atlanta back in July.

The Braves are 9-7 this season against the Marlins, including a 5-2 mark at Turner Field. Florida plated just 10 runs at Milwaukee, as shortstop Hanley Ramirez will likely be out with an elbow injury.

Yankees at Blue Jays - 7:10 PM EST

New York and Tampa Bay continue to go back-and-forth atop the AL East, as the Yankees finish the regular season on the road. The Bombers play the second game of their series at Toronto, as the Jays try to put a damper on New York's hopes of winning the division.

It's a battle of superstar against rookie on the mound as CC Sabathia and Kyle Drabek toe the rubber at Rogers Centre. Sabathia (20-7, 3.26 ERA) is on pace to win his second Cy Young Award winner, even though New York is 1-3 in his last four starts. Interestingly, Sabathia has not faced the Blue Jays this season, as the southpaw won at Toronto last May in his lone start against the Jays as a member of the Yankees. Sabathia has been a solid play as a road favorite recently, going 7-2 his last nine starts.

Drabek (0-2, 4.91 ERA) is still searching for his first Major League victory after coming up short against the Orioles and Mariners. The right-hander was tagged for two homers against the offensively-inept M's in a 6-3 loss as a $1.70 home favorite. Run support is key to Drabek's success, as the Jays have scored just four runs in his first two starts.

The Jays are 9-7 against the Yankees this season, while Toronto has grabbed five of seven home meetings. Toronto is 5-0 in its last five games as a home underdog, while riding a 6-1 run on its current homestand.

Orioles at Rays - 7:10 PM EST

Baltimore has played extremely well since Buck Showalter's arrival, winning 30 of 50 games. The O's snapped a four-game skid with last night's 4-0 victory as Baltimore tries to avoid a 100-loss season. On the flip side, the Rays will try to lock up their second-ever division title, but it will come down to this weekend to decide things.

David Price (18-6, 2.84 ERA) is pitching his best baseball at the right time, as Tampa Bay has won the ace's last five starts, all quality outings. It may be tough to lay the run-line with Price in this spot, with the Rays winning each of his last home starts by one run each over the Angels, Yankees, and Blue Jays. Price is unbeaten in four career outings against the Orioles, including a 9-1 drubbing of Baltimore back in April.

The O's counter with Brad Bergesen (8-10, 4.90 ERA), who has been fantastic over his previous three starts. Bergesen has given up one earned run in each of his last three outings, as Baltimore cashed as nearly $2.00 road underdogs at Boston last Tuesday night. The right-hander will go for his first career win over the Rays following a pair of home losses to Tampa Bay this season.

Tampa Bay has grabbed 10 of 16 meetings this season with Baltimore, including a 4-3 mark at Tropicana Field. The 'under' has profited at the Trop between these teams, cashing in six of seven matchups.

**StarDust Bum** · 09-28-2010, 05:23 PM

Diamond Trends - Tuesday

Athletics at Angels – The Angels are 0-6 since June 24, 2010 when they are off a win in which they came back from a deficit and it is not the first game of a series for a net profit of $715 when playing against.

Marlins at Braves – The Braves are 0-5 since July 11, 2010 when they are off a win in which they had at least three times as many hits as runs and it is not the first game of a series for a net profit of $675 when playing against.

Diamondbacks at Giants – The Diamondbacks are 0-8 since April 13, 2010 as a road 140+ dog after a win in which they had fewer team-left-on-base than their opponent for a net profit of $800 when playing against. The Giants are 0-5 since July 26, 2010 at home after a win and it is the first game of the series for a net profit of $600 when playing against.

Tigers at Indians – The Tigers are 6-0 since August 11, 2010 as a favorite when they lost the last time they faced this starting pitcher for a net profit of $600. The Indians are 5-0 since June 28, 2010 as a home dog after a win in which they had fewer team-left-on-base than their opponent for a net profit of $610.

Brewers at Mets – The Brewers are 0-6 since August 01, 2010 on the road when they came back from a deficit to win in their starter's last start for a net profit of $625 when playing against. The Mets are 0-9 since July 05, 2010 at home after a win in which they drew 5+ walks for a net profit of $1125 when playing against.

Phillies at Nationals – The Phillies are 12-0 since July 22, 2010 on the road when they won the last two games their starter started for a net profit of $1300.

Cubs at Padres – The Cubs are 5-0 since July 06, 2010 on the road after a win in which they allowed 5+ walks for a net profit of $655.

Mariners at Rangers – The Mariners are 0-6 since June 24, 2010 as a favorite after scoring 6+ runs for a net profit of $795 when playing against.

Orioles at Rays – The Orioles are 5-0 since August 27, 2010 on the road when they won the last two games their starter started for a net profit of $780.

Astros at Reds – The Astros are 6-0 since July 19, 2010 after a loss in which their opponent left 18+ men on base for a net profit of $715. The Reds are 0-5 since September 03, 2010 after scoring 6+ runs for a net profit of $620 when playing against.

Dodgers at Rockies – The Rockies are 6-0 since July 30, 2010 as a favorite when they lost by one run in their starter's last start for a net profit of $600.

Twins at Royals –The Royals are 0-7 since April 08, 2010 at home after a win in which they used 5+ pitchers for a net profit of $785 when playing against.

Red Sox at White Sox – The White Sox are 0-6 since September 14, 2010 at home after allowing 6+ runs for a net profit of $690 when playing against.

**StarDust Bum** · 09-28-2010, 05:24 PM

MLB Betting: Giants lead in wild NL West

The San Francisco Giants enter the final week of the baseball betting season as a first-place team once again, one-half game in front of the San Diego Padres. It's the fourth lead change in five days in the wild, wild National League West.
Before the Giants host the Padres this weekend, they must tackle an Arizona team that won two of three at AT&T Park at the end of August. The Diamondbacks come to town on a 5-1 roll.

Top MLB betting action at 5Dimes.com

San Francisco is the leader of the pack because of a 43-38 road record, its first winning mark on the highway since 2004. The Giants are on a 4-2 trip that included a series victory at Coors Field, the Giants' most hostile venue.

San Francisco's Jonathan Sanchez will be on the mound Tuesday night in the series opener seeking his third straight win against the cellar-dwelling Diamondbacks.

The hard-throwing southpaw has allowed one earned run or less in five consecutive starts, an impressive stretch from a guy who has struggled with consistency. The rest of manager Bruce Bochy's rotation has been just as consistent. The Giants have limited the opposition to three runs or fewer in 19 of the last 20 games.

Sanchez lasted only five innings, but struck out 10, on July 23 against the Diamondbacks in a no-decision. He is 6-4 at home with a 3.46 ERA while limiting opponents to a .213 batting average. However, he has yielded 12 homers in 91 innings.

San Francisco is 5-0 in Sanchez's last five starts against Arizona and 4-0 in his past four home starts versus the D-Backs.

Rodrigo Lopez gets the call for Arizona. The veteran right-hander had turned in three straight quality starts to start September before allowing four earned runs last Wednesday against the Rockies.

Lopez is 0-1 with a 7.88 ERA in three previous starts this season against the Giants.

Top MLB betting action at 5Dimes.com

Arizona has floundered in seven of its last nine against southpaws and in five of its last six series openers. The D-Backs have come up short in 10 of 13 with Lopez on the bump. In addition, they have lost nine of his last 11 against division foes and six of seven on the road.

San Francisco has dominated against Arizona at home, winning 50 of 73. The Giants have prevailed in 10 of the past 13 series encounters overall.

The Diamondbacks have strayed ‘under' in five of their last six against left-handers and ended on the low side in 13 of 16 series openers. The Giants have ducked below the number in seven of their past nine at AT&T Park and in 13 of 16 off a win.

**StarDust Bum** · 09-28-2010, 05:25 PM

MLB Odds: Padres in thick of race

The Chicago Cubs and San Diego Padres hook up Tuesday during the second game of a four-game series at Petco Park. The Padres are still in the thick of the postseason chase as they continue to battle San Francisco atop the National League West standings.

The Cubs will conclude yet another season without a World Series title, a feat they have failed to achieve since 1908. Chicago is now playing out the string in a familiar spoiler role.

The NL West Division will most likely crown a winner during a season-ending three-game series when the Padres visit the Bay Area to play the Giants. San Diego enters Monday's action trailing the Giants by just a half-game in the standings, while leading Atlanta by a half-game for the wild card.

Top Sports Betting Action at 5Dimes.com

Most offshore sports books monitored by the Don Best betting odds product opened San Diego as a 165 home favorite over Chicago, with the total set at 6 ½ (over 120). Tuesday's affair is scheduled to start at 7:15 p.m. PT.

Chicago's Ryan Dempster (14-11, 3.87 ERA) is coming off his shortest start since 2003. The veteran hurler was roughed up Thursday by San Francisco 13-0 as a 113 home ‘chalk.'

The 33-year-old was reached for nine runs on seven hits (one home run) with two walks and two strikeouts over just 1 2/3 innings and 53 pitches. The 13 runs slithered ‘over' the 12 ½-run closing total, which ended back-to-back ‘under' outings for the right-hander.

Dempster has not started against the Padres this season, but he did face them twice last year. The native of Canada went a combined 14 innings, surrendering six runs on 11 hits (two home runs) with five walks and 15 strikeouts. The Cubs prevailed as a 154 home favorite, 11-3, while losing as a 206 road ‘chalk,' 6-3. The ‘over' prevailed in both matchups.

Chicago, 35-39 on the road, wraps up its season with a seven-game road trip. The Cubs do sport a 14-3 record their past 17 outings away from home, with the ‘under' going 9-4 during the last 13 MLB matchups.

Top Sports Betting Action at 5Dimes.com

San Diego right-hander Mat Latos (14-8, 2.91 ERA) enters this contest riding a personal three-game losing streak after yielding 16 runs during that period. The second-year player fell to Los Angeles Thursday as a 110 road favorite, 3-1.

Latos went five innings, allowing three runs on six hits with a walk and four strikeouts on 91 pitches. The combined four runs failed to topple the 6 ½-run closing total, ending back-to-back ‘over' outings for the 22-year-old.

Latos beat the Cubs Aug. 19 as a 175 road favorite, 5-3. He tossed seven innings while yielding two runs on five hits with a walk and 10 strikeouts on 91 pitches. The combined eight runs landed directly on the closing total.

San Diego, 44-33 at Petco Park, concludes a seven-game homestand with this series before ending the regular season with three games at NL West rival San Francisco. The Padres have seen the ‘under' go 5-2-1 in Latos' last eight starts.

Tuesday's weather forecast for San Diego, California calls for sunny skies, with a high of 78 degrees and a low of 66.

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