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**StarDust Bum** · 06-14-2011, 06:48 PM

MLB Betting Preview: SF Giants at Arizona Diamondbacks

The National League West division has turned into a two-team race momentarily with the San Francisco Giants and Arizona Diamondbacks opening a three-game series Tuesday night at Chase Field with the first pitch scheduled for 6:40 (PT).

San Francisco will get a chance to enjoy an off day before heading to the desert and is coming off a 6-4 homestand that ended with a series tie against Cincinnati. The Giants are also expected to welcome back third baseman Pablo Sandoval, who hasn’t played since April 29 due to a fracture in his right hand.

Sandoval couldn’t pick a better place to make his return, batting .371 with four home runs and 18 RBIs in 89 at-bats at Chase Field. Those numbers would do wonders in helping the team’s .188 average with runners in scoring position over the last nine games.

Giants starting pitcher Matt Cain (5-4, 3.36 ERA) is slated to make his 20th career start against the Diamondbacks and the third of this season. He is 8-4 with a 3.14 ERA in the previous 19 outings and has registered a perfect 2-0 mark and 1.98 ERA in the previous two starts in 2011.

Cain can only hope that the offense is able to provide him support, as the starting staff didn’t receive more than three runs of support in any game during the recently completed homestand. The ‘under’ went 8-2 over those contests.

The right-hander will need to pitch carefully to a pair of Diamondbacks’ hitters, allowing shortstop Stephen Drew and outfielder Justin Upton to combine for five hits in 11 at-bats.

Arizona will close out a seven-game road trip in Florida Monday night before flying cross country to open this series. The Diamondbacks are 20-13 at home on the year, including an impressive 9-3 mark versus right-handed starters.

Diamondbacks manager Kirk Gibson should have no problem getting his squad motivated for its upcoming series, considering it was swept in a three-game set in San Francisco on May 10-12. In fact, Arizona has dropped five of the first six overall meetings this year.

Josh Collmenter (4-1, 1.12 ERA) is enjoying a fabulous rookie campaign in Arizona and will be looking to lead the team to a fourth consecutive victory with him on the mound. The right-hander has tossed 12 scoreless frames over his last two starts, while allowing just seven hits and compiling nine strikeouts.

It’s certainly surprising results for the 25-year-old out of Homer, Michigan, who has thrown his fastball 70.7 percent of the time and his changeup 24.9 percent of the time. Only 4.4 percent of his pitches have been breaking balls.

Total players will find that the ‘under’ is 9-1 in the last 10 meetings overall, while also falling short of the number in four of Cain’s last five starts in the series.

Weather forecasts suggest triple-digit temperatures for the opening two hours of the contest, which will likely cause the Chase Field retractable roof to be closed.

**StarDust Bum** · 06-14-2011, 06:50 PM

Around the Horn - Tuesday

June 13, 2011

NATIONAL LEAGUE

St. Louis at Washington - 7:05 PM EST (Game 1/3)

Teams Pitcher Notes Team Trends Betcha Didn't Know

Garcia (6-2, 3.20 ERA) 1-4 L5 OVER 8-2 in away Game 1's
Maya (0-1, 5.40 ERA) UNDER 5-1 L6 6-3 in Game 1's off win

Florida at Philadelphia - 7:05 PM EST (Game 1/4)

Teams Pitcher Notes Team Trends Betcha Didn't Know

Volstad (2-6, 5.51 ERA) 1-11 L12 8-2 away in Game 1
Hamels (8-2, 2.58 ERA) 6-2 L8 9-2 L11 vs FLA

N.Y. Mets at Atlanta - 7:10 PM EST (Game 1/3)

Teams Pitcher Notes Team Trends Betcha Didn't Know

Niese (5-5, 3.51 ERA) 6-3 L9 6-2 L8 off road loss
Jurrjens (8-2, 1.82 ERA) 6-0 L6 1-4 L5 home Game 1's

Pittsburgh at Houston - 8:05 PM EST (Game 1/3)

Teams Pitcher Notes Team Trends Betcha Didn't Know

Karstens (3-4, 2.94 ERA) 6-4 L10 6-2 L8 away
Norris (4-4, 3.67 ERA) 2-8 L10 9-0 L9 home vs PIT

Milwaukee at Chicago - 8:05 PM EST (Game 2/4)

Teams Pitcher Notes Team Trends Betcha Didn't Know

Gallardo (8-3, 3.96 ERA) 8-3 L11 15-7 in Game 2
Wells (1-1, 6.50 ERA) 3-12 L15 UNDER 2-5 L7 home

San Diego at Colorado - 8:40 PM EST (Game 2/3)

Teams Pitcher Notes Team Trends Betcha Didn't Know

LeBlanc (NR) 2-5 L7 7-3 L10 away
Nicasio (1-1, 3.50 ERA) 5-4 L9 6-3 at home vs LHP

San Francisco at Arizona - 9:40 PM EST (Game 1/3)

Teams Pitcher Notes Team Trends Betcha Didn't Know

Cain (5-4, 3.36 ERA) 6-4 L10 11-2 L13 vs ARZ
Collmenter (4-1, 1.12 ERA) 6-4 L10 9-3 L12 home vs RHP

Cincinnati at Los Angeles - 10:10 PM EST (Game 2/3)

Teams Pitcher Notes Team Trends Betcha Didn't Know

Cueto (3-2, 1.93 ERA) 4-2 L6 1-4 L5 away vs LHP
Kershaw (6-3, 3.44 ERA) OVER 5-0 L5 9-14 home vs RHP

AMERICAN LEAGUE

Texas at N.Y. Yankees - 7:05 PM EST (Game 1/3)

Teams Pitcher Notes Team Trends Betcha Didn't Know

Ogando (7-0, 2.10 ERA) 2-5 L7 2-8 on Tuesdays
Sabathia (7-4, 3.15 ERA) 5-5 L10 4-2 in Game 1's off loss

Cleveland at Detroit - 7:05 PM EST (Game 1/3)

Teams Pitcher Notes Team Trends Betcha Didn't Know

Masterson (5-4, 3.18 ERA) 2-9 L11 10-3 L13 vs DET
Verlander (7-3, 2.89 ERA) 7-3 L10 9-4 home off home win

Baltimore at Toronto - 7:05 PM EST (Game 1/3)

Teams Pitcher Notes Team Trends Betcha Didn't Know

Jakubauskas (1-0, 4.58 ERA) 5-3 L8 3-0 after 0 runs allowed
Villanueva (4-0, 3.09 ERA) 2-5 L7 10-4 in Game 1's off loss

Boston at Tampa Bay - 7:10 PM EST (Game 1/3)

Teams Pitcher Notes Team Trends Betcha Didn't Know

Wakefield (3-1, 4.84 ERA) 9-0 L9 14-1 away off away win
Shields (5-4, 2.85 ERA) 6-3 L9 3-1 off 1-run loss

Chicago at Minnesota - 8:10 PM EST (Game 1/3)

Teams Pitcher Notes Team Trends Betcha Didn't Know

Floyd (6-5, 3.89 ERA) 5-2 L7 4-0 L4 Tuesdays
Pavano (3-5, 4.54 ERA) 8-2 L10 OVER 8-4 at home vs RHP

Kansas City at Oakland - 10:05 PM EST (Game 1/3)

Teams Pitcher Notes Team Trends Betcha Didn't Know

Duffy (0-2, 5.55 ERA) 3-8 L11 away 5-12 away vs RHP
Cahill (6-4, 3.18 ERA) 1-12 L13 1-6 L7 vs LHP

L.A. Angels at Seattle - 10:10 PM EST (Game 2/3)

Teams Pitcher Notes Team Trends Betcha Didn't Know

Weaver (7-4, 2.24 ERA) 1-7 L8 9-13 in Game 2's
Fister (3-7, 3.40 ERA) 4-4 L8 1-4 L5 Tuesdays

**StarDust Bum** · 06-14-2011, 06:52 PM

Diamond Trends - Tuesday

June 14, 2011

SU TREND OF THE DAY:

The Phillies are 18-0 since April 05, 2010 as a 200+ favorite and it is the first game of the series for a net profit of $1800.

OU TREND OF THE DAY:

The Angels are 0-15-2 OU since May 29, 2010 as a favorite when they lost by one run in their starter’s last start for a net profit of $1500 when playing the under.

STARTER TREND OF THE DAY:

The Athletics are 13-0 since June 06, 2009 when Trevor Cahill starts at home after facing 25 or fewer hitters for a net profit of $1330.

MLB BIBLE TREND OF THE DAY:

The Indians are 7-0 (+3.3 rpg) since 2004 as a 170-plus dog in a series opener when they are off a win in which they used at least four pitchers.

TODAY’S TRENDS:

The Tigers are 7-0 since May 16, 2010 at home after a win in which they had more than ten team-left-on-base for a net profit of $730.

The Athletics are 9-0 since August 11, 2010 as a favorite when they blew a lead in their starter’s last start and lost for a net profit of $900.

The Braves are 8-0 since April 30, 2010 at home when they are off a loss in which they never led and it is the first game of a series for a net profit of $800.

**StarDust Bum** · 06-14-2011, 06:53 PM

Ogando-Sabathia open three-game set in the Bronx

TEXAS RANGERS (36-31)

at NEW YORK YANKEES (36-28)

First pitch: Tuesday, 7:05 p.m. EDT
Line: New York -135, Texas +125, Total: 8.5

Texas pitcher Alexi Ogando looks to continue his perfect start when the Rangers visit the Bronx on Tuesday night to begin a three-game series against the Yankees. New York will likely be without SS Derek Jeter who injured his right calf in Monday’s loss to Cleveland.

Ogando (7-0, 2.10 ERA) has been brilliant in his 12 starts this season. He's allowed just 55 hits in 81.1 innings to go with 60 strikeouts, a major-league-leading WHIP of 0.90. His opponents' batting average of .188 ties Josh Beckett for the majors’ best mark and his opponents’ on-base percentage (.245) is tied for the MLB lead with Justin Verlander. In Ogando’s last trip to the mound last Wednesday, the right-hander threw 7.2 innings and surrendered one run and six hits in a 7-3 victory over Detroit. It marked the eighth time in 12 starts he's allowed one run or less in a game. But one of his worst performances of the season came at New York on April 17, when he allowed five earned runs, including three homers, in 6.1 innings of a 6-5 Rangers loss to the Yankees. That was just the second time all season he's given up more than two runs in a game. Ogando is 1-0 with a 5.00 ERA in five career appearances versus the Yankees (one start), but he's 2-0 with a 2.36 ERA in five road starts in 2011.

New York will send CC Sabathia (7-4, 3.15 ERA) to the mound on Tuesday. The left-hander has pitched at least six innings in 13 of 14 starts this season, but he's coming off his worst outing of the year. Sabathia matched a season-high by allowing six earned runs and eight hits in 6.2 innings of an 8-3 loss to Boston on Thursday. He had won his previous four starts prior to that game, and had pitched at least eight innings in each of those contests. Sabathia has faced Texas twice this season, picking up a win and a no-decision in two starts. In a home game versus the Rangers on April 17, a 6-5 New York win, he allowed four earned runs and eight hits in 6.1 innings, but got a no-decision. And in a 12-5 Yankees win at Texas on May 8, he pitched six innings and gave up three earned runs en route to the victory. That gave the big lefty a 10-3 lifetime record against the Rangers despite his subpar 4.57 ERA and 1.50 WHIP he carries in those 18 career starts facing Texas. Sabathia is 2-2 with a 4.07 ERA in seven home starts in 2011.

The Yankees are 4-2 against the Rangers this season. New York took two of three games from the Rangers at Yankee Stadium on April 15-April 17 and won two of three games at Texas on May 6-May 8. Even without Jeter in the lineup, the Yankees have enough firepower to scratch a few runs off Ogando and win Tuesday’s series opener.

This pair of three-star FoxSheets trends also like New York to get the victory.

Play On - Home teams (NY YANKEES) - good power team - averaging 1.25 or more HR's/game on the season against opponent with a hot starting pitcher- WHIP <= 1.100 over his last 10 games. (45-18 over the last 5 seasons.) (71.4%, +29.4 units. Rating = 3*).

Play Against - Road underdogs with a money line of +100 to +150 (TEXAS) - where team's hitters strike out 6 or less times/game on the season, after scoring 2 runs or less 2 straight games. (60-21 over the last 5 seasons.) (74.1%, +32.8 units. Rating = 3*).

**StarDust Bum** · 06-14-2011, 06:55 PM

Weaver looks to keep Mariners bats quiet on Tuesday

LOS ANGELES ANGELS (32-36)

at SEATTLE MARINERS (34-33)

First Pitch: Tuesday, 10:10 p.m. EDT
Line: Los Angeles -135, Seattle +125, Total: 6.5

The Angels and Mariners continue their three-game series at Safeco Field on Tuesday after Dan Haren finally received some run support and defeated Seattle 6-3 on Monday.

The Angels will throw another dominant starter on Tuesday, one who has received little run support this season, in Jered Weaver (7-4, 2.24 ERA). Weaver’s last start against the Rays saw him allow just three runs in 7.2 IP, but the Angels supported him with no runs while he was in the game. Los Angeles tied the game after he left, but eventually lost in extra-innings. Weaver has posted a 3.29 ERA and held batters to a .219 BA, but is just 1-4 in his past eight starts, as the Angels have supported him with just 10 total runs over that span.

The lack of scoring has been more prevalent on the road. Weaver is 0-3 with a 3.33 ERA in four away starts while getting just three total runs of support and none in the past two games, including a 3-0 loss at Seattle on May 18. He allowed three runs in six innings of that matchup and hasn't won outside Los Angeles since tossing a six-hitter in a 4-1 win at Texas on April 20. Weaver’s loss to Seattle this season snapped a span which he dominated the Mariners. Prior to his start this season against the Mariners, Weaver was 4-0 with a 1.05 ERA and 0.80 ERA in his previous six starts.

The Mariners will throw Doug Fister (3-7, 3.40 ERA) on Tuesday. Fister has a 4.20 ERA in losing his past two starts, but the offense backed him with just one total run. He gave up four runs and seven hits in eight innings of a 4-1 loss to Detroit on Thursday, equaling his longest outing of the season. He is 1-1 with a 3.54 ERA in four career starts against the Angels, but lost his only road matchup July 15. He was tagged for six runs and 12 hits while lasting 5.2 innings.

Ichiro continued his hot streak since ending his streak of 255 consecutive games played on Friday when he was given a day off by manager Eric Wedge. After hitting just .149 over his previous 21 games, Ichiro has recorded three straight multi-hit games for just the second time this season, going 6-for-13 over that span.

The Mariners offense is struggling again after scoring 24 runs over a four-game span from June 2-5. Since then, Seattle has scored just 24 total runs and hit .220 as a team in losing five of eight. Jered Weaver is hardly the recipe for a struggling offense, so I like Los Angeles to win again on Tuesday.

So do the FoxSheets, according to this three-star trend.

Play On - All teams with a money line of -100 to -150 (LA ANGELS) - AL team with a low on-base percentage (<=.320) against a team with a good bullpen (WHIP <=1.350), with an on-base percentage of .300 or worse over their last 10 games. (92-38 over the last 5 seasons.) (70.8%, +46.3 units. Rating = 3*).

**StarDust Bum** · 06-14-2011, 06:56 PM

Cueto-Kershaw meet for Tuesday rematch in L.A.

CINCINNATI REDS (35-33)

at LOS ANGELES DODGERS (31-37)

First Pitch: Tuesday, 10:10 p.m. EDT
Line: Los Angeles -130, Cincinnati +120, Total: 6.5

The Dodgers lost the first game of their season-high 12-game homestand on Monday when Bronson Arroyo and the Reds defeated them 6-4. On Tuesday, Clayton Kershaw (6-3, 3.44 ERA) and Johnny Cueto (3-2, 1.93 ERA) will face each other for the second time in just over a week when they each take the mound at Dodger Stadium.

Cueto is coming off perhaps his best outing of the season, pitching seven shutout innings and striking out a season-high eight batters in a 3-0 win at San Francisco. Cueto has allowed 3 ER or fewer in all seven of his starts this season, including 0 ER in three of those outings, with one of those being his June 4 start against the Dodgers. He allowed two runs in seven innings earning a no-decision in the Dodgers 11-8, 11-inning victory. He's 0-3 with a 4.50 ERA in his four starts against Los Angeles.

Kershaw has been awful in his past two outings, which includes his start against the Reds and Cueto on June 4. Kershaw has allowed 6 ER in each of those starts, but has received a no-decision in each of them thanks to the Dodgers scoring 18 total runs in those games. Prior to those two starts, Kershaw had posted a 2.62 ERA and was coming off his best performance of the season, a two-hit shutout against the Marlins on May 29. Kershaw is 1-1 with a 3.86 ERA in four career starts against the Reds.

After hitting .322 while scoring 60 runs in the final nine games of their road trip, the Dodgers collected just six hits and scored just four runs on Monday. Matt Kemp continued his hot streak on Monday, and is hitting .474 (18-38) with 7 HR, 16 RBI and 12 runs scored in his past 11 games. Kemp loves seeing Johnny Cueto, as he is 5-for-9 with 2 HR in his career against him. Despite winning on Monday, the Reds have lost 11 of their past 16 road games. I like the Dodgers to get back on track offensively and continue the success they have had against Cueto in his career. I’m taking Los Angeles who is 5-2 in Kershaw’s seven home starts this season.

The FoxSheets provide two more highly-rated reasons to choose the Dodgers.

Play On - Home teams (L.A. DODGERS) - with a starting pitcher whose ERA is 3.70 or better on the season (NL) against opponent with a starting pitcher whose WHIP is 1.050 or better on the season-NL. (182-107 since 1997.) (63%, +78.4 units. Rating = 3*).

Play Against - Road teams (CINCINNATI) - with a starting pitcher whose WHIP is 1.050 or better on the season-NL against opponent with a starting pitcher whose WHIP is 1.150 or better on the season-NL. (83-44 since 1997.) (65.4%, +39.6 units. Rating = 3*).

**StarDust Bum** · 06-14-2011, 06:57 PM

Jurrjens looks to add to Mets misery in Atlanta

NEW YORK METS (32-34)

at ATLANTA BRAVES (38-29)

First Pitch: Tuesday, 7:10 p.m. EDT
Line: Atlanta -145, New York +135, Total: 7

The Mets travel to their house of horrors on Tuesday night to start a three-game series against the Braves at Turner Field. The Mets are 39-80 (.328) all-time at Turner Field, including losing two of three in Atlanta in April.

Jon Niese (5-5, 3.51 ERA) will start for the Mets. Niese has pitched very well recently after getting off to a woeful start. Since starting the season 1-4 with a 4.71 ERA and the Mets winning just two of his first six starts, Niese is 4-1 with a 2.56 ERA and leading New York to a 5-2 mark in his past seven starts. Niese started his career very well against the Braves, shutting them out and allowing just six hits over eight innings in earning his first career win in his second major-league start on September 13, 2008. Since then, he is 0-2 with a 3.76 ERA in five starts against them. He allowed just 2 ER in 7.2 IP in getting a no-decision against the Braves on June 3, after a Jose Reyes error that would have ended the inning with the Mets in the lead, allowed the tying run to reach base and eventually score.

The Braves, who had their six-game win streak snapped on Monday, will counter with Jair Jurrjens (8-2, 1.82 ERA) who is looking for revenge on New York after losing to the Mets on June 4. Jurrjens allowed a season-high four runs (3 ER) in 6.1 IP in a 5-0 loss at Citifield. In his first start against the Mets this season, Jurrjens was dominant, allowing just two hits in seven scoreless innings. He has been perfect against the Mets in his career at Turner Field, going 5-0 with a 1.38 ERA in his five starts. Jurrjens leads the majors with a 1.82 ERA this season, and is tied for second with eight wins.

Jordan Schafer has been hot offensively for the Braves, scoring five runs in his past four games, while Brian McCann (0-for-6 with 3 K career against Niese) is hitting .400 (20-for-50) with 5 HR and 12 RBI in his past 13 games. After hitting just .106 (10-for-94) with 22 K in his previous 26 games, Dan Uggla is 5-for-15 in his past four games, and is 6-for-16 in his career against Niese. Uggla’s .180 BA this season is the lowest amongst qualifiers for the batting title.

Although the Mets have been playing well recently (6-3 in their past nine games), and hitting the ball well (.291 team BA in their past 21 games) it’s hard to imagine them continuing to win consistently without Ike Davis (calf strain) and David Wright (lower-back fracture), who will be out AT LEAST until after the All-Star break, and there is talk both could miss the season if they don’t show progress in their next examination. Both will be re-examined next week. Jose Reyes, Carlos Beltran and Angel Pagan – arguably the best three hitters in the Mets lineup right now – are a combined 7-for-66 (.104) against Jurrjens, who will continue his dominance of New York at Turner Field. I like Atlanta to win in Tuesday’s opener and eventually sweep this three-game series.

The FoxSheets also like the Braves, based on these three-star trends.

Play On - Home teams (ATLANTA) - starting a pitcher who did not walk a hitter last outing against opponent with a hot starting pitcher- ERA less than 2.50 over his last 3 starts. (146-86 over the last 5 seasons.) (62.9%, +55.5 units. Rating = 3*).

Play On - All favorites with a money line of -125 to -175 (ATLANTA) - bad offensive team (<=4.1 runs/game) against a good starting pitcher (ERA<=3.70) (NL), with a good bullpen whose WHIP is 1.350 or better on the season. (51-16 since 1997.) (76.1%, +29.4 units. Rating = 3*).

**StarDust Bum** · 06-14-2011, 06:58 PM

Indians-Tigers battle for 1st place in AL Central

CLEVELAND INDIANS (35-29)

at DETROIT TIGERS (36-30)

First Pitch: Tuesday, 7:05 p.m. EDT
Line: Detroit -175, Cleveland +165, Total: 7.5

The Indians and Tigers start a three-game series at Comerica Park on Tuesday, as both teams find themselves in a tie for first in the AL Central.

Justin Masterson (5-4, 3.18 ERA) will start for Cleveland, who won on Monday for just the second time in its past 11 games. Masterson started the season 5-0 with a 2.25 ERA in his first six starts, with the Indians winning each one. He has struggled since, going 1-4 with a 3.97 ERA in his past seven starts, in which the Indians are 1-6. This is Masterson’s second start against the Tigers this season. He received a no-decision after going seven innings and allowing three runs (2 ER) in a win over Detroit at Progressive Field on May 1. Masterson struggled against the Tigers before that start, going 0-2 with a 6.10 ERA in his six career appearances against them (three starts).

Justin Verlander (7-3, 2.89 ERA) takes the mound for the Tigers, looking to stay on his current streak of dominance. Since throwing his no-hitter against the Blue Jays on May 7, Verlander is 5-0 with a 2.14 ERA and 0.75 WHIP, while the Tigers have won six of his seven starts. However, he has struggled against the Indians in his career, going 10-11 with a 5.11 ERA in his 24 starts. The Tigers have won 11 of their past 15 games thanks to a resurgent offense which has hit .303 and averaged 5.3 runs per game over that span.

The Indians have won six straight against the Tigers, but all those losses were at Progressive Field where they have dropped 11 straight. The story has been much different in Detroit, as the Tigers have won five straight against Cleveland at Comerica Park. The Indians are struggling right now and I like Verlander and a now-potent offense of Detroit to take over first place with a win on Tuesday.

The FoxSheets provide a pair of three-star trends backing the Tigers.

Play On - Home teams (DETROIT) - below average hitting team (AVG <=.265) against an excellent starting pitcher (ERA <=3.20) -AL, with a good bullpen that converts on 75%+ of their save opportunities. (73-34 over the last 5 seasons.) (68.2%, +40.6 units. Rating = 3*).

Play Against - Road underdogs with a money line of +150 or more (CLEVELAND) - with a starting pitcher whose gives up 0.5 or less HR's/start, with a team batting average of .255 or worse on the season (AL). (143-45 since 1997.) (76.1%, +59.5 units. Rating = 3*).

**StarDust Bum** · 06-14-2011, 06:59 PM

D-backs try to take Giants' top spot in NL West

SAN FRANCISCO GIANTS (37-29)

at ARIZONA DIAMONDBACKS (37-30)

First pitch: Tuesday, 9:40 p.m. EDT
Line: Arizona -115, San Francisco +105, Total: 7.5

Look whose stalking who?

On Friday May 13, the Arizona Diamondbacks lost to the Dodgers to fall to 15-22 and just ½-game out of last place in the NL West. They trailed the defending World Series champion Giants by 5.5 games and were showing few signs of being a contender. That was then. Twenty-two wins and eight losses later, this is now. The D-backs now trail first place San Francisco by a mere half-game, and will see how they measure up against the battered and bruised champs when they begin a three-game series in Phoenix on Tuesday night.

Arizona will send surprising rookie Josh Collmenter (4-1) to the mound. Collmenter has appeared in 13 games overall, and will be making his seventh start for the team. For the season he has an amazing 1.12 ERA, a figure that becomes even more miniscule when you consider that in his six starts, his ERA is 1.05. In two home starts, Collmenter has pitched 13 innings and has not allowed a run. His K-to-BB ratio for the season is 30 strikeouts against seven walks. He has only allowed 28 hits in 48.1 innings, and as small as his ERA is, his WHIP of 0.73 might be even more impressive. Opponents are hitting just .163 against him. The Giants will be facing him for the first time, and they will notice that Collmenter has an unorthodox delivery that makes some pitches appear harder than they appear. "You look at the radar gun," manager Kirk Gibson told MLB.com, "and his ball comes out much faster than the radar gun says, just because he throws with so much deception. We've all seen those guys who throw 97 [mph] and get lit up. So there's a lot to be said for the other elements that make a pitcher successful. And Collmenter possesses those up to this point."

The Diamondbacks have won four of five and are coming off a big offensive night and series against the Marlins. Arizona scored 30 runs against the Marlins over four games, a dozen of those runs came in Monday night’s 12-9 slugfest over Florida in which the D-backs collected 14 hits. Arizona, which is in the top 10 in the league in runs scored, tallied nine of those runs in the first three innings.

The struggling Giants, who are hitting .230 as a team, almost rock-bottom in the league in BA, are in dire need of offense on the heels of losing Buster Posey for the season, and most recently losing leading hitter Freddy Sanchez for what could be an extended period of time due to a gruesome shoulder injury. Luckily for San Francisco, Pablo Sandoval (hand) is scheduled to return from the DL for Tuesday’s game. The 24-year-old Sandoval had a down year in 2009 (.268 BA, 13 HR, 63 RBI in 152 games), but started 2010 red-hot, batting .313 with 5 HR and 14 RBI in just 24 games.

Right now San Francisco’s best offense might be a great pitching effort, which is what Matt Cain will try and deliver for them. Cain is 5-4 on the year with an ERA (3.36), which looks monstrous next to Collmenter’s 1.12 mark. Cain has won two of his last three starts, including his most recent outing, a complete game 3-1 victory over the Nationals, in which he allowed just five hits, one earned run and struck out 11. Cain has enjoyed considerable success in 19 career starts against Arizona, going 8-4 with a 3.14 ERA and 1.12 WHIP. Cain has won his past two outings versus the D-backs, including victories he earned just this past April and May.

Other than the returning Sandoval, the team’s top offensive threat is Aubrey Huff, who leads the Giants in HR (8) and RBI (34). The Giants are not looking for a slugfest. The 30 runs that Arizona produced during a long four-game set in South Florida over the weekend exceeds the 24 runs that San Francisco has tallied in its past 10 games. Bruce Bochy’s team would rather get caught up in a pitchers duel, one in which Cain shuts down Arizona like he has in the past.

The pick here is for the defending champs to figure out the mystery of Josh Collmenter and prevail in a low scoring contest. The FoxSheets provide three more highly-rated reasons to take underdog San Francisco, which is 31-11 (+18.3 Units) in the past three seasons versus Arizona.

Play On - All underdogs with a money line of +100 to +150 (SAN FRANCISCO) - allowing 3.8 or less runs/game on the season (NL) against opponent with a hot starting pitcher- WHIP <= 1.000 over his last 3 starts. (43-23 over the last 5 seasons.) (65.2%, +29.5 units. Rating = 3*).

SAN FRANCISCO is 70-34 (67.3%, +36.6 Units) against the money line with an on-base percentage of .310 or worse over their last 20 games over the last 2 seasons. The average score was SAN FRANCISCO 4.0, OPPONENT 2.8 - (Rating = 3*).

Play Against - Any team (ARIZONA) - average offensive team (4.3 to 4.8 runs/game) against a good starter (ERA<=3.70) (NL), with a starting pitcher whose WHIP is 1.050 or better on the season-NL. (61-37 over the last 5 seasons.) (62.2%, +35.1 units. Rating = 3*).

**StarDust Bum** · 06-14-2011, 07:00 PM

Hanley Ramirez set to return Tuesday vs. Phillies

FLORIDA MARLINS (32-33)

at PHILADELPHIA PHILLIES (40-26)

First pitch: Tuesday, 7:05 p.m. EDT
Line: Philadelphia -205, Florida +187, Total: 8

One of the benefits about living in a city with multiple professional sports teams whose seasons overlap is that when one of your hometown favorites is struggling, there is another team you can turn to, to lift your spirits. Take Miami for example, despite the fact that the Dolphins are off the radar in the middle of the NFL lockout that has no end in sight, and the Florida Panthers finished their season with the worst point total in the NHL’s Eastern conference, fans in South Florida still have the Miami Heat and the Florida Marlins to get excited about!

OK, they have the Florida Marlins to get excited about, losers of 11 of their past 12 games.

If that doesn‘t do it for you, the Miami Hurricanes home opener is three months from Friday.

It’s been a very hard two weeks for sports enthusiasts in South Florida, as the Florida Marlins have been fading faster than LeBron James in the fourth quarter. As May ended, the Marlins were 31-22 and trailed the first-place Phillies by only two games. On Tuesday, they enter play 7½ games behind Philly, and are much closer to last place Washington (2½ games better), as they begin a four-game series in the City of Brotherly Love. If that wasn’t enough of a dilemma, they will be facing Cole Hamels, who is maybe the toughest pitcher in the NL this year not named Roy Halladay.

Hamels enters the contest 8-2 with a 2.58 ERA and a 0.95 WHIP. He has won two of his past three decisions, including his last outing against the Dodgers, 2-0, when he struck out nine, walked none and allowed six hits during eight innings of shutout baseball. Over his past three outings, Hamels’ control has been pinpoint. In his past 23 innings he has struck out 23 batters and walked just three. While Hamels has won two of his past three outings against Florida, the Marlins have shown that they can handle and defeat him. Hamels is 4-7 with a 3.65 ERA and 1.17 WHIP in 16 career starts against Florida, and his team is only 6-10 in these starts. In his one start against the Marlins this season, Hamels took a no-decision on April 17, when he pitched seven innings, allowing seven hits and two earned runs, striking out seven.

The Phillies are in the middle of the pack in baseball in terms of runs scored, and the issue of the inconsistent offense has been much discussed in town. One positive sign for the team is the play of Chase Utley, with his bat and his glove. Utley presently has a five-game hitting streak, is coming off back-to-back, multi-hit games, had four RBI in a win on Saturday, and made a dazzling running catch in the ninth inning Sunday with the tying run on base that ended the game, helping the Phillies take three of four from the Cubs.

Florida will counter with right-hander Chris Volstad (2-6, 5.78 ERA). For a team that has lost 11 of 12 and is beginning a seven-game road trip, on paper, Volstad would appear to be the wrong choice. In five games away from home, he is 0-2 with an ERA of 7.56. Volstad has lost his past three outings, allowing 20 hits (4 HR) and 11 runs over these 17 innings. Against Philly for his career, he is 2-3 with a 4.44 ERA and 1.46 WHIP. His team's record is 3-7 in these starts. He took three no-decisions against Philadelphia last season, with his team going on to lose all three games.

Florida is in the bottom third of the league in runs scored and batting average. Last week the team fired its hitting coach John Mallee and replaced him with former MLB player Eduardo Perez. Another boost to the offense is star shortstop Hanley Ramirez, who will be activated from the DL on Tuesday (back strain). Despite the fact that Ramirez is only hitting .210 on the season with four HR and 17 RBI, the Marlins will take whatever good news they can find, which has been in very short supply the last two weeks in South Florida. Fortunately, (or unfortunately depending on your point of view) Marlins fans won’t have to make a “decision” over what to watch on TV, a baseball game from Philly, or Game 7 of the NBA Finals.

Despite their recent struggles, the Marlins have tallied 21 runs in their past four games, and have a strong track record against Hamels. The pick here is heavy underdog Florida, which is supported by this pair of highly-rated FoxSheets trends.

Play On - All underdogs with a money line of +100 or higher (FLORIDA) - with an excellent bullpen whose ERA is 3.00 or better on the season, with a tired bullpen - after 3 straight games throwing 4+ innings. (35-14 since 1997.) (71.4%, +30.2 units. Rating = 4*).

Play Against - Any team (PHILADELPHIA) - poor NL offensive team (<=4.1 runs/game) against a team with a good bullpen (ERA<=3.75), with a hot starting pitcher- WHIP <= 1.000 over his last 3 starts. (66-38 over the last 5 seasons.) (63.5%, +25.4 units. Rating = 2*).

**StarDust Bum** · 06-14-2011, 07:21 PM

Tuesday, June 14

Game Score Status Pick Amount

Texas - 7:05 PM ET Texas +133 500
NY Yankees - Over 8.5 500

Cleveland - 7:05 PM ET Detroit -176 500
Detroit - Over 7.5 500

Florida - 7:05 PM ET Florida +192 500
Philadelphia - Over 8 500

St. Louis - 7:05 PM ET Washington +134 500
Washington - Over 8 500

Baltimore - 7:07 PM ET Toronto -147 500
Toronto - Over 9 500

Boston - 7:10 PM ET Boston +117 500
Tampa Bay - Over 9 500

NY Mets - 7:10 PM ET NY Mets +142 500
Atlanta - Under 7 500

Milwaukee - 8:05 PM ET Milwaukee -134 500
Chi. Cubs - Over 8 500

Pittsburgh - 8:05 PM ET Pittsburgh +106 500
Houston - Over 7.5 500

Chi. White Sox - 8:10 PM ET Minnesota +116 500
Minnesota - Over 7.5 500

San Diego - 8:40 PM ET San Diego +154 500
Colorado - Over 9.5 500

San Francisco - 9:40 PM ET San Francisco +108 500
Arizona - Over 7.5 500

Kansas City - 10:05 PM ET Kansas City +153 500
Oakland - Under 7 500

Cincinnati - 10:10 PM ET Cincinnati +118 500
LA Dodgers - Under 6.5 500

LA Angels - 10:10 PM ET Seattle +124 500
Seattle - Over 6.5 500

**hunter121** · 06-15-2011, 12:51 AM

Thanks man.

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