SAN FRANCISCO (Rueter) -$125 over OAKLAND (Redman)
The Giants have won eight of their last ii games while pitching
to a 2.86 ERA. They're the third most profitable team (+$800)
in the NL including +$455 at home. But here's the topper: San
Francisco is 12-1 (+$1110) at home against southpaws, far
and away the best record in that category in either league.
The last time we looked, Mark Redman was just a mediocre
pitcher.
OVER 9
NY Yankees at NY Mets
The Yankees used super-closer Rivera for three innings last night, so he's shot for tonight. Mets used their closer Looper for 1 1/3 innings yesterday, so he may not show up, either. Wussmeister Mussina starts for the Yankees, and he usually has a ready-made excuse for a sub-par performance. Tonight's excuse will be that after the Yankees swept the Red Sox, an inter-league road game isn't as important, so he didn't have to go out with his best stuff. And that the Mets fans make too much noise and won't let him concentrate.
We're on a 62-36-2 run with our last 100 complimentary releases after Baltimore beat Kansas City on Thursday
For Friday take San Francisco to beat Oakland.
This game features the Giants at their very best in most catagories considered in making a selection. They are an impressive 24-15 at home this season and they are strongest in Game one of series going 16-9 this season. The Giants have won 15 of their last 16 at home and 13 of their last 17 overall.
Not only are the Giants as a team heating up but pitcher Kirk Reuter is hitting his stride too. After a sluggish start Reuter is 1-0 with a 2.70 ERA in his last three starts. The Giants went 2-1 in those three and the bullpen let Reuter down it the loss. Reuter has not lost in his last six home starts coming into this game.
Mark Redman goes on the mound for Oakland and it was Redman that took the loss the last time these teams met in Oakland on June 27. The Giants took two out of three from the A's on the road. San Fran is hitting .286 at SBC against lefties while the A's are hitting .236 on the road against lefties.
Runs will be at a premium in this game and its this type of game where Bonds getting free passes to first can lead to manufactured runs. Reuter is pitching well so it will only take three or four runs to win.
Livian Hernandez just beat the Blow Jays last Sunday and is looking for his 3rd win in a row. He is 4-1 lifetime against them and he will deliver a huge win for the Expos tonight.
David Bush will make his major league debut as he goes for Toronto tonight. The righthander is 6-6 with a 4.06 ERA for Triple-A Syracuse this season. He will get hit hard tonight.
FRIDAY, JULY 2
SCOTT RICKENBACH / MARK WEILER - THE PLAYERS ADVANTAGE
Boston / Arroyo at Atlanta / Wright OVER 9. After being thoroughly frustrated in the Bronx we expect the Red Sox bats to explode tonight. Wright has been pitching better than usual this season but we have already seen the fade coming on in some of his recent outings. He should get clobbered tonight. As for Arroyo he has been far from spectacular this season and the Braves bats have been coming on strong recently. Expect another big game from the Atlanta lineup tonight. Each team should contribute nicely to tonight's total. PLAY OVER IN ATLANTA.
STEVE MERRIL - PRO SPORTS INFO
Toronto / Bush at Montreal / Hernandez OVER 9. Both offenses are currently red-hot. The Expos have averaged 6.3 runs over their past six games, while the Blue Jays have averaged 6.5 runs per game over their past eight contests, including a 14-run outburst yesterday. PLAY OVER THE TOTAL
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