MLB Saturday

New York Mets at Houston Astros.
Mets are sending Jon Niese making his sixth appearance. I remember reading about Niese making improvements in the Minor, but I also recall the chance of him coming up was good as a full lunar eclipse. How things change with few pitchers going down and it does look like a case of hot pitcher getting the call. However Mets are reeling on the road and one big motive operendi is surging Astros in the 2nd half.

HOUSTON -130 for 1 unit

MLB Friday

Sometimes there are too many rainy days. Aaron Harang with 121 innings completed throwing 104 K's to 29 BB's is having those rainy days. The pride of San Diego State has regressed since going 16-6 two seasons ago and has not recorded a W since 5/25, that's 11 starts ago. Consecutive starts going 7 innings or better has not happened since 6/4 & 6/10 meaning 7th innings of performance has been followed by a declined outing. He does keep the Reds in striking range as indicated by the team record of 9-11, but when Cincy takes the road Aaron is 1-6 with team record of 3-7 with loss margin of 1.6 runs. Cubs will take the home field with Randy Wells on the mound. At 5-4 record & 7-6 team record seems unassuming, but he is progressing. From 6/21 to 7/6 he strung 4 wins in a row all quality starts. He has 5 wins in last 6 starts with excellent run support comes to play 4-1 under the sun.

CUBS -146 for 1 unit(W)

MLB Wednesday

I feel tonight's going to be a good night. Coming into to late season form St Louis Cardinals come to play at Minute Maid park. You know Houston will be toasting in blazing Texas sun, but the game will come in climate controlled park with funny angles and center field mound with a pole. Keeping in mind Redbirds are reeling, but will put their faith in Chris Carpenter (8-3, 2.26 ERA & 0.88 WHIP) undefeated in July looking very much the Ace. On the home front Roy Oswalt (6-4, 3.65 ERA & 1.18 WHIP) coming off a 1 run complete game and also undefeated in July. This match up dictates the low 7.5 total dropping to 7 though the pitchers do not trend strongly the teams do.

UNDER 7.5 at -110 for 1 unit(W)

MLB Sunday

Looking at Cards at Reds I see very similar teams, but Cards hold the pedigree. All eyes will be casted on Carpenter match up against Arroyo. Now Bronson has been terrible to this point Carpenter's failure are rare and seen as anomaly. So how do I break it down? Chris Carpenter was touched up by the Giants last Tuesday and most likely Chris will come ready to play. As La Russa said Giant's didn't give up contact for six runs, but they hit some well placed balls. The trend is Carpenter as good as he is he's given up at least 3 runs in 4 out of 5 starts meaning his dominance is cooling. Bronson Arroyo made no secrets about having offseason surgery to repair the carpal tunnel injury in his right wrist, but he's been working on cortisone shot and claims it's been pretty good. 6 runs he gave up the first 3 runs are tied into error throw to First, but he did give up a back to back home runs, one to Dan Harren the opposing pitcher. Anyway both pitchers are in a spot to improve and the books hung a 7.5 total which quickly drove up to 8. We are looking at Sunday baseball under the Sun, it's cloudy in Cincinnati, at he Great American Ballpark and even with pitchers improving the number looks a bit low for this hitter friendly ball park. I agree with the direction of this Total and recommend taking OVER the current Total of 8.

OVER 8 at -110 for 1 unit(W)

It was one sided, but I'll take it! 0-1 +1.00 unit