9/20/05 Tuesday MLB Picks
Oakland Athletics -170 over Minnesota Twins (1.5 Units)
We have said this many times, the Oakland Athletics are killing left handed pitching this season. In fact, they hit Lefties 30 points higher on the season. This is probably not the best of times for the Twins to call up a lefty pitcher because you don't want to put him in a situation where he is facing a team that is not only strong versus lefties but in the playoffs hunt. A few bad calls, an error or two, a walk or two and this will be an easy winner. There is a 42-9 system involving teams facing lefties when they average better than 6 runs per game in their past 6 or 7 outtings against them. The Athletics are at home and are favorites in this non-divisional game. What do the Twins have to play for except for their future? Take the Athletics and make the opposing Lefty starter listed pitcher.

Texas Rangers +180 over Los Angeles Angels (1.0 Units)
Hurry up and bet this play because the spread is based on Bartolo Colon pitching but he will not be pitching on Tuesday. He will be pitching on Wednesday. Whatever the spread ends up being, take the Rangers today because they have been smoking offensively and are likely to face J. Saunders. So even if the spread drops as a result of the J. Saunders pitching, still advise taking the Rangers. The Angels were barely able to beat the Tigers in their series and will come up against a strong divisional foe that has just been smoking the ball.

Houston Astros -225 over Pittsburgh Pirates (1.0 Units)
We expected the Astros to falter in the first game of the series, now we expect them to bounce back with Pettite on the mound. Clemens struggled as we expected but I expect to see a strong Pettite out there. I also expect to see the Astros bats come alive. They are off a shut out loss and teams off a shut out loss this season have been money. Also, I am utilizing a system going for large favorites that are coming off a shutout loss in which they were large favorites on the road. It has been a decent hitting system. What worries me is that the Astros are 6-16 on the road versus lefties. This is kind of misleading as the Astros are 17-6 at home versus lefties and I believe many of their road woes early in the season cost them in that record. This game will probably end up going under the total but with the Astros winning something like 4-1.

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Philadelphia Phillies +135 over Atlanta Braves (1.0 Units)
The Braves simply are not playing well. But it must be understood that the reason they are not playing well is because of their long road trip. Before their road trip, they swept the Mets at home, won the home series versus the Reds, going 5-1. Although they've won 5 of 6 at home and struggled on the road, their ability to get back to business will take a game. We went against the Astros yesterday for similar reasons. First home game back from a long road trip. Expect similar problems for these Braves. We have value on our side taking the Phillies at +135 anyways.

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Oakland Athletics -170 over Minnesota Twins (1.5 Units)
We have said this many times, the Oakland Athletics are killing left handed pitching this season. In fact, they hit Lefties 30 points higher on the season. This is probably not the best of times for the Twins to call up a lefty pitcher because you don't want to put him in a situation where he is facing a team that is not only strong versus lefties but in the playoffs hunt. A few bad calls, an error or two, a walk or two and this will be an easy winner. There is a 42-9 system involving teams facing lefties when they average better than 6 runs per game in their past 6 or 7 outtings against them. The Athletics are at home and are favorites in this non-divisional game. What do the Twins have to play for except for their future? Take the Athletics and make the opposing Lefty starter listed pitcher.

Texas Rangers +180 over Los Angeles Angels (1.0 Units)
Hurry up and bet this play because the spread is based on Bartolo Colon pitching but he will not be pitching on Tuesday. He will be pitching on Wednesday. Whatever the spread ends up being, take the Rangers today because they have been smoking offensively and are likely to face J. Saunders. So even if the spread drops as a result of the J. Saunders pitching, still advise taking the Rangers. The Angels were barely able to beat the Tigers in their series and will come up against a strong divisional foe that has just been smoking the ball.

Houston Astros -225 over Pittsburgh Pirates (1.0 Units)
We expected the Astros to falter in the first game of the series, now we expect them to bounce back with Pettite on the mound. Clemens struggled as we expected but I expect to see a strong Pettite out there. I also expect to see the Astros bats come alive. They are off a shut out loss and teams off a shut out loss this season have been money. Also, I am utilizing a system going for large favorites that are coming off a shutout loss in which they were large favorites on the road. It has been a decent hitting system. What worries me is that the Astros are 6-16 on the road versus lefties. This is kind of misleading as the Astros are 17-6 at home versus lefties and I believe many of their road woes early in the season cost them in that record. This game will probably end up going under the total but with the Astros winning something like 4-1.