Angels +145
Athletics +120
Athletics +120
After looking over the lines I keep coming back to the same game. The Braves play the Nationals at 1PM eastern on Thursday and there is bad weather in the forecast..With two starters that rely so much on movement, I see them both struggling in the cold humid weather and not lasting very long, especially if there is delays.
I see a long day for everyone involved in this game if they do end up getting it in.. from the grounds crew, to the bullpens....from the pinch hitters, to the scorekeepers...
hope I'm right..
Braves/Nationals OVER (8) -123
One of the best pitchers average baseball fans don't know about is Y.Gallardo... He is the rare combination of power and command, not to mention throws 4 quality pitches. Just when he was ready to become a household name, the Brewers traded for Zack Greinke and he had to share the spotlight.. Well, Greinke is hurt so we will all get to see just how great this guy is on opening day...
The Brewers play the Reds on Thursday at 2 PM eastern, and although most think the Reds are a very good team with a nice lineup, I am one that thinks they are a tad over rated. Guys like J.Gomes, Scott Rolen, Brandon Phillips and R.Hernandez might put up numbers at the end of the year, but against a top flight guy like the one they'll face tomorrow these guys look more and more below average. There is probably 2 guys that can do damage off of Gallardo in this Reds lineup... Joey Votto is one and whoever has a lucky day is the other...
As much as I love this Gallardo guys arm, I am very much concerned about the Brewers bullpen. Any team that had Hoffman at closer last year has to have issues in the pen.. Maybe they have made strides, but until i see it, I will just assume they are as shitty as they were last year..
Brewers (First Five Innings) -101
E.Volquez will be throwing for the Reds. He didnt get a full spring in and had some command issues.. Hoping he isn't completely ready to go...
I like what Ned Yost and the Royals have been doing on offense this spring.. looks like they are going to be active on the bases, something that could give a guy like J. Weaver troubles..
Royals OVER (3.5) -115
It is so tempting after a couple bad days in baseball to just lay some chalk and try to get back on the winning track... this strategy doesn't work, trust me... value is value, a good number is a good number... this is what I'm looking for and it doesn't matter how yesterday went..
That being said, I like the Pirates on Friday as almost 2-1 underdogs...They might lose, but I think there is an ounce of value here so I'm rolling with them..
Correia has been around the block, he might not be the most talented pitcher in the NL, but the guy battles.. and he seems to always be undervalued.. and thats all that really matter in the end..
you might laugh at me now, but I'd take the Pirates pen over some of the gas cans I watched managers throw out there on Thursday.. E.Meek and J.Hanrahan are two solid arms at the back of their bullpen that will close out games when they are lucky enough to make it to the 7th with a lead...(which I'm hoping Correia will help them do on Friday)
I'm also looking forward to see how many runs the Pirates produce this year.. Their lineup might be one of the big surprises of the year.. McCutchen, Alvarez, G.Jones, R.Doumit, N.Walker, and L.Overbay have all got some experience or upside..
and then there is the Wrigley Field factor.. it seems to be the ultimate equalizer... The wind can even things out and make everyone a HR hitter, or make everyone look like Brad Hawpe after steroids (a guy that thinks he is a power hitter) Either way, Wrigley can at times strip away some of the better teams advantage..
Pirates +163
I really don't understand this line but I'll bite... Either something is up with Dan Haren or the books still think this is the "same" J.Francis from the Rockies..
always love the Angels lineup against "soft tossing" lefties... little worried about the Halo's pen after what I saw on Thursday, but still think they have a good shot to win this one...
Angels -135
Not in the mood to talk baseball...
The A's wont lose, Wood and the Reds are over valued as usual, and Lilly will see what happens when you have to throw true strikes...Did the books watch the Cubs game on Friday?
Pirates +170
Giants -105
Brewers +107
Athletics -174
Good luck today buddy! I like your new humble approach to things! Let your record speak for itself and the wins will come!:
I've never seen eggnog this concentrated before mister monkey. Could we be seeing a Herman like rebirth?