It was eight years ago today that I lost my life-long friend of 30 years to a heroin overdose. Just a simple reminder to all that we are never too successful, never too old, never too rich and never too handsome to be immune to it. Most important of all....we are never too smart. Whether it is alcohol or drugs, if you need help seek it and never stop trying to quit. It is a tough journey, but more than worth it at its conclusion. Six and a half years for me now. I have done what you never could and I know you'd be proud. Rest in Peace, My Brother. You'll never be forgotten.......
Do the work, friends!
An early one for you poker players; A Royal Fish (+500). If the line upticks a hair, we may have a Howlin' Dog Play? Vargas' home digits will not support this play against AW, but he is a crafty LHP and we usually know what that means. The bullpen edge clearly to the Royals. Little chance of the Cards leaving the yard against a lefty and KC has hit Wainwright a bit. My KC Royals (+135) is long gone, but at +115 I'd still back 'em. FTR ~ The Miami Marlins (+175) are my Howlin' Dog. I hope it keeps going up to enhance the RL for the parlay. Barring a total Cards' bullpen collapse, this should easily stay Under 7.5 (-112).
Although there is a clear and present danger with the long-ball in Atlanta, I have a feeling that these two (Iwakuma/Minor) go toe to toe in a beauty today. Neither team has seen the ball particularly well in the sunlight. With all the 'pen the M's used last night they'll need Iwakuma to go deep. Not sure why the M's haven't lined up more LHBs here. They'd have more success, IMO. Minor's command can be a bit suspect facing them.
Liriano has a great opportunity to follow up on a solid performance at LA and Kennedy can be very good. The Pirates struggle at the plate in day games, the Pads scuffle against lefties and both bullpens can be great. A low digit at Under 6.5 (+100), but that's the only way I'll go. Wouldn't even hazard a guess on the side at this point. Two of the lightest hitting matinee teams. With a gun to my head I'd probably lean to the Padres as Kennedy is a bit more reliable and should go a bit deeper. Thank god there's not, though. Perhaps an in-gamer Padres/Under (+270)? Could be interesting though as the ML's top Over ump is behind the dish at Petco.
Chavez is regressing and the A's haven't hit southpaws like last season, but I cannot shake the feeling that Nuno gets lit like a Roman Candle here. At Over 9 (+100)...I am on it. His near 8.00 ERA at Yankee Stadium may actually go up? I hope......
Probably best to pass on Progressive Field in another likely 1-run game. Lean BoSox, but I'd rather they not.
At first glance it appeared the Phils were in for another waxing. I am not so sure about that now? As much as I want to pull the trigger on the Phils, that offense can be gawd awful. Probable pass.....although I do suspect that the Nats or Giants may very well be tonight's public disaster(s).
Although I do not have a great deal of faith in Dickey on the road, I said it before. There is a problem with Porcello. If he struggles with his command against the patient Jays hitters he WILL get torched. The Blue Jays will not be near as charitable as the A's were. Probably a Blue Jays Over 4 (-120). Until I see for myself that the oblique (or whatever it is) is no longer an issue, I will not back Porcy.
I'll defer this summary to Mr. Essler, but a likely Reds (-110) win in a slugfest. Giants now 1-12 in their last 13 at Cinci. Probably have to add a tickle to the Reds' RL (+180).
Baltimore Orioles (-109) ~ Not overly confident in Norris on the road, but he has suffered some bad luck and little RS. I have no confidence at all in the Rangers' sticks and expect Cruz makes his presence felt once again. With Martinez we'll likely see the bullpen sooner rather than later and that is not a good thing.....for Texas' fans. Probable upgrade. Only way to go here is with the O's lumber, IMO. A half value Orioles' RL play a distinct possibility. A fifty cent difference between the O's RL and the Rangers ARL is not to my liking.
Despite how well Dice-K has pitched I am not sure we can expect him to go very deep and relying on the Mets' bullpen for an extended stint is not my cup of tea. Pass for now with a possible TT later. Danger written all over it, though. Jackson has not been taken deep at Wrigley this season, but that may be tested tonight?
Minnesota Twins (-107) ~ A very strange one in that although I think the Crew outhits the Twinks, I believe that Estrada will be victimized by the bomb. A few Twins look to be locking in and yeah, that's the only time you'll see THAT word in my threads. With the Twins Over 4 (-120), I'll also be on it.
I always have a good chuckle seeing Collmenter's birthplace.....Homer. Despite the overwhelming numbers in the Rox favor I am not convinced and do NOT like this spot. Because of last night? Perhaps, but something just doesn't feel right with these Rockies. I'll pass, but another loss will be no surprise. I do hope I am wrong, as I know that everyone will be loading up again. Not me.......be very careful here.
Although I generally prefer Cosart on the road, Richards has fallen on some hard times. Whether it is natural regression or otherwise, who knows? The signing of Singleton should also add some "piss and vinegar" to the line-up. Trout's absence creates a big hole in this offense. Confirm his status, but either way I won't discount Houston knocking the Halos down another peg. These kids HAVE hit GR......pretty hard and the Angels used a lot of 'pen last night.
Danks has been horrid on the road, so despite the fact that the Dodgers cannot hit lefties the Sox are a real tough sell here. With a solid defense tonight, Chicago may very well steal one. Beckett suffers from a lack of RS at the best of times. This one is not the best of times. For some reason I cannot get off of the Over 7.5 here, but not sure I'd recommend it? I may get back to it? Had Downs not pitched last night, I'd like the Danks/Downs tandem here. It is our first Howlin' Puppy Chicago White Sox (+160) Mini ~ I expect that Danks can hold the Dodge down just long enough for the Sox (read Abreu) to get to Beckett.
Here is one that I am on at 22/1;
Cincinnati Reds (-113) Fk, there are a lot of holes in the Reds' line-up
Oakland Athletics Over 4½ (-125)
Toronto Blue Jays Over 4 (-120)
**Miami Marlins Over 3 (+105)
Minnesota Twins Over 4 (-125)
Here's the other at 19/1;
St Louis Cardinals/Kansas City Royals Under 3½ (-105) Mini
Milwaukee Brewers/Minnesota Twins Over 4½ (-115) Mini
Baltimore Orioles (-114)
Houston Astros +1½ (-145)
Miami Marlins +1½ (-135)
New York Rangers/Los Angeles Kings Under 5 (-115) ~ Actually hoping that the Rangers can steal this one to back the Kings for the series (Cup) at a nice price.