Steve Janus Bases - Wednesday 4/29

[SteveJanus]

Posted MLB YTD: 9-7 (+411)
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A great night on Tuesday. Looking for more of the same today!

Wednesday:

3* on Arizona Diamondbacks +115

Until the Cubs have seen more left-handed starters, and prove they can hit against them, I'll be looking to go against them when they face southpaws. Chicago has only faced one left-hander this season, Houston's Wandy Rodriguez, and they were decidedly shut down. They hit just .182 in that game, only mustered up 6 total hits, and suffered 9 strikeouts. They somehow managed to score a pair of runs, but it wasn't enough for Chicago to come away with a victory. I know this is just one start, but the fact that the Cubbies have only faced one lefty so far this year only helps Arizona's cause this afternoon. When it comes to left-handed starters, Doug Davis is a solid guy to have on the mound. This season he is just 1-3, but has a 3.67 ERA and a 1.30 WHIP. He's come on particularly strong in his last three starts, giving up just 7 earned runs and 3 walks in 22 innings, while striking out 16. There are some concerns here with the Arizona offense that is putting up just 3.6 runs per game, but they have been able to improve that number against right-handed starters (4.5 runs per game). Cubs' starter, Ryan Dempster is off to a so-so start to his 2009 campaign, earning a 4.87 ERA and a 1.42 WHIP in 4 starts, collecting a win in his only decision. Dempster has managed a win in just 1 of his 10 career starts against the Diamondbacks and has a 6.07 ERA when he pitches against them. Solid value in this small home underdog Wednesday.


5* Blue Chip Bet on Detroit Tigers +125

The Yankees get a lot of line credit for being "The Yankees", and usually too much credit, which is the case in tonight's game against the Detroit Tigers. You could easily argue that the Bronx Bombers have no case to be favored in this game, not that I'm complaining, as I'll gladly take Detroit as a solid home dog. We'll start with the home and away records, where the Yanks are 6-8 as the visitor, while the Tigers are 5-2 at home this season. Offensively both teams have been hitting well, but the Tigers have been particularly dangerous on their home field, hitting .272 as a team and scoring 6.3 runs per game. New York's starter, Joba Chamberlin, has been alright earning a 3.94 ERA in 3 starts, but he's also sporting a 1.812 WHIP thanks to walking 10 batters in just 16 innings pitched. Those walks will eventually catch up to him, especially facing an explosive offense like Detroit. Rick Porcello starts for the Tigers, and while his ERA is high at 4.50, he has only walked 3 batters in 18 innings pitched, giving him a WHIP of just 1.17, which should eventually help his ERA fall. The Yankees bullpen is a mess. So far the unit is sporting a 6.18 ERA and has blown 3 saves in 7 chances, just a 57.1% success rate. I know that New York blanked Detroit 0-11 last night, but in the rubber-match of this series I'll take the home team, who is playing better baseball overall anyhow.

[pitter]

Like both your plays Steve!

[CaptainJack]

Keep on keeping on there Steve!

I'm on the Diamondbacks myself, really like that play today.

[SteveJanus]

pitter -

captainjack -

[CaptainJack]

One down, one to go

[SteveJanus]

Arizona came in nice and easy. The Tigers made a run at the Yanks late, but came up just short. Still a positive day. No complaints!

Wednesday's results: 1-1 +15

Overall MLB Record: 10-8 (+426)