Steve Janus Bases - Monday 5/4

[SteveJanus]

2009 Overall MLB Record: 12-12 (+217)
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I've definitely hit a little mini-slump, but it does tend to happen when you're playing mostly big underdogs. I'm hoping for a big week. Not a lot I'm big on for tonight, so sticking with just one play.

Monday:

3* on San Francisco Giants +176

Pretty good value here with one of the hottest left-handed starters in the Majors facing a team that has yet to hit well against lefties. Giants starter, Johathan Sanchez, is now 1-1 this year with a 2.75 ERA (as a starter, he has pitched on inning of relief as well). He's struck out 16 batters in 16 2/3 innings, and is starting to look like the top-tier prospect they hoped he would be when he came into the organization. Meanwhile, the Cubs are hitting just .191 against lefty starters in the 3 games in which they've faced them, and scoring just 3.3 runs per game. Offensively, the Giants have been bad this year, but Sanchez on the mound should help even the score. The Cubs really have not lived up to expectations. They are only 13-11 this year, including a 7-5 record at Wrigley Field. Their starter tonight, Ryan Dempster, was one of the big reason for their success last season, but in 5 starts this year he is just 1-1 with a 5.40 ERA. Dempster has 9 career starts against the Giants and is currently sporting a 0-7 record with a 5.13 ERA and 1.70 WHIP lifetime against San Fran. It will take a bit of a leap of faith to back the Giants, but considering they are 12-11 this year with their struggles at the plate, you can see their pitching has been pretty solid.

[SteveJanus]

2009 Overall MLB Record: 12-12 (+217)
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I've definitely hit a little mini-slump, but it does tend to happen when you're playing mostly big underdogs. I'm hoping for a big week. Not a lot I'm big on for tonight, so sticking with just one play.

Monday:

3* on San Francisco Giants +176

Pretty good value here with one of the hottest left-handed starters in the Majors facing a team that has yet to hit well against lefties. Giants starter, Johathan Sanchez, is now 1-1 this year with a 2.75 ERA (as a starter, he has pitched on inning of relief as well). He's struck out 16 batters in 16 2/3 innings, and is starting to look like the top-tier prospect they hoped he would be when he came into the organization. Meanwhile, the Cubs are hitting just .191 against lefty starters in the 3 games in which they've faced them, and scoring just 3.3 runs per game. Offensively, the Giants have been bad this year, but Sanchez on the mound should help even the score. The Cubs really have not lived up to expectations. They are only 13-11 this year, including a 7-5 record at Wrigley Field. Their starter tonight, Ryan Dempster, was one of the big reason for their success last season, but in 5 starts this year he is just 1-1 with a 5.40 ERA. Dempster has 9 career starts against the Giants and is currently sporting a 0-7 record with a 5.13 ERA and 1.70 WHIP lifetime against San Fran. It will take a bit of a leap of faith to back the Giants, but considering they are 12-11 this year with their struggles at the plate, you can see their pitching has been pretty solid.

2009 Overall MLB Record: 12-13 (+117) ...falling fast