Let’s look at some upcoming games for Tuesday, May 19.
Toronto at Boston. This one sees Tallet, a reliever of sorts who’s started 5 games for the Blue Jays this year and holds a 2-1 record, face off against Wakefield for Boston. Wakefield’s numbers are fine at 4-2, 4.02 ERA, but far from impressive. Although considering that the knuckleballer is 42, what’s considered impressive is a sliding scale. Nevertheless, this should make for an exciting game between the two AL East teams that are relevant right now. Expect Boston to get a -130 to Toronto’s +110 baseball betting line. The Blue Jays don’t seem to be going anywhere, but Boston isn’t, either. I’d still bet the Red Sox looking at the pitching matchup and how Toronto has historically fared against Wakefield’s unique delivery.
Cubs at Cardinals. Well, I’ve been off the North Siders for a little while, as they stumbled out of the gate and have shown little life since then, yet somehow they’re still in the race in the wholly uninspired NL Central so far. Even the Reds still think they have a chance in this division. Cubs let Lilly take the ball against Pineiro. Lilly has stronger numbers so far this year, beating Pineiro’s ERA by nearly a full run. Plus, believe it or not, the Cubs have fared pretty well on the road so far. St. Louis has fallen of late, out of first and into a tie for second with Cincinnati. So far this month, they only once score more than 4 runs in one of their losses, that spells an offense that needs to pick up the pace. The Cards are still 5th in team batting average and second in runs, but if they keep slipping, they’ll find themselves stuck in the middle of the pack of the most crowded division in baseball by the end of June. Cards will get a -140 to the Cubs +120 on this one, but I’d bet the underdog. I think the Cubs are primed to turn it around.
Texas at Detroit. This is just like nascar betting in that you have no idea who is going to win. One first place team and another that already has sat atop their division this year, these are two teams that had no expectations going in, and are showing everyone they’re forces to be reckoned with. Brandon McCarthy is still yet to live up to his potential regardless of which team he’s playing for. With an ERA a shade under 6, he has his work cut out for him. The Tigers throw Dontrelle Willis (remember him?) whose ERA is actually worse than McCarthy. While the Tigers are on their way down the last 10 games, the Rangers are soaring. I see a pick ‘em here at -110 each. And I’d take the road team, I think they have more life right now.