Monday's Plays--The Dogs Are Barking Tonight !!

Keith · #1 08-24-2009, 06:40 AM

first the recap. Passed yesterday after going 1-2 on Saturday. Finished last week at 7-3. I'm going to be away with the family starting Wednesday, so it's today and tomorrow for the entire week.

For Monday I like 2 doggies, so I am playing them both. I like the Rays +120 and the Giants +150. Here's why:

First the Rays. They start Jeff Niemann. He is 11-5 on the year with a 3.71 ERA, a 1.31 WHIP and a .258 batting average against. For the month of August he is 2-0 with a 3.33 ERA and a .232 batting average against. Against the Jays this year (both in Toronto) he is 1-1 with a 3.86 ERA and a .245 batting average against.

Meanwhile, the Jays start Roy Halladay. A stud pitcher of the highest order. 13-6 on the year with a 2.78 ERA, a 1.11 WHIP and a .257 batting average against. For the month of August he is 2-2 with a 3.30 ERA but a .294 batting average against. My friends--Roy has been getting hit lately. In his last 5 outings, he has allowed 46 hits in 37 innings. In his last 3 outings, it's 25 hits in 21 innings. The opening line in this game (as per scoresandodds) was Jays -130. Wait. The Jays. At home. With Roy Halladay. Opened at only -130 ?? Tells me all I need to know. Rays win this one.

My second play is the Giants +150. Zito has been a stud lately. For the year he is 8-11 with a 4.26 ERA, a 1.32 WHIP and a .250 batting average against. For the month of August however he is 2-1 with a 2.74 ERA and a .200 batting average against. In his last 3 outings he has gone 17 innings, allowing only 10 hits and 5 walks with 13 strikeouts. Against the Rocks this year he is 0-0 with a 0.00 ERA and a .091 batting average against. For his career against them he is 2-2 with a 2.25 ERA and a 1.036 WHIP. For his career at Coors he is 2-1 with a 3.00 ERA and a .214 batting average against.

The Rocks go with 14 game winner Jason Marquis. For the year his ERA is 3.58, his WHIP is 1.28 and his batting average against is .254. For the month of August his ERA is 4.15. In his last 3 starts, he allowed 20 hits and 9 walks in 19 innings. At home this year his ERA is 3.86 and his batting average against is .260. He has pitched waaaay over his head this year and I think the Giants slap him around tonight.

Finally, before you ask. Yes---I looked at the over in the A's/Mariners. My boy Vin Mazzaro is pitching so it got my attention. BUT, the line went down from 9 to 8.5 and since both teams are not hitting right now, I decided to pass. I may play the over small, but that will not be an official play for me.

Monday's two dog plays are the Rays at +120 and the Giants at +150.