The make up of a team, so important and the Giants are paying

I had a good friend say I was nuts for saying that getting Carlos Beltran was not the right move for the San Francisco Giants. The Giants won it all last year, with not much in the way of offensive prowess. The team all got along and had a knack for winning one run ballgames relying on their dominating pitching staff. The starters went deep into games and the bullpen was in the top 3 in all of baseball in era and holds. This team did whatever they had to do, to scratch and claw to get the runs they needed to win games. It took all hands on deck and no one was looking around waiting for the superstar to pick them up. This trend continued into this year and the Giants built a 4 game lead and looked as if they would take off to another run at a title. The Giants have had a number of big injuries but playing as a TEAM somehow this team was just as good as last year with probably less talent on offense. Buster Posey, Freddy Sanchez were two big keys to the World Championship and these guys are both out for the year.

Brian Sabean, being the great G.M that he is has brought in bit players along the way to help this team build a nice lead in the West. No one talks at all about the Giants picking up another .300 hitter in Kepinger from the Astros but everyone was ah twitter about the Giants picking up superstar Carlos Beltran for just a minor league pitcher. Now everyone would say, the Giants have a big bat and a run is now really ready to happen.

Carlos seems like a good guy, who is humble and just wants to win. All good stuff but Beltran has one hit in 4 games and the low offensive out put the Giants already had is now suffering from bad to pathetic.

The make up of this team which was so good for the last 2 years has been broken up and the division and another run at a title is in big trouble. Instead of all hands on deck, it is like any other team wait for the big superstar bat.

I was hoping my first thought was wrong and it would all workout but I have real doubts and it is only 4 games but might be a window to more of the same in the future.

Have a great day

The NL and AL Central looks to be a real slobber knocker

I took a look at both central divisions and what a sight with 8 total teams in the hunt for a division title. take the American Central, Detroit is in first and Cleveland is fading fast but hanging in only 2.5 games back but youth and starting pitching is catching up to them. The White Sox are only 3 games back but this team is very inconsistent with the bats and their starting pitching. Finally Minnesota is 6 games back but has fought the hardest to stay in contention and their greatest asset is their manager, who has never freaked out after being double digit games out for much of the season. The Twins are also getting healthy and will be the team fighting it out with the Tigers down the stretch.

In the National League Milwaukee is at the top and looks to have hit their best stride late. ST Louis has the bats but their decent starting pitching has been very up and down. Pittsburgh has the arms but youth will probably knock them out late. Cincinnati is 6.5 games back and they are very streaky. This will come down to the Brewers and the Cardinals which will go to the Cardinals.

Baseball 94-106 +4.55 units

Angels -120

Pittsburgh +220

Washington -105

San Francisco +100

Minnesota +120

Arizona +120

Have a great day.

Good pitching seems to always beat great hitting

The San Francisco Giants rolled into Philadelphia a few days ago and the experts all said it would be a tough road for the World Champions. In game one the Phillies rolled the Giants and again the experts brought up the fact that the light hitting Giants were all smoke and mirrors as World Champions. Two days later, the Giants had once again silenced the huge bats of the Philadelphia Phillies. It amazes me how many times the better hitting teams will get shut down in big series by good pitching.

Beltran went 0-4 yesterday but I did learn that he is humble and just wants to win. More important then Beltran hitting himself, is the fact that Pablo Sandoval and Aubrey Huff both had big hits and both got the best pitches they have seen all year. Viva la Beltran.

Baseball 92-101 +7.40 units

Washington +110

Angels +130

Kansas City +125

San Francisco -110

Florida +150

Colorado +110

Arizona -110

Have a great day.

Does Beltran mess up the make up of the Giants?

Not a bad Wednesday, with a no hitter early in the day and just really good baseball later. Pittsburgh and Atlanta play another good game and the Phillies and Giants splitting their first two games. Game 1 was played at the Phillies pace and in game 2 the Giants find that good pitching and just enough offense formula which has done them proud for the last 2 years. The Giants did get Beltran and hopefully it will not mess up the make up of that team.

Baseball 88-100 +5.70 units

Angels +125

Arizona -105

San Francisco -115

Pittsburgh +150

Minnesota +145

Have a great day.

Jerry Meals....;Be a man and admit mistake.

Well it has been a long road back, but now on the plus side of the ledger after a nice night in baseball. Jim Joyce made a bad call last year that cost a young man a perfect game but at least the play was bang, bang and Mister Joyce quickly said he had made a mistake. Jerry meals not only missed the play of the game in the Pirates and Braves game yesterday, but his strike zone was so bad all night that the Braves Manager and star catcher were tossed out of the game. Jerry Meals couldn't even admit making an error and by not taking full care of his actions, he makes all umpires look bad. I have to admit I am in the minority, I do not believe that replay must be expanded. I believe, as an umpire you have to get it right. The Pirates have a great chance to win their division and be the Giants of this baseball season. Hopefully this pathetic call will not stop the Pirates in their tracks and once again make them believe that they are losers. The Pirates do have a fine young group and a wonderful bullpen, but most of all a great manager who has been through many situations, good and bad. Clint Hurdle will hopefully hold this group together and not let them dwell on ones mans wondering eye.

There are 30 teams in all of baseball and as of today, 16 teams have a chance to win their division. I cannot remember the last time this late in a season that over half of all of baseball has a chance to make the playoffs by winning their division. I haven't even done the research on the wild card, but I would say that probably brings a few more teams into play. It is great that baseball matters in so many cities as football once again is on the front page. Pay attention to teams like the Pittsburgh Pirates, Cleveland Indians, Arizona Diamondbacks, Minnesota Twins after they were at one time close to 20 games out of it but are now only 7 games back. It is a good thing when baseball matters.

Baseball 84-99 +.95 units

San Francisco +160

Pittsburgh +160

New York Mets +130

Minnesota +180

Arizona +105

Have a great day.

Hot days and big dogs

Funny things happen this time of year in baseball. Look at the Padres beating the Phillies yesterday or a couple days ago when the Cubs beat Roy Halladay. Situations happen all the time, the question as a handicapper is can you find these money making situations?

Baseball 81-97 -1.25 units

San Francisco +150

Seattle +250

Minnesota +200

Arizona +100

Oakland +120

Have a great day.

It is a heating up y'all, hot, hot, hot

When they are closing race tracks because of the heat you know it is very hot. This is one of the most exciting baseball seasons ever, with almost every division up for grabs. The wild card divisions will be in doubt, to the very last inning of the season!

Baseball 79-94 -.25 unit

Pittsburgh +125

NY Mets +115

Tampa Bay -120

Washington +115

San Francisco -135

Have a great day.

The cream will rise or spoil

A great time in the baseball season, as the real deal teams will rise up or get crushed by the stress of winning. You will see pitchers that are in the middle great seasons struggle, and you will see some middle of the road players step up and carry their teams to glory. Can the Brewers ACE come thru for his new team and be that missing piece for Milwaukee's high powered offense? Will the Pirates keep playing as well as any Pirate team since 1979 or will their youth become youthful? Can Arizona continue to play to their managers approval or will losing thoughts creep into the Diamondbacks way of doing things. Can Cincinnati rise and overcome inconsistent play or will they fade to black as the season rolls on. There are many other questions but one thing is for sure, it is going to be a great run down the stretch this baseball season. I didn't even mention those upstart Cleveland Indians!

Baseball 78-93 -.50 units

Tampa Bay +125

Milwaukee +100

Have a great day

Slowly we came back, day by day, unit by unit. After a nice 3-1 Tuesday and being 3 outs from going 4-0, it was a good day. Del Mar race track opens today so summer has arrived. If you have never been to Del Mar, put it on your bucket list. I have one baseball selection today as I could not find value with any of the other games.

Baseball 78-92 +.55 units

Atlanta -105

Have a great day

The Perfect example, Human not Machines

Yesterday Roy Halladay was on the mound and showed that players are human and not machines! People played the Phillies and lost a lot of juice, with the better pitcher and team losing rather easily. Roy couldn't bare the heat, as anyone of us might not deal with such heat. He looked average at best and only lasted 4 innings. That was his shortest outing in years. It turns out that he gives up almost 2 runs a start more in the heat then at any other time. This proved that these guys are human and you can't just plug them in and the same guy will show up every time. The weak handicapper will cry foul here a say fix. Nope, it was just to hot. Little situations like this happen everyday and your job as a winning player is to find these nuggets before the game is played.


Baseball 75-91 -1.45 units

Tampa Bay +100

Cleveland +120

Milwaukee -120

San Francisco -140

Have a great day.

What a day, What a day

Sunday was a great day for the underdog. The British Open won by the Cigar smoking slow walking, Pint drinking.... Darren Clark. He did everything right. He withstood two real challenges from Lefty and D.J. Both of whom ha a real chance to win this thing, but no matter how much they tried Darren would not make a mistake and steady as is goes put out the fireworks from the talented Americans. Great win for the man, a great win for golf an another sign that Tiger is not needed.

The World Cup was won by the grief filled Nation of Japan, who as there people have shown the pride of a people the woman's soccer team was not to be denied, even by the mighty Americans. The Americans had this thing won twice with under 10 minutes to go, but Japan would not give up and in the end had more energy overall and got the much deserved win!!!

Yesterday was a wonderful day in baseball and after a long tough stretch, winning has finally become the norm rather then the hope.

Baseball 72-90 -3.45 units

Pittsburgh -105

Washington -115

Milwaukee +115

San Francisco -130

Have a great day.

Sunday looks like a huge sports day. British Open as well.

It has been 12 years since the U.S.A women took down the World Cup and now it is time to do it again. The draw and upsets that happened along the way, set up the U.S.A to have a big win today.

Baseball on Friday was a solid 2-1 and today I look to get back to even after a rough stretch. As I say all along, just stay with it and in the long run with solid handicapping and a steady diet of underdogs you will be a winner.

Baseball 66-86 -5.65 units

U.S.A +105

Cleveland -110

Pittsburgh +115

Minnesota -130

Florida +105

Milwaukee -105

San Francisco +100

Angels +135

Arizona -140

Tampa Bay +135

Do not forget to enjoy the British Open this morning. No picks but what a great number of stories to watch. Clark, can he get his first major at 41 after losing his wife 5 years ago. It would also give 3 Northern Ireland players with Majors. Fowler with all of his promise and flamboyant play at such a young age, is again playing steady and well beyond his years. Bjorn will he put other nightmares behind him and grind out a much needed redemption win. Phil has not made a short putt all week and he is still in the hunt. One hot putter round and it is another major for Phil. Another major and another reason to not care if Tiger comes back or not. to many great stories and just enough drama to give a shit if Tiger comes back. I am very tired of the media saying every week how the real number one player is Tiger Woods. Not true, he has no glare or growl left and no one is scared of the kitten any longer.

Have a great day

U.S.A, U.S.A, U.S.A looks to win the World Cup on Sunday!!!

The 3 days with no regular baseball and I finally get hot. Winning the U.S.A game at +300, and the ALL-Star game was also a success with the National league and the under.

Tonight I do not have much but 3 small favorites may make for a decent night.

Baseball 64-85 -6.40 units

Pittsburgh -110

Minnesota -125

San Francisco -140

Have a great day.

News and notes

What a game, what a game. If you think the girls can't hold their own, you have another thing coming. At +300 the U.S.A had one of the latest, greatest comeback wins in soccer history. It amazes me when it comes to the World Cup the United States saves their best for late in a game. even friends of mine who hate soccer, no less ladies soccer. Were in awe of the skill it took to score that tying goal.

The games made my Sunday very wonderful after having little luck in baseball. So +300 makes a dent in losses. The All-Star game should be entertaining but as I usually roll I will take the better all around pitching staff. The Giants proved last year, as they beat the better bats in Philadelphia and against Texas, that pitching rules great hitting.

Tiger called a press conference for Monday then changed his mind. My thought was he was retiring. The competition is to tough and his heart is not in it anymore. The injuries are piling up and even when he does play well there is no one that fears Tiger at all.

He has lost his edge on and off the course. It doesn't matter money wise and he still has won more tournaments then anyone who is his counterpart from this era.

I say live your life Tiger, it is very sad how it came crashing down but he did bring it all upon himself. His grandsons sons will be taken care of so money really is not the issue.

Thankfully College football is in sight and the winning will be fast and furious. many small schools have gotten some great skill players as fewer scholarships are available to the big schools. That is where equality has come from in college sports. The smaller schools are on television as much as the big boys, so the kids will opt for playing time and television.

Second half of baseball will bring the cream to the top. I would love the Pittsburgh Pirates and Cleveland Indians to stay in the hunt, history says they will fall back but if they stick around, it will be great for baseball.

Play the National League Tomorrow. Do not play the over as the odds are against it.

Have a great day.

Let's get to the All-Star break on an UP note

I had said it before it got really bad, as I said the shit was going to slam the fan at THE Ohio State university. All of last years wins gone, Coach gone, I will stay just let me play in the Bowl Game player GONE.

The NCAA is going to probably ban Ohio State from post season for at least 2 years and a number of scholarships will be yanked.

THE Ohio State university is in a lot of trouble and the NCAA is going to pound them in the head. They knew players were getting benefits outside of the school and other things will come out. The school is using Jim Tressel as a scape goat and he will be blamed for everything.

Jim did know, but so did the higher ups and it will all come out.

Baseball, losing in many ways as of late. Losing 1-0 games, blowing 2 run leads in the 9th and the best bullpen in baseball gives up 3 in the 9th of a tie ball game. Holy cow batman a little luck would help solid handicapping.

Baseball 60-79 -6.80 units

Atlanta +145

San Diego +115

Washington +105

Pittsburgh -110

Houston +160

Baltimore +180

San Francisco Over 6.5 -105

Have a great day

Bonus Sunday play, take the U.S.A against Brazil +295. For some reason the U.S.A has beaten the women from Brazil 4 out of their last 5 meetings. This is a good match-up for the U.S.A

Friday night baseball nothing better

A nice winning day yesterday. Bartolo Colon now has not had a win past June in 5 years. Things like that are good to know when you are about to lay -200 on a team.

Baseball 58-75 -5.10 units

Cincinnati +125

Kansas City +105

Arizona +120

San Diego +110

San Francisco -140

Have a great day

The good times are A coming. NFL! hopefully

Maybe it is time to start playing the chalk. Nah that will not work. I am having a very bad run but where can you be 19 games under .500 and only be down 8.60 units? By the end of the year I will be up 10 to 20 units and very happy that Football will be here.

I will challenge anyone and put up any amount of money, that I will beat anyone in the NFL and College Bowl Games.

Baseball 54-73 -8.60 units

Tampa Bay +160

Baltimore +150

Minnesota +150

Seattle +170

Arizona +130

San Francisco -110

Have a great day

Happy July 6th and a Happy Football year

It is time for the players and Owners to finish this craziness. The NFL is the golden goose, so get it together and let the fans, Rookies and T.V networks get on with this season.

When things are not going your way when betting on games, it is not against the law to take a step back and PASS. I know the knee jerk reaction is to find some big favorites that cannot lose and fire a few big shots. This approach will break your bankroll.

Baseball 52-69 -6.95 units

Arizona +145

Kansas City +135

Seattle +110

Pittsburgh -120

Toronto +110

Mets +120

Have a great day.

Be safe and have a great day

Happy 4th of July! Have a great time with your families and be safe. Try as I might I could not find any value in any game. Ok Maybe one.

ONE BASEBALL PLAY

NEW YORK METS +100

Enjoy.

Sunday Baseball July, 3rd, 2011 and Horses

Friday we picked a little over a unit but it was looking really good with 4 games left. All 4 games tanked but still a winning day. All today's plays are with teams that are hot and getting odds with an even pitcher or a better pitcher.

Baseball 50-65 -6.65 units

San Francisco +120

Cleveland +170

Pittsburgh +140

ST Louis +120

Minnesota +130

Arizona +110

Horses for Sunday July 3rd, 2011

Arlington Park Race #3 Horse #3 SSSCHILLE DAY This one has speed and the ability to go wire to wire.

Arlington Park Race #8 Horse #11 Franklin County, This one has the best final time on the turf at this distance and if repeated can score at a big price.

Belmont Park Race#5 Horse #6 Victory For V L TS He won 2 back and because of the last start will be overlooked by many handicapper which will make this one a big price. Has the best final time at this distance.

Churchill Downs Race#1 Horse#3 Rules of Romance. Good trainer a lot of speed, and could wire the field at a big number.

Churchill Race#10 Horse#11 Carson's Dash. The lone closer who will have one big run down the lane.

Churchill Race#12 Horse #11 All Ready. Another lone closer who has a good chance of winning at a big number.

Hollywood Race#2 Horse#5 Theif River. Solid trainer, Big workout says all systems go for this First Time Starter.

Hollywood Race#5 Horse#8 Jax El. Areal danger here. Dropping in class with the best speed figures and coming out of a key race.

Hollywood Race#8 Horse#2 Dancing in Silks. In a speed laden race we have the best closer in the race.

Have a Great Day.

Hot teams good odds and a winning Friday

Baseball has been very tough the last 5 days with only one winning day and it was not even a full unit. Today I concentrated on hot teams and even pitching match ups, along with hot hitting. Should be a very big day. Wednesday was so tough with two 1-0 losses and two 2-1 losses and a extra inning loss.

Baseball Overall 44-59 -7.70 units Most handicappers would not put their real record when things are going bad but It Is what It Is. I have not had a losing baseball season in 12 years and I do not plan on losing this year. The All-Star break is coming at the right time for the players and myself.

Philadelphia Phillies +145 Kendrick can hold his own with a 4-4 record and a 3.23 E.R.A. On the other side of it Romero is coming off his best outing of the year but it was deceptive, their were a lot of base runners and the other team could not cash in. Romero has a 7-7 record and a very nice E.R.A of 2.74. With a 7-7 record he is not getting a lot of run support. Philadelphia is 6-4 last 10, while the Blue Jays are 4-6 last 10. Toronto has a home record of only 18-20, and Philadelphia is two games over .500 on the road. This looks like a nice situation play for the fighting Phils.

Pittsburgh Pirates +130 Davey Johnson doesn't seem to have that old Mets magic. He arrived with a team that was the hottest in all of baseball and now they have lost 3 in a row. What can you say about Pittsburgh? Two games over .500 and only 2 games out of first. Morton for Pittsburgh has a very nice 7-4 record and another pitcher with a solid E.R.A of 3.77. Washington has Gorzelanny on the bump and he has been snake bit. He is only 2-6 with a 4.18 E.R.A and he has deserved a better record. Going against the team in a little bit of turmoil and playing the hot hand.

San Francisco Giants +120 The Giants have lost two tough games in a row but have a very nice 7-3 record over the last 10. Amazingly the Giants are 2 games over .500 since Buster Posey went down for the season, how good would they be if he had been healthy. The Tigers bullpen is chewed up right now giving up 24 runs in two games to a weak hitting team. The Tigers only 5-5 last 10 and as the season has gone along Brad Penny is getting hit a little harder with every start. Penny has a 5-6 record and a 4.66 E.R.A. Bumgarter has a 4-9 record but a respectable E.R.A of 3.84. That E.R.A is that low after Minnesota 2 starts ago put 9 earned runs up against him. He came right back in his next start, threw a shutout and punched out 11 for a career high. I am going with the better pitcher but more important then that is the fact that Tigers Stadium is much like the park that the Giants pitchers are used.

Cleveland Indians +120 This is a very nice match up with a two teams in the same state and surprisingly both teams are fighting for a division title. It looked like the Indians were folding the tent about 2 weeks ago but have stayed in the race, only half a game back of the Detroit Tigers. The Indians have the upper hand on the mound today, with Masterson and his smooth E.R.A of 2.98. For the Reds Arroyo is not having a good year in the E.R.A department with a 5.01, but a very lucky record of 7-6.

ST Louis Cardinals +125 I think many people were counting the Cards all but done for the year, and what do they do? Get hot that is what. Winning 3 in a row while the Brewers lost 3 in a row and your looking at a tie on top of the National League Central. The strange Part about the Tampa Bay Rays is that they are under .500 at home and crushing it on the road by going 26-16. The Cardinals on the other hand are a solid 23-20 on the road, and seem to have the advantage by playing at Tampa. Westbrook had a very bad stretch but in his last start was like the Westbrook of old. I will take the hot team with their ace on the mound looking to keep his team rolling.

Atlanta Braves -170 This is a rarity for me, playing such a big favorite. The situation dictates that I play this game though. Atlanta has won 3 in a row and are favored at home which is a very strong angle by itself. When you add in the fact that Baltimore has lost 3 in a row, the play becomes that much stronger. The two teams are going in different directions, with the Braves being 8-2 over the last 10 and Baltimore only going 4-6 over the same span of games. The pitching, Bats and bullpen all favor the Braves.

Florida Marlins +165 For the Marlins they have their only pitcher who has not been hard luck johnny. Sanchez has a solid 6-1 record and a respectable E.R.A of 2.82. The fish have won two in a row and they are another team that plays better on the road then at home. All things being even the plus 165 catches the eye.

Kansas City Royals/Colorado Rockies Over 10 -110 It seems to me that a first time team going to Colorado has a difficult time learning how to pitch there. Going to Colorado also has a knack for getting visitors to put up more runs then they usually score. Both starters have been beat up and the bullpens have been beat up, so I look for about 13 or 14 runs to be scored here.

Minnesota Twins +110 Every time I count the Twins out they go on a winning streak. It is only a 2 game streak right now but they are catching the Brewers at the right time. Milwaukee has lost 3 in a row and are only 4-6 in the last 10 games. Milwaukee also has one of the worst road records in all of baseball, going 15-27.

Arizona Diamond Backs -115 Another Favorite but again a worthy one. It is indeed rare when I take a team that hits well over a good pitching team. Oakland is just plain sick with the sticks, and that will not do against this Arizona team.

Los Angeles Angels +100 Hot verses cold again, with the odds being in favor of the hot team. The Angels have won 3 in a row and will probably be a slight favorite by game time. A very strong angle. The Dodgers have lost two in a row and are only 5-5 in their last 10 games. Kuroda has been very good E.R.A wise with a solid 3.10 but gets little to no run support. His record of 5-9 shows that the Dodgers just do not hit for Kuroda.

San Diego Padres +125 If you are going to play the Padres this is the time to do it. San Diego has won 4 in a row and have a 7-3 over their last 10 games. Seattle has lost 3 in a row with their best pitchers on the mound so that tells us that the bats have gone cold. The Mariners are only 3-7 their last 10 games. Take the hot dog.

Best plays....Atlanta...Angels.....Padres.....

I know most people do not like playing 12 games but to me a play is a play. If that is one play in a day or 12.

Have a great day