BEGINNING THURSDAY SEPTEMBER 18

Minnesota at Tampa Bay (4) 19th, 20th, 21st, 22nd

The Rays would like to win the AL East, but barring a major collapse their place on the post-season is secure. The Twins, however, are in a life and death struggle for the AL Central title, and this is a tough ballpark for visiting teams (TB +$2660 at Tropicana Field). Prices may not be so bad, given how badly the visitor needs the wins, so take the home team if you can get in cheap. BEST BET: Rays at -135 or less.

BEGINNING FRIDAY SEPTEMBER 19

Houston at Pittsburgh (3) 19th, 20th, 21st

The Astros are the big story in baseball right now (80-67, +$2565) and a trip to PNC Park to take on the pitching poor Pirates (5.20 team ERA, worst in the NL) could not be coming at a better time. Houston’s starting pitching has been spectacular (1.79 ERA last 10 days), so they should take at least 2 out of 3. BEST BET: Astros in all games.

Philadelphia at Florida (3) 19th, 20th, 21st

The Marlins have made life miserable for the Phillies in 2008 (9-6, +$715 in head to head play) and they have a pair of starters in Josh Johnson (+$705, 3.30) and Brian Nolasco (+$1560, 3.67) who are both likely to see action this weekend. The Phillies have lost money vs. righthanders this season (-$810). BEST BET: Jo. Johnson/Nolasco.

Milwaukee at Cincinnati (3) 19th, 20th, 21st

The Brewers are floundering down the stretch once again (3-7, -$715 last 10 days with only 2.7 runs per game) and they are now in serious danger of blowing the wildcard. They’ve lost money to the Reds in head to head play (-$295) and their lefthanders could run into trouble here at Great American Ballpark, taking on a Cincinnati tram that has turned a profit at home against southpaws (+$450 with 5.4 runs per game). BEST BET: Reds vs. lefthanders.

N.Y. Mets at Atlanta (3) 19th, 20th, 21st

The Braves have been playing a bit better in recent days (6-4, +$305 last 10 days) and they could pose a problem to a New York team that has lost money in night games vs. righthanders (-$1260). Atlanta also holds an edge in head to head play with the Mets (9-6, +$590). BEST BET: Righthanders vs. the Mets in night games.

Chicago W. Sox at Kansas City (3) 19th, 20th, 21st

The White Sox have dominated the Royals in in head to head play (10-5, +$340) but we’ve cashed a number of tickets in the 2nd half with Kansas City vs. lefthanders (+$1780) in that situation). The Chicago rotation features a number of southpaws, at least one or two of whom should see action. BEST BET: Royals vs. lefthanders.



BEGINNING MONDAY SEPTEMBER 22



Philadelphia at Atlanta (3) 22nd, 23rd, 24th

The Phillies have dominated the Braves this year (10-2, +$830) and they can fatten up on Atlanta lefthanders (+$655 with 5.5 runs per game in that situation), or when they send their two ace lefties to the hill (Hamels, 3.11 ERA in 31 starts . . . Moyer 3.68 ERA in 30 starts). The Braves are only 18-27 (-$1550) against southpaws in 2008. PREFERRED: Hamels/Moyer/Phillies vs. lefthanders.

Chicago Cubs at N.Y. Mets (3) 22nd, 23rd, 24th, 25th

The Cubs swept a two game series at Wrigley early in the year (+$200) in the only meeting of these teams so far in ‘08. But the Mets have had an outstanding 2nd half and are poised to erase the stain of last year’s ignominious collapse. They have posted a phenomenal 16-2 record in night games vs. lefties at Shea (+$1300) and all four of these games are evening affairs. PREFERRED: Mets vs. lefthanders.



BEGINNING FRIDAY SEPTEMBER 26



San Francisco at L.A. Dodgers (3) 26th, 27th, 28th

If LA hasn’t clinch the division, the Giants become an solid underdog value. They’ve turned a profit on the road vs. righties (+$605) while LA has lost money vs. righties in all settings (-$1115 with only 3.9 runs per game). PREFERRED: Giants when righty meets righty.

Cleveland at Chicago W. Sox (3) 26th, 27th, 28th

Look for the Chisox to lower the hammer on a team they’ve killed in ‘08 (10-5, +$585). Chicago has been too tough at US Cellular (+$1255) to try the underdog. PREFERRED: White Sox in all games.

Kansas City at Minnesota (3) 26th, 27th, 28th

As noted before, we’ve fared well with the Royals vs. lefties (+$1780 in that situation), so we’ll try that angle here, hopefully with the visitor in a position to act as spoiler. PREFERRED: Royals vs. lefthanders.
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Courage + Belief =Life
In Memory of John Challis