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.na 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.
