This has been a crazy first half of the MLB season so far for gamblers. Just when you think a team is riding high and playing well, they drop a game they definitely should’ve won. I don’t know if it’s parody or just a lazy season, but it seems to be missing some excitement. Too many online sports betting teams in first place that are fewer than 10 games over .500. Let’s take a look at a couple games and see if we can pump some juice back into this thing.
White Sox at Twins: You’d like to think both these teams are primed for a second-half run on Detroit after disappointing first-halves, but before we get to that, one final mid-season bout between these strong rivals. Buehrle and his impressive 9-2 record and 3.15 ERA take the mound against Scott Baker, who got a dreadful 5.4 ERA and a 6-7 record. Neither one of these guys is a K machine, but the edge goes strongly in favor to the Sox here. Buerhle is playing excellent baseball and is one of the most consistent players in the league right now. Give him 3 runs and you’re done. Baker, however, lasted 3 innings and gave up 5 against the Yankees. A good offense, sure, but then again, so are the Sox lately. I’d be careful about the over on this one. It’ll probably come in at around 8, and I might consider taking the under. Unless Chicago hits a last-minute streak (and they might be sitting some of their top guys to rest), both teams will struggle to score. The line will probably put this one even, giving way too much credit to the Twins being at home this time. Bet the Sox. Both teams -115.
Atlanta at Colorado: Two teams that, surprisingly, aren’t dead. In fact, both could be players come the trading deadline and make things interesting, if not in their respective divisions (I’m looking at you Rockies) than definitely the Wild Card race. Speaking of the Sox, ex- White Sox pitcher Javier Vazquez is pitching well in the NL even if his record isn’t showing it. Ignore that and trust his 2.9 ERA. He goes up against Jason Hammel, who with a 4 ERA, a 5-4 record and 59 Ks (not to mention a 1.4 whip) is about as ho-hum as you can get right now. Not great, not awful, brings little flair or emotion to the table. A dime a dozen. Still, sometimes these are the guys you have to scout extra hard. The Braves don’t get as much credit as they used to, but the team is sixth in the NL in batting average at .260. These guys can still hit and play defense. I like the way they’re playing right now, too, posting a plus .500 record their last dozen games or so. Another close one, but the Rockies will take a small favorite on the money line. I predict a Braves victory, though. Rockies -125, Braves +110.