Bookie Chat
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Chat with the Vegas Insider Handicappers at 3:30pm EST
Q: Kansas City Any big plays for today? R: judd Well my personal favorite play for today is the Reds at home against Colorado. The Rockies are coming off of a split of a day-night double header against the Mets yesterday. Thursday was supposed to be just the early game so the Rox could get the hell out of Dodge. So now you've got a team that just played two games and traveled late last night against a team that is in dire need of a win. Shop around for a good value here. I got Cincy at $1.30, but they're up to almost +150 right now. Q: LT (baltimore) I see the Pats around 4/1 to win it all. Do you think people are foolish to assume the knee will hold up? R: judd You know what they say about people who "assume." It's not hard to think that Brady will have a great season in 2009 with all the talent they have around him. Plus, they went and changed the rules for coming after the quarterback, which is just a joke. The Pats' schedule suggests that they'll return to the playoffs with nine games against teams that had a losing record last year. Even if Brady isn't up to snuff on the field, the Pats are confident that Kevin O'Connell will fill in for him nicely. Q: Mike (Providence) Boston Red Sox just gave up one of their young buck Pitchers in Justin Masterson for Victor Martinez from Cleveland. Was this a wise move and bolster a run at winning the AL East vs aqquiring a pitcher in a trade? R: judd It never hurts to add an extra bat to your lineup, I think they should have done more to grab another pitcher. I don't care what anyone says, Boston could have had Roy Halladay if they really wanted him. Halladay gives you nice, long outings every time on the mound. That will definitely help a bullpen that is starting to make me wonder if they are going to fall apart. I can't fault them for picking up Martinez since he can DH, play first base and catch. The catching aspect is huge because the BoSox have relied way too much on the extremely overrated Jason Varitek. It also gets Martinez back into his natural position. Q: Steve (Tampa) Does the addition of Jarrod Washburn to Detroit make them the odds on favorite to win the AL Central? And how should we look at betting him in the future? R: judd I think the addition of Washburn not only makes the Tigers the favorite to win the AL Central, but even to reach the World Series. Think about all of the division leaders and Wild Card contenders. Which of them have a three-headed punch of Verlander, Jackson and Washburn. All three starters have been to the Wolrd Series, Washburn actually coming away with a ring. This trio also usually pitches well past the seventh inning, lightening the load on the bullpen. As far as betting Washburn, go ahead and back him at home. He's 4-3 for his career at Comerica Park. Q: Jeff (Tampa) How much would a payout be if I wanted to make a wager on the Gators to repeat as National Champions this year? Other than Ole Miss (which I like our chances even on the road with the revenge factor) getting to the National Championship seems very doable. R: judd I can't say that I blame you for wanting to take the Gators. Hell, they're going to be favored in every game they play. Of course that assumes that everyone stays healthy. You're a little late on the Florida betting parade though. They opened at 6/1 but are now around 7/5. Any value that was there waved bye-bye a long time ago. I'd stay on Ole Miss here for 25/1 because their schedule sets up nicely for a unbeaten run (get LSU and Alabama @ home. They're even a great team to hammer during the year with a 14-4 record in their last 18 games. Q: Dave (Columbus) What plays look good during the weekend? R: judd The play I'm keeping a close eye on is the Angels against Minnesota. The Twins have a 17-19 mark against southpaws for the season. But they are an astounding 12-3 against lefties at the Metrodome at night. The Twins are $1.40 home faves, which is right about where I'd be willing to still back them. Take Minnesota in this spot. |
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