Five teams in the senior circuit stand above all the rest and each will be in action to start the month of June. Though the season is not quite a third of the way completed, each of the five squads have shown the capabilities to have more pitching, hittin

2009-06-02

Five teams in the senior circuit stand above all the rest and each will be in action to start the month of June. Though the season is not quite a third of the way completed, each of the five squads have shown the capabilities to have more pitching, hitting and fielding compared to other division competitors. With many unforeseen circumstances still available to be played out, we’ll focus just on today’s contests. Be in the action checking the LIVE ODDS, BETTING TRENDS, and TEAM STATISTICS pages for baseball on Monday.

Philadelphia at San Diego

The Phillies are in first place in the NL East and are the best road team in Major League’s at 16-6 (+11.8 units). They average 6.4 runs per game away from home with their loaded lineup; however, they will be severely tested as they embark on a West Coast swing, starting in San Diego. The Padres as it turns out are one of the best home teams in baseball with 17-6 mark (+10.3). San Diego hasn’t overwhelmed teams with electric offense, which averages just 3.7 RPG; instead they have relied on timely hitting and tremendous pitching, with teams scoring a mere 3.2 RPG at Petco Park. Philly will start Joe Blanton (3-3, 6.14 ERA) and they have won 12 of 16 at Petco and are -121 money line road favorites with total Un8 according to Sportsbook.com. The Padres will counter with Kevin Correia (1-3, 5.11) and they are 10-2 as a home underdog of +100 or higher this season.

New York Mets at Pittsburgh

The Mets have won three straight series and will go after another, traveling to Pittsburgh for four-game series. New York is a half a game behind the Phillies in division race and opened as -112 favorites behind Livan Hernandez (4-1, 4.28) and have 8-21 record on the road with a money line of -100 to -125 over the last two seasons. Pittsburgh has been slumping, losing seven of last 10 and may soon have to make a decision on Ian Snell (1-6, 5.43), who continues to struggle. The Pirates offense doesn’t help matters, having scored one run or less in 15 of 50 games played in 2009. The Mets have taken five of last seven at PNC Park.

Milwaukee at Florida

Milwaukee holds a thin one game lead in the NL Central, thanks to sweeping Cincinnati at home over the weekend. The Brewers will head south, starting in Florida, taking on the Marlins. This matchup would appear to favor the Brew Crew, who is 13-3 having won three of their last four games this season. They will start Jeff Suppan (3-4, 5.23) as a +102 underdog and the two combined and the 11-4 as road underdogs of less than +150. Florida is just 4-11 at home against right-hand starters and hopes Andrew Miller (1-2, 4.55) is on top of his game. If not, the Marlins are 18-35 at home vs. a good bullpen that converts on 75 or more percent of their save opportunities over the last three seasons.

Cincinnati at St. Louis

The Cardinals are back home after splitting six-game road trip and might be feeling lively hosting Cincinnati. The Reds were swept in Milwaukee over the weekend and they’ve lost 12 of their last 14 at Busch Stadium, including their last five in 2008. St. Louis on the other hand is 17-9 (+5 units) at home. They will start Todd Wellemeyer (5-4, 5.02), who has won his last two starts in allowing just two runs in 11 1/3 innings. The Reds will counter with Edinson Volquez (4-2, 4.25), who will be activated from the 15-day disabled list to make his ninth start of the year. The terrific right-hander suffered back spasms, after making a series of solid starts. The Redbirds might be -121 money line favorites; however Volquez and Cincy are is 11-3 as visitors when the money line is +125 to -125.

Arizona at L.A. Dodgers

The Dodgers return home where they are 18-5 (+10.7 units), scoring 5.8 RPG. Los Angeles has the best record in baseball at 35-17 and takes on an Arizona squad who was supposed to be a contender. The D-Backs (22-29) started poorly and even the change in managers has not produced much in the way of results, after another dismal homestand. The Snakes hitters have desolate.214 batting average on the road, though are working on six-game streak of 10 or more hits, all at home. Hiroki Kuroda (1-0, 1.59 ERA) comes off the DL after spending almost two months on it, after experiencing shoulder tightness. The Dodgers are -180 money line favorites and are 18-4 as a home favorite of -110 or higher this season. They will face the offerings of Billy Buckner (1-1, 7.16), who has taken Brandon Webb’s spot in the rotation.

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