Saturday Selections

12PM update:
Cubs price has jumped to +135. The extra push up makes this too good of a price to leave on the table. The Cubs faired very well against lefties last year and hopefully they can send Pettitte packing early. If Harden's velocity back up, close to last year's, they have a great chance of taking this game.

CHC +135 - 2 units

Today Boston takes on the Mets at the new Citi Field for the both teams' last expedition game. Bsoton is going with Daisuke while the Mets are countering with Oliver Perez. Looking at the lineups for the day, the Red Sox are starting their opening day lineup as a last effort tune up for their opener on Monday.

1. Baldelli CF
2. Pedroia 2B
3. Ortiz DH
4. Youkilis 1B
5. Drew RF
6. Bay LF
7. Lowell 3B
8. Lowrie SS
9. Varitek C

The Mets:

1.Reyes, J, SS
2. Murphy, LF
3. Wright, 3B
4. Delgado, 1B
5. Tatis, DH
6 . Church, RF
7. Anderson, CF
8. Schneider, C
9. Castillo, 2B

Overall I look for Boston to right the ship here. They lost last night, their 2nd in a row. The Red Sox haven't lost 2 in a row since mid March and I see no reason they'll make it 3 today. Daisuke has had one spring start, giving up 1 earned run. He's 100% ready for the season from the max effort innings he threw in the WBC. Oliver Perez has had an up and down spring, with a solid start in his last outing against Baltimore, his previous being a 6ER outing against Detroit. Look for Boston to come out hacking, looking to go into their opener on the right foot...that being a win.

Play:

Boston -110 over New York ---- 2 units


Leans:

CHC +130 vs NYY
I like Chicago and know Harden can be an ace but his velocity has been down significantely this pre-season. I don't think I'm making a play due to that fact. If his velocity is back in this start, this is a great price for Chicago.

TB +113 vs PHI
I'm debating the TB/PHI game. Both offenses are in and while I like Hamels quite a bit, Garza is no slouch. I'd lean toward TB because I think this could be a 1 run game. Hamels coming off of an injury is tough to predict...and I'd imagine they'll only throw him 3 innings, 4 max making this a TB lean.