Milwaukee Brewers vs. Pittsburgh Pirates u9.0 (105) – Mon July 20th 2009 7:05p
Visit Touthouse.com for more baseball betting odds and predictions from LT Profits

The Pittsburgh Pirates simply cannot hit right now, as some excellent pitching is the only reason they just took two of three from the San Francisco Giants, and even the normally potent Milwaukee Brewers have scuttled offensively the last three games.

The two Pittsburgh wins over the Giants were by scored of 2-0 and 2-1, and the Bucs are batting a pathetic .188 as a team over their last 10 games. Not surprisingly, the Under is 8-1-1 over this stretch. This should make life easier for Milwaukee starter Mike Burns, whose ugly numbers are skewed by one terrible start vs. the Chicago Cubs. In actuality, Burns has pitched reasonably well in three of his four starts and he has the advantage of facing the Pirates for the first time.

Similarly, Ross Ohlendorf is also facing the Brewers for the first time ever, and he is in fairly good form right now, allowing three runs or less in four of his last six starts. Ohlendorf has done his best pitching at home this year, where he is 5-2 while pitching for a losing team with a very good 3.38 ERA and 1.14 WHIP. He is facing a Milwaukee offense that had managed just eight runs over the last three games.

Finally, games played here at PNC Park have averaged a combined 8.10 runs this season, nearly a full run lower than this posted total, and we see no reason why these hurlers cannot keep this game Under tonight.

MLB Free Pick: Brewers, Pirates Under 9 (+105)

Colorado Rockies vs. Arizona Diamondbacks
Free Pick: Colorado Rockies (-136)
Mon July 20th 2009 8:40p – Click here for MLB Odds
Visit Touthouse.com for more MLB baseball picks from Bob Harvey

The Rockies are looking to advantage of a favorable post all-star game schedule as they open a series at home against the Diamondbacks.

Colorado took three out of four against the Padres this weekend and they’ll look to continue their winning ways against a struggling Arizona team that just traded its top hitter.

It’s doubtful the Rock’s will take the D-Backs lightly. Since June 4, Colorado is 30-10 at home however two of the losses came to Arizona. While the Rockies enjoyed their stay in San Diego, the Snakes lost two out of three in St. Louis and traded Felipe Lopez (.301 average) to Milwaukee for a pair of minor leaguers.

The Diamondbacks’ .247 team batting average this season is second-worst in the NL behind San Diego’s .232, and they’ve averaged only 2.2 runs in Doug Davis’ last seven outings. The veteran lefty is 4-9 with a solid 3.41 ERA with an even better ERA on the road at 3.15. He’s 2-4 record in his career against Colorado with a 3.72 ERA.

The Rockies have lost 24 of its last 36 home matchups with Arizona – including two of three July but tonight’s starter Jorge De La Rosa has won both of his previous starts vs. the Diamondbacks including a four-hit gem in a 5-0 victory on July 3rd.

Keep in mind this not the same Diamondback club of two months ago or even two days ago. The loss of Lopez leaves a big hole at the top of the lineup. Meanwhile the Rockies have feasted off left-handed pitching this season hitting a whopping .315.

Colorado starts the night eight games behind the first-place Dodgers but only a half game behind the wild-card leading Giants. Look for Jim Tracy and the Rockies to keep the foot on the gas against an Arizona teams that has waived the white flag and are thinking about next year.

Below are Free MLB Picks for July 20th from ATS Consultants. Do you want to receive more free expert MLB predictions on a daily basis, be sure to sign-up for the ATS Consultants Newsletter.

San Francisco +155 over Atlanta:
Jonathan Sanchez makes his triumphant return to the mound 10 days after pitching a no hitter against the Padres. Sanchez had been considered a disappointment up until that time, pitching to a 3-8 record and a 4.69 ERA. He spent some time in the minors after his poor start and a few outings in the bullpen when he came back up before being inserted back into the rotation. San Francisco leads the NL Wild Card right now, and starting pitching has been the key. Cy Young candidates Tim Lincecum and Matt Cain have led the way all year, but if they can get these kind of outings from Sanchez the rest of the year, they could be a serious threat in the National League. Atlanta will counter with rookie righty Tommy Hanson (4-0, 2.85), who has done nothing wrong since coming up to the majors. He’s the next in line as far as great Braves starters who have come through the system. He did struggle in his last outing before the break, allowing 4 runs on 6 hits in 5 innings in a loss to the Rockies.

UNDER 9.5 Chicago Cubs/Philadelphia Phillies:
Good pitching matchup tonight at Citizens Bank Park between Ted Lilly (9-6, 3.18) and Rodrigo Lopez (1-0, 3.18). Both teams are playing really well right now heading into this huge series. Lilly has been lights out for the Cubbies all year and has helped keep them in the thick of the NL Central race and the Wild Card as well. He’s allowed just 5 runs in his last 21 1/3 innings of work with 20 K’s in that time as well. Rodrigo Lopez has re discovered himself after missing the 2008 season with arm injuries. He’s made 2 starts in ’09 this far and has allowed 4 runs in 11 1/3 innings. He won’t go more than 6 as he’s working his way back, but he’s always been the kind of guy that can keep his team in the game, and the Phillies certainly have a great bullpen.

ATS Consultants is a featured sports handicapping firm on Touthouse.com

Here is a rundown of today’s baseball betting odds and MLB lines from ATS Consultants for July 20th 2009. If you are looking for free MLB baseball betting picks on a daily basis be sure to sign-up for the ATS newsletter, featuring unmatched sports wagering information, free picks and expert analysis.

Nearly a full schedule in the bigs today with a few intriguing games. Jason Schmidt makes his return to the Dodgers rotation as he faces the Reds. In the American League, former teammates John Smoltz and Kevin Milwood battle in Texas in a game between two teams battling for the playoffs. Good Luck!

MLB Baseball Betting Odds: July 20th 2009
Click Here for Current MLB Baseball Odds

Date # Team Money Spread Total
Date # Team Money Spread Total
07/20/09 101 Mets(NY) LHernandez +110 Over 9 (-120)
19:05 ET 102 Nationals(Washington) Martin -130 Under 9 (even)

07/20/09 103 Brewers(Milwaukee) Burns -110 Over 9 (-115)
19:05 ET 104 Pirates(Pittsburgh) Ohlendorf -110 Under 9 (-105)

07/20/09 105 Cubs(Chicago) Lilly -105 Over 9.5
19:05 ET 106 Phillies(Philadelphia) Lopez -115 Under 9.5

07/20/09 107 Giants(SanFrancisco) Sanchez +155 Over 8 (-115)
19:10 ET 108 Braves(Atlanta) Hanson -175 Under 8 (-105)

07/20/09 111 Diamondbacks(Arizona) Davis +130 Over 9.5 (-115)
20:40 ET 112 Rockies(Colorado) DeLaRosa -150 Under 9.5 (-105)

07/20/09 115 Reds(Cincinnati) Owings +145 Over 9 (-110)
22:10 ET 116 Dodgers(LA) Schmidt -165 Under 9 (-110)

07/20/09 117 Orioles(Baltimore) DHernandez +170 Over 10.5 (-105)
19:05 ET 118 Yankees(NewYork) Pettitte -200 Under 10.5 (-115)

07/20/09 119 RedSox(Boston) Smoltz -108 Over 10 (+110)
20:05 ET 120 Rangers(Texas) Millwood -112 Under 10 (-130)

07/20/09 121 Rays(TampaBay) Price -120 Over 9 (-115)
20:10 ET 122 WhiteSox(Chicago) Floyd even Under 9 (-105)

07/20/09 125 Twins(Minnesota) Blackburn -128 Over 8.5 (-120)
22:05 ET 126 Athletics(Oakland) Gonzalez +108 Under 8.5 (even)

ATS Consultants is a featured sports handicapping firm on Touthouse.com. If you are looking for free baseball picks or updated MLB baseball betting lines be sure to visit Touthouse.com on a daily basis

Houston Astros vs. Los Angeles Dodgers u8.5 (115)
Sun July 19th 2009 4:10p – Click here for MLB odds
Visit Touthouse.com for more free MLB baseball picks from LT Profits

Hiroki Kuroda of the Los Angeles Dodgers was dominant in his two starts vs. the Houston Astros last season, while Russ Ortiz has been surprisingly serviceable for the Astros.

Granted, Kuroda has been more inconsistent than usual lately, but Houston could be the perfect remedy for him. Kuroda allowed a total of one run and only six hits in 13.2 innings over those two starts vs. the Astros last year, and although they have been hitting better lately, they are still batting a modest .258 vs. right-handed pitchers on the road this season. Kuroda also has a 1.11 WHIP in four home starts, and he has always pitcher better at home since entering the league.

Ortiz has surprisingly allowed three earned runs or less in eight of his 10 starts this season, and one of those outings came vs. these Dodgers in Houston back in April. Now Ortiz has become no more than a six-inning pitcher at this point of his career, but that suits the Astros just fine as they are getting fine work out of their bullpen, as that unit has posted a 3.56 ERA over the last 10 games.

The Under is now 7-1 in the last eight Dodger home games, and we look for more of the same today.

MLB Free Pick: Astros, Dodgers Under 8.5 (+115)

Free MLB Pick: Pittsburgh Pirates (107) – Sun July 19th 2009 1:35p
Visit Touthouse.com for more Free MLB Picks from Alex Smart

The San Francisco Giants in the recent past have had a hard time figuring out the Pittsburgh Pirates, as is evident by losing 18 of the L/23 overall meetings in this series, including 5 straight at PNC Park( 2 this past weekend).

Even the usually stable Matt Cain(10-2, 2.38 ERA) is just 0-2 along with a humbling 5.63 ERA in career starts vs the Pirates. He may also exhibit a little rust, after a extending lay off, that has seen him not pitch since July 10, because of a bruised arm. It must be noted Cains team is just 1-6 in his L/7 starts after being off for more than 7 days. Meanwhile, Zack Duke (8-8,3.29 ERA) the Pirates starting hurler in this spot, owns a 2-0 record along with a stingy 1.65 ERA in his L/3 starts vs the Giants. The left hander has pitched his best at home this season where he has garnered a 6-3 record along with a tight 2.77 ERA in nine home starts, and once again looks like a solid choice on a value line.

I know these teams have played at the opposite end of the performance spectrum for much of this season, but considering the recent history in this series, it will not be a hard decision to back the Pirates to come away with a win in this spot.

Free MLB Pick: Play on the Pittsburgh Pirates

Below are Free MLB Picks for July 19th from ATS Consultants. Do you want to receive more free expert MLB predictions on a daily basis, be sure to sign-up for the ATS Consultants Newsletter.

San Francisco -115 over Pittsburgh:
Excellent pitching matchup today to close out this series in Pittsburgh. Matt Cain goes for the Giants while Zach Duke takes the hill for the Buccos. Cain (10-2, 2.38) was an All Star last week and deservedly so. He and Tim Lincecum have led the resurgence of the Giants and allowed them to stay in playoff contention in the National League. He’s allowed just 8 runs in his last 30 1/3 innings pitched while striking out 27 in that span. Can’t really take anything away from Zach Duke either. Duke is 8-8 with a very good 3.29 ERA and has been the Pirates ace all year. As well as he’s pitched lately, the team can’t seem to score any runs for him. He’s just 1-4 in his last 5 starts despite a 3.82 ERA in that time frame. Each game in this series has been close, and I expect more of the same today, but like the Giants in a close one.

Detroit +125 over New York Yankees:
New York has gotten the best of the Tigers so far in this series, winning the first two in close fashion. Today, with All Star Edwin Jackson (7-4, 2.52) on the mound, expect the Tigers to finally win one in Yankee Stadium. Jackson has had a breakout season after years of disappointing teams with his potential. He bounced around the league for years before finally finding a home in Detroit. He and Justin Verlander have done a great job all year and are the main reasons that the Tigers find themselves in first place as we hit the second half aof the 2009 season. Yankees starter Joba Chamberlain (4.2, 4.25) really needs to go back to the bullpen, where I feel he’d be a dominant set up man. It looks like the Yankees figured it out with Phil Hughes, why wouldn’t do the same for Joba? He’s been brutal in his last few efforts, allowing 10 runs on 27 hits in his last 13 1/3 innings pitched. Maybe he’s getting tired, who knows, but the Yankees really need to figure out how to use him and his dominant stuff correctly.

ATS Consultants is a featured sports handicapping firm on Touthouse.com

Here is a rundown of today’s baseball betting odds and MLB lines from ATS Consultants for July 19th 2009. If you are looking for free MLB baseball betting picks on a daily basis be sure to sign-up for the ATS newsletter, featuring unmatched sports wagering information, free picks and expert analysis.

Big Sunday in the Majors today highlighted by a great pitching matchup in Toronto between Roy Halladay and Jon Lester. Joba Chamberlain and the Yankees go for the sweep against the Tigers and Edwin Jackson. Good luck!

MLB Baseball Betting Odds: July 19th 2009
Click Here for Current MLB Baseball Odds

Date # Team Money Spread Total
07/19/09 251 Phillies(Philadelphia) Happ -118 -1.5 (+135) Over 9 (-115)
13:10 ET 252 Marlins(Florida) Miller +108 +1.5 (-155) Under 9 (-105)

07/19/09 253 Brewers(Milwaukee) Gallardo -118 -1.5 (+130) Over 8 (-115)
13:10 ET 254 Reds(Cincinnati) Cueto +108 +1.5 (-150) Under 8 (-105)

07/19/09 255 Cubs(Chicago) Hart -120 -1.5 (+135) Over 9 (-120)
13:35 ET 256 Nationals(Washington) Mock +110 +1.5 (-155) Under 9 (even)

07/19/09 257 Giants(SanFrancisco) Cain -108 -1.5 (+150) Over 7.5 (even)
13:35 ET 258 Pirates(Pittsburgh) Duke -102 +1.5 (-170) Under 7.5 (-120)

07/19/09 259 Diamondbacks(Arizona) Petit +185 +1.5 (-120) Over 9 (even)
14:15 ET 260 Cardinals(StLouis) Pineiro -200 -1.5 (even) Under 9 (-120)

07/19/09 261 Rockies(Colorado) Marquis -136 -1.5 (+130) Over 7.5 (-120)
16:05 ET 262 Padres(SanDiego) Latos +126 +1.5 (-150) Under 7.5 (even)

07/19/09 263 Astros(Houston) Ortiz +175 +1.5 (-135) Over 8.5 (-120)
16:10 ET 264 Dodgers(LA) Kuroda -185 -1.5 (+115) Under 8.5 (even)

07/19/09 265 Mets(NY) Nieve +205 +1.5 (-105) Over 8 (-125)
18:05 ET 266 Braves(Atlanta) Vazquez -230 -1.5 (-115) Under 8 (+105)

07/19/09 267 Mariners(Seattle) Bedard -111 -1.5 (+150) Over 8.5 (even)
13:05 ET 268 Indians(Cleveland) Laffey +101 +1.5 (-170) Under 8.5 (-120)

07/19/09 269 RedSox(Boston) Lester +103 +1.5 (-220) Over 7.5
13:05 ET 270 BlueJays(Toronto) Halladay -113 -1.5 (+180) Under 7.5

07/19/09 271 Orioles(Baltimore) Guthrie +121 +1.5 (-170) Over 9.5 (-105)
14:05 ET 272 WhiteSox(Chicago) Contreras -131 -1.5 (+150) Under 9.5 (-115)

07/19/09 273 Tigers(Detroit) Jackson +132 +1.5 (-155) Over 9.5 (-115)
14:05 ET 274 Yankees(NewYork) Chamberlain -142 -1.5 (+135) Under 9.5 (-105)

07/19/09 275 Rays(TampaBay) Garza -144 -1.5 (+115) Over 8.5 (-125)
14:10 ET 276 Royals(KansasCity) Hochevar +134 +1.5 (-135) Under 8.5 (+105)

07/19/09 277 Angels(LAA) Lackey -111 -1.5 (+135) Over 8.5 (-115)
16:05 ET 278 Athletics(Oakland) Anderson +101 +1.5 (-155) Under 8.5 (-105)

07/19/09 279 Twins(Minnesota) Liriano -105 -1.5 (+150) Over 10
20:05 ET 280 Rangers(Texas) Holland -105 +1.5 (-170) Under 10

ATS Consultants is a featured sports handicapping firm on Touthouse.com. If you are looking for free baseball picks or updated MLB baseball betting lines be sure to visit Touthouse.com on a daily basis

Free Pick: Los Angeles Dodgers -1.5 (115) – Sat July 18th 2009 10:10p
Visit Touthouse.com for more free mlb baseball picks from LT Profits

Clayton Kershaw of the Los Angeles Dodgers has been almost unhittable over his last six starts, and while Mike Hampton is a Comeback Player of the Year candidate for the Houston Astros, he showed in his last start that he is capable of imploding at any time.

Kershaw has allowed a grand total of three runs on only 19 hits in 35.2 innings in those six starts, including four scoreless outings! Believe it or not, he has actually been better over his last three outings, where he allowed one run and six hits in 17 innings with 16 strikeouts. Kershaw has been excellent at home all year, where he has a deceptive 2-2 record with a sparkling 1.85 ERA and 1.19 WHIP in nine starts.

Now Hampton was on a nice roll entering his last start, but he was then promptly roughed up for five runs and nine hits in just 3.2 innings by the lowly Washington Nationals of all clubs. Yes, he had allowed three runs or less in five straight starts prior to that outings, but that last start has us a bit concerned, and he will need to be on top of his game to match Kershaw in his raging current form.

While Hampton is better than his last start, we still expect the Dodgers to scratch out enough runs off of him here for a Run Line victory.

MLB Free Pick: Dodgers -1.5 (+115)

Chicago Cubs vs. Washington Nationals u8.0 (-110) – Sat July 18th 2009 7:05p
Visit Touthouse.com for more baseball betting picks from Bob Harvey

The Cubs needed a two-run double from pitcher Carlos Zambrano to beat the Nationals on Friday. That gives you an idea how they’re struggling at the plate. The Nationals despite a decent team batting average of .262 have struggled lately to get runners across the dish. Put that combination together and you’ve got the makings of a nice UNDER play in the nation’s capital.

The Cubs are banged up. Alfonso Soriano who was showing signs of breaking out a season long slump will miss today’s game with a swollen finger. Chicago is already without Geovany Soto who was also starting to heat up before he went on the DL.

Even the healthy Cubbies are struggling at the plate. Leadoff hitter Kos Fukodome is hitting just .255. Free agent bust Milton Bradley has a .239 BA. Backup catcher Koy Hill is batting just .208. Outside of Derek Lee and Aramis Ramirez, the Cubs don’t have much else to offer offensively. As a team the Cubs are hitting .247 the second lowest average in the NL. The Cubs average just 4.14 runs per game, 26th in MLB.

Washington is in a 1 for 23 rut with runners in scoring position in the last three games, including an 0-for-8 performance Friday. The Nats rank 20th in baseball in runs scored with 4.31 per game.

The starting pitchers for tonight’s tilt are solid if not spectacular. Rookie Jordan Zimmerman will look for his fourth win of the year and at the same time given interim manager Jim Riggleman his first victory. Zimmermann,has a 2.70 ERA in his last seven games and three quality starts in his last four outings.

Fellow rookie Randy Wells goes for the Cubs. He’s 4-4 with a 2.72 ERA and was moved up one day to start in place of Ted Lilly. Wells will be after his fifth win in six outings.

If I didn’t make a compelling enough case to go low tonight consider these trends:
The UNDER is 8-0 in the last eight series meetngs in Washington and nine of the last 11 meetings have played to the low side. In addition the Cubs are 21-6 to the UNDER in their last 27 road games. Chicago is 49-36 to the UNDER this season while Washington is 47-39.

Playing total’s have been a risky proposistion for yours truly but given the way these two teams are struggling at the plate right now, a slugfest is definitely out of the question.