Ben Burns Available Picks
May, 16 2008 9:05pm EST
MONEYLINE: Colorado Rockies -128
LOSS for -3 unit(s)
Minnesota Twins at Colorado Rockies
I'm laying the price with COLORADO. Its true that the Rockies have really underachieved thus far. I believe that the defending National League champs are better than their record indicates though and I expect them to make the most of the chance for a "fresh start" with the arrival of Interleague play. Note that the Rockies are 4-2 as home favorites in the -125 to -150 range this season and 36-23 (+4.2) in that role since 2006. During that stretch, the Twins have gone 18-32 (-12.8) as road underdogs in the +100 to +125 range, including a horrible 1-9 mark this season.
Jimenez has a poor overall ERA. However, he's been much better of late as he has allowed three earned runs or less in three straight starts. Last time out, he allowed just five hits through 6 2/3 innings, recording an impressive 11 Ks. Blackburn has a decent overall ERA but, unlike Jimenez, he's been getting worse, rather than better. Over his last four starts he has a 5.40 ERA and has allowed 34 hits and seven walks in 25 innings for an ugly 1.64 WHIP. He's not particularly overpowering and is 0-1 with a 5.56 ERA in four road starts, allowing opposing hitters a .337 average. The Twins were 0-4 in those games. Keep in mind that he was 0-2 with a 12.71 ERA in limited innings (in relief) on the road last season. Of course, Coors Field can be a pretty intimidating venue for any pitcher, let alone one making his first appearance there. Jimenez doesn't seem to mind it here though. In fact, he tends to thrive in the 'thin air.' Indeed, he's allowed three earned runs or less in 11 of his 12 alltime starts at Coors Field, including nine straight dating back to last August. Not surprisingly, the Rockies have won four of his last five starts here. Look for Jimenez to outpitch Blackburn as the Rockies grab tonight's series opener and improve to 6-2 the last eight times that they hosted a team from the AL Central. *Personal Favorite.
Ben Burns Past Picks
MLB Baseball
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I'm laying the price with ARIZONA. Enough is enough! The Diamondbacks started off the season by going 1-2 and they haven't fallen below 500 since. They have been right at the 500 mark a couple of times ... read more
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San Diego Padres @ Colorado Rockies Wednesday July 2, 2008 9:05 pm
I'm playing on the Padres and Rockies to finish OVER the total. After the Padres and Rockies combined for 23 runs in their opener, the offenses cooled down significantly last night. That was with Cook ... read more
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Philadelphia Phillies @ Atlanta Braves Wednesday July 2, 2008 7:10 pm
I'm laying the price with ATLANTA. The Braves are finally getting healthy and they're at home for this huge game. Its "huge" because they're already 1-6 against the Phillies on the season and ... read more
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Chicago Cubs @ San Francisco Giants Tuesday July 1, 2008 10:15 pm
I'm playing on SAN FRANCISCO. After getting swept by the rival White Sox, the Cubs bounced back with a convincing 9-2 victory over the Giants in the opening game of this series. Despite that result, they're ... read more
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Pittsburgh Pirates @ Cincinnati Reds Tuesday July 1, 2008 7:10 pm
I'm laying the price with CINCINNATI. Momentum is an important ingredient in baseball and the Reds have "Big Mo" sitting in their corner. After closing out Interleague play with a pair of wins ... read more
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MLB Baseball
Boston Red Sox @ Tampa Bay Rays Tuesday July 1, 2008 7:10 pm
I'm playing on the Red Sox and Rays to finish OVER the number. In order to succeed in real estate or the stock market, one must seek out "value" with all purchases, finding stocks or properties ... read more
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Toronto Blue Jays @ Seattle Mariners Monday June 30, 2008 10:10 pm
I'm laying the price with TORONTO. Both teams are playing much better than when they faced each other at Toronto a few weeks ago. Of course, that's likely due in part to the fact that both clubs have ... read more
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MLB Baseball
San Diego Padres @ Colorado Rockies Monday June 30, 2008 9:05 pm
I'm playing on Colorado and San Diego to finish OVER the total. These teams played a trio of low-scoring games when they faced each other back near the beginning of May. Those games occurred at pitcher-friendly ... read more
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MLB Baseball
Boston Red Sox @ Tampa Bay Rays Monday June 30, 2008 7:10 pm
I'm laying the price with TAMPA BAY. This is a huge game and series for both teams, as they're currently neck and neck for first place in the AL East. It's arguably more important for the Rays though, ... read more
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MLB Baseball
Chicago Cubs @ Chicago White Sox Sunday June 29, 2008 8:05 pm
I'm playing on the White Sox and Cubs to finish UNDER the total. The first two games of this series have both finished above the total and most are expecting another high-scoring affair this evening. ... read more
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