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BEGINNING MONDAY MAY 26



L.na (3) 27th, 28th, 29th

The only lefthander in the Milwaukee starting rotation is Many Parra, and he’s looked good in his two most recent outings (3.na (3) 30th, 31st, 1st

The Astros have been one of many 2008 surprises, emerging as one of the league’s most profitable clubs (+$965) and a serious contender in the NL Central.na rotation is fair game.na (3) 2nd, 3rd, 4th

The Diamondbacks may be coming back down to earth after a strong couple of months, but it’s hard to get excited about the Brewers (3-7, -$455 last 10 days). Their offense is only generating 4.3 runs per game vs. righthanders and is no match for the Arizona trio of Brandon Webb (2.69 ERA), Micah Owings (3.97) and Danny Haren (3.39), at least one or two of whom should see action here at Miller Park. PREFERRED: Webb/Owings/Haren.

Chicago Cubs at San Diego (3) 2nd, 3rd, 4th

The Cubs took 3 out of 4 from the hapless Padres at Wrigley Field (+$135) and they have the weapons to bury them once again here at Petco Park. Chicago does its best work against lefthanders (11-7, +$100 with 6.6 runs per game) and the southpaws in the SD rotation don’t concern us. PREFERRED: Cubs vs. lefthanders.

Colorado at L.A. Dodgers (4) 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th

The Rockies haven’t had much success against the Dodgers in head to head play (only 1-5, -$435) and it could be another rough outing for Jeff Francis, who’s been a major disappointment in his first 10 starts (-$405, 6.19 ERA). LA is a strong 8-2 vs. lefthanders (+$595 overall, averaging 5.0 runs per game at home), so take them vs. the struggling Colorado southpaw. PREFERRED: Dodgers vs. Francis.

N.Y. Mets at San Francisco (3) 2nd, 3rd, 4th

The Giants aren’t much of a team, but we can’t take the Mets against righthanders (only 5-14, -$1060 in that situation away from Shea Stadium). But New York has solid numbers vs. lefties (11-5, +$420) and none of the SF southpaws has an ERA lower than 4.39). The Giants have lost money at ATT Park so far in ‘08 (-$390). PREFERRED: Mets vs. lefthanders.

Cleveland at Texas (4) 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th

The surprising Rangers took 2 out of 3 from the Indians at Progressive Park last weekend (+$240) and they’ve posted a healthy profit vs. righthanders so far in ‘08 (+$705). The Tribe is only 8-13 on the road thus far (-$600) so take a shot with the home team when the matchup is right. PREFERRED: Rangers vs. righthanders.

Detroit at Oakland (3) 2nd, 3rd, 4th

The Athletics have the AL’s top pitching staff (3.27 team ERA) while the Tigers have the worst (4.98). Detroit has lost a fortune against righthanders (-$1695) while Oakland is a big winner in that spot (+$1025). Play this series accordingly and steer clear whenever a lefty is involved. PREFERRED: Athletics when righty meets righty.

L.A. Angels at Seattle (3) 2nd, 3rd, 4th

The Mariners are in sorry shape as June gets underway (-$1950 overall) so it’s hard to pass up the Angels, who have posted a 16-10 record away from Anaheim (+$565). Going against Seattle may start getting expensive, but unless things get out of hand we’ll be interested. PREFERRED: Angels at -150 or less.



BEGINNING TUESDAY JUNE 3



Houston at Pittsburgh (3) 3rd, 4th, 5th

First meeting of the year between these two NL Central rivals, and it’s a difficult series to get a handle on right now. The Astros have been huge money-makers so far in 2008 (+$965) but the Pirates have turned a modest profit here at PNC Park (+$485). We’ll hold off for now and take a closer look at this series when game day draws near. PREFERRED: None,

St. Louis at Washington (3) 3rd, 4th, 5th

The Nationals were swept away by the Cardinals in their first meeting of the year (0-3, -$300) and it’s difficult to go against St. Louis at the moment (6-4, +$240 last 10 days with 5.0 runs per game and a 3.92 ERA among starters). Washington averages less than 3.8 runs per game) and with a couple of exceptions, all the pitchers in their rotation are fair game. PREFERRED: Cardinals in al games unless opposed by Redding & Lannan.

Toronto at N.Y. Yankees (3) 3rd, 4th, 5th

The Yankees and Blue Jays have both started to heat up, so this figures to be a competitive series. Andy Pettitte looks like the best opportunity for the home team. He’s had some ups and downs, but Toronto is only 5-8 (-$420) against lefthanders, averaging just 2.8 runs per game in those contests. PREFERRED: Pettitte.

Tampa Bay at Boston (3) 3rd, 4th, 5th

The Rays have been the big story in the first two months of 2008 (+$1195 overall) but as tempting as they are it’s impossible to go against the Red Sox at Fenway right now (21-5, +$1380). We’re reluctant to lay fat price against the upstart Tampa Bay team, so we’ll pass for the time being. PREFERRED: None.

Baltimore at Minnesota (3) 3rd, 4th, 5th

The Baltimore surge may be over now that they’ve fallen off the pace and below the .500 level (only 3.7 runs per game and a 5.53 ERA among starters last 10 days). The Twins have fared well here at the Metrodome (16-12, +$400) and they should take at least two out of 3 from the Orioles, who’s lost money this year outside of Camden Yards (-$530). PREFERRED: Twins in all games.

Kansas City at Chicago W. Sox (3) 3rd, 4th, 5th

The White Sox are a hot team right now (8-2, +$610 with a 2.30 ERA among starters last 10 days) and they meet Kansas City for the first time this season under favorable circumstances. Avoid lefties (KC +$355 in that situation), but against righties they are fair game (-$400 on the road). PREFERRED: Righthanders vs. the Royals.