With talk of Fedor Emelianenko’s Affliction odds taking over sports betting circles, it’s clear that mixed martial arts is dominating the sportsbook scene. However, we casual sports bettors may not want to dive into that scene just yet.
Why not relax and enjoy the Boys of Summer?
The second half is underway and the American League features an important divisional clash between the Yankees and Tigers this weekend. Will the Yanks start their playoff push or will the Tigers prove they’re for real?
Friday, July 17, 7:05 p.m. ET
Luke French (1-0, 1.93) vs A.J. Burnett (8-4, 3.77)
As much as baseball fans (well, Blue Jay fans) love to hate Burnett, he’s been far from a bust in 2009. He’s striking out guys left and right and he’s quietly posted ERAs below 3.00 in June and July after a shaky start to his pinstripes career. Though the Tigers really, really have his number all-time (Burnett’s ERA against Detroit: 8.04), I like the Yankees’ baseball odds for Friday. Burnett is 3-1 at home and he’s pitching well enough to overcome a poor past history against Detroit.
More importantly, Burnett should get a ton of run support. Rookie Luke French has started nicely, but he did his damage against Oakland, Kansas City and Minnesota. Let’s see how the young lefty does in the Bronx against righty bashers like A-Rod, who is heating up.
Daily sports pick: Yankees
Saturday, July 18, 1:05 p.m. ET
Justin Verlander (10-4, 3.38) vs C.C. Sabathia (8-6, 3.86)
“Pretty good†would best describe C.C. Sabathia’s Yankee career thus far. He hasn’t dominated but he’s pitched well enough to justify being at the top of a Major-League rotation. He hasn’t been great against Detroit in his career – 13-10 with an ERA north of 4.00 – but he can handle the current Tigers’ lineup. Miguel Cabrera dominates him but Magglio Ordonez’s good history against C.C. goes out the window since he’s not the same player anymore.
Justin Verlander is a bona fide ace….at home. On the road, he’s 4-4 with a 4.98 ERA compared to 6-0 with a 1.34 ERA at home. He’ll be in tough against the lefty New York bats swinging for the short right field porch.
Daily sports pick: Yankees
Sunday, July 19, 1:05 p.m. ET
Edwin Jackson (7-4, 2.52) vs Joba Chamberlain (4-2, 4.25)
Careful with your betting management here. It’s natural to pick Joba on Sunday; after all, he’s owned the Tigers in his career (0.82 ERA), but numbers can be deceiving. Most of his success came as a reliever; he’s only actually started against the Tigers once, so the sample size is small. He also has a 7.88 ERA and .429 opponents average in July, so he’s nowhere near the top of his game right now.
Edwin Jackson sparkled in the first half and is primed for a fall, but it doesn’t have to start right away. He’s great on the road, sporting a 2.33 ERA, and he’s simply pitching better than Chamberlain right now. Go for a Tigers upset when you make your weekend baseball predictions.
Daily sports pick: Tigers
