e-mail to friend  print this article

Another fascinating Sunday card for the majors, and there is three matches that I would like to focus on. The New York Mets travel to Cincinnati Reds, the Pittsburgh Pirates travel to the Colorado Rockies and finally the Boston Red Sox are playing at the LA Angels.

NEW YORK METS (Pelfrey 8-6, 3.64) @ CINCINNATI REDS (Volquez 12-3, 2.29)

These two are having terrific seasons. Mike Pelfrey is on a real streak and Edinson Volquez has been so impressive that he performed for the National League all-star team, so perhaps you could be forgiven for wondering why the total runs mark is so high. For me, the mark should be around about 7.5 under and over based on the pitching stats and the fact that neither team has really caught fire in terms of run scoring.

One of the pitching duels of the night potentially awaits.

MEN TO WATCH

Carlos Beltran (.270 15 HR, 67 RBI, 15 SB) Mets

Ken Griffey Jr (.235, 12 HR, 46 RBI) Reds

RECOMMENDATION - 4 Pts Stake Under 9 (draw no bet) @ 1.83 (Bet365)

PITTSBURGH PIRATES (Duke 4-6, 4.40) @ COLORADO ROCKIES (Cook 11-6, 3.57)

Get your brooms at the ready! We have a potential sweep here tonight at Coors field as the Rockies look to secure a 4-0 series victory, and they have looked supreme to the Pirates in every department. With All-star Aaron Cook taking to the mound tonight it will not get any easier for the Pirates. However the 1.56 on the outright win does not appeal as any real value so you had best look to VC for a whopping 2.63 on a -1.5 handicap victory for the Rockies - A mark which has been covered in each of the previous matches of the series. Matt Holliday is a hot bat right now and will be hoping to go deep at some stage.

MEN TO WATCH

Nate McLouth (.277, 19HR, 65 RBI, 11 SB) Pirates

Matt Holliday (.328, 15 HR, 53 RBI, 13 SB) Rockies

RECOMMENDATION - 3 Points stake on Colorado Rockies -1.5 @ 2.63 (VC Bet)

BOSTON RED SOX ( Wakefield 6-6, 3.60) @ LOS ANGELES ANGELS ( Garland 8-6, 4.20)

It's time for the knuckleball! Now I am loathed to back against the Angels because I think they are a terrific team that are capable of winning every contest, but I think that the Red Sox are usually a side to favour in terms of saving a potential sweep.

Tim Wakefield and his knuckleballers still confound some of the best batters out there, and to be frank I thought he was past it but this season he has kept rolling on. Jon Garland is the one Angels starter that I have been regularly disappointed with and I feel he has been fortunate to get runs support so often. This Red Sox All star filled hitting unit can get to the very best so Garland should hold no fears whatsoever for them.

MEN TO WATCH

JD Drew (.298, 17 HR, 55 RBI, 2 SB) Red Sox

Vladimir Guerrero (.288, 16 HR, 52 R, 2 SB) Angels

RECOMMENDATION - 2.5 Points stake on Boston Red Sox @ 2.06 (Canbet)

Happy punting.

Crafty Stan