Heavy Blinkers

MLB Games for May 31

Well, the AL East is starting to look like it always has, with Boston and New York fighting for the top spot, and “all the rest” bringing up the rear. That, unfortunately, includes the Blue Jays, who are no longer peering down on their competition from atop the division. In fact, the blue Jays have been in a free-fall of late, and are nowhere near the dominant team they were to start the season. Speaking of which, the Red Sox travel up north to face Toronto. John Lester (3-5, 6 ERA) faces Ricky Romero (2-1, 3 ERA). If anything will save the Blue Jays from themselves in this matchup it’ll be a strong pitching performance to stop the bleeding. I think they’ll get it here. Lester is shaky in Toronto and having a difficult season so far…look for his struggles to continue in this one. Toronto, despite heading in the opposite direction as Boston, will be a slight favorite, probably a -120 to Boston +110. I’d take Toronto in this one, and I’d also take the over. I think both teams will light it up for 12+ total runs.

How about Seattle at Los Angeles? One team that at one point looked great in the AL West, and another that dominated the entire league last year trying to recapture it’s magic. Can you guess which team is which? I’ll give you a hint, neither is in first place right now – that distinction somehow goes to the Rangers. The Angels, who’ve pulled themselves above .500 finally, send Ervin Santana to the mound. At 0-2, 7.82, you wonder why he’s still in the rotation, until you see he’s only started three games so far this season. An excuse? Does it matter? The Mariners send an equally unimpressive Chris Jakubauskas with an ERA close to 7 himself.

It makes you shake your head when you see these mlb betting matchups as a baseball gambler. Both teams are around .500 in their last 10 games, but here’s the difference. Angels are at the top of the AL in hitting but almost at the bottom in pitching. Mariners are almost the opposite, struggling greatly in team average so far. Which do you trust to come through in the clutch? I trust pitching, but not by much. The line will go to the Angels as the home team and the better record. -110 to +110. But I say take the Mariners in this one. Or avoid the line and take the over. Statistically, that’s the safer play anyhow.