darrell,

Four picks today.

Good luck today...

*Chicago Sox +210 over CLEVELAND (1:05 Eastern)

Cleveland has fallen apart, losing five of their last six while the White Sox have won four straight and seven of their last nine. Why can't hte Sox play spoiler here? Chicago starts the rookie Brandon McCarthy. He has allowed just 7 runs in 38 innings since coming up from the minors. He has a 3.35 road ERA that is 1.69 over his last three starts. Chicago is 14-5 in the second half of the season vs. winning teams. This line is very good value and as such we'll back the big dog for one star.

**TORONTO -160 over Kansas City (1:10 Eastern)

The Jays let one slip away from KC last night. But, not again tonight. Before that loss, Toronto was a perfect 4-0 vs. KC in Toronto this year. Runelvys Hernandez goes for KC and he hasn't won since mid July. His ERA over his last three starts is 8.78. Lefty Gustavo Chacin takes the mound for Toronto and he's got a solid 3.91 home ERA. Kansas City scores just 3.8 per game vs. left handers so expect them to go back to their struggling offensive ways this afternoon. Kansas City is 1-17 in road games after having won 2 of their last 3 games this season. Two stars on the Blue Jays.

**NY METS -160 over Colorado (1:10 Eastern)

New York is en fuego right now. They've won 11 of 13 and today look to Carlos Zambrano to make it 12 of 14. Zambrano is hot with a 2.55 ERA over his last three. The bullpen is playing well and the Mets offense is scoring 5.4 runs per game over their last seven. Colorado's offense has gone cold to the tune of 3.4 runs per game over their last seven. The Rocks are 4-21 this season on the road in day games and 3-18 on the road off close losses by 2 runs or less. Road underdogs allowing 5.3 or more runs/game on the season after allowing 3 runs or less 2 straight games are 33-77 (30%) since 1997. Also, favorites of -125 to -175 after allowing 2 runs or less 3 straight games against opponent after a combined score of 4 runs or less are 52-17 (75%) over the last 5 seasons. Take the Mets for two stars.

**ST. LOUIS -140 over Cincinnati (2:15 Eastern)

The Reds have dropped six of seven and now must face Matt Morris who is 7-4 with a 3.89 ERA vs. the Reds. Over his last three starts, Morris has posted a 3.00 ERA, allowing just 6 earned runs in 18 innings. Brandon Claussen has also thrown well but he doesn't have near the bullpen backing him up. St. Louis' offense has also been hot, posting over six runs per game recently. The Cards won a high scoring 9-6 game yesterday and they are 17-3 at home after a game with a combined score of 15 runs or more over the last 2 seasons. Road underdogs of +125 to +175 off 2 straight losses vs. this opponent, starting a pitcher who walked 5 or more hitters last outing are 11-39 (22%) over the last 5 seasons. St. Louis for the sweep for two stars.