2% Take Colorado (#903) (action)

Pittsburgh has no business in this price range – period.  They’re returning home off a dismal West Coast trip with a day off between games, a strong ‘negative expectation’ spot for favorites. 

The Pirates started 11-4, but they’re 3-13 since, 1-7 in their last eight ballgames; every bit the bottom feeder that they were expected to be.    No shock, then, that Pirates backers have lost money for the full season, despite that hot start.  To call this lineup ‘ice cold’ is something of an understatement.  Pittsburgh has scored 3, 1, 1, 1, 2, 1, 4, 2, 2, 5, 0, 4, 2, 1, 2 and 0 runs in their last 16 ballgames.  That’s not a hitting slump, it’s a bad offense.  Throw in a consistently ‘iffy’ bullpen and Pittsburgh is clearly a ‘bet-against’ team in this price range.  It’s surely worth noting that as a favorite the Pirates area 3-7 as a favorite of -110 or higher this year, not a team to lay prices with!

The Rockies have been awful, particularly on the highway – hence the big underdog price they’re getting today.  That said, Colorado just held a team meeting following their second extra inning loss in three days at Miami yesterday.  The quotes after that meeting?  Bet on! Manger Bud Black: “Morale is fine. Guys are playing their (butts) off. We're just not getting the clutch hit, or making a big pitch. ... Our guys, man, they're fighting….I talked to them after the game and, you know, they're frustrated because of the tough losses. But, man, this group has a lot of heart."  It’s a bet-on spot for the road underdog against as false a favorite as you’ll find in MLB these days.  Take the Rockies.

Line Parameter: 2% at +140 or higher, 1.5% at +139 or lower