I'll start posting my plays in brown so they're easier to find amongst the clutter.
Robin Hoods Posting Record: 3-2 +2.58 units [R.O.I: 20%]
Every wager is to win 2.5 units: which is equal to 2.5% of my starting bankroll.
Thursday September 30th, 2010
Cincinnati Reds -128
This juice is very heavy for me but this game and situation is too solid to pass-up.
With the season dwindling down Houston find themself way out of the playoffs visiting Cincinnati who clinched their division a few days ago, so it appears that neither team will put in an effort today. I don't believe this to be the case as all divisional matchups are important for the players, organization and fans. Houston is 5-9 against Cincinnati this season (1-1 in this series) therefore Cincinnati would top the double digit column with a win tonight, and put them one win away from 90 on the season. These milestones are important to the players, organization and fans. Cincinnati won game one of this divisional series on Tuesday, but they rested the heart of their line-up on Wednesday (Votto, Rollen, Phillips and Bruce). and Cincinnati wen't on to lose 2-0. These players will be back in the line-up today along with Laynce Nix (who was injured the past four games) and with some rest and more hop in their bats I expect Cincinnati to make it up to their fans and bounce-back from yesterdays dissapointing home loss. This is Houston's 10th straight road game (also their final one of this road trip) which is always a good situation to fade as the teams prepare and are anxious to head home.
Brett Myers has put together some above average numbers once again this year for Houston, but I still give the pitching edge to Cincinnati with Bronson Arroyo on the mound. All of his numbers are better than Myers besides ERA and in his last start vs. Houston, Arroyo helped guide Cincinnati to an 11-1 win.
Houston's bats are drained from this ten games in eleven nights roadtrip, between three different cities and it has been evident the past four nights not once hitting above .235 as a team (while Cincinnati has hit above .235 in 9 of their past 10 games .. averaging .292 vs. right handed pitchers during this span). Houston will struggle against Arroyo and Myers should struggle a bit against Cincinnati's fresh and strong bats, enough to have Cincinnati winning when Houston's bullpen comes into the ball game.
Houston's bullpen has been awful this year and have gotten worst as the season has gone on. Their WHIP, ERA and BAA have been terrible all season but especially in their past ten games (as only one Houston starter has managed to pitch longer than 6 innings). They are tired, unmotivated, and likely have the off-season, or the return home tomorrow, in mind (like the remainder of the team). Cincinnati's bullpen has been solid all year and have a WHIP below 1.0 and an ERA below 2.0 in their past ten starts (outstanding numbers).
With all that in consideration, a Houston win today would in my mind be a huge upset and with Cincinnati just at -128, i'll bite on the home favorite to win the series and send Houston home bitter. 6-2 Cincinnati win.
'Taking from the rich and giving to the poor'
Robin Hood