Sports.com
Follow Us on Facebook Follow Us on Twitter VI Mobile College Basketball March Mayhem Picks College Basketball March Mayhem Picks VegasInsider.com VegasInsider.com
Handicapper Bios Sports Picks Free Odds Contests Sportsbook
Sports.com
VI Home NFL NBANHLMLBNCAA FBNCAA BKGolfAutoHorsesBoxingVI More Sports
 
MLB Scores Matchups Teams Standings
 
 · Regular Season
Schedules Injuries News
 
 · Latest News
 · Player Updates
 · Transactions
Buy Picks Vegas Odds
 
 · Vegas Odds
 · Offshore Odds
 · Future Odds

 
Thursday's Short Hops
 
 
 

There are only nine games on Thursday’s MLB card, including a trio of afternoon tilts in the National League. All three AL games will be played under the lights. Let’s touch on a few quick-hit topics regarding Thursday’s card.

--Pittsburgh will play host to the Mets at 12:35 p.m. Eastern. Las Vegas Sports Consultants opened the Pirates as minus-130 favorites. New York is 16-22 on the road, while Pittsburgh is 22-16 at home. The Pirates have seen the ‘under’ hit in seven straight games.

--San Diego will take on Houston at 3:35 p.m. Eastern on Thursday. The Padres are short home underdogs at most books. They are 16-16 against lefties and will be squaring off against Astros’ LHP Wandy Rodriguez in this spot. Rodriguez (6-6, 3.35 ERA) has a 2-2 record and 5.47 lifetime ERA against the Padres.

Advertisement
--Atlanta will be trying to stay in the mix in the NL East when it hosts Philadelphia in their series finale Thursday night at Turner Field. LVSC installed the Braves as minus-135 home favorites. They will send Javier Vasquez (5-7, 3.04) to the bump. The right-hander has been extremely sharp recently, but he’s received little run support. Despite a 2.01 ERA, Vasquez is 1-2 in his last three outings. He has an 11-7 career record against the Phillies.

--Philadelphia SS Jimmy Rollins was given four games off by skipper Charlie Manuel before returning to the lineup in Tuesday’s extra-innings loss to Atlanta. In his return, Rollins went 0-for-5. He’s only 8-for-50 (.160) against the veteran Vasquez, but Rollins has popped a pair of homers versus the right-hander.

--Barry Zito (4-7, 4.55) will get the call for the Giants in their series finale at St. Louis. He is 0-3 with a 4.57 lifetime ERA against the Cardinals. Zito has a 6.61 ERA in his last three assignments.

--The Cards are 12-13 versus lefties.

--Even after Tuesday’s debacle in which the Red Sox let a 10-1 lead get away in the seventh inning of an 11-10 defeat, Boston maintains the best bullpen in the majors with a 3.24 ERA.

--Washington has the worst ‘pen in the majors with an abysmal 5.64 ERA. This group has just 12 saves in 29 chances.

--The Yankees are the most expensive favorites (minus-270) on Thursday’s board. They will take on Seattle at Yankee Stadium. LHP C.C. Sabathia (7-4, 3.55) will get the starting nod for the Bronx Bombers, while the Mariners will counter with LHP Jason Vargas (3-3, 3.79). The Yankees are 13-7 versus southpaws, while the M’s are 13-9 against lefties.

--Sabathia is 4-3 with a 2.95 career ERA against Seattle. Vargas has never faced the Yankees.

--After Wednesday’s 5-3 win over the Nats, the Marlins improved to 13-4 in RHP Josh Johnson’s starts. Florida also pulled to within one game of the Phillies for the NL East lead (pending Philly’s Wednesday result).

Brian Edwards can be reached at briane@vegasinsider.com.

  
HEADLINES
Kershaw and Dodgers agree to 2-year deal
A's agree to extend GM Beane through 2019
Dombrowski confident in Fielder's longevity
Hamilton visits docs after alcohol relapse
Rangers and Andrus agree to 3-year deal
Bonifacio, Marlins complete arbitration
Twins take bids on Kim-and-Kris-ball
Rockies acquire Guthrie from Orioles
Ankiel, Teahan get deals with Nationals
MORE HEADLINES
 
VegasInsider.com Gold Membership
 
2011 MLB SEASON PICK RECORDS
Money Leaders
Handicapper Money
Dave Cokin + 4295
Tom Freese + 3685
Scott Pritchard + 2886
Underdog Leaders
Handicapper Money
Bruce Marshall + 1946
Scott Pritchard + 1706
Joe Nelson + 1607
Over-Under Leaders
Handicapper Money
Vince Akins + 2524
The Gold Sheet + 1358
Dave Cokin + 1223
Guaranteed Leaders
Handicapper Money
Vince Akins + 2155
Jimmy Boyd + 2117
Micah Roberts + 1848
Favorite Leaders
Handicapper Money
Micah Roberts + 4479
Tom Freese + 3170
Bill Marzano + 2315
Member Leaders
Handicapper Money
Bruce Marshall + 3877
Joe Nelson + 1789
Tom Freese + 1631
MORE PICK RECORDS
  
GOLD Membership
Receive a 20% discount on all Daily Picks. Signup Today!
 
 
Las Vegas Travel
 
 

NFL
NFL Picks
NFL Odds
NFL Matchups
NFL Scores

NBA
NBA Picks
NBA Odds
NBA Matchups
NBA Scores

MLB
MLB Picks
MLB Odds
MLB Matchups
MLB Scores


NCAA FB
NCAA FB Picks
NCAA FB Odds
NCAA FB Matchups
NCAA FB Scores

NCAA BK
NCAA BK Picks
NCAA BK Odds
NCAA BK Matchups
NCAA BK Scores

NHL
NHL Picks
NHL Odds
NHL Matchups
NHL Scores


More Sports
Golf
Auto Racing
Horse Racing
Boxing
UFC
WNBA
Soccer

Features
Free Odds
Mobile Odds
Contests
Newsletters
VI Radio
Las Vegas Travel
Follow us on Twitter
Join us on Facebook


Sports Betting Tools
Live Odds
Parlay Calculator
Gaming Terms
TV Listings
Handicapping Records
Sportsbook Reviews

VegasInsider Info
About Us
Help Center
Privacy Policy
Terms of Use
Contact Us
User Feedback

Sportsbooks
BetOnline.com
Bodog.ca
Bovada.lv
SBG Global.com
Sportsbook.com
TopBet.com

Rotation Schedules
Hockey:
 
Basketball:

Jan 31 - Feb 27
 
Jan 31 - Feb 27

Copyright © 1997-2012, VegasInsider.com Inc., The Global Leader In Sports Gaming Information. All rights reserved.
For questions or comments, please contact us at 1-800-211-4759.