More Balls of Smoke, Please

In other words, this week's MLB picks, in our ongoing effort to secure the Dave Stewart interview and juicy NBX ad goodness.

Monday -- A's vs. White Sox, UNDER. The line seemed to assume Jon Danks was starting for the Pale Hose, when it's actually the hot Jose Contreras. He's opposed by Joe Blanton, who is also on a roll, and neither team is an offensive juggernaut. 2,500 to win 2,252 on an 8.5 run under.

Red Sox over YANKEES. Can Boston put more dirt on the coffin? Tonight is Wakefield vs. Wang, and if it goes to the bullpens, the advantage is hard with the Sox. A nice moneyline tilt gives me 2,500 to win 3,425 on Boston.

Tuesday - In the words of Mrs. Lincoln, that didn't end well. We're throwing everything into it today, in the hope that 0-3 can earn me five days off from picking games. You've been warned...

Toronto over BALTIMORE. AJ Burnett was lights out last time around, and the Orioles have scored 13 runs in their last five games. The home town team starts Daniel Cabrera, and he's due for a walkfest. 2,500 to win 2,500.

Indians over ROYALS. Fausto Carmona has been spectacular, and Odalis Perez is, well, Odalis Perez. 2,500 to win 1,613.

Twins over RANGERS. It's nearly time for Johan Santana to remind us all who he is. Kameron Loe, too. 2,000 to win 1,212.

Wednesday -- We whiffed. You didn't check either. Dave Stewart thinks we're both pussies.

Thursday -- Now down $17K to people who are actually playing, we're going to have to throw big dollars around.

PADRES over Cubs -- I don't care if his numbers are good so far this, Jason Marquis still blows. We like Chris Young to go deep and the Cubs to get swept. 2,500 to win 1,838.

BRAVES over Mets - Glavine struggles on the road and against his ex team, while John Smoltz tends to get run support against New York. 3,000 to win 2,222.

OVER in Mariners vs. D-Rays. The ERAs for the starting pitchers (Horacio Ramirez, Jae Seo) totals up to over 16. Even with these two offenses, that spells more than 10.5 runs. 3,500 to win 3,043.

Friday - A 2-1 day gets me closer to even, but a long way behind the leaders.

RANGERS over Red Sox - Brandon McCarthy tends to get run support, and he's had some success against the Bostonians. Dice K has never been to Texas before, and the moneyline is tempting me into thinking he won't like it much. 4,000 to win 6,880.

Cubs over DODGERS - As nice of a moneyline as you could hope for Ted Lilly, who has been lights out, in his first start in 3 years against the Dodgers. Derek Lowe can give up some, too. 4,000 to win 4,480.

Mariners over ROYALS. As with Lilly, now with King Felix. Gil Meche overthrows in his first home start against his old team. 5,000 to win 4,348.

Saturday - 1-2 after Lilly spits the bit in LA. As I'm down big for the week and the drywall is calling, just one bet today for big money.

Astros over DBACKS. Chris Sampson has kept things in control this year, and he's opposed by Brandon Webb, who I think is due for a clunker against Houston. This is the biggest moneyline on the board that looks like it has any doubt. 10,000 to win 14,900 on Houston.