New York Mets at San Francisco Giants
Mets +1.5 (+155) Giants -1.5 (-175)
O/U - 7

The OVER here is hardly a gimmee, with Tim Lincecum going for the Giants, but the 7 appears to be an attractive number. New York’s R.A Dickey has lost three in a row and is starting to leak a bit, and Lincecum himself is 1-2 in his last three and not dominant of late. Toss in the fact that the Mets cover the over more often on the road than at home, and the added ammunition that NY has covered 6 of the last 7 in San Francisco, and you get the feeling that there will be some runs scored in this one. Go over.  

Texas Rangers at Boston Red Sox
Rangers +1.5 (+140) Red Sox -1.5 (-160)
O/U - 9

Boston’s goal has been to keep its head above water while waiting for its injured players to return, but the Red Sox have fallen three games back of Tampa Bay in the wild card race. The Rangers have made a decent-sized splash in the American League West and like what they see in starter Tommy Hunter (5-0, 2.34 earned run average). Hunter has pitched only twice against Boston over the past two years, but he should give the Rangers an edge against spot starter Tim Wakefield. Wakefield (3-7) has been strafed of late and is not getting the job done at home (5.89 ERA at Fenway). Rangers, 9-2 ATS in their last 11 on the road, are the pick here.

Milwaukee Brewers at Atlanta Braves
Brewers +1.5 (+130) Braves -1.5 (-150)
O/U - 8

The Brewers had high hopes of staying in the wild card race until late in the season, but despite three wins in a row leading to the All-Star break they have no realistic chance of getting to the postseason. The Braves started slow but have risen to the top of the National League East. Milwaukee’s Davis Bush has kept the Brewers in a lot of games and is 1-1 (with one no-decision) in his last three. Jair Jurrjens has been solid for Atlanta since returning from the minors, with a win over Washington and a no-decision against Philadelphia. Value here seems to be with the home team, with a lean toward the under for parlay players.