A.J. Burnett - Articles - Zimbio

Blue Jays-Rays Preview

Thu, 18 Jul 2008 10:18:00 GMT

posted by marltonnj

If familiarity breeds contempt, there should be animosity aplenty on Friday when the Toronto Blue Jays and the Tampa Bay Rays meet at Tropicana Field.

The Blue Jays will give the ball to starter AJ Burnett in this one. Righthander Burnett is 10-7 this season with a 4.86 ERA.

It'll be James Shields toeing the rubber for the Rays in this contest. Righthander Shields is 7-6 with a 3.83 ERA so far this season.

NewBodog oddsmakers currently have the Rays listed as 145-moneyline favorites versus the Blue Jays, while the game's total has not yet been posted.

The Blue Jays defeated the Yankees 4-1 as a +135 underdog on Sunday. The five runs scored fell UNDER the posted over/under total (8.5).

A.J. Burnett allowed only one run over eight 1-3 strong innings while striking out eight for Toronto, while Marco Scutaro hit a three-run home run in the win.

The Rays lost their seventh in a row Sunday after falling to Cleveland 5-2 as a -150 favorite. The seven runs scored fell UNDER the posted over/under total (8.5).

Scott Kazmir took the loss for Rays after getting roughed up for five runs on eight hits over six innings.

Current streak:
Tampa Bay has lost 7 straight games.

Team records:
Toronto: 47-48 SU
Tampa Bay: 55-39 SU

Toronto most recently:
When playing on Friday are 2-8
Before playing Tampa Bay are 4-6
After playing NY Yankees are 5-5
After a win are 5-5

Tampa Bay most recently:
When playing on Friday are 3-7
Before playing Toronto are 4-6
After playing Cleveland are 1-9
After a loss are 4-6

A few trends to consider:
The total has gone UNDER in 8 of Toronto's last 9 games when playing on the road against Tampa Bay
Toronto is 5-1 SU in its last 6 games
The total has gone UNDER in 13 of Toronto's last 17 games when playing Tampa Bay
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Toronto's last 6 games
Tampa Bay is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games when playing at home against Toronto
The total has gone UNDER in 8 of Tampa Bay's last 9 games when playing at home against Toronto
Tampa Bay is 6-1 SU in its last 7 games at home
Tampa Bay is 6-1 SU in its last 7 games when playing Toronto

Next up:
Tampa Bay home to Toronto, Saturday, July 19

OffshoreInsiders.com

Phillies Rumors: A.J. Burnett Deal In The Works?

Thu, 11 Jul 2008 01:59:34 GMT

posted by highlite15

CNNSI.com is reporting that the Phillies and Blue Jays are discussing an A.J. Burnett deal…

NEW YORK — Desperately looking to upgrade their rotation, the Phillies are talking to the Blue Jays about right-handed pitcher A.J. Burnett.

It isn’t known how far talks have progressed, but top Blue Jays executive Tony LaCava was spotted this week watching the Phillies’ Double-A Reading team, an indication things are heating up.

The Toronto Globe and Mailreported that the Dodgers also were pursuing Burnett. However, it appears that talks with the Phillies may be more serious. Philadelphia is also reportedly eyeing Mariners left-hander Erik Bedard.

Burnett, 9-8 with a 5.23 ERA, has a complicated contract whereby he can opt out at year’s end, which is the most likely scenario. However, should he falter badly or become injured, he can continue with a contract that is to pay him $24 million over the next two years, an option that could deter some teams from taking him. He also has a limited no-trade provision in his $55 million contract.

Burnett has said he would welcome a trade with “open arms” to the Cubs, but their acquisition of Rich Harden from the A’s seems to eliminate them as a potential suitor.

The Phillies have at least three good prospects at Reading — catcher Lou Marson (.323), center fielder Greg Golson (.299) and pitcher Carlos Carrasco (5-7, 4.18).

The Phillies made a push for C.C. Sabathia but couldn’t match the Brewers’ stacked farm system and four-prospect offer, highlighted by top hitting prospect Matt LaPorta. Philadelphia’s lead the NL East has been cut to 1½ games, thanks to a six-game winning streak by the New York Mets.

Phillies starters are only 31-31 with a 4.40 ERA, which is 10th best in the National League.

Burnett is an interesting case. He has been awful this year, with a 1.51 WHIP. But, he is still striking out a batter an inning, which infers that his stuff is there. Hopefully, if the deal went down Burnett would benefit from a change of scenery and return to his sub-4.00 ERA form of the previous 4 years. His quote about welcoming a deal with “open arms” infer that a change of scenery might get him serious again.

Considering his performance, request to leave and contract, the Blue Jays can’t have that much leverage. We could probably give them Bastardo and a couple lower-level guys to get the deal done.

It would be low risk in terms of giving up prospects, but high risk in terms of Burnett’s performance. You’d have to think he’d be better than he’s been in Toronto, but would he be the arm we need?

What do you think about an A.J. Burnett deal?

Cubs-Blue Jays Pointspread Pointers

Thu, 13 Jun 2008 14:02:00 GMT

posted by marltonnj

A winning streak will be on the line for the Chicago Cubs on Friday when they battle the Toronto Blue Jays at Rogers Centre.

Sean Gallagher will be the starting pitcher for the Cubs on this day. Righthander Gallagher is 3-2 this season with a 4.41 ERA.

The Blue Jays will counter Gallagher with AJ Burnett. Righthander Burnett has a 4.82 ERA to go along with a 5-5 record this season.

NewBodog oddsmakers currently have the Blue Jays listed as 133-moneyline favorites versus the Cubs, while the game's total has not yet been posted.

The Cubs pulled out a 3-2 win over the Braves for a sweep of the three-game series on Thursday, as -140 favorites. The game's five runs went UNDER the day's posted over/under (9.5).

Jim Edmonds belted a solo home run and finished with two RBIs for the Cubs. Kerry Wood tossed two scoreless innings and picked up the win.

The Blue Jays dropped the rubber match 2-1 to the Mariners last time out, as -135 favorites at home. The game's three runs fell UNDER the posted over/under (7.5).

Matt Stairs drove in the lone run for the Blue Jays. B.J. Ryan gave up the winning run and was tagged with the loss.

Current streak:
Chicago has won 4 straight games.

Team records:
Chicago: 43-24 SU
Toronto: 34-34 SU

Chicago most recently:
When playing on Friday are 6-4
Before playing Toronto are 2-4
After playing Atlanta are 6-4
After a win are 8-2

Toronto most recently:
When playing on Friday are 7-3
Before playing Chi Cubs are 4-2
After playing Seattle are 7-3
After a loss are 5-5

A few trends to consider:
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Chi Cubs's last 6 games when playing Toronto
Chi Cubs are 14-3 SU in their last 17 games
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Chi Cubs's last 6 games
Chi Cubs are 2-4 SU in their last 6 games when playing Toronto
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Toronto's last 6 games when playing Chi Cubs
The total has gone UNDER in 16 of Toronto's last 23 games at home
Toronto is 4-2 SU in their last 6 games when playing Chi Cubs
Toronto is 2-4 SU in its last 6 games at home

Next up:
Toronto home to Chi Cubs, Saturday, June 14

OffshoreInsiders.com

Blue Jays-Phillies Preview

Fri, 17 May 2008 14:38:00 GMT

posted by marltonnj
The Toronto Blue Jays and the Philadelphia Phillies will both be trying to pick up a win on Saturday when they battle at Citizens Bank Park. The Blue Jays will trot A.J. Burnett out to the mound in this one. Righthander Burnett has a 3-3 record and a 4.68 ERA this season. Meanwhile, it'll be Adam Eaton who starts for the Phillies. Righthander Eaton is 0-1 with a 5.40 ERA so far this season. NewBodog oddsmakers currently have the Phillies listed as 110-moneyline favorites versus the Blue Jays, while the game's total has not yet been posted. Jayson Werth belted three home runs, including a grand slam as the Phillies crushed the Blue Jays 10-3 on Friday. The Phillies won that game as -135 favorites, and the 13 runs made it OVER the posted over/under (10). Werth finished 3-for-4 at the plate with eight RBIs to lead the way. Jamie Moyer tossed 6 2-3 innings for the win, allowing three runs off seven hits along the way. Alex Rios had two hits and drove in one run for the Blue Jays, who were +120 underdogs. David Purcey was rocked for eight runs off five hits in only three innings of work. Current streak:
Philadelphia has won 2 straight games. Team records:
Toronto: 21-23 SU
Philadelphia: 24-19 SU Toronto most recently:
When playing on Saturday are 6-4
Before playing Philadelphia are 8-2
After playing Philadelphia are 5-5
After a loss are 4-6

Philadelphia most recently:
When playing on Saturday are 5-5
Before playing Toronto are 5-5
After playing Toronto are 5-5
After a win are 3-7 A few trends to consider:
Toronto is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games on the road
Toronto is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games
Toronto is 2-4 SU in its last 6 games when playing on the road against Philadelphia
Toronto is 1-4 SU in its last 5 games when playing Philadelphia
Philadelphia is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games when playing Toronto
Philadelphia is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games at home
Philadelphia is 4-2 SU in its last 6 games when playing at home against Toronto Next up:
Philadelphia home to Toronto, Sunday, May 18 All professional handicappers are proud to show off the amount of research that goes into a pick. If a handicapper gives you no rationale, rest assured you just paid for a coin flip. Get accurate analysis for every pick at GodsTips.com OffshoreInsiders.com

Welcome to our blog about A.J. Burnett

Tue, 6 Sep 2006 23:59:23 GMT

posted by The_Zimbio_Team
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