text:
|Match Up
|Lead Time
|Blue Jays +143 v. Yankees
|11 h 60 m
Perception-wise this line makes some sense. The Yankees are the Yankees, the most public of teams, and they are home. But right now this line doesn't reflect reality. The Yankees are struggling. They are 8-8, batting only .248 and averaging more than one error per game. The Blue Jays are 12-5. They've won four in a row and have the better starting pitcher going in matchup of Aaron Sanchez versus CC Sabathia. Just two years ago, Sanchez was being regarded as one of the best young pitchers in baseball going 15-2 with a 3.00 ERA. He missed most of last season with blister issues. Sanchez is healthy this year and he's put together back-to-back quality starts. He has a 3.03 career ERA against the Yankees. Sabathia is in the twillight of his career and frequently gets hurt. He's coming off the DL to make this start. He last pitched on April 6 before straining his right hip. Sabathia has a 7.37 ERA during his past 12 starts against the Blue Jays. The Blue Jays are 9-3 in Sabathia's past 12 starts against them.
|Brewers +106 v. Mets
|15 h 46 m
The Brewers are showing signs of turning around their offense. I like Milwaukee's Chase Anderson over Matt Harvey so the pitching matchup is in Milwaukee's favor. The Brewers are 17-8 the past 25 times going against a right-handed starter and have defeated the Mets seven of the last 10 times despite losing by one run in the opening game of the series on Friday. The Mets are down to their third-string catcher. That's going to catch up to them real fast.
|A's v. Mariners +110
|13 h 8 m
Throwing at pitcher-friendly Safeco Field agrees with Mike Leake. He is 3-1 with a 2.70 ERA in five career starts at Safeco since coming to the Mariners last season. Leake is 2-0 with a 3.00 ERA this season. Some perceive Leake as just an innings-eater. I believe he's better than that especially when pitching in Seattle. The Mariners have a dynamite speed offense that should be even better with the possibility of Nelson Cruz and Ben Gamel returning today from injuries. The A's should not have opened a road favorite here. Oakland starter Andrew Triggs has an 8.53 ERA in three appearances against Seattle, including two starts. Seattle has defeated Oakland in 12 of the last 19 meetings, winning seven of the last 10 at Safeco Field.
|Cardinals -142 v. Reds
|14 h 41 m
Cardinals minus $1.45 at RedsEarly money has steamed up the Cardinals and I can understand why. It's the right move as the Reds are as bad as ever under Bryan Price and Michael Wacha has owned Cincinnati. The Reds are on their way to a fourth straight 90-loss season - if not 100 losses - with the worst record in the majors at 2-9. Price is dead man walking. It's amazing the Red have stuck with him as long as they have. St. Louis is 11-1 versus the Reds in Wacha's 12 starts. Wacha has a 2.85 lifetime ERA against Cincinnat. Wacha's has a 2.20 ERA in 41 innings pitching in Cincinnati. That's really impressive considering what a strong hitter's park that Great American Ball Park is. The Cardinals' bats should come alive there especially facing Sal Romano, perhaps the worst of the Reds' weak starting pitching. Romano has a 4.59 career ERA in 18 starts and has more walks than strikeouts this season.
|Diamondbacks -110 v. Giants
|7 h 15 m
I find excellent value on the Diamondbacks here. Arizona is the superior team and should have a huge starting pitching mismatch.Robbie Ray is a "B" level pitcher who is elite status when it comes to strikeouts. He's 4-1 career-wise versus the Giants with a 2.53 ERA in eight starts. This includes a 3-1 mark and 1.46 ERA in four career starts at San Francisco. , The Giants are going with untested Andrew Suarez, who only was called up due to Johnny Cueto going on the DL. The Diamondbacks have plenty of right-handed hitters who can hurt Suarez, including Paul Goldschmidt who got back on track last night.
|A's v. Dodgers -121
|12 h 19 m
Both teams have started slow. In the case of the Dodgers they will get things turned around. I doubt the A's can do that because they aren't a very good team. Their starting pitching and bullpen are very unreliable. Oakland is hurt more than the Dodgers, too, by not having a DH since this game is at Dodgers Stadium. The A's outfield depth is being tested with Chad Pinder and Boog Powell going on the DL. This is a battle of lefties - Sean Manaea versus Hyun-Jin Ryu. I like Ryu when he pitches at home where historically he has been much better than on the road. Oakland has lost 21 of its last 30 interleague games. The A's have lost 78 percent of their past 65 road games, too, when going against a southpaw starter. The Dodgers are a dominant 25-10 during their last 35 interleague home games.
|Braves v. Rockies -133
|6 h 55 m
The Braves have lost 13 of their last 16 games at Coors Field. Look for that trend to continue here in a pitching matchup of Sean Newcomb versus Kyle Freeland. Newcomb is a young power pitcher with command issues. Walking batters does not go well especially at Coors Field. Newcomb had a 1.57 WHIP last season and was wild again in his first start this season giving up five earned runs on five hits and four walks in an 8-1 loss to the Nationals this past Monday. Newcomb has a 5.91 ERA in two career starts against Colorado. Freeland is at his best during day games at Coors Field with a 6-3 mark and 2.55 ERA in those circumstances. That's the situation here. Colorado is tough at home and has the better bullpen moreso now with Wade Davis in the closer role.
|Diamondbacks +140 v. Cardinals
|5 h 47 m
Nothing against Cardinals pitcher Luke Weaver. I like him. But I have to price enforce here because this line is too high providing value for Arizona. Taijuan Walker is a good young pitcher, too, with upside. The Diamondbacks are the better team. They are off to a 6-2 start this season despite Paul Goldschmidt batting only .115.
|Cubs -149 v. Brewers
|7 h 33 m
Minus closer Corey Knebel and probably their best all-around player, outfielder ChristianYelich, the Brewers upset the Cubs, 5-4, on Friday scoring a run in the ninth inning to win it. Kudos to the Brewers, but I don't see them repeating that feat. Their lineup isn't as good as the Cubs even if Anthony Rizzo has to sit out a second straight game. The pitching matchup of Yu Darvish against Zach Davies and the bullpens also favor Chicago. I want the Cubs going for me here off their irritating loss.
|Cubs -138 v. Brewers
|9 h 57 m
Not only do the Cubs have a monster pitching edge, but they catch the Brewerrs likely without two of its best players. Closer Corey Knebel definitely is out for Milwaukee after suffering a hamstring injury on Thursday and Christian Yelich, the Brewers' top all-around player, is likely out, too, as he deals with an oblique injury. Cubs starter Kyle Hendricks is one of the most depenable starters in baseball. His career ERA of 2.93 is second only to Clayton Kershaw among active pitchers with 75 or more starts. Hendricks has dominated the Brewers at Miller Park, too, with a 4-1 career mark and 2.31 ERA there. Brandon Woodruff will be making just his seventh big league start. Milwaukee is 0-5 in Woodruff's home starts. Woodruff has some potential, but remains a work-in-progress and could get moved to the bullpen depending on how things play out with Knebel's injury.
|Dodgers -118 v. Diamondbacks
|7 h 53 m
I like the Dodgers to salvage the final game of this series against the Diamondbacks after losing with Clayton Kershaw last night. Arizona suffered a key loss in that game, though, with third baseman Jake Lamb suffering a shoulder injury. I'm a fan of Dodgers starter Alex Wood. Not so with Arizona starter Patrick Corbin. Wood was dominant last season going 16-3 with a 2.72 ERA holding opposing batters to a .217 average. Wood opened this season in great style permitting only one hit in eight scorelessinnings against the Giants this past Friday. He was 3-0 with a 2.57 ERA in three starts versus Arizona last season with 23 strikeouts in 21 innings. Corbin has shown flashes, but never really has proven he can be trusted. The southpaw has struggled versus the Dodgers with a 3-9 lifetime mark and 4.42 ERA in 16 appearances, including 14 starts. He had a 5.06 ERA in two starts against the Dodgers last season. LA is 9-3 in Wood's past 12 away outings and has won 14 of the past 18 times when drawing a lefty starter on the road.
|Indians +129 v. Angels
|13 h 4 m
The Indians have beaten the Angels 16 of the past 17 times, including the last 12. I'm going to ride that streak especially since the Indians are underdogs. The oddsmaker is putting too much stock in Garrett Richards, who remains on the comeback trail. Richards has made just 12 starts the past two seasons due to injuries. Richards wasn't sharp in his opener against the A's, a much inferior team compared to the Indians. Richards has a 4.40 career ERA against the Indians in 14 1/3 innings. Cleveland may be the best team in baseball. The Indians are going with Josh Tomlin, who draws very little respect. Tomlin, though, doesn't walk batters and is plus 11 wins during his career with the Indians. He's not sexy, but he is reliable. That's all the Indians need since they possess the much stronger bullpen.
|Cardinals v. Brewers -120
|11 h 58 m
The price is right to back the Brewers, who have made themselves a strong playoff contender. Milwaukee is home and has its best starting pitcher going, Chase Anderson. Anderson still is a bit below the radar. He's a late bloomer who broke through last season going 12-4 with a 2.74 ERA. This includes a 2-0 mark and 3.04 ERA in four starts versus the Cardinals. Anderson was sharp against the Padres in his first start this season throwing six scoreless innings with six strikeouts and only one hit allowed. The Cardinals are countering with righty Jack Flaherty, their No. 5 starter who soon could be departing back to the minors when Adam Wainwright is ready to pitch. Flaherty likely needs more seasoning. He had a 4.50 ERA in five spring training outings. The Brewers got a look at him late last season getting to Flaherty for four fours on five hits in five innings on Oct. 1. The Brewers are 13-5 in their last 18 games versus righty starters going back to last season.
|Indians -113 v. Angels
|13 h 2 m
It's no secret why the Indians have defeated the Angels 11 times in a row and 15 of the last 16. The Indians almost always have the superior pitcher going, have a stronger offense and the better bullpen. That's the case again in this matchup where the price is low enough to get involved with Cleveland. I like to target promising pitchers with upside who are below the radar where you don't have to pay an unfair price to back them. Mike Clevinger fits that description. Clevinger was outstanding on the road last season going 7-2 with a 2.26 ERA. He pitches with extra motivation against the Angels, the team where he spent his first three years after being drafted in 2011. Clevinger came on very strong at the end of last season posting a sub-1.00 ERA during his last 27 1/3 innings. The Angels' closer situation is unsettled and they have JC Ramirez starting. Ramirez is a borderline starter who doesn't have Clevinger's skill and talent set. Ramirez is on the comeback trail from an elbow injury that cost him the final six weeks of last year. He had a 5.40 ERA during spring training.
|Dodgers v. Diamondbacks +103
|13 h 30 m
Fear not the Dodgers when they play the Diamondbacks during the regular season. Arizona has won the last six times and the games haven't been close with the Diamondbacks outscoring LA by 27 runs during this span. I see the Diamondbacks making it seven straight regular season wins against the Dodgers today in a pitching matchup of lefty Hyun-Jin Ryu versus Taijuan Walker. Ryu is the Dodgers' No. 5 starter, who is much more effective whe pitching at Dodger Stadium. LA has lost in 11 of his last 15 road starts. Arizona is one of the better teams in the NL. Ryu is 1-10 during his last 11 road outings versus above .500 teams. The Diamondbacks, with Paul Goldschmidt and A.J. Polllock, are very tough against southpaws. Arizona was 25-17 versus lefties last season and already 1-0 this year. The Diamondbacks drew Colorado lefty Tyler Anderson two games ago and smashed him for seven runs in 2 1/3 innings. Walker not only is a decent pitcher, but he is a breakout candidate having not reached his full potential yet. He posted a 3.32 ERA during the second half last season and was 2-0 with a 3.24 ERA in three regular season starts against the Dodgers last year. Ryu was 0-1 in two starts against Arizona last season. He allowed 19 baserunners in 10 innings and surrendered three homers during his lone Chase Field appearance last year. The Diamondbacks were idle on Sunday while the Dodgers had to play in the Sunday night game. So the scheduling dynamics are on Arizona's side.
|Cardinals -135 v. Mets
|4 h 56 m
It's just the start of the season, but already the Cardinals are frustrated losing their first two games to the Mets. St. Louis is the better team and the Cardinals have the superior starting pitcher going here. So I see them avoiding a sweep. Luke Weaver showed a lot of promise last season and he was impressive during spring training allowing only one run in 16 1/3 innings with 19 strikeouts while holding batters to a .113 average. The Mets have never faced Weaver giving him the element of surprise. The Cardinals go from seeing Noah Syndergaard and Jacob deGrom to facing Steven Matz here. Matz wasn't healthy last season posting a 2-7 mark and 6.08 ERA in 13 starts. Matz is supposed to be past his elbow injuries, but he wasn't sharp in spring training with a 6.30 ERA and 1.50 WHIP. Matz went against the Cardinals once last season and allowed five runs on seven hits in 4 1/3 innings on July 9.
|Yankees v. Blue Jays +140
|4 h 51 m
The Yankees are going to be overpriced a lot this season especially early with all the hype surrounding them. Toronto is just the opposite. The Blue Jays are healthy and underrated. That makes them dangerous. This price is too high. The Yankees usually struggle in Toronto losing in 14 of their last 20 visits. The pitching matchup is Luis Severino versus J.A. Happ. Severino is a potential ace, but he has a poor track record against Toronto giving up seven runs on 14 hits in 12 2/3 innings against them. On the flip side is Happ having excellent success versus the Yankees going 8-2 with a 3.61 ERA and 1.22 WHIP. Happ finished 4-1 in his last five starts last season giving up just seven earned runs during this five-game span.
|Dodgers +124 v. Astros
|22 h 48 m
Houston is tough at home. But I'll take this plus price with the Dodgers, who have the better starting pitcher and bullpen. LA has followed each of its last four losses with a victory. The Dodgers also are 5-1 in their last six road games. The Dodgers picked up Yu Darvish for just such a spot here. Darvish has come through when the Dodgers have needed him most giving up only two runs during his last five starts spanning 30 2/3 inings. He's struck out 35 during this time frame while giving up a combined 19 htis and walks. Darvish knows how to pitch at Minute Maid Park with a lifetime mark of 4-1 and 2.16 ERA with a 0.74 WHIP in six career games there. Current Astros are batting just a combined .190 against Darvich. The Astros are the more powerful team, but the roof is going to be closed reducing Houston's power. Houston is pitching Lance McCullers. The Astros have lost eight of the last nine times McCullers has started.
|Yankees v. Astros -131
|41 h 44 m
The Yankees have been dominant at home going 19-3 in their last 22 games at Yankee Stadium. The Astros have been equally dominant at home winning 15 of their last 17 games at Minute Maid Park. This includes a 4-0 playoff record. This game is at Minute Maid Parik. The Yankees are 1-4 in their five playoff road games. Home field certainly means a lot here. But there are other factors why I'm so strong on the Astros in this game. The pitching matchup is Luis Severino versus Justin Verlander. Severino had a breakout season reaching his high ceiling. But he's largely untested in playoff, pressure games. Verlander is a proven pro. The former AL MVP is 10-5 with a 3.18 ERA all-time in postseason action. Verlander has been the absolute nuts since joining the Astros going 8-0 in eight sarts. He's been at his finest during the playoffs, too, going 3-0 with a 2.04 ERA. The Astros finished the regular season with the No. 1 offense in the majors. They are batting a puny .147 in this ALCS. Masahiro Tanaka has been a huge problem for them. Tanaka has held the Astros to two runs in 13 innings. But the Astros aren't facing Tanaka here. The Yankees not only lose their huge home field advantage, but also their momentum with Thursday's travel day. This also gives the Astros a much needed day to regroup. If the Yankees do indeed beat Verlander and the Astros here in Houston, they are most deserving of the American League pennant. I don't see that happening, though, in this Game 6.
|Astros v. Yankees -124
|14 h 37 m
After facing past Cy Young Award winners Dallas Keuchel and Justin Verlander, the Yankees get to square off now against mediocre Charlie Morton. Down 2-0 in this ALCS, the Yankees' season is on the line. The good news is they are home now. The Yankees went 51-30 at home during the regular season. They then went 2-0 versus the Indians at Yankee Stadium after losing the first two road games of that playoff series. Houston is a bit fat and happy after squeezing out a pair of one-run victories at home. The Astros went an amazing 80-37 versus right-handed starters, but were just 21-24 against southpaw starters. The Yankees are starting lefty CC Sabathia. The 37-year-old Sabathia has been solid in the playoffs knowing he's only going to go around five innings. So he doesn't have to hold anything back. Joe Girardi is going to come in with his best relievers knowing this is a do-or-die spot for the Yankees.
|Indians -114 v. Yankees
|14 h 8 m
Masahiro Tanaka is inconsistent. You're never sure what you're going to get from him. That's not the case with Carlos Carrasco. He gets overshawdowed by teammate Corey Kluber, but Carrasco is an elite pitcher. Carrasco has pitched brilliantly on the road going 11-2 with a 2.65 ERA in 17 road outings. He's in tremendous form, too, going 6-0 with a 0.85 ERA in his last six starts. The Indians are the hottest team in baseball winning 44 of their last 52 games. The price is right to back them against what has to be a demoralized Yankees squad. Joe Girardi picked a bad time to turn in maybe the worst managed game of the season this past Friday. The Yankees blew a five-run lead in what turned out to be a 9-8 loss in 13 innings. Girardi not only lifted CC Sabathia too early, but failed to challenge an obvious miscall by the umpire that Lonnie Chisenhall had been hit by a pitch. In the process, Girardi put his bullpen in a serious fatigue spot for this game with Dellin Betances likely unavailable. Those bad decisions by Girardi clearly cost the Yankees the game.
|Astros -135 v. Red Sox
|9 h 11 m
You can pull the fork out now. The Red Sox are cooked. The Red Sox have injuries and I don't trust their frame of mind. The Astros have destroyed Chris Sale and Drew Pomeranz in winning the first two games of this playoff series. Don't look for Doug Fister to save Boston. He's given up 17 earned runs in his last four starts spanning 16 2/3 innings allowing 24 hits and seven walks. The Astros are batting .343 in the series and have smashed six homers. Houston starter Brad Peacock has given up two earned runs or less during his past seven starts. Houston is 12-4 in Peacock's last 16 road starts. Boston is 1-4 in Fister's last five starts at Fenway Park.
|Red Sox +170 v. Astros
|11 h 52 m
There is a lot of value taking Boston at this plus price. Lefty Drew Pomeranz isn't getting enough respect here. He went 7-3 with a 3.19 ERA on the road this season and was 1-0 with a 1.46 ERA in two starts against Houston. Pomeranz is in good form, too, giving up fewer than two runs in three of his last four starts. The Astros are just 21-24 against lefthanded starters. The Red Sox have won 17 of the last 21 times Pomeranz has pitched versus an above .500 team. I like Dallas Keuchel. But he last pitched way back on Sept. 26. Houston is 2-6 the last eight times Keuchel has pitched with nine or more days rest. Boston has the superior bullpen, too, with a 3.15 ERA compared to Houston's bullpen ERA of 4.27.
|Red Sox v. Astros -121
|26 h 4 m
Chris Sale hasn't been an underdog all season - until now. There's good reason for this. Sale is worn down. This isn't the star lefty who went 14-4 with a 2.51 ERA during his first 24 starts, but the southpaw who is 3-4 with a 4.30 ERA during his past eight starts. Sale surrendered four homers to the Blue Jays in his last start. Sale is facing an opponent that led the majors in runs and batting average while finishing No. 2 in homers. The Astros also compiled the second highest OPS versus southpaws. On the flip side, Houston starter Justin Verlander is pitching his finest ball going 5-0 with a 1.06 ERA in five starts with the Astros. Unlike Sale who has no playoff experience, Verlander is a proven postseason performer with a 3.39 ERA in 16 career playoff starts. The Astros have the stronger offense and the better pitcher going. The price is lower than it should be based on Sale's reputation. That reputation, though, should just be for the first four months of the season not October.
|Tigers +133 v. Twins
|8 h 2 m
I like the value here. The Twins have clinched a playoff spot and will be resting regulars just like on Saturday when Brian Dozier and Byron Buxton didn't play. Oh, yes, Bartolo Colon is starting for Minnesota. The washed-up 44-year-old is 0-3 with a 13.50 ERA in his last four starts. Tigers starter Anibal Sanchez is in much better form turning in quality starts during his last three outings. Sanchez has allowed four earned runs in 18 innings during this span.
|Braves -101 v. Mets
|16 h 10 m
Given all the Mets injuries, the Braves are the better team. Atlanta also has the better pitcher going and superior closer. Lefty Sean Newcomb is pitching much better than when he came up, having cut down his walk ratio. Atlanta is 5-2 in his last seven starts. Newcomb has given up three runs or fewer during his last four starts. Newcomb just beat the Mets at home, 3-2, 11 days ago as a $1.20 favorite. He went 5 1/3 innings and had eight strikeouts with only one walk. The price is cheaper here. New York is 3-13 the past 16 times facing a southpaw starter. The Mets also are 3-7 in Robert Gsellman's last 10 starts. Gsellman has regressed horribly this season after a promising 2016. He has a a 5.38 ERA and has pitched only marginally better since returning from a hamstring injury suffered in June. The Mets could be without their two late-inning pitchers. A.J. Ramos is hurt and Jeurys Familia has pitched four of the last five days, including the past two going an inning on Monday and an inning on Tuesday. Braves closer Arodys Vizcaino, who is better than Familia, is well rested.
|Mariners v. A's -115
|13 h 1 m
The A's and Kendall Graveman are below the radar. Oakland has won 14 of its last 19 games. The A's are getting strong offensive support and their bullpen has come around. Graveman has been doing his part. Graveman is 2-0 with a 1.20 ERA in his last three starts. He's been very strong at home with a 5-0 mark and 2.79 ERA. He's also been good in day games with a 2-0 record and 3.20 ERA. Let's contrast this with Seattle starter Erasmo Ramirez, who is 1-6 with a 6.09 ERA on the road. His record during the day is 2-4 with a 5.08 ERA. The Mariners have lost 17 of 21 times that Ramirez has pitched against a division foe. The Mariners are out of playoff contention, playing the string out. They are 3-8 in their last 11 games, scoring three runs or less in six of those games.
|Mariners v. A's +107
|15 h 35 m
The A's youth movement has been paying off. Playing without any pressure, Oakland has won seven in a row and 14 of its last 17 games. Only twice in their last nine games, have the A's surrendered more than three runs. While morale is up with the A's the opposite is the case with Seattle. The Mariners were eliminated from playoff contention on Sunday after losing to the Indians at home. Seattle is 1-8 in its last nine games and could be resting regulars with its season finished. The Mariners aren't likely to have injured shortstop Jean Segura. Speedy outfielder Jarrod Dyson already is out for the season. Without thow two, the Mariners have no running game. The pitching matchup pits Felix Hernandez against Daniel Gossett. King Felix is on a downward slope. Bothered by shoulder problems, he's only 5-5 with a 4.57 ERA this year. Clearly, he's not the same pitcher. The rookie Gossett has made 16 big league starts this season. He has a 5.38 ERA, but has been pitching better giving up three runs or fewer in each of his last four starts.
|Angels v. White Sox +140
|13 h 41 m
It's the Angels who are chasing playoff hopes. But it's the White Sox who are playing better winning nine of their last 15 games. The Angels just ended a six-game losing streak by beating the Astros. That victory came in the Sunday night game in Houston. So the Angels are traveling after playing at night, a bad situational spot. The White Sox are playing loose but playing hard. They have youngsters in their lineup, but these youthful players are highly talented. Chicago just took two of three from the Royals, who also held playoff aspirations. The Angels are in must-win mode, which can lead to tightness. The pitching matchup is Ricky Nolasco versus James Shields. That's bad versus bad so why not take a plus price in a battle of journeymen? Nolasco hasn't won in his last six starts. He is 1-4 with a 6.00 ERA in eight lifetime starts against the White Sox. Shields was one of the worst pitchers in baseball earlier in the season. But he's made some adjustments that have brought his ERA down. He does have a solid history versus the Angels with a 6-4 lifetime mark and 3.13 ERA in 14 startts.
|Nationals +122 v. Phillies
|11 h 28 m
Even though the Nationals have nothing to play for, I still like them in an underdog role against the Phillies. Washington has won seven of its last nine road games. The Nationals have had great success in Philadelphia winning 17 of the past 22 times there. The Nationals have excellent depth. The Phillies have been playing a lot of youth. So I'm fine if the Nationals choose to sit out a couple of regulars. There's a strong possibility Bryce Harper returns to Washington's lineup today. Harper was batting .326 with 29 homers and 87 RBI's when he was injured on Aug. 12. He hasn't played since. There will be a buzz, if not outright spark for Washington, if Harper does play. Nationals starter A.J. Cole has been pitching better with a 2.70 ERA in his last three starts. The right-hander beat the Phillies at Citizens Band Park back in May holding the Phillies to one run in six innings. The Phillies have lost 69 percent of their last 96 games against righy starters. Aaron Nola gets the call for the Phillies. He's had more difficulty against the Nationals than any other team with a 1-3 career record and 4.69 ERA.
|Nationals -180 v. Mets
|9 h 34 m
If these were normal circumstanes, I would never lay anywhere close to this price in a pitching matchup of Stephen Strasburg versus Noah Syndergaard. But they are not. Syndergaard is making his first appearance since April 30. He's only going to pitch one inning. Then Matt Harvey will take over. Harvey is trying to overcome his own injury woes. Since returning from the DL, Harvey has a 13.19 ERA in four starts. The Mets are letting Harvey pitch through his trouble. This sets up the Nationals offense, which ranks No. 3 in runs and batting average. Strasburg has been dominant giving up only three runs in his last six starts spanning 41 innings. He has a 2.33 ERA in three starts versus the Mets this season. The Nationals are 21-5 in Strasburg's last 26 road starts. Washington should have incentive, too, after blowing a five-run lead in a 7-6 loss Friday in the series opener.
|Royals -175 v. White Sox
|9 h 33 m
The Royals are in must-win mode trailing the Twins by 4 1/2 games for the final wild-card slot in the AL. Kansas City catches a nice break here drawing White Sox pitcher Dylan Covey. There may not be a worst starting pitcher in the majors than Covey. Bad starters usually get yanked out of the rotation very soon. Not Covey. He's part of the White Sox rebuild, youth movement. So he keeps taking his turn in the rotation and the White Sox keep losing whenever he pitches. Covey has yet to win in 10 big league starts and 17 appearances. His ERA on the season is 8.18. Covery has surrendered 18 homers and 31 walks in 58 1/3 innings. Covey is 0-2 versus the Royals with a 6.61 ERA. Danny Duffy gets the call for the Royals. Duffy was pitching well until going on the DL with a knee injury. He returned this past Sunday and held the red-hot Indians to one earned run on one hit with eight strikeouts in five innings. Duffy was limited to 65 pitches in that start. He'll go longer here.
|Rockies -125 v. Padres
|13 h 44 m
I see Tyler Anderson getting the job done for the Rockies against the weak hitting Padres. Anderson was dominant against San Diego this past Saturday giving up only two hits and two walks in six innings during a 16-0 romp. Since returning from the DL 11 days ago, Anderson is 2-0 and hasn't allowed a run in 10 innings. He carries a 0.73 lifetime ERA versus the Padres, too, in two starts. The Padres are going with Clayton Richard, who has a 9.98 ERA in three starts versus Colorado this season. Lifetime, Richard has a 5.60 ERA against the Rockies in 18 appearances, including 17 starts. The Rockies are the much stronger team and have playoff motivation. Given their pitching edge here, this is a short price to lay.
|Cardinals -157 v. Reds
|12 h 57 m
He's far from a household name, but Luke Weaver may be the hottest pitcher in baseball. The Cardinals right-hander is 5-0 with a 1.15 ERA during his last five starts. The Cardinals have won these five games by a combined margin of 22 runs. The Cardinals are in must-win mode trailing Colorado by 3 1/2 games for the second NL wild-card spot. The Cardinals have gotten healthy, too, with power-hitting middle infielder Jedd Gyorko back on the field. Matt Carpenter should be in the lineup, too, after getting a day off on Tuesday. The Reds are in rebuild mode pitching different rookies nearly every game. Today the Reds are going with one of their lesser arms, Rookie Davis. And, yes, Rookie is rookie. He's 1-2 with a 7.58 ERA in five big league starts.
|Pirates -108 v. Reds
|6 h 30 m
This low price gets me involved with the Pirates here in a pitching matchup of Gerrit Cole versus Robert Stephenson. Cole isn't back to the ace status of two years ago, but he's been very solid. Cole has been especially strong on the road where his ERA is 2.90 during his past nine away starts. This includes a 1-0 win against the Reds on Aug. 26. Cole won't have to deal with the most feared basestealer in baseball as Billy Hamilton is on the DL with a broken thumb. The Reds seem to be pitching rookies every day. Today they are going with Robert Stephenson, who has a 5.45 ERA and remains a work-in-progress with control problems.
|Rangers +120 v. Angels
|10 h 39 m
Cole Hamels has a strong history against the Angels with a 4-1 record and 2.87 ERA in nine career starts. He's 2-0 with a 2.36 ERA this season against them this season. Hamels is superior to Parker Bridwell, who has fallen back to Earth where he belongs. Birdwell last won on Aug. 13. He has an 11.25 ERA in his past three starts.
|Pirates +109 v. Reds
|5 h 46 m
I know the Pirates have been fade material this month, but I see this as a nice bounceback spot for them and Ivan Nova against Reds rookie Sal Romano. Nova has had a tough second half, but is a quality pitcher. The Pirates still have a number of quality hitters in their lineup, especially with Greogory Polanco back healthy. Romano has a higher ERA than Nova and has suffered two losses to the Pirates already this season. He's allowed six runs in 11 2/3 innings against Pittsburgh.
|Blue Jays -107 v. Twins
|10 h 25 m
It's a testament on how washed-up Bartolo Colon is that he's being celebrated as coming through for the Twins when his ERA is 4.69 in 11 outings since joining Minnesota. The 44-year-old Colon could be hitting the wall as the long season winds down. He couldn't get out of the second inning in his last start this past Sunday at Kansas City giving up six runs on six hits. Blue Jays starter J.A. Happ, on the other hand, is in excellent form going 2-0 with a 1.53 ERA during his past three starts. The Twins are only one game above .500 when playing at home. Toronto has been very disappointing this season. But the Happ versus Colon mismatch is worth the small lay price on the visiting Blue Jays.
|A's v. Phillies -118
|9 h 21 m
The Phillies are supposed to be bad. But don't tell that to Rhys Hoskins, Jorge Alfaro and Nick Williams. Sparked by these three youngsster - all of whom are batting .300 or above - the Phillies have won eight of their last 14 games. They are averaging 7.3 runs during their last six games. The good times should roll on for at least another game as the Phillies match up against Daniel Mengden and an A's team that has the worst road mark in the majors at 22-49. Mengden will be making his fourth big league start. He has a 7.07 ERA. Philadelphia starter Mark Leiter Jr. pitches much better at home where his ERA is 1.87.
|Mariners v. Rangers +101
|18 h 2 m
Even though they lost to Seattle Tuesday night, the Rangers have dominated the Mariners in Arlington winning eight of the past 10. Look for the Rangers to get back on track today in a pitching matchup of Mike Leake versus Martin Perez. Leake had hit a wall in St. Louis. Leake has temporarily found new life in Seattle winning both of his starts for the Mariners. I don't see things going smooth for him in this his third start as AL opponents are now up on him. The Rangers have scored four or more runs in nine of their last 11 games and Arlington is a tough place to pitch at especially this time of year. Perez doesn't get much respect. All he does, though, is win going 7-0 in his past seven outings. Only once during this span has Perez given up more than three runs.
|Astros -118 v. Angels
|11 h 4 m
On paper, this is a marquee pitching matchup: Justin Verlander versus Garrett Richards. Verlander can still bring it. He's 6-2 with a 2.33 ERA since the All-Star break. Only twice in his last 11 starts as he permitted more than two earned runs. Verlander was brilliant in his Astros debut last Tuesday against the Mariners. He'll be highly motivated here for new team. The Astros should be fully focused, too, after an embarrassing four-game sweep by the As. Richards is pitching for just the third time, including minors, since being out five months with a biceps strain. He's going to be on a pitch count of around 65-70 pitches. So the Astros, the No. 1 offensive team in baseball, get Richards trying to find his way back and a vulnerable Angels bullpen. Houston has had good success playing the Angels on the road winning 10 of the last 14.
|Twins v. Royals +106
|9 h 42 m
The Twins have lost the past four times they've pitched Jose Berrios against the Royals. I expect that streak to continue here especially with this game in Kanas City. Berriors has a very high ceiling. He's pitched well at home going 8-1 with a 2.56 ERA. But he's been another pitcher on the road where he's 4-6 with a 5.43 ERA. Minnesota is 0-8 during Berriors last eight road starts. Berrios has an 8.20 career ERA versus Kansas City in four outings. The Twins aren't likely to have their closer, Matt Belisle, either. He has pitched the past three days. Royals starter Jake Junis isn't as highly regarded as Berrios. Junis, though, quietly has done a good job. He is 7-2, tied for the lead among American League rookies for victories. Junis is 2-0 with a 2.81 ERA in his last three starts spanning 16 innings. He's posted an 18-to-1 strikeout-to-walk ratio during this span.
|Marlins -113 v. Braves
|10 h 10 m
This is a stop-the-pain game for the Marlins and a favorable matchup for them.Miami has dropped four in a row. But the Marlins have the superior starter going in Dan Straily against Sean Newcomb and ripe circumstances. The Braves aren't playing that well either. They are 16 games under .500 and in full rebuild mode with three-fourths of their infield manned by rookies. Atlanta just played a wild doubleheader on Wednesday splitting against the Rangers with a combined 29 runs being scored. It's left the Braves bullpen carrying a high fatigue rating. Newcomb doesn't go deep into games and walks too many batters averaging six bases on balls per nine innings. Newcomb hasn't been able to record an out past the fifth inning during his last three starts. Atlanta is 2-9 in his last 11 starts. Home run leader Gincarlo Stanton loves Atlanta's Sun Trust Park having homered three times there in six games. Straily should do his part. He's 2-1 with a 2.12 ERA in three starts versus the Braves this season.
|Nationals -121 v. Marlins
|10 h 51 m
Gio Gonzalez is having a huge season and he dominates the Marlins. Gonzalez is 3-0 with a 1.29 ERA in four starts versus the Marlins this season. The last time he pitched against the Marlins was Aug. 9 when he threw seven innings of one-run ball with six strikeouts. Gonzalez, who is from Miami, is 9-3 career-wise versus the Marlins with a 1.94 ERA in 15 starts. Dillon Peterts is set to make his second big league start for the Marlins. Peters was brilliant in his debut throwing seven scoreless innings against the Phillies this past Friday. Opponents now know about Peters, though, and the Nationals have a much more potent lineup especially with Trea Turner and Jayson Werth back from injury. The Marlins are at low ebb having lost eight of their past nine games to fall out of realistic playoff contention. Concentration could be a problem, too, for the Marlins as they are leaving town following this game. There is much concern about the expected effects of Hurricane Irma. The hurricane is due to strike the Miami area by Sunday morning. So it's understandable if the Marlins aren't completely focused.
|Rangers +104 v. Braves
|10 h 37 m
Texas has been strong during interleague going 12-5. The Rangers should be focused trailing by three games for the second AL wild-card spot. The Braves are going with a lot of youth with three-fourths of their infield being rookies. The only non-rookie in the infield is Freddie Freeman their best player. Freeman is having his wrist examined today so there's a chance he might not be in the lineup. That would be a huge plus for Rangers starter Andrew Cashner, who has been pitching his most consistent ball of his career. Cashner has held five of his last six opponents to two earned runs or less. He went 5-1 with a 2.58 ERA during July/August. The Braves are pitching 42-year-old knuckleballer R.A. Dickey. There's always a wild card factor when a knuckleballer takes the mound. But the Rangers have incentive, are going with a hot pitcher and the youthful Braves may not have their full concentration since this is their first game back from a seven-game road trip.
|Twins v. Rays -118
|9 h 4 m
The Rays rank eighth in the majors in homers. They have hit at least one homer in 14 straight games. The Twins can't match that power. The pitching matchup favors the Rays, too, with Jose Berrios versus Alex Cobb. Berrios has a very high ceiling. But he has not been good on the road going 4-5 with a 5.12 ERA. Cobb is underrated. He should have more wins that he does. He has a 2.20 ERA in his last three starts, none of which resulted in a win for him. Cobb also is 1-0 lifetime against Minnesota with a 2.53 ERA in two career starts.
|Brewers -114 v. Reds
|5 h 53 m
The Brewers regained some needed confidence going 6-2 in their last eight games, including posting a combined five victories against the powerful Dodgers and Nationals.Milwaukee is going with maybe its best pitcher, Chase Anderson. He's been solid in his three starts since returning from the DL. The Brewers have a rested Corey Knebel giving them a strong bullpen edge, too. Anderson is 2-1 with a 2.27 ERA in six career starts versus the Reds. Reds starter Homer Bailey was once a promising pitcher. Injuries have messed him up. He really shouldn't be in a starting rotation with just five quality outings in 13 starts. Bailey is at his worst pitching at hitter-friendly Great American Ball Park and during the day. That's the situation for him today. Bailey is 0-5 with a 9.95 ERA at home this season. In day action this season, he's 1-4 with a 13.29 ERA.
|Angels v. Rangers +121
|13 h 46 m
It's no wonder the Rangers have won all five of Martin Perez's last five starts. The southpaw has held four of his past five opponents to two earned runs or less. The Angels have lost the past four times going against a lefty starter. Perez goes for the Rangers here against Angels lefty Andrew Heaney, who is on the comeback trail after undergoing Tommy John surgery last year. This marks Heaney's fourth start of the season. He has been up and down, which often is the case for those pitchers in their first year back from serious elbow surgery. The Rangers just saw Heaney on Aug. 23. They smacked three homers off him in five innings in a 7-5 victory. Texas is 18-14 versus southpaw starters this season. Texas is short-handed in the bullpen with setup men Matt Bush and Keone Kela on the DL. But closer Alex Claudio didn't pitch Saturday and the Angels also have an unsettled bullpen without a definitive closer right now.
|Diamondbacks v. Rockies -107
|13 h 23 m
I like Jon Gray going for me with the Rockies at home and in circle-the-wagons mode. The Rockies have the more rested key relievers and Gray has started to pitch like a No. 1 pitcher, which the Rockies have always envisioned. Gray has a 2.58 ERA in his last six starts. Lefty Patrick Corbin always has been pitching very well lately. But the Rockies are 21-15 versus southpaws and own a good history against Corbin, who has a 5.23 career ERA against Colorado in 15 appearances, including 14 starts. Corbin has a 6.97 ERA in two starts against Colorado earlier this season.
|A's +130 v. Angels
|12 h 25 m
The Angels are going for a three-game sweep of the A's at home today. I don't see them getting it. The A's have proven resilient going 10-4 the past 14 times when playing Game 3 of a series. Before their two losses to open this series, the A's had gone 4-1. Oakland starter Kendall Graveman is hitting his stride after being out more than two months. He has a 2.25 ERA in his last three starts spanning 20 innings. Graveman has a 3.19 career ERA against the Angels in nine starts. Mike Trout has missed the last two games due to a stiff neck and is questionable. Trout has failed to get a hit in his last 17 at bats. Angels starter rookie Parker Bridwell has pitched better than anyone expected with a 2.89 ERA in nine starts. Bridwell is due for some regression and hasn't pitched as well at home where his ERA is 3.56.
|Red Sox v. Blue Jays -113
|10 h 38 m
After facing southpaw Drew Pomeranz, who has been hot, and Chris Sale, the premier lefty in the American League, the Blue Jays now get righty Rick Porcello. That's a big dropoff. Porcello has yielded a career-worst 31 homers already this season and is coming off a Friday start against the Orioles where he gave up 11 runs on nine hits in fewer than five innings, although it should be noted seven of those runs were unearned. Porcello has a 4.70 career ERA versus the Blue Jays in 18 outings, including 17 starts. The Blue Jays have hit the 13th most homers in the majors. Boston is a highly-impressive 60-42 against righties. The Red Sox, however, are only 15-15 versus lefty starters. They were under .500 against southpaws until beating Toronto and Brett Anderson, 3-0, last night. The much traveled and injured Anderson, though, pitched well against the Red Sox holding them to one run on six hits with no walks in 5 2/3 innings. Southpaw J.A. Happ is better than Anderson and he goes against the Red Sox today. Happ went 20-4 with a 3.18 ERA last year. Happ isn't having that kind of season this year, but he's been solid holding eight of his last 12 opponents to two earned runs or fewer. He has a 3.66 career ERA in 13 starts against Boston. The Red Sox remain without two key players, second baseman Dustin Pedroia and center fielder Jackie Bradley Jr.
|Red Sox +108 v. Blue Jays
|15 h 10 m
Getting out of Boston is the tonic for the Red Sox, who were just swept at home by the Orioles. Now the Red Sox head to Toronto. They are 7-3 against the Blue Jays this season, including 5-1 at Rogers Centre. The Red Sox are one of the best teams in baseball. They'll find themselves. The Blue Jays won't. Toronto is eight games below .500 and are 2-7 in its last nine games. The Blue Jays are 11-19 versus left-handed starters this year and facing hot southpaw Drew Pomeranz. Pomeranz has won his last seven decisions. He has a 1.59 ERA during his past five starts. Pomeranz always had talent he was just held back by injuries. Now he's dealing and has a strong history against the Blue Jays going 2-1 with a 2.11 ERA. He's 2-0 versus Toronto this season with a 0.71 ERA. Marcus Stroman is a good pitcher. But he's not in the form Pomeranz is and has a worse bullpen behind him. Stroman was hit hard in his last outing giving up five runs on eight hits - including three homers - in 5 1/3 innings against the Rays this past Wednesday. Stroman has a 4.47 career ERA in nine starts against Boston. He's 0-1 versus the Red Sox with a 4.76 ERA in two starts this year.
|Astros -122 v. Angels
|10 h 30 m
The Astros have a lot going for them in this bounce back spot after blowing Saturday's game to the Angels, 7-6. Jose Altuve may be the best player in the American League and he's back in the lineup. So is catcher Brian McCann, who has nine homers in 73 career at bats against Ricky Nolasco. Nolasco, a career journeyman, opposes Charie Morton, who is having perhaps his finest season. The right-handed Nolasco's ERA is above 5.00. The Astros average just a shade under six runs per game versus righty starters. The Angels have lost seven of the past 10 times Nolasco has pitched at home. Houston has won 67 percent of its last 61 road contests. Morton is 2-0 lifetime versus the Angels with a 3.24 ERA in three starts. If Altuve isn't the best player in the American League than Mike Trout is Trout, however, is hitless in his last four games.
|Giants +112 v. Diamondbacks
|17 h 18 m
The Giants are not a team to back on the road - except in a case like this with Madison Bumgarner opening as a 'dog against a cold pitcher. Pride is at stake for Bumgarner, who has a winning record and 2.81 ERA in eight starts since returning from the DL. Bumgarner has held opponents to one earned run or fewer in four of his last six starts. Bumgarner also has a lifetime winning mark versus the Diamondbacks with a 2.58 ERA in 28 appearances, including 27 starts. Bumgarner certainly can be counted on to give San Francisco a quality performance here. The same can't be said for Arizona starter Taijuan Walker. The Diamondbacks have lost seven of the last eight times Walker has pitched. Walker is winless during his past 10 starts and has a 4.76 ERA in three starts against the Giants this year.
|Astros -110 v. Angels
|17 h 46 m
The Astros aren't playing well losing 16 of their last 25. They aren't likely to have AL batting leader Jose Altuve either. But I like them, especially at this price, to take care of business against the Angels. Houston is 8-0 the past eight times Collin McHugh has started against the Angels. He gets the call here looking better and better since returning from an elbow injury that had sidelined him for much of the season. McHugh blanked the A's in his last start this past Saturday going six innings. McHugh has a 2.55 lifetime ERA versus the Angels. That ERA shrinks even more to 2.25 when he's pitched at Angel Stadium. Mike Trout is the key to the Angels and he's in a 3-for-23 slump. Parker Bridwell has been a major surprise for the Angels. The Angels are unbeaten in his last eight starts. I don't see that continuing. McHugh is the better pitcher and the Astros are the superior team even without Altuve.
|Diamondbacks -139 v. Mets
|11 h 49 m
The Diamondbacks are the far superior team and have a strong pitching edge, too, in this matchup. All-Star Robbie Rays returns from a concussion. The Diamondbacks have been extra careful with him. Now he's ready. Ray is one of the top strikeout pitchers in baseball. He also has a 0.53 lifetime ERA in 17 innings versus the Mets. New York, losers of eight of its last 10, are starting Rafael Montero. He's only in the Mets' starting rotation due to a cluster injury problem that has sidelined all of the Mets' projected starters except Jacob deGrom. Montero is 1-7 at home with a 5.89 ERA. Arizona has a top-10 offense, while the Mets have failed to score more than four runs in eight of their last 10 games having traded many of their front line players in an effort to rebuild.
|Diamondbacks -154 v. Mets
|15 h 22 m
Unless Jacob deGrom is pitching, the Mets are clear fade material. The Mets are 7-19 in their last 26 games putting them at a season-worst 16 games below .500. New York has dropped eight of its past nine games. The Mets also can't beat Arizona having lost 10 of their last 11 to the Diamondbacks. The Mets only have a few of their projected starters. They just lost All-Star outfielder Michael Conforto to a thumb injury. This leaves the Mets with an extremely weak lineup. The Diamondbacks have a top-10 offense, are in a playoff race and have the superior pitching matchup with Zack Godley opposing rookie Chris Flexen. Godley has pitched much better than his 5-6 record. He holds a 3.13 ERA and averages more than nine strikeouts per nine innings. Godley has a 1.80 career ERA in 15 innings against the Mets. Flexen has been pushed to the big league level due to the many Mets pitching injuries, which include all of their starters except deGrom. Flexen, who went directly to the majors from Class AA skipping Triple A, has a 6.55 ERA and control problems having given up four or more walks in three of his last five starts.He has issued more bases on balls than he has strikeouts.
|Diamondbacks -163 v. Mets
|9 h 55 m
Do you recall journeyman Tommy Milone? Here's a refresher. He began the year with the Brewers before being cut. The Mets picked him up and actually gave him three early-season starts. Milone went 0-2 with a 10.50 ERA during those outings before suffering a knee injury. Now Milone has resurfaced due to yet another Mets starting pitcher injury with Steven Matz done for the year. The Mets are now down five starting pitchers. Hence, Milone being back in the bigs - at least for now. Milone has made two career starts against the Diamondbacks. Not surprisingly they didn't go well. He's 0-1 lifetime against them with a 7.59 ERA. The Mets are at low ebb. They have waved the white flag dealing a number of their veterans. New York has dropped seven of its last eight games and have lost 25 of the past 38 times when facing an above .500 foe. The Mets also have lost nine of their last 10 to the Diamondbacks. Arizona starter Patrick Corbin is pitching his best ball. He held the Cubs and Astros - two far better offensive teams than the Mets - scoreless during his last two starts spanning 15 1/3 innings. Corbin has a 15-to-2 strikeout-to-walk ratio in those last two games. Since All-Star break, Corbin has gone 4-2 with a 3.16 ERA in seven starts.
|Rangers +137 v. Angels
|19 h 15 m
This is big game for the Rangers, who trail the Twins and Angels by 2 1/2 games for the last wild card spot. Cole Hamels is a big-game pitcher and has a strong history versus the Angels. He also has been very good since July. Hamels is 6-1 with a 2.93 ERA from July on. He is 3-1 with a 2.45 ERA in seven lfetime games against the Angels, including posting a 0.61 ERA in two starts this season. Tyler Skaggs has pitched decently since coming off the DL following being out for three months with a strained obligue. Skaggs doesn't have Hamels' big game experience, though, and has a 5.46 career mark against the Rangers in six starts, including two this season. The Rangers will be without slugger Joey Gallo and Carlos Gomez. These are two streaky players, though, who don't hit for a high average. The Rangers are averaging 7.4 runs during their last 10 games. Texas has less of a distance to travel for this game than the Angels, who are returning home from the East Coast. The Angels haven't been home since Aug. 9. So the spot isn't good for them mentally returning to Anaheim for the first time in such a long while.
|Nationals -103 v. Padres
|11 h 54 m
Even without Bryce Harper, Trea Turner and Daniel Murphy, if he's resting another game, Washington still is vastly superior to San Diego. The Nationals have won 13 of their last 19 road games and own a huge pitching matchup here with Gio Gonzalez facing rookie Dinelson Lamet. Gonzalez is pitching his best ball with a 3-0 mark and 0.43 ERA in his last three starts. The lefty has gone at least six innings during 13 of his past 14 starts. San Diego is 13-19 versus lefty starters and has lost 20 more games than the Nationals. Lamet has intiguing stuff. But he's very raw and inconsistent. His ERA at Petco Park is 3.75, which isn't impressive considering Petco is the premier pitching park in the majors.
|Diamondbacks -141 v. Twins
|14 h 33 m
Zack Greinke remans an elite pitcher. Jose Berrios has a high ceiling, but has been struggling after a bright beginning following being called up from the minors. Berrios has a 7.04 ERA in his last three starts. Greinke is 3-0 with a 0.65 ERA in four interleague starts this year. Greinke knows the AL well. Berriors does not know the NL and the Diamondbacks have a very strong hittling lineup made stronger if J.D. Martinez is able to play after sitting out yesterday due to illness. Arizona is 11-4 in its last 15 interleague games.
|Indians v. Royals +123
|13 h 14 m
I'm going to fade Trevor Bauer as a road favorite. Bauer doesn't have a good road mark this season - 4-5 with a 6.32 ERA - and is in the unusual spot of pitching for the third time in less than a week having pitched in relief just two days ago. The Indians are playing well. The Royals, though, had won four of their last five before getting trounced by the Indians last night. That was going against Corey Kluber, though. Jason Vargas had a great June and a bad July. He was back on his game during his last start this past Sunday holding the White Sox to three runs on six hits in six innings. Vargas isn't as good as he was early in the year. But he's not as bad as he looked last month. Vargas has pitched his best this season versus Cleveland going 2-0 with a 0.87 ERA in three starts. He is pitching on five days rest. Kansas City is 10-2 the past 12 times Vargas has gone on five days rest.
|Yankees v. Red Sox -121
|7 h 56 m
Injuries not talent has been what has held Drew Pomeranz back. Pomeranz has been healthy the past two months and it has shown in his stats. He's given up three earned runs or less in 10 of his past 11 starts. It's not a fluke either. The talent is there backed by strong peripherals. Pomeranz has averaged more than one strikeout per inning. Boston is 7-2 in Pomeranz's last nine starts. Jordan Montgomery can't match that. New York is 1-6 the past seven times Montgomery has faced an above .500 team. The Yankees beat up on the battered Mets, but are stepping way up in class here. Boston has won eight of its last nine home games. The Red Sox also have won the last four times Pomeranz faced the Yankees.
|Braves v. Rockies -153
|19 h 34 m
The Braves nipped the Rockies, 4-3, Tuesday night. Before that game, Atlanta had lost 11 in a row at Coors Field.Look for the Braves to begin a new losing streak at Coors starting with today's game. The Braves have been looking more like the rebuilding team that they are. They're playing young players and still missing injured Matt Kemp. This is reflected in 16 losses in the Braves' past 22 games. The Rockies have their best pitcher, Jon Gray, going and closer Greg Holland is rested. Gray has shown he can pitch well at Coors Field going 3-0 with a 3.00 ERA in four home starts this season. He was 1-0 with a 0.64 ERA in two starts versus the Braves last season. Mike Foltynewicz is a bottom-of-the-rotation type starter who is showing signs of hitting the wall. He has an 8.31 ERA during his last three starts of which only one lasted more than four innings. Foltynewicz has a 4.88 road ERA. Foltynewicz has to deal with a Rockies lineup that is far more dangerous than Atlanta's offense. Only two teams rank higher than Colorado in runs and batting average.
|Giants -107 v. Marlins
|13 h 46 m
This is a lost season for the Giants. They've been particularly bad on the road going 20-41. So normally they are a team to avoid especially in away circumstances such as this. But the team still has some prideful veterans and they will play hard here for Madison Bumgarner. Bumgarner doesn't have the wins to show for it, but he's pitching like the four-time All-Star that he is. Since coming off the DL during the middle of last month, Bumgarner has posted a 2.52 ERA. He has a 1.29 ERA during his past three starts. Dan Straily posted a 3.31 ERA in the first half of the season. Straily has hit a wall, though, going 0-4 with a 5.17 ERA during the second half of the year. The Marlins have lost each of the last six times Straily has pitched.
|Mets +125 v. Yankees
|13 h 42 m
The Yankees aren't that good where they can lay a price like this against Jacob deGrom. Both teams take a lot of pride in this Subway Series and the Mets have their best pitcher going here. deGrom can take his place among any to be nominated as the hottest pitcher in baseball. He is 9-2 with a 1.82 ERA and 85 strikeouts during his last 79 1/3 innings. The Yankees beat the Mets, 4-2, last night. The Yankees have lost five of the past six times following a win. They are averaging just 3.2 runs in their last five games. I'm not sold that Sonny Gray is an elite pitcher. I wouldn't put him in deGrom's class. Gray has to prove he can pitch effectively away from spacious Oakland Coliseum. His road ERA this season is 3.75. This is a home game for him, but he hasn't pitched at Yankee Stadium all year. Gray is going to have to deal with streaky Yoenis Cespedes, who is hot with four homers in his last six games, including three in the last three games.
|Astros -109 v. Diamondbacks
|13 h 50 m
I see the Astros breaking out of their slump here. Houston is 7-1 in Brad Peacock's last eight starts. That's not a fluke stat. Peacock has tremendous stuff. The Diamondbacks are without their most underrated player, David Perralta. He's on paternity leave. There's a monster drop from Peralta to Gregor Blanco. The Astros still are the No. 1 offensive team in baseball. They should be able to rough up Anthony Banda, making only his fourth big league start. Banda has a 4.60 ERA and opposing teams now have three previous starts to gather information from. Banda would not be in the rotation if it weren't for Robbie Ray being on the DL.
|Angels v. Mariners -126
|11 h 1 m
The Angels are going for a four-game road sweep of the Mariners. The oddsmaker doesn't see the Angels getting it making Seattle favored. I don't either. I like the Mariners in this circle-the-wagons game for them. Angels starter Parker Bridwell has been a revelation. The Angels are 10-1 in his 11 starts. Bridwell isn't this good. The Mariners know that first hand. They dealt the Angels their lone loss when Bridwell started winning, 10-0, in Anaheim on June 30. The Mariners scored five earned runs off him on 11 hits in six innings. The Angels' bullpen has outpitched the Mariners' relievers in this series. I don't see that continuing either. The Angels are unsettled at closer with Bud Norris being demoted. Ariel Miranda gets the start for Seattle. He was the pitcher who beat Bridwell in that June 30 games. Miranda threw seven shutout innings allowing only two hits and two walks. He also defeated the Angels, 11-3, back in May. Miranda's career mark versus the Angels is 4-0 with a 2.61 ERA. I have a lot of confidence in him against this opponent.
|Cubs v. Diamondbacks +121
|14 h 59 m
Jon Lester has a 4.25 road ERA and is vulnerable to strong base stealing teams such as the Diamondbacks. Nobody knows this better than Arizona manager Tony Lovullo, who was a bench coach and running game coordinator for the Red Sox and worked closely with Lester when the two were in Boston together. The Diamondbacks rank fifth in the majors with 77 stolen bases. The southpaw Lester gave up the most stolen bases in 2015 with a staggering 44 and is tied for fourth in allowing the most steals this season. Lester has a 4.94 lifetime ERA in five starts against Arizona. Making matters worse for Lester and the Cubs is their catcher, Wilson Contreras, is out with a right hamstring strain. Not only was Contreras having a big year with the bat - 21 homers and 70 RBIs - but he had thrown out 20 base stealers. The Cubs' catching options now are Alex Avila, who caught yesterday, and rookie Victor Caratini. Avila has played only five games with the Cubs. Neither has experience with Lester. Patrick Corbin will start for Arizona. Corbin didn't allow more than two earned runs during four consecutive starts from July 9-26. He's been hurt by shoddy defense in his last two starts with four unearned runs. Corbin has pitched much better at Chase Field with a 6-3 mark and 3.14 ERA this season. The roof is going to be closed for this game, which hurts the power for both teams. It's a break, though, for the Diamondbacks because they have by far the better running game. The Cubs rank 25th in steals. The Diamondbacks have been highly successful against lefty starters at home winning 12 of the past 15 times.
|Rockies -111 v. Marlins
|12 h 41 m
The Rockies are a better team than the Marlins, who are in rebuild mode. The price is low enough to get involved with Colorado especially with a pitching matchup of Jon Gray versus Jose Urena. Gray is the Rockies' best pitcher - and now he is pitching like it with a 2.84 ERA and an 18-to-2 strikeout-to-walk ratio in his last three starts. Colorado is 7-3 in Gray's last 10 starts. Giancarlo Stanton and Marcell Ozuna are the Marlins' best players and Ozuna is in a slump with just four hits during his past 27 at bats. The Marlins are 5-14 during Urena's last 19 home starts. Urena also has been pitching well lately, but he's a bottom-of-the-rotation type starter. He's not in Gray's class. The spot sets up well, too, for Colorado. The Rockies were idle Thursday while the Marlins were playing for the 20th time in 21 days. The Rockies are 17-6 the past 23 times they've played following an off day.
|Twins +143 v. Brewers
|13 h 12 m
The Brewers were huge overachievers during the first half of the season. They are tumbling back to Earth now, losers of 15 of their last 22. The Twins, meanwhile, are hanging in just 1 1/2 games out of a wild card spot. They have won three in a row and have back All-Star power hitter Miguel Sano. So why then are the Brewers such huge favorites here? Two words - Bartolo Colon. The 44-year-old Colon is more craft than substance. He has a 5.18 ERA in four starts with Minnesota. That's a lot better, though, than the 8.14 ERA he recorded in 13 starts with the Braves before coming to the Twins. Brewers starter Brandon Woodruff is at the opposite spectrum. He's just beginning his career. This will be his second big league start. He blanked Tampa Bay in 6 1/3 innings six days ago. I like Woodruff's potential. But he's going to go through growing pains. He was 6-5 with a 4.46 ERA in 15 Triple A starts before coming up. The combination of Woodruff's wonderful debut and Colon's presence has created a line that is too high. So I'll make a value play and go with the 'dog at a nice mid-sized price.
|Cardinals -120 v. Royals
|11 h 22 m
Better starting pitcher. Better spot. A key injury. Those are the main factors why I like St. Louis to beat Kansas City today. The Royals will be without catcher Salvador Perez, who is on the DL after suffering a right intercostal strain this past Friday. The Royals had to play a doubleheader Sunday. Their bullpen is fatigued. The Cardinals have the stronger pitching matchup here with Carlos Martinez facing Ian Kennedy. Martinez has pitched better than his 7-9 record shows. He's a "B" pitcher in my ratings. Kennedy doesn't rate that high especially at Kauffman Stadium where he carries a 13-game home winless streak. That includes an 0-4 mark this year with a 4.98 ERA. Kennedy doesn't have a good track record versus the Cardinals either going 3-5 with a 7.20 ERA in eight previous starts.
|Tigers +153 v. Pirates
|10 h 9 m
I find value at this high of a price in fading Trevor Williams, a bottom-of-the-rotation type starter. Detroit is 6-3 in its last nine games. Pittsburgh is 5-9 in its past 14 games. The Pirates have lost in seven of Williams' last nine starts. I've always liked Zimmermann, who can be extremely effective when healthy. Zimmermann is healthy again and pitching well with three quality starts in his last four outings. He held the Yankees scoreless in seven innings during his past start last Wednesday. Zimmeran gave up six hits, no walks and struck out six. "Other than the one start ... I've been pretty good," Zimmermann was quoted as saying about his past appearances. "I feel strong, and the ball is coming out of my hand much better than it did in the first half of the season."
|Cardinals +110 v. Reds
|15 h 0 m
Lance Lynn is very underrated. He ranks in the top six in the National League in both ERA and batting average against holding opponents to a .210 average. Lynn has a good history versus the Reds, too, with a 9-4 record and 3.15 ERA in 19 appearances, including 16 starts. Lynn had a 1.47 ERA in six July starts. He is more trustworthy than Reds rookie starter Luis Castillo. I like the potential of Castillo. But he's coming up on his career high in innings and has yet to win at home where he's 0-2 with a 4.58 ERA. Cincinnati has dropped nine of its last 12 home games. It's a big plus if the Cardinals get back catcher Yadier Molina as expected. He pinch-hit Friday after getting banged-up on Thursday.
|A's v. Giants -123
|12 h 29 m
This is a lost season for the Giants. But I do believe the Giants will be fired up here to earn a split of their four-game series against cross-town rival Oakland. I do not like to lay a price with San Francisco, but my urge to fade to Kendall Graveman and the A's on the road outweighs that concern. Oakland has the second-worst road mark in the majors at 17-35. Graveman hasn't pitched in the majors since May 19 because of a strained shoulder. His minor league rehab numbers weren't encouraging at 0-1 with a 7.20 ERA and opponents batting .383 against him. The Giants have seen Graveman twice, the last time coming on June 28 of last season. Graveman has an 11.37 ERA versus San Francisco. The A's have never faced Ty Blach, who pitched very well in his last outing giving up two runs in seven innings against the Dodgers on the road this past Saturday.
|Phillies +148 v. Angels
|12 h 20 m
Jerad Eickhoff is way below the radar. He started the season by losing his first seven decisions. Then he went on the DL with a back injury. But in his last five starts, he's 2-0 with a 2.79 ERA.This is the Phillies' third game on the West Coast so they should be adjusted to the time change by now. The Phillies had won five in a row before venturing on their current trip. Philadelphia also is facing Parker Bridwell, who is due for serious regression. Bridwell is 5-1 with a 2.83 ERA in nine appearances, including eight starts. I don't think he's nearly as good as those numbers.
|Nationals -112 v. Marlins
|15 h 56 m
Vance Worley has a reserved spot on my list of "F" starting pitchers. Not only do I want to fade Worley, but I want to back the Nationals after they blew a 6-0 lead to the Marlins Tuesday. I can do it at a cheap lay price, too. It just takes a little faith in Nationals pitcher A.J. Cole and a strong belief Washington is going to hammer Worley and a battered Marlins bullpen that has lost their top relievers through trade and injuries. The Nationals are the best offensive team in the National League. They are 7-2 the past nine times against a righty starter. Cole looked sharp in his lone big league start this year holding the Phillies to one run on six hits in six innings back on May 6. The Nationals haven't needed him since with their pitching depth.
|Twins -102 v. Padres
|5 h 11 m
The price has come down a little, which is enough for me to get involved backing the Twins here in this day game. Minnesota has a better road mark than the Padres' home record. Minnesota is the better team and has the better starting pitcher going in a matchup of Ervin Santana versus Luis Perdomo. Santana is having an All-Star season. He's been at his best on the road and in day games - both of which occur here. Santana is 7-2 with a 2.59 away from home this season and is 4-2 with a 2.33 ERA during day action. He also is 2-0 lifetime with a 1.69 ERA in four starts against San Diego. Opposing hitters are batting just .217 against Santana. The long ball has hurt Santana, but he'll be helped here pitching at Petco Park, the premier pitcher's park. Perdomo is a young up-and-down pitcher. He's not nearly in Santana's class yet. Perdomo has pitched slightly worse at Petco Park with a 4.76 home ERA this year. The Twins get a boost to their speed game and outfield defense with the return of centerfielder Byron Buxton.
|Cardinals +110 v. Brewers
|16 h 33 m
Have to look to fade the Brewers in a chalk role here as Milwaukee has fallen back to Earth dropping 11 of its last 14 and nine of its last 11. The Brewers are an amazing 0-for-31 with runners in scoring position. While the Brewers are slipping, the Cardinals are coming on winning five of their last seven to move within 4 1/2 games of the Cubs. Their outfield should get a boost with the expected return today of Stephen Piscotty off the DL. Carlos Martinez is a stud pitcher who is 5-2 with a 1.75 ERA in 21 career appearances versus the Brewers. St. Louis is 21-9 in his last 30 starts when he pitches on five day's rest. St. Louis also is 5-1 the past six times Martinez has faced Milwaukee. Jimmy Nelson has had a nice comeback season. But he's 0-8 with a 7.01 ERA lifetime mark against the Cardinals in 11 games. The Brewers are 3-7 in Nelson's last 10 starts against St. Louis. Nelson is 0-1 in two starts against the Cardinals with a 5.73 ERA this year.
|Pirates -124 v. Padres
|16 h 43 m
Look for the Pirates to beat the Padres here in a pitching matchup of Ivan Nova versus rookie Dinelson Lamet. Nova is a solid pro. This is an important game for the Pirates, who had been playing well until getting nipped by the Padres last night. Nova's last start came at Coors Field and he struggled just like many pitchers when throwing at the league's best offensive stadium. Nova should fare much better against a much weaker offense and at the premier's pitcher's park in the league, Petco Park. I consider Nova to be a "B" level pitcher. Pittsburgh is 5-0 the past five times Nova has thrown on five days rest. Lamet has intriguing potential, but he's not ready for the majors. Opponents have caught on to him. Lamet's ERA in his last three starts is 7.36. The Padres are vulnerable in the bullpen, too, with new closer Brad Hand having pitched and gotten saves during the past three days. So he might be unavailable. Even if he's called on to pitch again, he'll carry a high fatigue rating. Hand is by far the Padres' best relief pitcher. He's also rumored to be on the trading block. The Padres' bullpen is thinned out with former closer Bradon Maurer traded to Kansas City.
|Rays +141 v. Yankees
|8 h 9 m
It's good value to take a price on the Rays in a pitching matchup of youngsters Blake Snell versus Caleb Smith. Snell has pitched better than his 0-6 record shows. Snell held Baltimore to one run in seven innings during his last start this past Monday. He has a 2.38 career ERA in five games against the Yankees. The lefthanded Smith has a 8.10 ERA. This will be his second big league start. He allowed four runs on five hits and one walk in 3 2/3 innings during his debut against the Mariners at pitcher-friendly Safeco Field this past Sunday. The Rays have won five of the last seven times they've gone against a southpaw starter.
|Marlins v. Rangers -127
|13 h 36 m
The Rangers suffered a frustrating loss to the Marlins last night in their first game back in Arlington returning from a 10-game road swing that concluded this past Sunday. I see the Rangers more relaxed and focused now in their second home game following that extended trip. Texas is four games above .500 at home while the Marlins are three games below .500 on the road. I'm willing to lay this price backing Cole Hamels against Dan Straily. I respect Straily, but I really like Hamels here. Hamels had his streak of 24 scoreless innings snapped against the Orioles in his last start when he was hammered for seven runs in 5 1/3 innings. The Orioles have been hot, though, and Hamels still has a 2.96 ERA for the month. The Rangers are 21-5 in Hamels' last 26 home games. The Rangers have been absolutely dominant when Hamels pitches at home against sub .500 opponents winning 13 of the past 14 times. Look for that trend to hold up here.
|A's -106 v. Blue Jays
|12 h 35 m
This may be the only time I lay a road price with the A's all season, but I want Sonny Gray in a pitching matchup against Cesar Valdez. Gray is pitching great - 4-1 with a 1.62 ERA and 0.72 WHIP in his last five starts - and is sure to be pumped in what very well could be his final start in an Oakland uniform. Valdez is more relief pitcher than starter. He's a journeyman who the A's designated for assignment earlier this season. So Oakland hitters know him. The right-hander has made just three big league starts. Valdez has a 6.92 ERA in those starts. He's filling in here for injured Aaron Sanchez. The A's have won nine of the last 12 times they've faced a righty starter. They also are 4-0 the past four times Gray has gone against Toronto. The Blue Jays are going to be sellers, too, at the trade deadline just like the A's. Even with Oakland's terrible road record, I still think the A's are a good price here with Gray pitching.
|Rockies +138 v. Cardinals
|17 h 4 m
Memo to the oddsmakers. St. Louis isn't very good. The Cardinals are four games below .500. Colorado is 16 games above .500 and doesn't deserve to be mid-sized 'dogs facing Mike Leake. Leake is 1-6 with a 5.04 ERA in his last 10 starts. The problem for Leake is physical, which he admits. Leake said he contracted shingles late last season causing him to lose strength and weight. He said he hasn't fully recovered from that. Leake began the year hot, but sure looks worn down now. "All I know is my body feels different every start," Leake was quoted as saying. "I try to do the best I can with what I'm given each day. It's a matter of getting these kinks worked out and being able to get the strength back." Leake hasn't been able to do that in his past 10 starts. He's facing a hot Rockies offense that is averaging 10.5 runs in its last seven games. Leake has a bad history, too, versus Colorado with a 7.52 ERA in four career starts. Colorado starter Antonio Senzatela won his last start beating the Padres this past Tuesday and shut out the Cardinals for eight innings in a 10-0 victory on May 26. The Cardinals had problems with Senzatela's sinker. This is a bad spot also for the Cardinals. They played in the Sunday night game last night and could be without leadoff hitter, Matt Carpenter. He left last night's game in the second inning with a quad injury.
|Yankees v. Mariners +115
|16 h 22 m
I like the Mariners as a home 'dog here in a matchup of righty Andrew Moore versus over-the-hill lefty CC Sabathia. Moore has walked just two batters in 24 innings. He's prone to the long ball, but will be helped pitching in spacious Safeco Field. The Yankees have lost 17 of the past 23 times when facing a righty starter. The Mariners have a winning mark versus southpaws and the offense to do damage against Sabathia. I don't like the Yankees when they play on the West Coast where they are 2-6 this season. The Yankees also have a major concern at closer where Aroldis Chapman hasn't looked right since returning from the DL following rotator cuff inflammation. Chapman has a 5.93 ERA in his last 13 1/2 innings giving up 18 hits and eight walks during this span. His fastball has lost steam and is secondary pitches haven't been consistent.
|Rangers +103 v. Orioles
|16 h 44 m
The Orioles have outscored the Rangers, 25-4, in winning the first three games of this home series. That's why the Orioles opened a favorite today against Texas. They shouldn't have. Not with Cole Hamels going for the Rangers and Wade Miley pitching for Baltimore. Hamels has it all over Miley in this battle of southpaws. The Orioles have a losing record versus lefty starters. Now they have to deal with Hamels, the hottest pitcher in baseball. Hamels hasn't allowed a run in 21 straight innings. The Rangers are 19-9 in his past 28 road starts. Miley began the year with a 2.82 ERA in his first 11 starts. The career journeyman was in line for a serious regression - and it has happened. During his last eight starts, Miley has posted a 10.19 ERA. He has a 1.80 WHIP on the season and a bad track record against the Rangers with a career mark of 1-5 and 5.75 ERA.
|Nationals -121 v. Angels
|12 h 33 m
Much better team and a superior pitcher going puts me on the Nationals at this low lay price. Washington is 21 games above .500 - and that's with the worst bullpen in the majors. The Nationals have Gio Gonzalez going and a fortified bullpen with the additions of Ryan Madson and Sean Doolittle. The Nationals have won six in a row. The Angels are four games below .500, have lost seven of their past 10 and pitching minor leaguer Alex Meyer. The Nationals are the second-best hitting team in baseball. Meyer has control problems. That's not a good combination. Gonzalez is having his best season since 2012 when he went 21-8 with a 2.89 ERA. He's 8-4 this season with a 2.66 ERA and ranks 17th in strikeouts. Mike Trout only is 1-for-11 lifetime against Gonzalez with six strikeouts. Bryce Harper is supposed to get a day off, but the Angels will be without their leadoff hitter, Cameron Maybin, who suffered a sprained knee last night and will be out at least a couple of weeks.
|Yankees v. Twins +101
|10 h 21 m
Neither Jordan Montgomery nor Jose Berrios have been in good form recently. But Berrios is the better pitcher, the Twins opened as home 'dogs and the spot is ripe to go against the Yankees here. New York beat Minnesota last night, but is just 10-21 in its last 31 games. The Yankees are 1-9 following a victory. They have lost five of Montgomery's past seven road starts. The Yankees are excited about acquiring Todd Frazier, David Robertson and Tommy Kahnle from the White Sox on Tuesday. That's a great move for them, but that buzz is a distraction for this game. Berrios is a stud prospect. He's been tremendous at home this season going 4-1 with a 2.86 ERA. The Twins are 9-4 in his last 13 starts. Montgomery doesn't have Berrios' high ceiling. He has a 5.27 ERA in his last three starts giving up 18 hits and four walks in 13 2/3 innings during this span,
|Cubs -110 v. Braves
|13 h 26 m
It took up until the All-Star break, but the Cubs are finally coming on. Chicago is unbeaten since the All-Star Game going 4-0. The Cubs have won their past five road contests and are 15-6 on the season versus lefty starters, including winning their last seven against southpaws. Atlanta is pitching rookie lefty Sean Newcomb. He looked good during his first four big league starts, but the league has figured him out. Newcomb has made two starts this month and is 0-2 with a 13.50 ERA giving up 11 runs in 7 1/3 innings. The Braves are playing with a thin bullpen having just recalled hitters Sean Rodriguez and Danny Santana. They are missing injured setup man Arodys Vizcaino, perhaps their most talented reliever. The Cubs are averaging 7.7 runs in their last four games. Veteran John Lackey gets the start for Chicago. Lackey is having a down season bothered by right foot plantar fascitis. But he has the veteran savvy and a better bullpen going for him that Newcomb lacks. Lackey also has a 2.59 career ERA versus the Braves in four starts.
|Rays -101 v. A's
|11 h 17 m
Neither starting pitcher is in good form although both teams have been playing well lately. I just believe it's worth it to get involved with the Rays, the superior team who also have the veteran starter going. Oakland is in full rebuilt mode. The A's just got considerably weaker in their bullpen dealing Sean Doolittle and Ryan Madson to the Nationals for struggling reliever Blake Treinen and minor league prospects. Tampa Bay starter Jake Odorizzi has a 4.63 ERA and is prone to the long ball. He'll be helped here pitching in the spacious Oakland Coliseum. A's rookie starter Daniel Gossett has a 6.23 ERA. He's 0-1 with a 5.40 ERA when pitching at home. Gossett also is 0-2 with an 8.16 ERA in his last three starts.
|Diamondbacks -106 v. Braves
|6 h 34 m
Zack Godley is an under-the-radar starter with a 2.58 ERA in 11 starts. That's the lowest ERA among Arizona's starters, which include strikeout studs Zach Greinke and Robbie Ray. Godley hasn't allowed more than three runs during any of his starts this season. Arizona is 4-1 in Godley's past five road starts. Godley is in much better current form than Atlanta starter Jaime Garcia. Godley has yielded four runs in his last two starts spanning 12 2/3 innings. He's given up five hits with 13 strikeouts during this time frame. Godley, a native of South Carolina, will have extra motivation with many of his family and friends making the trip to Atlanta to watch him today. The much injury-prone Garcia could be nearing the end at 31. He has a 9.41 ERA in his last four starts with opponents batting .333 against him during this span. Garcia hasn't won during his past seven starts. The Diamondbacks rank seventh in runs scored. They should be even better offensively now that star outfielder A.J. Pollock is back in the lineup. The Braves have surprised with their offense because they have been merely average - ranking 16th in runs scored - instead of near the bottom. They are not a top-seven offense, though, like Arizona and rank 27th in homers. Arizona has more depth than Atlanta, which is especially important on Sunday when teams normally rest some starters. The Braves are missing injured setup man Arodys Vizcaino and closer Jim Johnson carries a fatigue rating having worked an inning each of the past two days.
|Giants v. Padres +144
|15 h 59 m
Sure on paper this looks like an epic pitching mismatch with Madison Bumgarner opposing Jhoulys Chacin. But perception doesn't fit reality here. Bumgarner hasn't pitched in three months. This is his first big league start since he sprained his left shoulder after a motorcycle mishap on April 20. Bumgarner is likely to be rusty and could be on a pitch count. It's a leap of faith to expect him to be in top form. Even when he was healthy, Bumgarner has struggled against the Padres with a 4.73 ERA in his last four starts against them. The Giants have the second-worst record in the majors in back of only the Phillies. They also have lost nine of Bumgarner's last 13 road starts. Chacin has been the nuts at Petco Park with a 1.68 ERA in nine starts at home this season. Chacin has yielded fewer than three earned runs in seven of his last 10 starts and is in excellent form with a 1.47 ERA in his last three starts. The Padres have proven tough against the Giants winning 12 of the past 17 meetings.
|Giants -105 v. Padres
|12 h 20 m
Yes, it's a little disconcerting to lay a small road price with the Giants. But this is the game to do it in. The Giants are the better team and they have the superior pitcher going in a matchup of Johnny Cueto versus Clayton Richard. Cueto isn't elite anymore, but he's better than what he's shown this season. He's due for improvement against this weak hitting Padres team, which ranks last in runs and batting average. He's also pitching on his normal four day's rest. San Francisco is 21-6 the past 27 times when Cueto has pitched on four day's rest. The Giants' morale should be up with Madison Bumgarner slated to pitch this weekend. The Giants are a prideful team. The Padres are in clear rebuild mode. Cueto is a crafty veteran whose style should prove puzzling to San Diego's many young hitters. Cueto is 8-4 with a 2.93 ERA in 13 career starts versus San Diego. Richard is who he is, a below average starter with a 4.66 ERA. Richard has close to a 4.00 career ERA against the Giants.
|Marlins v. Giants -131
|5 h 28 m
I don't see the Marlins sweeping the Giants on the road. The Giants have their best pitcher, Johnny Cueto, going against Jose Urena, who has been pitching decently but is a bottom-of-the-rotation type starter. Cueto is healthy after being scratched before his last start this past Thursday against the Tigers due to an inner-ear infection. The Giants desperately need this game, while the Marlins are going to be sellers at the trade dealine. Cueto has pitched better at home. He has a 2.84 ERA in his last three starts and usually is at his best during day games where he sports a lifetime 2.70 ERA. The Marlins are 19-25 on the road. The Giants have dropped the first two games of this series. They are swinging the bats better, though, and have won seven of their last 11.
|White Sox v. Rockies -121
|10 h 13 m
The Rockies have a much better lineup than the White Sox and are home facing a pitcher who has never pitched at Coors Field. So I'm going to get behind Kyle Freeland and back the Rockies against the White Sox, who are 19-30 on the road and have a losing mark in day games. The White Sox are 3-11 the last 14 times they've been on the road facing an opponent with a winning home record. Colorado is 25-18 at Coors and 22-13 in day action. White Sox starter Carlos Rondon has a tendency to be wild. This is just his third appearance of the season as he makes his way back from bicepts bursitis in his pitching arm. Freeland is a rookie who has looked good enough to be considered Colorado's second or third-best starter. He is 3-0 with a 2.95 in three interleague starts beating the Twins, Mariners and Indians - three teams all better than the White Sox.
|Padres v. Phillies -120
|12 h 2 m
I see the Phillies playing better during the second half of the season. I'm going to back them here with their promising rookie, Nick Pivetta, on the mound. The Phillies have some good young hitters, who haven't performed up to expectations this season. Expect better things from Maikel Franco and Odubel Herrera, who are beginning to step up their game. Pivetta was outstanding in his last start this past Sunday against the Mets. He held the Mets to one run in seven innings. But the biggest reason I like the Phillies' side at this price is a fade on the road Padres and their starting pitcher, Clayton Richard. The Padres are 14-27 away from Petco Park. They are 7-20 the past 27 times they've been on the road going against a foe with a losing home mark. The Padres might even be feeling a bit fat and happy after winning a road series against the Indians. Richard has never defeated the Phillies. He's 0-4 against them. Richard is in terrible form allowing 12 runs in his past two starts spanning 9 2/3 innings. Richard has a 4.85 ERA on the season, which stretches to 4.95 when he pitches in the evening.
|MIAMI v. ST. LOUIS -148
|14 h 45 m
Michael Wacha is pitching his best ball of the season. Tom Koehler is dreadful with a terrible road history. So the choice is simple here - and the price isn't sky high to back the Cardinals. The Marlins are 3-14 in Koehler's last 17 starts and 2-7 during his past nine road starts. Koehler's road ERA is 4.65 during the last three years compared to 3.65 at Marlins Park. He has been so bad this season that the Marlins sent him down to the minors. Koehler resurfaced for a start this past Saturday against the Brewers. He couldn't get out of the second inning giving up seven earned runs on six hits and two walks, including a homer. I'm surprised the Marlins are giving him another shot. Wacha, meanwhile, is 2-0 with a 1.69 ERA in his past three starts. He struck out a season-high nine in a 2-1 win against the powerful Nationals this past Saturday. Wacha threw a four-hit, six-inning shutout against the Nationals. The Marlins are 17-24 on the road. The Cardinals are 22-8 in Wacha's last 30 starts versus opponents with a sub .500 record. The Cardinals should have Jedd Gyorko, their leading hitter, back in the starting lineup.
|Giants +165 v. Tigers
|12 h 2 m
I'll take the Giants at this price. San Francisco is playing much better winning six of its last seven. The Giants' power - dormant all season - has finally started to emerge. Veterans Brandon Belt, Hunter Pence and Brandon Crawford are showing signs of coming around. Tigers starter Daniel Norris has looked terrible in his past two starts giving up 10 earned runs in 9 2/3 innings on 13 hits, four walks and three homers. Detroit is 2-6 in Norris' last eight home starts. The Giants have underachieved all season, but the Tigers aren't playing well losing 11 of their last 16. Ty Blach pitched well when he first entered San Francisco's rotation. Then he went through a slump. The buy sign is back on Blach after his last start where he held the Rockies to one earned run in 6 1/3 innings of a 5-3 victory last Wednesday. The Tigers have never faced Blach. Detroit could be without its most feared hitter as Miguel Cabrera left yesterday's game due to tightness in his left hip.
|Reds v. Rockies -148
|19 h 40 m
All aboard. Tickets please. The Homer Bailey fade train is ready for departure and I'm on board again. This is close to my limit on laying a price, but it's worth it to go against Bailey, who has shown nothing since returning from elbow surgery. This is Bailey's third start. He's given up 14 runs on 12 hits and five walks in 4 2/3 innings during his first two starts. Even when he was in his prime, Bailey struggled against the Rockies with a career 4.43 ERA in seven starts. Now Bailey takes his turn at Coors Field. It's not going to be pretty. The Rockies have won eight of their last 10 at Coors. Their starter, Kyle Freeland, has pitched better at home with a 3.21 ERA compared to 4.35 on the road. Freeland, unlike Bailey, can be counted on to go at least six innings since he's done that in 11 of his 13 starts. The Reds have dropped 17 of their last 23 games. They could be missing sparkplug Billy Hamilton, who is dealing with a stiff lower back.
|Marlins v. Cardinals -139
|12 h 38 m
Jeff Locke is a near auto-fade as long as the price isn't sky high. The combination of backing Adam Wainwright at home while going against Locke puts me on St. Louis. The Cardinals have started to play better winning six of their last eight. They have a winning record versus southpaw starters. Locke, a lefty, has yet to win in six starts this season. He has been terrible with a 5.52 ERA. Locker has a 4.98 career ERA versus the Cardinals in 11 appearances, including 10 starts. Wainwright almost always is good at home. That's certainly been the case this season where he's 5-1 with a 2.64 ERA in eight starts at Busch Stadium. Wainwright has a career 2.37 ERA against the Marlins, too. St. Louis has won 71 percent of Wainwright's past 51 home starts.


text:
- Author: David Cowan, Ryan Jacobs, Thomas Nevitt, Wen Stone
- Published: 15th Jun '13
- Region: Cardiff, Liverpool, Sheffield, UK
- Cancer Type: Aplastic Anaemia, Brain Tumour, Testicular Cancer
- Tags: Music
Copy and paste this code onto your website.
Filmed as part of jimmyteens.tv media training programme. David, Ryan, Thomas and Wen talk about the importance of music while they were on treatment.

subset: commoncrawl


text:
'Only more police can solve Nag's Head begging issue'
PUBLISHED: 09:00 20 August 2015
Senior security officers at the Nag's Head Centre have said a bigger police presence in the area is the only way to stop mounting anti-social behaviour.
Dovi Yebovi, 77, who has worked as head of security at the centre in Holloway Road for 13 years, said that begging and drinking were increasing, having an adverse effect on profits.
He said: "The regulars are known to all the customers. The minute people see them they turn their faces away and move on to other shops in Holloway Road. It's bad for business. It certainly has an affect on profits."
On Wednesday last week police enforced a 48-hour dispersal zone around Nag's Head town centre in Holloway.
Police said the order was put in force after consultations with businesses in the area who reported a problem with aggressive begging.
A statement issued by Islington Police said: "A dispersal order was implemented from August 12 to 14, to ensure local people are kept safe from nuisance, such as aggressive begging and illegal street trading."
Mr Yebovi said the consumption of alcohol in the premises was a greater issue.
He said: "They come in and drink in the service area. There are three or five people with their dog. They are abusive, using bag language.
"We have shoplifters because security can't cope with all these problems. The long and short of it is that I would like to see more police presence in the area. It would solve the problem considerably."
Amang Sarr, 43, a security officer for the centre, who lives in Manor Park, said: "Aggressive begging is very common in the centre.
"We have people who keep on approaching others. That is intimidating.
"I support the dispersal zones as a temporary measure but after 48 hours they just come back again."
Despite Mr Yebovi's belief that anti-social behaviour is a mounting problem in the area, police said that there had been a trend for improvement.
Inspector Richard Padwell said: "This is a busy area with hundreds of shops, cafes and other businesses.
"Over the years, from time to time, issues have arisen and we have responded, working with partners, which have led to improvements.
"Police will continue to work with the Nag's Head Town Centre Partnership to address concerns."
If you value what this story gives you, please consider supporting the Islington Gazette. Click the link in the orange box above for details.


text:
Gregg Popovich says Kawhi Leonard suffered tear in shoulder
Kawhi Leonard missed the Spurs' first 27 games of the season because of right quadriceps tendinopathy. He'll miss a few more after suffering a partial tear in his left shoulder during Saturday's (AEDT) 103-89 win over Suns.
MORE: Seven potential teams who may look to sign free agent Andrew Bogut
"It's too bad. He was starting to get back into form a little bit after playing a couple of games," Spurs coach Gregg Popovich told reporters today.
Leonard has played in eight games this season, averaging 15.9 points and 4.3 rebounds per game for the 27-13 Spurs. While Leonard is without a timetable for a return, the team doesn't think the shoulder injury is serious.
Even though Kawhi Leonard has a partial terse in his shoulder, the team at this point doesn't think it's serious. Team will continue to monitor it over these next few days. He has not yet been ruled out for Thursday in LA against the Lakers.— Michael C. Wright (@mikecwright) January 8, 2018
Despite Leonard's injuries, the Spurs own the fifth-best record in the NBA as they embark on a road trip, beginning with Sunday night's matchup with the Blazers.


text:
I thought the silhouettes look familiar. ^^ It's Hagu and Takemoto from H & C II's ending. Well I'd say the vectors are very well done. You know, I was thinking of vectoring the silhouettes from the ending few months ago but never get to move my butt to actually work on it. >.<
The colour scheme is wonderful, and the lines are also unique. Though the grass looks funny as if it was hand drawn when you see it from the thumbnail but it's very good when you actually full-view it.
But I think maybe the text doesn't look that good with the wall though. Looks a little weird for such funky wall. Might work well without it.
But overall, it's a nice wall. I love the catchy green colour.


text:
TropiClean SPA Lavish White Coat Shampoo Color Enhance 473ml
- Brand: Tropiclean
- Product Code: SPA-WHITE
- Availability: In Stock
Tags: Shampoo / Conditioner, Tropiclean
SPA White Coat shampoo for pets gently removes dulling build-up and residues that can make white coats look dingy or faded while bringing out a bright shine for maximum impact. It refreshes and perfects colours to create a beautiful radiant glow. SPA White Coat shampoo intensifies glistening highlights and amplifies mega-watt shine without adding or depositing colour to your dog or cat's coat. No bleach, peroxide, ammonia, or alcohol.
Water (Aqua), Hydrolyzed Wheat Protein, Camellia Sinensis (White Tea), Mild Coconut Cleanser, Panthenol (Pro-Vitamin B5), Lavandula Angustifolia (Lavender), Avena Sativa (Oatmeal), Nymphaeaceae (Lily), Vitamin E, Vaccinium Cyanococcus (Blueberry).
Shake bottle well before using. Wet your pet's coat thoroughly and apply a generous amount of shampoo, massaging it well into your pet's coat for 3 to 5 minutes, then rinse. Follow with Nourish Vitamin Conditioner, then rinse well. Dry your pet with a towel or other absorbent cloth. Safe for daily use.


text:
This doesn't happen often, but when it does - boy do I feel dumb. Chelsey gave a nice long rant at the Fat Femme Mafia's clothing swap last week in order to send a "So What?" to Tyra Banks' show and I apparently recorded NOTHING! Except this... 10 seconds. Sorry Chelsey.
Thursday, May 10, 2007
Chelsey I'm so sorry, I taped the gap and not the story...
Posted by Lukas Blakk at 9:21 AM
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