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MLB Betting Info. 8/1

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  • MLB Betting Info. 8/1

    MLB

    Hot pitchers
    -- Harvey is 1-0, 1.64 in his last three starts.
    -- Pirates won six of last seven Morton starts (3-1, 4.78). Kelly is 1-1, 2.70 in four starts this season.
    -- Cain is 1-0, 2.25 in his last couple starts.
    -- Teheran is 0-0, 0.69 in his last two starts.
    -- Rusin is 1-0, 1.46 in his last couple starts.

    -- Darvish is 2-2, 2.16 in his last four starts.

    -- Masterson is 2-0, 1.27 in his last three starts.
    -- Shields is 2-1, 2.42 in his last four starts.
    -- Hernandez is 3-0, 0.90 in his last four starts.


    Cold pitchers
    -- Koehler ia 1-1, 5.14 in his last four starts.
    -- Hamels is 0-2, 3.60 in his last three starts.
    -- Bettis is 3-4, 3.71 in 12 AAA starts; this is his MLB debut.

    -- Spruill is 4-3, 3.24 in 12 AAA starts this year; he's allowed one run in 4.1 IP in bigs- this is his first MLB start.,

    -- Sale is 1-8, 3.45 in his last ten starts; White Sox were blanked in three of his last five starts.
    -- Diamond is 0-3, 5.81 in his last six starts.
    -- Former Astro Norris is 0-2, 8.47 in his last three starts. Lyles is 0-3, 9.40 in his last six starts.
    -- Dempster has a 6.66 RA in his last five starts.
    -- Johnson is 0-4, 8.27 in his last six starts. Richards is 0-2, 6.11 in last three.


    Starting Pitchers/First Inning
    You can wager on whether teams will score in the first inning. Below is how often a starting pitcher has allowed 1+ runs in first inning in one of his starts........
    -- Harvey 4-21; Koehler 5-12
    -- Kelly 0-4; Morton 2-8
    -- Cain 7-21; Hamels 4-22
    -- Bettis 0-0; Teheran 7-20
    -- Nolasco 6-21; Rusin 1-3

    -- Spruill 0-0; Darvish 6-19 (1 of last 9)

    -- Sale 6-20 (0 of last 5); Masterson 3-22
    -- Shields 9-21; Diamond 6-19
    -- Lyles 5-16; Norris 7-21
    -- Hernandez 3-22; Dempster 7-20
    -- Johnson 3-14; Richards 0-5

    Totals
    -- 13 of last 15 Marlin games stayed under the total.
    -- Seven of last ten St Louis games stayed under total.
    -- Last four Philly games went over the total.
    -- Last six Colorado games went over the total.
    -- Last five Dodger games stayed under the total.

    -- Under is 8-2-1 in last eleven Texas games.

    -- Eight of last twelve Cleveland games stayed under total.
    -- Under is 6-1-1 in last eight Kansas City games.
    -- Under is 5-2-1 in last eight Baltimore games.
    -- Six of last nine Boston games stayed under the total.
    -- Six of last seven Angel home games stayed under total.

    Hot teams
    -- Marlins are 6-4 in their last ten home games.
    -- Pirates won seven of their last eight home games.
    -- Braves won six of their last seven games.
    -- Dodgers won 27 of their last 34 games.

    -- Rangers won four of their last five home games.

    -- Indians won their last seven games, scoring 44 runs.
    -- Kansas City won its last eight games, allowing 15 runs.
    -- Boston won 15 of its last 21 games at Fenway Park.
    -- Blue Jays won five of their last seven games.


    Cold teams
    -- Mets lost four of their last six games.
    -- Cardinals lost their last seven games, scoring ten runs.
    -- Giants lost nine of last ten games; Phillies lost eight of last ten.
    -- Rockies lost four of their last five games.
    -- Cubs lost three of their last four games.

    -- Arizona lost 13 of its last 18 road games.

    -- White Sox lost nine of their last ten games.
    -- Minnesota lost five of its last seven games.
    -- Astros lost 14 of their last 18 games; Baltimore lost six of last eight.
    -- Mariners lost four of their last five games.
    -- Angels lost nine of their last eleven games.

  • #2
    Capping the calendar: August's best and worst MLB pitchers
    By MARC LAWRENCE

    Listed below are hurlers that have enjoyed a 2-to-1 or better success ratio in team starts the last three seasons during the month of August.

    On the flip side, we’ve also listed pitchers that struggle in August team starts, winning 33 percent or less of their efforts.

    To qualify pitchers must have made a minimum of 10 starts, with at least one start each August over the last three years. I’ll be back next month with September’s Good Month Pitchers. Until then, enjoy…

    GOOD AUGUST PITCHERS

    Bruce Chen, Kansas City Royals • 13-5

    Since being placed back in the starting rotation, Chen has been a valuable commodity for Kansas City and continued to throw extremely well, producing a 2.09 ERA. If the Royals are really going to make a run at the wildcard, Chen will have to match his previous August numbers.

    Yovanni Gallardo, Milwaukee Brewers • 12-4

    Though just 27 years old, the radar gun does not lie and the Milwaukee right-hander has lost three to four MPH off his fastball accounting for career-worst ERA (4.91). It doesn’t help playing for one of the worst teams in baseball, but this is his own doing, with opposing right-hand hitters ripping a robust .286 against his tosses. Can he turn it around this month like in the past?

    Roy Halladay, Philadelphia Phillies • 12-5

    On July 21, Halladay threw off a mound for the first time since having corrective surgery on his throwing shoulder. Reports have his range of motion much improved, but at this juncture his return this month is questionable.

    Felix Hernandez, Seattle Mariners • 12-5

    It is just remarkable. Year after year, King Felix keeps putting up phenomenal numbers, despite pitching for a mediocre Seattle club. This season has been no different and Hernandez has not lost a game since May 25 and history tells us he will not drop many this month either.

    Ian Kennedy, San Diego Padres • 13-5

    After winning 36 games the last two years, it hasn’t been a good year for the former-Arizona right-hander with only three victories. This season he’s giving up over a hit an inning and he’s on pace to surrender a career-high in walks if he generates enough innings. The Diamondbacks traded him to San Diego on July 31 to upgrade their depleted bullpen.

    Roy Oswalt, Colorado Rockies • 9-3

    Suffered an injury on July 22 and has been doing rehab work since. He could come back this month, but at 0-4 with 7.64 ERA with the Rockies, there’s no reason to rush Oswalt back, who’s a shell of his Astros days.

    C.C. Sabathia, New York Yankees • 11-5

    Sabathia turned 33 years old last month and has lost three to four MPH on his fastball. At 95-plus you can miss spots and still get out big league hitters. However, with decreased movement and throwing in the low 90s, C.C.’s ERA could be headed for the worst of his stellar career. Still thought of as a big-game pitcher, Sabathia has to rebound or the Yankees have no shot at the playoffs.

    Ervin Santana, Kansas City Royals • 13-4

    Though his record doesn’t show it, the change of scenery helped Santana and the 30-year-old Kansas City pitcher has been hovering around three with his ERA all year. Santana continues to pound the strike zone and he’s conceded only 31 walks in 21 starts.The Royals were playing good baseball at the end of July and if the Dominican dandy stays true to form, K.C. might be playing meaningful games all month long.

    Max Scherzer, Detroit Tigers • 11-5

    There have been Scherzer critics, pointing to his gaudy record of 15-1 being a byproduct of run support and very favorable pitching matchups. While there might be a speck of truth in this argument, ask opposing hitters what they think, batting .197 against him. And he’s second in punch-outs in the American League.

    James Shields, Kansas City Royals • 13-4

    The Royals righty is beginning to command his pitches better and is working later into games, as was his custom with Tampa Bay. If Shields can continue to throw well and match his road ERA (2.50), he and Santana form a nice 1-2 combo at the top of the Kansas City rotation.

    BAD AUGUST PITCHERS

    A. J. Burnett, Pittsburgh Pirates • 4-11

    At this time, Burnett only has 25 percent of the total wins he had in 2012, yet his ERA is a half a run lower, suggesting the lack of run support. If Burnett can keep throwing strikes with his cut fastball and sweeping curveball, the runs should come. Missing a few starts in June should help be fresher in the later stages of the season.

    Kevin Corriea, Minnesota Twins • 4-9

    The Minnesota right-hander has done his part to be a part of the worst starting pitching staff in baseball and has a 5.27 ERA in his last 10 outings. A combined 80 hits and walks over 54.2 innings will lead to a bloated ERA. No reason to believe soft-tossing Corriea will improve his stock with the Twins.

    Tommy Hanson, Los Angeles Angels • 3-7

    His record might say 4-2, but Hanson has been another bust for Los Angeles. To this point, he’s only made 11 starts after being counted on as the fourth or fifth man in the Angels rotation with an ERA over five. Hanson’s 11-4 rookie campaign of 2009 seems a long time ago.

    Roberto Hernandez, Tampa Bay Rays • 4-10

    Even positive skipper Joe Maddon is finding it challenging to say upbeat about this pitcher. The Rays have a plethora of outstanding starting pitchers and more are on the way. Simply speaking, by whatever name, Hernandez and his 4.71 ERA is not getting it done.

    Tim Hernandez, San Francisco Giants • 5-11

    Though Lincecum has generally thrown better this year compared to last, chances are this will be the third straight year he will finish with a record below .500. San Francisco will have to make a decision about the undersized state of Washington native, who will likely never again reach 220 or more strikeouts, which he did from 2008 to 2011. Strictly a 50/50 proposition these days.

    Paul Maholm, Atlanta Braves • 5-10

    After a quick start with the Braves, Maholm has settled into career pattern of being ordinary ball chucker. His only saving grace is being on Atlanta, which can hit home runs in bunches. Right-handed batters are hitting .301 against his deliveries in 2013.

    Ross Ohlendorf, Washington Nationals • 2-9

    Starting the season at Triple-A Syracuse, Ohlendorf was advanced to the Washington roster in June and has pitched mostly in relief except for a couple a good spot starts for the Nationals. The more he starts, the more the righty will be exposed.

    Joe Saunders, Seattle Mariners • 5-11

    At this juncture of his career, Saunders is a back of the rotation hurler who can eat up innings. This year, his splits are incredible and probably should be used accordingly. The lefty has a 3.62 ERA at Safeco Field, compared to a 5.53 ERA in away games. And the time of day Saunders pitches have day and night results, literally. His ERA is 3.80 after dark and an unsettling 6.58 during the day.

    Comment


    • #3
      National League

      New York Mets at Miami, 12:40 ET
      Harvey: Mets 10-2 SU in last 12 road series finales
      Koehler: Marlins 1-5 SU when Koehler starts at home

      St. Louis at Pittsburgh, 7:05 ET
      Kelly: Cardinals are 1-5 SU in last six road series finales
      Morton: Under is 24-10-2 when Morton starts at PNC Park

      San Francisco at Philadelphia, 7:05 ET
      Cain: Over is 13-6-2 when Cain starts on the road in 2013
      Hamels: Phillies are 6-16 SU when Hamels starts this season

      Colorado at Atlanta, 7:10 ET
      McHugh: Rockies 6-16 SU last 22 games as a road dog
      Teheran: Under is 6-1 when Teheran starts a night game

      Los Angeles Dodgers at Chicago Cubs 8:05 ET
      Nolasco: Under is 3-1 in Nolasco's starts for the Dodgers
      Rusin: Cubs 6-3 SU in home night games in 2013

      American League

      Chicago White Sox at Cleveland, 12:05 ET
      Sale: Under is 17-8 when Sale starts on the road
      Masterson: Indians 9-3 SU in last 12 home day games

      Kansas City at Minnesota, 1:10 ET
      Shields: Under is 6-2 in Shields last eight road starts
      Diamond: Twins are 3-12 SU in Diamond's last 15 starts at home

      Houston at Baltimore, 7:05 ET
      Lyles: Astros have lost last five road series finales
      Tillman: Under is 7-2-1 in last 10 home starts for Tillman

      Seattle at Boston, 7:10 ET
      Hernandez: Mariners 4-1 SU in 2013 in a Hernandez road start after team lost in his last outing
      Dempster: Under is 5-1 in last six Red Sox home series finales

      Toronto at Los Angeles Angels, 10:05 ET
      Johnson: Blue Jays 0-5 SU in Johnson's road starts
      Richards: Under is 7-1 in Angels' last eight series openers

      Interleague

      Arizona at Texas, 7:05 ET
      Delgado: Under is 21-8-3 when Delgado pitches away from his home park
      Darvish: Texas is 19-8 SU when Darvish starts at home

      Comment


      • #4
        12:05 PM
        CHI WHITE SOX vs. CLEVELAND
        Chi White Sox are 0-5 SU in their last 5 games
        The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Chi White Sox's last 6 games
        Cleveland is 5-1 SU in their last 6 games when playing at home against Chi White Sox
        Cleveland is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games at home

        12:40 PM
        NY METS vs. MIAMI
        NY Mets are 2-4 SU in its last 6 games when playing on the road against Miami
        NY Mets are 2-6 SU in its last 8 games when playing Miami
        Miami is 6-2 SU in its last 8 games when playing NY Mets
        The total has gone UNDER in 13 of Miami's last 15 games

        1:10 PM
        KANSAS CITY vs. MINNESOTA
        Kansas City is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games when playing on the road against Minnesota
        Kansas City is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games
        Minnesota is 1-4 SU in its last 5 games when playing Kansas City
        Minnesota is 1-4 SU in its last 5 games when playing at home against Kansas City

        7:05 PM
        SAN FRANCISCO vs. PHILADELPHIA
        San Francisco is 2-4 SU in its last 6 games when playing Philadelphia
        San Francisco is 6-12 SU in its last 18 games on the road
        Philadelphia is 4-2 SU in its last 6 games when playing San Francisco
        The total has gone OVER in 4 of Philadelphia's last 5 games

        7:05 PM
        ST. LOUIS vs. PITTSBURGH
        The total has gone OVER in 5 of St. Louis's last 7 games when playing Pittsburgh
        St. Louis is 0-5 SU in its last 5 games on the road
        Pittsburgh is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games when playing at home against St. Louis
        Pittsburgh is 5-1 SU in its last 6 games

        7:05 PM
        ARIZONA vs. TEXAS
        Arizona is 5-13 SU in its last 18 games on the road
        The total has gone OVER in 8 of Arizona's last 11 games when playing Texas
        The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Texas's last 5 games at home
        The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Texas's last 5 games

        7:05 PM
        HOUSTON vs. BALTIMORE
        Houston is 2-9 SU in its last 11 games when playing Baltimore
        Houston is 2-6 SU in its last 8 games on the road
        The total has gone UNDER in 6 of Baltimore's last 8 games
        Baltimore is 2-6 SU in its last 8 games

        7:10 PM
        SEATTLE vs. BOSTON
        The total has gone OVER in 5 of Seattle's last 6 games when playing Boston
        Seattle is 0-5 SU in its last 5 games when playing on the road against Boston
        The total has gone UNDER in 11 of Boston's last 14 games at home
        Boston is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games

        7:10 PM
        COLORADO vs. ATLANTA
        Colorado is 1-4 SU in its last 5 games
        Colorado is 1-7 SU in its last 8 games when playing Atlanta
        Atlanta is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games when playing at home against Colorado
        Atlanta is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games

        8:05 PM
        LA DODGERS vs. CHI CUBS
        The total has gone OVER in 4 of LA Dodgers's last 6 games when playing on the road against Chi Cubs
        The total has gone UNDER in 6 of LA Dodgers's last 9 games when playing Chi Cubs
        Chi Cubs are 1-4 SU in their last 5 games when playing LA Dodgers
        The total has gone UNDER in 6 of Chi Cubs's last 9 games when playing LA Dodgers

        10:05 PM
        TORONTO vs. LA ANGELS
        Toronto is 2-4 SU in their last 6 games when playing LA Angels
        Toronto is 5-2 SU in its last 7 games
        LA Angels are 0-5 SU in their last 5 games
        The total has gone UNDER in 6 of LA Angels's last 7 games at home

        Comment


        • #5
          Thursday Matinee Action
          By Kevin Rogers
          VegasInsider.com

          The start of August baseball showcases three matinee affairs, including four pitchers taking the mound owning an ERA of 3.42 or lower. All three favorites are teams that are playing well of late, including the Mets, who have picked up a handful of victories at Miami and the Indians, who try to stay hot at home against Chicago.

          White Sox at Indians

          Probables: C. Sale (6-10, 2.69 ERA) vs. J. Masterson (12-7, 3.42 ERA)

          Series recap: Either the Indians keep finding ways to win games or the White Sox keep inventing ways to lose games. Cleveland beat Chicago for the third straight night, 6-5 in 10 innings as $1.50 home favorites. The Indians won for the second time in this series thanks to a walk-off homer, as Carlos Santana capped a thrilling rally in the 10th inning. After Chicago scored two runs to take a 5-3 lead heading into the bottom of the ninth, the Tribe loaded the bases with no outs and scored two runs on deep sacrifice flies to tie the contest.

          Pitching notes: Justin Masterson has mastered the White Sox in his Cleveland tenure, beating Chicago three times this season, while the Indians are 6-1 against Chicago since last May when he takes the mound. The Tribe has won nine of Masterson's 12 home starts this season, including a 1-0 shutout in his last outing against the Rangers.

          Chris Sale hasn't received great run support, as the Sox have scored one run or less in seven of the southpaw's starts. Chicago is 2-4 in Sale's previous six starts, in spite of the lefty tossing six consecutive quality outings. The Sox have cashed in four of Sale's six starts in the role of a road underdog, but he has lost twice to Cleveland.

          Mets at Marlins

          Probables: M. Harvey (8-2, 2.11 ERA) vs. T. Koehler (2-6, 4.67 ERA)

          Series recap: The Marlins finally broke through against the Mets by squeaking out a 3-2 home triumph on Wednesday. Miami lost the first two games of this series, including a 10-inning defeat on Tuesday, but the Marlins improved to 8-3 the last 11 meetings with New York. Following an 'over' in the series opener, the Marlins and Mets have each cashed the 'under' in the last two games.

          Pitching notes: Matt Harvey has allowed just one (unearned) run in his last two outings since starting the All-Star Game, as the Mets split games against the Nationals and Phillies. However, the Mets' ace hasn't figured out how to slow down the Miami lineup as New York is 0-3 in his three starts against the Fish this season (all no-decisions).

          The Marlins send out Tom Koehler, who owns a 1-4 record at home this season. The right-hander has put together two terrific starts as a heavy underdog at Colorado and San Francisco, but allowed five earned runs in his previous outing, a home loss to the Pirates.

          Royals at Indians

          Probables: J. Shields (5-7, 3.09 ERA) vs. S. Diamond (5-9, 5.26 ERA)

          Series recap: The Royals held on for their eighth consecutive victory on Wednesday, a 4-3 triumph as short road favorites. The Twins had multiple opportunities after tying the game at 2-2, but failed to score with the bases loaded in the sixth, two runners on in the eighth, and the game-tying run on in the ninth. Kansas City has won four of the last five meetings at Target Field, while beating Minnesota nine of 12 times this season.

          Pitching notes: James Shields is listed as a heavy road favorite today, as the Royals are 3-3 in his six starts as away 'chalk.' The righty dominated the White Sox in his previous outing by tossing seven scoreless innings in a 5-1 victory, as the Royals own a 9-2 record in Shields' last 11 trips to the mound.

          Scott Diamond pitched well in his previous outing as a $2.20 road underdog at Seattle, limiting the Mariners to five hits and one earned run in 6.2 innings of work as the Twins edged the M's in extra-innings, 3-2. However, Minnesota hasn't had great luck with Diamond on the mound in the role of a home underdog, posting an 0-6 record.

          Comment


          • #6
            Jason Kipnis is not in the Indians' starting lineup on Thursday afternoon versus the White Sox.

            David Wright (hamstring) is in the Mets' starting lineup on Thursday afternoon against the Marlins.

            Comment


            • #7
              Thursday's MLB National League betting cheat sheet

              Check out our quick-hitting betting notes on Thursday's National League games:

              New York Mets at Miami Marlins (+155, 6.5)

              Pitching stat: Marlins starting pitchers have allowed three or fewer earned runs in 34 of the past 39 games.

              Batting stat: Mets 2B Daniel Murphy went 0-for-3 Wednesday, only the third time in 22 games he has gone without a hit.

              Weather: Temperatures in the high 80s with partly cloudy skies and a 20 percent chance of thunderstorms with winds blowing east at 9 mph.

              Key betting stat: Over is 45-21-5 in the last 71 meetings in Miami.

              St. Louis Cardinals at Pittsburgh Pirates (-112, 8)

              Pitching stat: Cardinals RHP Joe Kelly is 0-2 with a 6.43 ERA in 14 career innings against the Pirates.

              Batting stat: St. Louis has lost a season-worst seven games and has tallied just 10 runs during the skid.

              Weather: Temperatures in the low 70s with a 40 percent chance of showers and winds blowing WNW at 5 mph.

              Key betting stat: Pirates are 23-6 in their last 29 games as a home favorite. Cardinals are 1-7 in their last eight games as an underdog.

              San Francisco Giants at Philadelphia Phillies (-111, 7.5)

              Pitching stat: The Phillies have scored two or fewer runs in nine of LHP Cole Hamels’ 22 starts.

              Batting stat: San Francisco Pablo Sandoval left Wednesday’s game with a bruised right heel and is listed as day-to-day.

              Weather: Temperatures in the mid 70s with an 86 percent chance of thunderstorms and winds blowing SSW at 5 mph.

              Key betting stat: Over is 9-4 in Phillies last 13 games as a favorite.

              Colorado Rockies at Atlanta Braves (-220, 8)

              Pitching stat: Braves RHP Julio Teheran defeated the Rockies in his only start against them, yielding one run and eight hits in seven innings of a 10-2 victory in Colorado on April 23 when it was 30 degrees at game time.

              Batting stat: Atlanta 3B Chris Johnson recorded his sixth straight multi-hit game Wednesday to increase his NL-best batting average to .342. Johnson is 16-for-35 during his nine-game hitting streak.

              Weather: Temperatures in the mid 80s with a 25 percent chance of thunderstorms and winds blowing NW at 7 mph.

              Key betting stat: Rockies are 4-17 in the last 21 meetings.

              Los Angeles Dodgers at Chicago Cubs (+137, 8)

              Pitching stat: Dodgers RHP Ricky Nolasco is 5-2 with a 2.98 ERA in nine appearances (eight starts) versus the Cubs.

              Batting stat: Cubs 1B Anthony Rizzo was 6-for-14 in the series versus Milwaukee and tied his career high with his 15th homer.

              Weather: Temperatures in the high 70s with a 46 percent chance of thunderstorms and winds blow SW at 11 mph.

              Key betting stat: Cubs are 6-1 in their last seven during Game 1 of a series.

              Comment


              • #8
                MLB Odds and Picks – Hernandez the value play at Fenway
                By: The Linemakers
                Sportingnews.com

                It’s not every day that you can get one of the best pitchers in baseball at plus-money.

                Yet that’s the situation for today’s Mariners/Red Sox game, where Seattle and Felix Hernandez (11-4, 2.34) are +105 on the road at some Las Vegas sports books. While Boston has taken the first two games of the three-game series, it’s hard to overlook the fact they’ll be facing the American League leader in ERA, who is arguably having an even better year than his 2010 campaign that netted Hernandez the Cy Young. He’s been on fire lately, too, allowing two runs or less in his last six starts and allowing a total of just one run in his last three outings.

                The Red Sox counter with Ryan Dempster (6-8, 4.24 ERA), who is not in the same stratosphere as Hernandez. In his last three starts, Dempster has allowed 14 runs, though only nine of them were earned. He did not get out of the sixth inning in any of those starts and has not gone seven innings since June 14.

                While the Red Sox are the better team, the advantage on the mound for today’s contest is clear. And bettors are catching on – as of noon ET, it’s still possible to get Mariners +105 at some bet shops, but others have moved the line to +100 and a few have made the Mariners the slight favorite at -105.

                Pirates go for rare sweep

                If there were any remaining doubts about the Pittsburgh Pirates, their play over the first four games of their series with the St. Louis Cardinals should have erased them. The Pirates took all four of those contests and go for a rare five-game sweep in tonight’s contest.

                The Pirates’ starter tonight, Charlie Morton (3-2, 3.59 ERA), has pitched well in his eight games since coming off the disabled list, allowing more than three earned runs just once over that span. He's posted a 2.57 ERA over the 14 innings during that stretch that have been at home. Joe Kelly (1-3, 3.44), who is on the mound for St. Louis today, has pitched just as well, especially on the road, where he owns a 2.90 ERA.

                What tilts us in the Pirates direction, beyond the fact they’ve taken four straight from the Cardinals and that St. Louis is without their best player, Yadier Molina, is the Pirates home record. Pittsburgh has done most of its damage at home this season with a 36-18 mark at PNC Park, compared to a 29-24 record on the road.

                Giants and Phillies play rubber game

                The Giants and Phillies have exchanged victories, Philadelphia taking the opener, 7-3, with San Francisco winning Wednesday’s contest, 9-2. Today, they’ll meet to decide the series in a matchup involving two star pitchers who have not lived up to expectations this year.

                Cole Hamels (4-13, 4.09 ERA) has been a disappointment in 22 starts so far this season. There really isn’t a great deal wrong with Hamels’ peripherals, but he has struggled at home, posting a 4.52 ERA at Citizen’s Bank park, compared to a 3.68 on the road. The culprit is a higher home run rate at home.

                Matt Cain (6-6, 4.79 ERA) has been even worse overall, but like Hamels, his peripherals indicate he’s deserved better. Cain hasn’t been great anywhere this season, but he has been better on the road, with a 4.27 ERA compared to a 5.26 at home.

                With two pitchers capable of greatness but also prone to struggles, we’ll take the plus-money with Cain and the Giants.

                Thursday's Selections:


                Mariners (Hernandez) +105 at Red Sox

                Pirates (Morton) -115 vs. Cardinals

                Giants (Cain) +105 at Phillies

                Second-half record: 31-19 (+1,436)

                Comment

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