MLB Betting Info. 8/1

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StatFox Super Situations


MLB | KANSAS CITY at TAMPA BAY
Play Against - Home teams with a money line of -100 to -150 (TAMPA BAY) poor hitting team (AVG <=.260) against a good starting pitcher (ERA <=4.20) -AL, with a starting pitcher whose WHIP is 1.300 to 1.400 on the season-AL
59-35 over the last 5 seasons. ( 62.8% | 31.7 units )
4-3 this year. ( 57.1% | 1.5 units )




StatFox Situational Power Trends


MLB | MIAMI at CHICAGO CUBS
MIAMI is 23-13 (+16.5 Units) against the money line vs. an NL starting pitcher whose ERA is 2.70 or better over the last 2 seasons.
The average score was: MIAMI (4.1) , OPPONENT (3.1)

[TheGame]

Re: MLB Betting Info. 8/1

August Pitchers Report
By Marc Lawrence


With the MLB trading deadline officially closed, and the NFL preseason whetting our pigskin palates, the month of August sets the table for the stretch run of the baseball season. Which pitchers can we count on to satisfy our tastes, and which ones figure to sour our stomachs?


Take a look below.


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


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


To qualify pitchers must have made a minimum of 10 starts, with at least one start each April over the last three years. And for your convenience alongside each record we break down each pitcher’s greatest success or greatest failure rate either home (H) or away (A) within his good or bad month.


Note: * designates a categorical repeat appearance by this pitcher, maintaining status quo from last season’s August list.


I’ll be back next month with September’s Good Month Pitchers.


Until then, as legendary singer and songwriter Neil Diamond would say, enjoy the hot August nights.


GOOD MONTH PITCHERS:


Arrieta, Jake - 10-5 (6-3 A)


After being Clayton Kershaw-like for nearly 12 months, the Cubs starter has "regressed" back to just being among the best starters in baseball. Arrieta has a nearly 3-to-1 strikeout to walk ratio and only allows a base hit 70 percent of the time in innings pitched this season, among the finest in the majors.


Duffy, Danny - 11-4 (6-1 H)


After starting the season as a reliever, the Kansas City left-hander was forced back into the rotation based on need and he has responded. Since June, after a pair of starts, Duffy has put up an ERA of just over 3.00 and opposing batters have just a .289 on-base percentage against him.


*Gallardo, Yovani - 9-4 (5-2 A)


Not close to the same pitcher he used to be with Milwaukee, with ERA so far this season approaching almost two runs higher than career average (5.37 vs. 3.73). The lost velocity is to blame and secondary pitches have less bite. For Baltimore to win AL East, Gallardo has to find some of his old magic.


Greinke, Zack - 10-5 (5-2 H)


After being on the shelf with oblique injury since late June, Greinke is close to returning for Arizona if no reoccurrence were to take place after a rehab start or two this month. After pathetic start to season, the D-Backs prized starter has cut ERA by 2 1/2 runs and is close to career norms in all major categories. Elite starter.


*Hamels, Cole - 12-6 (8-4 H)


Having typical Hamels season, with low numbers across the board. In bigger picture, underrated high level hurler who has not been getting acclaim after Phillies fall, but has been ace with Texas. As usual, left-handed batters have no chance with .176 batting average and .287 slugging percentage.


*Iwakuma, Hisashi - 12-5 (7-1 A)


Not having normal season for Seattle, with hits allowed much higher than usual for Iwakuma. However, has won four of five starts and the Mariners are 10-3 when the righty has toed the rubber since May 20. With Felix Hernandez back, this pair could lead Seattle charge to postseason.


Milone, Tom - 7-3 (4-1 A)


Milone starts for bad Minnesota club and is inconsistent as ever. Of his 74 hits allowed in only 59 2/3 innings, 11 have gone the yard. Maybe he can keep the ball down and spot his pitches better like previous August’s.


*Sanchez, Anibal - 9-3 (5-1 H)


With decreased velocity and no action on breaking pitches, Sanchez ERA has been six or higher almost all season. Not sure if he can respond this month, with opponents having BA over .300 and owning a WHIP of 1.64.


*Strasburg, Stephen - 13-3 (8-1 H)


Only July 21st, Strasburg suffered first loss of entire season after 13 consecutive wins. Though the fastball is no longer in upper 90's all the time, the breaking pitches disappear from batter's view and he's been exceptional. If Strasburg has true to form month, he will have real shot at 20 wins in 2016.


Teheran, Julio - 11-5 (7-2 H)


Suffered lat strain in late July and has been a victim of no run support from bad Braves club with 2.81 ERA, 0.97 WHIP and opposing batters at only .205 batting average. Note: Teheran’s record also represents his MLB career team start mark during the month of August.


Weaver, Jered - 12-5 (7-3 A)


Shell of his former self at 33. Never a hard thrower, Weaver's fastball only occasionally makes the upper 80's these days and his once dominating changeup is a pitch batter's wait on now with lack of variance of speed of pitches. Will blend good and really awful performances these days.


*Zimmermann, Jordan - 12-6 (8-3 H)


On July 24th had excellent rehab start and will be rejoining Detroit this month. After sensational start with Tigers, Zimmermann was tagged for at least five runs in four of his last five outings. Detroit needs the Zimmermann they had early in the season to have chance to catch Cleveland in AL Central.


BAD MONTH PITCHERS:


Gray, Sonny - 5-11 (0-7 A)


Given Gray's troubles this month, his woes of all season are very likely to continue. Gray simply has been more hittable the entire season, permitting those with bats to hit almost 50 points higher than normal batting average permitted of .233. Note: Gray’s record also represents his MLB career team start mark during the month of August.


*Hellickson, Jeremy - 4-11 (2-9 A)


Back of the rotation starter, Hellickson has largely performed better than expected for Philadelphia and as this article went live, he was rumored to be traded. His KW ratio is significantly higher at 4 to 1 compared to 3 to 1 for his career. Will he be able to maintain the rest of season?


Kazmir, Scott - 5-11 (1-7 A)


The Dodgers port-sider has 9-4 record, but his 4.41 ERA is still above career average of 3.98. Durability has been issue all season, with too many starts around five innings for what is supposed to be Los Angeles No. 2 or 3 starter.


Koehler, Tom - 4-13 (0-10 A)


Above average arm but always up or down and unless he pulls a Rich Hill, at 30 is not likely to change. An 8-8 record, 4.18 ERA and WHIP of 1.46, is about what we have come to expect from Mr. Koehler. Note: Koehler’s record also represents his MLB career team start mark during the month of August.


*Miley, Wade - 5-11 (1-6 A)


Overrated lefty who does not miss many bats and fails to come anywhere close to averaging punch-out an inning. Strictly an innings-eater and provides nothing more than 50-50 chance to win.


Miller, Shelby - 5-11 (2-8 H)


Demoted to Triple-A in July after disastrous campaign. Miller hopes to regain confidence and repair mechanics that are really out of whack and return to Arizona yet this season.


Samardzija, Jeff - 5-13 (3-8 H)


After appearing as the No.3 starter San Francisco wanted for two months, Smards has returned to same old serviceable pitcher of the past and seen his ERA climb from 2.84 to present 4.30 heading into this month.

[TheGame]

Re: MLB Betting Info. 8/1

MLB roundup: Cubs stun M's in 12
By The Sports Xchange


CHICAGO -- The Chicago Cubs rallied from an early six-run deficit, tied the game with three runs in the ninth and won it on pinch hitter Jon Lester's bunt in the 12th during a 7-6 victory over the Seattle Mariners in Sunday night.
Lester, a pitcher with an .051 career batting average, bunted on a 2-2 count with a runner at third base and one out. He perfectly placed the ball near the first base line, allowing Jason Heyward to score. Lester never previously appeared as a pinch hitter in his 11-year major league career.
Robinson Cano, Nelson Cruz and Dae-Ho Lee homered in the first three innings for the Mariners, who have lost 12 of 21. The Cubs won two of three in the weekend series.


Orioles 6, Blue Jays 2 (12 innings)
TORONTO -- Jonathan Schoop broke in a tie with an RBI single in the 12th, Adam Jones added a three-run homer in that inning and Baltimore defeated Toronto to regain first place in the American League East. The win ended a five-game losing streak for the Orioles and put them a half-game ahead of the Blue Jays.
Left-hander Franklin Morales (0-1) walked Pedro Alvarez to open the 12th inning. He committed a balk on a pickoff throw to first and Alvarez was awarded second base. Alvarez scored when Schoop singled to left with one out. J.J. Hardy then walked and Jesse Chavez replaced Morales.
Jones hit the first pitch for his 20th homer of the season to give Baltimore a four-run cushion.


Indians 8, Athletics 0
CLEVELAND -- Corey Kluber pitched seven scoreless innings and Mike Napoli homered to lead Cleveland over Oakland to sweep the three-game series.
Kluber (10-8) gave up five hits, with seven strikeouts and two walks.
Oakland starter Sonny Gray came into the game with a record of 2-0 and a 0.64 ERA in four career starts against the Indians. But Gray (5-10) was removed from the game after 3 1/3 innings, having given up seven runs and eight hits. His 5.43 ERA, which was already the highest in the American League, climbed several more points to 5.84.


Marlins 5, Cardinals 4
MIAMI -- Adeiny Hechavarria scored from first on a two-out triple by Derek Dietrich in the bottom of the ninth inning as Miami rallied to defeat St. Louis
Until he scored the winning run Hechavarria had been the Marlins' goat due to a throwing error in the eighth. But with none on in the ninth, he fouled off several pitches before hitting a single on a 3-2 pitch from Matt Bowman. Hechavarria then scored on Dietrich's triple that deflected off the glove of center fielder Tommy Pham.
Dietrich had been in an 0-for-23 slump before that hit. He celebrated with his teammates, who ripped off his jersey in a wild scene on the field.


Mets 6, Rockies 4
NEW YORK -- Neil Walker hit a long go-ahead three-run homer in the seventh inning as New York avoided being swept in the season series by Colorado.
The Mets won for just the second time in the last seven games to remain 2 1/2 games behind the Miami Marlins in the race for the National League's second wild card, but it may have been a costly victory. Mets shortstop Asdrubal Cabrera, who has played in a team-high 100 games, had to be helped off the field after suffering a strained left patellar tendon while scoring a run in the first inning.
The Rockies had a five-game winning streak snapped and lost for just the second time in the last 11 games. Colorado, which swept the Mets in a three-game series at Coors Field in May, was trying to go over .500 after the All-Star Break for the first time since 2010.


Rangers 5, Royals 3
ARLINGTON, Texas -- Mitch Moreland hit his fourth homer of the four-game series against Kansas City as Texas completed a sweep.
The Rangers moved six games ahead of Houston in the American League West with the win, their largest lead since July 9. The Royals have now dropped eight of their last nine games.
Moreland's two-run homer in the fourth off Dillon Gee (3-5) gave the Rangers a 4-1 lead and enough cushion for Lucas Harrell (3-2) and the Texas bullpen to get the job done.


Tigers 11, Astros 0
DETROIT -- Miguel Cabrera hit two home runs worth three runs in a four-RBI day, James McCann belted his first career grand slam and five Detroit pitchers combined on a seven-hit shutout and the second straight sweep of a three-game series.
Cabrera hit his 22nd home run of the season with nobody on and one out in the fifth off Dallas Keuchel (6-11) and added his 23rd after reliever Scott Feldman hit Cameron Maybin with a pitch to open the seventh. Justin Upton hit his 13th home run of the season with two outs and the bases empty in the seventh.
Mike Pelfrey (4-9) pitched five shutout innings to get the win for Detroit. He allowed four hits, walked one and struck out four.


Rays 5, Yankees 3
ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. -- Hours after trading away reliever Andrew Miller to the Indians, New York's struggles continued, as last-place Tampa Bay completed a three-game sweep.
Rays rookie Blake Snell (3-4) struck out nine in 5 1/3 innings, and the deciding runs came on a two-out, two-run single from catcher Luke Maile after the Yankees intentionally walked the No. 8 hitter in the Rays' lineup. The Rays matched their season high with a four-game win streak, while the Yankees are back at .500 after dropping their fourth straight.
Alex Colome pitched a perfect ninth to earn his 25th save and third in as many days.


Twins 6, White Sox 4
MINNEAPOLIS -- Brian Dozier homered twice and scored three runs as Minnesota beat Chicago.
Dozier's home runs came after the White Sox had cut the Twins' lead to 4-3 in the fourth inning. The first homer hit the facing of the third deck in left field, an estimated 421-foot shot, to put the Twins up by two.
Two innings later, Dozier added another insurance run by just clearing the fence in left field for a 6-3 lead. It marked the fourth career multi-homer game for Dozier. Three of those have been against the White Sox.


Braves 2, Phillies 1
ATLANTA -- Jeff Francoeur hit a two-run homer to the opposite field in the seventh inning as Atlanta beat Philadelphia.
Jimmy Paredes homered in the eighth inning to draw the Phillies within a run, but Jim Johnson induced a double play after a leadoff walk in the ninth inning while recording his sixth save.
The Phillies had five hits against six Atlanta pitchers. Rookie Mauricio Cabrera (2-0) got credit for the victory after pitching the seventh inning.


Brewers 4, Pirates 2
MILWAUKEE -- Matt Garza allowed just one earned run in five innings and Milwaukee relievers pitched four hitless innings to stop Pittsburgh.
The Brewers won their ninth straight home game against the Pirates and are now 64-17 at against Pittsburgh at Miller Park since 2007.
Garza (2-4) allowed two runs on four hits through five innings.


Reds 3, Padres 2
SAN DIEGO -- Right-hander Homer Bailey won while making his first start in 15 months to lead Cincinnati to a 3-2 victory over San Diego in the rubber match of a three-game series at Petco Park.
Jose Peraza belted his first major league homer to pave the way for Cincinnati.
Bailey had made only two starts since April 2014 while undergoing two rounds of elbow surgery, including "Tommy John" surgery on May 8, 2015. He allowed two runs on four hits and three walks with six strikeouts in 5 2/3 innings.


Dodgers 14, Diamondbacks 3
LOS ANGELES -- Los Angeles banged out 17 hits, including home runs by Yasmani Grandal, Joc Pederson and Corey Seager, in a rout of Arizona at Dodger Stadium.
With speculation persisting that the Dodgers will acquire a starting pitcher before Monday's non-waiver trade deadline, right-hander Bud Norris lasted only 13 pitches before leaving the game with back muscle tightness.
The Dodgers had already shortened their rotation to four pitchers with a glut of three off days in an eight-day span ending Monday. At the same time, ace Clayton Kershaw (out since late June with a back injury) has not been cleared to start a throwing program, making the Dodgers a good bet to add someone like Tampa Bay's Chris Archer or Matt Moore by trade.


Giants 3, Nationals 1
SAN FRANCISCO -- Pitchers Madison Bumgarner and Jeff Samardzija came off the bench to tag-team on a key run, helping San Francisco salvage a four-game split with Washington in a victory in the series finale.
Matt Cain pitched five innings of no-hit ball for his 100th career win as a Giant.
Ahead just 1-0 and with his starter having already thrown 93 pitches, Giants manager Bruce Bochy elected to pinch hit for Cain in the fifth inning even though he had yet to allow a hit. The strategy paid dividends when Bumgarner, a .164 hitter entering the at-bat, doubled off the right-field fence off Nationals left-hander Gio Gonzalez.


Red Sox 5, Angels 3
ANAHEIM, Calif. -- Dustin Pedroia hit a three-run home run and Xander Bogaerts followed with a solo blast to lead a five-run rally in the ninth inning that gave Boston a 5-3 win over Los Angeles Angels in front of 39,553 at Angel Stadium.
Right-hander Clay Buchholz earned the victory with three hitless innings of relief. Buchholz (4-9) permitted just one baserunner on a walk and collected one strikeout. Brad Ziegler received his second save.
The Red Sox used the win to close within 1 1/2 games of the American League East-leading Baltimore Orioles.

[TheGame]

Re: MLB Betting Info. 8/1

MLB notebook: Indians acquire reliever Miller from Yankees
By The Sports Xchange


The Cleveland Indians acquired left-handed All-Star reliever Andrew Miller from the New York Yankees on Sunday in a five-player trade to bolster their bullpen.
In exchange, the Yankees received a package of four prospects -- outfielder Clint Frazier, left-hander Justus Sheffield and right-handed pitchers Ben Heller and J.P. Feyereisen.
The Yankees had been entertaining offers for Miller after they traded closer Aroldis Chapman to the Chicago Cubs last week.
Miller, 31, has gone 6-1 with nine saves and a 1.39 ERA over 45 1/3 innings in 44 relief appearances this season for the Yankees. He currently owns the sixth-lowest relief ERA. He owns an 11-to-1 strikeout-to-walk ratio, is averaging 15.3 strikeouts per nine innings pitched and is second in the league with 77 relief strikeouts. He has allowed runs in just eight of 44 outings and has not allowed multiple runs in an appearance this season.


--The Yankees added bullpen help after trading Miller, acquiring right-handed reliever Tyler Clippard from the Arizona Diamondbacks.
The Diamondbacks received minor league right-hander Vicente Campos in return for Clippard.
Dellin Betances is expected to take over as the Yankees' closer, with Clippard being in the setup spot.
Clippard, 31, was 2-3 with one save and a 4.30 ERA over 37 2/3 innings in 40 relief appearances with the Diamondbacks in 2016. Prior to the season, he signed a two-year contract with Arizona as a free agent.


--Milwaukee Brewers All-Star catcher Jonathan Lucroy vetoed a trade to the Cleveland Indians.
The Brewers and Indians had agreed on a trade Saturday night that would have sent Lucroy to the Indians in exchange for four prospects. The centerpiece being switch-hitting catcher Francisco Mejia, the Indians' sixth-ranked prospect.
Lucroy sat out Saturday's game as the trade talks were completed and was not in the lineup Sunday despite the trade being off.
The Indians were one of eight teams on Lucroy's no-trade list.


--Kansas City Royals All-Star closer Wade Davis was placed on the 15-day disabled list with a flexor strain in his pitching arm, the team announced.
The right-hander underwent an MRI exam earlier Sunday, and a Grade 1 strain was discovered.
Royals manager Ned Yost told reporters that Davis' elbow looked "fine" during the exam.
Kansas City recalled left-hander Matt Strahm from Double-A Northwest Arkansas to fill the roster opening.


--Newly acquired Miami Marlins right-hander Colin Rea was placed on the 15-day disabled list after being injured in his first outing with the squad.
Rea departed after 3 1/3 scoreless innings on Saturday night with a sprained pitching elbow. The Marlins recalled right-hander Nefi Ogando from Triple-A New Orleans to fill his roster spot.
Rea was obtained from the San Diego Padres on Friday.


--The St. Louis Cardinals acquired veteran left-handed reliever Zach Duke from the Chicago White Sox.
In exchange, the White Sox get minor league outfielder Charlie Tilson.
Duke, 33, is 2-0 with a 2.63 ERA in an American League-leading 53 appearances this season. He has 42 strikeouts in 37 1/3 innings pitched.


--The St. Louis Cardinals suffered a potentially damaging loss in the first inning of Sunday's game against the Miami Marlins when rookie shortstop Aledmys Diaz was hit by an Andrew Cashner fastball.
Diaz, who was hit on his right thumb, was removed from the game. A valuable rookie, Diaz is batting .312 with 14 home runs and 57 RBIs this season. There was no immediate announcement from the team regarding his status.


--New York Mets shortstop Asdrubal Cabrera had to be helped off the field when he suffered a strained patellar tendon in his left knee while scoring a run in the first inning against the Colorado Rockies at Citi Field. It is uncertain whether Cabrera will be placed on the disabled list.

[TheGame]

Re: MLB Betting Info. 8/1

Orioles acquire LHP Miley from Mariners
By The Sports Xchange


The Baltimore Orioles added to their rotation by acquiring left-handed Wade Miley from the Seattle Mariners in exchange for minor league left-handed pitcher Ariel Miranda on Sunday.
The Orioles are in first place in the American League East, but their starting staff has left much to be desired. Chris Tillman and Kevin Gausman are the only Baltimore starters who have been solid this season.
Miley, 29, is 7-8 in 19 starts with a 4.98 ERA this season. In his past eight starts, covering a span of 47 1/3 innings, Miley has a 3.80 ERA, and in his most recent outing, he limited the Chicago Cubs to one run, one hit and one walk in seven innings while striking out nine.
The Orioles hope he can be their No. 3 starter. Orioles starters Ubaldo Jimenez, Yovani Gallardo, Mike Wright, Tyler Wilson, Vance Worley and Dylan Bundy have a combined ERA of 5.93.
Miley is owed $2.13 million for the rest of this season and $8.75 million in 2017. His contract includes a $12 million club option with a $500,000 buyout for the 2018 season.
Miranda, 27, was signed to a minor league contract by the Orioles last May after he defected from Cuba. He is 4-7 with a 3.93 ERA for Triple-A Norfolk this season. Over his past seven starts, Miranda is 3-0 with a 1.93 ERA.

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Re: MLB Betting Info. 8/1

Preview: Royals (49-55) at Rays (42-61)


Game: 1
Venue: Tropicana Field
Date: August 01, 2016 7:10 PM EDT


ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. -- To suggest that LHP Danny Duffy has been the only thing positive about Kansas City Royals pitching in the past month is nearly correct.


As the Royals visit the Tampa Bay Rays to open a four-game series, they do so in the midst of a four-game skid that began after Duffy's last start, which came after another four-game losing streak.


In Kansas City's last 25 games, the Royals are 5-0 when Duffy starts and 2-18 when he doesn't.


"He simplified his mechanics, so he's able to repeat them consistently," Royals manager Ned Yost explained Sunday. "He's throwing strikes with all three of his pitches, managing his pitch count very, very effectively. And he's really just turned the corner."


And a 27-year-old who has only once had a winning record in five previous seasons -- and that was going 2-0 in five starts in 2013 -- is now 6-1, and again the Royals' best chance to pull out of a slide that has seen them drop eight of nine games.


The Rays, somehow, are on the opposite tear. After a three-game sweep of the New York Yankees, they've matched a season high with four straight wins. They've done it with the opposite of the Royals' problem: reliable, consistent quality starts from their pitching staff.


Sunday's starter, LHP Blake Snell, gave up two runs in 5 1/3 innings for the win but fell two outs shy of the minimum for a "quality start," thus ending a streak of 10 straight quality starts by Rays pitchers.


"We're starting to see a trend: When you pitch well and play good defense, you give yourself a chance to win consecutive ballgames," said Rays manager Kevin Cash, not far removed from a stretch where the Rays won three of 27 games.


The Rays are scheduled to start RHP Chris Archer, who has a major-league-high 14 losses, against the Royals, but there's the possibility he could be dealt in a blockbuster move before Monday's 4 p.m. trading deadline. Archer has been mentioned as a possibility for the Los Angeles Dodgers, though the price would be expensive to pry an All-Star leader from Tampa Bay.


The Rays could be very busy -- fellow starters Matt Moore and Jake Odorizzi have both been mentioned as trade targets, as has versatile infielder Steve Pearce, who is a free agent this winter.


The three-game sweep this weekend was enough to make the Yankees sellers, trading away prized reliver Andrew Miller, but will it be enough to keep the Rays from moving major pieces of their franchise?


As it stands, the Rays being active at the trade deadline would be one thing to help change the momentum of two teams -- the Rays, getting back to their winning ways but far out of contention, and the Royals, hoping to get another win from Duffy, their proven streak-buster.

[TheGame]

Re: MLB Betting Info. 8/1

Preview: Twins (40-64) at Indians (60-42)


Game: 1
Venue: Progressive Field
Date: August 01, 2016 7:10 PM EDT


CLEVELAND -- Andrew Miller will make his debut in a Cleveland uniform on Monday night, when the Indians host the Minnesota Twins in the first game of a four-game series.


Miller was acquired Sunday in a five player trade with the New York Yankees. The Indians sent four minor league prospects to New York, including outfielder Clint Frazier, the Indians' first round pick in the 2013 draft.


The first order of business when Miller arrives will be for manager Terry Francona to decide how he is going to use him. Indians closer Cody Allen has 20 saves this year and 78 saves over the last three years.


But Miller is an all-star reliever. He had 36 saves with the Yankees last year, though that's the only year in his 11 year career that he has been used as a closer. Miller has mostly been a setup man, which is what he was with the Yankees this year, pitching mostly in the eighth inning.


Francona said he will sit down with Allen and Miller on Monday and decide how the back of the bullpen will be configured.


"Andrew Miller is one of the elite relievers in baseball, and it gives us guys who pitch at the end of the game who are interchangeable," Francona said. "Over the last two months this should give us a much better chance to win games."


Miller fills a major hole in the Indians' bullpen. Not only is he good, but he's left-handed. The Indians have gone most of this season without a left-hander in their bullpen. Now they have arguably the best left-handed reliever in the game.


"I'm not sure there is a better fit for our bullpen than Andrew," said Indians President of Baseball Operations Chris Antonetti.


Whether Miller makes his debut on the mound for the Indians Monday depends in large part on how well Danny Salazar pitches. Salazar (11-3, 2.97) will start for the Indians against the Twins. Salazar ranks fourth in the American League in ERA. In eight career appearances vs. Minnesota Salazar is 3-2 with a 3.63 ERA.


Tyler Duffey (5-8, 6.12) is scheduled to start for the Twins, but that is subject to change. The Twins have announced that they will recall right-hander Jose Berrios from Triple-A Rochester on Monday. Berrios, who was 1-1 with a 10.20 ERA in four starts with the Twins earlier this season, could get the start in place of Duffey.


"He (Berrios) is not coming to watch and be a spectator," Twins manager Paul Molitor told MLB.com.


In 16 starts at Rochester Berrios was 10-5 with a 2.44 ERA.


"There's some feeling that it's time to get him up here. . . that this would be a good thing for him to get back up here and see how he reacts," Molitor said.


The Indians come into the Minnesota series having just swept a three-game series with Oakland. Cleveland went 12-12 in the month of July after their blistering 22-6 June, which included a 14-game winning streak.


The Twins went 15-11 in July, their first winning month of the season. They are 5-4 vs. Cleveland this year.

[TheGame]

Re: MLB Betting Info. 8/1

Preview: Yankees (52-52) at Mets (54-50)


Game: 1
Venue: Citi Field
Date: August 01, 2016 7:10 PM EDT


NEW YORK -- For the first time ever, the New York Mets and New York Yankees will play each other in August. That won't be the only new wrinkle in the annual Subway Series, which begins Monday with the Mets hosting the Yankees in the opener of a two-game series at Citi Field.


For only the second time since interleague play began in 1997, the Mets (54-50) will take the field as the reigning National League champions. There will not be the same buzz this week that surrounded the regular-season games between New York's clubs in 2001, the year after the Yankees beat the Mets in five games in the first World Series pitting Big Apple teams against each other since 1956.


Still, New York-New York games bring a little something extra, as Mets second baseman Neil Walker is primed to learn over the next four days. The Yankees will host the Mets on Wednesday and Thursday.


"I think it's going to be an exciting week," Walker said after he went 3-for-4 with the go-ahead three-run homer in a 6-4 win over the Colorado Rockies that stopped a four-game losing streak for the Mets, who are 2 1/2 games behind the Miami Marlins in the race for the National League's second wild card.


"First time I've been involved with a Subway Series. The guys talk about how awesome it is (to) see all of New York come together. A good opportunity for us to hopefully get some wins and get back on the road and keep grinding it out."


And for the first time in the interleague era, the Yankees will be in full-fledged rebuilding mode when they take the field Monday. The Yankees continued dismantling a fringe contender Sunday morning, when left-handed reliever Andrew Miller was traded to the Cleveland Indians for four prospects.


Later Sunday, the Yankees fell to 52-52 with their fourth straight loss, a 5-3 defeat at the hands of the Tampa Bay Rays. The Yankees are seven games behind the Baltimore Orioles in the American League East and 5 1/2 games behind the Boston Red Sox in the race for the second wild card.


Miller was dealt six days after the Yankees' previous closer, left-hander Aroldis Chapman, was traded to the Chicago Cubs in exchange for four players.


"It's obviously tough -- it's the part of baseball that's a business," Yankees designated hitter Alex Rodriguez said Sunday. "Miller was a very, very popular guy in here, both on the field and in the clubhouse. Just a great asset to us and he'll be missed. The Tribe's getting a good closer. But I hear we got some good prospects back."


Mets right-hander Logan Verrett is scheduled to oppose Yankees left-hander CC Sabathia in the series opener Monday night. Verrett has never faced the Yankees while Sabathia is 4-2 with a 3.22 ERA in seven career starts against the Mets.

[TheGame]

Re: MLB Betting Info. 8/1

Preview: Marlins (57-48) at Cubs (63-41)


Game: 1
Venue: Wrigley Field
Date: August 01, 2016 8:05 PM EDT


CHICAGO -- Ichiro Suzuki could reach the milestone of 3,000 career major league hits when the Miami Marlins play a three-game series against the Chicago Cubs at Wrigley Field starting on Monday.


The 16-year major league veteran is two hits shy of the mark, which 29 other players have achieved. Suzuki, 42, eclipsed Pete Rose's career record with his 4,257th hit between the majors and Japan on June 15. He is hitting .325 after 88 games this year.


Suzuki typically does not face left-handers, but the Cubs are starting a right-hander Monday, Kyle Hendricks.


"If you're at the end of your career and you are limping toward that number, the goal is just to get to it," Suzuki told ESPN The Magazine. "But for me, when you are part of a team, you're out there just playing baseball and you (just happen to) get to that number. I am not limping to that number. I am playing the game, and I happen to get to that number because that's where I am."


Cubs manager Joe Maddon expressed his support for Suzuki, and saying he is unsure why the hitter's quest is receiving little fanfare.


"He's done it on two different worlds, man," Maddon said. "He's been the best hitter in both places. Playing a lot against him with the Angels (when he was) with Seattle, this guy was an absolute force.


"Maybe it's slowing down a bit, maybe because of that people aren't just giving it as much emphasis, but what he's done or what he's doing right now is pretty remarkable. Japanese baseball is very good, too. I would imagine in Japan there's going to be a ton of enthusiasm about it, but what he's done is pretty remarkable."


The number of Cubs relievers available to face the Marlins, and possibly Suzuki, could be limited Monday. Chicago used seven relievers Sunday night in a 7-6, 12-inning victory over the Seattle Mariners. Maddon said he hopes Hendricks can provide a long outing.


Heading into the series against Miami, the Cubs tweaked their rotation to give their starters some rest. Hendricks' start was pushed back a day after the Cubs selected the contract of left-hander Brian Matusz from Triple-A Iowa to start Sunday against the Mariners because he could have opted out if he wasn't promoted.


Hendricks (9-7, 2.39 ERA) is 1-1 with a 1.96 ERA in three career starts against the Marlins. In his last start, he allowed three runs in 5 2/3 innings Tuesday in a loss to the Chicago White Sox. Since May 22, Hendricks is 7-4 with a 1.78 ERA in 13 appearances.


"I'm feeling really good in my mechanics right now, so I don't have too many technical thoughts going on," Hendricks said. "When it gets down to that, it's basically just simplifying your thoughts. I'm getting consistent work in during my bullpens between starts, and then having a consistent mindset every time I take the mound. Simplify everything, focus on making a good pitch -- don't focus on the results necessarily -- and just take everything one pitch at a time."


For the Marlins, left-hander Adam Conley (7-5, 3.38) will start. He went 3-0 with a 1.82 ERA in five starts in July. In road games, he is 3-2 with a 3.88 ERA.


Marlins first baseman Justin Bour is expected to return from the disabled list after recovering from a right ankle sprain.

[TheGame]

Re: MLB Betting Info. 8/1

Preview: Blue Jays (59-46) at Astros (55-49)


Game: 1
Venue: Minute Maid Park
Date: August 01, 2016 8:10 PM EDT


HOUSTON -- Having dropped consecutive series for the first time since early June, the Houston Astros will open a critical seven-game homestand starting Monday night against the Toronto Blue Jays with an injury-ravaged roster contributing to their slump.


After losing two of three at home to the New York Yankees, the Astros (55-49) were swept in Detroit, bookending a demoralizing 3-2 loss on Saturday night with two blowout losses.


Houston also lost third baseman Luis Valbuena and center fielder Carlos Gomez to right hamstring strains on consecutive days and will learn of the status of utility infielder Marwin Gonzalez on Monday. Gonzalez has been sidelined by hand soreness.


The Astros have lost five of six games and, after clawing to within 2 1/2 games of the Texas Rangers last week, dropped six games behind in their pursuit of the American League West pennant.


The opener against Toronto could be influenced by more roster flux. Right-hander Doug Fister is slated to start but might land on the paternity list in anticipation of the birth of his first child. That situation facilitated the arrival on Sunday of right-hander Joe Musgrove (7-4, 2.74 ERA in the minors this year), who could make his major league debut.


"We're still in a holding pattern," Astros manager A.J. Hinch told MLB.com. "This may be a photo finish for the game tomorrow. Until my phone lights up with a text or a call from (Fister), it's sort of status quo."


Right-hander Marcus Stroman (8-4, 4.92) will get the start for the Blue Jays. Stroman was at his best in July, finishing 2-0 with a 3.71 ERA in five starts, notching 30 strikeouts against four walks in 34 innings.


Stroman is 0-1 with a 15.00 ERA in his career against the Astros, having surrendered five runs, seven hits and one walk with one strikeout in three innings in his lone start against them.


Having assumed the role of staff ace after the offseason departure of left-hander David Price, Stroman has endured an inconsistent year, one that took a positive turn in July when he posted his best numbers to date.


The Blue Jays (59-46) briefly surged into first place in the AL East before dropping their series finale against the Baltimore Orioles 6-2 in 12 innings on Sunday. The loss was their first against the Orioles after a five-game series winning streak and capped a month in which Toronto finished 16-8, its best record in any month this season.


Locked in a battle with the Orioles and Red Sox for the AL East title while also fending off a host of contenders, including the Astros, in the wild-card chase, the Blue Jays have been subject to countless rumors as the trading deadline nears. And while the recent additions of right-hander Joaquin Benoit and outfielder Melvin Upton Jr. are likely to provide a lift, they don't preclude Toronto from doing more.


"To be honest with you, I don't think about it too much," Blue Jays manager John Gibbons told MLB.com of the rampant trade rumors. "We've already made a couple of deals, so you never know. Everybody's rumored to be going here or going there, but you don't hear about anybody out in that room."

[TheGame]

Re: MLB Betting Info. 8/1

Preview: Nationals (61-44) at Diamondbacks (43-62)


Game: 1
Venue: Chase Field
Date: August 01, 2016 9:40 PM EDT


PHOENIX -- The Washington Nationals bring one of baseball's best road records into a three-game series against Arizona beginning Monday at Chase Field, a place the Diamondbacks have had a hard time calling home.


The Nationals, 7-8 since All-Star break, are 30-24 on the road after splitting four games in San Francisco over the weekend. Only the St. Louis Cardinals (31) have more road victories in the NL.


The D-backs, home after a 3-7 trip that included stops in three time zones, are 17-35 at home. Only the Atlanta Braves (14) have fewer home wins.


Arizona lost four- and three-runs leads in falling twice over the weekend to the Dodgers, including a 14-3 defeat Sunday. The Diamondbacks have dropped 14 of 19.


"We just didn't play a really good ballgame today," Arizona manager Chip Hale said Sunday. "Our defense really hurt us in that game."


The Diamondbacks will attempt to turn things around while facing one of baseball's best pitchers, Stephen Strasburg. The Washington ace right-hander will face Arizona right-hander Archie Bradley in the series opener.


Strasburg (14-1, 2.68 ERA) had a season-opening 13-game winning streak broken against the Dodgers on July 21 but rebounded with seven scoreless innings in a 14-1 victory over the Cleveland Indians last Wednesday. His ERA has been above 3.00 only once this season.


Strasburg is 3-2 with a 3.53 ERA in seven career starts against Arizona. He is 2-2 at Chase Field and has lost starts in each of the previous two seasons there. He was charged with eight runs (seven earned) in 3 1/3 innings of a 14-6 loss defeat on May 12, 2015.


Bradley (4-6, 4.17 ERA) has been the D-backs' most consistent starter recently, although the results have not always shown it. He is 2-3 with a 3.06 ERA in his past eight starts, posting five quality starts in that span. Bradley, whose presence has been critical after the loss of Zack Greinke to a left oblique strain on June 28, has never faced the Nationals.


The D-backs will see if Yasmany Tomas's strong road trip translates in the six-game homestand that also includes a three-game series against the Milwaukee Brewers.


Tomas hit .375 with five doubles, four homers and 10 RBIs on the 10-game trip that concluded at Dodger Stadium on Sunday. He had two-homer games in Cincinnati and Milwaukee on the trip and has 14 of his 17 homers on the road this season. He is batting .309 in 45 road games and .223 in 45 home games.


Washington's Daniel Murphy, one of the most productive players in the league since signing as a free agent in the offseason, missed two weekend starts but was used as a pinch hitter Sunday. He leads the NL in batting average (.350), on-base-plus-slugging percentage (1.009), hits (131) and doubles (31).


"We're a different lineup without Murphy," Nationals manager Dusty Baker said.


D-backs second baseman Jean Segura has hit safely in 11 of his past 13 games and is batting .353 with four doubles and two homers in that span. He is second in the NL with 129 hits.


The Nationals added closer Mark Melancon in a trade with Pittsburgh to firm up their bullpen Saturday morning. Melancon, who had 30 saves and a 1.51 ERA with the Pirates, reported to the Nats on Sunday in San Francisco but did not get in the game as Washington fell 3-1 to the Giants.


Melancon, who attended the University of Arizona, had a major-league-best 51 saves last season.


The D-backs also renovated their bullpen over the weekend, purchasing the contracts of left-handers Adam Loewen and Steve Hathaway from Triple-A Reno while optioning lefty Zac Curtis to Double-A Mobile and designating right-hander Josh Collmenter for assignment. Setup man Tyler Clippard was traded to the New York Yankees for minor league right-hander Vicente Campos on Sunday, about three weeks after closer Brad Ziegler was sent to the Boston Red Sox.


Arizona setup man Daniel Hudson also is available heading to the Monday afternoon trade deadline.


"The bullpen is definitely something right now that is up for grabs," Hale said.


Diamondbacks third base coach Matt Williams will face his former team for the first time this season. Williams served as the Nationals' manager for the last two seasons before being replaced by Dusty Baker last fall.

[TheGame]

Re: MLB Betting Info. 8/1

Preview: Brewers (47-56) at Padres (45-60)


Game: 1
Venue: PETCO Park
Date: August 01, 2016 10:10 PM EDT


SAN DIEGO -- Derek Norris hasn't heard anything concrete.


But he has heard the rumors. And given what the San Diego Padres have done the past couple of weeks, he knows anything is possible with general manager A.J. Preller.


In the last week alone, Preller has traded four key members of the Padres contingent -- outfielders Matt Kemp and Melvin Upton Jr. and starting pitchers Andrew Cashner and Colin Rea. Earlier, Preller traded starting pitchers James Shields and Drew Pomeranz and James Shields and closer Fernando Rodney.


Now there are rumors that Preller is looking to move Norris and a left-handed reliever or two before Monday's trading deadline. And one of the teams that is rumored to be interested in Norris is the Milwaukee Brewers, who happen to be opening a three-game series on Monday night at Petco Park.


The rumor goes that if the Brewers are able to get Jonathan Lucroy to agree to a trade out of Milwaukee, they might look toward Norris as his replacement.


"I've heard a lot of stuff," Norris said. "But there's really nothing to talk about."


It does appear that Norris could be one of the two clubhouses on Monday night when the Padres sent right-hander Jarred Cosart to the mound in a pitching matchup against Brewers right-hander Jimmy Nelson (6-9, 3.71 ERA).


There's just a question of which one.


And could Norris go from preparing to catch Cosart to doing a quick study on Nelson, who has pitched much better than his won-loss record this season.


"Jimmy's done a nice job putting us in position to win games," Brewers manager Craig Counsell said recently of the 6-foot-6, 250-pound 27-year-old who is headed toward a career high in innings pitched.


Monday night will be Nelson's 22nd start. Eleven of the first 21 were considered quality starts, tying Nelson with Wednesday afternoon's starter Junior Guerra for the team lead.


This will be the second time that Nelson has faced San Diego this season. The Padres defeated Nelson and the Brewers 3-0 on May 12 at Miller Park in Milwaukee. Nelson has a 1-2 career record against the Padres with a 1.83 ERA in three starts.


Meanwhile, Cosart will be making his debut as a Padre after coming to San Diego from Miami in the seven-player trade that sent Cashner and Rea to the Marlins. The Padres needed Cosart in return because the loss of Cashner and Rea ostensibly left the Padres with four starters with no one in their system ready to step into the void.


The 6-foot-3, 205-pound Cosart was 0-1 with a 5.95 ERA in four starts for the Marlins. But he spent most of this season at Triple-A New Orleans of the Pacific Coast League, where he was 3-4 with a 4.09 ERA in 10 starts. But he averaged only five innings in those starts.


"What we are offering the starters we've added is the opportunity to come in here and do the job," Green said recently. "We've brought in pitchers who we think have the stuff. Now it up to them to prove it."


The 26-year-old Cosart arrived Saturday in San Diego just in time to get in a bullpen session under the watchful eye of pitching coach Darren Balsley just two days before his Padres debut.


The only question is will Cosart be throwing to Norris the receiver or facing Norris the batter.

[TheGame]

Re: MLB Betting Info. 8/1

Preview: Red Sox (57-46) at Mariners (52-51)


Game: 1
Venue: Safeco Field
Date: August 01, 2016 10:10 PM EDT


SEATTLE -- The Boston Red Sox will be the cheerier and better-rested team when they open a series against the Seattle Mariners on Monday night at Safeco Field.


The Red Sox capped a four-game split against the Los Angeles Angels on Sunday afternoon, scoring five times in the ninth inning for a 5-3 win at Anaheim, Calif.


The Mariners then played -- and blew -- the nationally televised Sunday night game at Wrigley Field.


Seattle built a 6-0 lead through three innings thanks to a trio of two-homers, then watched the Chicago Cubs slice into the deficit and eventually tie the game 6-6 with three runs in the ninth. The Cubs won 7-6 in 12 innings when left-handed pitcher Jon Lester, appearing as a pinch hitter for the first time in his career, dropped down a game-ending squeeze bunt on a 2-2 pitch.


As a result of the late developments, the Mariners' bullpen might be short-handed Monday night. Five Seattle relievers pitched a combined 6 1/3 innings, with closer Steve Cishek blowing a save for the sixth time in 31 chances and Cody Martin (1-1) taking the loss.


The appearance on "Sunday Night Baseball" was the Mariners' first since 2004, and the game wound up being unforgettable for the wrong reasons, at least from a Seattle perspective.


"It's disappointing. I thought we had the game in hand," Mariners manager Scott Servais said.


The arrival of the Red Sox in Seattle means the last visit of David Ortiz, and Mariners fans won't be too sad to say goodbye.


Since 2013, Ortiz has hit .444 with four home runs and nine RBIs in 10 games played at Safeco Field. The Mariners have tried everything to negate the offense of the future Hall of Famer, with seven free passes being the only effective way they have found to quiet his bat in that span.


The 40-year-old designated hitter is not showing any signs of slowing down. Ortiz enters Monday's series opener with a .320 batting average as he continues to put up one of the best offensive seasons of his prodigious career.


Ortiz and the Red Sox (57-46) have more pressing issues than saying goodbye, though. Even after the ninth-inning rally Sunday, Boston is 1 1/2 back in the American League East standings after seven of its past 10 games.


The Red Sox were losing ground in the division race and were losing their grip on the wild-card standings before scoring five runs -- four on back-to-back, two-out homers from Dustin Pedroia and Xander Bogaerts -- in the ninth to beat the Angels.


"It was pretty awesome," Bogaerts told MLB.com. "After all we've been through these past few days, it was definitely nice to have this one today."


The Mariners have seen their once-promising postseason hopes go in the tank since the beginning of June, and the recent slide put Seattle into the position of being a seller at the trade deadline. The Mariners dealt relievers Mike Montgomery and Joaquin Benoit last week, then sent starter Wade Miley to Baltimore on Sunday.


"This decision is the best move for the Mariners' present and future," general manager Jerry Dipoto said of the Miley trade, which netted minor league left-hander Ariel Miranda.


The Mariners plan to send left-hander James Paxton (3-5) to the mound Monday, while left-hander Eduardo Rodriguez (2-4) is scheduled to start for the Red Sox.


The more intriguing pitching question is who might finish the game for Boston, as closer Craig Kimbrel is scheduled to join the team Monday in Seattle. Kimbrel underwent knee surgery July 11 to repair a torn left medial meniscus, and he could be activated any day now.

[TheGame]

Re: MLB Betting Info. 8/1

'Subway Series'


NY Yankees at NY Mets August 1, 7:10 EST


This years subway series gets underway Monday at Citi Field as the New York Yankees visit the New York Mets. Yankees had a slight edge in play last season winning 4 of 6 meeting boosting the record to 15-11 the past five years including a solid 8-5 in Mets' back-yard.


Logan Verrett gets the call for Metropolitans. The right hander is a 3-6 record with a 4.12 ERA over 9 starts (1-4) and 18 relief appearances (2-2). This marks the rookie first subway series. Verrett trades pitches with Yankees' southpaw C.C. Sabathia carrying a 6-8 record, 3.95 ERA to the hill. Sabathia has 3-2 record, 4-2 Teams Start Record vs Mets since joining Yankees.


The fact that this game is at Citi Field has no doubt caught the attention of sports handicappers, since the 'Under' has paid dividends in 10 of 13 played at this venue. Between Mets' current 8-2 'Under' stretch in front of its home audience and Yankees' 13-2 'Under' overall record heading into Monday's action the series 'Under' trend in Mets' back-yard looks like it could continue

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Re: MLB Betting Info. 8/1

MLB


Monday’s games


National League


Conley is 3-0, 2.12 in his last five starts; under is 8-4 in his last 12. Miami is 6-5 in his road starts.


Hendricks is 4-1, 1.80 in his last five starts; his last three stayed under the total. Cubs won his last six home starts.


Marlins won five of last seven road games, are 10-6 in road series openers. Last five Miami games went over. Cubs are 15-3 in home series openers. Under is 10-3 in last 13 games at Wrigley Field.


Nationals @ Diamondbacks
Strasburg is 4-1, 1.94 in his last six starts; three of last four stayed under. Nationals are 7-1 in his road starts.


Bradley is 1-1, 2.50 in his last three starts; his last four stayed under the total. Arizona is 2-4 in his home starts.


Nationals are 5-8 in last 13 games, 10-8 in road series openers. Last five Washington games stayed under. Arizona lost nine of last 12 games, is 3-14 in home series openers. Over is 9-2-1 in last 12 games at Chase Field.


Brewers @ Padres
Nelson is 0-2, 11.17 in his last two starts; five of his last six stayed under total. Milwaukee is 4-5 in his road starts.


Cosart was 0-1, 6.41 in four starts (over 3-1) for Miami this year; this is his San Diego debut.


Brewers won six of last seven games; they’re 5-11 in road series openers. Under is 10-4 in their last 14 games. San Diego is 4-9 in last 13 games, 10-7 in home series openers. Under is 8-4 in their last 12 games.




American League


Royals @ Rays
Duffy is 4-0, 3.00 in his last six starts; under is 3-1-2 in his road starts- KC won four of those six games.


Archer is 1-3, 4.78 in his last four starts; six of his last nine stayed under. Tampa bay lost his last six home starts.


Royals lost 18 of last 24 games, is 4-13 in road series openers. Six of last eight KC road games stayed under. Tampa Bay won its last four home games, is 7-10 in home series openers. Under is 13-4 in Rays’ last 17 games.


Twins @ Indians
Berrios was 1-1, 10.20 in four starts back in May (over 2-1-1).


Salazar is 1-0, 6.55 in his last four starts; six of his last eight went over. Indians are 9-1 in his last 10 starts, 7-1 in his last eight at home.


Twins are 7-5 in last 12 games, 5-11 in road series openers. Over is 9-4 in Minnesota’s last 13 road games. Cleveland won four of last five games, is 11-5 in home series openers. Under is 3-0-1 in Tribe’s last four games.


Blue Jays @ Astros
Stroman is 2-0, 3.97 in his last five starts; his last three stayed over. Toronto is 5-4 in his road starts.


Fister is 2-4, 5.00 in his last six starts; four of his last five home starts went over. Astros are 5-3 in his home starts.


Blue Jays won five of last seven games, are 10-6 in road series openers. Over is 4-0-1 in last five Toronto games. Houston lost five of last six games, is 10-7 in home series openers. Under is 9-4-1 in last 14 Astro home games.


Red Sox @ Mariners
Rodriguez is 1-1, 3.06 in his last three starts (under 3-0). Boston won three of his four road starts.


Paxton is 1-2, 5.29 in his last three starts; four of his last six went over. He is 1-1, 8.62 in his last three home starts.


Red Sox lost seven of last ten games, are 9-6 in road series openers. Last eight Boston road games stayed under. Seattle won seven of last ten home games, is 9-7 in home series openers. Five of Mariners’ last seven games went over the total.




Interleague


Bronx @ Mets
Sabathia is 1-4, 6.51 in his last six starts; over is 4-2-1 in his last seven. Bronx is 6-4 in his home starts.


Verrett is 0-4, 6.38 in his last seven starts; four of his last five stayed under.


Bronx lost its last four games, is 8-9 in road series openers. Over is 14-5 in last 19 Bronx road games. Mets lost eight of last ten home games; they’re 12-5 in home series openers (4-4 in last 8). Over is 3-1-1 in last five Met games.




Teams’ record when this pitcher starts


Mia-Chi– Conley 12-9; Hendricks 11-8
Wsh-Az– Strasburg 17-2; Bradley 7-7


Mil-SD– Nelson 9-12; Cosart 0-0/1-3


KC-TB– Duffy 11-3; Archer 6-16
Min-Clev– Berrios 1-3; Salazar 13-6
Tor-Hst– Stroman 11-10; Fister 13-7
Bos-Sea– Rodriguez 3-6; Paxton 3-8


NYY-NYM– Sabathia 9-9; Verrett 3-6




Starting pitchers allowing 1+ runs in first inning:


Mia-Chi– Conley 6-21; Hendricks 5-19
Wsh-Az– Strasburg 5-19; Bradley 5-14


Mil-SD– Nelson 5-21; Cosart 2-4


KC-TB– Duffy 3-14; Archer 10-22
Min-Clev– Berrios 1-4; Salazar 2-19
Tor-Hst– Stroman 6-21; Fister 3-20
Bos-Sea– Rodriguez 3-9; Paxton 3-11


NYY-NYM– Sabathia 4-18 (4 of last 6); Verrett 1-9