Tuesday's best MLB bets

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Tuesday's best MLB bets

Florida Marlins at Houston Astros (+102, 9)

Did you know Florida's games have exceeded the total eight straight times and 11 of the last 12?

And the Marlins are doing most of the heavy lifting. Until Sunday's 7-3 loss to Colorado, Florida had scored at least six runs in seven straight games, averaging 9.4 runs.

The pitching matchup at the ballpark once known as "Ten-Run Field" could help keep Florida's streak of overs alive.

Florida's Ricky Nolasco gave up 10 runs in 3 1-3 innings in his last start. Houston rookie Bud Norris has become increasingly more hittable with each outing.

Pick: Over

Seattle Mariners at Detroit Tigers (+117, 7.5)

If you want a low price on Felix Hernandez, usually you have to get him on the road. But the numbers say otherwise.

The right-hander is 8-1 with a 1.96 ERA away from home. The Mariners have not lost a road game with Hernandez on the hill since May 14 at Texas, when all Hernandez did was pitch seven scoreless innings in an eventual 3-2 setback.

In his last seven road starts, Hernandez is 6-0 with a 1.53 ERA. Included in that stretch is a win at Detropit on July 22 in which he allowed one earned run and six hits in seven innings.

Pick: Seattle

 

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Tuesday's streaking and slumping starting pitchers

Tuesday's streaking and slumping starting pitchers

Tuesday's streaking and slumping starting pitchers

Streaking

Ubaldo Jimenez (Colorado Rockies)

The right-hander has been outstanding since the All-Star break, going 4-0 in six starts while eating up innings for manager Jim Tracy.

"I didn't start too well, but now I'm very confident," Jimenez told the team's web site. "I know that I can go out there and throw six, seven or eight innings every time I get the ball."

Working as a favorite each time, Jimenez has allowed just 26 hits in 42 2-3 innings, posting a 2.55 ERA with 39 strikeouts.

Although he continues to battle control issues, Jimenez did not walk a batter for just the second time this season Aug. 1 at Cincinnati.

David Price (Tampa Bay Rays)

The southpaw has been erratic this season but much more stable at home.

Price has won his last four starts at Tropicana Field, lasting at least six innings and allowing no more than two earned runs in each. He has not lost at home since June 23 vs. Philadelphia.

In that span, Price has an ERA of 1.78 and a WHIP (walks + hits per inning) of 1.07, winning three times as a favorite.

Derek Lowe (Atlanta Braves)

The veteran righty also is gobbling up innings, working at least six in his last seven starts, allowing no more than three earned runs and going 6-1 in that span.

In his last outing, Lowe pitched seven innings for the first time since June 9 vs. Pittsburgh.

This will be Lowe's third start against the New York Mets. He is 2-0 against them, allowing just eight hits in 12 2-3 innings.

Returning

Freddy Garcia (Chicago White Sox)

The veteran hurler will be trying to recapture some of his old magic. His old team sure hopes so.

Garcia was released from the Mets' minor league system in April and was signed by the White Sox to a minor league deal in June.

He was 0-3 with a 6.35 ERA at Triple-A Charlotte.

Garcia has won 118 career games, including 17 for the White Sox in 2006. But he was traded after that season and is just 2-6 since.

Slumping

Craig Stammen (Washington Nationals)

It's hard to believe the Nationals won eight straight games with Stammen taking his regular turn in the rotation. Then again, he did pitch only once during the streak.

The righty is fortunate to be just 0-1 with three no-decisions in his last four starts. During that stretch, he has gotten through five innings just once and compiled a 10.56 ERA.

In his last four starts, Stammen has a WHIP of 2.02. He has six strikeouts while allowing five homers.

Manny Parra (Milwaukee Brewers)

Parra has been living a charmed life lately. He has won his last four outings without making a quality start.

It's hard to say Parra is slumping based on his results. But a closer look shows that he has allowed a whopping 38 hits in 25 innings in that stretch. Throw in 10 walks and Parra has an ERA of 6.48 and a WHIP of 1.92. Does that sound like a pitcher on a four-game winning streak?

Receiving 37 runs of support never hurts, although the right-hander has gotten past the sixth inning just once.

 

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Top 5 Trends

Top 5 Trends

Top 5 Trends
HOU Over is 9-0 in FLA last 9 when their opponent scores 5 runs or more in their previous game.
SAS
MONT Under is 9-0 in the last 9 meetings in Montreal.
DEN
SEA DEN are 9-0 ATS in their last 9 Sat. games.
SEA
DET SEA are 8-0 in Hernandezs last 8 starts vs. a team with a winning record.
SEA
DET SEA are 8-0 in Hernandezs last 8 road starts.