Cnotes MLB 2019 Thru the World Series News, Notes, Trends Best Bets and Opinions !

[Cnotes53]

National League starters

C -- Willson Contreras, Chicago Cubs

1B -- Freddie Freeman, Atlanta Braves

2B -- Ketel Marte, Arizona Diamondbacks

SS -- Javier Baez, Chicago Cubs

3B -- Nolan Arenado, Colorado Rockies

OF -- Christian Yelich, Milwaukee Brewers

OF -- Cody Bellinger, Los Angeles Dodgers

OF -- Ronald Acuna Jr., Atlanta Braves

National League reserves

C -- Yasmani Grandal, Milwaukee Brewers

C -- J.T. Realmuto, Philadelphia Phillies

1B -- Pete Alonso, New York Mets

1B -- Josh Bell, Pittsburgh Pirates

2B -- Mike Moustakas, Milwaukee Brewers

SS -- Paul DeJong, St. Louis Cardinals

SS -- Trevor Story, Colorado Rockies

3B -- Anthony Rendon, Washington Nationals

3B -- Kris Bryant, Chicago Cubs

OF -- Charlie Blackmon, Colorado Rockies

OF -- David Dahl, Colorado Rockies

OF -- Jeff McNeil, New York Mets

National League pitchers

RHP -- Walker Buehler, Los Angeles Dodgers

RHP -- Luis Castillo, Cincinnati Reds

RHP -- Jacob deGrom, New York Mets

RHP -- Zack Greinke, Arizona Diamondbacks

LHP -- Clayton Kershaw, Los Angeles Dodgers

LHP -- Hyun-Jin Ryu, Los Angeles Dodgers

RHP -- Max Scherzer, Washington Nationals

RHP -- Mike Soroka, Atlanta Braves

RHP -- Sandy Alcantara, Miami Marlins

LHP -- Josh Hader, Milwaukee Brewers

LHP -- Will Smith, San Francisco Giants

RHP -- Kirby Yates, San Diego Padres

x -- injured


American League starters

C -- Gary Sanchez, New York Yankees

1B -- Carlos Santana, Cleveland Indians

2B -- DJ LeMahieu, New York Yankees

SS -- Jorge Polanco, Minnesota Twins

3B -- Alex Bregman, Houston Astros

OF -- Mike Trout, Los Angeles Angels

OF -- George Springer, Houston Astros

OF -- Michael Brantley, Houston Astros

DH -- Hunter Pence, Texas Rangers -- x

American League reserves

C -- James McCann, Chicago White Sox

1B -- Jose Abreu, Chicago White Sox

1B -- Daniel Vogelbach, Seattle Mariners

2B -- Whit Merrifield, Kansas City Royals

2B -- Tommy La Stella, Los Angeles Angels -- x

2B -- Brandon Lowe, Tampa Bay Rays (replaces La Stella) -- x

2B -- Gleyber Torres, New York Yankees (replaces Lowe)

SS -- Francisco Lindor, Cleveland Indians

SS -- Xander Bogaerts, Boston Red Sox (replaces Pence)

3B -- Matt Chapman, Oakland Athletics

OF -- Mookie Betts, Boston Red Sox

OF -- Austin Meadows, Tampa Bay Rays

OF -- Joey Gallo, Texas Rangers

DH -- J.D. Martinez, Boston Red Sox

American League pitchers

RHP -- Gerrit Cole, Houston Astros

RHP -- Lucas Giolito, Chicago White Sox

LHP -- John Means, Baltimore Orioles

LHP -- Mike Minor, Texas Rangers

RHP -- Charlie Morton, Tampa Bay Rays

RHP -- Jake Odorizzi, Minnesota Twins -- x

RHP -- Marcus Stroman, Toronto Blue Jays

RHP -- Justin Verlander, Houston Astros

RHP -- Jose Berrios, Minnesota Twins (replaces Odorizzi)

LHP -- Aroldis Chapman, New York Yankees

RHP -- Shane Greene, Detroit Tigers

LHP -- Brad Hand, Cleveland Indians

RHP -- Ryan Pressly, Houston Astros

x -- injured

 

[Cnotes53]

Win Total Update - AS Break

We've reached the midway point of the 2019 pro baseball season and bettors investing in ?Win Total? wagers can start to get a clearer picture on their investments.

Listed below are each team?s win totals and their records through July 7 along with their projection to go ?over? or ?under? this season.

<a href="http://www.freeimagehosting.net/commercial-photography/"><img src="https://i.imgur.com/JW7oZAx.png" alt="Commercial Photography"></a>

 

[Udog]

2019 MLB All-Star Game betting picks and predictions: Plenty of pop at the plate for NL vs AL

The American League has held a six-year stranglehold on the MLB All-Star Game since snapping a three-year winning streak by the National League in 2013.

The MLB All-Star Game is the only show in town for baseball bettors Tuesday night, with the American and National Leagues doing battle at Progressive Field in Cleveland, Ohio (7:30 p.m. ET).

We dive into the odds for the MLB All-Star Game and break down the best bets and top predictions for the Mid-Summer Classic, from quick-paying plays, top props, and the moneyline and Over/Under.


QUICK HITTER

Unlike most All-Star events around the sporting world, the MLB showcase isn?t bloated with an outpouring of offense. The American and National Leagues have played some low-scoring tight contests in recent years, and that competitiveness starts with the first pitch.

Generally, the respective managers will look to their top starter to open the game, and in the case of the All-Star Game, that means the best of the best: Top Gun style. With those elite aces on the mound to open the ASG, it?s no surprise the past six Mid-Summer Classics have produced a total of just five runs in the first innings (three of those coming in 2014). The past two All-Star Games, the AL and NL standouts have combined for a goose egg on the scoreboard and the 2013 game also featured a scoreless opening frame.

Astros starter Justin Verlander is first up for the AL, while Dodgers ace Hyun-jin Ryu gets the honors for the NL. Verlander has a 3.32 ERA in opening innings this season, but hasn't allowed a first-inning run in his last three starts. Ryu boasts a 3.71 first-inning ERA and blanked the Padres in the first inning of his previous start.

PREDICTION: Under 0.5 runs first inning


FIRST FIVE INNINGS

While low-scoring first innings have been the trend in MLB All-Star Games, so have uneventful first-five-innings spans. Over the past six seasons, the first five innings of action have averaged 3.33 runs, and four of those events had three or fewer runs scored.

All-Star team managers are still working with some elite starters through the opening five innings, but we have seen an uptick in scoring in the first half of the 2019 schedule, especially in terms of power.

Both lineups are loaded with pop at the plate, with the American League starting lineup totaling 164 home runs (three players with 20-plus HRs) and the National League lineup touting 185 homers (NL has seven players with 20-plus HRs) ? give or take if MLB home run leader Christian Yelich (31) plays or not.

The starting lineups will likely get two at-bats before managers start swapping in reserves, which means plenty of power-hitting potential in the early innings.

PREDICTION: Over 4.5 runs first five innings


TEAM/PLAYER PROP

As measured above, the American League doesn?t pack the same punch at the plate as its Senior Circuit foes, but does have a deeper collection of pure hitters on its All-Star roster.

Three of the top four leaders in total hits this season are featured among the AL All-Stars (but not Boston?s Rafael Devers ? glaring ASG snub), including major-league hit leader Whit Merrifield of Kansas City coming off the bench as a reserve. Houston?s Michael Brantley, who ranks No. 7 in hits, is also among the American League starting lineup.

The MLB All-Star Game averaged 14 total hits between 2010 and 2015, but that jumped in the past three years, with 18 hits in 2016, 17 hits in 2017 and 20 hits in last July?s Mid-Summer Classic. The American League was responsible for 13 of those hits in 2018 and will rely on getting guys on base and advancing those runners more than the NL on Tuesday night.

PREDICTION: American League Over 8.5 hits

BONUS PROP PREDICTION: If you?re looking for a tasty flier, you could take ?Yes? on the extra innings prop at +650. The current moneyline has this game as a pick ?em, and the previous two ASGs have gone into extra frames.


OVER/UNDER BET

Last year?s All-Star Game went Over the 7-run total, thanks to a busy final three innings in which the teams combine for seven runs and forced the game into extra innings, tacking on an added four runs in those two bonus frames for an 8-6 win for the Junior Circuit.

Traditionally, the seventh, eighth and ninth innings have been relatively quiet. Before the 2018 ASG, the previous seven Mid-Summer Classics produced a total of just six runs in the final three frames, and four of those runs came in 2015.

However, measuring up past All-Star Game results doesn?t hold much water when looking at 2019. So far, this MLB season has produced the highest scoring rate (9.6 total runs per game) since 2007 (9.6) and 2006 (9.72). A good part of that uptick in production has been the explosion in power hitting, namely the home run rate.

Major League Baseball is producing 2.74 home runs per game in the first half of the 2019 schedule, which is the highest home run rate ever and on pace to break the 2018 record rate of 2.52. The next highest home run rate came in 2000 (2.34) ? smack dab right in the middle of the steroid era.

Plenty of the bats responsible for those rising home run numbers are stepping into the box Tuesday night.

PREDICTION: Over 8.5 runs


SIDE BET

The American League has held a six-year stranglehold on the MLB All-Star Game since snapping a three-year winning streak by the National League in 2013. Home-field advantage has had little to do with that success, as 2019 is the first time the All-Star Game has been played in the AL park since 2014.

The Mid-Summer Classic has been a hotly contested showcase during that six-year run, with the previous two games going to extra innings and the average margin of victory in those ASGs sitting at 2.16 in favor of the AL.

The National League holds an 89-73 advantage in interleague action this season, but there are some big guns missing from the NL roster: Washington starter Max Scherzer and third baseman Anthony Rendon. The National League could also be without the massive bat of Yelich, who withdrew from the Home Run Derby due to back issues.

Six-year steak aside, the American League gets the nod in 2019.

PREDICTION: American League -110

 

[Udog]

MLB
Dunkel

Tuesday, July 9


National League @ American League

Game 945-946
July 9, 2019 @ 7:30 pm

Dunkel Rating:
National League
(Ryu) 16.466
American League
(Verlander) 14.945
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
National League
by 1 1/2
9
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
American League
-110
8 1/2
Dunkel Pick:
National League
(-110); Over

 

[Udog]

MLB Mid-Season Awards

TOP OVER TEAM (sorted by Over %)
Dodgers 58-32-4

Honorable mention
Pirates 53-33-3, Mets 47-33-10, Red Sox 51-36-3


TOP UNDER TEAM (sorted by Under %)
Reds 54-30-3

Honorable mention
Rays 46-37-8, Astros 47-38-5, Indians 47-38-3

 

[Udog]

Wednesday?s 6-pack

Props for NFL teams making the playoffs:
? Miami Dolphins No -$2,500, Yes +$1,100
? Minnesota Vikings No -$130, Yes +$110
? New Orleans Saints Yes -$330, No +$260
? New Jersey Giants No -$700, Yes +$500
? New Jersey Jets No -$425, Yes +$325
? Oakland Raiders No -$800, Yes +$550

Quote of the Day
?If you?re the smartest person in the room, go to another room.?
Ralph Lawler

Wednesday?s quiz
Which team had the most players in the All-Star Game this year?

Tuesday?s quiz
Dave Parker won the first Home Run Derby, in 1985 in the Metrodome in Minnesota.

Monday?s quiz
In the early 60?s there was a Home Run Derby TV show; it was it filmed at an old ballpark called Wrigley Field in Los Angeles, where the Angels briefly called home.


***********************************************


Wednesday?s List of 13: Mid-week musings??.

13) I?d rather watch NBA Summer League games than Home Run Derby; just would rather watch actual games with guys competing for jobs.

Overall I?m a much bigger baseball fan than an NBA fan, but I like games, not batting practice.

12) Been listening to Sam Mitchell do analysis on NBA Summer League games; he?s great, he tells stories, just sits there and talks about ball, which is all I?m asking for.

11) Tip of the cap to my friend Phil, who nailed a $50 bet on Pete Alonso at 5-1 to win the Home Run Derby.

This makes up for the summer night in 1983 when we were at jai-alai in Hartford, CT and Phil didn?t do so well; he unleashed a torrent of epithets at a player named Gurney who cost Phil a quinella with a bad blunder. To this day it is the hardest I?ve ever laughed in my entire life; had tears running down my face, I was laughing so hard.

Phil?.he wasn?t laughing; hope this makes up for it.

10) Cincinnati Reds used five different left fielders in Sunday?s game, the first time that has happened since 1908; they also used four 2B Sunday, first time they?ve done that since 1958.

In that 1958 game, Gus Bell went 1-5 for the Reds with a run scored and an RBI; his grandson David is the Reds? manager now.

9) Jay Bruce is the first player in MLB history to hit 10+ home runs for two different teams before the All-Star break; he hit 14 for Seattle, has 10 for the Phillies.

8) Astros, Twins, Braves and Brewers are supposedly the teams most interested in Madison Bumgarner; Minnesota is the only one of those teams that can acquire Bumgarner without his permission.

7) Jaxson Hayes is running amok for the New Orleans Pelicans in summer league; this is a kid who never started a high school game until his senior year, which means that only 20 months ago, he had never started a game, and now he looks like an NBA star in the making.

6) Seth Greenberg is really good on TV and he was a good college hoop coach, but he said something the other day, that was odd??.odd as in, people who work for ESPN aren?t allowed to criticize guys who played for Duke.

He was talking about Cam Reddish on the Hawks: ?He was regarded as a good shooter coming out of high school, but he didn?t make many shots last year.?

It is pretty easy to decide who the good shooters are: they make the most shots. Reddish shot 39.4% inside the arc, 33.3% outside the arc at Duke last season. Not good.

5) Thanasis Antetokounmpo is signing a fully guaranteed two-year, $3M veteran?s minimum deal with the Bucks. Milwaukee is getting creative with ways to keep his brother Giannis, one of the best players in the league, but as a lifelong Oakland A?s fan who had to live thru the Jeremy Giambi era, it likely won?t work.

4) Rams? QB Jared Goff got his first hole-in-one a few weeks ago. I got a hole-in-one once, but it came on a windmill hole, so I?m told that doesn?t count.

3) Chinese Nationals 84, Hornets 80? I know it is only summer league, but Michael Jordan owns the Hornets and he couldn?t have been too happy after this game Monday night.

2) Has the Home Run Derby hurt the All-Star Game?s popularity? Sometimes it seems like the home run contest has surpassed the game as a fun event for fans.

1) Commercial on the Mets? game Sunday: ?Cremation starting for as little as $895!!!?

Who knew cremation was such a good deal?

 

[Udog]

AL holds off NL, 'under' cashes

CLEVELAND (AP) For one night, the pitchers took back the power.

Hours after an awesome Home Run Derby got everyone buzzing even louder about monster shots and juiced balls, only a couple flew out of Progressive Field in the All-Star Game.

Instead, Justin Verlander blazed 97 mph heat from the start, Shane Bieber and Aroldis Chapman each struck out the side and the American League slowed a loaded NL lineup 4-3 Tuesday for its seventh straight win.

''I know it's the year of the home run, but pitching dominated today,'' Colorado slugger Nolan Arenado said.

Sure did - at least until play resumes Thursday.

Facing Christian Yelich, Cody Bellinger and a bunch of boppers, the AL staff combined to strike out 16.

''Baseball is a funny game,'' said Bieber, a most unlikely MVP after being added late to the roster.

With fans hoping to see a replay of Monday's jaw-dropping aerial show when 312 homers cleared the walls, this became the Arm-Star Game up until the late innings.

Derby champ Pete Alonso of the Mets grounded a two-out, two-run single past Gleyber Torres in the eighth to close the NL's gap. After a double steal put runners at second and third against Cleveland reliever Brad Hand, White Sox catcher James McCann made a tumbling catch on Mike Moustakas' twisting foul pop to end the inning.

Chapman closed to give the AL its 19th win in 22 games, with a tie stuck in there. He got a little encouragement with two outs - Yankees teammate CC Sabathia, honored this week for his contributions on and off the field, strolled to the mound to talk to the flamethrower.

Chapman then struck out Yasmani Grandal for a save , giving the AL an overall 45-43-2 lead in the Midsummer Classic.

No need, either, for the experimental rule that was set to go effect: If the game went into extras, each team would've started the 10th with an automatic runner on second base.

Major League Baseball is on a record-shattering pace for homers this season, but no one came close to clearing the walls until Charlie Blackmon connected in the NL sixth to make it 2-1. Texas' Joey Gallo countered with a solo drive in a two-run seventh.

Still, it was a far cry from last year's All-Star Game that featured a record 10 home runs.

''I kind of expected it, to be honest,'' former NL MVP Kris Bryant said. ''You only see them once, so they have the advantage.''

''There are a lot of hard throwers and great pitchers over there. Unless you've seen them before, it's a difficult matchup,'' he said.

Cleveland favorite Michael Brantley had an early RBI double off losing pitcher Clayton Kershaw. Jorge Polanco drove in a run with an infield single for a 2-0 edge in the fifth and another scored on a double-play grounder.

''I wanted to swing the bat early. I had some nervous jitters I wanted to get out,'' Brantley said.

Winning pitcher Masahiro Tanaka, Lucas Giolito and Shane Greene did their parts to protect the lead with scoreless innings.

Bieber dazzled in front of a chanting home crowd, striking out Willson Contreras, Ketel Marte and Ronald Acuna Jr. in the fifth with a 1-0 lead. Bieber later donated his cap to the Hall of Fame.

''It was electric out there, the fans got in it and it was fun,'' AL manager Alex Cora of the Red Sox said. ''And I'm glad that he got the MVP. He plays at this level. He's really good.''

The biggest misplay of the night might have been on the scoreboard. NL All-Stars David Dahl of Colorado and Willson Contreras of the Cubs had their names misspelled - ''Davis Dahl'' and ''Wilson Contreras'' - on the outfield videoboard. Jeff McNeil was spelled correctly, but the photo accompanying it was of Mets teammate Jacob deGrom.

''That was tough, to see deGrom's picture up there,'' McNeil said. ''I didn't really like that. I wanted to see my picture up there. I know my family did, too. What are you going to do, I guess, but I don't think that should happen.''

Fittingly, the first batter of the game was the guy who leads the majors in home runs - Yelich, the NL MVP with 31 homers at the break, hit leadoff for the first time this year.

Yelich lined out and Verlander quickly fanned Javier Baez and Freddie Freeman to finish his work.

Those lively balls that Verlander is complaining about? Didn't bother him a bit.

NL starter Hyun-Jin Ryu, deGrom and Luis Castillo threw scoreless innings to keep the NL close in the early going.

Pittsburgh dynamo Josh Bell was part of the youngest starting lineup in All-Star history, with the NL crew averaging under 26 years old.

Overall, there were 36 first-timers, a number boosted by the absence of Bryce Harper, Manny Machado, Jose Altuve and several past perennials. And consider this: Of the 16 AL pitchers on the 2017 All-Star roster, zero made the roster this year.

TRIBUTE

All players wore a uniform patch with No. 45 to honor late Angels pitcher Tyler Skaggs. Los Angeles teammates Mike Trout and Tommy La Stella switched their jerseys to Skaggs' number, and there was a pregame moment of silence.

''I felt him out there with me,'' Trout said. ''To be able to represent him and what he meant to us on a stage like this is special.''

UP NEXT

The regular season resumes on Thursday night with one game, Houston at Texas. All teams are back in action Friday. ... Next year's All-Star Game is at Dodger Stadium for the first time since 1980.

 

[Udog]

Indians' Bieber wins All-Star MVP

CLEVELAND (AP) Michael Brantley came back, took a well-deserved bow and delivered like always. Shane Bieber pitched a perfect inning and took home an MVP trophy and a shiny new pickup truck.

Carlos Carrasco stood up to cancer.

On an idyllic night for baseball, Cleveland connections shined brightest at the All-Star Game.

Even Sandy Alomar Jr., whose storybook home run the last time the game was played at Progressive Field in 1997 made him an MVP and local legend, enjoyed another moment on the star-studded stage.

And then Bieber matched him, winning MVP honors after striking out the side in the fifth as the AL staff combined for 16 strikeouts in a 4-3 win over the NL and returned pitching to prominence a night after Vladimir Guerrereo Jr., Pete Alonso and Joc Pederson knocked balls over Progressive Field's walls with stunning ease.

''It's an incredible feeling now, now that it's kind of sinking in,'' Bieber said. ''Just to be able to do it in front of the home crowd and my first All-Star Game is definitely not something I expected, especially being added to the game four or five days ago.''

Bieber was a late All-Star injury replacement, only added Friday to give the Indians four representatives.

The 23-year-old, who soared through Cleveland's minor league system and won 11 games as a rookie in 2018, showed a veteran's poise in the fifth when he fanned Chicago's Willson Contreras, Arizona's Ketel Marte and Atlanta's Ronald Acuna Jr. in succession while protecting a 1-0 lead.

The crowd chanted ''Let's Go Bieber,'' during his performance, and it's an anthem that will likely be heard each time he takes the mound going forward.

''Kind of stepped off the back of the mound after one of the pitches and wasn't totally able to look up and see everything, just because there was so much going on, but I heard everything and really soaked it all in,'' Bieber said. ''I can't really thank the fans enough for creating that moment for me and making it really special.''

While Bieber's unexpected MVP put a perfect cap on Cleveland's magical night - in fact, he donated his hat to the Hall of Fame - Carrasco's appearance served as the most poignant moment.

The 32-year-old was recently diagnosed with chronic myeloid leukemia, and during Major League Baseball's ''Stand Up to Cancer'' campaign, Carrasco stood in the third-base coach's box, flanked by his teammates and Indians manager Terry Francona.

Carrasco held a sign that read ''I Stand''' while Lindor's said: ''Cookie,'' the pitcher's nickname.

''When I saw him, it puts everything in perspective,'' said Boston manager Alex Cora, who guided the AL team. ''We get caught up in wins and losses and pennant races and all that stuff and rivalries, and then that happens. And there's more than baseball in life.

''And we're thinking and praying for him, his family and hopefully he can be back on the field sooner rather than later.''

Brantley returned for the first time as a member of the Houston Astros, who were happy to sign the outfielder as a free agent last winter after the Indians let him walk after 10 seasons.

He was greeted with a thunderous ovation during player introductions, stopping to squeeze Francona tightly before slapping hands with the rest of the AL squad.

''I was very emotional. I was trying to hold it together,'' Brantley said. ''To come back in front of these fans that I played for, for 10 years, I just want to say thank you for their support, thank you for that ovation. It means so much to me. It's going to last a lifetime.''

Brantley heard an even bigger roar in the second inning with an RBI double off Dodgers ace Clayton Kershaw for a 1-0 lead.

Alomar, a member of Cleveland's coaching staff since 2010, caught a ceremonial first pitch from CC Sabathia, whose New York Yankees pinstripes will never completely cover his love for the Indians. He began his career in Cleveland, and it was only fitting the big left-hander got to say goodbye in his final season.

Cora sent Sabathia to the mound in the ninth inning to talk to Yankees closer Aroldis Chapman before getting another standing ovation.

''He's one of the best pitchers in the big leagues for the last, what, 15 years,'' Cora said. ''The guy has won more than 250 games, 3,000 strikeouts. Everything started here in Cleveland. We all know he's going to retire, so we wanted to let everybody know who he is and I think it was a nice tribute.''

And Cleveland's crowd also had its say, booing Cubs All-Stars Javier Baez and Kris Bryant, who crashed their World Series party in 2016.

''If I was a (Cleveland) fan, I'd boo us, too,'' Bryant said. ''It was a wacky World Series.''

On this night, Cleveland celebrated its past, present and future.

''It's such a good, hard, gritty town,'' Bieber said. ''I can't say enough about how this All-Star Weekend and week has been run. I was talking to some guys and they said it's one of the better-run All-Star Games and weekends that they've been to. And those are guys that have been to three or four, five, six All-Star Games.''

 

[Udog]

The five best MLB betting trends for the first half of the season
Rohit Ponnaiya

Yasiel Puig and the Cincinnati Reds have come out firing in the first inning of games, but can that trend continue in the second half of the season?

We're at the halfway point of the 2019 MLB season and certain betting trends are starting to stand out.

Sure the Mariners are the best Over team in the majors and the Twins the most profitable moneyline pick: everybody and their grandmother knows about those trends by now (but feel free to keep hammering them like I am). But we've been digging into five of the more under-the-radar trends and MLB best bets that have dominated the first half of the MLB season, and let you know if you should fade or follow them after the All-Star break.

CINCINNATI REDS First Team to Score: 47-31 in last 78 games

When you consider the Cincy has been an underdog in 53 of its 87 games, betting on the Reds to score first or to lead after the first inning has been money in the bank.

The Reds have led after the first inning in 33 of their 87 games, while trailing 22 times. Not only do the Reds score in the first inning in a major league-leading 37.93 percent of their games, but they also have the fourth-lowest opponent first-inning score percentage at 25.29.

Even though the Reds 41-46 on the year, they've been the first team to score in 48 of their 87 games this season.

Both of those numbers are even more impressive considering that Cincinnati didn't score in the first inning through its first nine games of the season, and opposing teams scored before they did in eight of those contests.
FADE OR FOLLOW?

This is more than just a short-term trend. That first inning scored percentage of 42.3 percent over their last 78 games is very impressive. The Reds rank first in the majors in runs scored per game in the first inning (0.84) and have the third-fewest runs allowed (0.41).

Cincinatti has an effective pitching rotation with its starters owning an ERA of 3.60 (fourth best in the majors) and a batting average allowed of .232. While the Reds bat just .235 overall, they have a BA of .309 and a slugging percentage of .582 during the first inning.

For whatever reason, the Reds are simply a much better team in the early going than over the length of a full game but are still usually priced as underdogs. It seems like sportsbooks still haven't adjusted to this trend, so keep betting it until the wheels fall off.


OAKLAND ATHLETICS First Five Innings: 50-29-7 in last 86 games

Only two teams in the majors - the Yankees and Dodgers - have a better record this season through the first five innings of games. However, those clubs tend to be big favorites most of the time, so betting on the A's in the first five innings has been far more profitable, especially at home where they are 28-12-4 in their last 44 contests.
FADE OR FOLLOW?

Generally if teams play very well through the first five innings, it's because they have excellent starting pitching and strong early-game hitting. Oakland starters have an ERA of 4.17 and BAA of .242 which is good but not exceptional, and those numbers will take a hit with Frankie Montas (9-2, 2.70 ERA) suspended until the end of the regular season. On offense, the A's generate 3.00 runs per game (2.75 at home) through the first five innings which once again, is good but not great.

Their schedule has also been relatively easy through the first half of the season, but will get tougher the rest of the way, with 11 games against the Astros, 10 against the Rangers, six against the Yankees, four against the Twins, and three on the road against the Cubs. All those teams have been some of the best squads in the majors through the first five innings. I'm fading this trend.


SHANE BIEBER First Five Innings Under: 14-3-1 in last 18 starts

Last year it was all about "deGrom Day" with the first five innings Under cashing in on the overwhelming majority of Jacob deGrom's starts for the Mets. This year it's "Bieber Fever", where the first five innings Under has hit in 82 percent of Cleveland right-hander Shane Bieber's last 18 starts. OK, we'll work on a new name for this one.

Much like deGrom last year, this situation is the perfect storm of a good pitcher (Bieber is 8-3 with a 3.45 ERA and 1.01 WHIP) throwing for a team providing little run support (Cleveland averages just 4.50 runs per game). Bieber's confidence should be soaring after winning the MVP award in the All-Star game.
FADE OR FOLLOW?

Oddly enough, despite the Under hitting so often in Bieber's starts, books keep setting totals higher and higher. In his first three starts of the season the O/U was seven or 7.5. In his next six starts the O/U was set at eight or 8.5 five times. And over his last nine starts, that total has jumped to nine or higher for each contest. With totals rising, keep taking the Under especially through the first five innings.


PITTSBURGH PIRATES O/U: 29-12-2 at home

At home, Pittsburgh has a surprisingly strong offense averaging 5.21 runs per game - good for ninth-best in the majors. However, the Pirates also allow 5.77 runs per game at PNC Park (mostly just because their pitching stinks). That combination of good offense and bad pitching in a ballpark considered pitcher-friendly has resulted in Overs hitting in 70.7 percent of games at PNC.

The Over has been an even better bet when they're the underdog at home, cashing 80 percent of the time (16-4-1).
FADE OR FOLLOW?

Sportsbooks seem to be adjusting to this trend and although the Pirates are still 7-1 O/U over their last eight home games, totals have been creeping steadily higher since the beginning of the season. Through their first 16 home games the total was installed at eight or lower in every game. However, over their last 19 contests, the O/U has been at least nine.

Pitchers Joe Musgrove and Jordan Lyles got off to great starts early in the season for the Pirates but have since reverted back to mediocrity and the totals have moved accordingly. With scoring up across the majors I'm going to keep backing this trend.


NEW YORK YANKEES Runline 28-10 in division

The New York Yankees have been an excellent runline bet all season (baseball's version of the pointspread), converting on the runline 59.1 percent of the time. Against divisional opponents that line just gets silly though, hitting on the run line in 73.7 percent of games. Interesting enough when they play against teams outside of their division they are under .500 on the runline (24-26). The Bronx Bombers are 41-29 as runline favorites (-1.5) which usually sees plus-money or low-cost vig.
FADE OR FOLLOW?

As more of the Yankees lineup starts to get healthy, this might look like an interesting trend to keep playing. But don't forget that not all divisional opponents are the same. The Yankees have already played the worst team in baseball, the Baltimore Orioles 12 times, going 10-2 on the runline against them. They're only scheduled to play Baltimore seven times during the second half of the season.

On the flip side, they've played the Red Sox only seven times so far and will have to play them 12 more times. While the Yankees do get to play against the woeful Blues Jays 13 more times, keep in mind that New York is just 2-4 on the runline against the Jays so far this year.

I'm fading this one, well unless they're playing the O's.

 

[Udog]

TOP HOME MONEY TEAM (based on $100 wager per home game)

Rangers (29-17) $1675

Honorable mention
Dodgers (37-12) $1636
WhiteSox (25-20) $911
Twins (28-15) $731


TOP ROAD MONEY TEAM (based on $100 wager per road game)

Twins (28-18) $902

Honorable mention
Braves (26-18) $871
D'backs (26-23) $763
Pirates (22-24) $664


TOP HOMER UMPIRE (min. 10 games behind home plate)

Bruce Dreckman 13-3

Honorable mention
Adrian Johnson 13-4
Chad Fairchild 12-4
Manny Gonzalez 11-4
Paul Nauert 11-4


TOP ROADIE UMPIRE (min. 10 games behind home plate)

Todd Tichenor 12-6

Honorable mention
Dana DeMuth 11-6
Mike Everitt 12-7
Mark Wegner 10-6
Mike Muchlinski 10-6

 

[Udog]

Thursday?s 6-pack

Props for NFL teams making the playoffs:
? Pittsburgh Steelers No -$115, Yes -$115
? San Francisco 49ers No -$300, Yes +$240
? Seattle Seahawks No -$180, Yes +$150
? Tampa Bay Buccaneers No -$700, Yes +$500
? Tennessee Titans No -$350, Yes +$275
? Washington Redskins No -$700, Yes +$500

Quote of the Day
?Melo?s was like a good teammate, man. Melo practiced every day. Didn?t miss any games. Now, the one thing I will say?and I?ve even told Melo this?scoring 30 meant too much to Melo??But, now I think you fast forward the tape, and the reason he?s not in the league?because he?s still mentally worthy?he hasn?t taken that set back to say ?Okay, I?ll come in and play against back-ups. I?ll try to help the team out. I know I might not be able to close, but I just want to help the team out.?
Chauncey Billups, talking about Carmelo Anthony

Thursday?s quiz
Who played the judge in the great comedy, My Cousin Vinny?

Wednesday?s quiz
Houston Astros had the most players (six) in the All-Star Game this year.

Tuesday?s quiz
Dave Parker won the first Home Run Derby, in 1985 in the Metrodome in Minnesota.


*******************************************************


Thursday?s List of 13: Doing some thinking out loud??.

13) New Orleans Pelicans sold 2,500 season tickets the night they won the draft lottery; imagine how many they must?ve sold the night of the draft?

12) Celtics have 7-foot-6 Tacko Fall on their summer league team; their nutritionists have him eating 6,000 calories a day, to try and add some weight to his frame. Lot of eating.

11) I turn on the Portland-Utah summer league game Tuesday and the first voice I hear is Dan Dakich, so immediately my reflex is??..MUTE BUTTON!!!! Good grief he is annoying.

10) Nevada Wolf Pack alum Jordan Caroline had seven fouls in a game Monday night; the limit in summer league is ten- they don?t want guys fouling out, but having seven in a game isn?t good. Caroline?s dad and grandfather were really good football players, so it is in the genes.

9) Part of the reason NBA Summer League is so popular is that it is a chance for regular people to see pro ball in person at affordable prices. You can sit there all day, watch four games for $35, and for kids, they?ve got a good chance to meet a current NBA player or coach.

Plus if you?re in Las Vegas, its 105 outside and the arenas are air conditioned, and its a hell of a lot cheaper than playing video poker all day.

8) Central Florida QB Darriel Mack Jr broke his ankle recently, so Notre Dame transfer Brandon Wimbush is the Golden Knights? likely starting QB this fall. Wimbush was Notre Dame?s starting QB two years ago.

7) NFC East is the only division where all four teams have won a Super Bowl.

6) NC State received a notice of allegations from the NCAA this week, related to the recruitment of former five-star point guard Dennis Smith Jr. Problem is, the coaches involved in all that have moved on, so the school will get punished for something the current coaches didn?t do.

5) Warriors told Shaun Livingston to take a hike before his contract became fully guaranteed at $7.7M- instead he will get paid $666,000 a year over the next three years to go away. He hopes to play for a contending team next season.

4) There are eight new head coaches in the NFL this season; Adam Gase, Bruce Arians are only two of the eight who have been NFL head coaches before. Kliff Kingsbury has been a head coach in college- Texas Tech fired him last year.

3) There are 18 NFL coordinators with NFL head coaching experience.

2) Quick college football trends:

? Since 2017, Kentucky is 0-7 as a home favorite.
? Mississippi State covered eight of last ten non-conference games.
? Since 2012, Arizona State is 20-12 as a home favorite.

1) RIP to former big league pitcher Jim Bouton, 80, who wrote Ball Four, which might?ve been the first real book I ever read. Controversial at the time, Ball Four was Bouton?s diary of the 1969 baseball season, where he took us inside a major league locker room, which was frowned upon at the time. Bouton started that season with the expansion Seattle Pilots and wound up with the Astros. RIP, sir.

 

[Udog]

951Houston -952 Texas
TEXAS are 9-0 SU (9 Units) revenging 4 or more straight losses vs opponent in last 2 years in the current season.




MLB
Long Sheet

Thursday, July 11

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

HOUSTON (57 - 33) at TEXAS (48 - 42) - 8:05 PM
FRAMBER VALDEZ (L) vs. LANCE LYNN (R)
Top Trends for this game.
TEXAS is 48-42 (+15.8 Units) against the money line in all games this season.
TEXAS is 29-17 (+16.5 Units) against the money line in home games this season.
TEXAS is 14-7 (+11.4 Units) against the money line in home games against division opponents this season.
TEXAS is 31-28 (+9.4 Units) against the money line in night games this season.
TEXAS is 26-20 (+9.3 Units) against the money line after a win this season.
TEXAS is 18-17 (+7.8 Units) against the money line when playing against a team with a winning record this season.
HOUSTON is 137-78 (+33.7 Units) against the money line in road games over the last 3 seasons.
HOUSTON is 26-7 (+12.6 Units) against the money line against division opponents this season.
HOUSTON is 95-53 (+26.1 Units) against the money line in road games in night games over the last 3 seasons.
HOUSTON is 59-24 (+25.3 Units) against the money line in road games after a win over the last 2 seasons.
TEXAS is 7-19 (-15.5 Units) against the money line in home games in July games over the last 3 seasons.

Head-to-Head Series History
TEXAS is 4-6 (+1.8 Units) against HOUSTON this season
5 of 10 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL this season . (Over=-0.3 Units, Under=-0.6 Units)

FRAMBER VALDEZ vs. TEXAS since 1997
No recent starts.

LANCE LYNN vs. HOUSTON since 1997
LYNN is 4-2 when starting against HOUSTON with an ERA of 2.25 and a WHIP of 1.182.
His team's record is 4-3 (+0.3 units) in these starts. The OVER is 2-5. (-3.4 units)

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------




MLB

Thursday, July 11

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Trend Report
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Houston Astros
Houston is 4-2 ATS in its last 6 games
Houston is 7-1 SU in its last 8 games
Houston is 16-8 ATS in its last 24 games on the road
Houston is 16-8 SU in its last 24 games on the road
Houston is 3-6 SU in its last 9 games on the road
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Houston's last 6 games on the road
Houston is 4-1 ATS in its last 5 games when playing Texas
Houston is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games when playing Texas
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Houston's last 6 games when playing Texas
Houston is 1-6 ATS in its last 7 games when playing on the road against Texas
Houston is 15-5 SU in its last 20 games when playing on the road against Texas
Houston is 1-4 SU in its last 5 games when playing on the road against Texas
Texas Rangers
Texas is 2-6 ATS in its last 8 games
Texas is 2-6 SU in its last 8 games
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Texas's last 7 games
Texas is 2-4 ATS in its last 6 games at home
The total has gone UNDER in 15 of Texas's last 23 games at home
Texas is 1-4 ATS in its last 5 games when playing Houston
Texas is 1-4 SU in its last 5 games when playing Houston
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Texas's last 6 games when playing Houston
Texas is 6-1 ATS in its last 7 games when playing at home against Houston
Texas is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games when playing at home against Houston
Texas is 5-15 SU in its last 20 games when playing at home against Houston


------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

 

[Udog]

MLB
Dunkel

Thursday, July 11


Houston @ Texas

Game 951-952
July 11, 2019 @ 8:05 pm

Dunkel Rating:
Houston
(Valdez) 16.300
Texas
(Lynn) 14.745
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Houston
by 1 1/2
13
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Houston
-125
11
Dunkel Pick:
Houston
(-125); Over




MLB
Armadillo's Write-Up

Thursday, July 11

Astros (57-33) @ Rangers (48-42)
Valdez is 0-2, 15.63 in his last two starts. Team in his starts: 1-3
5-inning record: 1-2-1 Allowed run in 1st inning: 1-4 Over/under: 2-1-1

Lynn is 4-0, 2.48 in his last four starts; he is 4-2, 2.20 in eight games (7 starts) vs Houston. Team in his starts: 12-6
5-inning record: 11-5-2 Allowed run in 1st inning: 7-18 Over/under: under 6-2-1 last nine

Astros won seven of last eight games, are 11-3 in road series openers- over is 4-2 in their last six road games. Over/under 1st 5 innings: under 9-4 last 13 road games.

Texas lost six of last eight games; they?re 4-11 in home series openers- over is 4-1 in their last five home games. Over/under 1st 5 innings: over 6-3 last nine home games.

%age of times teams score in first inning (road/home/total)
Team (road-home-total)- thru 7/10
Ariz 15-49??9-42??.24
Atl 14-44?..15-47??29
Cubs 12-45??15-45?..27
Reds 14-42??15-45?..29
Colo 10-46??17-43??27
LA 11-43??18-49??29
Mia 8-44??11-44??.19
Milw 15-46?..17-45?..32
Mets 17-48??12-42?..29
Philly 13-46?..16-44??.29
Pitt 14-46?..11-43??25
StL 13-46?..8-42??..21
SD 15-41??11-47?..26
SF 4-43??10-45??.14
Wash 13-43?..12-43??,25

Orioles 12-47??.15-42..?..27
Boston 12-48??.12-42??24
W Sox 9-41??.17-45??..26
Clev 13-45?..13-43??..26
Det 12-41??13-44??..25
Astros 15-43?..10-47??..25
KC 12-47?..15-44??..27
Angels 16-48??10-43??.26
Twins 17-46??10-43??27
NYY 15-43??14-45??29
A?s 9-45??.10-46??19
Sea 11-46?..15-48??.26
TB 16-43?..15-46??.31
Texas 13-44?..14-46??.27
Toronto 10-43?..14-48??.24

Interleague play- 2019
NL @ AL? 43-36 NL, favorites -$1,453 over 37-36-3
AL @ NL? 37-31 NL, favorites -$1,136 over 38-31-2
Total: 80-67 NL, favorites -$2,589 Over 75-67-5

 

[Udog]

Weekly Total Talk
Joe Williams

Standalone Texas Battle

The Houston Astros travel to meet the Texas Rangers on Thursday, opening up the second half as the standalone game of the night in MLB. Everyone else is off until Friday night.

The Astros picked up a win before heading out for the All-Star break, and they're 7-3-2 across the past 12 games following a victory. In addition, they're 3-1-1 in the past five games following an off day. The over is also 5-1 in the past six games on the road against a team with a home winning percentage greater than .600.

For the Rangers, the under has been the rule lately, especially with RHP Lance Lynn on the bump. The under is 7-2 in his past nine outings, while going 4-1 in his past five games inside the American League West Division. The under is also 7-2 in the past nine in Game 1 of a new series, while going 19-7 in the past 26 games following a win. Over the past three outings, Lynn is 3-0 with a 2.86 ERA and 0.91 WHIP with a .233 opponent on-base percentage. While the over is 2-0 in his past two at home, the under is 4-2 across the past six contests.

Wind Report
In Thursday's game in Arlington, there will be a hot wind blowing 11-14 mph out to the right-field porch for the Astros-Rangers battle. Temperatures at game-time will be around 100 degrees, too.


Friday, July 12

The Pirates and Cubs do battle at Wrigley Field at 2:20 p.m. ET with RHP Chris Archer and RHP Yu Darvish locking horns. When Archer is on the hill, the over has followed. The over is 4-1 in his past five on the road, and 4-1 in his past five inside the division, too. The over is 3-1-1 in his past five starts overall, and 6-2 in his past eight against teams with a winning overall record. For the Cubbies, the under is 5-0 in the past five after a scheduled day off, while the under is 4-1 in their past five at home. The under is also 3-1-1 in the past five starts by Darvish. However, the over is 4-1 in his past five inside the division, while going 6-2-1 in the past nine against teams with a losing overall record. The over is also 3-1-1 in his past five at home.

The Blue Jays and Yankees renew acquaintances in the Bronx. While the under is 4-1 in Toronto's past five games, the over is 8-2-1 in their past 11 on the road, and 20-8-3 in the past 31 against teams with a winning overall record. The over is 4-1 in New York's past five, too, and 5-2 in the past seven against the AL East. The over is also 7-2 in the past nine meetings at Yankee Stadium, too.

The Indians, fresh off a rather successful job of hosting the All-Star Game festivities (unless you count the scoreboard operator - Google it), host the Twins in a key battle in the AL Central. Cleveland has closed Minnesota's lead from double digits a month ago to just 5 1/2 at the break. The under is 5-2-1 in Minnesota's past eight games on the road, and 3-1-1 in their past five inside the division. For the Indians, the over is 3-1-1 in the past five games overall, and 4-1 in their past five against teams with a winning percentage over .600. The over is also 4-1 in RHP Mike Clevinger's past five against AL Central foes, 3-1-1 in his past five against winning teams and 5-1 in his past six at home. However, the under is 5-1 in Clevinger's past six against the Twins, while going 11-5-1 in the past 17 meetings overall in this series.

The Nationals and Phillies kick off the second half on Friday night at Citizens Bank Park at 6:05 p.m. ET with RHP Stephen Strasburg and RHP Nick Pivetta squaring off. The Nationals closed out the first half hitting the under in six of the past seven games, and they're 6-1 in the past seven overall vs. RHP, too. The under is 3-0-1 in the past four following a scheduled day off, too, while going 18-7-1 in the past 26 starts by Strasburg. The under is also 5-1-1 in the past seven in Game 1 of a new series. For the Phillies, the over cashed in each of their final four to close out the first half. The over is 4-0 in the past four vs. RHP, too, while going 3-1-1 in the past five at home. The over is also 9-3 in their past 12 against winning teams, while hitting in seven of Pivetta's past nine inside the division. The over is also 6-1 in Pivetta's past seven outings vs. Washington. As an added bonus, the Phillies are 0-8 in Pivetta's past eight outings vs. the Nats, and 0-4 in his past four at home against Washington.

In late-night action, LHP Dallas Keuchel takes the ball for the Braves against RHP Dinelson Lamet and the Padres. The under is 4-1-1 in Atlanta's past six games, and 4-1 in the past five vs. RHP. The under has also cashed in each of the past four outings by Keuchel, while going 5-2-1 in the past eight games on the road. For the Padres, the under has also hit in each of the past four games, while going 5-0 in the past five against teams with a winning overall record. The under is 6-2-1 in the past nine at home vs. LHP, too. In addition, the under is 4-1 in Lamet's past five starts against NL East foes, while going 5-2 in his past seven at home and 6-2 in his past eight against teams with a winning overall mark. The under is also 5-1 in the past six meetings in this series, too.

Wind Report
In Philly, the winds will be blowing from left to right at a 10-13 mph clip, aiding left-handed hitters. The winds will also be blowing from third base to first base at Yankee Stadium for the Jays-Yanks game, but at a 9-12 mph clip.

The winner, in terms of wind, is the Astros-Rangers game at Globe Life Park. The winds will be blowing from 10-13 mph out to right field for the second consecutive evening. Other than that, the winds will be rather variable at the other MLB venues.

 

[Udog]

Friday?s 6-pack
Over/under win totals for NFL teams for this season:
? Pittsburgh Steelers 9 (over -$125)
? San Francisco 49ers 8 (over-$120)
? Seattle Seahawks 8.5 (over -$140)
? Tampa Bay Buccaneers 6.5 (under -$120)
? Tennessee Titans 8 (under -$130)
? Washington Redskins 6.5 (under -$140)

Quote of the Day
?You spend a great deal of time gripping a baseball only to find in the end it was the other way around.?
Jim Bouton

Friday?s quiz
Before moving to Texas in 1972, where did the Rangers call home?

Thursday?s quiz
Fred Gwynne played the judge in the great comedy, My Cousin Vinny; he is better known as Herman Munster on the 60?s TV show, The Munsters.

Wednesday?s quiz
Houston Astros had the most players (six) in the All-Star Game this year.

*********************************************************

Friday?s List of 13: NFL knowledge on a summer day

13) Cleveland has a first-time head coach, a star WR who has played one game in December the last two years (3 catches for 35 yards) and high expectations (they?re favored to win the AFC North, at 5-4 odds). Lot of combustible personalities for a team that is 1-18-1 in season openers, but Mayfield showed great promise at QB LY, and 2nd year QB?s have done well lately.

Browns went 7-9 LY despite a +7 turnover ratio, after going 1-31 the previous two years; they spent the most $$$ in NFL LY on WR?s, and now they add Beckham, not the most dependable guy (played in 16 of 32 games the last two years).

Last three years, Cleveland is 2-22 SU on road; under is 16-6-1 in their last 23 home games. Browns are favored to win their division; they?ve been favored in only four of their last 48 games.

12) Troy Aikman says you can?t teach a QB to be accurate, which has to be scary for Buffalo?s fans; Josh Allen ranked 39th among 39 qualified QB?s in adjusted completion %age; he was dead last (28%) in completion %age while under pressure. No bueno.

Buffalo spent the most $$$ in the NFL LY on running backs; they ran the ball the 5th-most in the league. Bills went 6-10 LY but was 3-0 in games decided by 3 or fewer points, a red flag. Allen has to throw the ball better, or else??.

11) Cincinnati hired Zac Taylor as HC because he worked for Sean McVay for a year; Taylor?s father-in-law is former Green Bay coach Mike Sherman. Bengals scored 31.5 ppg in their first four games LY but once TE Tyler Eifert got hurt, their offense went in the ashcan (20.2 ppg) the rest of the season.

Last two years, Bengals are 12-7 vs spread as an underdog; they were 2-5 LY in games decided by 8 or fewer points. Taylor took a long time hiring a defensive coordinator; we?ll see if finally firing Marvin Lewis (131-122-3 in 16 years as HC) was a good move.

10) Atlanta Falcons ran 73 plays inside opponents? 10-yard line LY; Falcons? success on plays inside 10-yard line ranked 28th in NFL.The new OC is Dirk Koetter; last time he called plays in the NFL was 2017, when his Tampa Bay Bucs ranked 24th in red zone offense- he?ll need to do better than that this year.

Last two years, Atlanta is 2-6 vs spread as an underdog, 4-11 vs spread in true road games.

9) Dallas was 9-3 LY in games decided by 8 or fewer points; they spent the most $$$ in the league on their offensive line. Prescott is the 43rd-highest paid QB in the NFL for one more year, but they?ll have to break the bank for him next winter.

Last three years, Cowboys are 16-10 vs spread as a favorite; under is 17-7 in their road games.

8) Lions were #2 in NFL LY in $$ spent on QB?s; Matthew Stafford has a 66-75 career record in the NFL, 0-3 in playoff games. He is 31 years old.

Last two years, Detroit is 10-5 vs spread on road, 8-4 vs spread when favored. LY was the Lions? worst SU record since 2012; they fired Jim Caldwell after consecutive 9-7 seasons, and hired a first-time HC because he was on a team with Tom Brady.

Lions? last playoff win was in 1991; I still had hair in 1991.

7) Last time a college coach jumped to the NFL with as much fanfare as Kliff Kingsbury was Chip Kelly going from Oregon to the Eagles in 2013, but Kelly wasn?t fired at Oregon. Philly had a minus-24 turnover ratio in 2012; it improved to +12 in 2013, the biggest reason why the Iggles improved from 4-12 to 10-6. Eagles wound up going 27-22 under Kelly, 0-1 in playoffs.

Last year?s Cardinals were minus-12 in turnovers LY; is a similar scenario going to play out? Redbirds went 1-7 SU at home LY, after going 9-6 in 2016-17. Kingsbury is their third HC in three years, with a rookie QB starting- they?ll be interesting.

6) Aaron Rodgers will be 36 in December; he played LY with a broken bone in his leg and an MCL sprain, but he didn?t get along with coach McCarthy, so coach McCarthy is ex-coach McCarthy, and Matt LaFleur is the new coach, in part because he worked for Sean McVay.

Green Bay is 13-19 SU the last two years; they were 3-6 LY in one-score games. Packers are 5-12 vs spread in their last 17 games as an underdog.

If you play fantasy football, Davante Adams was targeted on 28 red zone plays LY; no one else had more than nine such targets. Will that change under LaFleur?

5) NFL QB?s drafted from 2012-17 went 37-59 SU as rookies, 63-44 in their second year, and Mitch Trubisky (4-8 in ?17, 11-3 LY) followed that pattern LY.

Bears were +12 in turnovers LY, which will be hard to duplicate; they were +17 in sacks, had 17 fewer penalties, and three more (6-3) return TD?s.They better have a good season this year; their salary cap for 2020 is a mess- they?ll likely need to purge some veterans next winter.

4) Ravens were 6-1 LY when Lamar Jackson started at QB, 4-5 when Joe Flacco started; now Flacco lives in Denver. Ravens ranked 31st in NFL LY in money spent on QB?s; they ranked #1 in spending on cornerbacks.

Average total in a Ravens? game in 2017 was 40.6; LY, it was 44.8. Six of Flacco?s last seven starts stayed under the total. Baltimore scored 20+ points in all seven Jackson starts, with only loss 27-24 at KC- over was 4-3.

3) Denver went 6-10 LY despite a +7 turnover ratio; they?ll have their 4th different #1 QB in five years this season, with Keenum off to Washington. Broncos were #29 in NFL LY in $$$ spent on their offense; despite that, their offense efficiency improved from 31st to 14th, but they hired defensive-minded Fangio as their new coach. Go figure.

Last two years, Broncos are 4-10 vs spread as a favorite, 1-6 at home. Not good.

2) Last year, Houston led the NFL in $$$ spent on defense; they were 30th in $$$ spent on their offense? playing a young QB helps there. Watson is 14-6 as an NFL starter; Texans jumped from 4-12 to 11-5 LY- they went 1-3 vs Brady/Luck, 10-2 vs an assortment of average to lousy QB?s on the rest of their schedule.

11 of Houston?s 16 games LY were decided by one score; they were +13 in turnovers, which is a major red flag when you combine those two. Hard to go +13 again and if they don?t, those close games go the other way.

DeAndre Hopkins had 19 red zone targets LY; no one else had more than eight.

1) Carolina Panthers have never had consecutive winning seasons, so LY?s 7-9 record could be a source of optimism- they were 3-7 in games decided by 8 or fewer pioints. Panthers haven?t won a playoff game since losing the Super Bowl after the 2015 season. It would help if Cam Newton?s shoulder is healthy, which remains to be seen.

Last three years, Carolina is 2-7 as a road favorite; Panthers led the NFL LY in $$ spent on defensive linemen- their overall defensive efficiency slipped from #7 to #22 LY.

 

[Udog]

901Pittsburgh -902 Chicago Cubs
CHICAGO CUBS are 14-6 SU (11.8 Units) in home games vs. a starting pitcher whose gives up 5.5 or less hits/start in the current season.

903Washington -904 Philadelphia
WASHINGTON is 36-23 SU (11.1 Units) vs. good defensive catchers - allowing 0.5 or less SB's/game in the current season.

905Ny Mets -906 Miami
NY METS are 19-32 SU (-21.5 Units) vs. a team with a poor bullpen whose ERA is 4.20 or worse in the current season.

907San Francisco -908 Milwaukee
MILWAUKEE is 9-22 SU (-14.2 Units) vs teams who strand 6.9 or less runners on base per game in the current season.

909Arizona -910 St Louis
ARIZONA is 16-5 SU (11.7 Units) in road games vs. a starting pitcher whose gives up 5.5 or less hits/start in the current season.

911Cincinnati -912 Colorado
CINCINNATI is 61-36 SU (15.9 Units) vs. a starting pitcher whose strikes out 5 or more batters per start over the last 2 seasons.

913Atlanta -914 San Diego
SAN DIEGO is 24-38 SU (-23.1 Units) vs. poor baserunning teams - averaging 0.5 or less SB's/game in the current season.

915Toronto -916 Ny Yankees
NY YANKEES are 46-27 SU (22.5 Units) vs. an overused bullpen that pitches more than 3.2 innings per game in the current season.

917Tampa Bay -918 Baltimore
BALTIMORE is 20-40 SU (-23.9 Units) vs. a team with a good bullpen whose WHIP is 1.350 or better in the current season.

919Minnesota -920 Cleveland
CLEVELAND is 27-17 SU (12.1 Units) vs. poor baserunning teams - averaging 0.5 or less SB's/game in the current season.

921Houston -922 Texas
TEXAS are 43-27 SU (14.9 Units) vs. an overused bullpen that pitches more than 3.2 innings per game in the current season.

923Detroit -924 Kansas City
KANSAS CITY is 23-31 SU (-19.1 Units) vs. an AL team with an on base percentage .330 or worse in the current season.

925Seattle -926 La Angels
LA ANGELS are 21-11 SU (12.9 Units) when playing against a team with a losing record in the current season.

927Chi White Sox -928 Oakland
OAKLAND is 26-14 SU (17.6 Units) in home games vs. AL teams allowing 4.9 or more runs/game on the season over the last 2 seasons.

929La Dodgers -930 Boston
LA DODGERS are 12-3 SU (8.7 Units) after 6 or more consecutive home games in the current season.

 

[Udog]

MLB
Armadillo's Write-Up

Friday, July 12

National League
Pirates (44-45) @ Cubs (47-43)
Archer is 0-0, 4.74 in his last four starts; he is 2-1, 2.79 in five starts vs Chicago. Team in his starts: won last four
5-inning record: 6-7-2 Allowed run in 1st inning: 3-15 Over/under: 9-5-1

Darvish is 0-1, 5.11 in his last four starts; he is 1-2, 3.75 in four starts vs Pittsburgh. Team in his starts: 7-11
5-inning record: 8-6-4 Allowed run in 1st inning: 5-18 Over/under: 10-6-2

Pirates won five of last seven games; they?re 6-9 in road series openers- over is 6-1 in their last seven games. Over/under 1st 5 innings: under 4-2 last six road games.

Cubs lost five of last seven games, are 5-1 in last six home series openers- under is 9-7-1 in their last 17 home games. Over/under 1st 5 innings: over 4-1-1 last six games.

Nationals (47-42) @ Phillies (47-43)
Strasburg is 3-0, 3.05 in his last three starts; he is 5-0, 2.30 in 11 starts at Philly. Team in his starts: 11-7
5-inning record: 6-9-3 Allowed run in 1st inning: 3-18 Over/under: 9-9

Pivetta is 0-2, 7.72 in his last four starts; he is 1-6, 10.80 in nine games (8 starts) vs Washington. Team in his starts: 6-5
5-inning record: 6-3-2 Allowed run in 1st inning: 5-11 Over/under: 7-4

Nationals won 10 of last 12 games, are 6-8 in road series openers- under is 6-1 in their last seven games. Over/under 1st 5 innings: under 7-0 last seven games.

Philly are 4-5 in last nine games, 9-5 in home series openers- over is 7-1 in their last eight games. Over/under 1st 5 innings: under 4-2 last six games.

Mets (40-50) @ Marlins (33-55)
Vargas is 0-1, 5.31 in his last four starts; he is 3-1, 3.27 in four starts vs Miami. Team in his starts: 7-7
5-inning record: 7-6-1 Allowed run in 1st inning: 7-14 Over/under: 3-8-3

Smith is 1-3, 7.11 in his lat four starts; he is 1-0, 3.24 in three starts vs NY. Team in his starts: 6-7
5-inning record: 4-5-4 Allowed run in 1st inning: 6-13 Over/under: 5-6-2

Mets lost 10 of last 13 games, are 2-8 in last ten road series openers- over is 7-4-1 in their last dozen games. Over/under 1st 5 innings: under 5-2 last seven games.

Miami lost six of last seven games, are 4-11 in home series openers- under is 5-0-1 in their last six games. Over/under 1st 5 innings: under 5-1 last six games.

Giants (41-48) @ Brewers (47-44)
SAnderson is 1-1, 4.64 in his last four starts. Team in his starts: 5-5
5-inning record: 3-4-3 Allowed run in 1st inning: 5-10 Over/under: 6-4

CAnderson is 1-1, 5.40 in his last four starts;; he is 3-2, 4.91 in eight starts vs SF. Team in his starts: 6-6
5-inning record: 6-4-2 Allowed run in 1st inning: 4-12 Over/under: 6-6

Giants won seven of last nine games, are 9-5 in road series openers- over is 6-1 in their last seven games. Over/under 1st 5 innings: over is 6-1 in last seven games.

Milwaukee lost five of last six games, is 1-6 in last seven home series openers- their last three games went over. Over/under 1st 5 innings: under 11-1 last 12 games.

Diamondbacks (46-45) @ Cardinals (44-44)
Ray is 1-3, 5.08 in his last five starts; he is 1-3, 6.10 in five starts vs StL. Team in his starts: 10-9
5-inning record: 7-9-3 Allowed run in 1st inning: 6-19 Over/under: 10-9

Wainwright is 0-2, 4.22 in his last four starts; he is 8-5, 2.95 in 15 games (12 starts) vs Arizona. Team in his starts: 7-9
5-inning record: 6-9-1 Allowed run in 1st inning: 5-16 Over/under: under 5-1 last six

Arizona won its last three games, is 10-5 in road series openers- their last three games stayed under. Over/under 1st 5 innings: over 6-2-1 last nine road games.

Cardinals lost eight of last 12 games, are 7-7 in home series openers- under is 9-3 in their last dozen home games. Over/under 1st 5 innings: over 3-1 last four games.

Reds (41-46) @ Rockies (44-45)
SGray is 3-0, 3.42 in his last four starts. Team in his starts: won last five
5-inning record: 9-6-2 Allowed run in 1st inning: 4-17 Over/under: 6-9-2

JGray is 4-1, 3.64 in his last five starts; he is 4-0, 4.37 in four starts vs Cincy. Team in his starts: 11-7
5-inning record: 7-6-5 Allowed run in 1st inning: 3-18 Over/under: under 5-2-1 last eight

Reds lost their last four road games, are 9-6 in road series openers- under is 4-1 in their last five games. Over/under 1st 5 innings: under 7-0-1 last eight games.

Colorado lost its last six games; they?re 8-6 in home series openers- their last four games stayed under. Over/under 1st 5 innings: under 3-1 last four games.

Braves (54-37) @ Padres (45-45)
Keuchel is 2-1, 3.15 in his last three starts; he is 1-0, 1.29 in two starts vs San Diego. Team in his starts: 2-2
5-inning record: 2-2 Allowed run in 1st inning: 0-4 Over/under: 0-4

Lamet allowed three runs in five IP (80 PT) in his first ?19 start. Team in his starts: 0-1
5-inning record: 0-1 Allowed run in 1st inning: 0-1 Over/under: 0-1

Braves won four of their last five games, are 6-8 in road series openers- over is 3-1 in their last four road games. Over/under 1st 5 innings: over 4-1 last five road games.

San Diego won its last three games, is 8-1 in last nine home series openers- their last four games stayed under. Over/under 1st 5 innings: under 3-1 last four games.

American League
Toronto (34-57) @ New York (57-31)
Sanchez is 0-8, 11.57 in his last eight starts; he is 2-5, 4.21 in 16 games (6 starts) vs NY. Team in his starts: 5-14
5-inning record: 5-14 Allowed run in 1st inning: 3-19 Over/under: 10-9

German is 1-1, 6.53 in his last four starts; he is 0-2, 3.86 in three games (1 start) vs Toronto. Team in his starts: 10-3
5-inning record: 9-3-1 Allowed run in 1st inning: 2-13 Over/under: under 5-2 last seven

Blue Jays lost six of last nine road games, are 0-7 in last seven road series openers- over is 8-2-1 in their last 11 road games. Over/under 1st 5 innings: under 3-0 last three games.

New York won nine of last ten home games, is 13-2 in home series openers- over is 6-2 in their last eight home games. Over/under 1st 5 innings: under 6-0-1 last seven games.

Rays (52-39) @ Orioles (49-41)
Chirinos is 0-2, 4.06 in his last five starts; he is 3-2, 3.38 in five games (2 starts) vs Baltimore. Team in his starts: 5-7
5-inning record: 4-8 Allowed run in 1st inning: 2-12 Over/under: 4-8

Bundy is 1-4, 5.33 in his last five starts; he is vs 0-2, 6.30 vs TB this year. Team in his starts: 5-12
5-inning record: 7-8-2 Allowed run in 1st inning: 5-17 Over/under: 7-10

Rays won six of last nine games, are 9-5 in road series openers- over is 5-3 in their last eight road games. Over/under 1st 5 innings: under 6-0-1 last seven games.

Baltimore won three of last four games, is 6-8 in home series openers- under is 4-1-2 in their last seven games. Over/under 1st 5 innings: under 7-0 last seven games.

Twins (56-33) @ Indians (50-38)
Gibson is 2-2, 5.17 in his last six starts; he is 3-9, 5.46 in 18 starts vs Cleveland. Team in his starts: 11-6
5-inning record: 10-5-2 Allowed run in 1st inning: 2-17 Over/under: 10-7

Clevinger is 2-2, 4.44 in five starts; he is 2-2, 3.05 in 10 games (7 starts) vs Minnesota. Team in his starts: 3-2
5-inning record: 2-2-1 Allowed run in 1st inning: 1-5 Over/under: 2-3

Twins lost five of last seven road games, are 1-5 in last six road series openers- under is 3-1 in their last four road games. Over/under 1st 5 innings: under 6-2 last eight games.

Cleveland won its last six games; they?re 10-4 in home series openers- over is 8-5 in their last 13 home games. Over/under 1st 5 innings: under 4-1-1 last six games.

Tigers (28-57) @ Royals (30-61)
Boyd is 1-2, 6.29 in his last six starts; he is 4-8, 6.39 in 16 starts vs KC. Team in his starts: 7-11
5-inning record: 7-8-3 Allowed run in 1st inning: 3-18 Over/under: over 5-1 last six

Duffy is 0-1, 3.78 in his last five starts; he is 8-10, 4.39 in 26 games (23 starts) vs Detroit. Team in his starts: 5-8
5-inning record: 5-6-2 Allowed run in 1st inning: 2-13 Over/under: under 4-1 last five

Tigers lost 14 of last 16 games; they?re 6-8 in road series openers- over is 5-1 in their last six games. Over/under 1st 5 innings: under 3-1 last four games.

Kansas City lost nine of last 11 games; they?re 7-7 in home series openers- over is 6-3 in their last nine games. Over/under 1st 5 innings: under 5-0 last five games.

Astros (57-33) @ Rangers (48-42)
Cole is 4-0, 1.41 in his last five starts; he is 4-2, 3.78 in eight starts vs Texas. Team in his starts: 12-6
5-inning record: 10-6-2 Allowed run in 1st inning: 7-18 Over/under: under 5-1 last six

Chavez is 0-2, 7.36 in his last two starts. Team in his starts: 4-3
5-inning record: 4-3 Allowed run in 1st inning: 0-7 Over/under: 4-3

Astros won seven of last eight games; over is 4-2 in their last six road games. Over/under 1st 5 innings: under 9-4 last 13 road games.

Texas lost six of last eight games; over is 4-1 in their last five home games. Over/under 1st 5 innings: over 6-3 last nine home games.

Mariners (39-55) @ Angels (45-46)
Leake is 1-1, 5.68 in his last three starts; he is 5-4, 3.71 in nine starts vs LAA. Team in his starts: 8-10
5-inning record: 8-9-1 Allowed run in 1st inning: 5-18 Over/under: 10-8

Bullpen game Team in his starts: 0-0
5-inning record: 0-0 Allowed run in 1st inning: 0-0 Over/under: 0-0

Mariners lost eight of last ten games; they?re 6-9 in road series openers- under is 8-2-1 in their last 11 games. Over/under 1st 5 innings: over 3-1 last four games.

Angels lost three of last four games, are 6-7 in home series openers- over is 4-2-1 in their last seven games. Over/under 1st 5 innings: under 4-1 last five home games.

White Sox (42-44) @ A?s (50-41)
Nova is 1-2, 4.58 in his last three starts; he is 2-0, 3.54 in five games (4 starts) vs Oakland. Team in his starts: 7-11
5-inning record: 5-8-5 Allowed run in 1st inning: 4-18 Over/under: under 5-2-1 last eight

Fiers is 5-0, 2.65 in his last six starts; he is 2-0, 2.21 in six starts vs Chicago. Team in his starts: 10-8
5-inning record: 10-7-2 Allowed run in 1st inning: 6-19 Over/under: last five under

Chicago won six of last nine games; they?re 5-9 in road series openers- over is 5-2 in their last seven games. Over/under 1st 5 innings: under 4-2-1 last seven games.

A?s won 14 of last 19 games; they?re 10-4 in home series openers- under is 6-3 in their last nine games. Over/under 1st 5 innings: over is 5-2 in last seven games.

Interleague
Dodgers (60-32) @ Red Sox (49-41)
Maeda is 0-3, 4.40 in his last five starts. Team in his starts: 9-8
5-inning record: 8-7-2 Allowed run in 1st inning: 5-17 Over/under: 9-8

Rodriguez is 3-0, 3.77 in his last five starts. Team in his starts: 13-5
5-inning record: 12-5-1 Allowed run in 1st inning: 6-18 Over/under: 16-2

Dodgers lost their last three games; they?re 8-6 in road series openers- their last four games stayed under. Over/under 1st 5 innings: under 3-1 last four games.

Boston won five of last six games; over is 7-1-1 in their last nine games- they?re 6-7 in home series openers. Over/under 1st 5 innings: over 7-3 last ten games.

%age of times teams score in first inning (road/home/total)
Team (road-home-total)- thru 7/10
Ariz 15-49??9-42??.24
Atl 14-44?..15-47??29
Cubs 12-45??15-45?..27
Reds 14-42??15-45?..29
Colo 10-46??17-43??27
LA 11-43??18-49??29
Mia 8-44??11-44??.19
Milw 15-46?..17-45?..32
Mets 17-48??12-42?..29
Philly 13-46?..16-44??.29
Pitt 14-46?..11-43??25
StL 13-46?..8-42??..21
SD 15-41??11-47?..26
SF 4-43??10-45??.14
Wash 13-43?..12-43??,25

Orioles 12-47??.15-42..?..27
Boston 12-48??.12-42??24
W Sox 9-41??.17-45??..26
Clev 13-45?..13-43??..26
Det 12-41??13-44??..25
Astros 15-43?..10-47??..25
KC 12-47?..15-44??..27
Angels 16-48??10-43??.26
Twins 17-46??10-43??27
NYY 15-43??14-45??29
A?s 9-45??.10-46??19
Sea 11-46?..15-48??.26
TB 16-43?..15-46??.31
Texas 13-44?..14-46??.27
Toronto 10-43?..14-48??.24

Interleague play- 2019
NL @ AL? 43-36 NL, favorites -$1,453 over 37-36-3
AL @ NL? 37-31 NL, favorites -$1,136 over 38-31-2
Total: 80-67 NL, favorites -$2,589 Over 75-67-5

 

[Udog]

MLB

Friday, July 12

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Trend Report
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Pittsburgh Pirates
Pittsburgh is 6-2 ATS in its last 8 games
Pittsburgh is 5-2 SU in its last 7 games
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Pittsburgh's last 5 games
Pittsburgh is 4-1 ATS in its last 5 games on the road
Pittsburgh is 5-11 SU in its last 16 games on the road
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Pittsburgh's last 6 games on the road
Pittsburgh is 4-2 ATS in its last 6 games when playing Chi Cubs
Pittsburgh is 4-2 SU in its last 6 games when playing Chi Cubs
The total has gone UNDER in 10 of Pittsburgh's last 15 games when playing Chi Cubs
Pittsburgh is 1-4 SU in its last 5 games when playing on the road against Chi Cubs
The total has gone UNDER in 9 of Pittsburgh's last 11 games when playing on the road against Chi Cubs
Chicago Cubs
Chi Cubs is 2-5 ATS in its last 7 games
Chi Cubs is 2-5 SU in its last 7 games
Chi Cubs is 2-4 ATS in its last 6 games when playing Pittsburgh
Chi Cubs is 2-4 SU in its last 6 games when playing Pittsburgh
The total has gone UNDER in 10 of Chi Cubs's last 15 games when playing Pittsburgh
Chi Cubs is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games when playing at home against Pittsburgh
The total has gone UNDER in 9 of Chi Cubs's last 11 games when playing at home against Pittsburgh

Washington Nationals
Washington is 4-1 ATS in its last 5 games
Washington is 6-1 SU in its last 7 games
The total has gone UNDER in 6 of Washington's last 7 games
Washington is 11-3 ATS in its last 14 games on the road
Washington is 5-1 SU in its last 6 games on the road
Washington is 4-1 ATS in its last 5 games when playing Philadelphia
Washington is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games when playing Philadelphia
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Washington's last 6 games when playing Philadelphia
Washington is 7-2 ATS in its last 9 games when playing on the road against Philadelphia
Washington is 6-3 SU in its last 9 games when playing on the road against Philadelphia
Philadelphia Phillies
Philadelphia is 5-2 ATS in its last 7 games
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Philadelphia's last 5 games
Philadelphia is 1-4 ATS in its last 5 games when playing Washington
Philadelphia is 1-4 SU in its last 5 games when playing Washington
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Philadelphia's last 6 games when playing Washington
Philadelphia is 2-7 ATS in its last 9 games when playing at home against Washington
Philadelphia is 3-6 SU in its last 9 games when playing at home against Washington

Tampa Bay Rays
Tampa Bay is 0-5 ATS in its last 5 games
Tampa Bay is 6-3 SU in its last 9 games
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Tampa Bay's last 6 games
Tampa Bay is 3-7 ATS in its last 10 games on the road
Tampa Bay is 3-7 SU in its last 10 games on the road
Tampa Bay is 8-3 ATS in its last 11 games when playing Baltimore
Tampa Bay is 9-3 SU in its last 12 games when playing Baltimore
The total has gone OVER in 12 of Tampa Bay's last 17 games when playing Baltimore
Tampa Bay is 1-6 ATS in its last 7 games when playing on the road against Baltimore
Tampa Bay is 1-4 SU in its last 5 games when playing on the road against Baltimore
The total has gone OVER in 11 of Tampa Bay's last 15 games when playing on the road against Baltimore
Baltimore Orioles
Baltimore is 8-15 ATS in its last 23 games
Baltimore is 6-17 SU in its last 23 games
Baltimore is 3-8 ATS in its last 11 games when playing Tampa Bay
Baltimore is 3-9 SU in its last 12 games when playing Tampa Bay
The total has gone OVER in 12 of Baltimore's last 17 games when playing Tampa Bay
Baltimore is 6-1 ATS in its last 7 games when playing at home against Tampa Bay
Baltimore is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games when playing at home against Tampa Bay
The total has gone OVER in 11 of Baltimore's last 15 games when playing at home against Tampa Bay

Toronto Blue Jays
Toronto is 8-4 ATS in its last 12 games
Toronto is 2-4 SU in its last 6 games
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Toronto's last 5 games
Toronto is 4-1 ATS in its last 5 games on the road
Toronto is 5-13 SU in its last 18 games on the road
The total has gone OVER in 8 of Toronto's last 11 games on the road
Toronto is 6-2 ATS in its last 8 games when playing NY Yankees
Toronto is 1-4 SU in its last 5 games when playing NY Yankees
The total has gone OVER in 8 of Toronto's last 12 games when playing NY Yankees
Toronto is 4-1 ATS in its last 5 games when playing on the road against NY Yankees
Toronto is 2-9 SU in its last 11 games when playing on the road against NY Yankees
The total has gone OVER in 7 of Toronto's last 9 games when playing on the road against NY Yankees
New York Yankees
NY Yankees is 5-0 ATS in its last 5 games
NY Yankees is 16-4 SU in its last 20 games
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of NY Yankees's last 6 games
NY Yankees is 2-6 ATS in its last 8 games when playing Toronto
NY Yankees is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games when playing Toronto
The total has gone OVER in 8 of NY Yankees's last 12 games when playing Toronto
NY Yankees is 1-4 ATS in its last 5 games when playing at home against Toronto
NY Yankees is 9-2 SU in its last 11 games when playing at home against Toronto
The total has gone OVER in 7 of NY Yankees's last 9 games when playing at home against Toronto

Minnesota Twins
Minnesota is 2-4 ATS in its last 6 games
Minnesota is 2-5 ATS in its last 7 games on the road
Minnesota is 2-5 SU in its last 7 games on the road
Minnesota is 4-2 ATS in its last 6 games when playing Cleveland
Minnesota is 5-10 SU in its last 15 games when playing Cleveland
Minnesota is 2-4 ATS in its last 6 games when playing on the road against Cleveland
Minnesota is 2-6 SU in its last 8 games when playing on the road against Cleveland
Cleveland Indians
Cleveland is 5-0 ATS in its last 5 games
Cleveland is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games
Cleveland is 2-4 ATS in its last 6 games when playing Minnesota
Cleveland is 10-5 SU in its last 15 games when playing Minnesota
Cleveland is 4-2 ATS in its last 6 games when playing at home against Minnesota
Cleveland is 6-2 SU in its last 8 games when playing at home against Minnesota

Los Angeles Dodgers
LA Dodgers is 1-5 ATS in its last 6 games
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of LA Dodgers's last 5 games
LA Dodgers is 2-8 ATS in its last 10 games on the road
LA Dodgers is 3-6 SU in its last 9 games on the road
LA Dodgers is 0-5 ATS in its last 5 games when playing Boston
LA Dodgers is 1-4 SU in its last 5 games when playing Boston
LA Dodgers is 0-5 SU in its last 5 games when playing on the road against Boston
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of LA Dodgers's last 6 games when playing on the road against Boston
Boston Red Sox
Boston is 4-2 ATS in its last 6 games
Boston is 5-1 SU in its last 6 games
The total has gone OVER in 7 of Boston's last 9 games
Boston is 5-0 ATS in its last 5 games when playing LA Dodgers
Boston is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games when playing LA Dodgers
Boston is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games when playing at home against LA Dodgers
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Boston's last 6 games when playing at home against LA Dodgers

New York Mets
NY Mets is 1-4 ATS in its last 5 games
NY Mets is 3-10 SU in its last 13 games
The total has gone OVER in 4 of NY Mets's last 6 games
NY Mets is 1-4 ATS in its last 5 games on the road
NY Mets is 0-5 SU in its last 5 games on the road
NY Mets is 10-4 SU in its last 14 games when playing Miami
NY Mets is 1-4 ATS in its last 5 games when playing on the road against Miami
The total has gone OVER in 4 of NY Mets's last 6 games when playing on the road against Miami
Miami Marlins
Miami is 4-2 ATS in its last 6 games
Miami is 1-6 SU in its last 7 games
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Miami's last 5 games
Miami is 4-10 SU in its last 14 games when playing NY Mets
Miami is 4-1 ATS in its last 5 games when playing at home against NY Mets
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Miami's last 6 games when playing at home against NY Mets

Houston Astros
Houston is 4-2 ATS in its last 6 games
Houston is 7-1 SU in its last 8 games
Houston is 16-8 ATS in its last 24 games on the road
Houston is 16-8 SU in its last 24 games on the road
Houston is 3-6 SU in its last 9 games on the road
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Houston's last 6 games on the road
Houston is 4-1 ATS in its last 5 games when playing Texas
Houston is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games when playing Texas
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Houston's last 6 games when playing Texas
Houston is 1-6 ATS in its last 7 games when playing on the road against Texas
Houston is 15-5 SU in its last 20 games when playing on the road against Texas
Houston is 1-4 SU in its last 5 games when playing on the road against Texas
Texas Rangers
Texas is 2-6 ATS in its last 8 games
Texas is 2-6 SU in its last 8 games
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Texas's last 7 games
Texas is 1-4 ATS in its last 5 games when playing Houston
Texas is 1-4 SU in its last 5 games when playing Houston
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Texas's last 6 games when playing Houston
Texas is 6-1 ATS in its last 7 games when playing at home against Houston
Texas is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games when playing at home against Houston
Texas is 5-15 SU in its last 20 games when playing at home against Houston

San Francisco Giants
San Francisco is 8-1 ATS in its last 9 games
San Francisco is 6-1 SU in its last 7 games
The total has gone OVER in 6 of San Francisco's last 7 games
San Francisco is 5-0 ATS in its last 5 games on the road
San Francisco is 5-1 SU in its last 6 games on the road
The total has gone OVER in 8 of San Francisco's last 9 games on the road
San Francisco is 3-7 ATS in its last 10 games when playing Milwaukee
San Francisco is 3-7 SU in its last 10 games when playing Milwaukee
San Francisco is 2-4 ATS in its last 6 games when playing on the road against Milwaukee
San Francisco is 1-5 SU in its last 6 games when playing on the road against Milwaukee
Milwaukee Brewers
Milwaukee is 1-4 ATS in its last 5 games
Milwaukee is 1-5 SU in its last 6 games
The total has gone UNDER in 8 of Milwaukee's last 12 games
Milwaukee is 3-7 ATS in its last 10 games at home
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Milwaukee's last 5 games at home
Milwaukee is 7-3 ATS in its last 10 games when playing San Francisco
Milwaukee is 7-3 SU in its last 10 games when playing San Francisco
Milwaukee is 4-2 ATS in its last 6 games when playing at home against San Francisco
Milwaukee is 5-1 SU in its last 6 games when playing at home against San Francisco

Detroit Tigers
Detroit is 1-5 ATS in its last 6 games
Detroit is 2-14 SU in its last 16 games
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Detroit's last 6 games
Detroit is 1-4 ATS in its last 5 games on the road
Detroit is 1-6 SU in its last 7 games on the road
The total has gone OVER in 6 of Detroit's last 7 games on the road
Detroit is 6-3 ATS in its last 9 games when playing Kansas City
Detroit is 6-3 SU in its last 9 games when playing Kansas City
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Detroit's last 7 games when playing Kansas City
Detroit is 3-6 ATS in its last 9 games when playing on the road against Kansas City
Detroit is 1-4 SU in its last 5 games when playing on the road against Kansas City
Kansas City Royals
Kansas City is 1-6 ATS in its last 7 games
Kansas City is 1-6 SU in its last 7 games
The total has gone OVER in 6 of Kansas City's last 9 games
Kansas City is 1-4 ATS in its last 5 games at home
Kansas City is 1-5 SU in its last 6 games at home
The total has gone UNDER in 8 of Kansas City's last 12 games at home
Kansas City is 3-6 ATS in its last 9 games when playing Detroit
Kansas City is 3-6 SU in its last 9 games when playing Detroit
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Kansas City's last 7 games when playing Detroit
Kansas City is 6-3 ATS in its last 9 games when playing at home against Detroit
Kansas City is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games when playing at home against Detroit

Arizona Diamondbacks
Arizona is 5-0 ATS in its last 5 games
Arizona is 15-8 ATS in its last 23 games on the road
Arizona is 1-4 SU in its last 5 games on the road
The total has gone OVER in 6 of Arizona's last 9 games on the road
Arizona is 7-3 ATS in its last 10 games when playing St. Louis
Arizona is 7-1 ATS in its last 8 games when playing on the road against St. Louis
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Arizona's last 7 games when playing on the road against St. Louis
St. Louis Cardinals
St. Louis is 3-9 ATS in its last 12 games
St. Louis is 4-8 SU in its last 12 games
St. Louis is 2-6 ATS in its last 8 games at home
St. Louis is 2-4 SU in its last 6 games at home
The total has gone UNDER in 13 of St. Louis's last 17 games at home
St. Louis is 3-7 ATS in its last 10 games when playing Arizona
St. Louis is 1-7 ATS in its last 8 games when playing at home against Arizona
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of St. Louis's last 7 games when playing at home against Arizona

Cincinnati Reds
Cincinnati is 2-4 ATS in its last 6 games
Cincinnati is 6-3 ATS in its last 9 games on the road
Cincinnati is 1-4 SU in its last 5 games on the road
The total has gone UNDER in 10 of Cincinnati's last 13 games on the road
Cincinnati is 2-4 SU in its last 6 games when playing Colorado
The total has gone UNDER in 7 of Cincinnati's last 10 games when playing Colorado
Cincinnati is 4-2 ATS in its last 6 games when playing on the road against Colorado
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Cincinnati's last 5 games when playing on the road against Colorado
Colorado Rockies
Colorado is 0-5 ATS in its last 5 games
Colorado is 0-5 SU in its last 5 games
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Colorado's last 5 games
Colorado is 2-5 ATS in its last 7 games at home
Colorado is 14-7 SU in its last 21 games at home
Colorado is 2-5 SU in its last 7 games at home
The total has gone OVER in 8 of Colorado's last 10 games at home
Colorado is 4-2 SU in its last 6 games when playing Cincinnati
The total has gone UNDER in 7 of Colorado's last 10 games when playing Cincinnati
Colorado is 2-4 ATS in its last 6 games when playing at home against Cincinnati
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Colorado's last 5 games when playing at home against Cincinnati

Seattle Mariners
Seattle is 1-4 SU in its last 5 games
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Seattle's last 5 games
Seattle is 5-2 ATS in its last 7 games on the road
Seattle is 1-4 SU in its last 5 games on the road
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Seattle's last 5 games on the road
Seattle is 12-6 SU in its last 18 games when playing LA Angels
The total has gone OVER in 6 of Seattle's last 9 games when playing LA Angels
Seattle is 9-3 ATS in its last 12 games when playing on the road against LA Angels
Seattle is 9-3 SU in its last 12 games when playing on the road against LA Angels
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Seattle's last 5 games when playing on the road against LA Angels
Los Angeles Angels
LA Angels is 4-2 ATS in its last 6 games
LA Angels is 3-6 SU in its last 9 games
LA Angels is 6-15 ATS in its last 21 games at home
The total has gone UNDER in 6 of LA Angels's last 8 games at home
LA Angels is 6-12 SU in its last 18 games when playing Seattle
The total has gone OVER in 6 of LA Angels's last 9 games when playing Seattle
LA Angels is 3-9 ATS in its last 12 games when playing at home against Seattle
LA Angels is 3-9 SU in its last 12 games when playing at home against Seattle
The total has gone OVER in 4 of LA Angels's last 5 games when playing at home against Seattle

Chicago White Sox
Chi White Sox is 4-2 SU in its last 6 games
Chi White Sox is 7-3 ATS in its last 10 games on the road
Chi White Sox is 1-4 SU in its last 5 games on the road
Chi White Sox is 4-1 ATS in its last 5 games when playing Oakland
Chi White Sox is 2-7 SU in its last 9 games when playing Oakland
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Chi White Sox's last 5 games when playing Oakland
Chi White Sox is 0-5 SU in its last 5 games when playing on the road against Oakland
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Chi White Sox's last 5 games when playing on the road against Oakland
Oakland Athletics
Oakland is 8-1 ATS in its last 9 games
Oakland is 7-2 SU in its last 9 games
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Oakland's last 5 games
Oakland is 4-1 ATS in its last 5 games at home
Oakland is 7-3 SU in its last 10 games at home
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Oakland's last 6 games at home
Oakland is 1-4 ATS in its last 5 games when playing Chi White Sox
Oakland is 7-2 SU in its last 9 games when playing Chi White Sox
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Oakland's last 5 games when playing Chi White Sox
Oakland is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games when playing at home against Chi White Sox
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Oakland's last 5 games when playing at home against Chi White Sox

Atlanta Braves
Atlanta is 2-6 ATS in its last 8 games
Atlanta is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Atlanta's last 6 games
Atlanta is 2-6 ATS in its last 8 games on the road
Atlanta is 9-4 SU in its last 13 games on the road
Atlanta is 15-7 SU in its last 22 games when playing San Diego
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Atlanta's last 6 games when playing San Diego
Atlanta is 1-4 ATS in its last 5 games when playing on the road against San Diego
Atlanta is 3-16 SU in its last 19 games when playing on the road against San Diego
San Diego Padres
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of San Diego's last 5 games
San Diego is 1-4 ATS in its last 5 games at home
San Diego is 1-4 SU in its last 5 games at home
The total has gone OVER in 4 of San Diego's last 5 games at home
San Diego is 7-15 SU in its last 22 games when playing Atlanta
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of San Diego's last 6 games when playing Atlanta
San Diego is 4-1 ATS in its last 5 games when playing at home against Atlanta
San Diego is 16-3 SU in its last 19 games when playing at home against Atlanta


------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

 

[Udog]

MLB
Long Sheet

Friday, July 12

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PITTSBURGH (44 - 45) at CHICAGO CUBS (47 - 43) - 2:20 PM
CHRIS ARCHER (R) vs. YU DARVISH (R)
Top Trends for this game.
PITTSBURGH is 44-45 (+6.6 Units) against the money line in all games this season.
PITTSBURGH is 22-11 (+13.4 Units) against the money line in July games over the last 2 seasons.
PITTSBURGH is 25-16 (+11.1 Units) against the money line when playing on Friday over the last 2 seasons.
PITTSBURGH is 61-51 (+18.8 Units) against the money line against division opponents over the last 2 seasons.
PITTSBURGH is 78-66 (+20.4 Units) against the money line in day games over the last 3 seasons.
PITTSBURGH is 35-33 (+7.5 Units) against the money line against right-handed starters this season.
PITTSBURGH is 65-57 (+10.7 Units) against the money line after a win over the last 2 seasons.
CHICAGO CUBS are 1837-1875 (-274.0 Units) against the money line in all games since 1997.
CHICAGO CUBS are 399-328 (-83.3 Units) against the money line as a home favorite of -125 to -175 since 1997.
CHICAGO CUBS are 986-871 (-153.2 Units) against the money line in home games since 1997.
CHICAGO CUBS are 458-399 (-77.3 Units) against the money line in home games against division opponents since 1997.
CHICAGO CUBS are 929-929 (-173.9 Units) against the money line in day games since 1997.
CHICAGO CUBS are 1363-1398 (-209.7 Units) against the money line against right-handed starters since 1997.
CHICAGO CUBS are 887-817 (-161.3 Units) against the money line when playing against a team with a losing record since 1997.
DARVISH is 28-33 (-19.6 Units) against the money line in all games over the last 3 seasons. (Team's Record)
DARVISH is 11-18 (-18.5 Units) against the money line in home games over the last 3 seasons. (Team's Record)
DARVISH is 5-16 (-20.3 Units) against the money line in July games since 1997. (Team's Record)
DARVISH is 36-34 (-23.6 Units) against the money line when playing against a team with a losing record since 1997. (Team's Record)

Head-to-Head Series History
PITTSBURGH is 4-3 (+2.0 Units) against CHICAGO CUBS this season
4 of 7 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL this season . (Over=+0.7 Units)

CHRIS ARCHER vs. CHICAGO CUBS since 1997
ARCHER is 2-1 when starting against CHICAGO CUBS with an ERA of 2.79 and a WHIP of 1.241.
His team's record is 4-1 (+3.3 units) in these starts. The OVER is 2-2. (-0.3 units)

YU DARVISH vs. PITTSBURGH since 1997
DARVISH is 1-2 when starting against PITTSBURGH with an ERA of 3.75 and a WHIP of 0.875.
His team's record is 1-3 (-3.5 units) in these starts. The UNDER is 3-1. (+1.9 units)

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WASHINGTON (47 - 42) at PHILADELPHIA (47 - 43) - 6:05 PM
STEPHEN STRASBURG (R) vs. NICK PIVETTA (R)
Top Trends for this game.
WASHINGTON is 129-122 (-33.2 Units) against the money line in all games over the last 2 seasons.
WASHINGTON is 13-23 (-19.0 Units) against the money line when playing on Friday over the last 2 seasons.
WASHINGTON is 25-28 (-10.0 Units) against the money line in night games this season.
WASHINGTON is 64-65 (-27.6 Units) against the money line after a win over the last 2 seasons.
PHILADELPHIA is 450-455 (+46.2 Units) against the money line when playing against a team with a winning record in the second half of the season since 1997.
STRASBURG is 26-8 (+16.8 Units) against the money line in road games over the last 2 seasons. (Team's Record)
STRASBURG is 39-14 (+20.5 Units) against the money line in road games against division opponents since 1997. (Team's Record)
STRASBURG is 17-4 (+12.7 Units) against the money line in road games after a win over the last 3 seasons. (Team's Record)
STRASBURG is 31-16 (+14.0 Units) against the money line in road games when playing against a team with a winning record since 1997. (Team's Record)
PHILADELPHIA is 58-64 (-19.2 Units) against the money line against division opponents over the last 2 seasons.

Head-to-Head Series History
WASHINGTON is 7-4 (+3.3 Units) against PHILADELPHIA this season
6 of 11 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL this season . (Over=+0.5 Units)

STEPHEN STRASBURG vs. PHILADELPHIA since 1997
STRASBURG is 12-2 when starting against PHILADELPHIA with an ERA of 2.72 and a WHIP of 0.945.
His team's record is 20-5 (+12.7 units) in these starts. The OVER is 12-13. (-1.5 units)

NICK PIVETTA vs. WASHINGTON since 1997
PIVETTA is 0-6 when starting against WASHINGTON with an ERA of 11.15 and a WHIP of 2.315.
His team's record is 0-8 (-9.1 units) in these starts. The UNDER is 2-6. (-4.4 units)

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NY METS (40 - 50) at MIAMI (33 - 55) - 7:10 PM
JASON VARGAS (L) vs. CALEB SMITH (L)
Top Trends for this game.
NY METS are 40-50 (-18.1 Units) against the money line in all games this season.
NY METS are 17-31 (-14.2 Units) against the money line in road games this season.
NY METS are 8-18 (-11.5 Units) against the money line in road games after a loss this season.
VARGAS is 15-31 (-16.8 Units) against the money line on the road when the money line is +125 to -125 since 1997. (Team's Record)
VARGAS is 8-2 (+9.1 Units) against the money line when playing on Friday over the last 2 seasons. (Team's Record)
VARGAS is 101-89 (+26.5 Units) against the money line in night games since 1997. (Team's Record)

Head-to-Head Series History
MIAMI is 3-5 (-0.2 Units) against NY METS this season
5 of 8 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL this season . (Over=+1.7 Units)

JASON VARGAS vs. MIAMI since 1997
VARGAS is 3-1 when starting against MIAMI with an ERA of 3.27 and a WHIP of 1.227.
His team's record is 3-1 (+1.7 units) in these starts. The OVER is 1-3. (-2.5 units)

CALEB SMITH vs. NY METS since 1997
SMITH is 1-0 when starting against NY METS with an ERA of 3.24 and a WHIP of 0.960.
His team's record is 1-2 (-1.0 units) in these starts. The UNDER is 1-2. (-1.4 units)

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SAN FRANCISCO (41 - 48) at MILWAUKEE (47 - 44) - 8:10 PM
SHAUN ANDERSON (R) vs. CHASE ANDERSON (R)
Top Trends for this game.
MILWAUKEE is 149-115 (+21.7 Units) against the money line in all games over the last 2 seasons.
MILWAUKEE is 82-50 (+17.7 Units) against the money line in home games over the last 2 seasons.
MILWAUKEE is 29-16 (+13.5 Units) against the money line when playing on Friday over the last 2 seasons.
MILWAUKEE is 110-79 (+22.1 Units) against the money line against right-handed starters over the last 2 seasons.
MILWAUKEE is 65-48 (+15.2 Units) against the money line after a loss over the last 2 seasons.
MILWAUKEE is 26-31 (-12.2 Units) against the money line in night games this season.

Head-to-Head Series History
SAN FRANCISCO is 2-1 (+1.3 Units) against MILWAUKEE this season
1 of 1 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL this season . (Over=+1.0 Units)

SHAUN ANDERSON vs. MILWAUKEE since 1997
No recent starts.

CHASE ANDERSON vs. SAN FRANCISCO since 1997
ANDERSON is 3-2 when starting against SAN FRANCISCO with an ERA of 4.91 and a WHIP of 1.289.
His team's record is 5-3 (+2.6 units) in these starts. The OVER is 2-5. (-3.6 units)

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ARIZONA (46 - 45) at ST LOUIS (44 - 44) - 8:15 PM
ROBBIE RAY (L) vs. ADAM WAINWRIGHT (R)
Top Trends for this game.
ST LOUIS is 12-3 (+9.4 Units) against the money line at home when the money line is +125 to -125 this season.
ST LOUIS is 517-368 (+60.1 Units) against the money line in home games when playing against a team with a winning record since 1997.
ST LOUIS is 269-176 (+65.6 Units) against the money line in home games when playing against a team with a winning record in the second half of the season since 1997.
WAINWRIGHT is 195-118 (+38.6 Units) against the money line in all games since 1997. (Team's Record)
WAINWRIGHT is 65-34 (+19.8 Units) against the money line when the total is 8 to 8.5 since 1997. (Team's Record)
WAINWRIGHT is 96-51 (+30.6 Units) against the money line after a loss since 1997. (Team's Record)
ARIZONA is 18-10 (+7.2 Units) against the money line when the total is 8 to 8.5 this season.
ARIZONA is 26-23 (+7.6 Units) against the money line in road games this season.
ARIZONA is 8-2 (+6.6 Units) against the money line on the road when the total is 8 to 8.5 this season.
ARIZONA is 17-12 (+7.5 Units) against the money line in road games in night games this season.
ARIZONA is 26-19 (+8.2 Units) against the money line after a win this season.
RAY is 25-14 (+13.2 Units) against the money line in road games over the last 2 seasons. (Team's Record)
RAY is 19-7 (+14.2 Units) against the money line in road games in night games over the last 3 seasons. (Team's Record)

Head-to-Head Series History
There were no past matchups in this series during this time period.

ROBBIE RAY vs. ST LOUIS since 1997
RAY is 1-3 when starting against ST LOUIS with an ERA of 6.10 and a WHIP of 1.742.
His team's record is 1-4 (-3.4 units) in these starts. The UNDER is 2-3. (-1.3 units)

ADAM WAINWRIGHT vs. ARIZONA since 1997
WAINWRIGHT is 8-4 when starting against ARIZONA with an ERA of 2.80 and a WHIP of 1.243.
His team's record is 8-4 (+4.1 units) in these starts. The OVER is 2-10. (-9.3 units)

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CINCINNATI (41 - 46) at COLORADO (44 - 45) - 8:40 PM
SONNY GRAY (R) vs. JON GRAY (R)
Top Trends for this game.
CINCINNATI is 15-33 (-17.0 Units) against the money line on the road when the money line is +125 to -125 over the last 2 seasons.
GRAY is 48-59 (-30.9 Units) against the money line in night games since 1997. (Team's Record)
GRAY is 35-39 (-21.1 Units) against the money line when playing against a team with a losing record since 1997. (Team's Record)
COLORADO is 136-120 (+19.7 Units) against the money line in all games over the last 2 seasons.
COLORADO is 95-76 (+23.4 Units) against the money line in night games over the last 2 seasons.
CINCINNATI is 28-20 (+10.6 Units) against the money line in night games this season.

Head-to-Head Series History
There were no past matchups in this series during this time period.

SONNY GRAY vs. COLORADO since 1997
No recent starts.

JON GRAY vs. CINCINNATI since 1997
GRAY is 4-0 when starting against CINCINNATI with an ERA of 4.76 and a WHIP of 1.588.
His team's record is 4-0 (+4.0 units) in these starts. The OVER is 2-2. (-0.6 units)

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ATLANTA (54 - 37) at SAN DIEGO (45 - 45) - 10:10 PM
DALLAS KEUCHEL (L) vs. DINELSON LAMET (R)
Top Trends for this game.
KEUCHEL is 10-15 (-12.9 Units) against the money line in night games over the last 2 seasons. (Team's Record)
ATLANTA is 54-37 (+11.8 Units) against the money line in all games this season.
ATLANTA is 26-18 (+9.2 Units) against the money line in road games this season.
ATLANTA is 100-79 (+17.5 Units) against the money line in night games over the last 2 seasons.
ATLANTA is 111-76 (+34.5 Units) against the money line against right-handed starters over the last 2 seasons.
ATLANTA is 81-62 (+19.1 Units) against the money line after a win over the last 2 seasons.
SAN DIEGO is 53-73 (-25.6 Units) against the money line in home games over the last 2 seasons.
SAN DIEGO is 20-36 (-19.8 Units) against the money line at home when the total is 8 to 8.5 over the last 2 seasons.
SAN DIEGO is 1-15 (-15.2 Units) against the money line in home games in July games over the last 2 seasons.
SAN DIEGO is 34-57 (-27.7 Units) against the money line in home games in night games over the last 2 seasons.

Head-to-Head Series History
SAN DIEGO is 2-2 (+0.4 Units) against ATLANTA this season
3 of 4 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL this season . (Under=+1.9 Units)

DALLAS KEUCHEL vs. SAN DIEGO since 1997
KEUCHEL is 1-0 when starting against SAN DIEGO with an ERA of 1.29 and a WHIP of 0.786.
His team's record is 1-1 (+0.0 units) in these starts. The OVER is 2-0. (+2.0 units)

DINELSON LAMET vs. ATLANTA since 1997
LAMET is 1-0 when starting against ATLANTA with an ERA of 0.00 and a WHIP of 0.714.
His team's record is 1-0 (+1.0 units) in these starts. The OVER is 0-1. (-1.0 units)

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TORONTO (34 - 57) at NY YANKEES (57 - 31) - 7:05 PM
AARON SANCHEZ (R) vs. DOMINGO GERMAN (R)
Top Trends for this game.
TORONTO is 34-57 (-17.1 Units) against the money line in all games this season.
TORONTO is 105-148 (-43.6 Units) against the money line in night games over the last 3 seasons.
TORONTO is 20-39 (-18.9 Units) against the money line against right-handed starters this season.
TORONTO is 72-110 (-39.8 Units) against the money line after a win over the last 3 seasons.
NY YANKEES are 57-31 (+11.9 Units) against the money line in all games this season.
NY YANKEES are 29-9 (+15.1 Units) against the money line against division opponents this season.
NY YANKEES are 35-10 (+14.9 Units) against the money line in home games after a loss over the last 2 seasons.
TORONTO is 24-18 (+10.7 Units) against the money line when playing on Friday over the last 2 seasons.

Head-to-Head Series History
NY YANKEES is 4-2 (+0.1 Units) against TORONTO this season
3 of 6 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL this season . (Over=-0.3 Units, Under=-0.4 Units)

AARON SANCHEZ vs. NY YANKEES since 1997
SANCHEZ is 1-3 when starting against NY YANKEES with an ERA of 4.42 and a WHIP of 1.500.
His team's record is 1-5 (-4.8 units) in these starts. The UNDER is 4-2. (+1.8 units)

DOMINGO GERMAN vs. TORONTO since 1997
GERMAN is 0-0 when starting against TORONTO with an ERA of 1.50 and a WHIP of 1.000.
His team's record is 1-0 (+1.0 units) in these starts. The UNDER is 1-0. (+1.0 units)

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TAMPA BAY (52 - 39) at BALTIMORE (27 - 62) - 7:05 PM
YONNY CHIRINOS (R) vs. DYLAN BUNDY (R)
Top Trends for this game.
TAMPA BAY is 142-111 (+22.2 Units) against the money line in all games over the last 2 seasons.
TAMPA BAY is 85-55 (+22.1 Units) against the money line after a win over the last 2 seasons.
BALTIMORE is 74-177 (-71.0 Units) against the money line in all games over the last 2 seasons.
BALTIMORE is 35-79 (-33.9 Units) against the money line when the total is 9 to 9.5 over the last 2 seasons.
BALTIMORE is 11-31 (-16.5 Units) against the money line in home games this season.
BALTIMORE is 44-114 (-54.4 Units) against the money line in night games over the last 2 seasons.
BALTIMORE is 43-120 (-59.8 Units) against the money line against right-handed starters over the last 2 seasons.
BALTIMORE is 52-123 (-45.8 Units) against the money line after a loss over the last 2 seasons.
BALTIMORE is 32-97 (-42.8 Units) against the money line when playing against a team with a winning record over the last 2 seasons.
BUNDY is 6-23 (-15.8 Units) against the money line in night games over the last 2 seasons. (Team's Record)
BUNDY is 8-25 (-15.9 Units) against the money line after a loss over the last 2 seasons. (Team's Record)

Head-to-Head Series History
BALTIMORE is 3-5 (+0.7 Units) against TAMPA BAY this season
4 of 7 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL this season . (Over=+0.9 Units)

YONNY CHIRINOS vs. BALTIMORE since 1997
CHIRINOS is 0-2 when starting against BALTIMORE with an ERA of 5.23 and a WHIP of 1.549.
His team's record is 0-2 (-2.8 units) in these starts. The UNDER is 1-1. (-0.1 units)

DYLAN BUNDY vs. TAMPA BAY since 1997
BUNDY is 4-5 when starting against TAMPA BAY with an ERA of 5.76 and a WHIP of 1.332.
His team's record is 5-6 (-0.8 units) in these starts. The UNDER is 3-8. (-6.0 units)

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MINNESOTA (56 - 33) at CLEVELAND (50 - 38) - 7:10 PM
KYLE GIBSON (R) vs. MIKE CLEVINGER (R)
Top Trends for this game.
MINNESOTA is 56-33 (+16.4 Units) against the money line in all games this season.
MINNESOTA is 13-6 (+7.5 Units) against the money line on the road when the money line is +125 to -125 this season.
MINNESOTA is 28-18 (+8.9 Units) against the money line in road games this season.
MINNESOTA is 39-24 (+16.8 Units) against the money line when playing on Friday over the last 3 seasons.
MINNESOTA is 387-400 (+43.1 Units) against the money line in road games against division opponents since 1997.
MINNESOTA is 33-19 (+12.3 Units) against the money line in night games this season.
MINNESOTA is 44-25 (+14.0 Units) against the money line against right-handed starters this season.
MINNESOTA is 24-9 (+13.7 Units) against the money line after a loss this season.
GIBSON is 91-85 (+19.3 Units) against the money line in all games since 1997. (Team's Record)
GIBSON is 24-16 (+12.0 Units) against the money line in road games over the last 2 seasons. (Team's Record)
GIBSON is 25-15 (+18.6 Units) against the money line in road games against division opponents since 1997. (Team's Record)
GIBSON is 55-46 (+18.4 Units) against the money line in night games since 1997. (Team's Record)
CLEVELAND is 141-112 (-29.5 Units) against the money line in all games over the last 2 seasons.
CLEVELAND is 42-41 (-24.0 Units) against the money line when the total is 9 to 9.5 over the last 2 seasons.
CLEVELAND is 20-21 (-16.7 Units) against the money line at home when the total is 9 to 9.5 over the last 2 seasons.
CLEVELAND is 18-21 (-15.9 Units) against the money line when playing on Friday over the last 2 seasons.
CLEVELAND is 80-69 (-29.6 Units) against the money line in night games over the last 2 seasons.
CLEVELAND is 102-80 (-24.1 Units) against the money line against right-handed starters over the last 2 seasons.
CLEVELAND is 75-65 (-25.3 Units) against the money line after a win over the last 2 seasons.
CLEVELAND is 43-49 (-18.6 Units) against the money line when playing against a team with a winning record over the last 2 seasons.
CLEVINGER is 4-11 (-15.0 Units) against the money line when the total is 9 to 9.5 over the last 2 seasons. (Team's Record)
CLEVINGER is 9-13 (-11.4 Units) against the money line in night games over the last 2 seasons. (Team's Record)
CLEVINGER is 5-14 (-16.4 Units) against the money line after a win over the last 2 seasons. (Team's Record)

Head-to-Head Series History
CLEVELAND is 3-3 (-0.1 Units) against MINNESOTA this season
3 of 6 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL this season . (Over=-0.4 Units, Under=-0.1 Units)

KYLE GIBSON vs. CLEVELAND since 1997
GIBSON is 3-9 when starting against CLEVELAND with an ERA of 5.46 and a WHIP of 1.617.
His team's record is 7-11 (+0.4 units) in these starts. The UNDER is 6-12. (-7.5 units)

MIKE CLEVINGER vs. MINNESOTA since 1997
CLEVINGER is 1-1 when starting against MINNESOTA with an ERA of 2.97 and a WHIP of 1.294.
His team's record is 4-3 (-0.0 units) in these starts. The OVER is 2-5. (-3.5 units)

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HOUSTON (57 - 34) at TEXAS (49 - 42) - 8:05 PM
GERRIT COLE (R) vs. JESSE CHAVEZ (R)
Top Trends for this game.
TEXAS is 49-42 (+16.9 Units) against the money line in all games this season.
TEXAS is 30-17 (+17.7 Units) against the money line in home games this season.
TEXAS is 15-7 (+12.5 Units) against the money line in home games against division opponents this season.
TEXAS is 32-28 (+10.6 Units) against the money line in night games this season.
TEXAS is 35-26 (+15.8 Units) against the money line against right-handed starters this season.
TEXAS is 27-20 (+10.4 Units) against the money line after a win this season.
TEXAS is 19-17 (+9.0 Units) against the money line when playing against a team with a winning record this season.
HOUSTON is 137-79 (+32.5 Units) against the money line in road games over the last 3 seasons.
HOUSTON is 44-15 (+21.0 Units) against the money line in road games against division opponents over the last 2 seasons.
HOUSTON is 95-54 (+24.9 Units) against the money line in road games in night games over the last 3 seasons.
TEXAS is 8-19 (-14.4 Units) against the money line in home games in July games over the last 3 seasons.
CHAVEZ is 3-13 (-11.4 Units) against the money line in July games since 1997. (Team's Record)

Head-to-Head Series History
TEXAS is 5-6 (+3.0 Units) against HOUSTON this season
6 of 11 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL this season . (Under=+0.5 Units)

GERRIT COLE vs. TEXAS since 1997
COLE is 4-2 when starting against TEXAS with an ERA of 3.72 and a WHIP of 1.097.
His team's record is 6-2 (+2.0 units) in these starts. The OVER is 3-5. (-2.5 units)

JESSE CHAVEZ vs. HOUSTON since 1997
CHAVEZ is 3-2 when starting against HOUSTON with an ERA of 4.79 and a WHIP of 1.362.
His team's record is 5-4 (+0.9 units) in these starts. The OVER is 6-3. (+2.9 units)

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DETROIT (28 - 57) at KANSAS CITY (30 - 61) - 8:15 PM
SPENCER TURNBULL (R) vs. DANNY DUFFY (L)
There are no Top Trends with records of significance that apply to this game.

Head-to-Head Series History
DETROIT is 6-3 (+2.8 Units) against KANSAS CITY this season
5 of 9 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL this season . (Under=+0.6 Units)

SPENCER TURNBULL vs. KANSAS CITY since 1997
TURNBULL is 0-0 when starting against KANSAS CITY with an ERA of 1.42 and a WHIP of 1.105.
His team's record is 2-1 (+1.0 units) in these starts. The OVER is 1-2. (-1.4 units)

DANNY DUFFY vs. DETROIT since 1997
DUFFY is 8-10 when starting against DETROIT with an ERA of 4.39 and a WHIP of 1.310.
His team's record is 10-13 (-3.0 units) in these starts. The OVER is 11-11. (-0.9 units)

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SEATTLE (39 - 55) at LA ANGELS (45 - 46) - 10:07 PM
MIKE LEAKE (R) vs. TAYLOR COLE (R)
Top Trends for this game.
SEATTLE is 412-372 (-78.7 Units) against the money line when playing against a team with a losing record in the second half of the season since 1997.
LA ANGELS are 70-40 (+17.3 Units) against the money line when playing against a team with a losing record over the last 2 seasons.
SEATTLE is 62-63 (+9.1 Units) against the money line in road games over the last 2 seasons.
SEATTLE is 91-77 (+15.7 Units) against the money line in night games over the last 2 seasons.
SEATTLE is 47-43 (+11.5 Units) against the money line in road games against right-handed starters over the last 2 seasons.
LEAKE is 28-21 (+12.2 Units) against the money line in all games over the last 2 seasons. (Team's Record)
LEAKE is 17-6 (+15.0 Units) against the money line after a loss over the last 2 seasons. (Team's Record)
LA ANGELS are 18-27 (-11.9 Units) against the money line against division opponents this season.
LA ANGELS are 28-36 (-15.2 Units) against the money line in home games after a loss over the last 2 seasons.

Head-to-Head Series History
SEATTLE is 8-5 (+4.3 Units) against LA ANGELS this season
7 of 11 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL this season . (Over=+2.8 Units)

MIKE LEAKE vs. LA ANGELS since 1997
LEAKE is 5-4 when starting against LA ANGELS with an ERA of 3.71 and a WHIP of 1.350.
His team's record is 5-4 (+1.2 units) in these starts. The UNDER is 3-6. (-3.9 units)

TAYLOR COLE vs. SEATTLE since 1997
No recent starts.

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CHI WHITE SOX (42 - 44) at OAKLAND (50 - 41) - 10:07 PM
IVAN NOVA (R) vs. MICHAEL FIERS (R)
Top Trends for this game.
OAKLAND is 147-106 (+41.5 Units) against the money line in all games over the last 2 seasons.
OAKLAND is 57-39 (+16.5 Units) against the money line when the total is 9 to 9.5 over the last 2 seasons.
OAKLAND is 76-49 (+20.7 Units) against the money line in home games over the last 2 seasons.
OAKLAND is 21-10 (+15.2 Units) against the money line in July games over the last 2 seasons.
OAKLAND is 91-69 (+25.6 Units) against the money line in night games over the last 2 seasons.
OAKLAND is 98-74 (+24.2 Units) against the money line against right-handed starters over the last 2 seasons.
OAKLAND is 84-63 (+16.4 Units) against the money line after a win over the last 2 seasons.
OAKLAND is 76-42 (+23.4 Units) against the money line when playing against a team with a losing record over the last 2 seasons.
OAKLAND is 30-8 (+18.5 Units) against the money line when playing against a team with a losing record in the second half of the season over the last 2 seasons.
FIERS is 31-16 (+22.5 Units) against the money line in all games over the last 2 seasons. (Team's Record)
FIERS is 16-8 (+11.6 Units) against the money line when the total is 9 to 9.5 over the last 2 seasons. (Team's Record)
FIERS is 21-6 (+20.4 Units) against the money line in home games over the last 2 seasons. (Team's Record)
FIERS is 22-11 (+17.3 Units) against the money line in night games over the last 2 seasons. (Team's Record)
FIERS is 15-4 (+14.4 Units) against the money line after a win over the last 2 seasons. (Team's Record)
FIERS is 17-7 (+12.4 Units) against the money line when playing against a team with a losing record over the last 2 seasons. (Team's Record)
CHI WHITE SOX are 42-44 (+11.8 Units) against the money line in all games this season.
CHI WHITE SOX are 26-19 (+16.9 Units) against the money line in night games this season.
CHI WHITE SOX are 427-442 (+33.9 Units) against the money line in road games after a win since 1997.

Head-to-Head Series History
There were no past matchups in this series during this time period.

IVAN NOVA vs. OAKLAND since 1997
NOVA is 2-0 when starting against OAKLAND with an ERA of 3.68 and a WHIP of 1.273.
His team's record is 3-1 (+1.7 units) in these starts. The OVER is 2-2. (-0.3 units)

MICHAEL FIERS vs. CHI WHITE SOX since 1997
FIERS is 2-0 when starting against CHI WHITE SOX with an ERA of 2.21 and a WHIP of 1.173.
His team's record is 4-2 (+2.9 units) in these starts. The OVER is 0-5. (-5.2 units)

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LA DODGERS (60 - 32) at BOSTON (49 - 41) - 7:10 PM
KENTA MAEDA (R) vs. EDUARDO RODRIGUEZ (L)
Top Trends for this game.
LA DODGERS are 121-141 (-42.7 Units) against the money line in an inter-league game since 1997.
LA DODGERS are 113-86 (-19.6 Units) against the money line in night games over the last 2 seasons.
LA DODGERS are 17-22 (-22.0 Units) against the money line after 3 or more consecutive losses over the last 3 seasons.
MAEDA is 17-20 (-14.1 Units) against the money line in all games over the last 2 seasons. (Team's Record)
MAEDA is 11-15 (-11.9 Units) against the money line in night games over the last 2 seasons. (Team's Record)
BOSTON is 38-12 (+22.6 Units) against the money line in an inter-league game over the last 3 seasons.
BOSTON is 129-68 (+29.3 Units) against the money line against right-handed starters over the last 2 seasons.
RODRIGUEZ is 33-9 (+23.0 Units) against the money line in all games over the last 2 seasons. (Team's Record)
RODRIGUEZ is 10-0 (+10.5 Units) against the money line in an inter-league game over the last 3 seasons. (Team's Record)
RODRIGUEZ is 26-5 (+19.8 Units) against the money line in night games over the last 2 seasons. (Team's Record)
BOSTON is 49-41 (-15.0 Units) against the money line in all games this season.
BOSTON is 0-7 (-7.4 Units) against the money line at home when the money line is +125 to -125 this season.
BOSTON is 20-20 (-15.7 Units) against the money line in home games this season.
BOSTON is 11-13 (-14.5 Units) against the money line in home games after a win this season.
BOSTON is 15-20 (-9.9 Units) against the money line when playing against a team with a winning record this season.
BOSTON is 243-241 (-62.8 Units) against the money line in home games when playing against a team with a winning record in the second half of the season since 1997.

Head-to-Head Series History
There were no past matchups in this series during this time period.

KENTA MAEDA vs. BOSTON since 1997
No recent starts.

EDUARDO RODRIGUEZ vs. LA DODGERS since 1997
RODRIGUEZ is 0-1 when starting against LA DODGERS with an ERA of 6.30 and a WHIP of 1.500.
His team's record is 1-1 (+0.5 units) in these starts. The OVER is 1-1. (+0.0 units)

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[Udog]

Friday's Diamond Notes
Tony Mejia

Hottest team: Indians (6-0 last six)

After back-to-back 13-0 losses against the Orioles, the Tribe closed out June with a shutout in Baltimore and then rolled in Kansas City and Cincinnati to get to 50 wins by the break. Starting pitching has delivered during the run, while Francisco Lindor has been on a tear. The Indians will be playing at home for the first time since June 26 and have won five of their last six at Progressive Field, home of Tuesday?s All-Star Game.

Cleveland is 25-18 there this season, the fifth-best home record in the American League, and would be the second wild card if the playoffs started today. It sends Mike Clevinger to the mound against the AL Central-leading Twins, who counter with Kyle Gibson. Clevinger (2-2, 4.44 ERA) lost his first two outings upon returning from the injured list after an ankle sprain but struck out nine Royals and pitched six scoreless innings in a 4-0 triumph in Kansas City on July 3. Clevinger has yet to allow a run in 12 innings at home this season and has gone 15-7 there over his career, winning eight of his last 11 decisions. Minnesota righty Kyle Gibson (8-4, 4.09) pitched one inning on short rest last time out (July 7) because the team didn?t want him too have too long a break in between starts. This will be his first outing against the Indians this season. Lindor and Jason Kipnis are a combined 27-for-67 (.402) with a home run against Gibson. Minnesota leads Cleveland by 5.5 games entering this key series. The teams have split their six matchups so far this season.

Coldest team: Rockies (0-6 last six, 4-11 last 15)

The Rockies have been on a rollercoaster most of the season and have yet to win this month, dropping home games against the Dodgers and Astros in addition to suffering a three-game sweep at the hands of the Diamondback to slip back below .500 just before the All-Star break. Colorado opens a seven-game homestand against the Reds and then welcomes the Giants into town, so it should be favored in every game until leaving for New York and a three-game interleague series in the Bronx on July 19. Colorado will be facing Cincinnati for the first time this season and is looking to get back on track offensively after scoring just seven runs over its last four losses.

The Reds send Sonny Gray (5-5, 3.59) to the mound to follow up his most effective start of the season after striking out a dozen Brewers over eight innings in a 3-0 shutout win on July 3. This will be his first-ever start at Denver?s Coors Field after years pitching for American League teams. He?s only faced Rockies catcher Chris Iannetta, Ian Desmond and Daniel Murphy, who are a combined 3-for-28 against him in career at-bats, so we?ll see how he fares in high altitude. Jon Gray (9-6, 3.92), no relation, had won four straight starts prior to a 4-2 loss to the D-backs on July 6 and has surrendered three or fewer runs in his last four starts. He?s 4-1 with a 3.35 ERA in seven appearances at home this season.

Hottest pitcher: Gerrit Cole, Astros (9-5, 3.09 ERA)

Since getting roughed up at home by the White Sox on May 22, Cole has allowed two or fewer earned runs in eight straight starts, striking out 70 batters while walking just 13. Houston has won seven of those eight contests, all of which have seen Cole work at leas six frames. The Rangers have beaten Cole twice this season, but lost 11-4 on Mary 11, the last time they faced him after roughing him up twice in April. Cole has a 6.61 ERA over 16.1 innings against Texas, striking out 29 Rangers. He?ll look to help Houston bounce back from a 5-0 defeat in the series opener on Thursday night. Jesse Chavez (3-4, 3.34), who is working as a conventional starter after initially serving as an opener after beginning the season in the bullpen, has given up four runs in five innings over three appearances against the Astros this season. Despite Thursday?s 5-0 loss, Cole?s presence has led to Houston being Friday?s second-heaviest favorite (-190 at Westgate Superbook).

Coldest pitcher: Aaron Sanchez (3-12, 6.16 ERA)

The Yankees (-270) are Friday?s largest MLB ?chalk? as they send Domingo German (10-2, 3.67) to the mound at Yankee Stadium, where he?s won four of five decisions while posting just a 2.03 ERA. He?s opposed by Toronto?s Sanchez, who has been one of baseball?s worst starters so far, dropping 11 consecutive decisions, including eight in succession. He hasn?t won since April 27 and has pitched in only one Blue Jays? victory over his last 12 appearances After posting a June ERA of 12.00 in dropping all six of his starts last month, Sanchez opened July in promising fashion, giving up just two runs over five frames in a 4-1 loss to Baltimore. He?s only faced New York once this season, surrendering seven runs in a 10-8 loss in the Bronx on June 24. Sanchez has struggled most with Didi Gregorius and Aaron Hicks, who are a combined 10-for-25 (.400) against him with a homer and four RBI. Sanchez has won only once in nine career appearances at Yankee Stadium, prevailing back in 2014, his rookie season.

Biggest OVER run: Pirates (6-1 last seven)

The Bucs took two of three from the Brewers just before the break, which included a 12-2 outburst on Saturday. Rookies Kevin Newman and Bryan Reynolds have continued the hot start to their major-league careers in serving as catalysts while MVP candidate Josh Bell continues to rank among the leading run producers in the game. With less than five games separating the first and last-place teams in the NL Central, Pittsburgh is in the thick of a divisional race, just 2.5 games behind the Cubs and a half-game behind the Cardinals, who they?ll visit after this opening series at Wrigley. Chris Archer faces Yu Darvish to open the series as Pittsburgh looks to get back to .500 if they can post a third straight win. The Pirates beat Chicago in three of four at home to open July, which included an 18-5 rout on the first of the month.

Biggest UNDER run: Marlins (6-0 last six)

The Fish have dropped six of seven and have only scored more than three runs in a game once in July, struggling to mount much offense against the Nats and Braves on the road. They?ll be back home to open action post-All-Star, but games against the Mets in South Florida often feature more New York fans making their voices heard at Marlins Park, although the Mets were swept there from May 17-19, getting shut out in their last two games. Lefties Caleb Smith and Jason Vargas will square off here and the total (8), looks substantial enough to try and get in on the low-side in Friday?s lone matchup featuring a pair of southpaws.

Matchup to watch: Dodgers at Red Sox

Boston has worked its way back into the thick of the playoff race following its brutal start but needs to reverse the trend of losing the majority of its ?statement? games. Against rival New York, the Red Sox are 1-6, having dropped both high-profile games in London. The Astros came into Fenway Park and took two of three, then did the same back in Houston when the teams played in May .

The Red Sox look to get the better of a fellow championship contender with the Dodgers in town for a three-game set in a rematch of last year?s World Series. L.A. owns the best record in baseball, getting to 60 wins first thanks to its brilliant starting pitching and one of baseball?s most productive lineups. The NL MVP is Cody Bellinger?s to lose, and you can imagine he?s itching to rebound after going 1-for-16 against Boston pitching in the Fall Classic, striking out six times and getting caught stealing the only time he managed to get on base. It was a nightmare of a series for the Dodgers? star, who has managed to reach Mike Trout territory in terms of WAR with 70 games remaining.

Eduardo Rodriguez (9-4, 4.65) will get the ball first to try and get the Sox off to a strong start and has helped the team win 13 games in his last 16 outings. He hasn?t faced Bellinger and has just two quality starts since May 15, but only David Price has been sharper among Boston starters. Rodriguez pitched against L.A. in three of the five games in last year?s World Series, allowing four runs in 6.1 innings. The Dodgers counter with Kenta Maeda, who hasn?t won since May 31 but has only given up more than three runs in a single start once in his last 10 appearances. He pitched three scoreless innings in relief against the Red Sox last October.

Betcha didn?t know: Atlanta starters Dallas Keuchel and San Diego?s Dinleson Lamet will be relied upon heavily over the final 70 games and should have fresher arms after starting the season late. Lamet is coming off Tommy John surgery but proved he's back in nearly touching 100 miles per hour in his return, striking out seven Dodgers over five innings in a 5-1 loss. He hopes to get better run support but could be out of luck given Keuchel's early form.

The former Astros' ace has posted consecutive quality starts and enters his fifth start since signing with Atlanta fresh off his longest outing, throwing 108 pitches in 7.1 innings against the Marlins. Keuchel hasn't pitched in San Diego's Petco Park since 2015, throwing eight innings of one-run ball. Current Padres Manny Machado, Eric Hosmer, Ian Kinsler and Wil Myers are a combined 23-for-76 (.302) with a homer and two RBI, all Kinsler's.