BASEBALL
BEGINNING THURSDAY, JULY 28
Philadelphia at Pittsburgh (4) 28th, 29th, 30th, 31st
The Phillies have been a profitable road team in 2022 (+$505) and they come into PNC Park with a 3.79 team ERA, 5th best in the National League. The Pirates are the lightest hitting team in the NL (.653 OPS), averaging just 3.6 runs per game at the plate. They’ve lost 8 of their last 10 (-$525). Zack Wheeler (2.79 ERA in 18 starts) and Aaron Nola (3.32) are flashing excellent form, and the Phillies need to take advantage of weak opponents, as they struggle to stay in the post-season mix. BEST BET: Wheeler/Nola.
L.A. Dodgers at Colorado (4) 28th, 29th, 30th, 31st
The Rockies have turned a profit vs. the always over-priced Dodgers (+$210) and they’ve been very formidable when playing here at Coors Field (+$920). The Dodgers are coming off an ugly series vs. the lowly Nats, dropping 2 out of 3 as prohibitive favorites. Colorado has averaged 5.4 runs per game vs. left-handers (+$820), and they’re expected to face a trio of southpaws over the weekend, no doubt at inflated underdog prices. We’ll look to steal some wins from the NL West leader. BEST BET: Rockies vs. left-handers.
Chic. Cubs at San Francisco (4) 28th, 29th, 30th, 31
The Giants won 107 games in 2021, but they’ve just dropped seven in a row (-$900) and are now under .500, with their hopes of a return to post-season fading fast. The Cubs have won every game since the All-Star Break (6-0, +$735, with a 1.75 ERA among starters) and they have a pair of hot righties in Adrian Sampson (+$365, 3.74 ERA) and Marcus Stroman (1.74 last two outings). The Giants have lost a fortune vs. right-handers (-$2025 so far) so grab the road underdog at Oracle Park. BEST BET: Sampson/Stroman.
Kansas City at N.Y. Yankees (4) 28th, 29th, 30th, 31st
The Yankees swept the Royals in a three game series at Kaufman Stadium (+$300) and they could use a soft opponent following two losses to the Mets at CitiField. Kansas City ranks dead last in pitching in the American League (4.69 ERA) and they’ve racked up heavy loses in 2022 (-$1090). Prices will be inflated, but the Yanks are still undefeated vs. left-handers in the Bronx (13-0, +$1300) and they’ll face at least one southpaw this weekend. They are also 16-2 in day games at home (+$1245), so play these games accordingly. BEST BET: Yankees vs. left-handers/Yankees in day games.
Detroit at Toronto (4) 28th, 29th, 30th, 31st
The Blue Jays are 5-1 since the All-Star Break (+$230, averaging 9.2 runs per game), having already taken 2 out of 3 from the Tigers at Comerica. Their offense ranks [NODE="2"]Forum[/NODE] in the AL (.772 OPS) and they have their two most successful pitchers set to take the mound at Rogers Centre. Alex Manoah is a legitimate Cy Young contender (2.24 ERA in 19 starts) and Ross Stripling is having a very solid season (2.94 ERA in 16 starts). The Tigers are averaging just 2.9 runs per game vs. righties (-$735). BEST BET: Manoah/Stripling.
Seattle at Houston (4) 28th, 29th, 30th, 31st
The Mariners bounced back from getting swept by the Astros at T-Mobile last weekend, finishing a sweep of the Rangers yesterday afternoon. They are now a stellar 46-31 vs. right-handers (+$1765) and they’ve been a big money-maker in road games (+$1125). We’ll steer clear of sizzling hot Justin Verlander, but the duo of Logan Gilbert (+$805, 2.85 ERA in 20 starts) and George Kirby (+$185, 3.50) looks like an excellent underdog value. BEST BET: L. Gilbert & Kirby vs. all right-handers except Verlander.
Texas at L.A. Angels (4) 28th, 29th, 30th, 31st
The Angels continue to be an enormous disappointment in 2022 (42-46, -$2365) and they’ve already lost money in head to head play with the Rangers (-$380). But Texas is fading fast in recent days (2-8, -$635 last 10 days) and their pitching is not inspiring (4.10 team ERA). If we catch a price we like we’ll consider taking the road team as an underdog, but we’re content to stay on the sidelines for the time being. BEST BET: None.
BEGINNING THURSDAY, JULY 28
Philadelphia at Pittsburgh (4) 28th, 29th, 30th, 31st
The Phillies have been a profitable road team in 2022 (+$505) and they come into PNC Park with a 3.79 team ERA, 5th best in the National League. The Pirates are the lightest hitting team in the NL (.653 OPS), averaging just 3.6 runs per game at the plate. They’ve lost 8 of their last 10 (-$525). Zack Wheeler (2.79 ERA in 18 starts) and Aaron Nola (3.32) are flashing excellent form, and the Phillies need to take advantage of weak opponents, as they struggle to stay in the post-season mix. BEST BET: Wheeler/Nola.
L.A. Dodgers at Colorado (4) 28th, 29th, 30th, 31st
The Rockies have turned a profit vs. the always over-priced Dodgers (+$210) and they’ve been very formidable when playing here at Coors Field (+$920). The Dodgers are coming off an ugly series vs. the lowly Nats, dropping 2 out of 3 as prohibitive favorites. Colorado has averaged 5.4 runs per game vs. left-handers (+$820), and they’re expected to face a trio of southpaws over the weekend, no doubt at inflated underdog prices. We’ll look to steal some wins from the NL West leader. BEST BET: Rockies vs. left-handers.
Chic. Cubs at San Francisco (4) 28th, 29th, 30th, 31
The Giants won 107 games in 2021, but they’ve just dropped seven in a row (-$900) and are now under .500, with their hopes of a return to post-season fading fast. The Cubs have won every game since the All-Star Break (6-0, +$735, with a 1.75 ERA among starters) and they have a pair of hot righties in Adrian Sampson (+$365, 3.74 ERA) and Marcus Stroman (1.74 last two outings). The Giants have lost a fortune vs. right-handers (-$2025 so far) so grab the road underdog at Oracle Park. BEST BET: Sampson/Stroman.
Kansas City at N.Y. Yankees (4) 28th, 29th, 30th, 31st
The Yankees swept the Royals in a three game series at Kaufman Stadium (+$300) and they could use a soft opponent following two losses to the Mets at CitiField. Kansas City ranks dead last in pitching in the American League (4.69 ERA) and they’ve racked up heavy loses in 2022 (-$1090). Prices will be inflated, but the Yanks are still undefeated vs. left-handers in the Bronx (13-0, +$1300) and they’ll face at least one southpaw this weekend. They are also 16-2 in day games at home (+$1245), so play these games accordingly. BEST BET: Yankees vs. left-handers/Yankees in day games.
Detroit at Toronto (4) 28th, 29th, 30th, 31st
The Blue Jays are 5-1 since the All-Star Break (+$230, averaging 9.2 runs per game), having already taken 2 out of 3 from the Tigers at Comerica. Their offense ranks [NODE="2"]Forum[/NODE] in the AL (.772 OPS) and they have their two most successful pitchers set to take the mound at Rogers Centre. Alex Manoah is a legitimate Cy Young contender (2.24 ERA in 19 starts) and Ross Stripling is having a very solid season (2.94 ERA in 16 starts). The Tigers are averaging just 2.9 runs per game vs. righties (-$735). BEST BET: Manoah/Stripling.
Seattle at Houston (4) 28th, 29th, 30th, 31st
The Mariners bounced back from getting swept by the Astros at T-Mobile last weekend, finishing a sweep of the Rangers yesterday afternoon. They are now a stellar 46-31 vs. right-handers (+$1765) and they’ve been a big money-maker in road games (+$1125). We’ll steer clear of sizzling hot Justin Verlander, but the duo of Logan Gilbert (+$805, 2.85 ERA in 20 starts) and George Kirby (+$185, 3.50) looks like an excellent underdog value. BEST BET: L. Gilbert & Kirby vs. all right-handers except Verlander.
Texas at L.A. Angels (4) 28th, 29th, 30th, 31st
The Angels continue to be an enormous disappointment in 2022 (42-46, -$2365) and they’ve already lost money in head to head play with the Rangers (-$380). But Texas is fading fast in recent days (2-8, -$635 last 10 days) and their pitching is not inspiring (4.10 team ERA). If we catch a price we like we’ll consider taking the road team as an underdog, but we’re content to stay on the sidelines for the time being. BEST BET: None.
