BEGINNING MONDAY AUGUST 17
Arizona at Pittsburgh (3) 17th, 18th, 19th
The Bucs are hot (6-3, +$235 last 10 days) and still very much within striking distance of St. Louis in the NL Central. They?ve been a big money-maker here at PNC Park (+$1390) and they swept the Diamondbacks at Chase Field earlier this year (+$300). Arizona is still below .500 and they are no match for a Pittsburgh team with the post-season in its sight. PREFERRED: Pirates in all games.
Miami at Milwaukee (3) 17th, 18th, 19th
The Brewers have cost their backers a fortune in 2015, especially in games played here at Miller Park (-$1610). But we want no part of the Marlins, the worst team in MLB (-$2315 overall) so stay away from this one. PREFERRED: None.
San Francisco at St. Louis (3) 17th, 18th, 19th
The Cardinals have turned a huge profit against righthanders so far this season (+$2470) while posting a losing mark against southpaws (-$290). The Giants have been the exact opposite (-$675 vs. righties, +$710 vs. lefthanders) so play this series accordingly. PREFERRED: Cardinals when righty meets righty/Giants when lefty meets lefty.
Atlanta at San Diego (3) 17th, 18th, 19th
Very little about this match-up hat we find appealing. The Braves have been a lousy team outside of Turner Field (-$945) and their pitching has been particularly bad in recent days (6.84 ERA among starters last 11). But the Padres are a losing proposition at Petco Park (-$975) so caution is advised. PREFERRED: None.
Minnesota at N.Y. Yankees (3) 17th, 18th, 19th
The Yankees took 2 out of 3 at Target Field and they have been sensational in night games here in the Bronx (23-9, +$780). The Twins have lost money when playing on the road this year (-$600 vs. righthanders) and their pitching has been dismal lately (9.23 ERA among starters last 10 days). PREFERRED: Yankees in night games.
Cleveland at Boston (3) 17th, 18th, 19th
The Indians are a solid 15-7 (+$775) vs. righthanders on the road this year, and they?ll be squaring off against a last place Boston team that has lost a fortune vs. righthanders at Fenway (-$825). Cleveland has a trio of righties who match up well with the Red Sox, while Boston ranks near the bottom of the barrel (4.49 team ERA). PREFERRED: Indians when righty meets righty.
Seattle at Texas (3) 17th, 18th, 19th
The Mariners are 6-2 vs. the Rangers in head to head play this year (+$325) and they?ve turned a nice profit against righthanders outside of Safeco Field (+$510). The Rangers have been a hot team in recent days (7-3, +$525 last 10) but their pitching is still lousy (4.50 ERA) and they are in the red here at Arlington (-$470). We should catch some nice underdog prices on the visitor in this one. PREFERRED: Mariners when righty meets righty.
Tampa Bay at Houston (4) 17th, 18th, 19th, 20th
The Rays managed to sweep the Astros in a three game series at Tropicana Field (+$320) and they have an excellent record against lefthanders when playing on the road in night games (7-2, +$625, averaging 5.1 runs per game). They?ll catch some huge underdog prices at Minute Maid Park, and we like their chances of scoring a couple of upsets. PREFERRED: Rays vs. lefthanders.
Chicago W. Sox at L.A. Angels (4) 17th, 18th, 19th, 20th
The Angels need a shot in the arm after a miserable start to the month of August (4-6, -$260 last 10 days) and the White Sox might be just what they need. LA checks in with a 16-9 record vs. southpaws (+$620) and they?ll face a Chicago rotation that is brimming with lefthanders. A good opportunity to make another push for the elusive AL West title. PREFERRED: Angels vs. lefthanders.
BEGINNING TUESDAY AUGUST 18
Washington at Colorado (3) 18th, 19th, 20th
The Nats lost 2 of 3 to the Rockies last weekend, and their road numbers in night games have been horrible (-$1190). But Colorado has been a losing proposition at Coors Field (-$640) so we?ll pass on this one. PREFERRED: None.
Toronto at Philadelphia (2) 18th, 19th
The Phillies have been a money-maker since the All-Star Break and they?ve been profitable in inter-league competition (+$570).The Blue Jays will be prohibitive favorites throughout, so we might get some excellent value on the visiting underdog here at Rogers Centre. PREFERRED: Phillies at +170 or better.
N.Y. Mets at Baltimore (2) 18th, 19th
The Mets are not a team we can trust on the road (-$1655 in night games) while the Orioles are deadly here at Camden Yards (+$935 at night). With two evening contests on tap we?ll stick with Baltimore for the sweep. PREFERRED: Orioles in both games.
Kansas City at Cincinnati (2) 18th, 19th
The Reds are 6-11 vs. AL teams (-$510) while the red-hot Royals have been profitable in inter-league games (+$470). Easy call on the visitor here at Great American. PREFERRED: Royals in both games.
Detroit at Chicago Cubs (2) 18th, 19th
The Cubs are 17-9 in night games here at Wrigley Field (+$705) while the Tigers are only 21-22 (-$885) in night games outside of Comerica. We?ll stick with the contending team vs. a Detroit club going nowhere. PREFERRED: Cubs in both games.
L.A. Dodgers at Oakland (2) 18th, 19th
The Dodgers are risky when playing on the road (-$1715 as visitors) but we?re not enthusiastic about backing the Athletics, who have performed poorly here at the Coliseum (-$1670). We?ll wait until game day before weighing in. PREFERRED: None.
Arizona at Pittsburgh (3) 17th, 18th, 19th
The Bucs are hot (6-3, +$235 last 10 days) and still very much within striking distance of St. Louis in the NL Central. They?ve been a big money-maker here at PNC Park (+$1390) and they swept the Diamondbacks at Chase Field earlier this year (+$300). Arizona is still below .500 and they are no match for a Pittsburgh team with the post-season in its sight. PREFERRED: Pirates in all games.
Miami at Milwaukee (3) 17th, 18th, 19th
The Brewers have cost their backers a fortune in 2015, especially in games played here at Miller Park (-$1610). But we want no part of the Marlins, the worst team in MLB (-$2315 overall) so stay away from this one. PREFERRED: None.
San Francisco at St. Louis (3) 17th, 18th, 19th
The Cardinals have turned a huge profit against righthanders so far this season (+$2470) while posting a losing mark against southpaws (-$290). The Giants have been the exact opposite (-$675 vs. righties, +$710 vs. lefthanders) so play this series accordingly. PREFERRED: Cardinals when righty meets righty/Giants when lefty meets lefty.
Atlanta at San Diego (3) 17th, 18th, 19th
Very little about this match-up hat we find appealing. The Braves have been a lousy team outside of Turner Field (-$945) and their pitching has been particularly bad in recent days (6.84 ERA among starters last 11). But the Padres are a losing proposition at Petco Park (-$975) so caution is advised. PREFERRED: None.
Minnesota at N.Y. Yankees (3) 17th, 18th, 19th
The Yankees took 2 out of 3 at Target Field and they have been sensational in night games here in the Bronx (23-9, +$780). The Twins have lost money when playing on the road this year (-$600 vs. righthanders) and their pitching has been dismal lately (9.23 ERA among starters last 10 days). PREFERRED: Yankees in night games.
Cleveland at Boston (3) 17th, 18th, 19th
The Indians are a solid 15-7 (+$775) vs. righthanders on the road this year, and they?ll be squaring off against a last place Boston team that has lost a fortune vs. righthanders at Fenway (-$825). Cleveland has a trio of righties who match up well with the Red Sox, while Boston ranks near the bottom of the barrel (4.49 team ERA). PREFERRED: Indians when righty meets righty.
Seattle at Texas (3) 17th, 18th, 19th
The Mariners are 6-2 vs. the Rangers in head to head play this year (+$325) and they?ve turned a nice profit against righthanders outside of Safeco Field (+$510). The Rangers have been a hot team in recent days (7-3, +$525 last 10) but their pitching is still lousy (4.50 ERA) and they are in the red here at Arlington (-$470). We should catch some nice underdog prices on the visitor in this one. PREFERRED: Mariners when righty meets righty.
Tampa Bay at Houston (4) 17th, 18th, 19th, 20th
The Rays managed to sweep the Astros in a three game series at Tropicana Field (+$320) and they have an excellent record against lefthanders when playing on the road in night games (7-2, +$625, averaging 5.1 runs per game). They?ll catch some huge underdog prices at Minute Maid Park, and we like their chances of scoring a couple of upsets. PREFERRED: Rays vs. lefthanders.
Chicago W. Sox at L.A. Angels (4) 17th, 18th, 19th, 20th
The Angels need a shot in the arm after a miserable start to the month of August (4-6, -$260 last 10 days) and the White Sox might be just what they need. LA checks in with a 16-9 record vs. southpaws (+$620) and they?ll face a Chicago rotation that is brimming with lefthanders. A good opportunity to make another push for the elusive AL West title. PREFERRED: Angels vs. lefthanders.
BEGINNING TUESDAY AUGUST 18
Washington at Colorado (3) 18th, 19th, 20th
The Nats lost 2 of 3 to the Rockies last weekend, and their road numbers in night games have been horrible (-$1190). But Colorado has been a losing proposition at Coors Field (-$640) so we?ll pass on this one. PREFERRED: None.
Toronto at Philadelphia (2) 18th, 19th
The Phillies have been a money-maker since the All-Star Break and they?ve been profitable in inter-league competition (+$570).The Blue Jays will be prohibitive favorites throughout, so we might get some excellent value on the visiting underdog here at Rogers Centre. PREFERRED: Phillies at +170 or better.
N.Y. Mets at Baltimore (2) 18th, 19th
The Mets are not a team we can trust on the road (-$1655 in night games) while the Orioles are deadly here at Camden Yards (+$935 at night). With two evening contests on tap we?ll stick with Baltimore for the sweep. PREFERRED: Orioles in both games.
Kansas City at Cincinnati (2) 18th, 19th
The Reds are 6-11 vs. AL teams (-$510) while the red-hot Royals have been profitable in inter-league games (+$470). Easy call on the visitor here at Great American. PREFERRED: Royals in both games.
Detroit at Chicago Cubs (2) 18th, 19th
The Cubs are 17-9 in night games here at Wrigley Field (+$705) while the Tigers are only 21-22 (-$885) in night games outside of Comerica. We?ll stick with the contending team vs. a Detroit club going nowhere. PREFERRED: Cubs in both games.
L.A. Dodgers at Oakland (2) 18th, 19th
The Dodgers are risky when playing on the road (-$1715 as visitors) but we?re not enthusiastic about backing the Athletics, who have performed poorly here at the Coliseum (-$1670). We?ll wait until game day before weighing in. PREFERRED: None.
