DAILY BASEBALL SELECTIONS
BEGINNING, THURSDAY, JUNE 16
Milwaukee at L.A. Dodgers (4) 16th, 17th, 18th, 19th
The Brewers have been moving up steadily in the NL Central
standings (6-4, +$190 last 10 days) and they could do well here at
Chavez Ravine. Milwaukee has had success vs. lefthanders in 2016
(+$605, averaging 4.8 runs per game) and the Dodgers have been a
losing proposition in this ballpark (-$545). They are not expected to
face Clayton Kershaw in this series, and all the other LA southpaws
are fair game. The Dodgers are struggling to score runs in 2016
(.232 team BA, averaging just 4.0 runs per game) so we?ll take a
shot with the visiting underdog. BEST BET Brewers vs. lefthanders.
Washington at San Diego (4) 16th, 17th, 18th, 19th
The Nationals have opened up a significant lead in the NL East,
thanks to strong work from their pitching staff (3.23 team ERA, 3rd
best in the league). They?ve been very successful on the road this
year, particularly in night games (15-7, +$715), and they should
handle the last place Padres without much difficulty. San Diego?s
rotation is a mess right now (4.42 ERA) and the club is averaging
just 3.4 runs per game against righthanders. They?ll be facing a
numbers of strong arms at Petco Park this weekend, and their prospects
appear weak. Easy call on the road team in this series. BEST
BET: Righthanders vs. the Padres in night games.
N.Y. Yankees at Minnesota (4) 16th, 17th, 18th, 19th
The Yankees dropped 2 out of 3 to the Tigers in the Bronx last
weekend, but they?ve been playing better in June (7-4, +$255 in
their last 11) and they?ll be sending some capable arms to the hill
at Target Field. The Twins are the worst team in the AL by far
(-$1980 overall with a 5.17 team ERA, averaging just 3.8 runs per
game at the plate) so this is a big opportunity for New York to
make up ground. C.C. Sabathia has been sensational in 2016 (2.28
ERA in 10 starts) and Masahiro Tanaka has been formidable as well
(+$245, 3.08 ERA in 13 outings). Both are expected to appear this
weekend and we?ll be on board. BEST BET: Sabathia/Tanaka.
Detroit at Kansas City (4) 16th, 17th, 18th, 19th
The Tigers have pulled themselves into a dead heat with the Royals
for 2nd place in the AL Central (7-3, +485 last 10 days, averaging
5.2 runs per game), but the Royals are deadly here at Kaufman Stadium
(19-7, +$1130) so caution is advised. Kansas City took 2 of 3
from Detroit in their first meeting, but they?ve been floundering in
recent days (2-8, -$565 in their last 10, averaging just 2.0 runs per
game at the plate) so it?s hard to be enthusiastic. We?ll take a closer
look at this series on game day. BEST BET: None.
BEGINNING, FRIDAY, JUNE 17
Pittsburgh at Chicago Cubs (3) 17th, 18th, 19th
The Cubs continue to dominate the NL as the summer months approach
(43-18, +$910), thanks in large part to the top pitching staff
in MLB (2.62 team ERA). They?ve already taken 5 of 6 from the
Pirates in head to head play (+$390) and Pittsburgh is slumping
badly (3-8, -$675 in their last 11, with a 6.09 ERA among starters).
With Gerrit Cole?s status uncertain, the Bucs could be heading for
hard times. We?ll back the home team throughout, as they look to
extend their division lead. BEST BET: Cubs in all games.
Arizona at Philadelphia (4) 17th, 18th, 19th, 20th
The Diamondbacks are well below .500 but they could do well here
at Citizens Bank in this four game set. They?ve outscored the Phillies
significantly (4.5 runs per game, as opposed to just 3.2 for
the home team) and they?ve been profitable in the role of visitor
(+$775 so far). Zach Greinke has turned things around after a rough
start (+$375, 3.84 ERA) and he should dominate the Phillies? anemic
attack. With Vincent Velasquez on the DL look for the home
team to continue their slide. BEST BET: Greinke.
Colorado at Miami (4) 17th, 18th, 19th, 20th
The Marlins have hovered around the .500 mark for much of the
year, with staff ace Jose Fernandez leading the club to victories in
10 of his first 13 starts (+$560, 2.57 ERA). He?ll command a hefty
price, but the Rockies check in with a 4.85 team ERA, so the visitor
will be badly overmatched. Miami has excelled against lefthanders
in 2016 (9-4, +$890, averaging 4.9 runs per game at the plate) and
they are likely to face a southpaw at some point during this series.
Colorado has had some success outside of Coors Field, but we?ll
give the edge to the Marlins in Miami this weekend. BEST BET: J.
Fernandez/Marlins vs. lefthanders
Atlanta at N.Y. Mets (3) 17th, 18th, 19th
The Mets have fallen off the pace in the NL East as they continue to
struggle at the plate (.233 team BA, averaging 3.7 runs per game)
so they?ll welcome a visit to CitiField by the hapless Braves. Atlanta
has the worst record in MLB this year (18-44, -$1695) and they
are only 1-5 vs. New York in head to head competition (-$290). The
Mets have a trio of formidable young arms in Noah Syndergaard
(2.02 ERA), Jacob deGrom (2.80), and Steven Matz (2.99), all of
whom could be taking turns in this series. Atlanta has scored the
fewest runs in MLB this year (just over 3.0 per game). Prices will
be steep but the Braves will find it difficult to salvage a win this
weekend. BEST BET: Syndergaard/deGrom/Matz.
Toronto at Baltimore (3) 17th, 18th, 19th
The Blue Jays took 3 out of 4 from this team at Rogers Centre
last weekend, but things should be different at Camden Yards. The
Orioles have been dominant in this ballpark, particularly against
righthanders (20-6, +$1285), and they?ll have staff ace Chris Tillman
on the mound. Tillman has led the O?s to victories in 11 of his
13 outings (+$925, 3.01 ERA) and Toronto has the 2nd lowest team
BA in the American League (.240). Look for the Orioles to get the
best of a Toronto pitching staff that continues to struggle (5.20 ERA
last 10 days). BEST BET: Tillman/Orioles vs. righthanders.
Chicago W. Sox at Cleveland (3) 17th, 18th, 19th
The White Sox built a healthy lead in the AL Central early on, but
they?ve unraveled completely (2-7, -$585 last 10 days, averaging
3.3 runs per game at the plate with a 6.88 ERA among starters).
The Indians, on the other hand, has improved dramatically in recent
weeks (8-3, +$530 in their last 11), surging into the division?s top
slot. They?ve already taken 4 of 6 from Chicago in head to head
play (+$270) and they now have the 2nd best team ERA in the
league (3.74). The Tribe does it?s best work in night games (25-14,
+$775) and two of these games are evening contests. A good chance
for Cleveland to pad its lead. BEST BET: Indians in night games.
Seattle at Boston (3) 17th, 18th, 19th
The Red Sox are in a tight race atop the AL East, thanks to the highest
scoring lineup in MLB (.291 team BA, averaging 6.0 runs per
game so far). The Mariners still have the best team ERA in the AL
(3.68) but with Felix Hernandez sidelined they?ll have a hard time
maintaining their standing. Seattle has fallen five games back in the
AL West and they?ve been a losing proposition here at Safeco Field
(-$1120 at home). David Price has looked better in recent outings
(2.40 ERA last two) and he should fare well against a team that has
lost money vs. lefthanders in 2016 (9-12, -$555 so far, averaging
just 4.0 runs per game. BEST BET: Price.
L.A. Angels at Oakland (3) 17th, 18th, 19th
The beleaguered Angels suffered another blow when Mike Trout
was struck on his thumb last Sunday. Though not too serious, it
poses one more concern for a club hobbled by injuries. The team
continues to lose ground (3-7, -$325 last 10 days) as the pitching
staff flounders (4.49 ERA, 3rd worst in the league). But the Athletics
are just as bad if not worse (26-36, -$910 overall, with a 4.62
team ERA) and they are averaging just 2.6 runs per game in recent
days. Not interested in either club at the moment. BEST BET: None.
BEGINNING, THURSDAY, JUNE 16
Milwaukee at L.A. Dodgers (4) 16th, 17th, 18th, 19th
The Brewers have been moving up steadily in the NL Central
standings (6-4, +$190 last 10 days) and they could do well here at
Chavez Ravine. Milwaukee has had success vs. lefthanders in 2016
(+$605, averaging 4.8 runs per game) and the Dodgers have been a
losing proposition in this ballpark (-$545). They are not expected to
face Clayton Kershaw in this series, and all the other LA southpaws
are fair game. The Dodgers are struggling to score runs in 2016
(.232 team BA, averaging just 4.0 runs per game) so we?ll take a
shot with the visiting underdog. BEST BET Brewers vs. lefthanders.
Washington at San Diego (4) 16th, 17th, 18th, 19th
The Nationals have opened up a significant lead in the NL East,
thanks to strong work from their pitching staff (3.23 team ERA, 3rd
best in the league). They?ve been very successful on the road this
year, particularly in night games (15-7, +$715), and they should
handle the last place Padres without much difficulty. San Diego?s
rotation is a mess right now (4.42 ERA) and the club is averaging
just 3.4 runs per game against righthanders. They?ll be facing a
numbers of strong arms at Petco Park this weekend, and their prospects
appear weak. Easy call on the road team in this series. BEST
BET: Righthanders vs. the Padres in night games.
N.Y. Yankees at Minnesota (4) 16th, 17th, 18th, 19th
The Yankees dropped 2 out of 3 to the Tigers in the Bronx last
weekend, but they?ve been playing better in June (7-4, +$255 in
their last 11) and they?ll be sending some capable arms to the hill
at Target Field. The Twins are the worst team in the AL by far
(-$1980 overall with a 5.17 team ERA, averaging just 3.8 runs per
game at the plate) so this is a big opportunity for New York to
make up ground. C.C. Sabathia has been sensational in 2016 (2.28
ERA in 10 starts) and Masahiro Tanaka has been formidable as well
(+$245, 3.08 ERA in 13 outings). Both are expected to appear this
weekend and we?ll be on board. BEST BET: Sabathia/Tanaka.
Detroit at Kansas City (4) 16th, 17th, 18th, 19th
The Tigers have pulled themselves into a dead heat with the Royals
for 2nd place in the AL Central (7-3, +485 last 10 days, averaging
5.2 runs per game), but the Royals are deadly here at Kaufman Stadium
(19-7, +$1130) so caution is advised. Kansas City took 2 of 3
from Detroit in their first meeting, but they?ve been floundering in
recent days (2-8, -$565 in their last 10, averaging just 2.0 runs per
game at the plate) so it?s hard to be enthusiastic. We?ll take a closer
look at this series on game day. BEST BET: None.
BEGINNING, FRIDAY, JUNE 17
Pittsburgh at Chicago Cubs (3) 17th, 18th, 19th
The Cubs continue to dominate the NL as the summer months approach
(43-18, +$910), thanks in large part to the top pitching staff
in MLB (2.62 team ERA). They?ve already taken 5 of 6 from the
Pirates in head to head play (+$390) and Pittsburgh is slumping
badly (3-8, -$675 in their last 11, with a 6.09 ERA among starters).
With Gerrit Cole?s status uncertain, the Bucs could be heading for
hard times. We?ll back the home team throughout, as they look to
extend their division lead. BEST BET: Cubs in all games.
Arizona at Philadelphia (4) 17th, 18th, 19th, 20th
The Diamondbacks are well below .500 but they could do well here
at Citizens Bank in this four game set. They?ve outscored the Phillies
significantly (4.5 runs per game, as opposed to just 3.2 for
the home team) and they?ve been profitable in the role of visitor
(+$775 so far). Zach Greinke has turned things around after a rough
start (+$375, 3.84 ERA) and he should dominate the Phillies? anemic
attack. With Vincent Velasquez on the DL look for the home
team to continue their slide. BEST BET: Greinke.
Colorado at Miami (4) 17th, 18th, 19th, 20th
The Marlins have hovered around the .500 mark for much of the
year, with staff ace Jose Fernandez leading the club to victories in
10 of his first 13 starts (+$560, 2.57 ERA). He?ll command a hefty
price, but the Rockies check in with a 4.85 team ERA, so the visitor
will be badly overmatched. Miami has excelled against lefthanders
in 2016 (9-4, +$890, averaging 4.9 runs per game at the plate) and
they are likely to face a southpaw at some point during this series.
Colorado has had some success outside of Coors Field, but we?ll
give the edge to the Marlins in Miami this weekend. BEST BET: J.
Fernandez/Marlins vs. lefthanders
Atlanta at N.Y. Mets (3) 17th, 18th, 19th
The Mets have fallen off the pace in the NL East as they continue to
struggle at the plate (.233 team BA, averaging 3.7 runs per game)
so they?ll welcome a visit to CitiField by the hapless Braves. Atlanta
has the worst record in MLB this year (18-44, -$1695) and they
are only 1-5 vs. New York in head to head competition (-$290). The
Mets have a trio of formidable young arms in Noah Syndergaard
(2.02 ERA), Jacob deGrom (2.80), and Steven Matz (2.99), all of
whom could be taking turns in this series. Atlanta has scored the
fewest runs in MLB this year (just over 3.0 per game). Prices will
be steep but the Braves will find it difficult to salvage a win this
weekend. BEST BET: Syndergaard/deGrom/Matz.
Toronto at Baltimore (3) 17th, 18th, 19th
The Blue Jays took 3 out of 4 from this team at Rogers Centre
last weekend, but things should be different at Camden Yards. The
Orioles have been dominant in this ballpark, particularly against
righthanders (20-6, +$1285), and they?ll have staff ace Chris Tillman
on the mound. Tillman has led the O?s to victories in 11 of his
13 outings (+$925, 3.01 ERA) and Toronto has the 2nd lowest team
BA in the American League (.240). Look for the Orioles to get the
best of a Toronto pitching staff that continues to struggle (5.20 ERA
last 10 days). BEST BET: Tillman/Orioles vs. righthanders.
Chicago W. Sox at Cleveland (3) 17th, 18th, 19th
The White Sox built a healthy lead in the AL Central early on, but
they?ve unraveled completely (2-7, -$585 last 10 days, averaging
3.3 runs per game at the plate with a 6.88 ERA among starters).
The Indians, on the other hand, has improved dramatically in recent
weeks (8-3, +$530 in their last 11), surging into the division?s top
slot. They?ve already taken 4 of 6 from Chicago in head to head
play (+$270) and they now have the 2nd best team ERA in the
league (3.74). The Tribe does it?s best work in night games (25-14,
+$775) and two of these games are evening contests. A good chance
for Cleveland to pad its lead. BEST BET: Indians in night games.
Seattle at Boston (3) 17th, 18th, 19th
The Red Sox are in a tight race atop the AL East, thanks to the highest
scoring lineup in MLB (.291 team BA, averaging 6.0 runs per
game so far). The Mariners still have the best team ERA in the AL
(3.68) but with Felix Hernandez sidelined they?ll have a hard time
maintaining their standing. Seattle has fallen five games back in the
AL West and they?ve been a losing proposition here at Safeco Field
(-$1120 at home). David Price has looked better in recent outings
(2.40 ERA last two) and he should fare well against a team that has
lost money vs. lefthanders in 2016 (9-12, -$555 so far, averaging
just 4.0 runs per game. BEST BET: Price.
L.A. Angels at Oakland (3) 17th, 18th, 19th
The beleaguered Angels suffered another blow when Mike Trout
was struck on his thumb last Sunday. Though not too serious, it
poses one more concern for a club hobbled by injuries. The team
continues to lose ground (3-7, -$325 last 10 days) as the pitching
staff flounders (4.49 ERA, 3rd worst in the league). But the Athletics
are just as bad if not worse (26-36, -$910 overall, with a 4.62
team ERA) and they are averaging just 2.6 runs per game in recent
days. Not interested in either club at the moment. BEST BET: None.
