BEGINNING MONDAY, MAY 13
Philadelphia at N.Y. Mets (2) 13th, 14th
N.Y. Mets at Philadelphia (2) 15th, 16th
Unusual four game series, with each team hosting a pair of contests. The Phillies check in here having won 8 of their last 10 (+$330). They have the 2nd best team ERA in the NL (3.29), and they’ve averaged 5.2 runs per game on offense (.760 OPS). The Mets have decent pitching (3.72 ERA), but they’ve been a losing proposition at CitiField (-$490). Philadelphia is 19-6 vs. right-handers (+$1025). BEST BET: Phillies vs. right-handers in road games.
Chicago Cubs at Atlanta (3) 13th, 14th, 15th
Both teams are locked in close division races as they get set to meet in Atlanta. Chicago has three starting pitchers in Shota Imanaga (1.08 ERA), Jameson Taillon (1.13), and Javier Assad (1.70), who have led the Cubs to wins in 16 of their 19 combined starts (+$1420). All of them will be on the mound in this series. The Braves have cooled at the plate, averaging just 3.3 runs per game in the last 10 days. BEST BET: Imanaga/Taillon/Assad.
Pittsburgh at Milwaukee (3) 13th, 14th, 15th
The Pirates continue to fade in the NL Central standings (4-6, -$375 last 10 days) and they face a tough task in this series. The Brewers remain atop the NL Central by a narrow margin. They come into this series with a 21-13 record vs. right-handers (+$990, 5.4 runs per game). Pittsburgh, on the other hand, is only 9-19 vs. righties (-$1190, 3.1 runs per game) go this is a great opportunity for the home team. BEST BET: Brewers when righty meets righty.
Cincinnati at Arizona (3) 13th, 14th, 15th
The Reds have hit the skids in recent days (1-9, -$925 last 10 days) and they now visit the Diamondbacks, who recently swept them at Great American Ballpark (0-3, -$345). We’re not enthusiastic about Arizona, however. Their pitching ranks 11th in the National League (4.23 ERA) and they’ve been a losing proposition here at Chase Field (-$305). We’ll steer clear for now. BEST BET: None.
Colorado at San Diego (3) 13th, 14th, 15th
The Padres are on the upswing, having just taken 2 of 3 from the Dodgers here at Petco Park (7-3, +$475 last 10 days). They’ve done their best work in days games, including a 7-2 mark at home (+$430). The Rockies have a bloated 5.24 team ERA, and they are only 3-16 outside of Coors Field (-$1055). Look for Michael King (0.00 ERA last two outings) to make short work of Austin Gomber in Wednesday’s afternoon finale. BEST BET: Padres in day games.
L.A. Dodgers at San Francisco (3) 13th, 14th, 15th
The 19-23 Giants (-$800 overall) were swept at Chavez Ravine already (0-3, -$300) and they are fading quickly in the NL West. The Dodgers are tightening their grip on 1st place in the division (8-2, +$565 last 10 days). They currently rank first in the National league in pitching (3.17 team ERA), as well as hitting (.784 OPS). Yoshinobu Yamamoto (2.49 ERA) and Gavin Stone (2.61) should fare well at Oracle Park. BEST BET: Yamamoto/Stone.
Toronto at Baltimore (3) 13th, 14th, 15th
The Blue Jays have fallen well off the pace in the AL East race (18-22, -$610) as their pitching falters (4.59 team ERA) and their offense sputters (only 3.6 runs per game). The 1st place Orioles dominated Toronto in head to head play last season (10-3, +$985) and they remain perhaps the most formidable team in the American League (3.34 ERA, .748 OPS). The Blue Jays will be hard pressed to salvage a win at Camden Yards. BEST BET: Orioles in all games.
Tampa Bay at Boston (4) 13th, 14th, 15th, 16th
The Rays annihilated the Red Sox in head to head competition last year (11-2, +$880) and they arrive in Fenway Park having won 6 of their last 9, averaging 5.2 runs per game on offense. However. Boston’s pitching has been the best in baseball (2.75), giving them a huge edge over the inconsistent Tampa Bay rotation (4.43). We’ll keep a close eye on this series as it progresses. BEST BET: None.
Cleveland at Texas (3) 13th, 14th, 15th
The 25-16 Guardians have been very profitable in the early stages of 2024, particularly in road games (+$490), and we like their chances here in Arlington. The Rangers just suffered an embarrassing sweep by the lowly Rockies at Coors Field, and they have been a losing proposition in this ballpark (-$265). Ben Lively has a 2.64 ERA after starting five games for Cleveland, and Tanner Bibee has led the team to victories in 7 of his 8 appearances (+$620). Both should be available at a reasonable price. BEST BET: Bibee/Lively.
Oakland at Houston (4) 13th, 14th, 15th, 16th
The Astros showed signs of life in taking 2 of 3 from the Tigers at Comerica over the weekend. In addition, they dispatched the lowly A’s in 2023 without difficulty (10-3, +$210). However, this Oakland team has been much better, and they’ve been a top money-maker outside of the Coliseum (+$820). Houston has lost a fortune in all venues (-$1625) so the road underdogs looks too tempting. Lefty JP Sears (+$220) has a 3.00 ERA in his last two outings, and makes an appealing choice at Minute Maid Park. BEST BET: Sears.
Kansas City at Seattle (3) 13th, 14th, 15th
The most improved team in MLB has to be the Royals, who hold a 25-17 record in the competitive AL Central (+$905) just a year after losing 106 games. Seattle is currently on top in the AL West and they have solid pitching (3.38 ERA) equivalent to KC’s (3.42). But its difficult to pass up the underdog in this situation, so we’ll look to Brady Singer ($+430, 2.37 ERA in eight starts) and Alec Marsh (+$750, 2.53 in six outings). Both will be available at a generous price, so a split will be profitable. BEST BET: Singer/Marsh.
Miami at Detroit (3) 13th, 14th, 15th
After an unexpected trip to the post-season in 2023, the Marlins entered the season with some optimism. That’s ancient history now for 11-31 Miami (-$1920), who own the NL’s worst OPS (6.29) and the worst pitching as well (5.27 team ERA). There’s nothing to be hopeful for as they visit Comerica. The 20-20 Tigers could use a soft opponent after dropping 7 of their last 10. They have a 6-2 record vs. left-handers (+$470, 5.3 runs per game) and the Miami rotation is loaded with southpaws. BEST BET: Tigers vs. left-handers.
Washington at Chicago W. Sox (3) 13th, 14th, 15th
Despite a sub-.500 record the Nationals continue to turn massive profits (+$1220 so far), something they did in 2023 despite losing 91 games (+$2705). The 12-29 White Sox have been on the upswing in recent days (6-4, +$570 last 10), so caution is advised. Washington has a 5-1 record when facing left-handers on the road (+$900), averaging 6.6 runs per game in those contests. They’ll take on at least one southpaw when Garrett Crochet (4.63 ERA) takes his turn for the home team. BEST BET: Nationals vs. left-handers.
St. Louis at L.A. Angels (3) 13th, 14th, 15th
No turnaround for the Cardinals yet in 2024, following their precipitous fall last season. They’ve lost 8 of their last 10 (-$795) and are once again mired in the NL Central cellar. The Angels couldn’t win when they had a Shohei Ohtani and a healthy Mike Trout. Now they have neither and the results have been predictable (15-26, -$705 overall). We might be inclined to try visitor if the price is right (LA just 3.9 vs. righties), but we’ll pass for now. BEST BET: None.
Philadelphia at N.Y. Mets (2) 13th, 14th
N.Y. Mets at Philadelphia (2) 15th, 16th
Unusual four game series, with each team hosting a pair of contests. The Phillies check in here having won 8 of their last 10 (+$330). They have the 2nd best team ERA in the NL (3.29), and they’ve averaged 5.2 runs per game on offense (.760 OPS). The Mets have decent pitching (3.72 ERA), but they’ve been a losing proposition at CitiField (-$490). Philadelphia is 19-6 vs. right-handers (+$1025). BEST BET: Phillies vs. right-handers in road games.
Chicago Cubs at Atlanta (3) 13th, 14th, 15th
Both teams are locked in close division races as they get set to meet in Atlanta. Chicago has three starting pitchers in Shota Imanaga (1.08 ERA), Jameson Taillon (1.13), and Javier Assad (1.70), who have led the Cubs to wins in 16 of their 19 combined starts (+$1420). All of them will be on the mound in this series. The Braves have cooled at the plate, averaging just 3.3 runs per game in the last 10 days. BEST BET: Imanaga/Taillon/Assad.
Pittsburgh at Milwaukee (3) 13th, 14th, 15th
The Pirates continue to fade in the NL Central standings (4-6, -$375 last 10 days) and they face a tough task in this series. The Brewers remain atop the NL Central by a narrow margin. They come into this series with a 21-13 record vs. right-handers (+$990, 5.4 runs per game). Pittsburgh, on the other hand, is only 9-19 vs. righties (-$1190, 3.1 runs per game) go this is a great opportunity for the home team. BEST BET: Brewers when righty meets righty.
Cincinnati at Arizona (3) 13th, 14th, 15th
The Reds have hit the skids in recent days (1-9, -$925 last 10 days) and they now visit the Diamondbacks, who recently swept them at Great American Ballpark (0-3, -$345). We’re not enthusiastic about Arizona, however. Their pitching ranks 11th in the National League (4.23 ERA) and they’ve been a losing proposition here at Chase Field (-$305). We’ll steer clear for now. BEST BET: None.
Colorado at San Diego (3) 13th, 14th, 15th
The Padres are on the upswing, having just taken 2 of 3 from the Dodgers here at Petco Park (7-3, +$475 last 10 days). They’ve done their best work in days games, including a 7-2 mark at home (+$430). The Rockies have a bloated 5.24 team ERA, and they are only 3-16 outside of Coors Field (-$1055). Look for Michael King (0.00 ERA last two outings) to make short work of Austin Gomber in Wednesday’s afternoon finale. BEST BET: Padres in day games.
L.A. Dodgers at San Francisco (3) 13th, 14th, 15th
The 19-23 Giants (-$800 overall) were swept at Chavez Ravine already (0-3, -$300) and they are fading quickly in the NL West. The Dodgers are tightening their grip on 1st place in the division (8-2, +$565 last 10 days). They currently rank first in the National league in pitching (3.17 team ERA), as well as hitting (.784 OPS). Yoshinobu Yamamoto (2.49 ERA) and Gavin Stone (2.61) should fare well at Oracle Park. BEST BET: Yamamoto/Stone.
Toronto at Baltimore (3) 13th, 14th, 15th
The Blue Jays have fallen well off the pace in the AL East race (18-22, -$610) as their pitching falters (4.59 team ERA) and their offense sputters (only 3.6 runs per game). The 1st place Orioles dominated Toronto in head to head play last season (10-3, +$985) and they remain perhaps the most formidable team in the American League (3.34 ERA, .748 OPS). The Blue Jays will be hard pressed to salvage a win at Camden Yards. BEST BET: Orioles in all games.
Tampa Bay at Boston (4) 13th, 14th, 15th, 16th
The Rays annihilated the Red Sox in head to head competition last year (11-2, +$880) and they arrive in Fenway Park having won 6 of their last 9, averaging 5.2 runs per game on offense. However. Boston’s pitching has been the best in baseball (2.75), giving them a huge edge over the inconsistent Tampa Bay rotation (4.43). We’ll keep a close eye on this series as it progresses. BEST BET: None.
Cleveland at Texas (3) 13th, 14th, 15th
The 25-16 Guardians have been very profitable in the early stages of 2024, particularly in road games (+$490), and we like their chances here in Arlington. The Rangers just suffered an embarrassing sweep by the lowly Rockies at Coors Field, and they have been a losing proposition in this ballpark (-$265). Ben Lively has a 2.64 ERA after starting five games for Cleveland, and Tanner Bibee has led the team to victories in 7 of his 8 appearances (+$620). Both should be available at a reasonable price. BEST BET: Bibee/Lively.
Oakland at Houston (4) 13th, 14th, 15th, 16th
The Astros showed signs of life in taking 2 of 3 from the Tigers at Comerica over the weekend. In addition, they dispatched the lowly A’s in 2023 without difficulty (10-3, +$210). However, this Oakland team has been much better, and they’ve been a top money-maker outside of the Coliseum (+$820). Houston has lost a fortune in all venues (-$1625) so the road underdogs looks too tempting. Lefty JP Sears (+$220) has a 3.00 ERA in his last two outings, and makes an appealing choice at Minute Maid Park. BEST BET: Sears.
Kansas City at Seattle (3) 13th, 14th, 15th
The most improved team in MLB has to be the Royals, who hold a 25-17 record in the competitive AL Central (+$905) just a year after losing 106 games. Seattle is currently on top in the AL West and they have solid pitching (3.38 ERA) equivalent to KC’s (3.42). But its difficult to pass up the underdog in this situation, so we’ll look to Brady Singer ($+430, 2.37 ERA in eight starts) and Alec Marsh (+$750, 2.53 in six outings). Both will be available at a generous price, so a split will be profitable. BEST BET: Singer/Marsh.
Miami at Detroit (3) 13th, 14th, 15th
After an unexpected trip to the post-season in 2023, the Marlins entered the season with some optimism. That’s ancient history now for 11-31 Miami (-$1920), who own the NL’s worst OPS (6.29) and the worst pitching as well (5.27 team ERA). There’s nothing to be hopeful for as they visit Comerica. The 20-20 Tigers could use a soft opponent after dropping 7 of their last 10. They have a 6-2 record vs. left-handers (+$470, 5.3 runs per game) and the Miami rotation is loaded with southpaws. BEST BET: Tigers vs. left-handers.
Washington at Chicago W. Sox (3) 13th, 14th, 15th
Despite a sub-.500 record the Nationals continue to turn massive profits (+$1220 so far), something they did in 2023 despite losing 91 games (+$2705). The 12-29 White Sox have been on the upswing in recent days (6-4, +$570 last 10), so caution is advised. Washington has a 5-1 record when facing left-handers on the road (+$900), averaging 6.6 runs per game in those contests. They’ll take on at least one southpaw when Garrett Crochet (4.63 ERA) takes his turn for the home team. BEST BET: Nationals vs. left-handers.
St. Louis at L.A. Angels (3) 13th, 14th, 15th
No turnaround for the Cardinals yet in 2024, following their precipitous fall last season. They’ve lost 8 of their last 10 (-$795) and are once again mired in the NL Central cellar. The Angels couldn’t win when they had a Shohei Ohtani and a healthy Mike Trout. Now they have neither and the results have been predictable (15-26, -$705 overall). We might be inclined to try visitor if the price is right (LA just 3.9 vs. righties), but we’ll pass for now. BEST BET: None.
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