01:10 PM MLB [916] TOTAL u7.5 -110 (Chicago White Sox vrs Detroit Tigers) (Sale/Verlander)
01:35 PM MLB [918] TOTAL u10+100 (Tampa Bay Rays vrs Boston Red Sox) (Smyly/Wright)
02:10 PM MLB [922] Houston Astros -220 ( R Detwiler/Fiers)
1 unit bet pays 4.55 ....betdsi line....nite time parlay later
MLB parlays: 14-144, -33.49 units (risk 1 unit each pick)... winner #1 posted here......winner #2 posted here....winner #3 and nice winner #4... and small reduced winner #5, winner #6 paid 5.07 units...winner #7...and here is winner #8...and then winner #9....after long dry spell, hit four teamer on July 4th.....and another long dry spell, hit five teamer on July 23rd....yet another long dry spell, hit four teamer on Aug 17...hit nice daytime five teamer on Aug 18....won small daytime three teamer on Aug 24..
Goood luck everyone!! :firing: :toast:
:0074
under CWS/Det - should be nice pitcher duel. This HP ump works well with aces. Verlander's ERA is dropping of late and CWS not seen him in a while
under TB/Bos - Smyly good of late, esp vs Boston...TB not seen Wright, who was very good in last 5 innings of last game. And a fine ump for an under.
ripped, cut and pasted, otherwise written by others, from across the internets:
Chicago / Detroit Under 7.5
'm on the under here in this one...Going up against Sale is never an easy out...Tigers at times can go cold and the loss of Maybin Might hurt this offense here today...Sale is usually strong in most outings and his last two games he has gone very deep inning wise....He is coming off a loss and that gives him motivation...He also went against the Tigers in Detroit in the beginning of August...He only allowed 2 ER in 8 full...I think he will be rather confident here...Tigers will send out verlander and i must say it's nice to see him back to his old self again..I thought he was dead and gone the last two years...Well he is back and has some good numbers...Verlander hasn't allowed 4 runs or more since June...His last 10 starts he is giving up 2ER on avg...His ERA has dropped over the last 10 games to a season low of 3.33....CWS hasn't had a look at Verlander since June 5th...I'm not sold the Soz can get to Verlander in his current form...Hits might be tough here let alone runs..I'm on the under above the key of 7.
Cincinnati vs. Los Angeles
Pick: Los Angeles
The LA Angels and Cincinnati Reds opened a three-game IL series Monday night in Anaheim. The teams began the series with similar records, the Reds checking in at 55-74 and the Angels at 56-74. However, as the teams meet Wednesday in the final game of the series, the Angels will look to complete after a sweep after winning 9-2 (Monday) and 4-2 (Tuesday).
The pitching matchup will feature Brandon Finnegan (8-9, 4.27 ERA) against Ricky Nolasco (4-12, 5.24 ERA), who was acquired by the Angels from the Twins at the trading deadline. Finnegan pitched out of KC's bullpen back in 2014 but has been a starter for the Reds in 2015 and 2016. Finnegan enters this game off back-to-back excellent efforts. He took a no-hitter into the seventh inning of an 11-1 rout of the Dodgers on August 20, then amassed a career-high 12 strikeouts in six innings while allowing just two runs, two walks and three hits in a no-decision this past Friday against Arizona, for his FIFTH quality start in six appearances (D'backs won 4-3 in 11 innings).
As for Nolasco, he has been a major disappointment since being acquired from Minnesota, going 0-4 with a 5.70 ERA in five starts (Angels are 0-5). His last victory came all the way back on July 9 when he was still with the Twins. Finnegan makes his first career start against the Angels, while Nolasco is 3-2 with a 5.28 ERA in 10 career starts vs the Reds (teams are 3-7).
It's hard to be too confident with Nolasco but Cincy has now lost SEVEN of nine, while LA has won SIX of its last seven. What's more, the Reds are an awful 23-43 on the road in 2016. The bet is that the Angels complete the sweep.
Miami at New York
Play: Miami
Big time NL East game between the 67-65 Marlins and the 68-64 Mets. Marlins have dropped 4 games in a row and are desperate to get a win tonight versus the Mets who are 8-2 in their last 10 games and just 2.5 behind the Cardinals for the last Wild card spot in the N.L. The Marlins have the pitching advantage in David Phelps he is 7-6 with a 2.52 ERA. He is coming off a terrible start we he only last 3.2 innings and gave up 4 runs so he comes in super motivated tonight and so does the team.
The Royals may have had their momentum side-tracked for a moment last night but in defeat they were competitive to the final pitch, and their run is still at 18-5, with three of the five defeats coming when they were up against Chris Sale, David Price and Jose Fernandez. They do not see anywhere near that level from Luis Cessa tonight, and with Ian Kennedy showing something when placed under the microscope there is solid value to #928 Kansas City (8:15 Eastern), with this one good up to -135.
Cessa has won his first two starts since being moved into the rotation to push his season line to 4-0/4.11, but there is nothing to get carried away with ? it has been a .207 BABIP for 30.2 innings playing to his favor, and in both starts that category checked in at .200. He has not built the stamina up to offer more than six innings here even if he brings his best stuff, and there are real bullpen issues for Joe Girardi, with Dellin Betances off of two full innings last night and Tyler Clippard needing 34 pitches to get through 1.2.
Meanwhile I was prepared to not like Kennedy in his recent outings , perceiving his positive run to be a case of Kaufman being a good fit for him, and fearing his fly-ball counts getting him into trouble against some tough customers on the road. But Kennedy showed command and confidence in recording 13 strikeouts over 12 innings of road wins against the Red Sox and Tigers, and when you add a solid showing at Texas in a no-decision a month ago it tells us that he really has stepped his game up. In his only two home starts in August he allowed just one run over 14.1 innings, so that form can continue here, and note that while the Yankee bullpen keys suffered some wear on Tuesday, Kelvin Herrera got the night off for the Royals and will be all set to close this one out.
Item: The Reds lost their way on the road (and in particular why that matters)
I lost a couple of tickets trying to back the Cincinnati offense on Sunday/Monday, and in doing so the Post-Mortem was not pretty. There was a logic that came into play, however, and while I did not expect it at the time it is something that should be a part of your MLB late-season processes.
Before leaving for a non-division road trip the Reds were 22-15 since the All Star break, and put together a 6-4 homestand against contenders Miami, Los Angeles and Texass. The surge was not enough to create anything more than a battle for last place with Milwaukee in the N.L. Central, but the energy seemed high enough to maintain, and when they scored 16 runs in splitting the first two games at Arizona I believed that energy was still there. But one of the danger zones for MLB teams are late-season road games outside of the division that have no impact on the standings. While I do maintain that hitters go hard to the final pitch of the season, every at-bat worth $$$ as statistics are compiled for contracts, there can be a ?team? element lacking ? the hitters are out there more to make something happen for themselves by swinging the bat, rather than taking a walk to aid the scoreboard cause. That has come front and center with the Cincinnati lineup.
Over the last three games there have been 103 trips to the batter?s box by the Reds, and they only drew two walks. One came from pinch-hitter Tyler Holt in the 9th inning vs. Jose Valdez on Monday, and the other from Billy Hamilton in the 9th against Fernando Salas last night. That is a rather dubious ratio, the MLB average calling for 8.3 free passes over a routine sample. In this instance one must also factor into the equation that on Sunday they faced the struggling Archie Bradley, and of the 111 pitchers that have worked at least 110 innings this season, he rates #109 in BB/9. Bradley did not walk a batter for the first time in his career (I do not register a start at Colorado in which he only faced six batters).
I usually downplay the notion of players going flat late because of the financial issues noted above ? there are few letdowns in the batter?s box. But there is a team aspect that can come into play ? when players are more focused on their own numbers than the scoreboard it can mean taking fewer walks, and also not hitting behind runners when the situation calls for it, two items that do impact team production. If you are fighting for a playoff spot, and there is a runner on second with no outs, you are willing to lose some batting average on a ground-out that moves the runner to third, the rewards of the playoffs making it worthwhile. But when a team is 20 games under .500, a batter becomes less likely to sacrifice his personal statistics for the good of the team. That is a handicapping notion to be aware of down the stretch.
Hottest team: Angels (7-3 last 10)
It?s been a lost season for the Halos, who sit 16 games below .500 with five weeks remaining. However, Los Angeles has heated up by winning six of seven, including taking the first two games of its series against Cincinnati. The pitching has been fantastic in this recent stretch, allowing two runs or fewer five times, while capturing road series victories against the Blue Jays and Tigers. Each of the last three starting pitchers (Tyler Skaggs, Matt Shoemaker, and Jered Weaver) has tossed quality outings, as Ricky Nolasco heads to the mound tonight. Nolasco is winless in his last five starts for the Angels, as they go for the sweep of the Reds.
Coldest team: Mariners (2-8 last 10)
Seattle has fallen apart at the wrong time as the M?s look to avoid a sweep against the AL West-leading Rangers this afternoon. The Mariners rallied from a 4-0 deficit against Cole Hamels on Tuesday to take a 6-4 advantage at Texas, but the bullpen fell apart late in an 8-7 defeat. Seattle has lost five of six games on its current road trip with the only victory coming from the arm of ace Felix Hernandez at Chicago last Friday. King Felix heads to the hill today as the M?s own a sparking 7-1 record in his past eight starts since getting activated from the disabled list in July.
Hottest pitcher: Ian Kennedy, Royals (9-9, 3.57 ERA)
Kansas City suffered only its fifth loss in its last 23 games in Tuesday?s extra-innings setback to New York. Kennedy went through a stretch of seven consecutive starts from July through early August without a victory, but has turned it around recently. The Kansas City right-hander is unbeaten in his past four trips to the mound, while allowing five earned runs in his last seven starts. Kennedy owns impressive road victories at Boston and Detroit this month, while Kansas City has won six of his last eight home starts.
Coldest pitcher: Yovani Gallardo, Orioles (4-6, 5.69 ERA)
Gallardo is going through his worst season on the Major League level, owning an ERA of 5.69, more than 1.50 runs higher than his previous poorest campaign in 2013. The right-hander allowed a season-high eight runs (seven earned) in less than two innings in his previous outing against the Yankees in a 14-4 setback. Gallardo is winless in his last four starts, including home losses to the Astros and Red Sox this month. The Orioles start Wednesday?s action sitting three games behind the Blue Jays in the AL East as Gallardo has split a pair of starts against Toronto this season.
Biggest UNDER run: Indians (4-0 last four)
One of the toughest total losses of the season happened in Cleveland on Tuesday, as the Twins and Indians went UNDER the total of 10 in a 5-4 Tribe victory. What made it so tough was the two AL Central rivals were tied at 4-4 after two innings, but combined for one run in the final seven innings as Cleveland sent Minnesota to its 12th straight loss. Cleveland?s offense has struggled over the last nine games, scoring more than one run only twice. Corey Kluber takes the mound tonight as a heavy favorite against Minnesota, as the Indians have gone UNDER the total in four of his last six starts against the Twins since 2015.
Biggest OVER run: Braves (6-0 last six)
Atlanta?s offense has performed better over the last few months since a horrible start to the season. The Braves have plated at least six runs in four straight home games, including a seven-spot in Tuesday?s win over the Padres. Atlanta?s pitching fared well last night by allowing three runs to San Diego, but the Braves have yielded at least six runs in five of their past six games at Turner Field. Matt Wisler is coming off a fantastic effort against Arizona in his last outing by scattering two hits in eight innings of a 3-1 win, but the Atlanta right-hander had allowed at least six runs in his previous four outings.
Matchup to watch: Marlins vs. Mets
Miami?s offense is tanking at the wrong time after being held to fewer than four runs in its fourth straight game, all losses. The Marlins jumped out to an early 2-0 advantage against the Mets last night, but allowed three runs in the bottom of the first and never recovered in a 7-4 defeat. The two NL East rivals play the third of a four-game series tonight at Citi Field as the Mets sit 2 ? games behind the Cardinals for the second Wild Card position in the National League.
The Mets are surging at the right time by winning eight of their past 10 games as Bartolo Colon takes the mound tonight. Colon is fresh off back-to-back victories over the Giants and Phillies, while the Mets are 5-2 against the Marlins in his last seven starts since 2015. David Phelps counters for Miami, as the Marlins have won four of the right-hander?s five starts this month. The Marlins own a perfect 3-0 mark in Phelps? three August road starts, including solid performances at Cincinnati and Pittsburgh.
Betcha didn?t know: The Cubs go for the three-game sweep of the Pirates at Wrigley Field, as Jason Hammel looks to continue his home domination for Chicago. Hammel has beaten Pittsburgh twice this season, but what?s more impressive is the right-hander not allowing a run in his last three home starts, a span of 20 scoreless innings. The Cubs own a perfect 5-0 record at Wrigley Field when Hammel takes the mound since the All-Star break, while Chicago has posted an 18-3 mark in its past 21 games on the North Side overall.
About Last Night?
Want a direct comparison between team hustle and doing the little things, and a team playing for individual accomplishments? Off of the sparkler from Kyle Hendricks and the Chicago defense last night, the Cubs are now allowing a .248 BABIP since the All Star break. That is an astonishing number, with MLB at .295 in that span, and the second-place team being Detroit, at a solid .273 that is still quite a distance away.
This defense was a lead topic here two months ago but as the season goes on the Cubs are actually getting better, instead of having the numbers flatten out. What is particularly intriguing behind that is Joe Maddon using shifts less often than he did at Tampa, but while the alignments have not been overly pronounced, the scouting reports and the positioning of the defenders has been a major factor in that 84-47 record being compiled.
This is putting a unique pressure on the Cy Young voters ? Hendricks now sports the best ERA in MLB at 2.09, with only Madison Bumgarner (2.49) and Noah Syndergaard (2.55) within a half run of him. Will voters have the savvy to grasp the difference between a pitcher?s own merits, and that of the defense behind him? No fault to Hendricks, but those legs, gloves and hands in the field have played such a major role.
Item: The Reds lost their way on the road (and in particular why that matters)
I lost a couple of tickets trying to back the Cincinnati offense on Sunday/Monday, and in doing so the Post-Mortem was not pretty. There was a logic that came into play, however, and while I did not expect it at the time it is something that should be a part of your MLB late-season processes.
Before leaving for a non-division road trip the Reds were 22-15 since the All Star break, and put together a 6-4 homestand against contenders Miami, Los Angeles and Texass. The surge was not enough to create anything more than a battle for last place with Milwaukee in the N.L. Central, but the energy seemed high enough to maintain, and when they scored 16 runs in splitting the first two games at Arizona I believed that energy was still there. But one of the danger zones for MLB teams are late-season road games outside of the division that have no impact on the standings. While I do maintain that hitters go hard to the final pitch of the season, every at-bat worth $$$ as statistics are compiled for contracts, there can be a ?team? element lacking ? the hitters are out there more to make something happen for themselves by swinging the bat, rather than taking a walk to aid the scoreboard cause. That has come front and center with the Cincinnati lineup.
Over the last three games there have been 103 trips to the batter?s box by the Reds, and they only drew two walks. One came from pinch-hitter Tyler Holt in the 9th inning vs. Jose Valdez on Monday, and the other from Billy Hamilton in the 9th against Fernando Salas last night. That is a rather dubious ratio, the MLB average calling for 8.3 free passes over a routine sample. In this instance one must also factor into the equation that on Sunday they faced the struggling Archie Bradley, and of the 111 pitchers that have worked at least 110 innings this season, he rates #109 in BB/9. Bradley did not walk a batter for the first time in his career (I do not register a start at Colorado in which he only faced six batters).
I usually downplay the notion of players going flat late because of the financial issues noted above ? there are few letdowns in the batter?s box. But there is a team aspect that can come into play ? when players are more focused on their own numbers than the scoreboard it can mean taking fewer walks, and also not hitting behind runners when the situation calls for it, two items that do impact team production. If you are fighting for a playoff spot, and there is a runner on second with no outs, you are willing to lose some batting average on a ground-out that moves the runner to third, the rewards of the playoffs making it worthwhile. But when a team is 20 games under .500, a batter becomes less likely to sacrifice his personal statistics for the good of the team. That is a handicapping notion to be aware of down the stretch.
About Last Night?
Want a direct comparison between team hustle and doing the little things, and a team playing for individual accomplishments? Off of the sparkler from Kyle Hendricks and the Chicago defense last night, the Cubs are now allowing a .248 BABIP since the All Star break. That is an astonishing number, with MLB at .295 in that span, and the second-place team being Detroit, at a solid .273 that is still quite a distance away.
This defense was a lead topic here two months ago but as the season goes on the Cubs are actually getting better, instead of having the numbers flatten out. What is particularly intriguing behind that is Joe Maddon using shifts less often than he did at Tampa, but while the alignments have not been overly pronounced, the scouting reports and the positioning of the defenders has been a major factor in that 84-47 record being compiled.
This is putting a unique pressure on the Cy Young voters ? Hendricks now sports the best ERA in MLB at 2.09, with only Madison Bumgarner (2.49) and Noah Syndergaard (2.55) within a half run of him. Will voters have the savvy to grasp the difference between a pitcher?s own merits, and that of the defense behind him? No fault to Hendricks, but those legs, gloves and hands in the field have played such a major role.
01:35 PM MLB [918] TOTAL u10+100 (Tampa Bay Rays vrs Boston Red Sox) (Smyly/Wright)
02:10 PM MLB [922] Houston Astros -220 ( R Detwiler/Fiers)
1 unit bet pays 4.55 ....betdsi line....nite time parlay later
MLB parlays: 14-144, -33.49 units (risk 1 unit each pick)... winner #1 posted here......winner #2 posted here....winner #3 and nice winner #4... and small reduced winner #5, winner #6 paid 5.07 units...winner #7...and here is winner #8...and then winner #9....after long dry spell, hit four teamer on July 4th.....and another long dry spell, hit five teamer on July 23rd....yet another long dry spell, hit four teamer on Aug 17...hit nice daytime five teamer on Aug 18....won small daytime three teamer on Aug 24..
Goood luck everyone!! :firing: :toast:
under CWS/Det - should be nice pitcher duel. This HP ump works well with aces. Verlander's ERA is dropping of late and CWS not seen him in a while
under TB/Bos - Smyly good of late, esp vs Boston...TB not seen Wright, who was very good in last 5 innings of last game. And a fine ump for an under.
ripped, cut and pasted, otherwise written by others, from across the internets:
Chicago / Detroit Under 7.5
'm on the under here in this one...Going up against Sale is never an easy out...Tigers at times can go cold and the loss of Maybin Might hurt this offense here today...Sale is usually strong in most outings and his last two games he has gone very deep inning wise....He is coming off a loss and that gives him motivation...He also went against the Tigers in Detroit in the beginning of August...He only allowed 2 ER in 8 full...I think he will be rather confident here...Tigers will send out verlander and i must say it's nice to see him back to his old self again..I thought he was dead and gone the last two years...Well he is back and has some good numbers...Verlander hasn't allowed 4 runs or more since June...His last 10 starts he is giving up 2ER on avg...His ERA has dropped over the last 10 games to a season low of 3.33....CWS hasn't had a look at Verlander since June 5th...I'm not sold the Soz can get to Verlander in his current form...Hits might be tough here let alone runs..I'm on the under above the key of 7.
Cincinnati vs. Los Angeles
Pick: Los Angeles
The LA Angels and Cincinnati Reds opened a three-game IL series Monday night in Anaheim. The teams began the series with similar records, the Reds checking in at 55-74 and the Angels at 56-74. However, as the teams meet Wednesday in the final game of the series, the Angels will look to complete after a sweep after winning 9-2 (Monday) and 4-2 (Tuesday).
The pitching matchup will feature Brandon Finnegan (8-9, 4.27 ERA) against Ricky Nolasco (4-12, 5.24 ERA), who was acquired by the Angels from the Twins at the trading deadline. Finnegan pitched out of KC's bullpen back in 2014 but has been a starter for the Reds in 2015 and 2016. Finnegan enters this game off back-to-back excellent efforts. He took a no-hitter into the seventh inning of an 11-1 rout of the Dodgers on August 20, then amassed a career-high 12 strikeouts in six innings while allowing just two runs, two walks and three hits in a no-decision this past Friday against Arizona, for his FIFTH quality start in six appearances (D'backs won 4-3 in 11 innings).
As for Nolasco, he has been a major disappointment since being acquired from Minnesota, going 0-4 with a 5.70 ERA in five starts (Angels are 0-5). His last victory came all the way back on July 9 when he was still with the Twins. Finnegan makes his first career start against the Angels, while Nolasco is 3-2 with a 5.28 ERA in 10 career starts vs the Reds (teams are 3-7).
It's hard to be too confident with Nolasco but Cincy has now lost SEVEN of nine, while LA has won SIX of its last seven. What's more, the Reds are an awful 23-43 on the road in 2016. The bet is that the Angels complete the sweep.
Miami at New York
Play: Miami
Big time NL East game between the 67-65 Marlins and the 68-64 Mets. Marlins have dropped 4 games in a row and are desperate to get a win tonight versus the Mets who are 8-2 in their last 10 games and just 2.5 behind the Cardinals for the last Wild card spot in the N.L. The Marlins have the pitching advantage in David Phelps he is 7-6 with a 2.52 ERA. He is coming off a terrible start we he only last 3.2 innings and gave up 4 runs so he comes in super motivated tonight and so does the team.
The Royals may have had their momentum side-tracked for a moment last night but in defeat they were competitive to the final pitch, and their run is still at 18-5, with three of the five defeats coming when they were up against Chris Sale, David Price and Jose Fernandez. They do not see anywhere near that level from Luis Cessa tonight, and with Ian Kennedy showing something when placed under the microscope there is solid value to #928 Kansas City (8:15 Eastern), with this one good up to -135.
Cessa has won his first two starts since being moved into the rotation to push his season line to 4-0/4.11, but there is nothing to get carried away with ? it has been a .207 BABIP for 30.2 innings playing to his favor, and in both starts that category checked in at .200. He has not built the stamina up to offer more than six innings here even if he brings his best stuff, and there are real bullpen issues for Joe Girardi, with Dellin Betances off of two full innings last night and Tyler Clippard needing 34 pitches to get through 1.2.
Meanwhile I was prepared to not like Kennedy in his recent outings , perceiving his positive run to be a case of Kaufman being a good fit for him, and fearing his fly-ball counts getting him into trouble against some tough customers on the road. But Kennedy showed command and confidence in recording 13 strikeouts over 12 innings of road wins against the Red Sox and Tigers, and when you add a solid showing at Texas in a no-decision a month ago it tells us that he really has stepped his game up. In his only two home starts in August he allowed just one run over 14.1 innings, so that form can continue here, and note that while the Yankee bullpen keys suffered some wear on Tuesday, Kelvin Herrera got the night off for the Royals and will be all set to close this one out.
Item: The Reds lost their way on the road (and in particular why that matters)
I lost a couple of tickets trying to back the Cincinnati offense on Sunday/Monday, and in doing so the Post-Mortem was not pretty. There was a logic that came into play, however, and while I did not expect it at the time it is something that should be a part of your MLB late-season processes.
Before leaving for a non-division road trip the Reds were 22-15 since the All Star break, and put together a 6-4 homestand against contenders Miami, Los Angeles and Texass. The surge was not enough to create anything more than a battle for last place with Milwaukee in the N.L. Central, but the energy seemed high enough to maintain, and when they scored 16 runs in splitting the first two games at Arizona I believed that energy was still there. But one of the danger zones for MLB teams are late-season road games outside of the division that have no impact on the standings. While I do maintain that hitters go hard to the final pitch of the season, every at-bat worth $$$ as statistics are compiled for contracts, there can be a ?team? element lacking ? the hitters are out there more to make something happen for themselves by swinging the bat, rather than taking a walk to aid the scoreboard cause. That has come front and center with the Cincinnati lineup.
Over the last three games there have been 103 trips to the batter?s box by the Reds, and they only drew two walks. One came from pinch-hitter Tyler Holt in the 9th inning vs. Jose Valdez on Monday, and the other from Billy Hamilton in the 9th against Fernando Salas last night. That is a rather dubious ratio, the MLB average calling for 8.3 free passes over a routine sample. In this instance one must also factor into the equation that on Sunday they faced the struggling Archie Bradley, and of the 111 pitchers that have worked at least 110 innings this season, he rates #109 in BB/9. Bradley did not walk a batter for the first time in his career (I do not register a start at Colorado in which he only faced six batters).
I usually downplay the notion of players going flat late because of the financial issues noted above ? there are few letdowns in the batter?s box. But there is a team aspect that can come into play ? when players are more focused on their own numbers than the scoreboard it can mean taking fewer walks, and also not hitting behind runners when the situation calls for it, two items that do impact team production. If you are fighting for a playoff spot, and there is a runner on second with no outs, you are willing to lose some batting average on a ground-out that moves the runner to third, the rewards of the playoffs making it worthwhile. But when a team is 20 games under .500, a batter becomes less likely to sacrifice his personal statistics for the good of the team. That is a handicapping notion to be aware of down the stretch.
Hottest team: Angels (7-3 last 10)
It?s been a lost season for the Halos, who sit 16 games below .500 with five weeks remaining. However, Los Angeles has heated up by winning six of seven, including taking the first two games of its series against Cincinnati. The pitching has been fantastic in this recent stretch, allowing two runs or fewer five times, while capturing road series victories against the Blue Jays and Tigers. Each of the last three starting pitchers (Tyler Skaggs, Matt Shoemaker, and Jered Weaver) has tossed quality outings, as Ricky Nolasco heads to the mound tonight. Nolasco is winless in his last five starts for the Angels, as they go for the sweep of the Reds.
Coldest team: Mariners (2-8 last 10)
Seattle has fallen apart at the wrong time as the M?s look to avoid a sweep against the AL West-leading Rangers this afternoon. The Mariners rallied from a 4-0 deficit against Cole Hamels on Tuesday to take a 6-4 advantage at Texas, but the bullpen fell apart late in an 8-7 defeat. Seattle has lost five of six games on its current road trip with the only victory coming from the arm of ace Felix Hernandez at Chicago last Friday. King Felix heads to the hill today as the M?s own a sparking 7-1 record in his past eight starts since getting activated from the disabled list in July.
Hottest pitcher: Ian Kennedy, Royals (9-9, 3.57 ERA)
Kansas City suffered only its fifth loss in its last 23 games in Tuesday?s extra-innings setback to New York. Kennedy went through a stretch of seven consecutive starts from July through early August without a victory, but has turned it around recently. The Kansas City right-hander is unbeaten in his past four trips to the mound, while allowing five earned runs in his last seven starts. Kennedy owns impressive road victories at Boston and Detroit this month, while Kansas City has won six of his last eight home starts.
Coldest pitcher: Yovani Gallardo, Orioles (4-6, 5.69 ERA)
Gallardo is going through his worst season on the Major League level, owning an ERA of 5.69, more than 1.50 runs higher than his previous poorest campaign in 2013. The right-hander allowed a season-high eight runs (seven earned) in less than two innings in his previous outing against the Yankees in a 14-4 setback. Gallardo is winless in his last four starts, including home losses to the Astros and Red Sox this month. The Orioles start Wednesday?s action sitting three games behind the Blue Jays in the AL East as Gallardo has split a pair of starts against Toronto this season.
Biggest UNDER run: Indians (4-0 last four)
One of the toughest total losses of the season happened in Cleveland on Tuesday, as the Twins and Indians went UNDER the total of 10 in a 5-4 Tribe victory. What made it so tough was the two AL Central rivals were tied at 4-4 after two innings, but combined for one run in the final seven innings as Cleveland sent Minnesota to its 12th straight loss. Cleveland?s offense has struggled over the last nine games, scoring more than one run only twice. Corey Kluber takes the mound tonight as a heavy favorite against Minnesota, as the Indians have gone UNDER the total in four of his last six starts against the Twins since 2015.
Biggest OVER run: Braves (6-0 last six)
Atlanta?s offense has performed better over the last few months since a horrible start to the season. The Braves have plated at least six runs in four straight home games, including a seven-spot in Tuesday?s win over the Padres. Atlanta?s pitching fared well last night by allowing three runs to San Diego, but the Braves have yielded at least six runs in five of their past six games at Turner Field. Matt Wisler is coming off a fantastic effort against Arizona in his last outing by scattering two hits in eight innings of a 3-1 win, but the Atlanta right-hander had allowed at least six runs in his previous four outings.
Matchup to watch: Marlins vs. Mets
Miami?s offense is tanking at the wrong time after being held to fewer than four runs in its fourth straight game, all losses. The Marlins jumped out to an early 2-0 advantage against the Mets last night, but allowed three runs in the bottom of the first and never recovered in a 7-4 defeat. The two NL East rivals play the third of a four-game series tonight at Citi Field as the Mets sit 2 ? games behind the Cardinals for the second Wild Card position in the National League.
The Mets are surging at the right time by winning eight of their past 10 games as Bartolo Colon takes the mound tonight. Colon is fresh off back-to-back victories over the Giants and Phillies, while the Mets are 5-2 against the Marlins in his last seven starts since 2015. David Phelps counters for Miami, as the Marlins have won four of the right-hander?s five starts this month. The Marlins own a perfect 3-0 mark in Phelps? three August road starts, including solid performances at Cincinnati and Pittsburgh.
Betcha didn?t know: The Cubs go for the three-game sweep of the Pirates at Wrigley Field, as Jason Hammel looks to continue his home domination for Chicago. Hammel has beaten Pittsburgh twice this season, but what?s more impressive is the right-hander not allowing a run in his last three home starts, a span of 20 scoreless innings. The Cubs own a perfect 5-0 record at Wrigley Field when Hammel takes the mound since the All-Star break, while Chicago has posted an 18-3 mark in its past 21 games on the North Side overall.
About Last Night?
Want a direct comparison between team hustle and doing the little things, and a team playing for individual accomplishments? Off of the sparkler from Kyle Hendricks and the Chicago defense last night, the Cubs are now allowing a .248 BABIP since the All Star break. That is an astonishing number, with MLB at .295 in that span, and the second-place team being Detroit, at a solid .273 that is still quite a distance away.
This defense was a lead topic here two months ago but as the season goes on the Cubs are actually getting better, instead of having the numbers flatten out. What is particularly intriguing behind that is Joe Maddon using shifts less often than he did at Tampa, but while the alignments have not been overly pronounced, the scouting reports and the positioning of the defenders has been a major factor in that 84-47 record being compiled.
This is putting a unique pressure on the Cy Young voters ? Hendricks now sports the best ERA in MLB at 2.09, with only Madison Bumgarner (2.49) and Noah Syndergaard (2.55) within a half run of him. Will voters have the savvy to grasp the difference between a pitcher?s own merits, and that of the defense behind him? No fault to Hendricks, but those legs, gloves and hands in the field have played such a major role.
Item: The Reds lost their way on the road (and in particular why that matters)
I lost a couple of tickets trying to back the Cincinnati offense on Sunday/Monday, and in doing so the Post-Mortem was not pretty. There was a logic that came into play, however, and while I did not expect it at the time it is something that should be a part of your MLB late-season processes.
Before leaving for a non-division road trip the Reds were 22-15 since the All Star break, and put together a 6-4 homestand against contenders Miami, Los Angeles and Texass. The surge was not enough to create anything more than a battle for last place with Milwaukee in the N.L. Central, but the energy seemed high enough to maintain, and when they scored 16 runs in splitting the first two games at Arizona I believed that energy was still there. But one of the danger zones for MLB teams are late-season road games outside of the division that have no impact on the standings. While I do maintain that hitters go hard to the final pitch of the season, every at-bat worth $$$ as statistics are compiled for contracts, there can be a ?team? element lacking ? the hitters are out there more to make something happen for themselves by swinging the bat, rather than taking a walk to aid the scoreboard cause. That has come front and center with the Cincinnati lineup.
Over the last three games there have been 103 trips to the batter?s box by the Reds, and they only drew two walks. One came from pinch-hitter Tyler Holt in the 9th inning vs. Jose Valdez on Monday, and the other from Billy Hamilton in the 9th against Fernando Salas last night. That is a rather dubious ratio, the MLB average calling for 8.3 free passes over a routine sample. In this instance one must also factor into the equation that on Sunday they faced the struggling Archie Bradley, and of the 111 pitchers that have worked at least 110 innings this season, he rates #109 in BB/9. Bradley did not walk a batter for the first time in his career (I do not register a start at Colorado in which he only faced six batters).
I usually downplay the notion of players going flat late because of the financial issues noted above ? there are few letdowns in the batter?s box. But there is a team aspect that can come into play ? when players are more focused on their own numbers than the scoreboard it can mean taking fewer walks, and also not hitting behind runners when the situation calls for it, two items that do impact team production. If you are fighting for a playoff spot, and there is a runner on second with no outs, you are willing to lose some batting average on a ground-out that moves the runner to third, the rewards of the playoffs making it worthwhile. But when a team is 20 games under .500, a batter becomes less likely to sacrifice his personal statistics for the good of the team. That is a handicapping notion to be aware of down the stretch.
About Last Night?
Want a direct comparison between team hustle and doing the little things, and a team playing for individual accomplishments? Off of the sparkler from Kyle Hendricks and the Chicago defense last night, the Cubs are now allowing a .248 BABIP since the All Star break. That is an astonishing number, with MLB at .295 in that span, and the second-place team being Detroit, at a solid .273 that is still quite a distance away.
This defense was a lead topic here two months ago but as the season goes on the Cubs are actually getting better, instead of having the numbers flatten out. What is particularly intriguing behind that is Joe Maddon using shifts less often than he did at Tampa, but while the alignments have not been overly pronounced, the scouting reports and the positioning of the defenders has been a major factor in that 84-47 record being compiled.
This is putting a unique pressure on the Cy Young voters ? Hendricks now sports the best ERA in MLB at 2.09, with only Madison Bumgarner (2.49) and Noah Syndergaard (2.55) within a half run of him. Will voters have the savvy to grasp the difference between a pitcher?s own merits, and that of the defense behind him? No fault to Hendricks, but those legs, gloves and hands in the field have played such a major role.
