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Date | Match Up | Rating | Score | Result | Profit | Lead Time | Analysis |
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07-03-22 | Diamondbacks v. Rockies UNDER 11.5 | Top | 5-6 | Win | 100 | 7 h 23 m | Show |
MLB First Five Innings Division Total of the Year. My selection is on the first five innings 'under' between Arizona and Colorado at 3:10 pm et on Sunday. The first two games in this series have not surprisingly been high-scoring but we have the best starting pitching matchup of the series on Sunday as the D'Backs send Zac Gallen to the hill against Chad Kuhl of the Rockies. I look for this one to get off to a much lower-scoring start at least. Gallen owns a 3.75 FIP and 1.05 WHIP this season, allowing just 3.67 runs per nine innings. He's coming off a poor performance in his most recent start but that was in a tough situation as he was facing the Padres for a second straight outing (in the span of less than a week). He's held the Rockies to two earned runs or less in seven of his eight career starts against them, including no runs over seven innings in his lone previous start against them this season. Chad Kuhl is quietly enjoying a terrific campaign in his first year with the Rockies. He's thrived at hitter-friendly Coors Field, posting a 2.48 ERA and 0.99 WHIP in six starts. Kuhl checks in with a 3.95 FIP and 1.31 WHIP, yielding 3.72 runs per nine innings. In his most recent start he tossed a complete game shutout against the Dodgers (we won with the 'under' in that game). Rather than deal with two subpar bullpens in this matchup, we'll stick with the first five innings 'under' only. Take the first five innings under (10*). |
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06-28-22 | Orioles v. Mariners UNDER 7.5 | Top | 0-2 | Win | 100 | 14 h 7 m | Show |
A.L. Total of the Week. My selection is on the 'under' between Baltimore and Seattle at 10:10 pm et on Tuesday. We missed with the 'under' in the opener of this series last night as the Orioles bats came alive against Mariners rookie starter George Kirby in a 9-2 victory. I won't hesitate to go back to the well with the same play on Tuesday, however, as Baltimore sends Dean Kremer to the mound against reigning A.L. Cy Young Award winner Robbie Ray for Seattle. Kremer has shown considerable improvement this season, even if we are talking about just 21 innings of work. He checks in sporting a 3.27 FIP and 1.24 WHIP while allowing only 2.14 runs per nine innings. At the minor league level, Kremer has worked nine shutout innings of two-hit ball this season, recording an impressive 18:2 strikeout-to-walk ratio. Of course the real star of the show for the Orioles has been their bullpen, which has posted a collective 1.23 ERA and 0.64 WHIP over the last seven games. Robbie Ray will be looking to help his team snap out of a mini two-game skid. He owns an inflated 4.19 FIP but a more respectable 1.18 WHIP on the campaign. Over his last three outings he has posted a sparkling 0.90 ERA and 0.70 WHIP with two of those three contests totalling three runs or less. The Mariners bullpen has had a tough time nailing down saves at home this season with four blown compared to only three converted but does check in with a 0.81 ERA and 0.72 WHIP over its last seven contests. Take the under (10*). |
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06-27-22 | Dodgers v. Rockies UNDER 11.5 | Top | 0-4 | Win | 100 | 13 h 25 m | Show |
N.L. West Total of the Month. My selection is on the 'under' between Los Angeles and Colorado at 8:40 pm et on Monday. The Rockies had their three-game 'under' streak snapped in a 6-3 loss in Minnesota yesterday. Still, it's worth noting that since scoring eight runs in the first game of their road trip last week, they've been held to a grand total of 10 runs over their last five contests. All three games in the Dodgers weekend series in Atlanta stayed 'under the total, even with last night's game going to extra innings. Los Angeles is of course still missing Mookie Betts after he suffered a rib injury last week. While tonight's starting pitching matchup won't grab headlines, I feel it's a good one. Dodgers starter Tyler Anderson is having a terrific season, recording a 3.29 FIP and 0.97 WHIP while allowing just north of 3.1 runs per nine innings. He didn't have his best stuff last time out against Cincinnati but still gave up just three earned runs over five innings. Anderson checks in sporting a 3.13 ERA and 1.14 WHIP in six road starts this season. Colorado will counter with Chad Kuhl. While his numbers certainly don't jump off the page, he's actually having a career year by most accounts. Kuhl has posted a 4.21 FIP and 1.43 WHIP while yielding 4.21 runs per nine innings. He's actually settled in nicely at hitter-friendly Coors Field, recording a 3.29 ERA and 1.21 WHIP in 27 1/3 innings of work. While the Rockies bullpen has been shaky lately, it has generally pitched better here at home, sporting a collective 4.23 ERA and 1.30 WHIP with 11 saves converted and only four blown. The Dodgers 'pen has of course been lights out for much of the season. It entered last night's action with a 3.24 ERA and 1.08 WHIP over its last seven contests and has blown just one save (compared to seven converted) on the road this season. Take the under (10*). |
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06-22-22 | Guardians v. Twins UNDER 8.5 | Top | 11-10 | Loss | -108 | 11 h 25 m | Show |
A.L. Central Total of the Month. My selection is on the 'under' between Cleveland and Minnesota at 7:40 pm et on Wednesday. These two teams were involved in a relatively high-scoring extra innings affair last night as the two bullpens took turns coughing up leads late. Generally speaking, both relief corps' have been solid this season, however, and I look for a lower-scoring contest on Wednesday. Triston McKenzie gets the call for the visiting Guardians. He checks in with a 4.37 FIP, largely due to his struggles with keeping the ball in the park. Outside of his 1.4 home runs allowed per nine innings, his numbers are terrific, most notably a 0.93 WHIP and just 2.96 runs allowed per nine innings. Sonny Gray will counter for the Twins. He's having an even better season than McKenzie, albeit with a smaller sample size (he's missed some time due to injury). Gray checks in with a terrific 2.74 FIP and 0.93 WHIP. Opponents have averaged just 2.09 runs per nine innings off of him this season. As I mentioned, last night's contest notwithstanding, the two bullpens have been solid this season. Cleveland's 'pen has posted a 2.02 ERA and 1.16 WHIP over its last seven games while Minnesota's relief corps' sports a 3.12 ERA and 1.08 WHIP over the same stretch. Take the under (10*). |
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06-21-22 | Blue Jays v. White Sox UNDER 9 | Top | 6-7 | Loss | -120 | 14 h 50 m | Show |
A.L. Non-Division Total of the Month. My selection is on the 'under' between Toronto and Chicago at 8:10 pm et on Tuesday. While he’s been up-and-down lately, Jays starter Kevin Gausman owns an excellent track record this season, posting an incredible 1.75 FIP through his first 13 starts. He allows too many hits (10.0 per nine innings) but makes up for it by limiting his walks (1.4 per nine innings) and putting up nice strikeout totals (just shy of 10.0 per nine innings). His counterpart on Tuesday will be Dylan Cease. He’s had the opposite problem, issuing more than four walks but limiting opponents to only 7.7 hits per nine innings. He has posted a solid 2.78 FIP this season. Cease enters this outing in terrific form, having not allowed an earned run over his last four starts, covering a span of 21 1/3 innings of work. Take the under (10*). |
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06-20-22 | Cardinals v. Brewers UNDER 7.5 | Top | 0-2 | Win | 100 | 12 h 29 m | Show |
N.L. Central Total of the Year. My selection is on the 'under' between St. Louis and Milwaukee at 8:10 pm et on Monday. The Cardinals enter Monday's series-opener in Milwaukee on the heels of five consecutive 'over' results. I expect a different story to unfold here, however, as we have a terrific starting pitching matchup featuring Miles Mikolas - who fell just short of delivering a no-hitter in his last start - and Corbin Burnes, fresh off a masterful performance against a tough Mets lineup last time out. Mikolas owns a 3.36 FIP and 0.97 WHIP this season and will be starting on a full five days' rest on Monday. Opponents are averaging just 2.8 runs per nine innings against him this season. While the Cards have lost three of their last four games, their bullpen hasn't been to blame. They entered yesterday's action sporting a 2.45 ERA and 0.77 WHIP over their last seven games. Corbin Burnes hasn't dominated the way he did last season but has still posted a terrific 3.08 FIP and 0.95 WHIP this season. I mentioned his last start against the Mets, it's worth noting that he didn't issue a walk for the first time in five starts in that outing. Burnes has been at his best against division opponents this season, recording a 2.42 ERA and 0.73 WHIP in four starts against the N.L. Central. Incredibly, the Brewers bullpen hasn't allowed a single earned run over its last eight games. Take the under (10*). |
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06-20-22 | Giants v. Braves UNDER 8 | Top | 1-2 | Win | 100 | 22 h 22 m | Show |
N.L. Non-Division Total of the Month. My selection is on the 'under' between San Francisco and Atlanta at 7:20 pm et on Monday. This is the best starting pitching matchup on Monday's board as the Giants send Logan Webb to the hill against Max Fried of the Braves. Webb has posted a 3.08 FIP and 1.18 WHIP this season. Better still, he has recorded a 1.08 WHIP on the road this season. He's also coming off his best start of the campaign as he tossed seven shutout innings against the Royals last week. Fried has been even better, posting a 2.80 FIP and 1.05 WHIP this season. He wasn't at his best in his most recent start but now he gets to pitch on a full five days' rest again and I expect him to hold the Giants bats in check. Note that opponents are averaging just a shade over 3.0 runs per nine innings against Fried this season. Beyond Webb and Fried, both bullpens have excelled lately, posting sub-2.00 ERA's over the last week. Take the under (10*). |
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06-14-22 | Rays v. Yankees UNDER 8 | Top | 0-2 | Win | 100 | 7 h 16 m | Show |
A.L. East Total of the Month. My selection is on the 'under' between Tampa Bay and New York at 7:05 pm et on Tuesday. The Yankees beat up on Cubs pitching all weekend long but after an off-day on Monday, I suspect they'll find the going much tougher against the Rays pitching staff on Tuesday. Corey Kluber will get the start for Tampa Bay. He's pitched well this season, including in a previous start against New York in which he gave up just one earned run over six innings back on May 28th. Kluber owns a 3.65 FIP and 1.15 WHIP this season, highlighted by just 1.5 walks per nine innings. His counterpart on Tuesday will be Yankees starter Gerrit Cole, who looks to bounce back from an ugly outing in Minnesota last week. In that start, Cole was rocked for seven earned runs including five home runs in just 2 1/3 innings. It happens. New York actually went on to win that game by a 10-7 score so no harm, no foul I suppose. In spite of that poor performance, Cole has still posted a solid 3.58 FIP and 1.08 WHIP this season. He's allowed just north of seven hits and 3.6 runs per nine innings. Note that Cole was on the mound for that game against Kluber on May 28th and he also gave up just one earned run over six innings. I like the fact that both teams follow an off-day here, giving their bullpens some much-needed rest. Both 'pens have performed well lately with the Rays relief corps recording a 1.23 ERA and 1.19 WHIP over their last seven games and the Yanks 'pen checking in with a 1.97 ERA and 0.84 WHIP over the same stretch. Take the under (10*). |
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06-13-22 | Royals v. Giants OVER 8 | Top | 2-6 | Push | 0 | 14 h 12 m | Show |
Interleague Total of the Year. My selection is on the 'over' between Kansas City and San Francisco at 9:45 pm et on Monday. Scoring runs hasn't been a problem for the Royals lately. Keeping their opponents' bats at bay has been. Kansas City checks in having scored 8, 7, 8 , 4 and 7 runs over its last five games, recording double-digit hit totals in each of those contests. On the flip side, they've been lit up for 10+ hits in seven of their last eight games, allowing 5+ runs on six occasions over that stretch. I expect more of the same on Monday, even as they travel to San Francisco to face a Giants club that has seen the 'under' go 5-0-2 over its last seven contests. After facing Clayton Kershaw and Julio Urias over the last two games, Royals starter Brady Singer will offer a welcome change of pace for the Giants on Monday. Singer is allowing well north of nine hits and just shy of two home runs per nine innings this season with a disappointing 4.16 FIP. He hasn't issued a single walk over his last three starts yet still gave up 13 earned runs in 15 2/3 innings, which is telling. Giants starter Alex Wood is coming off a dominant seven-inning performance against the Rockies last time out but those type of performances have been few and far between. He sports a 4.74 ERA and 1.58 WHIP in five home starts this season. Like Singer, he is also giving up north of nine hits per nine innings and while he's done a good job of keeping the ball in the park, he does yield 2.4 walks per nine innings. Here, we'll note that the 'over' is a long-term 36-17 when the Royals play on the road against N.L. West opponents with those games averaging 10.0 total runs. The 'over' is also 16-6 with the Giants coming off an underdog win over a division opponent over the last two seasons, as is the case here, leading to an average total of 8.3 runs. Take the over (10*). |
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06-13-22 | Marlins v. Phillies UNDER 7.5 | Top | 2-3 | Win | 105 | 10 h 31 m | Show |
N.L. East Total of the Month. My selection is on the 'under' between Miami and Philadelphia at 7:05 pm et on Monday. While it may not garner much attention, Monday's series-opener between the Marlins and Phillies features a tremendous starting pitching matchup between Sandy Alcantara and Aaron Nola. Alcantara is an early N.L. Cy Young candidate - or should be at least. He probably doesn't get enough press since he pitches in Miami where the Marlins haven't been relevant for years. All Alcantara has done is post a 1.61 ERA and 0.94 WHIP not to mention a sub-2.00 FIP (1.96). While his 2.6 walks per nine innings are somewhat concerning, he's negated those by allowing just 5.9 hits and striking out 8.3 batters per nine innings. Aaron Nola is coming off one of his best outings of the young season for the Phillies. He has seen his ERA drop to 3.50 and WHIP to 0.88. He's right there with Alcantara with a 3.24 FIP. Nola does allow right around a hit more per nine innings than Alcantara but also issues just 1.2 walk on average. While both bullpens have had their issues at times this season, I don't rate either offense all that high and feel we're in for a pitcher's duel on Monday. Take the under (10*). |
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06-04-22 | Red Sox v. A's UNDER 7.5 | Top | 8-0 | Loss | -110 | 8 h 46 m | Show |
American League Total of the Week. My selection is on the 'under' between Boston and Oakland at 4:05 pm et on Saturday. Boston cruised to a 7-2 victory in the opener of this series last night, adding to the A's misery here in Oakland. I'm expecting a lower-scoring affair on Saturday afternoon as the Red Sox send Nick Pivetta to the hill against Paul Blackburn for the A's. After a rocky start to the season, Pivetta has gotten himself on a serious roll, allowing just six earned runs over 34 innings in his last five outings. He pitched here in Oakland last July 4th, striking out 10 over seven shutout innings of two-hit ball in a 1-0 Boston victory. Blackburn didn't make many mistakes last time out against Houston but he paid for the few he did, including a pair of home runs, allowing four earned runs on five hits over 6 2/3 innings in a 5-1 loss. In five daytime starts this season Blackburn has posted a 2.51 ERA and 0.91 WHIP, covering a span of 28 2/3 innings. He'll be facing the Red Sox for the first time in his career today. While both bullpens have struggled lately I do believe both relief corps' are better than their recent numbers indicate. We can also take solace in the fact that the A's average a woeful 2.6 runs per game at home while it's generally been a case of feast-or-famine for the Red Sox offense and after scoring exactly seven runs in consecutive games, I expect them to cool off against a solid pitcher in Blackburn on Saturday. Take the under (10*). |
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06-03-22 | Braves v. Rockies UNDER 11.5 | Top | 3-1 | Win | 100 | 12 h 3 m | Show |
National League Total of the Week. My selection is on the 'under' between Atlanta and Colorado at 8:40 pm et on Friday. We saw a wild, high-scoring slugfest between these two teams last night. I expect a different story to unfold on Friday. Max Fried continues to lead the Braves rotation, posting incredibly consistent numbers over the last few seasons. He checks in with a 2.37 ERA and 0.79 WHIP in three road starts this season. While pitching at Coors Field is a challenge, I'm confident he'll be up for it, noting that he's lasted at least into the sixth inning in all 10 of his starts this season. Rockies starter Chad Kuhl is underrated to be sure. He has held up well at hitter-friendly Coors Field this season, recording a 1.04 WHIP in 16 1/3 innings of work. Eight of his nine starts this season have totalled eight runs or less. Note that Kuhl faced the Braves once last season as a member of the Pirates and the result was a 2-1 victory as he gave up just one earned run over six innings. The Rockies bullpen will always be a concern when it comes to playing 'unders' but I believe we're working with a high enough total that dealing with their relief corps is worth the risk. Take the under (10*). |
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05-25-22 | Phillies v. Braves UNDER 8.5 | Top | 4-8 | Loss | -100 | 9 h 19 m | Show |
N.L. East First Five Innings Total of the Month. My selection is on the first five innings 'under' between Philadelphia and Atlanta at 7:20 pm et on Wednesday. Credit the Braves for putting up six runs including two in the ninth inning in last night's wild walk-off win over the Phillies. I'm not counting on another offensive outburst here, however. Note that Atlanta hasn't scored more than six runs in a game since May 8th. It has been held to four runs or less in six of its last nine contests. Tonight, the Braves will face Phillies left-hander Ranger Suarez who will be happy to face a team other than the Dodgers after running into Los Angeles in each of his last two outings. Suarez checks in sporting a 2.50 ERA and 1.17 WHIP on the road this season. Charlie Morton counters for Atlanta. He's settled down after a shaky start to the campaign, allowing just four earned runs in 16 1/3 innings over his last three trips to the hill. Morton owns a terrific 2.89 ERA and 1.02 WHIP at home this season. He last faced the Phillies right here in Atlanta last September, delivering seven innings of shutout ball. Note that Morton has yielded just one home run in his last seven outings against Philadelphia. Take the first five innings under (10*). |
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05-25-22 | Orioles v. Yankees OVER 7.5 | Top | 0-2 | Loss | -110 | 9 h 3 m | Show |
A.L. East First Five Innings Total of the Month. My selection is on the first five innings 'over' between Baltimore and New York at 7:05 pm et on Wednesday. This spot sets up well to play the 'over' in the first five innings only as we get the pitching matchup of Tyler Wells for the Orioles against J.P. Sears - making his first big league start - for the Yankees. Wells is going to be in tough here as he makes his second straight start on just four days' rest. He's had an up and down start to the season but it's been mostly down lately as he has allowed six earned runs in just 8 2/3 innings over his last two outings. Wells has topped out at four strikeouts in his eight starts so far this season so it's not as if he's fooling many hitters. I certainly don't expect him to fool many Yankees batters on Wednesday as they get their third look at him already this season. While they haven't had a great deal of success against him so far, that will likely change here as this will be the first time they catch Wells pitching on short rest. We don't know much about J.P. Sears - certainly not what he's capable of at the big league level. What we do know is that the Orioles bats have been heating up, rattling off 11, 11, 6, 10, 9 and 7 hits over their last six games, plating 9, 8, 1, 7, 6 and 6 runs over that stretch. We're not interested in dealing with the two bullpens here as both have a fairly solid track record so far this season. Take the first five innings over (10*). |
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05-16-22 | Twins v. A's OVER 7.5 | Top | 3-1 | Loss | -105 | 14 h 45 m | Show |
A.L. Total of the Week. My selection is on the 'over' between Minnesota and Oakland at 9:40 pm et on Monday. Both of these teams are coming off low-scoring series finales on getaway day yesterday but I look for a different story to unfold at the Coliseum on Monday night. Note that the 'over' has gone 13-3 with the Twins coming off consecutive games in which they scored three runs or less over the last two seasons, with that situation resulting in an average total of 12.1 runs. In that situation this season, we've seen the Twins average 6.1 runs per game with an average total of 8.9 runs (nine-game sample size). The A's bats have been quiet but they should have ample opportunity to bust out here as they face Twins starter Chris Archer pitching on four days' rest. Archer has seen five of his six starts this season total at least eight runs. He's been tagged for at least one home run in five straight starts and checks in having allowed six earned runs on 10 hits over just seven innings of work in his last two outings. The A's will counter with rookie Zach Logue. He'll also be pitching on just four days' rest. He was terrific in his most recent start, tossing seven shutout innings but that came against the light-hitting Tigers. This will actually be his second start against Minnesota this season which I believe gives the Twins hitters an advantage. They reached him for a pair of home runs over five innings back on May 6th. Take the over (10*). |
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05-10-22 | Astros v. Twins OVER 6.5 | Top | 5-0 | Loss | -120 | 11 h 42 m | Show |
American League Non-Division Total of the Month. My selection is on the 'over' between Houston and Minnesota at 7:40 pm et on Tuesday. Both of these teams are coming off a string of low-scoring games. That doesn't mean we'll see the same type of contest play out on Tuesday in Minnesota, however. Here, we'll note that the 'over' is 26-14 with the Astros coming off a game in which they allowed one run or less over the last two seasons, resulting in an average total of 9.8 runs in that situation. The 'over' is also a long-term 207-160 with Houston playing on the road after allowing three runs or less in consecutive games, which is also the case here. As for Minnesota, it has seen the 'over' go 12-3 after plating four runs or less in four consecutive games over the last two seasons, leading to an average total of 11.0 runs scored in that spot. While we do have a fine pitching matchup here with Justin Verlander going up against Joe Ryan, I'm willing to bet on the bats waking from their slumber following a much-needed off day on Monday. Take the over (10*). |
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05-07-22 | Blue Jays v. Guardians UNDER 6.5 | Top | 8-3 | Loss | -105 | 6 h 36 m | Show |
MLB Total of the Week. My selection is on the 'under' between Toronto and Cleveland at 2:10 pm et on Saturday. The postponement of last night's game works in our favor as far as this play is concerned. Kevin Gausman had made his last two starts on just four days' rest and was slated to do so again last night. With that game being postponed, he'll now be able to pitch on a full five days' rest on Saturday. Note that the last time he pitched on at least five days' rest he turned in his best outing of the young season, allowing just one earned run over eight innings in Boston. In two previous road starts this season he has posted a 1.98 ERA and 0.95 WHIP. It's a similar story for Guardians ace Shane Bieber. He hasn't started a game since April 30th so I'm confident we'll see his best stuff here. In his lone previous home start he gave up only one earned run over six innings against the White Sox. He's made just one previous home start against the Blue Jays, allowing two earned runs over six innings back in 2019. The night off on Friday certainly helps an overworked Blue Jays bullpen that hadn't enjoyed a day off since April 18th. Note that the Jays relief corps has posted a collective 1.42 ERA and 0.92 WHIP on the road this season. Meanwhile, the Guardians bullpen owns a 2.36 ERA and 1.02 WHIP at home. Take the under (10*). |
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05-06-22 | Cardinals v. Giants OVER 7 | Top | 3-2 | Loss | -115 | 9 h 20 m | Show |
National League Total of the Week. My selection is on the 'over' between St. Louis and San Francisco at 10:15 pm et on Friday. We saw the Cardinals continue their offensive surge in last night's series opener here in San Francisco. The Giants didn't hold up their end of the bargain, however, plating just one run. They've run into some very tough pitching over the last few games but considering they did scratch out 10 hits (and leave 10 men on base) in last night's game, I do think a breakout performance is imminent. Note that the Cards have allowed double-digit hit totals in two of their last three games and I expect a similar outcome tonight. On the flip side, the Giants pitching staff has struggled lately and that's putting it mildly. They've allowed 22, 11, 12, 5, 11 and 12 hits over their last six games and now turn to a struggling Alex Cobb on Friday. Cobb turned in about as bad an outing as a pitcher can have at the big league level last time out, allowing five runs before exiting with only two outs in the first inning. While Cards starter Jordan Hicks has a promising future, he continues to only make brief appearances in a starting role. That leaves a Cards bullpen that has been anything but invincible, recording a 4.35 ERA and 1.31 WHIP over their last seven games. Expect plenty of offense in this game tonight. Take the over (10*). |
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04-29-22 | Padres v. Pirates OVER 7 | Top | 7-3 | Win | 100 | 9 h 15 m | Show |
N.L. Total of the Week. My selection is on the 'over' between San Diego and Pittsburgh at 6:35 pm et on Friday. The Padres are a terrific 'over' play right now for a few reasons. First and foremost, they're locked in at the plate, knocking out 8, 12, 8 and 11 hits over their last four games. But they're also giving up their share, with the opposition collecting 8, 8, 10 and 8 hits over that stretch. Finally, they're playing awful defensive. They've managed to rack up a whopping nine errors over their last four games. Here, they'll face a reeling Pirates squad that is also playing poor defense at the moment, with seven errors over their last five contests. The Buccos aren't hitting as well as the Padres right now, but they are just two games removed from a 13-hit, 8-run barrage against the Brewers. On the flip side, Pittsburgh has yielded its opponents 23, 10, 14, 4 and 9 hits over its last five games. Take the over (10*). |
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04-21-22 | Rangers v. Mariners UNDER 8 | Top | 8-6 | Loss | -105 | 14 h 9 m | Show |
MLB Division F5 Innings Total of the Month. My selection is on the first five innings 'under' between Texas and Seattle at 9:40 pm et on Thursday. This has been a fairly low-scoring series through the first two games with Seattle inflicting most of the damage offensively (it has scored 10 of the 14 runs in the series). Here, I'm looking for another low-scoring start. By playing the first five innings only we'll look to avoid a Rangers bullpen that has been awful in the early going this season (5.43 ERA and 1.43 WHIP in 54 2/3 IP). Rangers starter Taylor Hearn has been average at best through two starts, which is about all that Texas can really expect from the back-of-the-rotation starter. With that being said, I'm confident he can hold the Mariners average offense in check here, noting that he faced them twice last season, allowing only two earned runs in 8 2/3 innings. Marco Gonzalez will counter for Seattle. He'll have the benefit of facing a Rangers lineup that while explosive on paper, has yet to wake from its early season slumber (Texas has scored nine runs over its last four games combined). Gonzalez is coming off a scintillating seven-inning performance against the Astros and checks in having allowed just two earned runs over his last three starts against Texas, spanning 20 1/3 innings of work. Take the first five innings under (10*). |
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04-20-22 | Twins v. Royals OVER 8.5 | Top | 0-2 | Loss | -125 | 11 h 32 m | Show |
A.L. Central Total of the Month. My selection is on the 'over' between Minnesota and Kansas City at 8:10 pm et on Wednesday. We saw a relatively low-scoring game between these two teams to open this series last night as the Royals pulled out a 4-3 victory. With the 'under' having gone 3-1 in the Twins last four games and a perfect 4-0 in the Royals last four contests we're being afforded a reasonably low total to work with here - too low in my opinion. There's a reason the Padres were willing to cut Chris Paddack loose, shipping him to Minnesota at the start of the season. He struggled in his Twins debut, allowing three earned runs on six hits over just four innings against the Dodgers last week. I'm not convinced he'll fare any better here. Behind Paddack is a struggling Minnesota bullpen that has posted a collective 5.28 ERA and 1.63 WHIP in 46 innings of work this season. It's a similar story for the Royals 'pen, as it has recorded a 4.69 ERA and 1.38 WHIP in 38 1/3 innings pitched. That Kansas City bullpen could get put to work early in this one as starter Daniel Lynch has worked more than five innings just twice in his last eight starts going back to last season. Lynch labored through his first start this season, allowing six earned runs on nine hits, including three home runs, in five innings against the Cardinals. It's been a case of 'feast-or-famine' for both offenses in the early going this season but I expect both to feast on Wednesday. Take the over (10*). |
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04-19-22 | Cardinals v. Marlins UNDER 8 | Top | 5-1 | Win | 100 | 9 h 26 m | Show |
N.L. Non-Division Total of the Month. My selection is on the 'under' between St. Louis and Miami at 6:40 pm et on Tuesday. Both of these teams are coming off relatively high-scoring games. In the case of the Marlins, they're fresh off three consecutive 'over' results. I expect a different story to unfold here, however. Cardinals starter Adam Wainwright didn't pitch well last time out. We know he can still pitch though, noting that he tossed six shutout innings against the Pirates in his first outing this season. He posted a 3.05 ERA (his lowest season-long ERA since 2015) and a 1.06 WHIP last year. Jesus Luzardo had a scintillating Marlins debut last week, striking out 12 over five innings of one-run ball against the Angels. While he isn't likely to duplicate that effort here, I still expect him to pitch well against a Cardinals team that has hit a collective .235 on the road so far this season (limited sample size, I know). Going back to the end of last season, Luzardo has allowed just four earned runs while striking out 28 and walking just three in his last 14 1/3 innings of work. While he's certainly gone through some rough times on the mound in recent years, remember he finished top-eight in A.L. Rookie of the Year voting as a member of the A's just two years ago. Both bullpens have been solid in the early going this season with the Cards 'pen posting a 2.14 ERA and 1.13 WHIP and the Marlins relief corps recording a collective 3.34 ERA and 1.11 WHIP. Both 'pens have worked 35 or less innings so far this season and both come off an off day on Monday so it should be all hands on deck here. Here, we'll note that the 'under' is 14-4 with the Cardinals coming off a one-run loss going back to last season, as is the case here, resulting in an average total of just 6.3 runs. The 'under' is also 23-11 with the Marlins playing at home after winning two of their last three games over the same stretch, leading to an average total of 7.2 runs. Take the under (10*). |
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04-18-22 | Pirates v. Brewers UNDER 8.5 | Top | 1-6 | Win | 100 | 9 h 5 m | Show |
N.L. Central Total of the Month. My selection is on the 'under' between Pittsburgh and Milwaukee at 7:40 pm et on Monday. You would have to go back five games to find the last time the Pirates posted an 'under' result. I look for that to change on Monday, however, as the Buccos head to Milwaukee to face the Brewers. I would consider both of tonight's starters underrated in some sense. Zach Thompson was effective over four innings in his first start with the Pirates (he came over from Miami in the offseason). Thompson quietly posted a 3.24 ERA and 1.21 WHIP in 75 innings pitched with the Marlins last season. For his career he has posted a 34.5% hard-hit ball percentage, nearly 4.5% below the MLB average over that period. Behind Thompson is a Pirates bullpen that has been terrific in the early going this season, posting a collective 2.98 ERA and 1.11 WHIP in 42 1/3 innings. Brewers starter Eric Lauer didn't have his best stuff in his season debut but still hung in there, allowing three earned runs in 4 1/3 innings against the Orioles. I expect him to fare better in his first home start of the season, noting that he faced the Pirates once here last season, tossing five shutout innings. He owns a career 2.63 ERA and 1.20 WHIP in seven career starts against Pittsburgh. Like the Pirates, the Brewers have been solid out of the bullpen, recording a collective 3.02 ERA and 1.32 WHIP. As a team, the Brewers are still hitting just .212 and averaging 3.1 runs per game on the season. The Pirates, meanwhile, check in hitting .266 as a team while averaging 4.4 runs per game but figure to suffer some regression in this, just their second 'away' series. Take the under (10*). |
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04-16-22 | Cardinals v. Brewers OVER 8.5 | Top | 2-1 | Loss | -115 | 11 h 56 m | Show |
First Five Innings Total of the Week. My selection is on the first five innings 'over' between St. Louis and Milwaukee at 7:10 pm et on Saturday. We've seen these two teams take turns beating up on each other in the first two games of this series with the Brewers taking the opener 5-1 before the Cardinals answered back with a 10-1 victory last night. Here, I look for both teams to show up offensively, particularly early in the game. We'll play the first five innings only as both bullpens have been solid in the early going this season and we'll look to avoid them here. The starters on the other hand were not good in their respective season debuts. Steven Matz made his first start as a Cardinal and proceeded to get smashed for nine hits and seven earned runs in just three innings against the Pirates. Adrian Houser couldn't make it through the fourth inning against the Orioles. Both starters will settle down a little bit here, but I'm not convinced they have any sort of advantage against the opposing hitters here. Expect early fireworks. Take the first five innings over (10*). |
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04-15-22 | Rays v. White Sox UNDER 8 | Top | 2-3 | Win | 100 | 10 h 2 m | Show |
A.L. Total of the Week. My selection is on the 'under' between Tampa Bay and Chicago at 7:10 pm et on Friday. The White Sox could muster only one run in yesterday's wind-swept 5-1 loss against Seattle and that came only thanks to those blustery winds that led to a couple of Mariners' fielding gaffes. Here, I'm anticipating another relatively low-scoring affair as the Rays roll into the Windy City to face the White Sox on Friday. Both of tonight's starters were effective in their season debuts with Drew Rasmussen working four innings in a 5-3 Rays win over Baltimore and Dylan Cease tossing five frames in a 5-2 White Sox victory over Detroit. I expect more of the same here, perhaps with the two bullpens - which have both been solid in the early going - doing some heavy lifting. The Tampa Bay 'pen has posted a 3.76 ERA and 1.13 WHIP through a whopping 40 2/3 innings so far this season while the White Sox relief corps has recorded a 3.14 ERA and 1.36 WHIP in 28 2/3 innings. On another rather unfriendly hitting night at Guaranteed Rate Field, I expect runs to come at a premium. Take the under (10*). |
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04-12-22 | Rockies v. Rangers OVER 10 | Top | 4-1 | Loss | -115 | 10 h 9 m | Show |
Interleague Total of the Month. My selection is on the 'over' between Colorado and Texas at 8:05 pm et on Tuesday. Somewhat surprisingly, the Rockies have seen just one of their first four games go 'over' the total this season. With that being said, after their first two contests reached just eight and five total runs, their last two have gotten to 13 and 10. Yesterday's series-opener here in Texas probably should have gone 'over' the total in extras were it not for a controversial call to end the game. Regardless, I'm anticipating a high-scoring affair on Tuesday. The Rockies brought tonight's starting pitcher, Chad Kuhl, over from Pittsburgh in the offseason. He wasn't great with the Pirates and certainly didn't look good in two Spring Training starts with the Rockies, allowing 12 hits and eight earned runs while recording a 4:4 strikeout-to-walk ratio in just 5 1/3 innings. We know how explosive the Rangers offense can be as we've already seen them score 8+ runs in two of four games this season. The Rangers will hand the ball to veteran Martin Perez. He was relegated to bullpen duty after struggling as a starter with the Red Sox last season. He'll have his hands full in his first start back with the Rangers (where he started his career) as the Rockies check in hitting .307 as a team and averaging 7.5 runs per game in two previous games against left-handed starting pitching this season. With Perez an unlikely candidate to work deep into this game, that opens the door for a struggling Rangers bullpen that has posted a collective 4.74 ERA and 1.32 WHIP, having allowed four home runs in just 19 innings so far this season. Take the over (10*). |
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04-08-22 | Astros v. Angels OVER 9.5 | Top | 13-6 | Win | 100 | 12 h 12 m | Show |
A.L. Total of the Week. My selection is on the 'over' between Houston and Los Angeles at 9:35 pm et on Friday. We saw a low-scoring result in the opener of this series last night but I look for a different story to unfold on Friday. Note that the 'over' has gone 23-10 with the Astros coming off a game in which they allowed one run or less going back to last season, as is the case here, with that spot producing an average total of 10.2 runs. The 'over' is also 17-7 in Houston's last 24 games as a road underdog, leading to an average total of 10.6 runs in that situation. There's nothing special about tonight's starting pitching matchup as the Astros send veteran Jake Odorizzi to the hill against Reid Detmers of the Angels. Odorizzi's strikeout rate was down while his home run rate was up last year compared to his previous two full seasons in 2018 and 2019 (he pitched only 13 2/3 innings in a Covid-shortened 2020 campaign). While Detmers has proven to be an excellent strikeout pitcher at the minor league level, he's yet to prove it in the bigs, posting an ERA north of seven in limited work (around 20 innings) last season. He did pitch well in one start against Houston last year, but I look for the Astros to fare better in their second look at the left-hander. Take the over (10*). |
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04-07-22 | Padres v. Diamondbacks OVER 9 | Top | 2-4 | Loss | -110 | 15 h 11 m | Show |
N.L. West Total of the Month. My selection is on the 'over' between San Diego and Arizona at 9:40 pm et on Thursday. I really like the way this total sets up on Thursday night at Chase Field. The Padres lineup, even without Fernando Tatis Jr., is still absolutely loaded with run-scoring potential. Tonight they'll get the opportunity to tee off on veteran left-hander Madison Bumgarner. After a pair of shaky starts to open the Spring, MadBum settled down to toss five innings of shutout ball in his final outing. He of course was serviceable for the Snakes last season, logging 140+ innings while posting a respectable 1.18 WHIP. However, his line drive and fly ball percentages were well above the MLB average to go along with a career low 33% ground ball percentage. The Padres have favorable matchups against Bumgarner up and down their lineup in this one. Yu Darvish will counter for San Diego. His strikeout rate was down and walk rate and home run rate were both up last season. He pitched reasonably well in three Spring outings but now takes on what I consider to be a D'Backs lineup with lots of potential in a hitter-friendly park in Arizona to open the campaign. The Snakes have a number of hitters coming off impressive Spring showings and I look for some carry-over effect here. Finally, remember there are no more pitchers hitting to worry about in National League play this season. Take the over (10*). |
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10-29-21 | Astros v. Braves OVER 8.5 | Top | 0-2 | Loss | -105 | 10 h 35 m | Show |
World Series Total of the Year. My selection is on the 'over' between Houston and Atlanta at 8:05 pm et on Friday. This hasn't been a particularly high-scoring series through two games but that's only served to afford us a reasonable total to work with as the scene shifts to Atlanta for Game 3 on Friday night. Note that the 'over' is 17-5 in Houston's last 22 games as a road underdog, resulting in an average total of 11.2 runs scored. In fact, you would have to go back to August 3rd to find the last time an Astros road game in which they were an underdog finished 'under' the total. Meanwhile, the 'over' has gone 14-4 the last 18 times the Braves have played at home off consecutive 'under' results (you have to go back four games to find their last 'over' result as Game 2 of this series settled on a 'push'), good for an average total of 10.4 runs in that spot. Astros starter Luis Garcia hasn't been nearly as effective on the road as at home this season, posting a 4.67 ERA and 1.39 WHIP. He's coming off his best start of the postseason as he tossed 5 2/3 innings of shutout ball against the Red Sox in the ALCS, but that was at home. Braves starter Ian Anderson hasn't worked more than five innings in any of his three previous starts in these playoffs. He's been good, but certainly not great and here we'll note that he has made three starts against American League opponents this season and hasn't fared well, recording a 4.91 ERA and 1.64 WHIP. Note that the Braves have given Anderson a whopping 6.7 runs per start of support here at home this season. The Astros bullpen has not been all that reliable on the road this season, posting a collective 4.48 ERA and 1.38 WHIP with only 19 saves converted compared to 17 blown. Meanwhile, the Braves 'pen has recorded a 4.02 ERA and 1.24 WHIP with 20 saves converted and 14 blown at home. Against American League foes, the Braves relief corps has posted an ugly 5.84 ERA and 1.48 WHIP with only three saves converted and six blown. Take the over (10*). |
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10-26-21 | Braves v. Astros OVER 8 | Top | 6-2 | Push | 0 | 34 h 7 m | Show |
MLB First Five Innings World Series Total of the Year. My selection is on the first five innings 'over' between Atlanta and Houston at 8:05 pm et on Tuesday. NOTE: There's a discrepancy in first five innings totals being offered at a variety of books in advance of this one. I'm fine with playing the 'over' as high as 4.5 runs. Both of these teams closed out their respective LCS' with relatively low-scoring games but that hasn't been the norm during these playoffs. The Braves enter this series having seen the 'over' cash in four of their last five games. The Astros have seen the 'over' cash in eight of their last nine and 11 of their last 13 contests. Here, rather than play the full game 'over' the total we'll stick with the first five innings only. Charlie Morton gets the call for the Braves. The veteran right-hander's best start of the playoffs to date was his first, back in the NLDS against Milwaukee. In two starts since then he has allowed seven hits, seven walks and four earned runs in only 8 1/3 innings, striking out 10 along the way. Keep in mind, he struck out nine in his first start of the postseason. He didn't look confident in his command in his lone start against the Dodgers and now faces an even tougher opponent with the Astros entering this series hitting .287 as a team and averaging 6.6 runs per game over their last seven contests. Framber Valdez will counter for Houston. As we predicted in our play on the 'under' (which we lost thanks to a late explosion from the Astros offense) in his most recent start, Valdez matched up well against the Red Sox, and at Fenway Park in particular. Here, I'm not sure he'll be so fortunate. Note that Valdez owns a 1.48 WHIP in 13 home starts this season with nine of those going 'over' the total. In his two previous playoff starts here at home he was tagged for six earned runs on 13 hits in only seven innings of work. By playing the first five innings only we'll aim to avoid two bullpens that have been admittedly sharp. Between the two 'pens, we've seen just one blown save in these playoffs with the Braves relief corps having posted a 3.56 ERA and 1.23 WHIP and the Astros checking in with a 3.42 ERA and 1.18 WHIP. Take the first five innings over (10*). |
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10-18-21 | Astros v. Red Sox OVER 9 | Top | 3-12 | Win | 100 | 13 h 41 m | Show |
ALCS Total of the Year. My selection is on the 'over' between Houston and Boston at 8:05 pm et on Monday. Both of these teams enter Game 3 of the ALCS riding five-game 'over' streaks and I don't believe those streaks are in jeopardy of ending here. Jose Uquidy will get his first start of the postseason for the Astros. While his overall numbers this season are solid, here he runs into a red hot Red Sox lineup, noting that he hasn't really been fooling anyone, topping out at six strikeouts in his last nine starts. I'll also point out that the 'over' has gone 12-4 when Urquidy starts with a posted total of between 8.5 and 10.0 runs, as is the case here, with that situation producing an average total of 11.1 runs scored. Eduardo Rodriguez made two starts for the Red Sox in the ALDS but wasn't particularly sharp, allowing four earned runs in 6 2/3 innings of work. The Astros faced him twice during the regular season, plating 12 earned runs in just 9 1/3 innings. You would have to go back six home starts - all the way to August 15th - to find the last time Rodriguez was involved in a game at Fenway Park that didn't reach at least nine total runs. He never looked all that comfortable pitching at home this season, posting a 5.78 ERA and 1.37 WHIP while averaging just 4 2/3 innings per start. Neither bullpen is all that imposing. The Astros 'pen has converted just 19 saves while blowing 17 on the road this season. The Sox 'pen hasn't been much better at home, converting 21 saves while blowing 15. Note that the Boston relief corps has yet to convert a save in the playoffs while blowing three. Take the over (10*). |
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10-12-21 | Giants v. Dodgers OVER 7.5 | Top | 2-7 | Win | 100 | 11 h 28 m | Show |
NLDS Total of the Year. My selection is on the 'over' between San Francisco and Los Angeles at 9:05 pm et on Tuesday. With the Giants coming off a 1-0 victory last night, pushing the Dodgers to the brink of elimination in the process, I like the way Game 4 sets up as a relatively high-scoring affair. Note that the 'over' has gone 15-4 with the Giants coming off an underdog win over a division opponent this season, as is the case here. That situation has produced an average total of 10.7 runs. The 'over' also checks 38-22 with San Francisco coming off a game in which it gave up one run or less over the last three seasons, leading to an average total of 10.5 runs. The Dodgers, meanwhile, check in averaging 5.9 runs per game when coming off a loss against a division opponent in a game in which they were favored this season. That situation has produced an average total of 9.9 runs. They also average 5.5 runs per game when playing at home after being involved in a game that saw both teams score three runs or less, good for an average total of 8.4 runs. Neither of tonight's starters are all that imposing. For San Francisco's part, it averages 5.5 runs per game after scoring two runs or less in consecutive games over the last three seasons, as is the case here as well. The Dodgers will be getting their seventh look at Anthony DeSclafani this season. They tagged him for 22 earned runs in 27 innings during the regular season. Meanwhile, the Dodgers have yet to announce their starter but we can assume it will be 'all hands on deck' in this elimination game. Take the over (10*). |
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10-10-21 | Rays v. Red Sox OVER 8.5 | Top | 4-6 | Win | 100 | 10 h 43 m | Show |
ALDS Total of the Year. My selection is on the 'over' between Tampa Bay and Boston at 4:05 pm et on Sunday. We saw a whopping 20 runs scored in Game 2 of this series on Friday and I expect to see plenty of offense again in Game 3 on Sunday. Note that the 'over' has gone 23-13 with the Rays playing on the road against division opponents this season with those games averaging 11.3 total runs. Meanwhile, the 'over' has gone 16-5 after the Red Sox score 10 runs or more in a game over the last three seasons, leading to an average total of 11.5 runs scored. Drew Rasmussen will get the start for the Rays. He'll inexplicably be facing the Red Sox for the fourth time this season. While he's pitched well against them, you have to wonder if at some point Boston begins to figure him out. Note that he has posted an awful 50.7% hard-hit ball percentage and 91.2 mph exit velocity off opposing bats this season. With Rasmussen averaging just over four innings per start we should see plenty of a Rays bullpen that owns a collective 4.29 ERA and 1.28 WHIP on the road this season. Red Sox starter Nathan Eovaldi has arguably been the team's most reliable starter this season. However, here he'll be facing the Rays for the fifth time this season. Note that his previous four starts against them have totaled 11, 14, 28 and 3 runs. The Red Sox bullpen has recorded a collective 4.26 ERA and 1.38 WHIP at home this season. Take the over (10*). |
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10-05-21 | Yankees v. Red Sox UNDER 8 | Top | 2-6 | Push | 0 | 12 h 13 m | Show |
MLB Total of the Week. My selection is on the 'under' between New York and Boston at 8:05 pm et on Tuesday. Most will be anticipating a high-scoring affair between these two homer-happy rivals at hitter-friendly Fenway Park on Tuesday night. I don't see it playing out that way, however. Tonight's starters Gerrit Cole and Nathan Eovaldi actually just matched up on September 24th. That game finished 8-3 in favor of New York. The stakes are obviously even higher now with this being a 'win or go home' Wild Card showdown and I expect a more tightly-contested affair. Cole struggled down the stretch but this will be the first time he's had the benefit of pitching on a full five days' rest since September 14th against Baltimore. He gave up just one earned run in five innings in that start. Likewise for Eovaldi. He, however, pitched well in his most recent start, tossing six shutout innings against the Orioles. He checks in sporting a 1.11 WHIP in 19 home starts this season. It will obviously be 'all hands on deck' when it comes to the two bullpens following yesterday's off-day. In fact, both teams have had three off days since September 23rd, setting them up well for Tuesday's all-important contest. Take the under (10*). |
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09-29-21 | Marlins v. Mets OVER 7.5 | Top | 3-2 | Loss | -100 | 11 h 30 m | Show |
MLB F5 Innings Total of the Month. My selection is on the first five innings 'over' between Miami and New York at 7:10 pm et on Wednesday. We saw a pair of relatively low-scoring seven-innings affairs between these two teams simply playing out the string yesterday. I expect a different story to unfold on Wednesday, at least early on. Elieser Hernandez gets another start for the Marlins. He was tagged for three home runs in his most recent start and a pair of home runs the last time he faced the Mets. I suspect we'll see him nibbling the edges a little too much in this one and perhaps struggle to avoid walks, which have plagued him recently (seven walks in his last two starts spanning just 9 2/3 innings). Hernandez checks in with a 1.81 WHIP over his last three outings. Taijuan Walker will take the ball for New York. The wheels have come off for him down the stretch. He checks in having allowed 19 earned runs over his last four starts, covering a stretch of 17 1/3 innings. Like Hernandez, Walker has had a tough time keeping the ball in the park, allowing a whopping eight home runs over his last four outings and at least one home run in 10 of his last 11 starts. We'll play the first five innings only here, noting that the Mets bullpen in particular has been terrific lately, entering yesterday's double-header sporting a collective 2.96 ERA and 1.17 WHIP over their last seven games. Take the first five innings over (10*). |
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09-22-21 | Mariners v. A's OVER 8.5 | Top | 4-1 | Loss | -100 | 12 h 24 m | Show |
MLB Division Total of the Week. My selection is on the 'over' between Seattle and Oakland at 9:40 pm et on Wednesday. We've seen consecutive relatively low-scoring affairs to open this series. In fact, you would have to go back to September 15th to find the last time either of these teams posted an 'over' result. Look for that to change on Wednesday. The 'over' is a perfect 8-0 when the Mariners play on the road after winning three or more games in a row over the last two seasons with that spot producing an average total of 13.2 runs. Meanwhile, the 'over' is also a perfect 8-0 when the A's come off consecutive losses at home against division opponents this season, good for an average total of 12.1 runs. The A's average 5.6 runs per game when coming off four straight games scoring four runs or less over the last two seasons, as is the case here. Neither starter is likely to fool the opposition here given the A's have seen Chris Flexen three times this season while the Mariners have also seen Cole Irvin three times here in 2021. Irvin in particular has struggled, allowing a whopping 22 hits in just 11 2/3 innings. Flexen has seemingly hit the wall lately, topping out at four strikeouts over his last four outings, allowing 24 hits and 11 earned runs in 22 1/3 innings. Additionally, the Mariners bullpen has posted a collective 6.37 ERA and 1.63 WHIP over the last seven games. Take the over (10*). |
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09-21-21 | Twins v. Cubs OVER 8 | Top | 9-5 | Win | 100 | 10 h 59 m | Show |
MLB Interleague Total of the Week. My selection is on the 'over' between Minnesota and Chicago at 7:40 pm et on Tuesday. The Twins have seen their last two games stay 'under' the total but now head to Chicago to face a Cubs squad that has posted five consecutive 'over' results. I'm anticipating a relatively high-scoring affair at Wrigley Field on Tuesday. Note that the 'over' has gone 10-2 when the Twins play on the road after scoring three runs or less in consecutive games this season with that situation producing an average total of 12.9 runs. The 'over' is also 12-4 with the Twins on the road after losing a tight game by two runs or less this season with that spot producing an average total of 10.7 runs. Finally, we've seen the 'over' cash at a 14-3 clip with Minnesota on the road revenging a loss in which it scored one run or less over the last three seasons, as is the case here, good for an average total of 12.0 runs. As for the Cubs, it's been a case of addition by subtraction during the second half of the season as they've posted a 38-28 o/u record, averaging 4.5 runs per game with an average total of 10.7 runs. Neither of tonight's starters instill much confidence. Griffin Jax got off to a positive start to his rookie season with the Twins but has hit the wall since, allowing 26 earned runs over his last five outings, covering a span of 25 innings. He's allowed at least one home run in all but one of his 11 starts this season and checks in sporting a 6.91 ERA and 1.36 WHIP in six road starts. Alec Mills has solid overall numbers for the Cubs this season but averages just a shade over five innings per start and that's a concern as the Chicago bullpen has posted a collective 6.39 ERA and 1.65 WHIP over their last seven games. Take the over (10*). |
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09-20-21 | Pirates v. Reds OVER 9 | Top | 5-9 | Win | 100 | 10 h 54 m | Show |
N.L. Central Total of the Month. My selection is on the 'over' between Pittsburgh and Cincinnati at 6:40 pm et on Monday. Both of these teams are coming off a loss on Sunday, with both managing to score exactly five runs in those losing efforts. The last time we saw the Pirates and Reds match up they combined to score just one run as the Reds salvaged the final game of their series in Pittsburgh last week. I expect a different story to unfold on Monday, however. Note that the 'over' has gone 7-1 in the Pirates last eight games. That's nothing new as the 'over' is 57-37 when they play on the road in the second half of the season over the last three seasons with those games totaling an average of 9.8 runs. Also consider that the 'over' is 38-19 when the Buccos revenge a one-run loss against an opponent over that same span, resulting in an average total of 9.9 runs. Meanwhile, the Reds have posted a 41-31 o/u record at home this season (excluding pushes), good for an average total of 10.6 runs. It gets better though as the 'over' is 23-9 when Cincinnati plays at home off a loss this season, as is the case here, with that spot producing an average total of 12.1 runs. Pirates starter Dillon Peters has pitched relatively well this season but we're talking about a very small sample size of just 23 1/3 innings. Here, the Reds will be seeing him for the second time in a week. Note that the Cardinals saw him twice in a six-day span back in August. After managing just one run on three hits over five innings the first time they saw him, they doubled their hit total (6) and plated three runs, also over five innings, the next time they matched up. The Reds didn't score a single run off of Peters over five innings last week but I expect better production as they see him for a second time, especially given they're back at home. Reds starter Vladimir Gutierrez has seemingly hit the rookie wall here in September. He's now eclipsed 100 innings pitched on the season and has certainly struggled lately, allowing 13 earned runs in 15 innings over his last four starts. He recorded two strikeouts or less in three of those four outings. Both bullpens have held up well lately, but it's worth noting that the Pittsburgh 'pen has recorded a collective 4.91 ERA and 1.36 WHIP with only six saves converted and nine blown in division games this season. The Reds 'pen has posted a collective 5.66 ERA and 1.40 WHIP at home. Take the over (10*). |
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09-18-21 | Phillies v. Mets OVER 7.5 | Top | 5-3 | Win | 100 | 9 h 55 m | Show |
MLB Total of the Week. My selection is on the 'over' between Philadelphia and New York at 7:15 pm et on Saturday. We saw a relatively low-scoring game between these two teams last night as the Phillies prevailed by a 4-3 score. Here, I'm expecting more in the way of offense as Philadelphia sends Aaron Nola to the hill against Carlos Carrasco. Note that the 'over' has gone 9-1 with the Phillies playing on the road off three or more consecutive wins this season, as is the case here, with that situation producing an average total of 12.5 runs. Nola averages around 5 2/3 innings per start this season but has lasted less than six innings in seven of his last eight trips to the hill. Meanwhile, Carrasco averages just over four innings per start at home. That's worth considering as both bullpens have been struggling with the Phillies 'pen checking in with a 7.44 ERA and 1.65 WHIP and the Mets relief corps recording a 7.07 ERA and 1.68 WHIP over their last seven games respectively. Take the over (10*). |
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09-14-21 | Padres v. Giants OVER 9 | Top | 1-6 | Loss | -100 | 13 h 36 m | Show |
N.L. West Total of the Month. My selection is on the 'over' between San Diego and San Francisco at 9:45 pm et on Tuesday. We saw a high-scoring game between these two teams last night with the Giants doing most of the heavy-lifting in a 9-1 victory. I'm anticipating another relatively high-scoring affair as the reeling Padres look to break out of their funk on Tuesday night. Note that the Giants are as hot at the plate as any team in baseball right now, having scored a whopping 8.9 runs per game during their current eight-game winning streak. Here, they'll face a Padres club that has posted a 10-1 o/u record when playing on the road after scoring one run or less in a loss to a division opponent over the last two seasons, as is the case here, with that situation producing an average total of 13.1 runs. In fact, the 'over' is 14-4 with the Padres playing on the road after scoring one run or less in their last game over the last two seasons, good for an average total of 11.6 runs. On the flip side of that, the Giants have posted a 15-3 o/u mark when coming off a win by six runs or more against a division opponent over the last three seasons, with that spot averaging a total of 12.8 runs. While tonight's Giants starter, Anthony DeSclafani, has generally trended to the 'under', the 'over' has actually gone 9-1 in his last 10 home starts at night with those contests totaling an average of 11.2 runs. The Padres will mercifully trot out Jake Arrieta for another turn in the rotation despite his massive struggles. With Arrieta unlikely to work deep into this game we should see plenty from an overworked San Diego bullpen that has posted a collective 5.84 ERA over the last seven games. Take the over (10*). |
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09-08-21 | Rangers v. Diamondbacks OVER 8.5 | Top | 8-5 | Win | 100 | 6 h 24 m | Show |
MLB Interleague Total of the Month. My selection is on the 'over' between Texas and Arizona at 3:40 pm et on Wednesday. We saw a low-scoring game between these two teams last night. In fact, the Rangers have now seen two straight and four of their last five contests stay 'under' the total. I look for a different story to unfold here. Note that the 'over' is a perfect 8-0 with the D'Backs coming off a three-game stretch in which they hit .200 or worse as a team this season, as is the case here, with that situation producing an average total of 13.3 runs. The 'over' is also 26-11 when Arizona revenges a loss against an opponent as a home favorite over the last three seasons with that spot producing an average total of 11.5 runs. If there's one spot where we can generally count on high-scoring games involving the Rangers, it's on the road in day games over the last two seasons, with the 'over' cashing at a 21-10 clip in that spot, good for an average of 10.5 total runs. With a subpar starting pitching matchup between Arihara and Weaver, not to mention two unreliable bullpens, look for plenty of offensive fireworks in this one. Take the over (10*). |
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09-07-21 | Mets v. Marlins OVER 7.5 | Top | 9-4 | Win | 100 | 11 h 56 m | Show |
N.L. East Total of the Month. My selection is on the 'over' between New York and Miami at 6:40 pm et on Tuesday. High-scoring games involving the Marlins have been few and far between in recent weeks but that's the type of contest I'm expecting as they open a series against the Marlins on Tuesday night. Note that the 'over' has gone 12-1 when Miami plays at home after consecutive games where it recorded two hits or less over the last three seasons, as is the case here, with that situation producing an average total of 12.6 runs. The 'over' is also 30-14 when the Marlins play at home after consecutive games where they've scored three runs or less over the same stretch, leading to an average total of 10.2 runs scored. Finally, Miami is allowing 5.0 runs per game after allowing four runs or less in five straight games over the last three seasons, as is the case here, but also averaging 5.0 runs per game itself when coming off a one-run loss against a division opponent this year. With both lineups having just got a look at tonight's opposing starter in the last week, look for more than enough offense to topple this relatively low total on Tuesday. Take the over (10*). |
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09-06-21 | Mariners v. Astros OVER 8.5 | Top | 2-11 | Win | 100 | 9 h 48 m | Show |
MLB Division Total of the Week. My selection is on the 'over' between Seattle and Houston at 7:10 pm et on Monday. I like the way this one sets up as a high-scoring affair between the Mariners and Astros on Monday night. Note that the 'over' has gone 17-5 with the Mariners coming off four or more consecutive wins over the last three seasons, as is the case here, with those games averaging 11.8 total runs. Meanwhile, the 'over' has gone 12-3 with the Astros playing at home after losing three of their last four games with that situation producing an average total of 11.4 runs. The Astros will inexplicably be getting their sixth look at Mariners starter Yusei Kikuchi this season while the Mariners will be seeing Lance McCullers Jr. for the four time this year and seventh time since the start of 2020. Four of Kikuchi's six starts against Houston since last season have totaled at least 11 runs. Two of McCullers Jr.'s three outings against Seattle this year have reached at least 14 total runs. Take the over (10*). |
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09-03-21 | Indians v. Red Sox UNDER 9 | Top | 5-8 | Loss | -115 | 11 h 23 m | Show |
American League Total of the Month. My selection is on the 'under' between Cleveland and Boston at 7:10 pm et on Friday. If we're going to play an 'under' at this stage of the MLB season, we want to do so in situations where both starters are capable of working deep into the game as bullpens are usually overworked by this point and tend to be unreliable. That makes this play appealing as both Indians starter Cal Quantrill and Red Sox starter Nathan Eovaldi certainly fit the bill. Quantrill has worked at least six innings in seven of his last eight starts overall and has the benefit of pitching on a full five days' rest here. He's been a completely different pitcher since the second week of July, allowing more than a single earned run just three times in his last 10 outings. The 'under' has cashed in each of his last nine trips to the hill. Meanwhile, Nathan Eovaldi has worked at least into the sixth inning in eight of his last 11 starts and into the seventh inning in five consecutive outings at home. He's been solid at Fenway Park all season, recording a 2.90 ERA and 1.04 WHIP. Like Quantrill, he'll be pitching on a full five days' rest here, noting that the two starters just matched up in Cleveland last week with that game totaling eight runs. Note that two of the Indians best hitters, Jose Ramirez and Franmil Reyes are currently mired in 0-for-11 and 0-for-14 slumps at the plate, respectively. As for the bullpens, they've combined to record seven saves while blowing only two over their last eight games. With both teams playing well right now, I'm anticipating a tightly-contested, relatively low-scoring affair on a cool September night at Fenway Park. Take the under (10*). |
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09-01-21 | Astros v. Mariners OVER 8.5 | Top | 0-1 | Loss | -100 | 7 h 1 m | Show |
A.L. West Total of the Month. My selection is on the 'over' between Houston and Seattle at 4:10 pm et on Wednesday. We've seen consecutive low-scoring games to open this series but I expect a different story to unfold on Wednesday afternoon. Jake Odorizzi gets the nod for the Astros. He hasn't worked six innings in a start since way back on July 9th and that's telling. He hasn't been pitching particularly well, sporting a 1.50 WHIP over his last three starts. The Mariners have already got three previous looks at him this season and have had some success, collecting eight earned runs and delivering three home runs off of him. Note that the 'over' has cashed in six of his last eight starts overall with his last two outings against the Mariners totaling 16 and 15 runs. Logan Gilbert has seemingly hit the 'rookie wall' for the Mariners. He'll pitch on just four days' rest and make his sixth start since August 4th, having allowed a whopping 24 earned runs over his previous five including five home runs over his last three trips to the hill. The Astros just teed off on him back on August 21st, scoring nine earned runs on eight hits over just 4 2/3 innings in a 15-1 victory. Both bullpens are generally solid but check in having blown two saves apiece over their last seven games respectively. Take the over (10*). |
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08-29-21 | Diamondbacks v. Phillies UNDER 9 | Top | 4-7 | Loss | -115 | 7 h 40 m | Show |
MLB Total of the Week. My selection is on the 'under' between Arizona and Philadelphia at 1:05 pm et on Sunday. Ranger Suarez has been about as reliable as it gets for the Phillies, stepping into the rotation at the start of the month and allowing just five earned runs in 21 1/3 innings of work. His three previous home starts have totaled just 8, 3 and 4 runs. Meanwhile, D'Backs veteran starter Madison Bumgarner has enjoyed a nice comeback season and enters this outing having worked at least six innings in six consecutive starts. His last three road outings have totaled just 5, 2 and 6 runs. The left-hander has posted an impressive 1.05 WHIP in 10 road starts this season. The less said about the two bullpens the better, but I'm not sure they'll be asked to do too much in this one, and neither lineup has really been tearing the cover off the ball (note that Friday's wild 7-6 extra innings game was 4-4 after nine innings). Weather conditions aren't nearly as favorable for hitters at Citizens Bank Park as they were earlier in the week. Take the under (10*). |
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08-25-21 | Tigers v. Cardinals OVER 9 | Top | 2-3 | Loss | -110 | 16 h 38 m | Show |
MLB Interleague Total of the Week. My selection is on the 'over' between Detroit and St. Louis at 1:15 pm et on Wednesday. Both of these teams have been involved in their share of low-scoring games recently but I expect a different story to unfold on Wednesday afternoon in St. Louis. Tarik Skubal will take the ball for Detroit. He's pitched well over his last few starts but note that two of those came at home and the other came on the road against an awful Orioles team. Skubal still owns a less than impressive 5.11 ERA and 1.36 WHIP in nine road starts. Also note that he averages fewer than five innings per start on the road this season. That means we're likely to see plenty of a Tigers bullpen that has posted a collective 5.69 ERA and 1.61 WHIP away from home (entering last night's action). Jon Lester has been a complete train wreck this season and has done little to turn things around since joining the Cardinals. He has recorded a 5.08 ERA and 1.48 WHIP in 12 home starts. Over his last three outings that ERA sits at 5.87 to go along with a 1.70 WHIP. His last 10 starts have resulted in 13, 21, 12, 14, 19, 8, 7, 11, 13 and 12 total runs - good for an average of 13 runs. Take the over (10*). |
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08-24-21 | Nationals v. Marlins OVER 8 | Top | 5-1 | Loss | -115 | 22 h 32 m | Show |
N.L. East Total of the Year. My selection is on the 'over' between Washington and Miami at 7:10 pm et on Tuesday. The Nationals may simply be playing out the string at this point but they're still hitting, having scored 38 runs over their last six games. I expect them to get involved in another high-scoring affair to open this series in Miami on Tuesday night. Erick Fedde will get the call for the Nats. He owns an ERA of nearly six and a 1.76 WHIP over his last three starts. The 'over' has cashed in each of his last four trips to the hill. Behind Fedde is a struggling Nats bullpen that owns a collective 6.75 ERA and 1.69 WHIP over their last seven contests. Jesus Luzardo will counter for Miami. He's struggled since coming over from Oakland, checking in with an 11.37 ERA and 2.37 WHIP over his last three starts. His last two outings have resulted in 24 and 20 total runs. Behind Fedde is a Marlins bullpen that has posted a collective 9.64 ERA and 1.97 WHIP over their last seven games. With the Marlins getting healthier lineup-wise of late, they won't shy away from a potential slugfest here. Take the over (10*). |
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08-24-21 | Angels v. Orioles OVER 10.5 | Top | 14-8 | Win | 100 | 21 h 15 m | Show |
American League Total of the Week. My selection is on the 'over' between Los Angeles and Baltimore at 7:05 pm et on Tuesday. Dylan Bundy has been marginally better (at times at least) for the Angels this season but here he'll face an Orioles lineup that will look to take their frustrations out on their former teammate - mired in an 18-game losing streak but having faced three straight opponents in the midst of playoff races. It's a different story here as the O's welcome the Angels, who just got swept by the Indians and sit out of the playoff race, two games under .500 on the season. Bundy owns an ugly 7.16 ERA and 1.39 WHIP in 10 nighttime starts this season. He's failed to last through the fifth inning in six of his last seven outings. I do think the O's lineup is better than it has shown in recent weeks and its recent struggles have had more to do with the level of opposition it has faced than anything else (Red Sox, Rays and Braves). Again, I think we see the O's take their frustrations out on the Angels subpar pitching staff on Tuesday. Spenser Watkins will counter for Baltimore. He owns a terrible 9.00 ERA and 2.00 WHIP over his last three starts. In six nighttime outings this season he has recorded a 6.21 ERA and 1.72 WHIP. Meanwhile, the O's bullpen owns a collective 5.31 ERA and 1.37 WHIP at home this season. After being held to just two runs in a three-game sweep at the hands of the Indians look for the Angles to bust out at the plate in this one. Take the over (10*). |
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08-22-21 | Diamondbacks v. Rockies OVER 11.5 | Top | 8-4 | Win | 100 | 7 h 13 m | Show |
N.L. West Total of the Month. My selection is on the 'over' between Arizona and Colorado at 3:10 pm et on Sunday. This game has slugfest written all over it on a hot day in Denver with the wind blowing out to right field. Off a low-scoring affair last night, look for a different story to unfold here. Taylor Widener takes the ball for the D'Backs. He has allowed at least one home run in six straight starts and three in his last two outings, spanning just 10 innings of work. Note that he hasn't lasted beyond the fifth inning in any of his last seven starts. The Arizona bullpen has of course been awful all season, posting a 5.40 ERA and 1.54 WHIP on the road (entering last night's action). Jon Gray will counter for Colorado. He's been shaky since the trade deadline passed (his name was swirling around plenty of rumors at the time). He enters this start sporting an ERA north of six and a WHIP over 1.70 over his last three outings. While the Colorado bullpen has been better lately, it still owns an ugly 5.45 ERA and 1.50 WHIP at home this season. Take the over (10*). |
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08-19-21 | Marlins v. Reds OVER 8 | Top | 1-6 | Loss | -114 | 9 h 31 m | Show |
MLB Total of the Week. My selection is on the 'over' between Miami and Cincinnati at 7:10 pm et on Thursday. The Marlins are still undecided as to who will take the mound for the opener of this four-game series in Cincinnati. Regardless who does, I'm anticipating a relatively high-scoring affair. Cincinnati is coming off consecutive low-scoring games against the Cubs after an offensive explosion on Monday. Weather conditions have been favoring the hitters all week at already hitter-friendly Great American Ballpark and there's more of the same in the forecast for Thursday. Luis Castillo will make his third straight starts on just four days' rest. He's been laboring lately, allowing 11 earned runs on 12 hits over his last two outings, spanning just 10 innings of work. He's been tagged for at least a home run in four consecutive outings. Note that his last two starts against the Marlins have totaled 14 and 13 runs. Here, he'll be facing a Marlins club that is as close to full strength as it has been all season and is coming off a three-game series against Atlanta that saw 36 total runs scored. Behind Castillo is a Reds bullpen that hasn't had a day off since August 2nd. Not surprisingly they've struggled with an ERA north of six and a 1.160 WHIP over their last seven games. Worse still, the Marlins 'pen has posted a collective 8.77 ERA and 1.95 WHIP over their last seven contests. Take the over (10*). |
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08-18-21 | Brewers v. Cardinals UNDER 7 | Top | 6-4 | Loss | -102 | 11 h 57 m | Show |
N.L. Division Total of the Month. My selection is on the 'under' between Milwaukee and St. Louis at 7:45 pm et on Wednesday. We saw a pitcher's duel between Corbin Burnes and Adam Wainwright to open this series last night and I expect more of the same as Freddy Peralta goes up against Jack Flaherty on Wednesday. Peralta checks in sporting a 2.60 ERA and 1.10 WHIP in 10 road starts this season with the 'under' cashing in six of those games. Better still, he owns a 1.88 ERA and 0.72 WHIP in 11 nighttime starts. Note that he'll be facing a Cardinals lineup that is missing a couple of key bats in Paul DeJong (back) and Dylan Carlson (wrist). Jack Flaherty made a triumphant return to the Cards rotation last Friday night as he tossed six shutout innings against the Royals (we won with the 'under'). Flaherty has made four home starts this season, recording an incredible 1.44 ERA and 0.72 WHIP. He's faced the Brewers once this season, allowing just four hits over six shutout innings in a 2-0 victory back in May. Both bullpens are reliable enough to trust in this one. Much like last night's affair, I expect this one to have a 'playoff-type' feel and prove low-scoring once again. Take the under (10*). |
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08-17-21 | Pirates v. Dodgers OVER 9 | Top | 3-4 | Loss | -108 | 13 h 17 m | Show |
MLB o/u Premier Play. My selection is on the 'over' between Pittsburgh and Los Angeles at 10:10 pm et on Tuesday. We saw a low-scoring game between these two teams last night as the Dodgers prevailed by a 2-1 score. I expect a much different story to unfold on Tuesday. Wil Crowe will take the ball for Pittsburgh. He's in a tough spot here, noting that he has posted a 6.10 ERA and 1.54 WHIP in eight road starts this season, most recently getting lit up for three home runs in his last road outing in Cincinnati. Dodger Stadium could very well play a bit like Great American Ballpark tonight with the wind blowing out to left-center and I expect the homer-happy Dodgers to take advantage of Crowe here. Note that Crowe has been tagged for six home runs in his last three road starts, covering a span of just 14 1/3 innings of work. Behind Crowe is a subpar Pirates bullpen that owns a 5.22 ERA and 1.37 WHIP on the road this season (entering last night's action). David Price will get the nod for the Dodgers. He'll once again be on a short leash here, having yet to last more than 5 2/3 innings in a start this season. He hasn't fared particularly well in his last two home starts, allowing four home runs in 11 innings. With the Dodgers bullpen having not enjoyed a day off in over a week, with some extra innings affairs in the mix, there's reason to believe that the Pirates can scratch together some offense tonight. Note that they were threatening virtually all game long last night but simply couldn't break through. It's been feast or famine for the Buccos at the plate lately but worth noting that they're only a couple of days removed from exploding for 14 runs against the Brewers on Saturday. Take the over (10*). |
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08-16-21 | Indians v. Twins UNDER 10 | Top | 4-5 | Win | 100 | 14 h 30 m | Show |
MLB Division Total of the Year. My selection is on the 'under' between Cleveland and Minnesota at 8:10 pm et on Monday. Neither Cal Quantrill or Griffin Jax are household names, but both have been pitching exceptionally well lately and I'm anticipating a relatively low-scoring affair featuring the two young starters on Monday. The Indians are of course coming off an 11-run outburst in Detroit yesterday. Performances like that have been few and far between for this fading club lately though, as they had been held to four runs or less in four of their last five games prior to yesterday's contest. Better than their offensive production was the fact that starter Triston McKenzie gave them eight strong innings, meaning only closer Emmanuel Clase (who hadn't pitched since August 10th) was used out of the bullpen, giving that group a much-needed rest (Cleveland hasn't had a day off since July 26th). Cal Quantrill is locked in for the Indians right now having allowed two earned runs or less in six consecutive starts. He's worked at least into the sixth inning in five straight and seven of his last eight outings. He enters this outing sporting a 3.14 ERA and 0.98 WHIP in eight nighttime starts, with the 'under' going 5-2-1 in those contests. Griffin Jax was shaky in his big league debut back in early July but has settled down considerably since, allowing just six earned runs in 20 1/3 innings over his last four outings. In his most recent start, Jax worked a career high six innings and struck out 10 against a red hot White Sox lineup. Behind Jax is an improving Twins bullpen that entered yesterday's action sporting a collective 3.72 ERA and 1.10 WHIP with three saves converted and none blown over their last seven games. Take the under (10*). |
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08-15-21 | Dodgers v. Mets UNDER 8 | Top | 14-4 | Loss | -110 | 11 h 19 m | Show |
MLB Sunday Night Baseball First Five Innings Total of the Year. My selection is on the first five innings 'under' between Los Angeles and New York at 7:05 pm et on Sunday. After consecutive extra innings affairs, we'll look to avoid the bullpens in this one and play the 'first five innings' under the total. Max Scherzer will get his third start with the Dodgers after his most recent outing was cut short due to rain. Scherzer should have a live arm after working just 3 1/3 innings before the rain moved in earlier this week against the Phillies. Scherzer has not surprisingly pitched well in Dodger Blue, allowing just two earned runs while striking out 16 and walking just one in 10 1/3 innings of work since joining Los Angeles. He checks in sporting a 3.00 ERA and 1.03 WHIP on the road this season. The Mets are hoping Carlos Carrasco can pick them up after back-to-back one-run extra inning losses. After pitching reasonably well in his first two starts of the season he had a rough outing last time out. It was really the story of a bad start as he gave up consecutive singles before Juan Soto touched him up for a three-run home run to start the game. In limited work this season, Carrasco has posted an impressively-low 29.0% hard-hit ball percentage to go along with a 48.4% ground ball percentage. I look for him to bounce back here. Take the first five innings under (10*). |
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08-14-21 | Reds v. Phillies OVER 10 | Top | 1-6 | Loss | -120 | 8 h 9 m | Show |
MLB o/u Premier Play. My selection is on the 'over' between Cincinnati and Philadelphia at 4:05 pm et on Saturday. We missed with the 'over' in this matchup last night but despite a well-pitched game from both starters we still had an opportunity to cash with the potential 'over-clinching' run at the plate in the ninth inning. Here, I won't hesitate to go back to the well with the same play, noting that weather conditions once again favor the hitters in Philadelphia. Luis Castillo gets the start for Cincinnati. We won with the 'over' in this most recent start - a 9-3 loss in Cleveland on Monday. Castillo will once again pitch on just four days' rest on Saturday - the third time he will have done so in his last four outings. He's now been tagged for five home runs in his last three starts and as I mentioned, conditions should favor the hitters at Citizens Bank Park on Saturday. Castillo checks in sporting a 5.40 ERA and 1.45 WHIP with the 'over' cashing in eight of his 12 road starts this season. Behind Castillo is a Reds bullpen that held up well last night but has generally struggled this season, entering last night's action sporting a collective 4.51 ERA and 1.43 WHIP with 19 saves converted and 13 blown on the road this season. Note that the Reds haven't had a day off since August 2nd. Matt Moore will get a spot start for the Phillies on Saturday. He's generally been awful this season, posting a 9.30 ERA and 2.02 WHIP in five home starts. With Moore averaging just over four innings per start we're likely to see plenty of the Phillies bullpen. Their relief corps has posted a collective 4.82 ERA and 1.46 WHIP with 15 saves converted and nine blown at home this season. Take the over (10*). |
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08-13-21 | Cardinals v. Royals UNDER 8.5 | Top | 6-0 | Win | 100 | 12 h 38 m | Show |
MLB o/u Premier Play. My selection is on the 'under' between St. Louis and Kansas City at 8:10 pm et on Friday. The Cardinals are coming off a high-scoring affair to close out their series in Pittsburgh yesterday. Keep in mind, weather conditions were favorable for the hitters in that one as it was hot and humid with the wind blowing out. We're likely to see a different story on Friday with conditions favoring the pitchers and I look for Jack Flaherty and Mike Minor to take advantage. Flaherty will of course be returning to the rotation for the first time since May. There's no question he's ready to come back, keeping in mind his injury was actually to his left side rather than his throwing side. All indications are that he could have returned in the series in Pittsburgh but the Cards didn't want him hitting in an N.L. park. Here, he'll be able to focus solely on pitching and should fare well against a Royals club he has owned, facing them once in each of the last three seasons, allowing just two earned runs in 19 innings of work. While Flaherty isn't expected to be on a pitch count for this one, we could still see plenty of the Cardinals bullpen. That's not necessarily a bad thing as they've recorded a collective 2.40 ERA and 1.01 WHIP with three saves converted and none blown in 56 1/3 innings of work in interleague play this season. Entering yesterday's action they had posted a 1.02 WHIP over their last seven contests. Mike Minor will counter for Kansas City. After a long stretch of starting exclusively on four days' rest he has had a little more time off to rest his arm lately. He's struggled in his last couple of starts but both of those came on the road. Here at home, while his ERA north of five leaves a lot to be desired, he has posted a respectable 1.18 WHIP. In his last three home outings he has allowed eight earned runs in 18 2/3 innings. Note that the Cardinals check in averaging just 3.6 runs per game against left-handed pitching this season. Behind Minor is an improving Royals bullpen that enjoyed an off day yesterday and has posted a collective 3.18 ERA and 1.10 WHIP over the last seven games. Like the Cardinals, the Royals 'pen has also thrived in interleague play, recording a 2.56 ERA and 1.20 WHIP with six saves converted and only two blown. Take the under (10*). |
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08-12-21 | Rockies v. Giants UNDER 7.5 | Top | 0-7 | Win | 100 | 15 h 50 m | Show |
N.L. First Five Innings Total of the Month. My selection is on the first five innings 'under' between Colorado and San Francisco at 9:45 pm et on Thursday. The Giants just wrapped up a two-game sweep of the lowly D'Backs last night as they pounded away on an awful Arizona pitching staff. I expect they'll find the going a little tougher on Thursday as they face Rockies All-Star starter German Marquez. Meanwhile, the Rockies offense was non-existent in a two-game sweep at the hands of the Astros (they scored a grand total of one run). Expect more of the same against Giants improving young starter Logan Webb. Marquez got roughed up by the Giants in three starts earlier this season, but all three came before the second week of May, when the veteran right-hander was struggling mightily out of the gate. He's settled down since and enters this start sporting a 2.52 ERA and 0.97 WHIP in 14 nighttime starts this season. Over his last two outings he's allowed just six hits and two earned runs in 12 innings of work. Speaking to his consistency, he has worked at least six innings in nine consecutive starts. I like the fact that he'll be pitching on a full five days' rest for the second consecutive start here. By playing the first five innings only we'll look to avoid a Rockies bullpen that is always a disaster waiting to happen, having posted a collective ERA north of five and a WHIP hovering around 1.50. Logan Webb will counter for San Francisco. He's quietly been one of the best pitchers on the Giants elite staff this season. Like Marquez, Webb got off to a shaky start this season and had a couple of rough early outings against these same Rockies. However, since giving up six earned runs in a start against Colorado back on May 5th, Webb has allowed two earned runs or less in nine consecutive outings. He's been outstanding here at home this season, posting a stellar 1.91 ERA and 1.03 WHIP in six starts with all six staying 'under' the total. He's lasted six innings in each of his last three starts and like Marquez, has the benefit of pitching on a full five days' rest here. While the Giants bullpen has held up well, it's certainly worth noting that they haven't had an off day since back on July 26th. I'm not interested in testing the waters with that relief corps here, so we'll instead play the first five innings only. Take the first five innings under (10*). |
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08-12-21 | Blue Jays v. Angels UNDER 8.5 | Top | 3-6 | Loss | -100 | 12 h 50 m | Show |
MLB Premier Play. My selection is on the 'under' between Toronto and Los Angeles at 9:35 pm et on Thursday. We saw a high-scoring game between these two teams last night with the Blue Jays doing most of the heavy lifting. I expect a much different story to unfold on Thursday, however. Jose Berrios will make his third start with his new team. He's been lights out in the first two, allowing just one earned run while striking out 13 in 12 innings of work. He seemed to figure out the Angels lineup pretty well the last time he faced them in July (as a member of the Twins), allowing just two unearned runs over seven innings in a 2-1 loss. Note that Berrios has been at his best at night this season, recording a 2.26 ERA and 0.83 WHIP in 20 starts. Behind Berrios is a Blue Jays bullpen that has been pitching well lately, recording a 2.05 ERA and 1.18 WHIP over their last seven games. They've converted 14 saves while blowing only five on the road this season. Shohei Ohtani will counter for Los Angeles. He'll be making just his fourth start since July 19th and first in over a week so there are no real concerns of a tired arm here. Note that Ohtani has posted a sparkling 1.79 ERA and 1.11 WHIP in nine home starts this season with the 'under' cashing in five of those games. While the Angels bullpen has struggled all season, the good news is Ohtani has lasted at least six innings in six of his last seven starts so we may not need a great deal of help from the Los Angeles relief corps here. Take the under (10*). |
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08-11-21 | Dodgers v. Phillies OVER 9.5 | Top | 8-2 | Win | 100 | 12 h 23 m | Show |
MLB Premier O/U Play. My selection is on the 'over' between Los Angeles and Philadelphia at 7:05 pm et on Wednesday. I like the way this one sets up as a high-scoring affair at Citizens Bank Park on Wednesday night. We saw a relatively low-scoring game between these two teams in last night's series-opener but that was to be expected with Max Scherzer and Aaron Nola toeing the rubber. Here, we can anticipate a much different story to unfold. David Price will get the start for Los Angeles. After giving up two home runs in his most recent start (he's allowed two home runs in two of his last three outings) I won't be surprised if he gets caught trying to be a little 'too perfect' on Wednesday and the Phillies certainly have a lineup capable of punishing him for that. Note that Price has posted a 4.70 ERA over his last three outings and has topped out at four strikeouts in seven of his eight starts this season - clearly a shell of his former self. While he's pitched well in his career against Philadelphia, he hasn't faced the Phils since 2018. Here, he'll be pitching on just four days' rest, noting the last time he did that he allowed three earned runs in 5 2/3 innings in a 9-6 loss to the lowly Rockies. The Dodgers bullpen will likely get plenty of work with Price averaging just a shade over four innings per start on the road this season. That relief corps has struggled a bit on the road this season, posting a 3.78 ERA and 1.40 WHIP with 13 saves converted and 10 blown (entering last night's action). Kyle Gibson will get his third start as a member of the Phillies and will pitch on just four days' rest for the second straight outing. While he's pitched well in his last two outings, those came against the Pirates and Mets. He'll be taking a step up in class here, noting that he was tagged for five earned runs including three home runs over just five innings in his last start against the Dodgers last August. Behind Gibson is a Phillies bullpen that entered last night's action sporting a collective 4.80 ERA and 1.42 WHIP with 14 saves converted and nine blown at home this season. Finally, I'll note that weather conditions are expected to favor the hitters on Wednesday (as if often the case this time of year in Philadelphia) with warm temperatures and the wind blowing out to right-center field. Take the over (10*). |
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08-10-21 | Rockies v. Astros OVER 8.5 | Top | 0-5 | Loss | -115 | 14 h 31 m | Show |
N.L. Total of the Week. My selection is on the 'over' between Colorado and Houston at 8:10 pm et on Tuesday. The Astros had a tough time in a four-game series against the Twins from Thursday-Sunday, scoring only 16 runs in dropping three of four contests. Perhaps that letdown was to be expected after a tough road trip that took them through Seattle, San Francisco and Los Angeles, during which they enjoyed plenty of offensive success. Following a much-needed off day on Monday, I expect them to take their frustrations out on the Rockies on Tuesday, helping this one 'over' the very reasonable total. Jon Gray will get the start for the visiting Rockies. He's quite simply been a different pitcher on the road compared to at home this season, recording a 4.40 ERA and 1.43 WHIP with the 'over' cashing in five of his nine outings. Here, he's in a bit of a tough spot as he makes his fourth start since July 25th. We saw some signs of wear in his most recent start as he was tagged for eight hits in six innings - his highest hit total allowed since May 17th. Gray has had previous success against the Astros but has never faced them here in Houston. Behind Gray is an awful Rockies bullpen that has posted a collective 5.25 ERA and 1.50 WHIP with only eight saves converted and eight blown on the road this season. Over their last seven games they've recorded an ERA north of six. Jake Odorizzi will look to right the ship as he takes the ball for the Astros. He allowed a whopping four home runs in his most recent start and has been tagged for eight long balls in total in his last four outings. The 'over' has cashed in four of his six home starts as he's recorded a 5.56 ERA and 1.37 WHIP. While I do think he can turn things around to a certain extent in this start, it's highly unlikely that he'll shut the Rockies offense down completely. Despite Colorado's miserable road record this season, it has still managed to average north of three runs per game away from Coors Field and I believe that might be all we need from them to help this one 'over' the total. The Astros have a fine bullpen but I will point out that for whatever reason they've struggled in interleague play, posting a collective 6.05 ERA and 1.77 WHIP, albeit with a small sample size of only 44 2/3 innings. Take the over (10*). |
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08-09-21 | Reds v. Indians OVER 9.5 | Top | 3-9 | Win | 100 | 9 h 36 m | Show |
MLB Interleague Total of the Year. My selection is on the 'over' between Cincinnati and Cleveland at 6:10 pm et on Monday. We missed with the Reds 'over' yesterday afternoon but I won't hesitate to go back to the well with the same play here as they open a road trip in Cleveland on Monday. First, it's worth noting that the wind is expected to be blowing out to right-center field in this one, ideal conditions for the bats at Progressive Field. Luis Castillo will take the ball for the Reds. While he has certainly turned things around with a terrific stretch of performances, this is by no means an ideal spot as he starts on just four days' rest for the third consecutive outing. While the Indians struggled against Castillo in their first look at him back in 2019, they've figured him out since, scoring seven earned runs in just nine innings against him since last season, including a 9-2 victory here in Cleveland back in May. Behind Castillo is a Reds bullpen that really struggled in night games this season, posting a collective 5.45 ERA and 1.50 WHIP with 19 saves converted and 16 blown. Sam Hentges will get a spot start for the Indians. He's yet to find much success at the big league level and the jury is still out as to whether he's capable of rounding into a major league starter. In three home starts this season, the left-hander has recorded an ugly 9.31 ERA and 2.38 WHIP. That's despite tossing 4 2/3 shutout innings here in his big league debut back in mid-May. Hentges is averaging just under 3 2/3 innings per start and now faces a Reds club that has averaged a whopping seven runs per game over the last week. While the Indians bullpen has been solid this season, it has struggled in interleague play, recording a collective 4.92 ERA and 1.47 WHIP with only three saves converted and four blown in 56 2/3 innings of work. Take the over (10*). |
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08-07-21 | Mariners v. Yankees OVER 10 | Top | 4-5 | Loss | -106 | 5 h 47 m | Show |
MLB Daytime Total of the Month. My selection is on the 'over' between Seattle and New York at 1:05 pm et on Saturday. We won with the first five innings 'over' in Mariners starter Chris Flexen's most recent outing. He actually pitched well in that game, allowing only two earned runs in 6 2/3 innings of work against the Rays. Road success hasn't been the norm for Flexen this season, however, as he's posted a 5.44 ERA and 1.57 WHIP in eight starts away from home. Note that the 'over' has gone a perfect 8-0 in his eight previous road starts. Behind Flexen is a Mariners bullpen that has already coughed up the first two games in this series and entered last night's action sporting a collective 4.85 ERA and 1.37 WHIP with 15 saves converted and 13 blown away from home this season. With Flexen averaging just 5.6 innings per start on the road this season, we should see plenty of the M's relief corps today. Andrew Heaney will counter for New York. His Yankees debut did not go well at all as he was lit up for four home runs (all four were solo shots so the damage could have been worse) in just four innings of work against the Orioles. Now he makes a second straight start on just four days' rest and faces a familiar Mariners lineup (from his days with the Angels in the A.L. West) that has torched him for eight earned runs in just 7 1/3 innings this season. Heaney didn't issue a walk in his last start but command has been an issue for the left-hander. After giving up those four home runs last time out, look for him to try to be a little too perfect today and that could lead to plenty of Mariners base-runners. With the Yankees having not had a day off since July 26th, their bullpen comes in overworked. Keep in mind, this is a bullpen that has posted a 3.85 ERA and 1.26 WHIP with only 11 saves converted and eight blown at home (entering last night's action), with that ERA rising to 4.50 in day games this season. Take the over (10*). |
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08-05-21 | Twins v. Astros UNDER 9.5 | Top | 5-3 | Win | 100 | 8 h 24 m | Show |
A.L. Non-Division Total of the Month. My selection is on the 'under' between Minnesota and Houston at 8:10 pm et on Thursday. I like the way this one sets up as a relatively low-scoring affair in Houston on Thursday night. The Twins were of course sellers prior to the trade deadline and are now left with a lineup that could probably fit in at triple-A ball. With that being said, they are coming off a high-scoring series against the Reds as they abused an awful Cincinnati bullpen. They're not likely to be so fortunate here, however, as the Astros 'pen has posted a collective 3.91 ERA and 1.24 WHIP with 11 saves converted and only five blown at home this season. It would certainly be understandable if the Astros lacked some focus at the plate in this one as they return home after a long road trip that included stops against the division rival Mariners in Seattle and two of the N.L.'s best teams in the Giants and Dodgers. Griffin Jax will take the ball for Minnesota. He was slated to start yesterday but that was pushed back a day allowing him to pitch on a full five days' rest here. Each of his first three big league starts have come on the road so he's battle-tested in a sense. After struggling in his first outing he's settled down to allow just two earned runs in nine innings over his last two starts. This will be just his fourth outing since July 3rd so his arm is fresh. I expect him to perhaps go deeper into this game than he has previously, having never gone more than five innings. He'll have the advantage of facing the Astros for the first time. Framber Valdez will counter for Houston. He's faced the Twins twice during his career and has managed them well on both occasions, allowing just two earned runs in 12 1/3 innings. He'll be making his fourth straight start on at least five days' rest. While his command hasn't been there over his last couple of starts he's made up for it by allowing just four hits while striking out 10 in 11 innings of work. The Twins are a weaker offensive club both on the road and against left-handed pitching and I don't envision them inflicting much damage against Valdez here. Take the under (10*). |
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08-03-21 | Braves v. Cardinals UNDER 9 | Top | 6-1 | Win | 100 | 22 h 26 m | Show |
N.L. Non-Division Total of the Month. My selection is on the 'under' between Atlanta and St. Louis at 8:15 pm et on Tuesday. The Braves have seen just three of their last nine games go 'over' the total and I expect that trend to continue on Tuesday night in St. Louis. While Atlanta has hit better against left-handed pitching this season it has actually scored a grand total of just one run in its last two games against southpaw starters. Also note that it has already seen Cards newly-acquired left-hander Jon Lester twice this season and has managed to score just four earned runs in 10 2/3 innings with the 'under' cashing in both of those games. Lester enters this start on extended rest but will likely still have a short leash, noting that he averages less than five innings per start this season. The good news is that behind Lester is an improving Cardinals bullpen that comes off an off day on Monday and has posted a collective 3.90 ERA and 1.33 WHIP with 19 saves converted and only three blown at home this season. Max Fried gets the nod for Atlanta. He should benefit from facing a Cards club that averages just 3.6 runs per game against lefties this season. Fried already limited St. Louis to just one earned run over seven innings back in June. His road numbers aren't good this season but he enters this outing on a full five days' rest and has posted a 2.84 ERA and 1.16 WHIP over his last three starts overall, with two of those coming on the road. Like the Cards 'pen, the Braves relief corps has been improving and checks in with a 4.27 ERA and 1.46 WHIP on the road this season, converting 13 saves while blowing only five. Take the under (10*). |
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08-02-21 | Mariners v. Rays OVER 8.5 | Top | 8-2 | Win | 100 | 21 h 19 m | Show |
A.L. First Five Innings Total of the Month. My selection is on the first five innings 'over' between Seattle and Tampa Bay at 7:10 pm et on Monday. I'm anticipating a high-scoring start on Monday's showdown between the Mariners and Rays in St. Petersburg. Chris Flexen gets the start for Seattle. The wheels have come off for him over his last couple of starts as he's been tagged for nine earned runs on 15 hits over just 9 1/3 innings of work. Note that he's recorded a grand total of only six strikeouts over his last three outings. He owns a 5.92 ERA and 1.61 WHIP in seven road starts this season with the 'over' cashing in all seven of those contests. To make matters worse he faces a Rays club that he has faced once before, back in 2018, when he gave up five earned runs and exited after just three innings. Michael Wacha will counter for Tampa Bay. He's been terrific at home this season but I don't have a great deal of confidence in him as he pitches on just four days' rest here, and faces a Mariners club that has certainly had his number, facing him twice since 2019, including once already this season, scoring nine earned runs on 17 hits while drawing three walks and striking out only twice in just seven innings. It's worth noting that Wacha has allowed 11 earned runs on 22 hits in just 14 1/3 innings when pitching on four days' rest this season. By playing the first five innings only we'll look to avoid (for the most part) a Rays bullpen that has posted a collective 2.56 ERA and 1.01 WHIP at home this season. Take the first five innings over (10*). |
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07-31-21 | A's v. Angels OVER 10 | Top | 0-1 | Loss | -113 | 5 h 24 m | Show |
MLB Daytime Total of the Month. My selection is on the 'over' between Oakland and Los Angeles at 4:05 pm et on Saturday. We've seen consecutive low-scoring games to open this series but I expect a different story to unfold in Anaheim on Saturday. Left-hander Cole Irvin will take the ball for Oakland. The Angels will be getting their fourth look at him already this season. They enjoyed plenty of success in their first two tries against him before getting shut out over seven innings against him a couple of weeks ago (we actually won with the A's in that game). Note that the Angels have been a better offensive team both at home and against left-handed starting pitching this season. Prior to getting shut out the last two nights, the Halos had scored 23 runs in their previous four contests. Irvin has generally been weaker in day games this season, recording a 4.14 ERA and 1.18 WHIP in 10 starts. Behind Irvin is an uneven A's bullpen that has posted a collective 3.40 ERA and 1.30 WHIP on the road this season with 12 saves converted and 10 blown. Jaime Barria will counter for Los Angeles. He pitched well in his first start of the season last time out but going back further has generally struggled at the big league level. The A's didn't do much against him back in 2018 but then in 2019 scored five runs, four of them earned, in just four innings. Note that the A's have actually been a better offensive team on the road than at home this season. The real key to the A's success here could be the way they match up against the Angels bullpen. Los Angeles hasn't had a day off since July 21st and its 'pen has struggled all season, particularly in day games where it owns a collective 5.54 ERA and 1.45 WHIP with nine saves converted and five blown. Take the over (10*). |
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07-30-21 | Indians v. White Sox UNDER 8.5 | Top | 4-6 | Loss | -111 | 12 h 41 m | Show |
MLB Total of the Week. My selection is on the 'under' between Cleveland and Chicago at 8:10 pm et on Friday. Neither of these teams are tearing the cover off the ball right now - in fact, quite the opposite. I'm anticipating a relatively low-scoring affair in Friday's series-opener. Jean-Carlos Mejia will take the ball for the Indians. He has admittedly struggled this season - his numbers are downright ugly. However, he did match a season-high by going six innings in his most recent start and now gets the opportunity to face the White Sox for the first time in his career, and do so on a full five days' rest. Note that his last two starts have come against opponents he's been facing for the second time in less than a month. I'll also point out that Mejia has struck out 14 in his last two outings - showing some clear progress after recording just 14 strikeouts in his previous four starts combined. Mejia will likely have a short leash here though, noting that he averages less than four innings per start on the road this season. That's ok with us as the Indians bullpen has been solid, recording a 3.03 ERA and 1.21 WHIP with 14 saves converted and only three blown against division opponents this season. Lance Lynn will counter for Chicago. He's been lights out at home this season, posting a 1.64 ERA and 0.86 WHIP in 11 home starts, with the 'over' cashing in just one of those games. Going back over his last five outings, Lynn has given up just four earned runs in 28 innings of work. Behind Lynn is one of the freshest bullpens in baseball as the White Sox relief corps has logged just over 320 innings this season. Like the Indians, the White Sox 'pen has fared well against division opponents, posting a collective 3.27 ERA and 1.06 WHIP with 14 saves converted and eight blown entering last night's action. Take the under (10*). |
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07-29-21 | Rockies v. Padres UNDER 8 | Top | 0-3 | Win | 100 | 14 h 40 m | Show |
N.L. First Five Innings Total of the Month. My selection is on the first five innings 'under' between Colorado and San Diego at 10:10 pm et on Thursday. The Padres are coming off consecutive high-scoring affairs against the A's but I look for a different story to unfold against the Rockies on Thursday - at least in the early stages of this one. Kyle Freeland will take the ball for the Rockies. The Padres will be seeing him for the third time this season and while they've had some previous success against him, he does come into this start pitching well, noting that he's allowed three earned runs or less in six straight starts. The 'under' has actually cashed in five of his six road outings this season. I'll also point out that the Padres offense has been slightly weaker both at home and against left-handed pitching this season. By playing the first five innings only we'll avoid factoring in an awful Rockies bullpen that has struggled all season, particularly away from home. Joe Musgrove will counter for San Diego. He's been outstanding at home this season but did struggle in his most recent outing against the Rockies, which did come here in San Diego. Keep in mind, he was pitching on just four days' rest in that one. Here, he starts on a full five days' rest and should improve on his stellar 2.83 ERA and 1.05 WHIP at home. Better still, Musgrove owns a 2.59 ERA and 1.01 WHIP in 13 nighttime starts this season. The Rockies have of course been a weaker offensive club both on the road and against right-handed pitching this season. Take the first five innings under (10*). |
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07-23-21 | Padres v. Marlins OVER 8 | Top | 5-2 | Loss | -101 | 10 h 59 m | Show |
MLB Total of the Week. My selection is on the 'over' between San Diego and Miami at 7:10 pm et on Friday. |
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07-21-21 | Cubs v. Cardinals UNDER 8 | Top | 2-3 | Win | 100 | 14 h 1 m | Show |
MLB Rivalry Total of the Month. My selection is on the 'under' between Chicago and St. Louis at 8:15 pm et on Wednesday. We've seen consecutive high-scoring games to open this series but I look for a different story to unfold on Wednesday. Kyle Hendricks will make his fourth start against the Cardinals this season and sixth going back to the start of last season. The Cards have never really been able to figure the veteran right-hander out and I don't expect them to do so tonight either. In five previous games against Hendricks since last August, St. Louis has never managed to score more than three earned runs - held to two earned runs or less in each of their last four tries against him. Just before the All-Star break, Hendricks held the Cards to two earned runs over 6 1/3 innings. Note that Hendricks checks in sporting a 3.40 ERA and 1.26 WHIP in nine road starts this season with the 'under' cashing in five of those games. With Hendricks averaging over six innings per start on the road this season we might not need too much help from the Cubs bullpen but it's worth noting that they entered last night's action sporting a solid 3.37 ERA and 1.26 WHIP in night games this season with 11 converted saves and only four blown. Adam Wainwright will counter for St. Louis. He's been outstanding at home this season, recording a 2.84 ERA and 0.97 WHIP in 11 starts with the 'under' going 8-3 in those games. The Cubs will be seeing him for the third time since last September, having managed just two earned runs on seven hits off of him in their last two tries, covering a span of 14 1/3 innings. While Wainwright will be starting on just four days' rest that's not as big of a concern given he had a 10 days between starts previously thanks to the All-Star break. While the Cards bullpen has posted outstanding numbers across the board this season, they did enter last night's contest having converted an incredible 18 saves while blowing only one here at home this season. The Cubs offense busted out last night but prior to that had averaged just 3.6 runs per game on the road this season. Take the under (10*). |
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07-18-21 | Red Sox v. Yankees UNDER 9.5 | Top | 1-9 | Loss | -109 | 9 h 0 m | Show |
MLB Sunday Night Baseball Total of the Year. My selection is on the 'under' between Boston and New York at 7:05 pm et on Sunday. We saw a low-scoring, rain-shortened game between these two teams last night as the Yankees prevailed by a 3-1 score in six innings. While I'm not anticipating a true pitcher's duel here, I do think we'll see this contest stay 'under' the lofty total. Martin Perez has been a pleasant surprise for the Red Sox this season, particularly on the road where he has recorded a stellar 2.04 ERA and 1.11 WHIP in seven starts, with the 'under' cashing in six of those games. He does average less than five innings per start overall, but that number bumps up to 5 2/3 innings on the road. He'll likely have a short leash again here but that's fine as the Red Sox bullpen has recorded a collective 3.09 ERA and 1.27 WHIP with 23 saves converted and only nine blown in night games this season. While the Yankees did have Perez's number earlier in this career, he has been serviceable against them lately, allowing just three earned runs over 12 2/3 innings in his last three outings against them. Jameson Taillon didn't get his Yankees tenure off to a positive start this season but he has pitched better lately and has certainly been at his best here in the Bronx where he owns a 3.59 ERA and 1.12 WHIP in 10 starts this season. He checks in having allowed two earned runs or less in four of his last five starts. Like Perez, he generally doesn't work deep into ball games, averaging just 4.9 innings per start but that number does boost to 5 1/3 innings here at home. Behind Taillon is a fresh Yankees bullpen that didn't have to work thanks to the rain (and Gerrit Cole) last night. The New York relief corps has posted a collective 3.17 ERA and 1.14 WHIP with 15 saves converted and only six blown in night games this season. Take the under (10*). |
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07-17-21 | Astros v. White Sox UNDER 8.5 | Top | 1-10 | Loss | -100 | 11 h 54 m | Show |
MLB on FOX F5 Innings Total of the Year. My selection is on the first five innings 'under' between Houston and Chicago at 7:15 pm et on Saturday. |
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07-16-21 | Mariners v. Angels OVER 8.5 | Top | 6-5 | Win | 100 | 14 h 27 m | Show |
A.L. West Total of the Month. My selection is on the 'over' between Seattle and Los Angeles at 9:35 pm et on Friday. While playing 'overs' can be tricky coming out of the All-Star break with rested starting pitchers and bullpens, I see this as an ideal spot to call for a relatively high-scoring affair. Chris Flexen will take ball for the Mariners. While he's posted impressive numbers overall this season, that's been due in large part to the fact that he's made 10 of his 16 starts at home. Things haven't gone nearly as smooth on the road, where he owns a 6.97 ERA and 1.74 WHIP in 31 innings of work. Here, the Angels will be getting their second look at Flexen in less than a week after he shut them down in Seattle on July 10th. In their lone previous game against Flexen, the Angels had more success, scoring three earned runs and chasing him from the game after just four innings in late April. With Flexen averaging just over five innings per start on the road this season we'll likely see plenty of the Mariners bullpen in this one. Like Flexen, the Mariners relief corps has also been much better at home than on the road, where it has recorded a collective 5.12 ERA and 1.45 WHIP with 12 converted saves and 10 blown this season. Los Angeles will counter with left-hander Andrew Heaney. He checks in with a 5.40 ERA and 1.42 WHIP in eight home starts this season with the 'over' cashing at a 6-1-1 clip. The Mariners didn't do much against him in three tries last season but seemed to figure him out in his lone outing against them this year, scoring four earned runs including three home runs in only 3 1/3 innings. Note that Seattle has been a slightly better offensive club against left-handers and on the road this season. Like Flexen, Heaney doesn't tend to work deep into games, averaging just over five innings per start. While the Angels bullpen was better in the weeks leading up to the All-Star break, it still owns a less than impressive 4.67 ERA and 1.41 WHIP with 11 converted saves and eight blown here at home this season. Worse still, that ERA rises to 5.21 to go along with a 1.45 WHIP against division opponents. Take the over (10*). |
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07-10-21 | Royals v. Indians OVER 9 | Top | 6-14 | Win | 100 | 10 h 14 m | Show |
MLB First Five Innings Total of the Month. My selection is on the first five innings 'over' between Kansas City and Cleveland at 6:10 pm et on Saturday. |
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07-06-21 | Rockies v. Diamondbacks OVER 8.5 | Top | 3-4 | Loss | -109 | 13 h 56 m | Show |
N.L. West Total of the Year. My selection is on the 'over' between Colorado and Arizona at 9:40 pm et on Tuesday. We won with the first five innings 'under' in the D'Backs most recent game - a 5-2 loss to the Giants on Sunday. Here, I'll switch gears and back the 'over' as they open a series at home against the Rockies. Jon Gray will make his third start for the Rockies since returning from a stint on the I.L. He's held up well in his last two outings but I expect him to struggle here. Note that Gray has posted a 5.70 ERA and 1.69 WHIP in five road starts this season with the 'over' cashing in four of those games. The D'Backs will be getting their fourth look at Gray already this season and sixth going back to last August. They've had some success against him, particularly here at home, where they most recent chased him after scoring five runs, four of them earned, over six innings in a 7-2 victory on April 30th. With Gray averaging less than five innings per start on the road this season we'll likely see plenty of the Rockies awful bullpen which owns a 5.50 ERA and 1.58 WHIP on the road this season. Merrill Kelly will counter for Arizona. He has been pitching reasonably well of late but finds himself in a bit of a tough spot here, pitching on four days' rest for a fifth straight turn in the rotation. Kelly's overall numbers are fine this season but there's no question, the Rockies have had his number, already facing him twice this year and scoring eight earned runs on 16 hits in just 11 2/3 innings. Kelly's last four starts against Colorado have resulted in 9, 14, 10 and 12 total runs. Behind Kelly is a D'Backs bullpen that has recorded a collective 5.06 ERA and 1.52 WHIP with just four saves converted compared to five blown here at home this season. Worse still, against division opponents, the Arizona 'pen has posted a 6.35 ERA and 1.70 WHIP with three saves converted and eight blown. Take the over (10*). |
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07-05-21 | Reds v. Royals OVER 9.5 | Top | 6-2 | Loss | -118 | 22 h 15 m | Show |
MLB Interleague Total of the Month. My selection is on the 'over' between Cincinnati and Kansas City at 8:10 pm et on Monday. We missed with the 'over' in the Royals 6-2 loss to the Twins yesterday as the scoring simply started too late. I expect a different story to unfold on Monday night as the Royals open an Interleague series against the Reds. Vladimir Gutierrez will get the call for Cincinnati. He owns a 4.77 ERA and 1.34 WHIP in five nighttime starts this season. Here, he'll be making his second straight start on four days' rest. Considering he has posted an ugly ERA north of eight to go along with an 1.89 WHIP over his last three outings there's reason for concern as he prepares to face the Royals here. Behind Gutierrez is a Reds bullpen that entered yesterday's action sporting a collective 4.77 ERA and 1.44 WHIP on the road this season. Also note that the Reds haven't had an off day since June 23rd. Mike Minor will counter for Kansas City. He'll inexplicably be making his ninth consecutive start on four days' rest. Note that Minor has recorded a 5.57 ERA and 1.24 WHIP in nine home starts this season. Over his last three trips to the hill he has posted an 8.64 ERA and 1.92 WHIP. The Royals bullpen has posted a collective 4.39 ERA and 1.39 WHIP at night this season, converting 10 saves to go along with seven blown. Take the over (10*). |
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07-04-21 | Cardinals v. Rockies OVER 11 | Top | 2-3 | Loss | -120 | 8 h 17 m | Show |
National League Total of the Month. My selection is on the 'over' between St. Louis and Colorado at 3:10 pm et on Sunday. We saw a low-scoring affair between these two teams last night as the Rockies prevailed by a 3-2 score. Here, I look for a different story to unfold. Carlos Martinez will take the ball for the Cardinals. He has of course struggled at the best of times this season and here will be making his third straight start on just four days' rest. Martinez owns a 7.08 ERA and 1.38 WHIP on the road this season. The Rockies have certainly had his number over the years, most recently scoring seven earned runs in 9 2/3 innings against him in two starts going back to the 2018 season. With Martinez averaging just 5.1 innings per start on the road this season we should see plenty of the Cardinals bullpen here. While St. Louis' relief corps hasn't been awful, it has posted a less than impressive 4.33 ERA and 1.44 WHIP with eight saves converted and five blown on the road this season. My concern is that St. Louis hasn't had an off day since June 21st so we're talking about an overworked 'pen. German Marquez will start on four days' rest for the Rockies after tossing a complete game shutout against the Pirates last time out. He's actually pitched well overall this season but hasn't been at his best in daytime starts, posting a 5.22 ERA and 1.52 WHIP in eight outings. In those eight starts he has lasted just 5.2 innings on average. That opens the door for an awful Rockies bullpen that entered last night's action sporting a collective 5.43 ERA and 1.49 WHIP with just nine saves converted compared to 10 blown here at home this season. Take the over (10*). |
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07-03-21 | Dodgers v. Nationals UNDER 9 | Top | 5-3 | Win | 100 | 11 h 17 m | Show |
MLB on FOX Total of the Month. My selection is on the 'under' between Los Angeles and Washington at 7:15 pm et on Saturday. We saw a high-scoring affair between these two teams last night as the Dodgers prevailed by a 10-5 score. I'm expecting a different story to unfold on Saturday, however. Clayton Kershaw gets the nod for Los Angeles. He's off to a terrific start this season having posted a 3.86 ERA and 1.06 WHIP in eight road starts. Better still, he owns a 2.88 ERA and 0.85 WHIP in 11 nighttime outings. The Nationals have never really been able to figure the veteran left-hander out. He already tossed six shutout innings against them earlier this season. Behind Kershaw is a Dodgers bullpen that has recorded a collective 3.13 ERA and 1.19 WHIP at night this season. Paolo Espino will counter for Washington. He's been sharp in his last two spot starts and will be facing the Dodgers for the first time in his career on Saturday. With Espino averaging less than five innings per start we're likely to see plenty from the Nats' bullpen and that's not a bad thing. They've posted a collective 3.06 ERA and 1.09 WHIP with 12 saves converted and only three blown at home this season. Take the under (10*). |
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07-02-21 | Twins v. Royals OVER 10 | Top | 4-7 | Win | 100 | 12 h 19 m | Show |
A.L. Central Total of the Month. My selection is on the 'over' between Minnesota and Kansas City at 8:10 pm et on Friday. The Twins have seen the 'over' cash in five straight and seven of their last eight games overall and I expect that streak to continue on Friday night. J.A. Happ will take the ball for Minnesota. He'll be starting on just four days' rest and has struggled at the best of times on the road this season, posting a 7.98 ERA and 1.71 WHIP in six road starts with the 'over' cashing in five of those games. The Royals will be getting their third look at the left-hander this season having already scored seven earned runs in just 10 innings against him. Behind Happ is a Twins bullpen that owns a 5.64 ERA and 1.44 WHIP with just seven saves converted and five blown in night games this season. Brady Singer will counter for Kansas City. He'll be making his third straight start on four days' rest and owns a 5.02 ERA and 1.59 WHIP in eight nighttime starts this season. The Twins have only scored three earned runs in 7 2/3 innings against him this season but in five career starts against Minnesota, Singer owns a 4.83 ERA and 1.66 WHIP. With Singer averaging less than five innings per start we're likely to see plenty of a Royals bullpen that hasn't had a day off since June 21st and has struggled to the tune of a 4.49 ERA and 1.41 WHIP with nine saves converted and seven blown at night this season. Take the over (10*). |
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06-29-21 | Royals v. Red Sox OVER 10.5 | Top | 6-7 | Win | 100 | 12 h 22 m | Show |
American League First Five Innings Total of the Year. My selection is on the first five innings 'over' between Kansas City and Boston at 7:10 pm et on Tuesday. We saw a relatively high-scoring affair to open this series in the Boston heat last night and I expect for another high-scoring start at least to Tuesday's contest. Brad Keller will take the ball for Kansas City. He'll inexplicably be making his seventh straight start on just four days' rest. The signs of wear are showing as he's been tagged for a whopping 20 earned runs over his last four starts, spanning just 20 1/3 innings of work. Note that he checks in sporting an ugly 6.91 ERA and 1.87 WHIP in 15 nighttime starts this season. Things don't figure to improve against a Red Sox lineup that just saw him on June 18th, scoring five earned runs over five innings against him. Nick Pivetta will counter for Boston. He'll also be pitching on four days' rest after a lights out 6 2/3 innings performance against the Rays last time out. Keep in mind, he owns a 4.57 ERA and 1.38 WHIP in eight home starts this season. The Royals will be getting their second look at Pivetta in as many weeks as well, having scored three earned runs on six hits and three walks over five innings against him back on June 18th. By playing the first five innings only we should avoid factoring in two bullpens that have held up reasonably well. Much like we saw last night, I expect the starters to get roughed up early in this one. Take the first five innings over (10*). |
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06-28-21 | Cubs v. Brewers UNDER 7 | Top | 4-14 | Loss | -103 | 13 h 35 m | Show |
MLB Division Total of the Week. My selection is on the 'under' between Chicago and Milwaukee at 8:10 pm et on Monday. I'm expecting a low-scoring affair as the Cubs and Brewers renew their N.L. Central rivalry on Monday night in Milwaukee. Kyle Hendricks will take the ball for the Cubs. He has turned his season around after a rocky start, working at least six innings in eight straight outings and posting a sparkling 1.00 ERA and 0.67 WHIP over his last three starts. He's been at his best against divisional opponents this season, recording a 3.40 ERA and 1.19 WHIP. While the Brewers have had plenty of looks at Hendricks in recent years, they've never really been able to figure him out. He has allowed just four earned runs in his last five outings against Milwaukee, covering a span of 33 2/3 innings. Behind Hendricks is one of the best bullpens in baseball as the Cubs relief corps has posted a collective 2.88 ERA and 1.23 WHIP on the road this season, blowing only two saves while converting 10. Freddy Peralta will counter for Milwaukee. He's been lights out in seven home starts this season, posting a 1.62 ERA and 0.59 WHIP. In seven nighttime starts he owns a 1.74 ERA and 0.70 WHIP with the 'under' cashing at a 4-2-1 clip. The Cubs have already seen Peralta three times this season but haven't had much success, scoring just three earned runs in 15 innings. The 'under' is 3-1 in his four previous career starts against Chicago. Like the Cubs, the Brewers have a solid bullpen that has been at its best in night games this season, recording a collective 3.47 ERA and 1.21 WHIP with a 10:4 converted save rate. Take the under (10*). |
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06-22-21 | Dodgers v. Padres UNDER 7.5 | Top | 2-3 | Win | 100 | 12 h 59 m | Show |
N.L. West Total of the Month. My selection is on the 'under' between Los Angeles and San Diego at 10:10 pm et on Tuesday. We missed our free play on the 'under' in the opener of this series last night as a hot start at the plate by the Padres proved to be our downfall. Here, I won't hesitate to go back to the well, however, as we have a fine pitching matchup between Clayton Kershaw and Blake Snell. Kershaw enters this start having lasted at least six innings in seven consecutive outings. He owns an outstanding 2.73 ERA and 0.83 WHIP in 10 nighttime starts this season. He'll be pitching on five days' rest here. The Padres have never really been able to figure Kershaw out, somewhat incredibly scoring three earned runs or less in each of their last 23 games against him. The Dodgers bullpen has been terrific lately, posting a sub-3.00 ERA over their last seven games and check in sporting a collective 3.27 ERA and 1.19 WHIP with 18 converted saves and only eight blown at night this season. Blake Snell has been a completely different pitcher at home compared to on the road this season. Here at Petco Park he owns a 1.65 ERA and 0.98 WHIP in six starts. He got lit up in his most recent outing but that was a less than ideal situation as he was pitching on four days' rest at hitter-friendly Coors Field in Colorado no less. The Dodgers have had four looks at Snell going back to last year's playoffs. They've managed to score only seven earned runs on just 13 hits in 20 1/3 innings against him in those four games. The Padres have one of the best bullpens in baseball, checking in with a 2.72 ERA and 1.03 WHIP with 16 saves and only four blown saves at home this season. Take the under (10*). |
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06-21-21 | Brewers v. Diamondbacks OVER 9.5 | Top | 1-5 | Loss | -100 | 12 h 47 m | Show |
National League Total of the Month. My selection is on the 'over' between Milwaukee and Arizona at 9:40 pm et on Monday. We won with the 'over' in the Brewers 7-6 win over the Rockies yesterday and I won't hesitate to go back to the well with the same play here as they continue their road trip against the reeling D'Backs in Arizona. Brett Anderson will take the ball for the Brewers. He's coming off a surprisingly strong start against the Reds, tossing seven shutout innings. That was at home, however. He's been awful on the road this season, posting a 5.47 ERA and 1.46 WHIP while averaging just 3.5 innings per start. The fact that he hasn't been able to work deep into ball games doesn't bode well given the Brewers overworked bullpen hasn't had a day off in two weeks and checks in sporting a collective 4.76 ERA and 1.59 WHIP with two converted saves to go along with two blown over their last seven games. The D'Backs have already faced Anderson once this season, chasing him after just 4 1/3 innings, scoring three earned runs on eight hits and striking out only once. Merrill Kelly will counter for Arizona. The Brewers have seen him three times since the start of the 2019 season, including once this year. In their last two games against Kelly they've hit him hard, scoring 10 earned runs on 14 hits, including three home runs, in just 10 1/3 innings. Kelly owns a 5.19 ERA and 1.35 WHIP in 11 nighttime starts this season. Working behind Kelly is an awful D'Backs bullpen that has posted a collective 5.29 ERA and 1.53 WHIP with only three converted saves and four blown here at home this season. Take the over (10*). |
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06-16-21 | Angels v. A's OVER 9 | Top | 4-8 | Win | 100 | 6 h 28 m | Show |
MLB Daytime Total of the Month. My selection is on the 'over' between Los Angeles and Oakland at 3:35 pm et on Wednesday. We've seen consecutive relatively high-scoring games between these two teams to open this series and I expect more of the same on Wednesday afternoon. Griffin Canning will take the ball for the Angels. He has struggled on the road this season, posting a 5.25 ERA and 1.38 WHIP in five starts with three of those games finding their way 'over' the total. Worse still, he has recorded an 8.81 ERA and 1.89 WHIP in four daytime starts. After struggling against Canning in the 2019 season, the A's had a lot more success against him last year, facing him three times and scoring 10 earned runs in just 13 1/3 innings. With Canning averaging less than five innings per start this season we should see plenty of the Angels below-average and overworked bullpen, which allowed another three earned runs in last night's loss. L.A.'s 'pen has recorded a collective 5.15 ERA and 1.40 WHIP in day games this season. Left-hander Cole Irvin will counter for Oakland. The Angels will be getting their second look at him this season after scoring four earned runs off of him over six innings in a game back on May 30th. Of course, the Angels have been a far better hitting team against southpaw starters this season, hitting .275 and averaging 5.9 runs per game. Irvin has been good but certainly not great at home this season, posting a 4.30 ERA and 1.17 WHIP. He's averaging right around 5 2/3 innings per start here in 2021. While the A's bullpen has been terrific in terms of converted save percentage here at home (12 saves converted compared to two blown), they will give up some runs. They allowed two earned runs in two frames in last night's 6-4 victory and now own a 4.54 ERA and 1.31 WHIP at home this season. Take the over (10*). |
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06-15-21 | Marlins v. Cardinals OVER 7.5 | Top | 1-2 | Loss | -110 | 8 h 26 m | Show |
N.L. Non-Division Total of the Month. My selection is on the 'over' between Miami and St. Louis at 8:15 pm et on Tuesday. We won with the 'over' in Marlins ace Trevor Rogers' most recent start last week against the Rockies as that game totaled 15 runs. In fact, that was the third time in Rogers' last four outings that the game reached exactly 15 total runs. While I'm not bold enough to call for that level of offensive production here, I do expect this one to find its way 'over' the very reasonable total. Rogers has been terrific this season. There's really no reason to knock him here. However, I will point out that the Cardinals did get a look at Rogers back in April and managed to chase him after just four innings, scoring three runs, two of them earned, on two hits and four walks. Note that St. Louis is 9-4 against left-handed starters this season, averaging 4.6 runs per game - well north of their season average. I'll also point out that Rogers will be starting on just four days' rest for a second straight time on Tuesday. Behind Rogers is an overworked Marlins bullpen that has blown eight saves compared to only six converted on the road this season. I say overworked because the Marlins haven't had a single day off here in June. Kwang-Hyun Kim will take the ball for the Cardinals. He was just activated off the I.L. after dealing with a back injury. While Kim got off to a solid start this season, it seems that as more teams get a look at him, he has started to struggle, posting a 6.58 ERA and 1.46 WHIP over his last three starts. His last two trips to the hill have resulted in 11 and 10 total runs. In fact, the 'over' is 6-2-1 in his nine starts overall this season. With Kim averaging just a shade over 4 2/3 innings per start this season and given the fact he's returning from the I.L., we should see plenty of the Cards bullpen on Tuesday. While they've posted a tremendous save conversion rate here at home (13 saves converted with only one blown), the rest of their numbers have been pretty pedestrian, posting a collective 4.34 ERA and 1.40 WHIP. In night games this season, the Cards 'pen has recorded a 4.89 ERA and 1.48 WHIP. Take the over (10*). |
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06-15-21 | Rangers v. Astros UNDER 8.5 | Top | 3-6 | Loss | -118 | 14 h 34 m | Show |
MLB A.L. West Total of the Month. My selection is on the 'under' between Texas and Houston at 8:10 pm et on Tuesday. This series opens with a sneaky-good pitching matchup on Tuesday night as the Rangers send Kyle Gibson to the hill against Lance McCullers Jr. Gibson got lit up in his first start of the season but he's been terrific ever since. He checks in sporting a 3.41 ERA and 1.11 WHIP in six road starts this season. The Astros have had four previous looks at Gibson since the start of last season but they've yet to figure him out, managing to score just three earned runs off of him over 28 innings. While the Rangers awful bullpen is a concern, that concern is somewhat muted by the fact that Gibson averages a solid six innings per start and with the Astros likely to be out in front in the latter stages of this game, we may only have to deal with a couple of innings from the Texas 'pen. Lance McCullers Jr. will counter for Houston. He has posted a 3.14 ERA and 1.01 WHIP in five home starts this season and brings excellent current form into this start having recorded a 1.89 ERA and 1.16 WHIP over his last three outings. In three games against McCullers since the start of last season, the Rangers have managed to score just three earned runs in 15 innings. Working behind McCullers is an Astros bullpen that has has been solid at home, posting a collective 3.99 ERA and 1.20 WHIP with seven saves converted and only three blown. Take the under (10*). |
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06-13-21 | Yankees v. Phillies UNDER 8.5 | Top | 0-7 | Win | 100 | 15 h 57 m | Show |
MLB Interleague Total of the Month. My selection is on the 'under' between New York and Philadelphia at 1:05 pm et on Sunday. We saw a wild, high-scoring game between these two teams yesterday as the Phillies posted their third straight walk-off win by an 8-7 score in extra innings. I expect a different story to unfold on Sunday. Domingo German will take the ball for the Yankees. He owns a 2.10 ERA and 1.10 WHIP in five road starts this season, where he's averaged six innings per start. He'll have the advantage of never facing the Phillies. Behind German is a Yankees bullpen that entered yesterday's action sporting a collective 3.20 ERA and 1.02 WHIP on the road this season, making good on nine save opportunities while blowing only two. Aaron Nola will counter for Philadelphia. He's been terrific at home this season, recording a 3.02 ERA and 1.12 WHIP in six starts. He's been at his best in daytime starts, posting a 2.10 ERA and 0.82 WHIP. The Phillies bullpen has been in excellent form lately and has recorded a collective 3.93 ERA and 1.38 WHIP in day games this season. With Nola giving the Phillies over 6 1/3 innings per start in daytime outings this season, we may not need too much help from the Philadelphia 'pen here. Also note that in his lone previous start against the Yankees, Nola allowed just one earned run in six innings of work. Take the under (10*). |
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06-09-21 | Brewers v. Reds OVER 9.5 | Top | 3-7 | Win | 100 | 10 h 20 m | Show |
MLB National League Total of the Week. My selection is on the 'over' between Milwaukee and Cincinnati at 7:10 pm et on Wednesday. We saw a somewhat surprising low-scoring contest between these two teams last night but I expect a different story to unfold on Wednesday. Veteran left-hander Brett Anderson will take the ball for the Brewers. He owns a 4.63 ERA and 1.67 WHIP in five nighttime starts this season and the Reds will be getting their fifth look at him since the start of last season. Note that he's allowed six home runs against them in those previous four starts. Anderson averages less than four innings per start on the road this season so we'll likely see plenty of a Brewers bullpen that while solid overall this season has really struggled against division opponents, posting a collective 5.01 ERA and 1.41 WHIP entering last night's contest. They got stretched out last night as Adrian Houser could give the Brew Crew just 5 1/3 innings in that 5-1 victory. Vladimir Gutierrez will get his third start of the season for the Reds. He's been fine through two starts but don't count on him to work deep into this ball game. Note that he's lasted just five innings in each of his previous two outings. That opens the door for a dreadful Reds bullpen that has recorded a collective 7.21 ERA and 1.48 WHIP here at home this season (entering last night's game), with just two converted save opportunities. The Brewers offense while subpar for much of the season, has come around a bit lately, averaging right around five runs per game over the last week. Take the over (10*). |
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06-08-21 | Braves v. Phillies OVER 8.5 | Top | 9-5 | Win | 100 | 12 h 7 m | Show |
N.L. East Total of the Month. My selection is on the 'over' between Atlanta and Philadelphia at 7:05 pm et on Tuesday. I'm anticipating a relatively high-scoring affair as the Braves and Phillies renew their rivalry in Philadelphia on Tuesday night. Drew Smyly will take the ball for Atlanta. To say he's been awful lately would be an understatement as he has posted a 7.47 ERA and 1.41 WHIP over his last three outings. Of course, that's about par for the course for Smyly in nighttime starts this season, when he has recorded a 7.05 ERA and 1.40 WHIP, with the 'over' cashing at a 5-1 clip in his six outings. Now he faces a Phillies lineup that will be getting a second look at him this season after they tagged him for five earned runs in five innings in a wild 7-6 Sunday night victory earlier this season. Behind Smyly is a Braves bullpen that has posted a collective 5.19 ERA and 1.60 WHIP on the road this season. Aaron Nola will counter for Philadelphia. He's been terrific at home this season but much of his success has been in the daytime. In eight night starts this season he has recorded a 4.84 ERA and 1.37 WHIP. The biggest issue here is that the Braves will be seeing Nola for the third time this season. In their second look at him they chased him after he allowed five earned runs in four innings. Nola has failed to last more than five innings in three of his last five outings and that means we should see plenty of a Phillies bullpen that has recorded a 4.81 ERA and 1.35 WHIP at home this season. Take the over (10*). |
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06-06-21 | Tigers v. White Sox OVER 8.5 | Top | 0-3 | Loss | -120 | 7 h 7 m | Show |
A.L. Central Total of the Month. My selection is on the 'over' between Detroit and Chicago at 2:10 pm et on Sunday. I'll call for a high-scoring game at Guaranteed Rate Field on Sunday afternoon. The White Sox will be getting their second look at Tigers right-hander Jose Urena this season. He did last seven innings in a 5-2 victory against them back in late April but it's not as if he was dominant. Urena gave up seven hits, walked three and struck out only two over those seven frames. Note that he owns a 5.34 ERA and 1.50 WHIP in six daytime starts this season. Likewise, the Tigers 'pen has struggled in daytime appearances, recording a collective 4.90 ERA and 1.44 WHIP. Worse still, the Detroit bullpen entered yesterday's action sporting a 6.46 ERA and 1.66 WHIP on the road this season. Dylan Cease will counter for Chicago. The Tigers will be seeing him for the fourth time since last August. Cease has posted an ERA near eight to go along with a 1.76 WHIP over his last three outings. He also owns a less than impressive 1.60 WHIP in four daytime starts this season. The White Sox bullpen has posted a collective 4.59 ERA and 1.44 WHIP in day games this season. Take the over (10*). |
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06-04-21 | Reds v. Cardinals OVER 8 | Top | 6-4 | Win | 100 | 11 h 15 m | Show |
N.L. Central Total of the Month. My selection is on the 'over' between Cincinnati and St. Louis at 8:15 pm et on Friday. This one sets up nicely as a high-scoring affair after last night's low-scoring 4-2 Reds victory in the series-opener. Luis Castillo will somewhat inexplicably get another turn in the Reds rotation despite his massive struggles this season. Castillo has posted an 8.73 ERA and 1.81 WHIP on the road this season lasting less than five innings per start. The Cards have already seen him twice this season, lighting him up to the tune of 12 earned runs on 14 hits in just 8 1/3 innings. Behind Castillo is a dreadful Reds bullpen that entered last night's game sporting a collective 8.28 ERA and 1.88 WHIP on the road this season. Kwang-Hyun Kim will counter for St. Louis. He's labored through his last three starts, posting a 5.14 ERA and 1.64 WHIP. He has actually pitched quite well at home, however, and those last three outings came on the road. But here's my concern; Kim averages just under 4 2/3 innings per start this season. The Cardinals bullpen has not been good, entering last night's game with a 6.21 ERA and 1.83 WHIP over their last seven contests. They own a 5.11 ERA and 1.52 WHIP at night this season. Take the over (10*). |
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06-01-21 | Angels v. Giants OVER 6.5 | Top | 8-1 | Win | 100 | 13 h 49 m | Show |
MLB Interleague Total of the Week. My selection is on the 'over' between Los Angeles and San Francisco at 9:45 pm et on Tuesday. We saw a relatively low-scoring game between these two teams yesterday as the Giants pulled away late for a 6-1 victory. Of course that result would actually be enough to get Tuesday's game 'over' the very low posted total. I believe it will prove to be too low. Andrew Heaney gets the start for the Angels. We won with the 'over' in his most recent outing against the Rangers. He has posted an inflated 7.71 ERA and 1.79 WHIP over his last three starts and has seen the 'over' cash at an 8-1 clip in his nine starts to date this season. Given the fact that he averages just five innings per start we're likely to see plenty from the Angels bullpen in this one. They have posted a collective 4.72 ERA and 1.39 WHIP on the road this season (entering yesterday's action). They gave up another two earned runs in 2 1/3 innings in yesterday's loss. Left-hander Alex Wood will take the ball for the Giants. While he has been solid overall this season I will point out that the Angels are averaging 5.3 runs per game against southpaw starters this season with those games totaling an average of 11.2 runs. Wood's home numbers do jump off the page but just one reason for caution (and why my play on the Giants is of the 8* variety), three of his four home outings have come against the Marlins, Rockies and Rangers - three subpar offensive clubs, particularly on the road. We likely won't need much from the Angels offense to help this one 'over' the low total. Take the over (10*). |
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06-01-21 | Twins v. Orioles OVER 9 | Top | 4-7 | Win | 100 | 11 h 34 m | Show |
A.L. Non-Division Total of the Month. My selection is on the 'over' between Minnesota and Baltimore at 7:05 pm et on Tuesday. We saw a low-scoring game between these two teams yesterday as the Twins prevailed 3-2 in extra innings. I'm expecting a different story to unfold on Tuesday, however. Michael Pineda will get the call for the Twins. He was sharp against the Orioles in his most recent start last week and his overall numbers are solid this season. With that being said, he's certainly prone to giving up the long ball, having been tagged for nine home runs in eight starts this season, including seven in his last five starts. Now he pitches at hitter-friendly Camden Yards. His recent numbers against the O's are positive but he hasn't faced them here in Baltimore since 2016. In six career starts at Camden Yards he has been tagged for 20 earned runs in 29 1/3 innings. Working behind Pineda is a Twins bullpen that owns a collective 5.40 ERA and 1.53 WHIP (entering yesterday's action) on the road this season. Bruce Zimmermann remains in the Orioles rotation only because they have no better options right now. To say that he's struggled would be an understatement. He owns a 5.52 ERA and 1.84 WHIP here at home and like Pineda, has had a tough time keeping the ball in the park, allowing home runs in four straight and eight of nine career big league starts. Note that he'll be facing a Twins club that actually produces better on the road, where it averages north of five runs per game this season. With Zimmermann unlikely to work deep into this game that means we should see plenty from the O's down-trodden bullpen, which entered yesterday's game having posted an 8.31 ERA and 1.90 WHIP over its last seven games. Take the over (10*). |
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05-28-21 | Rangers v. Mariners OVER 8.5 | Top | 2-3 | Loss | -100 | 16 h 48 m | Show |
MLB Total of the Week. My selection is on the 'over' between Texas and Seattle at 10:10 pm et on Friday. We saw a relatively low-scoring affair in the opener of this series last night as the Mariners cruised to a 5-0 victory. I expect a different story to unfold on Friday, however. Jordan Lyles will take the ball for Texas. The Mariners will be getting their fourth look at the veteran right-hander since last August and they've teed off on him so far, to the tune of 16 earned runs in 15 1/3 innings. While Lyles has pitched reasonably well over his last few starts he still checks in sporting an inflated 6.99 ERA and 1.66 WHIP in night starts this season, averaging less than five innings per start. That spells trouble considering the Rangers bullpen has been a mess, entering last night's action with a collective 5.72 ERA and 1.59 WHIP on the road this season. They proceeded to allow three earned runs on five hits over four innings in last night's game. Justus Sheffield will counter for Seattle. Like the Mariners with Lyles, the Rangers will be seeing Sheffield for the fourth time since last August. They've already faced him once this season, scoring five earned runs on 10 hits over five innings in a 10-2 victory on May 9th. Sheffield has really struggled lately, posting a 6.75 ERA and 1.81 WHIP over his last three starts with the 'over' cashing in all three of those. Like Lyles, he has also struggled at night, recording a 6.00 ERA and 1.82 WHIP in 27 innings. Prior to last night's contest, the Mariners bullpen had posted a collective 6.03 ERA and 1.50 WHIP over their last seven games. Expect plenty of offense on the board tonight. Take the over (10*). |
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05-26-21 | Braves v. Red Sox OVER 10 | Top | 5-9 | Win | 100 | 11 h 37 m | Show |
MLB Revenge Total of the Month. My selection is on the 'over' between Atlanta and Boston at 7:10 pm et on Wednesday The Braves got the better of the Red Sox in the opener of this series last night, notching their fourth straight victory and handing Boston its second loss in a row following a four-game winning streak. That was a low-scoring contest with just four total runs scored. I look for a different story to unfold on Wednesday, however. Drew Smyly will get the start for Atlanta. He has pitched reasonably well on the road this season, posting a 3.27 ERA and 1.32 WHIP, but his three quality road outings have come against the Nationals (twice) and Brewers - two subpar offensive clubs. In his other road start he was lit up by the Blue Jays, allowing five earned runs in just four innings in a 13-5 loss. Note that Boston checks in 10-5 against left-handed starters this season. Behind Smyly is a Braves bullpen that entered last night's action having posted a collective 4.92 ERA and 1.61 WHIP on the road this season. Nick Pivetta will counter for Boston. He's been a pleasant surprise for the Red Sox, going 5-0 with a 3.59 ERA and 1.24 WHIP. He's been at his best here at Fenway Park where he owns a 3.17 ERA and 1.17 WHIP with the Sox winning four of his five starts. However, here he'll face a Braves team that should be quite familiar with him from his days with the N.L. East rival Phillies. Pivetta's last three starts against the Braves have resulted in 17, 11 and 10 total runs. Pivetta generally only works around five innings per start and while the Red Sox bullpen has been solid, it will face a tough challenge against a deep Braves lineup that is seeing the ball well right now. Take the over (10*). |
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05-22-21 | Rays v. Blue Jays OVER 9 | Top | 3-1 | Loss | -117 | 12 h 37 m | Show |
MLB A.L. East Total of the Month. My selection is on the 'over' between Tampa Bay and Toronto at 7:35 pm et on Saturday. We saw a high-scoring contest between these two teams last night in Dunedin and I expect more of the same on Saturday. As expected, games played here in Dunedin have been generally high-scoring this season with the 'over' cashing at an 11-7 clip and an average total of nearly 11 runs. Shane McClanahan will take the ball for the Rays on Saturday. As opponents get more tape on the left-hander we're starting to see him struggle. Over his last two starts he has allowed seven earned runs on 10 hits over just 9 1/3 innings of work after he had given up only two earned runs in eight innings in his first two big league outings. The Jays are rolling along offensively right now having scored seven runs or more in four of their last five games. Robbie Ray will counter for Toronto. He's made great strides in terms of his command this season, issuing only two walks over his last five starts after handing out nine free passes in his first two outings. However, it seems to have come at the expense of his ability to keep the ball in the park. Ray has been lit up for 10 home runs in his last five starts, spanning 30 1/3 innings. The Rays have exploded offensively of late, scoring seven runs or more in six consecutive games. Take the over (10*). |
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05-21-21 | Mariners v. Padres OVER 7.5 | Top | 1-16 | Win | 103 | 15 h 43 m | Show |
MLB Interleague Total of the Week. My selection is on the 'over' between Seattle and San Diego at 10:10 pm et on Friday. The Mariners offense is coming off a miserable series against the Tigers which included being no-hit for the second time this season. Perhaps a change of scenery will serve them well. They'll be getting their third look at Padres starter Chris Paddack since last August. The last time they faced him here in San Diego they touched him up for six earned runs over just five innings in an 8-3 victory. Note that the 'over' is 11-2 in Paddack's last 13 starts with the total set between 7.0 and 8.5 runs with those games totaling an average of 10.6 runs. Chris Flexen will take the ball for Seattle. The 'over' has cashed at a perfect 8-0 clip in his eight career road starts as an underdog with those contests reaching an average total of 13.0 runs. Both bullpens are solid, but with neither starter showing the ability to work deep into ball games (Flexen averages around 5 2/3 innings per start while Paddack lasts just 4 1/3 innings on average), there's a good chance they get over-extended in this one. Take the over (10*). |
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05-20-21 | Astros v. A's OVER 8.5 | Top | 8-4 | Win | 100 | 7 h 2 m | Show |
MLB A.L. West Total of the Month. My selection is on the 'over' between Houston and Oakland at 3:35 pm et on Thursday. We've already seen 20 runs cross home plate in the first two games of this series and I expect more of the same on Thursday afternoon. Note that the Astros check in averaging 5.4 runs per game in day games this season and north of six runs per contest over the last week. Meanwhile, the A's average 5.0 runs per game in day contests and prior to getting shut down by Zack Greinke last night, they had plated six runs or more in three of their last four games. Here, the A's will get their third look at Astros starter Luis Garcia since last September. Garcia was solid in his first outing against the A's but in his next he didn't record a single out, issuing three walks before allowing a grand slam in the first inning. Note that Garcia owns a 4.61 ERA on the road this season where he averages fewer than five innings per start. That opens the door for an Astros bullpen that entered last night's action sporting a collective 5.30 ERA on the road this season. Cole Irvin has posted solid overall numbers for the A's this season but again, there's some familiarity here as the Astros will face him for the third time this season. They've already touched him up for 12 hits and eight earned runs in 9 2/3 innings of work. Note that the A's bullpen entered last night's game having recorded a collective 7.30 ERA against division opponents this season and a 4.59 ERA here at home. Take the over (10*). |
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05-18-21 | Rockies v. Padres OVER 6.5 | Top | 1-2 | Loss | -117 | 16 h 33 m | Show |
National League Total of the Week. My selection is on the 'over' between Colorado and San Diego at 10:10 pm et on Tuesday. We saw a one-sided game between these two teams to open this series last night, with just seven total runs scored - all coming from the Padres. While I look for San Diego to turn in another fine showing at the plate, I think Colorado can help us along in terms of getting 'over' the low total on Tuesday as well. These same two pitchers, Austin Gomber and Blake Snell, matched up last week in Colorado with the Rockies prevailing by a 3-2 score but I expect a different story to unfold here. Gomber has already logged a lot of innings in his first year with the Rockies and we've seen a strong home-road dichotomy play out. In four road outings, Gomber has posted an ugly 7.56 ERA and 1.44 WHIP, averaging just five innings per start. That opens the door for the Rockies dreadful bullpen to potentially be forced into extended duty on Tuesday, noting that unit entered last night's action sporting a collective 9.39 ERA over their last seven games. Gomber continues to struggle with his command having posted a walk rate north of 12% while also giving up a ton of fly balls, to the tune of a 30.9% fly ball rate - more than 7% higher than the MLB average. Blake Snell has had his own issues with command, also recording an inflated walk rate - a staggering 15.2%! Snell has been terrific here at home, posting a 2.29 ERA and 1.22 WHIP, but averaging less than five innings per start. It's certainly worth noting that the Rockies have gone 6-4 against left-handed starting pitching (compared to 9-23 against righties). Colorado is hitting .282 against southpaw starters this season. Take the over (10*). |
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