Wednesday 8-23-17 Free Plays / Trends / Betting Info / Etc

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::speak::

[New York Knight]

Cappers Club (https://www.capperspicks.com/respsportscapping.php?capper/capper/642/cappers club/AF23_15)Game Details
Aug 23 '17, 8:10 PM in 18h
MLB | Nationals vs Astros

Play on: Nationals +143 at 5Dimes



Game Analysis




This play just missed out on our premium card.

The Washington Nationals and the Houston Astros continue their series on Wednesday night, and just based on the price the Nationals have some value.


On the mound for the Astros is Mike Fiers who comes into this game struggling. The long ball has always been his issue and in each of the last four games he has given up two home runs.


He hasn't won a game in his last five starts and four of those games he was credited with the loss. He seems to be back to his old form. and that isn't a good thing when you are facing a lineup like the Nationals.


On the mound for the Nationals is Edwin Jackson who has been good this year an especially as of late. In his last two starts he has gone 13 innings and given up a total of two runs.


Some trends to note. Nationals are 4-1 in their last 5 road games. Astros are 0-5 in Fiers' last 5 starts with 5 days of rest.

[New York Knight]

Jack Jones (https://www.capperspicks.com/respsportscapping.php?capper/capper/264/jack jones/AF23_15)Game Details
Aug 23 '17, 7:35 PM in 18h
MLB | Mariners vs Braves

Play on: Mariners -115 at BMaker


The Seattle Mariners are right there in the wild card race at two games behind the Minnesota Twins. After losing 4-0 to the Braves yesterday, they should come back highly motivated for a victory here Wednesday night.

Erasmo Ramirez is coming off two of best starts of the season. He gave up just one earned run and eight base runners in 12 innings for a 0.75 ERA in his last two starts against the Rays and Angels. Now he's up against a Braves team that is just 9-20 in their last 21 games overall.

R.A. Dickey has just been average this season for the Braves, going 8-8 with a 3.98 ERA and 1.361 WHIP in 24 starts this year. Ramirez pitched 7 shutout innings in his last start against the Braves, while Dickey allowed 6 earned runs in 3 innings of a 5-14 loss in his last start against the Mariners.

The Mariners are 5-1 in their last six meetings with the Braves. Seattle is 12-3 in its last 15 interleague road games vs. a right-handed starter. Seattle is 10-3 in its last 13 road games vs. a team with a losing record. Bet the Mariners Wednesday.

[New York Knight]

Marc Lawrence
Aug 23 '17, 7:10 PM in 17h
MLB | Blue Jays vs Rays


Play on: Blue Jays -121 at betonline



Play - Toronto Blue Jays w/Stroman (Game 965).


Edges - Blue Jays: Stroman 2.03 ERA last ten overall team starts; and 15-7 as a favorites this season… Rays: Pruitt 0-3 home team starts, and 2-1 away team starts, this season… With the favorite 18-7 in Stroman’s starts this campaign, we recommend a 1* play on Toronto. Thank you and good luck as always.

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Jim Feist

Jim Feist's Comp Pick, Wednesday, August 23, 2017

(975) SEATTLE MARINERS VS (976) ATLANTA BRAVES.

Take: UNDER THE TOTAL.

Reason: Your free play for Wednesday, August 23, 2017 comes in baseball as Seattle and the Braves duel in Atlanta. This is a good park to pitch in and Seattle loses the DH for this series. Seattle's Erasmo Ramirez (4.52 ERA) has excellent control, 19 walks in 89+ innings with fewer hits than innings pitched allowed. Investwithsports.com He's allowed 1 run in each of his last two starts. Atlanta is 19-4-3 under the total at home against a right-handed starter. Starter R.A. Dickey (3.98 ERA) has a 3.50 ERA at home and the team is 23-9-3 under the total in the Braves last 35 home games. Play Seattle/Atlanta Under the total.

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Totals4U

Wednesday's Free Selection: San Diego Padres/St Louis Cardinals under 9

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Roz Wins

Roz's Wednesday, August 23, 2017, Free Pick

(971) MINNESOTA TWINS (E SANTANA - R) VS (972) CHICAGO WHITE SOX (SHIELDS).

Take Minnesota.

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#1 Sports

Wednesday's Free Selection: Washington Nationals + 160

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Golden Dragon Sports

Free Pick
San Diego Chacin +155

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Huddle Up Sports

Free Play: Seattle Ramirez -121

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Hawkeye Sports

Wednesday's Free Pick: LA Dodgers - 160

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High Stakes Syndicate

Free Selection for Wednesday: New York Yankees - 210

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John Anthony Sports

Wednesday's Free Selection: St Louis Cardinals - 165

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Razor Sharp

YOUR RAZOR SHARP FREE PICK FOR WEDNESDAY: Take TORONTO/TAMPA BAY UNDER the total of 8½ runs

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Nevada Sharpshooter

Your free winner for Wednesday: Take BOSTON/CLEVELAND OVER the total of 8 runs

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The Vegas Steam Line

Your free winner for Wednesday: Take SEATTLE/ATLANTA OVER the total of 10 runs

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R&R TOTALS

R&R Totals FREE MLB Over-Under Wednesday 8-23-17

UNDER 8 1/2 Toronto/Tampa Bay

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PURE LOCK

Pure Lock's FREE MLB play Wednesday 8-23-17

Arizona -156

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Atlantic Sports

Wednesday's Free Selection from Atlantic Sports: Arizona - 155

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Arthur Ralph Sports

WED Minnesota w/Santana-165

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JACK BRAYMAN

My free winner for Wednesday is on the New York Yankees over the Detroit Tigers, and we're going to lay the Run Line in this game.

Since every MLB wager on a run line or total auto-lists pitchers, I want you to be sure the two pitchers on your ticket, when making this play, are Luis Severino and Jordan Zimmerman. If they are not the pitchers of record when making your play, disregard this play. Best service plays at Investwithsports.com

Once the Yankees builds an early lead for Severino, the right-hander who has won five of his last six outings will take over to seal the win. Severino has held opponents to 10 earned runs (2.48 ERA) and 29 hits (.204 BA) over 36.1 innings during that six-game span. Severino will be ready to neutralize the Tigers.

Meanwhile, after three straight seven-inning quality starts, Zimmermann has been tagged for seven runs in back-to-back outings. Now he faces a dangerous lineup like the Yankees?

Take the road team big.

1* YANKEES (Severino over Zimmerman)

[Can'tPickAWinner]

BRAD WILTON

Wednesday's comp play will be to side once again with Corey Kluber to help keep his team Under the total as the Indians play the Red Sox.

Kluber has allowed 3 runs or less in 14 of his last 15 starts this season, and the Under is 3-1 his last 4 trips to the hill. At Progressive Field his ERA is 2.09 for the year, and 7 of his 11 home starts have ended up holding Under the total. Best service plays at Investwithsports.com

Boston will go with Drew Pomeranz who has an ERA of 2.20 for his last 3 starts, and while he did leave his last start against the Yankees after just 3-plus innings, he has allowed 2 runs or less in 9 of his last 12 starts.

I think we see a game in which both pitchers come out on top of their games, and the runs are scarce.

Let's go with Boston and Cleveland to hold Under the total on Wednesday night.

3* BOSTON-CLEVELAND UNDER

[Can'tPickAWinner]

ERIC SCHROEDER

My free play is on the Washington Nationals, who are in Houston for an Interleague battle with the Astros, pitting two of the best hitting teams in baseball and a pair of division leaders. Best service plays at Investwithsports.com

And I'm sorry, but I just can't buy into the Nationals getting this big a price, as I'm seeing the line between +145 and +150. In this one, list both scheduled starters: Edwin Jackson and Mike Fiers. Best service plays at Investwithsports.com

Looking to continue his run of efficiency and effectiveness, Jackson limited the Padres to just one run in his previous start, needing a mere 83 pitches to get through seven innings. In six starts with the Nationals, the veteran right-hander has a 2.92 ERA. Tonight he'll be much better than the books expect.

Meanwhile, Fiers has been dealt a loss in four of his past five starts, despite showing improvement on Thursday, when he was tagged for seven hits and three runs while striking out seven over 5.1 innings against the Arizona Diamondbacks. He is now 0-2 with a 7.04 ERA in his last three starts.

Play the Nationals at a ridiculous value and list both.

4* NATIONALS (Jackson over Fiers)

[Can'tPickAWinner]

SCOTT SPREITZER

Diamondbacks-154

I'm recommending a play on the Arizona Diamondbacks on Wednesday with Godley over Flexen. The D-backs are 40-26 and average 5.27 rpg in night games against righthanders. That spells trouble for Mets' righty Chris Flexen. He's made five starts since late July and none have gone too well. Flexen has allowed 16 earned runs, 28 hits, and 16 walks in just 22 innings of work. Odd line for Zack Godley last time out pitching at Target Field as he gave up 4 earned runs and 9 hits in just 5 1/3 IP, but also punched-out 10 batters. Godley has been solid on the road all season and spectacular at night, and he slammed the door on the Mets in all three appearances against them in his career, including his lone start against them in 2017. I expect another successful outing against a Mets' squad averaging just 4.17 rpg at home and down over 15 units at Citi Field, where they have won just 27 of 65 games this season. I'm recommending a play on the Diamondbacks on Wednesday. Thanks & GL! Scott Spreitzer.

[Can'tPickAWinner]

JOHN MARTIN

1 Unit FREE PLAY on Milwaukee Brewers +113

I'm going with the Brewers in an early game Wednesday in San Francisco. This is a Brewers team with a lot to play for right now as they are right in the middle of the NL Central and wild card races. The Brewers have now gone 7-2 in their last nine games overall to handle the pressure very well right now. Matt Garza hasn't been great, but he has been better than Matt Moore. If you bet Moore in all of his starts this season, you would be 7-18 while losing 12.1 units. Moore is 4-12 with a 5.54 ERA and 1.53 WHIP in his 25 starts this year. The Brewers are 10-1 in Garza's last 11 starts during game 3 of a series. The Giants are 0-8 in Moore's last eight starts vs. a team with a winning record.

[Can'tPickAWinner]

JESSE SCHULE
MLB | Aug 23, 2017
Brewers vs. Giants
UNDER 9 -120

The Brewers trail the Cubs by just 2.5 games in the NL Central, and they came into this series at San Francisco as winners of seven of eight. I think the total for Game 3 looks a little high, and I expect a pitcher's duel.

Garza (6-7, 4.81 ERA) was lit up in a loss at Colorado his last time out. This looks like a far better spot for the veteran, he's been far better in day games than he has been under the lights. He allowed one run on eight hits, striking out five in four innings in a no decision in his last start in San Francisco.

The Giants hand the ball to southpaw Matt Moore, who has had a terrible season. He allowed a pair of runs on two hits and four walks over seven innings in a home win over Philly his last time out, but had lost four straight starts prior to that. Like Garza, he has been far better in afternoon games.

Only the lowly Phillies have scored fewer runs against rigth-handed pitchers than the Giants in 2017.

Take UNDER.

GL,

Jesse Schule

[Can'tPickAWinner]

DAVE PRICE

1* on Baltimore Orioles -1.5 (+135)

The Key: The Baltimore Orioles have a significant advantage on the mound and at the plate over the Oakland A's today. Dylan Bundy is 6-4 with a 3.82 ERA and 1.12 WHIP in 12 home starts this year. He is hot of late at 3-0 with a 2.14 ERA and 0.91 WHIP in his last 3 starts. Sean Manaea has gone in the opposite direction, going 0-2 with a 13.04 ERA and 2.28 WHIP in his last 3 starts. One of those was against the Orioles on August 12th as he was knocked out after just 1/3 of an inning, giving up 6 runs in a 5-12 home loss to Baltimore. The A's are 1-10 in Manaea's last 11 road starts vs. a team with a losing record. The Orioles are 5-0 in Bundy's last 5 starts. They should have no problem winning by 2 runs or more at this nice underdog price. Take Baltimore on the Run Line.

[Can'tPickAWinner]

DUSTIN HAWKINS

Free Play on Cardinals -165

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Sports Book Edge
Kevin 'Bubba' Smith
'Railside' Harry MLB Expert
$951/2 Mil.Brewers/SF Giants Over

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Priority Sports Info
Roy Maddux
#967 New York Yankees

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TDS Pucks & Dunks
Sloan Shannon
Home of the Original Dog Pound
#969 Boston Red Sox

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Billy Irish Picks
Billy Irish
Original Pot of Gold Top Play
#970 Cleveland Indians

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Golden Lock Sports
Go with 20+ Years experience in the Sporting Business
#977 Washington Nationals

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CAPPERS ACCESS
Orioles
Nationals
Rockies

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Chris Ruffolo

CLEVELAND

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Mark Roberts

TORONTO

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Andrew Jett

TEXAS

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Randy Chambers

SAN DIEGO

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MLB
Dunkel

Wednesday, August 23

Colorado @ Kansas City

Game 979-980
August 23, 2017 @ 8:15 pm

Dunkel Rating:
Colorado
(Senztela) 16.310
Kansas City
(Kennedy) 13.491
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Colorado
by 3
11
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Kansas City
-120
9 1/2
Dunkel Pick:
Colorado
(+100); Over

Washington @ Houston

Game 977-978
August 23, 2017 @ 8:10 pm

Dunkel Rating:
Washington
(Jackson) 14.421
Houston
(Fiers) 16.617
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Houston
by 2
8
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Houston
-155
9 1/2
Dunkel Pick:
Houston
(-155); Under

Seattle @ Atlanta

Game 975-976
August 23, 2017 @ 7:35 pm

Dunkel Rating:
Seattle
(Ramirez) 16.516
Atlanta
(Dickey) 13.530
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Seattle
by 3
11
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Seattle
-120
9 1/2
Dunkel Pick:
Seattle
(-120); Over

Texas @ LA Angels

Game 973-974
August 23, 2017 @ 10:05 pm

Dunkel Rating:
Texas
(Cashner) 16.765
LA Angels
(Heaney) 15.165
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Texas
by 1 1/2
7
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
LA Angels
-150
9
Dunkel Pick:
Texas
(+130); Under

Minnesota @ Chicago White Sox

Game 971-972
August 23, 2017 @ 8:10 pm

Dunkel Rating:
Minnesota
(Santana) 14.929
Chicago White Sox
(Shields) 15.739
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Chicago White Sox
by 1
13
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Minnesota
-160
10
Dunkel Pick:
Chicago White Sox
(+140); Over

Boston @ Cleveland

Game 969-970
August 23, 2017 @ 7:10 pm

Dunkel Rating:
Boston
(Pmeranz) 16.327
Cleveland
(Kluber) 17.877
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Cleveland
by 1 1/2
7
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Cleveland
-185
8
Dunkel Pick:
Cleveland
(-185); Under

NY Yankees @ Detroit

Game 967-968
August 23, 2017 @ 7:10 pm

Dunkel Rating:
NY Yankees
(Severino) 16.603
Detroit
(Zmmrmnn) 13.463
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
NY Yankees
by 3
11
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
NY Yankees
-220
9
Dunkel Pick:
NY Yankees
(-220); Over

Toronto @ Tampa Bay

Game 965-966
August 23, 2017 @ 7:10 pm

Dunkel Rating:
Toronto
(Stroman) 15.621
Tampa Bay
(Pruitt) 14.507
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Toronto
by 1
7
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Toronto
-120
8 1/2
Dunkel Pick:
Toronto
(-120); Under

Oakland @ Baltimore

Game 963-964
August 23, 2017 @ 3:05 pm

Dunkel Rating:
Oakland
(Gossett) 14.702
Baltimore
(Bundy) 16.250
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Baltimore
by 1 1/2
11
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Baltimore
-160
10
Dunkel Pick:
Baltimore
(-160); Over

San Diego @ St. Louis

Game 961-962
August 23, 2017 @ 8:15 pm

Dunkel Rating:
San Diego
(Chacin) 15.459
St. Louis
(Weaver) 13.659
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
San Diego
by 2
8
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
St. Louis
-170
9
Dunkel Pick:
San Diego
(+150); Under

Chicago Cubs @ Cincinnati

Game 959-960
August 23, 2017 @ 7:10 pm

Dunkel Rating:
Chicago Cubs
(Mntgmry) 13.940
Cincinnati
((Wojchwski) 16.146
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Cincinnati
by 2
12
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Chicago Cubs
-140
10
Dunkel Pick:
Cincinnati
(+120); Over

Arizona @ NY Mets

Game 957-958
August 23, 2017 @ 7:10 pm

Dunkel Rating:
Arizona
(Godley) 15.383
NY Mets
(Flexen) 14.169
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Arizona
by 1
7
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Arizona
-160
9
Dunkel Pick:
Arizona
(-160); Under

Miami @ Philadelphia

Game 955-956
August 23, 2017 @ 7:05 pm

Dunkel Rating:
Miami
(Nicolino) 16.033
Philadelphia
(Leiter) 13.619
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Miami
by 2 1/2
12
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Miami
No Line
N/A
Dunkel Pick:
Miami
N/A

LA Dodgers @ Pittsburgh

Game 953-954
August 23, 2017 @ 7:05 pm

Dunkel Rating:
LA Dodgers
(Hill) 13.330
Pittsburgh
(Williams) 16.191
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Pittsburgh
by 3
7
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
LA Dodgers
-160
9
Dunkel Pick:
Pittsburgh
(+140); Under

Milwaukee @ San Francisco

Game 951-952
August 23, 2017 @ 3:45 pm

Dunkel Rating:
Milwaukee
(Garza) 15.074
San Francisco
(Moore) 14.314
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Milwaukee
by 1
11
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
San Francisco
-125
9
Dunkel Pick:
Milwaukee
(+105); Over

[Can'tPickAWinner]

MLB

Wednesday, August 23

National League
Marlins @ Phillies
Nicolino is 2-0, 2.61 in his last two starts; his last three starts stayed under. Miami split his two road starts— their first 5-inning record with him: 3-4

Leiter is 1-2, 5.91 in four starts this year (under 2-1-1). Phillies lost his only home start— their first 5-inning record with him: 1-3

Marlins won nine of last 11 games; over is 3-0 in their last three games. Philly is 3-9 in its last 12 games; over is 7-2 in their last nine.

Dodgers @ Pirates
Hill is 4-0, 3.27 in his last six starts; under is 5-3-1 in his last nine. Dodgers are 5-2 in his road starts— their first 5-inning record with him: 9-6-3

Williams is 0-2, 12.00 in his last two starts; under is 9-2 in his last 11 starts. Pirates are 4-6 in his home starts— their first 5-inning record with him: 9-8-2

Dodgers won eight of last nine games; under is 11-6-1 in their last 18 road games. Pittsburgh lost eight of its last ten games; their last seven games went over.

Diamondbacks @ Mets
Godley is 0-2, 4.58 in his last three starts; under is 7-3-2 in his last 12 starts. Arizona is 6-4 in his road starts— their first 5-inning record with him: 8-7-3

Flexen is 2-1, 4.50 in his last three starts (under 2-0-1). Mets split his two home starts— their first 5-inning record with him: 2-3

Arizona lost five of its last eight games; over is 6-3 in their last nine road games. Mets lost eight of their last nine games; under is 8-4-1 in their last 13 home games.

Cubs @ Reds
Montgomery is 1-1, 8.53 in his last three starts (over 3-0). Cubs are 2-3 in his road starts— their first 5-inning record with him: 4-3-1

Stephenson is 1-2, 4.87 in four starts this year (under 3-1). Reds lost his only home start — their first 5-inning record with him: 2-1-1

Cubs won seven of last nine games; over is 6-2 in their last eight. Cincinnati won three of last five games; their last six home games went over.

Padres @ Cardinals
Chacin is 1-1, 2.74 in his last four stars; over is 4-2-1 in his last seven. San Diego is 5-7 in his road starts— their first 5-inning record with him: 9-12-4

Weaver is 1-1, 4.76 in his first two MLB starts (over 1-1). St Louis lost his only home start— their first 5-inning record with him: 1-1

San Diego lost six of last nine road games; over is 7-1 in their last eight. Cardinals lost six of last eight games; over is 11-1-1 in their last 13 games.

Brewers @ Giants
Garza is 1-2, 13.85 in his last three starts (over 2-0-1). Milwaukee is 2-6 in his road starts— their first 5-inning record with him: 9-8-2

Moore is 1-0, 2.51 in his last two starts; under is 5-3-1 in his last nine starts. Giants are 4-9 in his home starts— their first 5-inning record with him: 3-17-5

Brewers won seven of last eight games; under is 6-1-2 in their last nine. Giants won six of last ten home games; five of last eight Giant games went over the total.

——————————–

American League
A’s @ Orioles
Manaea is 0-3, 9.95 in his last six starts; over is 7-1 in his last eight. A’s are 5-7 in his road starts— their 1st 5-inning record with him: 8-10-4

Bundy is 4-0, 3.90 in his last five starts; over is 9-2 in his last 11. Orioles are 8-4 n his home starts— their 1st 5-inning record with him: 13-8-2

A’s lost nine of last 14 games; their last five games stayed under. Baltimore lost nine of last 14 games; under is 9-3 in their last 12 home games.

Red Sox @ Indians
Pomeranz is 2-0, 2.20 in his last three starts; over is 9-4-1 in his last 14 starts. Boston is 5-4 in his road starts— their first 5-inning record with him: 15-9

Kluber is 4-0, 1.78 in his last four starts (under 3-1). Indians are 8-4 in his home starts— their first 5-inning record with him: 11-8-2

Red Sox are 15-4 in last 19 games; under is 4-2 in their last six games. Cleveland is 9-3 in its last 12 games; under is 7-2 in their last nine home games.

New York @ Detroit
Severino is 5-1, 3.72 in his last six starts, last five of which went over. New York is 7-6 in his road starts— their first 5-inning record with him: 12-9-3

Zimmerman is 0-2, 9.77 in his last three starts; over is 6-2 in his last eight. Detroit is 6-5 in his home starts— their first 5-inning record with him: 11-13

New York won six of last eight games; under is 8-5 in their last 13 road games. Detroit lost 9 of last 11 games; over is 7-2-1 in their last ten home games.

Blue Jays @ Rays
Stroman is 2-1, 4.13 in his last four starts; under is 6-3-1 in his last ten. Toronto is 7-5 in his road starts— their first 5-inning record with him: 13-11-1

Pruitt is 0-2, 4.74 in his last three starts (under 6-0). Rays are 0-3 in his home starts— their first 5-inning record with him: 1-4-1

Toronto lost its last five road games; under is 8-4 in their last 12 games. Tampa Bay is 4-12 in its last 16 games; under is 14-4-1 in their last 19 home games.

Twins @ White Sox
Santana is 2-0, 4.50 in his last four starts; under is 4-2-2 in his last eight. Minnesota is 9-3 in his road starts— their first 5-inning record with him: 13-7-5

Shields is 0-3, 7.65 in his last eight starts, last three of which went over. White Sox are 3-4 in his home starts— their first 5-inning record with him: 3-9-2

Twins are 13-4 in last 17 games; over is 7-3-2 in their last 12. Chicago lost eight of last eleven games; under is 6-2 in their last eight home games.

Rangers @ Angels
Cashner is 3-1, 2.84 in his last five starts; his last eight starts stayed under. Texas is 3-7 in his road starts— their first 5-inning record with him: 11-6-3

Heaney allowed five runs in five IP (82 PT) in his first ’17 start, a 9-7 loss in Baltimore. Orioles’ 5-inning record with him: 1-0

Texas won eight of last 12 games; over is 5-2 in their last seven games. Angels won ten of last 12 games; six of their last eight games stayed under.

__________________________

Interleague
Mariners @ Braves
Ramirez is 1-0, 1.50 in his last two starts (over 2-2). Seattle is 2-1 in his road starts— their first 5-inning record with him: 3-1

Dickey is 2-1, 3.12 in his last four starts (under 4-0). Braves are 9-4 in his home starts— their first 5-inning record with him: 12-8-4

Mariners won five of last seven games; over is 3-2 in their last five games. Atlanta lost six of last eight home games; under is 7-3 in their last ten.

Nationals @ Astros
Jackson is 2-0, 1.38 in his last two starts (under 5-1). Washington is 2-1 in his road starts— their first 5-inning record with him: 2-2-2

Fiers is 0-4, 8.06 in his last five starts; over is 4-1-1 in his last six. Houston is 5-7 in his home starts— their first 5-inning record with him: 10-11-3

Nationals won six of last eight games; under is 10-0-1 in their last 11. Houston won four of last seven games; their last five games stayed under.

Rockies @ Royals
Senzatela is 1-2, 6.63 in his last four starts; over is 6-1 in his last seven. Colorado is 4-4 in his road starts— their first 5-inning record with him: 11-5-2

Kennedy is 0-3, 9.47 in his last four starts; over is 4-2 in his last six. Royals are 4-7 in his home starts— their first 5-inning record with him: 7-13-3

Rockies are 3-8 in last 11 games; under is 6-0-1 in their last seven road games. Royals are 6-3 in last nine games; over is 7-4 in their last 11 home games.

______________________________

Record with this pitcher starting:
National League
Mia-Phil: Nicolino 5-2; Leiter 2-2
LA-Pitt: Hill 12-6; Williams 8-11
Az-NY: Godley 11-7; Flexen 3-2
Chi-Cin: Montgomery 3-5; Stephenson 2-2
SD-StL: Chacin 13-12; Weaver 1-1
Mil-SF: Garza 9-10; Moore 7-18

American League
A’s-Balt: Manaea 10-13; Bundy 15-8
Bos-Clev: Pomeranz 16-8; Kluber 14-7
NY-Det: Severino 14-10; Zimmerman 9-15
Tor-TB: Stroman 15-10; Pruitt 2-4
Min-Chi: Santana Shields 5-9
Tex-LA: Cashner 9-11; Heaney 0-1

Interleague
Sea-Atl: Ramirez 2-2; Dickey 13-11
Wsh-Hst: Jackson 4-2; Fiers 14-11
Col-KC: Senzatela 12-6; Kennedy 11-12

Pitchers allowing a run in first inning:
National League
Mia-Phil: Nicolino 4-7; Leiter 2-4
LA-Pitt: Hill 5-18; Williams 7-19
Az-NY: Godley 3-18; Flexen 2-5
Chi-Cin: Montgomery 2-8; Stephenson 1-4
SD-StL: Chacin 10-23; Weaver 1-2
Mil-SF: Garza 5-19; Moore 8-25

American League
A’s-Balt: Manaea 7-23; Bundy 4-23
Bos-Clev: Pomeranz 7-24; Kluber 4-21
NY-Det: Severino 5-24; Zimmerman 8-24
Tor-TB: Stroman 5-25; Pruitt 2-6
Min-Chi: Santana Shields 5-12
Tex-LA: Cashner 6-20; Heaney 0-1

Interleague
Sea-Atl: Ramirez 0-4; Dickey 6-24
Wsh-Hst: Jackson 3-6; Fiers 7-25
Col-KC: Senzatela 8-18; Kennedy 5-23

_________________________

Umpires
National League
Mia-Phil: Over is 4-0-1 in last five Woodring games.
LA-Pitt: Three of last four O’Nora games went over.
Az-NY: Favorites won four of last five Additon games.
Chi-Cin: Four of last six Tichenor games went over.
SD-StL: Last three Kulpa games went over the total.
Mil-SF: Four of last five Culbreth games stayed under.

American League
A’s-Balt: Last nine Hernandez games stayed under the total.
Bos-Clev: Under is 5-1-1 in last seven Porter games.
NY-Det: Over is 5-0-1 in last six May games.
Tor-TB: Under is 8-2 in last ten LBarrett games.
Min-Chi: Four of last five Guccione games went over.
Tex-LA: Six of last eight Morales games stayed under.

Interleague
Sea-Atl: Six of last eight DeJesus games stayed under.
Wsh-Hst: Seven of last nine Kellogg games went over.
Col-KC: Over is 5-2-1 in last eight Cooper games.

Interleague play
NL @ AL– 74-53 AL, favorites +$157
AL @ NL– 68-61 NL, favorites +$196
Total: 135-121 AL, favorites +$353

Totals in interleague games
NL @ AL: Over 63-63-3
AL @ NL: Over 68-55-7
Total: Over 131-118-10

Teams’ records in first five innings:
Team (road-home-total)- thru 8/22/17
Ariz 24-25-16……31-21–11……..55-46
Atl 23-30-9……22-32-7………..45-62
Cubs 28-28-6…….29-21-12……….57-49
Reds 21-37-7……..23-33–5……….44-70
Colo 31-25-6…….34-24-4………..65-49
LA 29-19-11…….40-18-7……….69-37
Miami 28-27-8…….32-22-7………60-49
Milw 31-23-8…….31-26-8……….61-49
Mets 28-28-3……..24-35-6……..52-63
Philly 15-38-14……21-28-8……….36-66
Pitt 29-29-4…….26-27-10………56-56
St. Louis 25-28-8……33-21-9………..58-49
SD 20-36-6……..30-25–8……….50-61
SF 13-40-9……..27-28-10……….40-68
Wash 38-19-6……27-24-8………….65-44

Orioles 24-33-5……..27-31-5………51-64
Boston 27-27-8………30-30-2……..57-57
White Sox 21-35-9………22-34–3……..43-68
Cleveland 35-22-7……..28-23-7……….63-45
Detroit 22-32-9…….26-27-8……..48-59
Astros 30-23-8……..39-23-4……..69-46
KC 24-28-8………25-25-12…….49-53
Angels 25-31-8………27-23-12……..52-54
Twins 35-17-9………28-31-7……..63-47
NYY 27-35-6……….30-23-4…..…57-58
A’s 23-31-7……..26-30-10……..49-61
Seattle 24-31-8……..34-22-9……..58-53
TB 29-23-10……..35-20-8……..64-43
Texas 29-22-10……..32-24-8………61-46
Toronto 23-35-4……..25-29-8……..48-64

%age of times teams score in first inning (road/home/total- 8/22/17)
Ariz 19-63……..21-62………..40
Atl 13-61……..16-61………..29
Cubs 15-62……..23-62………..38
Reds 24-65……..25-60……….49
Colo 16-62……..23-62..………39
LA 18-59……..24-64..……..42
Miami 27-63……..22-61………49
Milw 20-62……25-66…..…..45
Mets 25-59……..21-65……….46
Philly 16-67……..17-58……….33
Pitt 19-62……..21-64……….40
StL 13-62……..19-62………..32
SD 23-62……….20-62……….43
SF 15-63……..19-65…………34
Wash 25-63……..24-60……….49

Orioles 13-63……..20-64……….33
Boston 20-63……..14-62……….34
White Sox 21-65……15-59………..36
Clev 15-64……..20-60………35
Detroit 16-63…….25-62………41
Astros 17-61……..26-65……….43
KC 16-61……..12-64……….28
Angels 23-66…….16-62………..39
Twins 14-59……..14-65……….28
NYY 15-67……..16-57……….31
A’s 15-61……..25-66………40
Seattle 20-63…….22-66………42
TB 18-62……..23-65……….41
Texas 23-61……..27-64………50
Toronto 21-62……..18-65………39

[Can'tPickAWinner]

MLB

Wednesday, August 23

Trend Report

3:05 PM
OAKLAND vs. BALTIMORE
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Oakland's last 5 games on the road
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Oakland's last 6 games when playing on the road against Baltimore
Baltimore is 7-2 SU in its last 9 games when playing at home against Oakland
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Baltimore's last 6 games when playing at home against Oakland

3:45 PM
MILWAUKEE vs. SAN FRANCISCO
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Milwaukee's last 5 games
Milwaukee is 7-2 SU in its last 9 games
San Francisco is 16-5 SU in its last 21 games when playing Milwaukee
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of San Francisco's last 6 games when playing at home against Milwaukee

7:05 PM
MIAMI vs. PHILADELPHIA
Miami is 5-1 SU in its last 6 games
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Miami's last 6 games when playing Philadelphia
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Philadelphia's last 6 games
Philadelphia is 2-8 SU in its last 10 games

7:05 PM
LA DODGERS vs. PITTSBURGH
The total has gone OVER in 5 of LA Dodgers's last 7 games when playing Pittsburgh
The total has gone OVER in 8 of LA Dodgers's last 9 games when playing on the road against Pittsburgh
Pittsburgh is 8-3 SU in their last 11 games when playing at home against LA Dodgers
The total has gone OVER in 8 of Pittsburgh's last 9 games when playing at home against LA Dodgers

7:10 PM
BOSTON vs. CLEVELAND
Boston is 6-2 SU in its last 8 games on the road
Boston is 3-10 SU in its last 13 games when playing on the road against Cleveland
Cleveland is 9-3 SU in its last 12 games
Cleveland is 10-3 SU in its last 13 games when playing at home against Boston

7:10 PM
CHI CUBS vs. CINCINNATI
Chi Cubs are 15-4 SU in their last 19 games on the road
The total has gone OVER in 17 of Chi Cubs's last 23 games when playing on the road against Cincinnati
Cincinnati is 5-16 SU in their last 21 games when playing at home against Chi Cubs
Cincinnati is 6-13 SU in its last 19 games at home

7:10 PM
NY YANKEES vs. DETROIT
NY Yankees are 4-2 SU in their last 6 games on the road
NY Yankees are 6-1 SU in their last 7 games when playing on the road against Detroit
The total has gone OVER in 10 of Detroit's last 13 games
Detroit is 1-6 SU in their last 7 games when playing at home against NY Yankees

7:10 PM
ARIZONA vs. NY METS
Arizona is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games when playing on the road against NY Mets
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Arizona's last 6 games when playing on the road against NY Mets
NY Mets are 0-5 SU in its last 5 games when playing at home against Arizona
The total has gone OVER in 4 of NY Mets's last 6 games when playing at home against Arizona

7:10 PM
TORONTO vs. TAMPA BAY
Toronto is 2-5 SU in its last 7 games when playing on the road against Tampa Bay
Toronto is 4-2 SU in its last 6 games when playing Tampa Bay
Tampa Bay is 2-4 SU in its last 6 games when playing Toronto
Tampa Bay is 2-5 SU in its last 7 games at home

7:35 PM
SEATTLE vs. ATLANTA
Seattle is 5-2 SU in its last 7 games on the road
Seattle is 5-2 SU in its last 7 games
Atlanta is 8-17 SU in its last 25 games
Atlanta is 1-5 SU in its last 6 games when playing Seattle

8:10 PM
MINNESOTA vs. CHI WHITE SOX
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Minnesota's last 6 games on the road
Minnesota is 6-2 SU in their last 8 games when playing Chi White Sox
Chi White Sox are 1-4 SU in their last 5 games at home
Chi White Sox are 2-6 SU in their last 8 games when playing Minnesota

8:10 PM
WASHINGTON vs. HOUSTON
The total has gone UNDER in 6 of Washington's last 7 games
Washington is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games when playing on the road against Houston
The total has gone UNDER in 6 of Houston's last 8 games when playing Washington
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Houston's last 5 games at home

8:15 PM
SAN DIEGO vs. ST. LOUIS
The total has gone OVER in 8 of San Diego's last 11 games when playing St. Louis
San Diego is 1-6 SU in its last 7 games when playing on the road against St. Louis
St. Louis is 2-6 SU in its last 8 games
The total has gone OVER in 13 of St. Louis's last 15 games

8:15 PM
COLORADO vs. KANSAS CITY
Colorado is 1-5 SU in its last 6 games on the road
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Colorado's last 6 games on the road
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Kansas City's last 5 games when playing Colorado
Kansas City is 6-3 SU in its last 9 games

10:08 PM
TEXAS vs. LA ANGELS
Texas9-3-1 SU in its last 13 games
LA Angels are 1-3-1 SU in their last 5 games ,when playing at home against Texas
LA Angels9-3-1 SU in their last 13 games

[Can'tPickAWinner]

MLB
Long Sheet

Wednesday, August 23

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

MILWAUKEE (66 - 61) at SAN FRANCISCO (51 - 77) - 3:45 PM
MATT GARZA (R) vs. MATT MOORE (L)
Top Trends for this game.
GARZA is 57-88 (-30.2 Units) against the money line in road games since 1997. (Team's Record)
MILWAUKEE is 66-61 (+12.6 Units) against the money line in all games this season.
MILWAUKEE is 31-31 (+9.3 Units) against the money line in road games this season.
MILWAUKEE is 25-17 (+11.9 Units) against the money line when playing on Wednesday over the last 2 seasons.
MILWAUKEE is 44-31 (+23.6 Units) against the money line against left-handed starters over the last 2 seasons.
MILWAUKEE is 34-30 (+8.8 Units) against the money line after a win this season.
SAN FRANCISCO is 51-77 (-30.7 Units) against the money line in all games this season.
SAN FRANCISCO is 17-28 (-14.6 Units) against the money line in day games this season.
SAN FRANCISCO is 35-54 (-25.3 Units) against the money line against right-handed starters this season.
MOORE is 7-18 (-12.1 Units) against the money line in all games this season. (Team's Record)

Head-to-Head Series History
SAN FRANCISCO is 3-3 (+0.2 Units) against MILWAUKEE this season
3 of 5 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL this season . (Under=+1.0 Units)

MATT GARZA vs. SAN FRANCISCO since 1997
GARZA is 1-2 when starting against SAN FRANCISCO with an ERA of 4.15 and a WHIP of 1.661.
His team's record is 1-3 (-1.8 units) in these starts. The OVER is 2-2. (+0.0 units)

MATT MOORE vs. MILWAUKEE since 1997
No recent starts.

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LA DODGERS (89 - 35) at PITTSBURGH (60 - 66) - 7:05 PM
RICH HILL (L) vs. TREVOR WILLIAMS (R)
Top Trends for this game.
LA DODGERS are 117-112 (-30.2 Units) against the money line in road games over the last 3 seasons.
LA DODGERS are 154-174 (-56.7 Units) against the money line when playing on Wednesday since 1997.
PITTSBURGH is 411-421 (+37.4 Units) against the money line in home games when playing against a team with a winning record since 1997.
LA DODGERS are 89-35 (+35.3 Units) against the money line in all games this season.
LA DODGERS are 64-26 (+23.2 Units) against the money line in night games this season.
LA DODGERS are 60-24 (+24.4 Units) against the money line against right-handed starters this season.
LA DODGERS are 63-25 (+24.5 Units) against the money line after a win this season.
LA DODGERS are 49-14 (+24.5 Units) against the money line when playing against a team with a losing record this season.
PITTSBURGH is 72-72 (-17.2 Units) against the money line in home games over the last 2 seasons.
PITTSBURGH is 37-48 (-14.5 Units) against the money line in night games this season.
PITTSBURGH is 65-83 (-24.4 Units) against the money line after a loss over the last 2 seasons.

Head-to-Head Series History
LA DODGERS is 5-0 (+5.0 Units) against PITTSBURGH this season
3 of 5 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL this season . (Over=+1.0 Units)

RICH HILL vs. PITTSBURGH since 1997
HILL is 3-1 when starting against PITTSBURGH with an ERA of 3.69 and a WHIP of 1.209.
His team's record is 5-3 (+1.0 units) in these starts. The OVER is 3-5. (-2.1 units)

TREVOR WILLIAMS vs. LA DODGERS since 1997
WILLIAMS is 0-1 when starting against LA DODGERS with an ERA of 18.00 and a WHIP of 2.667.
His team's record is 0-1 (-1.0 units) in these starts. The UNDER is 0-1. (-1.1 units)

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MIAMI (62 - 62) at PHILADELPHIA (45 - 79) - 7:05 PM
JUSTIN NICOLINO (L) vs. MARK LEITER JR. (R)
There are no Top Trends with records of significance that apply to this game.

Head-to-Head Series History
MIAMI is 6-4 (+0.9 Units) against PHILADELPHIA this season
6 of 9 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL this season . (Over=+2.5 Units)

JUSTIN NICOLINO vs. PHILADELPHIA since 1997
NICOLINO is 1-0 when starting against PHILADELPHIA with an ERA of 2.28 and a WHIP of 0.845.
His team's record is 2-2 (-0.3 units) in these starts. The OVER is 1-2. (-1.1 units)

MARK LEITER JR. vs. MIAMI since 1997
No recent starts.

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ARIZONA (69 - 57) at NY METS (54 - 70) - 7:10 PM
ZACK GODLEY (R) vs. CHRIS FLEXEN (R)
Top Trends for this game.
ARIZONA is 69-57 (+9.7 Units) against the money line in all games this season.
ARIZONA is 31-19 (+10.4 Units) against the money line when the total is 9 to 9.5 this season.
ARIZONA is 50-37 (+9.9 Units) against the money line in night games this season.
ARIZONA is 55-43 (+8.6 Units) against the money line against right-handed starters this season.
ARIZONA is 39-29 (+8.1 Units) against the money line after a win this season.
ARIZONA is 128-88 (+31.2 Units) against the money line when playing against a team with a losing record over the last 3 seasons.
GODLEY is 21-12 (+11.8 Units) against the money line in all games over the last 2 seasons. (Team's Record)
GODLEY is 16-7 (+11.4 Units) against the money line in night games over the last 2 seasons. (Team's Record)
NY METS are 54-70 (-24.9 Units) against the money line in all games this season.
NY METS are 27-38 (-21.1 Units) against the money line in home games this season.
NY METS are 50-53 (-22.2 Units) against the money line in home games in night games over the last 2 seasons.
NY METS are 42-52 (-18.8 Units) against the money line against right-handed starters this season.
NY METS are 29-41 (-15.5 Units) against the money line after a loss this season.
NY METS are 10-34 (-25.1 Units) against the money line when playing against a team with a winning record this season.
NY METS are 3-14 (-11.0 Units) against the money line when playing against a team with a winning record in the second half of the season this season.

Head-to-Head Series History
ARIZONA is 5-0 (+5.0 Units) against NY METS this season
2 of 4 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL this season . (Over=-0.5 Units, Under=-0.2 Units)

ZACK GODLEY vs. NY METS since 1997
GODLEY is 1-0 when starting against NY METS with an ERA of 1.93 and a WHIP of 0.929.
His team's record is 2-0 (+2.0 units) in these starts. The OVER is 2-0. (+2.0 units)

CHRIS FLEXEN vs. ARIZONA since 1997
No recent starts.

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CHICAGO CUBS (67 - 57) at CINCINNATI (53 - 73) - 7:10 PM
MIKE MONTGOMERY (L) vs. ASHER WOJCIECHOWSKI (R)
Top Trends for this game.
CHICAGO CUBS are 67-57 (-16.8 Units) against the money line in all games this season.
CHICAGO CUBS are 271-320 (-67.0 Units) against the money line in August games since 1997.
CHICAGO CUBS are 47-47 (-24.6 Units) against the money line against right-handed starters this season.
CHICAGO CUBS are 33-33 (-16.3 Units) against the money line after a win this season.
CHICAGO CUBS are 32-29 (-15.8 Units) against the money line after 3 or more consecutive wins over the last 2 seasons.
CHICAGO CUBS are 815-768 (-158.8 Units) against the money line when playing against a team with a losing record since 1997.
MONTGOMERY is 4-15 (-14.1 Units) against the money line after a win over the last 2 seasons. (Team's Record)
CINCINNATI is 58-68 (+8.5 Units) against the money line against division opponents over the last 2 seasons.
CINCINNATI is 13-7 (+8.8 Units) against the money line after allowing 10 runs or more this season.
CHICAGO CUBS are 51-21 (+19.8 Units) against the money line as a road favorite of -125 to -175 over the last 2 seasons.
CHICAGO CUBS are 12-2 (+9.8 Units) against the money line on the road when the total is 10 to 10.5 this season.
CINCINNATI is 2-11 (-10.1 Units) against the money line at home when the total is 10 to 10.5 over the last 2 seasons.
CINCINNATI is 8-24 (-14.8 Units) against the money line against left-handed starters this season.

Head-to-Head Series History
CHICAGO CUBS is 9-5 (+1.1 Units) against CINCINNATI this season
10 of 14 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL this season . (Over=+5.8 Units)

MIKE MONTGOMERY vs. CINCINNATI since 1997
MONTGOMERY is 0-1 when starting against CINCINNATI with an ERA of 5.40 and a WHIP of 1.649.
His team's record is 0-1 (-1.0 units) in these starts. The UNDER is 1-0. (+1.0 units)

ASHER WOJCIECHOWSKI vs. CHICAGO CUBS since 1997
WOJCIECHOWSKI is 0-1 when starting against CHICAGO CUBS with an ERA of 17.17 and a WHIP of 2.725.
His team's record is 0-1 (-1.0 units) in these starts. The UNDER is 0-1. (-1.3 units)

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

SAN DIEGO (56 - 69) at ST LOUIS (63 - 62) - 8:15 PM
JHOULYS CHACIN (R) vs. LUKE WEAVER (R)
Top Trends for this game.
SAN DIEGO is 56-69 (+3.1 Units) against the money line in all games this season.
SAN DIEGO is 41-43 (+9.4 Units) against the money line in night games this season.
SAN DIEGO is 43-49 (+6.7 Units) against the money line against right-handed starters this season.
ST LOUIS is 63-62 (-8.1 Units) against the money line in all games this season.
ST LOUIS is 32-33 (-17.1 Units) against the money line as a home favorite of -125 to -175 over the last 2 seasons.
ST LOUIS is 73-71 (-25.8 Units) against the money line in home games over the last 2 seasons.
ST LOUIS is 46-51 (-24.5 Units) against the money line in home games in night games over the last 2 seasons.
ST LOUIS is 48-49 (-8.8 Units) against the money line against right-handed starters this season.

Head-to-Head Series History
SAN DIEGO is 1-0 (+1.6 Units) against ST LOUIS this season
1 of 1 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL this season . (Over=+1.0 Units)

JHOULYS CHACIN vs. ST LOUIS since 1997
CHACIN is 0-4 when starting against ST LOUIS with an ERA of 5.02 and a WHIP of 1.414.
His team's record is 0-4 (-4.5 units) in these starts. The UNDER is 3-0. (+3.0 units)

LUKE WEAVER vs. SAN DIEGO since 1997
No recent starts.

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OAKLAND (55 - 71) at BALTIMORE (61 - 65) - 3:05 PM
DANIEL GOSSETT (R) vs. DYLAN BUNDY (R)
Top Trends for this game.
OAKLAND is 192-258 (-54.8 Units) against the money line in all games over the last 3 seasons.
OAKLAND is 82-112 (-32.0 Units) against the money line when playing against a team with a losing record over the last 3 seasons.
BALTIMORE is 149-139 (+7.8 Units) against the money line in all games over the last 2 seasons.
BALTIMORE is 37-26 (+8.0 Units) against the money line in home games this season.
BALTIMORE is 65-39 (+19.4 Units) against the money line in home games against right-handed starters over the last 2 seasons.
BALTIMORE is 62-31 (+20.6 Units) against the money line in home games when playing against a team with a losing record over the last 3 seasons.
OAKLAND is 140-121 (+37.8 Units) against the money line on the road when the total is 10 to 10.5 since 1997.

Head-to-Head Series History
OAKLAND is 3-3 (+0.7 Units) against BALTIMORE this season
4 of 6 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL this season . (Under=+1.7 Units)

DANIEL GOSSETT vs. BALTIMORE since 1997
No recent starts.

DYLAN BUNDY vs. OAKLAND since 1997
BUNDY is 1-0 when starting against OAKLAND with an ERA of 4.50 and a WHIP of 1.667.
His team's record is 1-0 (+1.0 units) in these starts. The OVER is 1-0. (+1.1 units)

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

TORONTO (59 - 66) at TAMPA BAY (62 - 65) - 7:10 PM
MARCUS STROMAN (R) vs. AUSTIN PRUITT (R)
Top Trends for this game.
TORONTO is 59-66 (-16.6 Units) against the money line in all games this season.
TORONTO is 56-63 (-21.8 Units) against the money line when the total is 8 to 8.5 over the last 2 seasons.
TORONTO is 33-44 (-18.8 Units) against the money line in night games this season.
TORONTO is 27-30 (-12.2 Units) against the money line when playing against a team with a losing record this season.
TAMPA BAY is 130-158 (-34.8 Units) against the money line in all games over the last 2 seasons.
TAMPA BAY is 69-76 (-20.1 Units) against the money line in home games over the last 2 seasons.
TAMPA BAY is 81-104 (-28.0 Units) against the money line in night games over the last 2 seasons.
TAMPA BAY is 97-111 (-22.0 Units) against the money line against right-handed starters over the last 2 seasons.
TAMPA BAY is 48-54 (-18.7 Units) against the money line in home games when playing against a team with a losing record over the last 3 seasons.

Head-to-Head Series History
TORONTO is 9-8 (+0.9 Units) against TAMPA BAY this season
9 of 17 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL this season . (Under=+0.3 Units)

MARCUS STROMAN vs. TAMPA BAY since 1997
STROMAN is 5-4 when starting against TAMPA BAY with an ERA of 4.04 and a WHIP of 1.345.
His team's record is 5-5 (-2.0 units) in these starts. The UNDER is 5-5. (-0.7 units)

AUSTIN PRUITT vs. TORONTO since 1997
No recent starts.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

NY YANKEES (67 - 57) at DETROIT (54 - 70) - 7:10 PM
LUIS SEVERINO (R) vs. JORDAN ZIMMERMANN (R)
Top Trends for this game.
NY YANKEES are 12-21 (-10.5 Units) against the money line in road games after a win this season.
DETROIT is 54-70 (-15.8 Units) against the money line in all games this season.
DETROIT is 146-163 (-44.8 Units) against the money line in home games in August games since 1997.
DETROIT is 31-51 (-19.6 Units) against the money line in night games this season.
DETROIT is 37-52 (-13.6 Units) against the money line against right-handed starters this season.

Head-to-Head Series History
DETROIT is 2-2 (+1.9 Units) against NY YANKEES this season
2 of 4 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL this season . (Under=+0.0 Units)

LUIS SEVERINO vs. DETROIT since 1997
SEVERINO is 1-1 when starting against DETROIT with an ERA of 3.60 and a WHIP of 1.700.
His team's record is 1-1 (+0.0 units) in these starts. The OVER is 1-1. (+0.0 units)

JORDAN ZIMMERMANN vs. NY YANKEES since 1997
ZIMMERMANN is 3-0 when starting against NY YANKEES with an ERA of 1.33 and a WHIP of 0.926.
His team's record is 3-1 (+3.3 units) in these starts. The OVER is 1-3. (-2.3 units)

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

BOSTON (72 - 53) at CLEVELAND (69 - 55) - 7:10 PM
DREW POMERANZ (L) vs. COREY KLUBER (R)
Top Trends for this game.
BOSTON is 35-35 (-11.0 Units) against the money line after a win this season.
POMERANZ is 11-2 (+9.1 Units) against the money line when playing against a team with a winning record this season. (Team's Record)
CLEVELAND is 69-55 (-18.1 Units) against the money line in all games this season.
CLEVELAND is 8-10 (-12.6 Units) against the money line as a home favorite of -175 to -250 this season.
CLEVELAND is 32-28 (-18.1 Units) against the money line in home games this season.
CLEVELAND is 6-10 (-12.0 Units) against the money line when playing on Wednesday this season.
CLEVELAND is 45-38 (-13.7 Units) against the money line in night games this season.
KLUBER is 19-23 (-16.4 Units) against the money line after a loss over the last 3 seasons. (Team's Record)

Head-to-Head Series History
BOSTON is 3-2 (+1.8 Units) against CLEVELAND this season
2 of 4 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL this season . (Under=+0.1 Units)

DREW POMERANZ vs. CLEVELAND since 1997
POMERANZ is 1-0 when starting against CLEVELAND with an ERA of 2.35 and a WHIP of 0.913.
His team's record is 1-0 (+1.0 units) in these starts. The UNDER is 1-0. (+1.0 units)

COREY KLUBER vs. BOSTON since 1997
KLUBER is 3-3 when starting against BOSTON with an ERA of 4.09 and a WHIP of 1.146.
His team's record is 5-4 (+0.5 units) in these starts. The OVER is 5-4. (+0.8 units)

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

MINNESOTA (65 - 60) at CHI WHITE SOX (48 - 76) - 8:10 PM
ERVIN SANTANA (R) vs. JAMES SHIELDS (R)
Top Trends for this game.
MINNESOTA is 65-60 (+9.1 Units) against the money line in all games this season.
MINNESOTA is 34-25 (+16.1 Units) against the money line in road games this season.
MINNESOTA is 15-7 (+8.7 Units) against the money line in August games this season.
MINNESOTA is 17-9 (+12.1 Units) against the money line in road games against division opponents this season.
MINNESOTA is 44-32 (+14.7 Units) against the money line in night games this season.
MINNESOTA is 48-42 (+9.5 Units) against the money line against right-handed starters this season.
MINNESOTA is 17-13 (+8.2 Units) against the money line in road games after a win this season.
SANTANA is 9-3 (+7.9 Units) against the money line in road games this season. (Team's Record)
SANTANA is 44-23 (+17.8 Units) against the money line in August games since 1997. (Team's Record)

Head-to-Head Series History
MINNESOTA is 9-5 (+3.4 Units) against CHI WHITE SOX this season
9 of 13 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL this season . (Under=+4.8 Units)

ERVIN SANTANA vs. CHI WHITE SOX since 1997
SANTANA is 11-9 when starting against CHI WHITE SOX with an ERA of 3.94 and a WHIP of 1.262.
His team's record is 14-11 (+1.4 units) in these starts. The OVER is 15-9. (+5.4 units)

JAMES SHIELDS vs. MINNESOTA since 1997
SHIELDS is 8-8 when starting against MINNESOTA with an ERA of 4.20 and a WHIP of 1.482.
His team's record is 11-11 (-3.8 units) in these starts. The UNDER is 10-12. (-3.8 units)

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

TEXAS (62 - 63) at LA ANGELS (65 - 61) - 10:05 PM
ANDREW CASHNER (R) vs. ANDREW HEANEY (L)
Top Trends for this game.
LA ANGELS are 65-61 (+12.1 Units) against the money line in all games this season.
LA ANGELS are 26-16 (+14.7 Units) against the money line when the total is 9 to 9.5 this season.
LA ANGELS are 56-27 (+18.2 Units) against the money line as a home favorite of -125 to -175 over the last 3 seasons.
LA ANGELS are 49-44 (+9.6 Units) against the money line in night games this season.
LA ANGELS are 25-14 (+12.4 Units) against the money line when playing against a team with a losing record in the second half of the season over the last 2 seasons.
TEXAS is 157-133 (+25.7 Units) against the money line in all games over the last 2 seasons.
TEXAS is 69-47 (+25.9 Units) against the money line when the total is 9 to 9.5 over the last 2 seasons.
TEXAS is 47-48 (+21.2 Units) against the money line as a road underdog of +125 to +175 over the last 3 seasons.
TEXAS is 116-111 (+37.7 Units) against the money line in road games over the last 3 seasons.
TEXAS is 27-21 (+14.5 Units) against the money line on the road when the total is 9 to 9.5 over the last 2 seasons.
TEXAS is 48-28 (+18.4 Units) against the money line in August games over the last 3 seasons.
TEXAS is 68-53 (+16.3 Units) against the money line against division opponents over the last 2 seasons.
TEXAS is 116-93 (+24.5 Units) against the money line in night games over the last 2 seasons.
TEXAS is 73-64 (+20.1 Units) against the money line against left-handed starters over the last 3 seasons.
TEXAS is 109-98 (+21.9 Units) against the money line after a loss over the last 3 seasons.
TEXAS is 24-22 (+9.4 Units) against the money line when playing against a team with a winning record this season.
TEXAS is 51-41 (+17.7 Units) against the money line when playing against a team with a winning record in the second half of the season over the last 3 seasons.

Head-to-Head Series History
TEXAS is 6-5 (+0.7 Units) against LA ANGELS this season
5 of 9 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL this season . (Over=+0.8 Units)

ANDREW CASHNER vs. LA ANGELS since 1997
CASHNER is 1-0 when starting against LA ANGELS with an ERA of 3.86 and a WHIP of 1.286.
His team's record is 1-0 (+1.5 units) in these starts. The OVER is 1-0. (+1.1 units)

ANDREW HEANEY vs. TEXAS since 1997
HEANEY is 1-1 when starting against TEXAS with an ERA of 5.23 and a WHIP of 1.646.
His team's record is 1-1 (+0.0 units) in these starts. The OVER is 1-1. (-0.1 units)

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

SEATTLE (64 - 63) at ATLANTA (56 - 68) - 7:35 PM
ERASMO RAMIREZ (R) vs. R.A. DICKEY (R)
Top Trends for this game.
ATLANTA is 124-161 (+3.7 Units) against the money line in all games over the last 2 seasons.
ATLANTA is 60-79 (+15.4 Units) against the money line when playing against a team with a winning record over the last 2 seasons.
ATLANTA is 31-36 (+13.5 Units) against the money line when playing against a team with a winning record in the second half of the season over the last 2 seasons.
DICKEY is 12-2 (+11.0 Units) against the money line in August games over the last 3 seasons. (Team's Record)
SEATTLE is 54-46 (+12.4 Units) against the money line in road games against right-handed starters over the last 2 seasons.
SEATTLE is 58-39 (+19.3 Units) against the money line in road games when playing against a team with a losing record over the last 3 seasons.
SEATTLE is 23-10 (+12.5 Units) against the money line in road games when playing against a team with a losing record in the second half of the season over the last 2 seasons.
RAMIREZ is 16-9 (+12.5 Units) against the money line in road games in night games since 1997. (Team's Record)
ATLANTA is 86-93 (-31.2 Units) against the money line in home games in an inter-league game since 1997.
ATLANTA is 40-65 (-24.4 Units) against the money line in home games in night games over the last 2 seasons.

Head-to-Head Series History
ATLANTA is 1-1 (+0.2 Units) against SEATTLE this season
1 of 2 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL this season . (Under=+0.0 Units)

ERASMO RAMIREZ vs. ATLANTA since 1997
RAMIREZ is 2-0 when starting against ATLANTA with an ERA of 4.80 and a WHIP of 1.200.
His team's record is 3-0 (+3.5 units) in these starts. The OVER is 2-1. (+0.9 units)

R.A. DICKEY vs. SEATTLE since 1997
DICKEY is 3-3 when starting against SEATTLE with an ERA of 6.11 and a WHIP of 1.556.
His team's record is 3-3 (+0.2 units) in these starts. The OVER is 4-2. (+2.0 units)

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

WASHINGTON (75 - 48) at HOUSTON (76 - 49) - 8:10 PM
EDWIN JACKSON (R) vs. MICHAEL FIERS (R)
Top Trends for this game.
HOUSTON is 76-49 (+6.8 Units) against the money line in all games this season.
HOUSTON is 38-17 (+17.4 Units) against the money line in an inter-league game over the last 3 seasons.
HOUSTON is 59-30 (+18.0 Units) against the money line against right-handed starters this season.
WASHINGTON is 40-23 (+13.5 Units) against the money line in road games this season.
WASHINGTON is 52-23 (+21.5 Units) against the money line in night games this season.
WASHINGTON is 33-18 (+12.4 Units) against the money line in road games against right-handed starters this season.
WASHINGTON is 27-12 (+14.0 Units) against the money line in road games after a win this season.
HOUSTON is 7-13 (-13.7 Units) against the money line in August games this season.
HOUSTON is 54-50 (-18.3 Units) against the money line in home games in night games over the last 2 seasons.
HOUSTON is 30-38 (-19.6 Units) against the money line in home games when playing against a team with a winning record over the last 2 seasons.
HOUSTON is 13-22 (-15.5 Units) against the money line in home games when playing against a team with a winning record in the second half of the season over the last 2 seasons.

Head-to-Head Series History
WASHINGTON is 1-0 (+1.6 Units) against HOUSTON this season
1 of 1 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL this season . (Under=+1.0 Units)

EDWIN JACKSON vs. HOUSTON since 1997
JACKSON is 2-1 when starting against HOUSTON with an ERA of 4.50 and a WHIP of 1.089.
His team's record is 5-1 (+4.1 units) in these starts. The UNDER is 2-4. (-2.5 units)

MICHAEL FIERS vs. WASHINGTON since 1997
FIERS is 2-0 when starting against WASHINGTON with an ERA of 2.03 and a WHIP of 1.125.
His team's record is 2-0 (+2.0 units) in these starts. The OVER is 1-1. (-0.1 units)

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

COLORADO (68 - 57) at KANSAS CITY (63 - 61) - 8:15 PM
ANTONIO SENZATELA (R) vs. IAN KENNEDY (R)
Top Trends for this game.
COLORADO is 312-430 (-107.4 Units) against the money line on the road when the money line is +125 to -125 since 1997.
COLORADO is 666-1024 (-184.1 Units) against the money line in road games since 1997.
COLORADO is 440-702 (-143.5 Units) against the money line in road games in night games since 1997.
KANSAS CITY is 63-61 (+8.6 Units) against the money line in all games this season.
KANSAS CITY is 80-55 (+24.3 Units) against the money line at home when the money line is +125 to -125 over the last 3 seasons.
KANSAS CITY is 81-63 (+16.6 Units) against the money line in home games over the last 2 seasons.
KANSAS CITY is 47-30 (+16.8 Units) against the money line in August games over the last 3 seasons.
KANSAS CITY is 48-42 (+10.8 Units) against the money line against right-handed starters this season.
KANSAS CITY is 35-28 (+10.9 Units) against the money line after a win this season.
KANSAS CITY is 32-25 (+13.0 Units) against the money line when playing against a team with a winning record this season.
COLORADO is 68-57 (+9.9 Units) against the money line in all games this season.
COLORADO is 15-9 (+9.2 Units) against the money line when the total is 9 to 9.5 this season.
COLORADO is 26-21 (+8.8 Units) against the money line when playing against a team with a winning record this season.
SENZATELA is 12-6 (+7.2 Units) against the money line in all games this season. (Team's Record)
KANSAS CITY is 277-394 (-108.0 Units) against the money line at home when the total is 9 to 9.5 since 1997.
KENNEDY is 6-19 (-14.7 Units) against the money line in an inter-league game since 1997. (Team's Record)

Head-to-Head Series History
KANSAS CITY is 1-0 (+1.0 Units) against COLORADO this season
1 of 1 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL this season . (Under=+1.0 Units)

ANTONIO SENZATELA vs. KANSAS CITY since 1997
No recent starts.

IAN KENNEDY vs. COLORADO since 1997
KENNEDY is 6-7 when starting against COLORADO with an ERA of 3.10 and a WHIP of 1.182.
His team's record is 13-9 (+2.9 units) in these starts. The OVER is 9-12. (-4.1 units)

[Can'tPickAWinner]

WNBA

Wednesday, August 23

Trend Report

7:00 PM
DALLAS vs. CONNECTICUT
Dallas is 0-5 SU in its last 5 games when playing on the road against Connecticut
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Dallas's last 5 games when playing on the road against Connecticut
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Connecticut's last 5 games when playing at home against Dallas
Connecticut is 9-1 SU in its last 10 games at home

7:00 PM
NEW YORK vs. INDIANA
New York is 5-11 SU in its last 16 games when playing Indiana
New York is 1-4-1 ATS in its last 6 games when playing Indiana
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Indiana's last 5 games
Indiana is 1-9 SU in its last 10 games

7:00 PM
SEATTLE vs. ATLANTA
Seattle is 3-9 SU in its last 12 games on the road
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Seattle's last 5 games when playing Atlanta
The total has gone OVER in 6 of Atlanta's last 8 games at home
Atlanta is 0-5 ATS in its last 5 games at home

[Can'tPickAWinner]

WNBA
Long Sheet

Wednesday, August 23

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

SEATTLE (14 - 16) at ATLANTA (10 - 20) - 8/23/2017, 7:00 PM
Top Trends for this game.
SEATTLE is 9-24 ATS (-17.4 Units) in road games on Wednesday since 1997.
SEATTLE is 4-11 ATS (-8.1 Units) against Eastern conference opponents this season.
SEATTLE is 4-11 ATS (-8.1 Units) in non-conference games this season.
SEATTLE is 38-61 ATS (-29.1 Units) off an upset win as an underdog since 1997.

Head-to-Head Series History
ATLANTA is 6-2 against the spread versus SEATTLE over the last 3 seasons
ATLANTA is 4-4 straight up against SEATTLE over the last 3 seasons
5 of 7 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

NEW YORK (17 - 12) at INDIANA (9 - 21) - 8/23/2017, 7:00 PM
There are no Top Trends with records of significance that apply to this game.

Head-to-Head Series History
INDIANA is 8-5 against the spread versus NEW YORK over the last 3 seasons
INDIANA is 8-6 straight up against NEW YORK over the last 3 seasons
7 of 14 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

DALLAS (14 - 16) at CONNECTICUT (19 - 10) - 8/23/2017, 7:00 PM
Top Trends for this game.
DALLAS is 26-38 ATS (-15.8 Units) in all games over the last 2 seasons.
DALLAS is 10-22 ATS (-14.2 Units) against Eastern conference opponents over the last 2 seasons.
DALLAS is 3-10 ATS (-8.0 Units) after a non-conference game this season.
DALLAS is 10-22 ATS (-14.2 Units) in non-conference games over the last 2 seasons.
DALLAS is 22-36 ATS (-17.6 Units) after allowing 75 points or more over the last 2 seasons.
DALLAS is 8-15 ATS (-8.5 Units) after scoring 75 points or more this season.
DALLAS is 7-19 ATS (-13.9 Units) versus poor defensive teams - allowing 77+ points/game after 15+ games over the last 2 seasons.
DALLAS is 18-29 ATS (-13.9 Units) versus poor defensive teams - allowing 77+ points/game over the last 2 seasons.
DALLAS is 8-20 ATS (-14.0 Units) versus good offensive teams - scoring 77+ points/game after 15+ games over the last 2 seasons.
DALLAS is 18-29 ATS (-13.9 Units) versus good offensive teams - scoring 77+ points/game over the last 2 seasons.
CONNECTICUT is 19-10 ATS (+8.0 Units) in all games this season.
CONNECTICUT is 10-1 ATS (+8.9 Units) on Wednesday over the last 3 seasons.
CONNECTICUT is 20-8 ATS (+11.2 Units) when playing with 2 days rest over the last 3 seasons.
CONNECTICUT is 22-11 ATS (+9.9 Units) against Western conference opponents over the last 2 seasons.
CONNECTICUT is 22-11 ATS (+9.9 Units) in non-conference games over the last 2 seasons.
CONNECTICUT is 33-17 ATS (+14.3 Units) after scoring 75 points or more over the last 2 seasons.
CONNECTICUT is 10-3 ATS (+6.7 Units) when playing against a team with a losing record this season.
CONNECTICUT is 15-2 ATS (+12.8 Units) when playing against a team with a losing record after 15+ games after 15+ games over the last 2 seasons.
CONNECTICUT is 15-8 ATS (+6.2 Units) versus poor defensive teams - allowing 77+ points/game this season.
CONNECTICUT is 31-15 ATS (+14.5 Units) versus good offensive teams - scoring 77+ points/game over the last 2 seasons.

Head-to-Head Series History
CONNECTICUT is 4-3 against the spread versus DALLAS over the last 3 seasons
CONNECTICUT is 5-2 straight up against DALLAS over the last 3 seasons
5 of 7 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons

[Can'tPickAWinner]

WNBA
Dunkel

Wednesday, August 23


Dallas @ Connecticut

Game 609-610
August 23, 2017 @ 7:00 pm

Dunkel Rating:
Dallas
106.139
Connecticut
120.309
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Connecticut
by 14
182
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Connecticut
by 11 1/2
177 1/2
Dunkel Pick:
Connecticut
(-11 1/2); Over

New York @ Indiana

Game 607-608
August 23, 2017 @ 7:00 pm

Dunkel Rating:
New York
110.934
Indiana
109.078
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
New York
by 2
162
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
New York
by 8 1/2
157
Dunkel Pick:
Indiana
(+8 1/2); Over

Seattle @ Atlanta

Game 605-606
August 23, 2017 @ 7:00 pm

Dunkel Rating:
Seattle
107.813
Atlanta
112.483
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Atlanta
by 4 1/2
161
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Seattle
by 1 1/2
164
Dunkel Pick:
Atlanta
(+1 1/2); Under

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Wednesday's six-pack

Odds to win this week’s Northern Trust Open:

10-1— Hideki Matsuyama

11-1— Jordan Spieth

12-1— Rickie Fowler, Dustin Johnson

14-1— Rory McIlroy

18-1— Justin Thomas

20-1— Jason Day, Henrik Stenson, Brooks Koepka

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Jeff Benton

Your Wednesday freebie is the Yankees on the Run Line over the Tigers.

New York and Aaron Judge have to feel like an albatross has been taken off their backs, as Judge was able - with the help of skipper Joe Girardi - to end his strikeout record of 37 games in a row last night, and his team was able to slug their way to a whopping 13 runs, as they kept pace in the A.L. East race.

Look for the Yankees to play loose-and-free again tonight as they have their ace Luis Severino mound-bound.

Sevvy was able to shake off his worst start of the season against the Red Sox his last time out with 6-plus innings of solid ball against the Mets, as he allowed just an unearned run and fanned 9 batters.

Jordan Zimmerman will counter for the Tigers, and he is 0-2 his last 3 starts with a whopping 17 runs allowed in just 15-plus innings of work.

The Tigers are on a 3-13 nosedive, and I don't see that changing tonight.

Yankees in a pound-job.

3* N.Y. YANKEES -1 1/2 RUNS

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Rocky Atkinson
Aug 23 '17, 7:10 PM
MLB | Cubs vs Reds
Play on: Cubs -139 at 5dimes (http://www.cappersmall.com/forums/redirect-to/?redirect=http%3A%2F%2Faffiliates.5dimes.com%2Ftra cking%2FAffiliate.asp%3FAffID%3DAF000189%26mediaTy peID%3D220%26AffUrlID%3D229)

Rocketman Sports FREE MLB play Wednesday 8-23-17 Chicago Cubs @ Cincinnati 7:10 PM EST
Play On: Chicago Cubs -139 (Montgomery/Wojciechowski) Listed The Chicago Cubs travel to Cincinnati to take on the Reds on Wednesday night. The Chicago Cubs are 67-57 SU overall this year while Cincinnati comes in with a 53-73 SU overall record on the season. Asher Wojciechowski is 2-2 with a 7.39 ERA overall this year, 2-1 with a 5.21 ERA at home this season and 2-1 with a 6.90 ERA his last 3 starts. Wojciechowski is 0-1 with a 17.17 ERA in his one career start vs the Cubs. Chicago Cubs are scoring 6.9 runs per game their past 7 games overall and 5.4 runs per game against division opponents this season. Cincinnati is allowing 5.6 runs per game overall this year, 5.4 runs per game at home this season, 7.1 runs per game their past 7 games overall, 5.5 runs per game on grass and 5.8 runs per game against division opponents. Chicago Cubs are 37-15 overall vs Cincinnati the past 3 years. Cubs are 12-2 this year on the road when the total is 10 to 10 1/2. Chicago Cubs are 68-26 last 3 years as a road favorite of -125 to -175. Cincinnati is 2-11 last 3 years and 2-8 this year at home when the total is 10 to 10 1/2. Cincinnati is 8-24 this year against left handed starters. We'll recommend a small play on the Chicago Cubs tonight!

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Dennis Macklin
Aug 23 '17, 7:10 PM
MLB | TOR vs TAM
Play on: UNDER 8½ -115

DMack's Free Play for Wednesday, August 23, 2017, is on Toronto/Tampa Bay Under (Stroman/Pruitt Listed)

Neither team is hitting a lick (Toronto .244, Tampa Bay .217 L7) and both are scoring less than four runs a game over that time period. The Jays are on a current run of 8-3 to the Under while the Rays are 15-4 Under for the entire month of August. Looking at tonight's starters, Marcus Stroman (13-7, 2.99) has been good all year and has been especially sharp of late off three straight quality starts with a 1.71 ERA. Austin Pruitt's numbers are skewed from a bad outing vs. Seattle in last but the Under is 6-0 in is starts since being called up. Runs will be at a premium here.

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Scott Rickenbach
Aug 23 '17, 3:05 PM
MLB | A's vs Orioles
Play on: A's +170 at 5Dimes

Scott "The Bulldog" Rickenbach Free Pick Wednesday MLB Oakland A's Money Line (+) @ Baltimore Orioles @ 3:05 ET - analysis will be posted here by 11 AM ET; please check back then for the full write up on this early free pick side play; thank you and best of luck, Scott "The Bulldog" Rickenbach

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Brandon Lee
Aug 23 '17, 7:10 PM
MLB | Yankees vs Tigers
Play on: Yankees -1½ -115 at betonline

10* FREE MLB PICK (Yankees -1.5, -115)

New York is worth a look here on the run line Wednesday night in Detroit. The Yankees got the bats going with 13 runs on 16 hits in a 9-run win last night. They are in a prime spot to build in on that momentum with their ace Luis Severino on the mound. Severino is 10-5 with a 3.18 ERA in 24 starts on the season and is 5-1 with a 2.40 ERA and 1.077 WHIP in 13 road starts. As for the Tigers, they are in a free fall, having lost 9 of their last 11 games. They send out Jordan Zimmermann, who has been a major disappointment with a 5.87 ERA in 24 starts. He's got a 6.00 ERA in 11 road starts and has allowed 14 runs on 18 hits in his last 2 starts. Give me the Yankees -1.5 (-115)!

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Handicapped by The Walker Group at Albuquerque

Always check program numbers.
Odds shown are morning line odds.

Race 5 - Claiming - 8.0f on the Dirt. Purse: $11400 Class Rating: 76

FOR THREE YEAR OLDS AND UPWARD WHICH HAVE NEVER WON THREE RACES. THREE YEAR OLDS, 120 LBS.; OLDER, 123 LBS. CLAIMING PRICE $8,000 NEW MEXICO BRED CLAIMING PRICE $12,500.


RECOMMENDED CHOICES
The Walker Group Picks

# 5 A WARRIOR DEFINED 4/1

# 2 COACH Q 3/1

# 6 WALLY'S GOT CLASS 7/2

My choice in here is A WARRIOR DEFINED. Rust has a sharp win percent with horses running in dirt route races. Has decent early lick and will most likely fare admirably against this group of horses in this race. Ran a strong last race. COACH Q - He has been running very well and the Equibase Speed Figures are among the most favorable in this field. Should be given a shot - I like the numbers from the last outing. WALLY'S GOT CLASS - Has been right there on the wire most every time recently. Has been running well and has among the top speed in the race for today's distance.

[Can'tPickAWinner]

F.A.S.T. Sheets Free Race for Assiniboia Downs

Assiniboia Downs - Race 7

.20 JACKPOT HI 5 / .20 SUPERFECTA / .20 TRIACTOR / EXACTOR / QUINELLA


Claiming $2,500 • 7 1/2 Furlongs • Dirt • Ages 3 and up • CR: 67 • Purse: $8,500 • Post: 10:17
FOR FILLIES AND MARES THREE YEARS OLD AND UPWARD WHICH HAVE NOT WON A RACE SINCE FEBRUARY 23. THREE YEAR OLDS, 117 LBS.; OLDER, 123 LBS. CLAIMING PRICE $2,500 (MANITOBA BRED RESTRICTED RACES NOT CONSIDERED IN ELIGIBILITY AND ALLOWANCES).
Contenders

Race Analysis
P#
Horse
Morn
Line

Accept
Odds


Race Type: Basic Race. This race has a mixed pace scenario. Check on scratches of any of the Front-runners (to look for a lone Front-runner). * KEY ANGLES * MARGARET'S SONG: Horse is dropping in class, has an inside post position and isn't a Trai ler. CANADIAN ROSE: Horse has run a Good Race within the last 30 days. SILVER CITY DITTY: Horse ranks in the top three in TrackMaster Power Rating. SOLLIE GO NEE NEE: Horse ranks in the top three in average Equibase Class Rating at the distance/su rface. F P SILENT EYES: Today is a sprint and the horse is carrying at least 120 lbs.
1
MARGARET'S SONG
3/1

5/1
2
CANADIAN ROSE
9/5

6/1
9
SILVER CITY DITTY
5/1

7/1
8
SOLLIE GO NEE NEE
12/1

10/1
6
F P SILENT EYES
30/1

10/1

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Handicapped by The Walker Group at Camarero Race Track

Always check program numbers.
Odds shown are morning line odds.

Race 2 - Maiden Claiming - 5.5f on the Dirt. Purse: $8000 Class Rating: 47

FOR NATIVE MAIDENS, FILLIES TWO YEARS OLD. WEIGHT, 116 LBS. CLAIMING PRICE $14,000, FOR EACH $2,000 TO $10,000 2 LBS.


RECOMMENDED CHOICES
The Walker Group Picks

# 4 MI FRANCESA BRENDA 2/1

# 3 MANGIARELA 3/1

# 5 INSPIRADA 4/1

My pick in this race is MI FRANCESA BRENDA. Looks respectable against this group and should be one of the leaders. A solid 58 avg Equibase class figure may give this filly a distinct class edge versus this group of horses in this race. MANGIARELA - This filly looks strong for this event since Gomez has a very strong win percentage with horses going this distance. INSPIRADA - This selection will feel the med change - on Lasix today. Berrios should be able to get this filly to break out early for this event.

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Handicapped by The Turf Club Analysts

Bar

Evangeline Downs - Race #3 - Post: 6:20pm - Maiden Claiming - 5.5 furlongs on the Dirt. Purse: $12,000 Class Rating: 51

Rating: 3

#3 CAJUN BANDIT (ML=10/1)
#9 FORT STEVENS (ML=3/1)
#10 FATHER GEORGE (ML=5/1)


CAJUN BANDIT - My expertise says this is the only presser in the race. Gelding took a little vacation, but has been racing into shape. FORT STEVENS - Finished second, but easily second over the third horse. Those types usually run well next time out. Got to appreciate a good work horse. This gelding's last prep was second fastest of the day for the distance. Gelding flopped as the betting favorite in a $7,500 Maiden Claiming race last time out. Was a good race even though he finished second. I like this gelding. Has the uppermost earnings per start in today's contest. FATHER GEORGE - My experienced judgement tells me to be on the alert for this mount in this race

Vulnerable Contenders: #6 CANADIAN FIREBALL (ML=4/1), #8 OLD PEP N STEP (ML=6/1), #4 CONS PERCUSSION (ML=6/1),

CANADIAN FIREBALL - Garnered a mediocre speed rating last time around the track in a $7,500 Maiden Claiming race on August 4th. Improbable to see an improved performance off of that figure. OLD PEP N STEP - This gelding hasn't been showing me anything positive in the last couple of races. Not likely that the speed figure he notched on August 9th will be enough in this race. CONS PERCUSSION - Could be tough for this racer to beat this field off of that last speed figure. Unlikely to improve enough to run a figure close to today's class rating, so put him on the questionable contenders list.



STRAIGHT WAGERS:
Go with #3 CAJUN BANDIT on top if we're getting at least 3/1 odds

EXACTA WAGERS:
Box [3,9,10]

TRIFECTA WAGERS:
Box [3,9,10] Total Cost: $6

SUPERFECTA WAGERS:
[3,9,10] with [3,9,10] with [3,5,8,9,10] with [3,5,8,9,10] Total Cost: $36

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Handicapped by The Turf Club Analysts

Bar

Presque Isle Downs - Race #5 - Post: 7:05pm - Claiming - 6.5 furlongs on the Dirt. Purse: $13,000 Class Rating: 74

Rating: 4

#1 DAISY CREEK (ML=8/1)
#10 BELLA FLOR (ML=9/5)
#4 CAROLYN'S JOY (ML=4/1)


DAISY CREEK - This filly is in good physical condition. Ran third on Aug 7th. I usually like playing sprint horses who are 3-4 races into a come back. BELLA FLOR - The Aug 9th race at Presque Isle Downs was at a class level of (83). Dropping down the class ladder a significant amount, so she should be in a good place. Another way to judge class is earnings per start. This horse has the uppermost in the field. I think she'll be close at the finish line. CAROLYN'S JOY - I like to wager on this handicapping theory, a horse coming back off a nice outing within the last month or so.

Vulnerable Contenders: #2 NORTHERN ALLIANCE (ML=6/1), #5 MINI'S SHOES (ML=6/1), #1A BARNIE'S LADY (ML=8/1),

NORTHERN ALLIANCE - Showed some physical problems in the last race at Presque Isle Downs. MINI'S SHOES - This was a hot horse, but now this one hasn't been doing anything in the morning. Have to be somewhat leery of this horse. BARNIE'S LADY - Don't think this horse will make an impact in today's race. That last rating was pedestrian when compared with today's class figure.



STRAIGHT WAGERS:
Have to go with #1 Entry on the win end if we get at least 7/2 odds

EXACTA WAGERS:
Box [1,10] Box [1,4]

TRIFECTA WAGERS:
Box [1,4,10] Total Cost: $6

SUPERFECTA WAGERS:
Skip

** Some or all wagers above involve entries and assume all parts of entry start the race **

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Handicapped by Rick Needham at Saratoga

RACE #8 - SARATOGA RACE COURSE - 4:45 PM EASTERN POST
The John's Call Stakes
13.0 FURLONGS TURF THREE YEARS OLD AND UPWARD STAKES $100,000.00 PURSE

#5 RENOWN
#7 RED RIFLE
#3 INFINITE WISDOM
#1 ST. LOUIE

The 1 5/8 mile turf race was inaugurated in 2004 and named in honor of John's Call, who competed on the flat and over jumps, winning or placing in 30 of 40 starts and earning $1,571,267. Purchased as a yearling in 1992 by Douglas Joyce for $4,000 and trained by Tom Voss, the gelding had his best year in 2000, when he won the Sword Dancer Invitational by 9.5 lengths, becoming at age 9 the oldest runner to win a Grade 1 race at Saratoga. That year he also won the Grade 1 Turf Classic Invitational at Belmont Park and finished third in the Grade 1 Breeders' Cup Turf. In 2006, the race was run at 1 3/16 miles on the dirt. Here in the 14th running of "The Call," #5 RENOWN, a British-bred entry, and a 10-1 BOMB, is the overall speed leader in this stakes field, and has produced "POWER RUN PERFORMANCES" in five straight starts, hitting the board in four of those "adventures," including a quartet of "POWER RUN WINS" being embedded in this recent streak of racing consistency. #7 RED RIFLE, the morning line favorite, has turned in "POWER RUNS" in four of his last five starts, hitting the board in a pair.

[Can'tPickAWinner]

F.A.S.T. Sheets Free Race for Thistledown

Thistledown - Race 6

$1 Exacta / $1 Trifecta / $.10 Superfecta / $1 Pick 3 (Races 6-7-8)


Allowance • 6 Furlongs • Dirt • Ages 3 and up • CR: 82 • Purse: $31,800 • Post: 4:10P
FOR REGISTERED OHIO FOALS FILLIES AND MARES THREE YEARS OLD AND UPWARD WHICH HAVE NEVER WON A RACE OTHER THAN MAIDEN, CLAIMING OR STARTER OR WHICH HAVE NEVER WON TWO RACES. THREE YEAR OLDS, 119 LBS.; OLDER, 122 LBS. NON-WINNERS OF A RACE SINCE JULY 23 ALLOWED 2 LBS. A RACE SINCE JUNE 23 ALLOWED 4 LBS. (CLAIMING RACES FOR $10,000 OR LESS NOT CONSIDERED IN WEIGHT ALLOWANCES).
Contenders

Race Analysis
P#
Horse
Morn
Line

Accept
Odds


Race Type: Dominant Front-runner. SOUTHERN MISCHIEF is the Dominant Front-runner of the race. * KEY ANGLES * SOUTHERN MISCHIEF: Today is a sprint and this is the horse's third or fourth start after a layoff. Horse has run a Good Race within the l ast 30 days. Horse has the highest TrackMaster Power Rating.
8
SOUTHERN MISCHIEF
3/1

2/1

[Can'tPickAWinner]

ASA
Aug 23 '17, 7:10 PM
MLB | Red Sox vs Indians
Play on: Red Sox +1½ -135 at BMaker

ASA FREE PLAY on Boston Red Sox Run Line (+1.5 runs) over Cleveland Indians, Wednesday at 7:10 PM ET

This is a lot of line value considering the Red Sox are 15-4 their last 19 games and 3 of the 4 losses came by just a single run. That equates to Boston (at +1.5 runs) being 18-1 in their last 19 games! They'll have Drew Pomeranz on the mound and the southpaw hasn't lost in over two months! Pomeranz is 6-0 with a 2.30 ERA and has piled up 63 strikeouts in 70 and 1 / 3 innings since June 11th. The Indians Corey Kluber certainly has great numbers but he left his last start with a sprained ankle! Also, the Indians are now just 3-3 in their last 6 games and one of those wins came by just a single run. FREE PLAY: Bet the Boston Red Sox at +1.5 runs on the run line in evening action Wednesday!

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Mark Franco
Aug 23 '17, 7:10 PM
MLB | Diamondbacks vs Mets
Play on: Diamondbacks -164 at 5Dimes

D’Backs

The Arizona Diamondbacks have dominated the New York Mets of late, winning all five encounters in 2017 and 10 of their last 11 overall dating back to the 2016 season. The visiting Diamondbacks look to continue their good fortune against the Mets on Wednesday when the teams play the third contest of a four-game series at Citi Field.

PITCHING MATCHUP: Diamondbacks RH Zack Godley (5-6, 3.13 ERA) vs. Mets RH Chris Flexen (2-2, 6.55)

Godley dropped his second straight decision and fell to 2-5 in his last nine outings on Friday after allowing four runs on nine hits over 5 1/3 innings of a 10-3 loss at Minnesota. The 27-year-old surrendered two homers for the second time in three trips to the mound, but pitched considerably better in his previous encounter with the Mets. Godley permitted one run on one hit, but saw his pitch count elevate after issuing a season-high five walks in a no-decision versus New York on May 15.

Flexen sustained his first loss in nearly a month on Friday despite working at least five innings for the third straight outing. The 23-year-old has been plagued by a lack of control, as he issued four walks for the third time in five starts in Friday's 3-1 setback versus Miami. Flexen, who will be making his sixth career start overall and first against Arizona, has pitched better at home (1-1, 4.91 ERA) than on the road (1-1, 8.18).

Diamondbacks are 5-1 in Godleys last 6 starts vs. National League East. Mets are 3-13 in their last 16 home games vs. a team with a winning record. Diamondbacks are 10-1 in the last 11 meetings.

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Jimmy Boyd
Aug 23 '17, 8:15 PM
MLB | Rockies vs Royals
Play on: Royals -128 at Bovada

Free Pick on Royals -

I like the value here with Kansas City as a short home favorite against the Rockies. The Royals have won two straight and are 6-3 over their last 9 games. Colorado on the other hand has dropped 3 straight and are a mere 3-8 in their last 11. A struggling offense has been the problem for the Rockies, who have scored 3 or fewer runs in 10 of their last 14.

I'll roll the dice here with a struggling Ian Kennedy and count on the Royals offense to do enough damage to get the win. KC will be facing Antonio Senzatela, who has a 5.05 ERA and 1.463 WHIP in 8 road starts and a 5.79 ERA and 1.643 WHIP in his last 3 outings.

Rockies are 9-28 in their last 37 road games after a 5-game stretch in which their bullpen posted an ERA of 7.00 or worse. Colorado is also a mere 4-17 in their last 21 road games against a right-handed starters. Royals are 7-3 in their last 10 interleague home games against a team with a winning record and 6-1 in Kennedy's last 7 starts on 4 days of rest. Take Kansas City!

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Mike Williams
Aug 23 '17, 7:10 PM
MLB | TOR vs TAM
Play on: OVER 8½ +100

1* on Blue Jays vs Rays over 8½ +100

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Best Sports Capper

MLB MINNESOTA ‑150

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Power Play Wins

MLB PITTSBURGH +140

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Wise Guy Insider

MLB BALTIMORE ‑160

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Pinnacle Sports Picks

MLB MILWAUKEE +105

[Can'tPickAWinner]

MVP Lock Club

MLB CUBS ‑130

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Tommy King Wins

MLB LAA ANGELS ‑145

[Can'tPickAWinner]

sports handicapper king aug 23

Freeloader
Rice +31.5 (saturday)

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Dave Cokin

Arizona at New York
Play: Arizona -155

The Mets are actually the play-on side in the series sweep revenge angle, but I’ll buck that trend here. Zack Godley is throwing for Arizona, and while he got knocked around in his most recent start, I don’t see that off game as cause for alarm. He was still generating loads of K’s, and I didn’t see any red flags to suggest Godley is suddenly going to hit the skids.

Chris Flexen will pitch tonight for the Mets. The young righty is flashing some promise, but I don’t think he’s ready to win consistently at this level just yet. Too many walks and early indicators are that he’s going to be vulnerable to long balls with some fly ball tendencies. I think it’s safe to suggest that Flexen is still a year away and is only with the big club now due to all the injuries in the rotation.

There’s certainly no bargain to be had here, and that’s going to pretty much be the case from here on with any game that features a contender vs. a run of the mill opponent. Opinion here is that even at the fairly steep tag, the Diamondbacks are the right side.

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Zack Cimini

Toronto vs. Tampa Bay
Pick: Tampa Bay +109

The Rays have now won two games in a row after losing eight of nine. Wednesday they’ll face a bigger test as they face Blue Jays pitcher Marcus Stroman. Thus far in three starts against the Rays this season Stroman has allowed a total of five runs. Yet, look for the Rays to continue on to stay back on track with another win Wednesday.

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Zack Cimini

Mariners vs. Braves
Play: Mariners -115

Tuesday the Braves pitching staff surrendered just five hits to defeat the Mariners 4-0. The outing presented the obvious that road fatigue could be setting in for the Mariners. Wednesday marks their sixth straight road game as they embark on a total of twelve. Look for veteran Erasamo Ramirez and the Mariners bats to showcase that the oddmakers are correct tabbing them as slight favorites.

[Can'tPickAWinner]

SPORTS WAGERS

L.A. ANGELS -1½ +130 over Texas

Sometimes the line dictates the play and that is certainly the case here so allow us to set it up for you. The Rangers have won six of their last nine games while Andrew Cashner has a 3.31 ERA after 20 starts. What makes this line so curious is that Andrew Heaney has made just one start this year and it occurred last week in Baltimore in which he lasted a mere 5.1 frames after allowing four jacks (!), not to mention a .304 BAA. It’s is therefore odd or unreasonable that the Halos are favored in the -150 to -160 range when this market pays so much attention to ERA’s.

A closer look however, reveals that Texas swept Detroit, split four games with the South Side and defeated the Angels in the opener of this series to comprise of their six wins. They lost 10-1 last night. Furthermore, Andrew Heaney will not be pitching in Baltimore here. Take away those four jacks in that small park against a home-run hitting team and his pitching line would look entirely different. In making his first start in over one full year, Heaney had a 15% swing and miss rate and didn’t walk a single batter. We have to trust that he’s feeling rather jubilant after such a fine performance, despite the results. With that one start under his belt with no ill effects, Heaney is in line to do very well here. The line says so.

As far as Andrew Cashner goes, well, we’ve been suggesting that you ignore his surface stats because they are a mirage and our position on that has not changed one bit. In his last start, Cahsner walked four and struck out two but pitched to a 3.18 ERA. Mirage, my friends. In 120 innings overall, Cashner has a despicable BB/K split of 48/61. He also has a 5.81 xERA but that xERA is 6.83 over his last four starts. Andrew Cashner’s ERA over his last four starts is 2.10. That’s four runs lower than his xERA and quite frankly, it’s absurd. It’s time for Cashner’s charmed existence to come to an end and this line strongly suggests that’s precisely what will take place here.

Washington +149 over HOUSTON

Edwin Jackson came into this season as a well-travelled journeyman/innings-eater for non-contending rotations that had been savaged by injuries and needed 2nd half help. The Nationals were not a non-contender but they were in desperate need for starting rotation help and went off the grid to find Jackson. Edwin Jackson may end up being the steal of the year. In six starts, he’s been outstanding with a 3.43/4.01 ERA/xERA split. Jackson is just 33-years-old and he’s throwing 94 MPH with fade. His swing and miss rate of 12% supports the 26 K’s he’s posted over his last 30 innings against just eight walks. His line-drive rate is also elite at just 14%. Edwin Jackson is perceived as this replacement level starter that his way past his prime but there is no denying that dude has found something. His underlying skills say it’s legit too.

Mike Fiers comes in with a 4.32 ERA to go along with 131 K’s in 133 innings but his underlying numbers say he’s more fluke than talent. His strand rate of 78% is well-above league average. That’s one luck area where regression is imminent. Fiers hasn't been able to maintain 2016's control gains, as his underlying first-pitch strike rate and Ball% remain stuck below league average. Fiers has walked 53 batters. Though Fiers has made positive changes this season—going to the changeup more often—his June/July/August run is mostly a fluke. His 5.46 xERA over the past three months isn't convinced that he’s better than before and neither are we. Houston may indeed win here but if we’re sticking to playing value, Washington must be played here because its chances of winning may be better.

Minnesota -1½ +112 over CHICAGO

Facing an always shaky Kyle Gibson last night, the South Side had numerous chances in the first three innings to put up some crooked numbers but failed miserably. With seven base-runners in the first three innings, which including a bases loaded no out opportunity in the third, the White Sox scored one run and it came via the wild pitch. Opportunity would not strike again for the remainder of the game while the Twins managed to score four times on a very good looking rookie. Now the Twins take a huge step down in class from anything they’ve seen over the past three weeks when they face James Shields.

Shields’ is actually throwing better these days with a BB/K split of 10/30 over his last 27 innings but he’s still walking too many and giving up too many hard hit balls. His batted ball profile in his last start was 31% grounders, 46% line-drives and 23% fly-outs. He still has a weak overall BB/K split of 35/74 over 84 frames. Shields’ overall WHIP is also weak at 1.57 and it was weak during that aforementioned 27 innings better stretch too at 1.47. It’s not every pitcher who can rack up a 6-19 record with an ERA approaching 6.00 and still have a job the next year. Such is the case with James Shields who despite his 2016 struggles, opened this year with a spot in the rotation. He’s still in said rotation with an xERA of 5.44 but when you get behind Big Game James" it’s a dangerous game of chicken.

Ervin Santana seemingly has faded since the All-Star Break (4.35 ERA) but nothing could be further from the truth. He has an excellent 13% swing and miss rate and an elite 72% first-pitch strike rate so far in the second half. Santana has a BB/K split of 7/34 over his last 33 frames covering five starts and he’ll now face a young, inexperienced and impatient group of hitters in the White Sox lineup. Not only is Santana in great from but his expertise in sequencing should bode well here in fooling a group that is so raw.

[Can'tPickAWinner]

JOSEPH D'AMICO

Washington vs. Houston
Play: Washington +151

With yesterday's 4-3 victory, Washington has now taken 9 straight over Houston. The Nationals own an NL best, 40-23 road record, as they average over 5.27 RPG as a guest. Edwin Jackson has won b-2-b starts as the RH improved to 4-2 with a 3.43 mark on the campaign. Mike Fiers has gotten "lit-up" over his L5 turns, going 0-4, with a whopping, 7.36 ERA, to bring the RH's record up to 7-8, with a 4.32 ERA. Washington is 4-0 their L4 gammas played vs. RH starters, 5-1 their L6 games played on the road, and 7-0 their L7 games played in Houston.

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Larry Ness

Toronto vs. Tampa Bay
Pick: Toronto -109

The Blue Jays are fading out of the AL wild card race with four straight losses to start their road trip, as they continue this three-game series at Tropicana Field with the Tampa Bay Rays on Wednesday. The Rays won 6-3 last night in the series opener and coupled with a 3-0 shutout of Seattle on Sunday, have put together back-to-back wins for the first time since opening August with three consecutive victories. Tampa Bay is 62-65 on the season and is currently four games back in the race for the American League’s second wild card spot, while Toronto is two games back of the Rays, as well as six back of the No. 2 wild card spot. The problem looming for both clubs is the sheer volume of teams in the wild card chase. The Rays are one of five teams vying for that spot, followed by Baltimore (a half-game back of the Rays) and Toronto. That makes seven teams, all within six games of that final wild card spot.

Marcus Stroman (11-6, 2.99 ERA) comes in off three straight quality starts and six in his last eight games overall (Jays are 5-3 in that stretch). He'll be opposed by Tampa Bay rookie Austin Pruitt (6-4, 5.37 ERA). Pruitt pitched a career-high seven innings last time out against Seattle but also allowed six runs on 11 hits and two walks in a 7-1 loss this past Friday. This will be his first career start against Toronto, although he is 1-0 with a 4.26 ERA in three previous relief appearances against the Blue Jays. Returning to Stroman, he limited Tampa Bay to two runs on six hits over 6.1 innings last Wednesday in a 3-2 Toronto victory. Stroman is 5-4 with a 4.04 ERA in 10 career starts against the Rays (team is 5-5).

I favor Stroman over the rookie Pruitt, who owns a 1.50 WHIP and .302 BAA to go along with that 5.37 ERA. Play the Blue Jays.

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Power Sports

Toronto vs. Tampa Bay
Pick: Tampa Bay +105

The Rays came through for me last night w/ a 6-5 win over the Jays. That series opener was a big revenge spot for the home team as not only did they lose three of four to their division rival last week, but one of those matchups (finale) featured the identical pitching matchup of Archer vs. Rowley. As expected, Archer pitched well as he allowed just three runs (two unearned) and four hits in six innings. Though, on paper, the pitching matchup does NOT appear to be in their favor tonight, I still prefer the Rays here.

As I've been writing about recently, the chase for the AL's second Wild Card spot remains very wide open. Eight teams are now separated by six games. But it is Toronto at the "back of the pack" and their ugly -82 YTD run differential seems to confirm that they are indeed the "worst of the lot." It appears as if some "sharper dollars" have come in on the Rays in the early morning, which mirrors up w/ my handicapping of the matchup. Toronto has lost four straight and tends to give up a lot of runs on the road (5.1 per game). Yes, they have Marcus Stroman starting tonight - and he did beat the Rays last week - but the Rays offense is better now w/ Kevin Kiermaier back in the lineup.

Tampa Bay's Austin Pruitt has won just one of his five starts since his formal integration into the starting rotation, which occurred after the All-Star Break. But - save for his last start, he's generally pitched well. This will be Toronto's 1st time seeing him. Note Pruitt had been a pretty significant dog on the ML in each of his first five starts, which included matchups against the likes of Sale, Kluber and Keuchel! No wonder he has a losing team start record. But here he's facing probably his weakest opponent to date. As I mentioned yday, the Rays have the edge in the bullpen as well. He was shaky last night, but closer Alex Colome leads all of MLB w/ 37 saves.

[New York Knight]

NSA(The Legend) (http://www.nsawins.com/)
MLB - Rangers +135

[New York Knight]

Ray "The Playmaker" Bowden (http://www.vegasoddstoday.com/)
MLB - Orioles over 10.5

[New York Knight]

VegasSI.com (http://www.vegassi.com/)
MLB - Indians over 7.5

[New York Knight]

SportsAction365.com (http://www.sportsaction365.com/)
MLB - Twins over 10

[New York Knight]

Gameday Network (http://www.gamedaynetwork.com/)
MLB - Cardinals -180

[New York Knight]

Vegas Line Crushers (https://www.vegaslinecrushers.com/)
MLB - Rangers +135

[New York Knight]

InsiderSportsAction.com (http://www.insidersportsaction.com/)
MLB - Diamondbacks over 9

[New York Knight]

Lou Panelli (http://www.nsawins.com/lou-big-play-panelli.shtml)
MLB - Cardinals -180

[New York Knight]

Gerry "Big Cat" Andino (http://www.nsawins.com/gerry-big-cat-andino.shtml)
MLB - Indians -190

[New York Knight]

VegasSI.com Platinum Info Club (http://www.vegassi.com/)
MLB - Giants -110

[New York Knight]

William E. Stockton (http://www.nsawins.com/william-e-stockton.shtml)
MLB - Rangers +135

[New York Knight]

Vincent Pioli (http://www.vegassi.com/handicappers/vincentpioli.shtml)
MLB - Braves +105

[New York Knight]

Steve "Scoop" Kendall (http://www.nsawins.com/steve-scoop-kendall.shtml)
MLB - Yankees -1.5

[New York Knight]

SCORE (http://www.pointspreadreport.com/)
MLB - Reds +135

[New York Knight]

East Coast Line Movers (http://www.pointspreadreport.com/)
MLB - Orioles -185

[New York Knight]

Tony Campone (http://www.vegassi.com/handicappers/tonycampone.shtml)
MLB - Braves +105

[New York Knight]

Chicago Sports Group (http://www.vegassi.com/handicappers/chicagosportsgroup.shtml)
MLB - Giants -110

[New York Knight]

Hollywood Sportsline (http://www.vegassi.com/handicappers/hollywoodsportsline.shtml)
MLB - Indians -180

[New York Knight]

VIP Action (http://www.vegassi.com/handicappers/vipactionsports.shtml)
MLB - Rockies +115

[New York Knight]

South Beach Sports (http://www.vegassi.com/handicappers/southbeachsports.shtml)
MLB - Orioles over 10.5

[New York Knight]

Las Vegas Sports Commission (http://www.pointspreadreport.com/)
MLB - Astros over 9.5

[New York Knight]

Sports Cash System (http://7d2d7a50a3-r5z1gubkiqvpoeb.hop.clickbank.net/?tid=FREE-PICKS)
MLB - Reds +130

[New York Knight]

BettingOnlineUSA.com (http://www.bettingonlineusa.com/)
MLB - Diamondbacks -160

[New York Knight]

Sports Betting Professor (http://0a287gz67dqeavffr6svugdctl.hop.clickbank.net/?tid=FREE-PICKS)
MLB - Yankees -1.5

[New York Knight]

NY Players Club (http://www.vegassi.com/handicappers/newyorkplayersclub.shtml)
MLB - Twins over 10

[New York Knight]

Las Vegas Private CEO Club (https://www.vegaslinecrushers.com/)
MLB - Rays +105

[New York Knight]

Michigan Sports (http://www.vegassi.com/handicappers/michigansportsnetwork.shtml)
MLB - Rockies under 9

[New York Knight]

National Consensus Report (http://www.pointspreadreport.com/)
MLB - Diamondbacks over 9

[New York Knight]

Fred Callahan (http://www.vegassi.com/handicappers/fredcallahan.shtml)
MLB - Giants -110

[New York Knight]

PointSpreadReport.com (http://www.pointspreadreport.com/)
MLB - Dodgers -165

[New York Knight]

GAME: Milwaukee Brewers (66-61) at San Francisco Giants (51-77)
DATE/TIME: Wednesday, August 23 - 3:45 PM EST
WHERE: AT&T Park, San Francisco, California
LINE: N/A TOTAL: N/A

Preview: Brewers at Giants
Gracenote
Aug 23, 2017

After posting a rare victory at AT&T Park to even the three-game set, the Milwaukee Brewers attempt to win the series when they visit the San Francisco Giants on Wednesday afternoon for the finale. Milwaukee had lost 10 of its previous 11 games in San Francisco before rallying for a 4-3 triumph on Tuesday.

Ryan Braun and Travis Shaw each drove in a run in the seventh inning to erase a 3-2 deficit for the Brewers, who remained 2 1/2 games behind the first-place Chicago Cubs in the National League Central and climbed within three of Colorado for the second wild-card spot. Gorkys Hernandez went 2-for-4 with an RBI while Brandon Crawford belted a two-run homer for San Francisco, which improved to 4-2 on its seven-game homestand. Pablo Sandoval has heated up for the Giants as he enters the series finale having notched two hits in four of his last five games.

TV: 3:45 p.m. ET, MLB Network, FSN Wisconsin (Milwaukee), NBCSN Bay Area (San Francisco)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Brewers RH Matt Garza (6-7, 4.81 ERA) vs. Giants LH Matt Moore (4-12, 5.54)

Garza was rocked for the second time in three outings on Friday, when he surrendered eight runs and nine hits - three homers - over 4 1/3 innings in a loss at Colorado. The 33-year-old Californian also yielded eight runs in a setback at Minnesota on Aug. 8 and is 1-5 with a 6.38 ERA in eight turns away from home this season. Garza has made four career starts against San Francisco, going 1-2 with a 4.15 ERA.

Moore ended his nine-start winless streak on Friday, limiting Philadelphia to two runs and two hits in 7 1/3 innings for his first victory since June 20 at Atlanta. It was the 28-year-old Floridian's longest outing since working the same amount of frames against Cincinnati on May 13 and marked the first time in eight turns he did not serve up a home run. Moore, who will be facing Milwaukee for the first time, has registered three of his four wins in 2017 at home and has an ERA (4.61) at AT&T Park that is more than two runs lower than his road mark (6.71).

WALK-OFFS

1. Giants OF Jarrett Parker went 0-for-5 on Tuesday to end his seven-game hitting streak while OF Hunter Pence was scratched from the starting lineup due to tightness in his left hamstring but appeared as a pinch-hitter.

2. Milwaukee has lost 36 of its last 57 contests at San Francisco.

3. San Francisco RHP Johnny Cueto (flexor) and 2B Joe Panik (concussion) began rehab assignments with Triple-A Sacramento on Tuesday, with the former allowing three hits over three scoreless innings and the latter going 0-for-2 with a strikeout.

PREDICTION: Brewers 7, Giants 3

[New York Knight]

GAME: Los Angeles Dodgers (89-35) at Pittsburgh Pirates (60-66)
DATE/TIME: Wednesday, August 23 - 7:05 PM EST
WHERE: PNC Park, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
LINE: N/A TOTAL: N/A

Preview: Dodgers at Pirates
Gracenote
Aug 23, 2017

Although he has not flashed the dominant form of a year ago, Los Angeles Dodgers left-hander Rich Hill takes an unbeaten streak of eight straight starts into Wednesday's matchup at the Pittsburgh Pirates in the third of a four-game series. The Dodgers could use a solid outing from Hill after they were forced to go to their bullpen for seven innings Tuesday in an 8-5 win.

Chris Taylor was hitless in six at-bats in the series opener but bounced back with three hits and three RBIs to lift his batting average to .310 as Los Angeles won for the 23rd time in 27 games. Los Angeles, which is one victory shy of reaching 90 for the season, placed 14-game winner Alex Wood and rookie standout Cody Bellinger on the 10-day disabled list Tuesday. Second baseman Josh Harrison is 4-for-9 with four RBIs in the series for Pittsburgh, which has lost eight of 10 to drop eight games behind first-place Chicago in the National League Central. Opposing Hill on Wednesday will be Pirates right-hander Trevor Williams, who was pummeled by the Dodgers in his first start of the season.

TV: 7:05 p.m. ET, SportsNet LA (Los Angeles), AT&T SportsNet-Pittsburgh

PITCHING MATCHUP: Dodgers LH Rich Hill (9-4, 3.54 ERA) vs. Pirates RH Trevor Williams (5-6, 4.71)

Hill lasted only five innings at Detroit on Friday but improved to 5-0 since July 1 by limiting the Tigers to three runs on six hits. The 37-year-old has made it through six innings once in his last four turns, a span in which he has surrendered five home runs -- one more than he allowed in 20 starts last year. Hill has made eight career starts against Pittsburgh, posting a 3-1 record and 3.69 ERA.

Williams matched his worst start of the year when he was rocked for eight runs and seven hits in three innings by the St. Louis Cardinals -- identical numbers to his line in a drubbing at the hands of the Dodgers in Los Angeles on May 8. He also lost his previous turn at Toronto on Aug. 12, giving up four runs over six innings. Taylor went 2-for-2 with a grand slam against Williams in early May.

WALK-OFFS

1. Dodgers SS Corey Seager is riding an 11-game hitting streak.

2. Pittsburgh's bullpen took a hit when RHP George Kontos and RHP Joaquin Benoit went on the disabled list Tuesday.

3. Dodgers 1B Adrian Gonzalez became the 11th active player to reach 2,000 hits.

PREDICTION: Dodgers 7, Pirates 4

[New York Knight]

GAME: Miami Marlins (62-62) at Philadelphia Phillies (45-79)
DATE/TIME: Wednesday, August 23 - 7:05 PM EST
WHERE: Citizens Bank Park, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
LINE: N/A TOTAL: N/A

Preview: Marlins at Phillies
Gracenote
Aug 23, 2017

The Miami Marlins haven't been shy about keeping the scoreboard operator busy, recording 64 runs en route to winning nine of their last 11 games. After erupting for 19 runs on 27 hits to sweep Tuesday's doubleheader, the Marlins aim for their fourth straight victory overall on Wednesday when they play the third contest of their four-game series versus the host Philadelphia Phillies.

Marcell Ozuna belted a two-run homer in both Miami's 12-8 victory in the opener as well as a 7-4 triumph in the nightcap to give him seven hits in his last four games overall and eight RBIs in his last six contests. Fellow outfielder Christian Yelich went deep in the nightcap to cap a four-hit performance in the doubleheader and has recorded multi-hit performances in six of his last 11 encounters. The teams combined for 14 homers on Tuesday, with Philadelphia's Tommy Joseph and Andres Blanco going deep in both contests. Rookie Rhys Hoskins went deep in the opener and has six homers in his last nine games overall.

TV: 7:05 p.m. ET, FSN Florida (Miami), CSN Philadelphia

PITCHING MATCHUP: Marlins LH Justin Nicolino (2-1, 4.11 ERA) vs. Phillies RH Mark Leiter Jr. (1-3, 4.38)

Nicolino's last encounter versus Philadelphia on May 30 lasted just three innings as he bruised his left index finger while attempting to bunt. The 25-year-old has found his groove in his last two outings, winning consecutive trips to the mound for the first time since April 27-May 3, 2016 while surrendering a total of two earned runs on 12 hits in 10 1/3 innings. Nicolino allowed one run on six hits across five innings in a 3-1 triumph over the New York Mets on Friday.

Leiter will look to notch his first win in two months when he takes the mound on Wednesday. The 26-year-old fell to 0-3 in his last seven outings on Aug. 15 after getting shelled for eight runs on seven hits - including two homers - in an 8-4 setback at San Diego. Leiter hasn't fared well versus Miami this season, yielding six runs on as many hits in 2 1/3 innings over three appearances.

WALK-OFFS

1. Miami RF Giancarlo Stanton has two homers, five RBIs and two runs scored during his three-game hitting streak.

2. Philadelphia SS Freddy Galvis is 0-for-12 with three strikeouts in his last three contests after collecting seven hits in his previous four.

3. Marlins C J.T. Realmuto had four hits in the doubleheader Tuesday after mustering five in his previous 10 games.

PREDICTION: Marlins 5, Phillies 2

[New York Knight]

GAME: New York Yankees (67-57) at Detroit Tigers (54-70)
DATE/TIME: Wednesday, August 23 - 7:10 PM EST
WHERE: Comerica Park, Detroit, Michigan
LINE: N/A TOTAL: N/A

Preview: Yankees at Tigers
Gracenote
Aug 23, 2017

Aaron Judge made a loud statement over the first half of the season by delivering a series of tape-measure home runs, but he finally brought a quiet end to another noteworthy streak. Having snapped a string of 37 games with at least one strikeout, Judge and the visiting New York Yankees continue a three-game set at the Detroit Tigers on Wednesday night.

Teammate Gary Sanchez stole Judge's thunder in the series opener with a pair of homers, including a mammoth 493-foot homer to ignite a 13-4 drubbing of Detroit and keep the Yankees within 4 1/2 games of first-place Boston in the American League East. Third baseman Todd Frazier is heating up after a 1-for-18 tailspin, going 6-for-13 with two homers, a triple, five RBIs and six runs scored in the past four games. Tigers third baseman Nicholas Castellanos ended a 12-game homer drought with a pair of blasts, including an inside-the-parker, as Detroit fell to 1-7 in the past eight games. Right-hander Jordan Zimmermann will attempt to beat New York for the second time in three weeks when he faces Luis Severino, who has permitted one earned run or fewer in six of his last seven starts.

TV: 7:10 p.m. ET, WPIX (New York), FSN Detroit

PITCHING MATCHUP: Yankees RH Luis Severino (10-5, 3.18 ERA) vs. Tigers RH Jordan Zimmermann (7-10, 5.87 ERA)

Severino bounced back from his worst outing of the year with a solid effort at the New York Mets last time out, permitting one run on four hits while striking out nine over six innings. He is 5-1 over his last six starts, the lone loss coming when he was battered by Boston for 10 runs on eight hits over 4 1/3 innings on Aug. 12. Castellanos is 4-for-5 versus Severino, who is 1-1 against Detroit.

Zimmermann's best start of the year came at Yankee Stadium on Aug. 2, when he stymied New York on six hits over seven scoreless innings. He was pummeled for seven runs for the second straight start last time out, also giving up 10 hits over 5 1/3 innings in a loss to the Los Angeles Dodgers. Zimmermann lasted only 3 1/3 innings in his previous start against Minnesota, but was able to escape with a no-decision.

WALK-OFFS

1. Yankees OF Aaron Hicks snapped out of a 1-for-19 funk with a homer and three RBIs, boosting his career-high totals to 13 and 45.

2. Tigers CF Mikie Mahtook is hitless in 12 at-bats over his last three games.

3. Yankees LF Brett Gardner is riding a five-game hitting streak.

PREDICTION: Yankees 6, Tigers 3

[New York Knight]

GAME: Chicago Cubs (67-57) at Cincinnati Reds (53-73)
DATE/TIME: Wednesday, August 23 - 7:10 PM EST
WHERE: Great American Ball Park, Cincinnati, Ohio
LINE: N/A TOTAL: N/A

Preview: Cubs at Reds
Gracenote
Aug 23, 2017

Slugfests have become the norm when the Chicago Cubs and Cincinnati Reds go head-to-head. After overpowering the Reds in a high-scoring contest to open their three-game road series, the Cubs aim for their fifth straight victory when the National League Central rivals clash on Wednesday.


The Cubs lead the NL Central by 2 1/2 games over Milwaukee after outslugging the Reds 13-9 in Tuesday’s series opener. The teams have played five times over the last 10 days, scoring an average of 16.2 runs per contest. Mike Montgomery will make a spot start for the Cubs on Wednesday in place of injured ace Jon Lester, and Chicago would settle for seeing him duplicate his performance from Thursday’s relief stint against the Reds. Montgomery allowed three hits over 4 1/3 scoreless innings in Cincinnati’s 13-10 win in Chicago.

TV: 7:10 p.m. ET, CSN Chicago, FSN Ohio (Cincinnati)


PITCHING MATCHUP: Cubs LH Mike Montgomery (3-6, 3.64 ERA) vs. Reds RH Asher Wojciechowski (3-2, 5.36)

Montgomery has posted a 2.76 ERA in eight relief outings since making his last start on July 19 at Atlanta. The 28-year-old is 2-3 with a 5.13 ERA in eight turns this season and has pitched to a 2.57 ERA in 27 relief appearances. Montgomery is 0-1 with a 4.43 ERA in nine career games (one start) against Cincinnati.

Wojciechowski was roughed up for seven runs and 10 hits in 3 2/3 frames by the Cubs on Aug. 14 and gave up two runs over two innings of relief on Saturday at Atlanta. The 28-year-old has pitched well at home, going 3-1 with a 3.41 ERA in eight appearances (four starts). Wojciechowski has surrendered five home runs in 11 1/3 innings over his last three outings.


WALK-OFFS

1. Cubs 3B Kris Bryant left Tuesday’s game after being hit by a pitch on the left hand and will sit out Wednesday, even though X-rays were negative.

2. Reds 3B Eugenio Suarez (10-for-25) and OF Adam Duvall (8-for-27) both are riding seven-game hitting streaks.

3. Chicago C Alex Avila is 7-for-16 during his five-game hitting streak.


PREDICTION: Cubs 8, Reds 6

[New York Knight]

GAME: Arizona Diamondbacks (69-57) at New York Mets (54-70)
DATE/TIME: Wednesday, August 23 - 7:10 PM EST
WHERE: Citi Field, New York City, New York
LINE: N/A TOTAL: N/A

Preview: Diamondbacks at Mets
Gracenote
Aug 23, 2017

The Arizona Diamondbacks have dominated the New York Mets of late, winning all five encounters in 2017 and 10 of their last 11 overall dating back to the 2016 season. The visiting Diamondbacks look to continue their good fortune against the Mets on Wednesday when the teams play the third contest of a four-game series at Citi Field.

J.D. Martinez went deep for the third time in six outings with a three-run homer in the first inning of Tuesday's 7-4 victory, increasing his totals to 10 homers and 25 RBIs in 29 games since being acquired by Arizona last month. The Diamondbacks (69-57) have won two straight to move a half-game ahead of sputtering Colorado (68-57) in the race for the National League's top wild-card spot. While Arizona is keeping an eye on the standings, that likely is not the case for free-falling New York after it fell for the eighth time in nine outings to drop a season-worst 16 games below .500. Rookie Amed Rosario belted a solo homer to hit safely for the fifth straight contest and 10th time in 12 outings before adding an RBI triple in the ninth inning on Tuesday.

TV: 7:10 p.m. ET, FSN Arizona, SNY (New York)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Diamondbacks RH Zack Godley (5-6, 3.13 ERA) vs. Mets RH Chris Flexen (2-2, 6.55)

Godley dropped his second straight decision and fell to 2-5 in his last nine outings on Friday after allowing four runs on nine hits over 5 1/3 innings of a 10-3 loss at Minnesota. The 27-year-old surrendered two homers for the second time in three trips to the mound, but pitched considerably better in his previous encounter with the Mets. Godley permitted one run on one hit, but saw his pitch count elevate after issuing a season-high five walks in a no-decision versus New York on May 15.

Flexen sustained his first loss in nearly a month on Friday despite working at least five innings for the third straight outing. The 23-year-old has been plagued by a lack of control, as he issued four walks for the third time in five starts in Friday's 3-1 setback versus Miami. Flexen, who will be making his sixth career start overall and first against Arizona, has pitched better at home (1-1, 4.91 ERA) than on the road (1-1, 8.18).

WALK-OFFS

1. New York LF Yoenis Cespedes recorded three singles for the second straight contest of the series and is 9-for-15 with one homer, three RBIs and four runs scored during his four-game hitting streak.

2. Arizona C Chris Iannetta is 3-for-6 with two runs scored in the series after going 2-for-17 in his previous six contests.

3. Mets CF Juan Lagares is 0-for-10 with two strikeouts in his last four games.

PREDICTION: Diamondbacks 6, Mets 2

[New York Knight]

GAME: Boston Red Sox (72-53) at Cleveland Indians (69-55)
DATE/TIME: Wednesday, August 23 - 7:10 PM EST
WHERE: Progressive Field, Cleveland, Ohio
LINE: N/A TOTAL: N/A

Preview: Red Sox at Indians
Gracenote
Aug 23, 2017

Having placed two pitchers on the disabled list Tuesday, the Cleveland Indians escaped another injury scare when ace Corey Kluber pronounced himself good to go after suffering a mild ankle sprain in his last start. Kluber looks to win his fifth consecutive start when the Indians resume their four-game set against the visiting Boston Red Sox on Wednesday night.

Kluber missed nearly the entire month of May with a back injury, but he has been spectacular since his return, posting a 9-1 record and 1.85 ERA over his last 15 starts. His counterpart Wednesday, left-hander Drew Pomeranz, also had to leave his last start with an injury but carries a six-game winning streak against the team that made him the No. 5 overall pick in the 2010 draft. Red Sox infielder Eduardo Nunez, who had zero homers and one RBI in his previous 11 games, had a three-run shot and knocked in five runs to spark a 9-1 romp that kept Boston 4 1/2 games in front of New York atop the American League East. Francisco Lindor's leadoff homer accounted for the only hit for AL Central-leading Cleveland, which is 4 1/2 games in front of Minnesota.

TV: 7:10 p.m. ET, MLB Network, NESN (Boston), SportsTime Ohio (Cleveland)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Red Sox LH Drew Pomeranz (12-4, 3.31 ERA) vs. Indians RH Corey Kluber (12-3, 2.67)

Pomeranz tossed 3 1/3 scoreless innings against the New York Yankees in his last start before back spasms led to an abbreviated stint, although he stretched his unbeaten streak to a dozen outings. He has surrendered two earned runs or fewer in nine of those 12 starts and has not lost since June 11. Pomeranz made his lone start at Progressive Field last August, earning the win with 7 2/3 innings of two-run ball.

Kluber was forced to exit his last start in the sixth inning after hurting his ankle covering first base, but he earned the win by giving up one run over 5 1/3 innings at Kansas City. He is 5-0 over his last eight starts, including a scintillating stretch in which he recorded double-digit strikeouts in five straight turns. Mookie Betts is 4-for-10 against Kluber, who is 2-3 with a 4.78 ERA versus the Red Sox.

WALK-OFFS

1. Red Sox CF Jackie Bradley Jr. is headed back to Boston for an MRI exam on his left thumb. X-rays after Tuesday's game were negative.

2. The Indians placed LHP Andrew Miller (patellar tendinitis) and RHP Danny Salazar (elbow inflammation) on the 10-day DL.

3. Red Sox C Sandy Leon has seven RBIs over his last five games with an at-bat.

PREDICTION: Indians 4, Red Sox 2

[New York Knight]

GAME: Toronto Blue Jays (59-66) at Tampa Bay Rays (62-65)
DATE/TIME: Wednesday, August 23 - 7:10 PM EST
WHERE: Tropicana Field, St. Petersburg, Florida
LINE: N/A TOTAL: N/A

Preview: Blue Jays at Rays
Gracenote
Aug 23, 2017

The Tampa Bay Rays have won back-to-back games for the first time since opening August with three in a row and look to continue their revival when the Toronto Blue Jays visit for the second of three contests Wednesday night. Kevin Kiermaier has given the Rays a boost since returning from a two-month stint on the disabled list while going 7-for-17 with a homer, three RBIs and three runs scored in four games.

Tampa Bay, which sits four games back in the race for the American League’s second wild card, has picked it up on offense with 15 runs in the last three games and Wilson Ramos has warmed up with 14 hits in his last seven contests. Right-hander Austin Pruitt tries to keep it going for the Rays and Toronto counters with ace Marcus Stroman, who is 2-0 with a 2.25 ERA in three starts against Tampa Bay in 2017. The Blue Jays are fading out of the AL wild card race with four straight losses to start their road trip after leaving the tying run at third base with one out in Tuesday’s 6-5 setback. Josh Donaldson continued his assault on Rays pitching with a solo homer in the series opener - his seventh blast and 11th RBI against Tampa Bay this year.

TV: 7:10 p.m. ET, TVA Sports, Sportsnet (Toronto), FSN Sun (Tampa Bay)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Blue Jays RH Marcus Stroman (11-6, 2.99 ERA) vs. Rays RH Austin Pruitt (6-4, 5.37)

Stroman boasts three straight quality starts and six in his last eight games overall after limiting Tampa Bay to two runs on six hits over 6 1/3 innings last Wednesday. The 26-year-old Duke product has given up one home run total in his last 10 outings after surrendering three in back-to-back starts June 17 and 22. Corey Dickerson is 8-for-24 with two homers versus Stroman, who is 5-4 with a 4.04 ERA in 10 career starts against the Rays.

Pruitt registered a career-high seven innings last time out against Seattle, but allowed six runs on 11 hits and two walks in his second straight loss. The 27-year-old rookie had strung together three consecutive quality starts before his last game while permitting four runs and 16 hits over 18 1/3 innings combined in that span. Kevin Pillar homered against Pruitt, who is 1-0 with a 4.26 ERA in three relief outings versus Toronto.

WALK-OFFS

1. Pillar was ejected after his first at-bat in Tuesday’s contest and saw his six-game hitting streak (10-for-23) come to an end.

2. Tampa Bay 1B-DH Lucas Duda boasts six homers since he was acquired on July 28 - the most of anyone on the club in that stretch.

3. Toronto RF Jose Bautista has 31 career homers in 152 games versus the Rays, but is just 9-for-55 with 21 strikeouts against them in 2017.

PREDICTION: Blue Jays 5, Rays 3

[New York Knight]

GAME: Seattle Mariners (64-63) at Atlanta Braves (56-68)
DATE/TIME: Wednesday, August 23 - 7:35 PM EST
WHERE: SunTrust Park, Cumberland, Georgia
LINE: N/A TOTAL: N/A

Preview: Mariners at Braves
Gracenote
Aug 23, 2017

Nick Markakis may find himself playing for somebody other than the Atlanta Braves in 2018, but the right fielder continues to produce offensively as they close out a three-game home series Wednesday against the Seattle Mariners. Markakis extended his hitting streak to four games with two hits, including his eighth homer of the season and two RBIs, in Tuesday’s 4-0 victory over Seattle, and enters the series finale batting .284.

Markakis has one year remaining on the four-year, $44-million deal he signed before the 2015 season, but could be expendable heading into the winter with top prospect Ronald Acuna likely to push for a spot on the big-league roster next spring. The Mariners remain focused on this season, sitting two games out of the final American League wild card spot, but being in the midst of a 12-game, 7,500-mile road trip might be catching up to them. Seattle committed two errors Tuesday after making four in the series opener, and its bullpen allowed two unearned runs in Tuesday’s defeat. Catcher Mike Zunino recorded two of the Mariners’ five hits, raising his average to .310 in his past 11 contests.

TV: 7:35 p.m. ET, ROOT Northwest (Seattle), FSN Southeast (Atlanta)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Mariners RH Erasmo Ramirez (5-4, 4.52 ERA) vs. Braves RH R.A. Dickey (8-8, 3.98)

Ramirez made 26 appearances (including eight starts) for the Tampa Bay Rays before being traded to the Mariners on July 28, and the 27-year-old has provided a boost for Seattle’s injury-riddled rotation. He is 1-1 with a 3.54 ERA in four starts since the trade, walking only three in 20 1/3 innings but allowing five homers (none in his past two starts). Ramirez earned his first victory in his second stint with the Mariners on Friday, holding the Rays to one run on two hits in six innings, six days after giving up one run on three hits in six innings against the Los Angeles Angels.

Dickey, who turns 43 in October, continues making a strong case for the Braves to pick up his $8 million option for 2018. He won his first two starts in August -giving up four runs on 10 hits in 13 innings - before losing to Cincinnati on Friday after allowing four runs on eight hits in six innings, striking out a season-high nine but allowing three homers. Dickey has been outstanding in his past 11 starts, posting a 2.45 ERA with a .238 opponents batting average while striking out 59 and walking 22 in 69 2/3 innings.

WALK-OFFS

1. Seattle DH Nelson Cruz got the start in right field Tuesday, making just his fifth appearance in the outfield this season.

2. Atlanta rookie 2B Ozzie Albies has at least one hit in five of his past six games, hitting .348 in that stretch with two doubles and three triples.

3. The Mariners were shut out for the 10th time this season Tuesday, while Atlanta recorded its fifth shutout of the year.

PREDICTION: Braves 4, Mariners 3

[New York Knight]

GAME: Washington Nationals (75-48) at Houston Astros (76-49)
DATE/TIME: Wednesday, August 23 - 8:10 PM EST
WHERE: Minute Maid Park, Houston, Texas
LINE: N/A TOTAL: N/A

Preview: Nationals at Astros
Gracenote
Aug 23, 2017

The Washington Nationals look to continue their domination of Houston when they visit the Astros on Wednesday for the middle contest of their three-game set. Washington recorded a 4-3 victory in the series opener to beat Houston for the ninth straight time and 13th in their last 14 meetings.

Matt Wieters slugged a two-run homer and Howie Kendrick contributed a two-run triple as Washington maintained its 13 1/2-game lead over Miami in the National League East. The Nationals are 4-1 during their seven-game road trip and have won nine of their last 12 overall contests. The Astros have dropped back-to-back games and are just 7-13 this month despite running away with the American League West. AL batting leader Jose Altuve (.358) is hitless in seven at-bats in the consecutive defeats after recording two hits in five of the previous seven contests.

TV: 8:10 p.m. ET, MASN (Washington), AT&T SportsNet-Southwest (Houston)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Nationals RH Edwin Jackson (4-2, 3.43 ERA) vs. Astros RH Mike Fiers (7-8, 4.32)

Jackson has won back-to-back starts, allowing just two runs over 13 innings. The 33-year-old journeyman has posted a solid 1.11 WHIP in six starts for the Nationals and has struck out 29 while issuing only eight walks. Jackson is 2-1 with a 4.31 ERA in seven career appearances (six starts) against the Astros, with his most-recent outing coming in 2012.

Fiers has been torched regularly over his last five starts while going 0-4 with a 7.36 ERA. The 32-year-old has served up two homers in each of his last four outings and 30 on the season - the most in his major-league career. Fiers is 2-1 with a 2.45 ERA in four career appearances (two starts) against the Nationals.

WALK-OFFS

1. Astros RF George Springer is mired in a nine-game home-run drought and has gone deep once in 48 at-bats this month.

2. Washington RHP Max Scherzer (neck) is expected to be activated from the disabled list Friday to start against the New York Mets.

3. Houston SS Carlos Correa (thumb) took batting practice on Tuesday and could begin a rehab assignment on Thursday.

PREDICTION: Nationals 9, Astros 5

[New York Knight]

GAME: Minnesota Twins (65-60) at Chicago White Sox (48-76)
DATE/TIME: Wednesday, August 23 - 8:10 PM EST
WHERE: Guaranteed Rate Field, Chicago, Illinois
LINE: N/A TOTAL: N/A

Preview: Twins at White Sox
Gracenote
Aug 23, 2017

The Minnesota Twins continue to showcase power up and down the lineup and hope their bats stay hot when they continue a five-game series at the Chicago White Sox on Wednesday. With three more home runs in Tuesday's 4-1 victory, the Twins have produced 17 long balls in their last six games and are averaging more than two per contest during their 13-4 run.

The surge has Minnesota holding down a half-game lead over the Los Angeles Angels for the second wild card in the American League. An unlikely power source has emerged in the Twins' homer-happy stretch, as light-hitting shortstop Jorge Polanco - who had seven career homers in 172 games prior to the series - has gone deep in each of the first three games versus the White Sox. Chicago still had an encouraging night with prospect Lucas Giolito spinning six promising innings in his debut with the rebuilding club. The 23-year-old Giolito will be followed up on the mound by 35-year-old James Shields, who starts Wednesday for the White Sox opposite Minnesota star veteran Ervin Santana.

TV: 8:10 p.m. ET, FSN North (Minnesota), CSN Chicago Plus

PITCHING MATCHUP: Twins RH Ervin Santana (13-7, 3.33 ERA) vs. White Sox RH James Shields (2-4, 5.72)

Santana has a chance to match his best win total since 2010 - when he won a career-high 17 - after defeating Arizona his last time out. He limited the Diamondbacks to three runs in six innings for his third quality start in four outings this month. The 34-year-old spun 15 scoreless frames over two starts versus Chicago in April but was roughed up for six runs and a season-high 10 hits in five innings in a rematch June 20, which left him 11-8 with a 3.68 ERA lifetime against the White Sox.

Shields entered August with a 6.19 ERA but he's been a bit better this month, tossing back-to-back quality starts before yielding two runs in 5 1/3 innings at Texas on Friday. The California native controlled the Twins through six frames in a solid outing earlier this year and he is 8-8 with a 4.20 ERA in 22 career starts versus Minnesota. Brian Dozier has enjoyed loads of success against Shields, going 12-for-32 with four homers and five doubles.

WALK-OFFS

1. White Sox RF Avisail Garcia has multiple hits in eight of 12 games since coming off the disabled list earlier this month.

2. Twins LF Eddie Rosario also homered Tuesday and has seven RBIs over his last four games.

3. Minnesota has won eight of its last 10 at Chicago.

PREDICTION: Twins 7, White Sox 3

[New York Knight]

GAME: San Diego Padres (56-69) at St. Louis Cardinals (63-62)
DATE/TIME: Wednesday, August 23 - 8:15 PM EST
WHERE: Busch Stadium, St. Louis, Missouri
LINE: N/A TOTAL: N/A

Preview: Padres at Cardinals
Gracenote
Aug 23, 2017

Yangervis Solarte is full of life and his team also is showing signs of it as the San Diego Padres look for their sixth win in nine games when they visit the St. Louis Cardinals on Wednesday. Solarte hit a 455-foot homer and drove in a career-best six runs as the Padres posted a 12-4 victory in the opener of the three-game series.

Solarte recorded three hits for his sixth multi-hit performance of the month to help San Diego break out of an offensive slumber. The Padres scored just six runs over their previous four contests before Solarte registered three extra-base hits, and Austin Hedges launched a three-run homer to ignite the attack. The Cardinals, who have dropped three consecutive contests, sit 4 1/2 games behind the first-place Chicago Cubs in the National League Central and trail Colorado by five for the second wild-card berth. Jedd Gyorko launched a two-run blast for his seventh homer in seven games against his former employers.

TV: 8:15 p.m. ET, FSN San Diego, FSN Midwest (St. Louis)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Padres RH Jhoulys Chacin (11-8, 3.98 ERA) vs. Cardinals RH Luke Weaver (1-1, 3.31)

Chacin is winless in his last three turns, losing the first in the stretch and following up with back-to-back no-decisions. The 29-year-old has struggled on the road with a 4-6 record, 6.90 ERA and 1.65 WHIP in 12 starts this season. Chacin is 0-4 with a 5.81 ERA in five career appearances (four starts) against the Cardinals.

Weaver is making his third start of the season as he fills the rotation spot of the injured Adam Wainwright. The youngster, who turned 24 years old on Monday, might be a starter for the rest of the year, and manager Mike Matheny is hoping he will be more economical with his pitches. "If he's going to stay in games deep, he's going to have to get balls on the ground, balls in play, and let the defense work," Matheny told reporters. "He's got strikeout stuff. I think it's really learning, 'I can blow the guy away and it might take six pitches. I'd rather get him in two.'"

WALK-OFFS

1. Cardinals C Yadier Molina homered on Tuesday to tie George Hendrick (123) for 17th place on the franchise list.

2. San Diego 1B Wil Myers is 0-for-13 over his last four contests and homerless in his past nine games.

3. St. Louis SS Paul DeJong is hitless in nine at-bats over the last two games after going 17-for-36 with four homers and 12 RBIs during a nine-game hitting streak.

PREDICTION: Cardinals 6, Padres 3

[New York Knight]

GAME: Colorado Rockies (68-57) at Kansas City Royals (63-61)
DATE/TIME: Wednesday, August 23 - 8:15 PM EST
WHERE: Kauffman Stadium, Kansas City, Missouri
LINE: N/A TOTAL: N/A

Preview: Rockies at Royals
Gracenote
Aug 23, 2017

Although the Colorado Rockies have endured pronounced struggles on the road of late, manager Bud Black's club has reason for optimism heading into Wednesday's second contest of a three-game interleague series versus Ian Kennedy and the Kansas City Royals. Kennedy is winless in a franchise-record 15 straight home starts, posting an 0-6 record and 5.98 ERA this season at Kauffman Stadium.

While Kennedy's home woes are evident, the Rockies are singing a sorry tune after mustering just two hits in Tuesday's 3-2 setback that has given them losses in eight of their last 11 overall games and 21 of their last 27 on the road after beginning the season with a 24-11 mark away from home. Nolan Arenado belted a two-run homer to extend his hitting streak to seven games, during which he has gone deep twice with seven RBIs and six runs scored. While Colorado is clinging to a three-game lead over Milwaukee in the race for the second wild-card spot in the National League, Kansas City has won six of nine to reside 1 1/2 games behind Minnesota for the American League's second wild card. Eric Hosmer drove in a run with a single on Tuesday to give him 12 hits, eight RBIs and six runs scored in his last nine games.


TV: 8:15 p.m. ET, AT&T SportsNet-Rocky Mountain (Colorado), FSN Kansas City

PITCHING MATCHUP: Rockies RH Antonio Senzatela (10-4, 4.56 ERA) vs. Royals RH Ian Kennedy (4-9, 5.06)

Senzatela will assume the spot of the recently demoted Jeff Hoffman to make his first start since Aug. 9. The 22-year-old Venezuelan has recorded two hitless and scoreless relief appearances totaling four innings with five strikeouts. "We got a four-seam fastball, we got a curveball that looks like a four-seam fastball and we got a changeup that looks like a four-seam fastball," bullpen coach Darren Holmes told reporters regarding Senzatela's new pitch selection. "So now we got three pitches that when a hitter looks at, he can't identify what they are."

Kennedy fell to 0-3 in his last four turns on Friday after allowing five runs and six hits in 2 2/3 innings of a 10-1 shellacking against Cleveland. "I didn't have the fastball," the 32-year-old told reporters. "I didn't have the bite on my breaking balls. It was just a bad game to have it on." Kennedy surrendered a pair of homers for the second straight outing and has yielded five over his last three starts after keeping the ball in the park in each of his previous three trips to the mound.

WALK-OFFS

1. Kansas City 2B Whit Merrifield has recorded three hits in his last two games after going 0-for-19 with five strikeouts in his previous four.

2. Colorado SS Trevor Story has struck out at least once in 24 straight contests.

3. Royals LHP Mike Minor has fanned nine batters in his last three relief appearances (4 2/3 innings).

PREDICTION: Royals 5, Rockies 2

[New York Knight]

GAME: Texas Rangers (62-63) at Los Angeles Angels (65-61)
DATE/TIME: Wednesday, August 23 - 10:07 PM EST
WHERE: Angel Stadium of Anaheim, Anaheim, California
LINE: N/A TOTAL: N/A

Preview: Rangers at Angels
Gracenote
Aug 23, 2017

Albert Pujols is coming off a productive effort in which he hit an historic homer and strives to have another solid performance when the Los Angeles Angels host the Texas Rangers on Wednesday for the third contest of their four-game series. Pujols launched career homer No. 610 in Tuesday's 10-1 win to move into eighth place on the all-time list as well as become the leader among foreign-born players.

Pujols' blast, a three-run shot off Rangers rookie Nick Gardewine, broke a tie with Sammy Sosa and leaves him two behind Jim Thome for seventh place. His four-RBI outing helped the Angels win for the 10th time in 13 contests and remain one-half game behind Minnesota for the American League's second wild-card spot. Tuesday's loss was just the fourth in 13 contests for the Rangers, who slipped three games behind the Twins. Texas' Elvis Andrus recorded two hits and is batting .354 in 82 at-bats this month to raise his overall average to .296 as he chases his second consecutive .300 season.

TV: 10:08 p.m. ET, ESPN, FSN Southwest (Texas), FSN West (Los Angeles)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Rangers RH Andrew Cashner (7-9, 3.31 ERA) vs. Angels LH Andrew Heaney (0-0, 9.00)

Cashner did not factor in the decision in his last outing as he gave up three runs - two earned - and six hits in 5 2/3 innings against the Chicago White Sox. The 30-year-old has struggled on the road this season, going 3-6 with a 4.34 ERA in 10 turns. Cashner defeated Los Angeles in his lone career start at Angel Stadium on May 27, 2015, when he allowed three runs and eight hits in seven innings while with San Diego.

Heaney is making his second start of the season after escaping with a no-decision on Friday, when he surrendered five runs and seven hits over five innings against Baltimore. The 26-year-old just made it back to the majors after undergoing Tommy John surgery on July 1, 2016. Heaney is 1-1 with a 5.23 ERA in two career starts (both in 2015) against the Rangers.

WALK-OFFS

1. Angels CF Mike Trout was 2-for-4 with three runs scored on Tuesday and is 14-for-29 in eight games against the Rangers this season.

2. Texas INF Joey Gallo (fractured nose) was placed on the 7-day concussion list and INF Phil Gosselin was recalled from Triple-A Round Rock.

3. Los Angeles OF Ben Revere (knee) departed Tuesday's contest and his status for Wednesday is uncertain.

PREDICTION: Angels 5, Rangers 4

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Bob Balfe

Marlins/Phillies Over 10

We have two young pitchers facing off with not much work under their belt. These teams usually get together for a lot of runs and I don’t see that being any different tonight. Both pitchers give up the home run ball and will walk batters. That 1-2 combo always leads to a lot of runs. Look for a high scoring game.

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Power Sports

Toronto vs. Tampa Bay
Pick: Tampa Bay +105

The Rays came through for me last night w/ a 6-5 win over the Jays. That series opener was a big revenge spot for the home team as not only did they lose three of four to their division rival last week, but one of those matchups (finale) featured the identical pitching matchup of Archer vs. Rowley. As expected, Archer pitched well as he allowed just three runs (two unearned) and four hits in six innings. Though, on paper, the pitching matchup does NOT appear to be in their favor tonight, I still prefer the Rays here.

As I've been writing about recently, the chase for the AL's second Wild Card spot remains very wide open. Eight teams are now separated by six games. But it is Toronto at the "back of the pack" and their ugly -82 YTD run differential seems to confirm that they are indeed the "worst of the lot." It appears as if some "sharper dollars" have come in on the Rays in the early morning, which mirrors up w/ my handicapping of the matchup. Toronto has lost four straight and tends to give up a lot of runs on the road (5.1 per game). Yes, they have Marcus Stroman starting tonight - and he did beat the Rays last week - but the Rays offense is better now w/ Kevin Kiermaier back in the lineup.

Tampa Bay's Austin Pruitt has won just one of his five starts since his formal integration into the starting rotation, which occurred after the All-Star Break. But - save for his last start, he's generally pitched well. This will be Toronto's 1st time seeing him. Note Pruitt had been a pretty significant dog on the ML in each of his first five starts, which included matchups against the likes of Sale, Kluber and Keuchel! No wonder he has a losing team start record. But here he's facing probably his weakest opponent to date. As I mentioned yday, the Rays have the edge in the bullpen as well. He was shaky last night, but closer Alex Colome leads all of MLB w/ 37 saves.

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Larry Ness

Toronto vs. Tampa Bay
Pick: Toronto -109

The Blue Jays are fading out of the AL wild card race with four straight losses to start their road trip, as they continue this three-game series at Tropicana Field with the Tampa Bay Rays on Wednesday. The Rays won 6-3 last night in the series opener and coupled with a 3-0 shutout of Seattle on Sunday, have put together back-to-back wins for the first time since opening August with three consecutive victories. Tampa Bay is 62-65 on the season and is currently four games back in the race for the American League’s second wild card spot, while Toronto is two games back of the Rays, as well as six back of the No. 2 wild card spot. The problem looming for both clubs is the sheer volume of teams in the wild card chase. The Rays are one of five teams vying for that spot, followed by Baltimore (a half-game back of the Rays) and Toronto. That makes seven teams, all within six games of that final wild card spot.

Marcus Stroman (11-6, 2.99 ERA) comes in off three straight quality starts and six in his last eight games overall (Jays are 5-3 in that stretch). He'll be opposed by Tampa Bay rookie Austin Pruitt (6-4, 5.37 ERA). Pruitt pitched a career-high seven innings last time out against Seattle but also allowed six runs on 11 hits and two walks in a 7-1 loss this past Friday. This will be his first career start against Toronto, although he is 1-0 with a 4.26 ERA in three previous relief appearances against the Blue Jays. Returning to Stroman, he limited Tampa Bay to two runs on six hits over 6.1 innings last Wednesday in a 3-2 Toronto victory. Stroman is 5-4 with a 4.04 ERA in 10 career starts against the Rays (team is 5-5).

I favor Stroman over the rookie Pruitt, who owns a 1.50 WHIP and .302 BAA to go along with that 5.37 ERA. Play the Blue Jays.

[Can'tPickAWinner]

JOSEPH D'AMICO

Washington vs. Houston
Play: Washington +151

With yesterday's 4-3 victory, Washington has now taken 9 straight over Houston. The Nationals own an NL best, 40-23 road record, as they average over 5.27 RPG as a guest. Edwin Jackson has won b-2-b starts as the RH improved to 4-2 with a 3.43 mark on the campaign. Mike Fiers has gotten "lit-up" over his L5 turns, going 0-4, with a whopping, 7.36 ERA, to bring the RH's record up to 7-8, with a 4.32 ERA. Washington is 4-0 their L4 gammas played vs. RH starters, 5-1 their L6 games played on the road, and 7-0 their L7 games played in Houston.

[Can'tPickAWinner]

SPORTS WAGERS

L.A. ANGELS -1½ +130 over Texas

Sometimes the line dictates the play and that is certainly the case here so allow us to set it up for you. The Rangers have won six of their last nine games while Andrew Cashner has a 3.31 ERA after 20 starts. What makes this line so curious is that Andrew Heaney has made just one start this year and it occurred last week in Baltimore in which he lasted a mere 5.1 frames after allowing four jacks (!), not to mention a .304 BAA. It’s is therefore odd or unreasonable that the Halos are favored in the -150 to -160 range when this market pays so much attention to ERA’s.

A closer look however, reveals that Texas swept Detroit, split four games with the South Side and defeated the Angels in the opener of this series to comprise of their six wins. They lost 10-1 last night. Furthermore, Andrew Heaney will not be pitching in Baltimore here. Take away those four jacks in that small park against a home-run hitting team and his pitching line would look entirely different. In making his first start in over one full year, Heaney had a 15% swing and miss rate and didn’t walk a single batter. We have to trust that he’s feeling rather jubilant after such a fine performance, despite the results. With that one start under his belt with no ill effects, Heaney is in line to do very well here. The line says so.

As far as Andrew Cashner goes, well, we’ve been suggesting that you ignore his surface stats because they are a mirage and our position on that has not changed one bit. In his last start, Cahsner walked four and struck out two but pitched to a 3.18 ERA. Mirage, my friends. In 120 innings overall, Cashner has a despicable BB/K split of 48/61. He also has a 5.81 xERA but that xERA is 6.83 over his last four starts. Andrew Cashner’s ERA over his last four starts is 2.10. That’s four runs lower than his xERA and quite frankly, it’s absurd. It’s time for Cashner’s charmed existence to come to an end and this line strongly suggests that’s precisely what will take place here.

Washington +149 over HOUSTON

Edwin Jackson came into this season as a well-travelled journeyman/innings-eater for non-contending rotations that had been savaged by injuries and needed 2nd half help. The Nationals were not a non-contender but they were in desperate need for starting rotation help and went off the grid to find Jackson. Edwin Jackson may end up being the steal of the year. In six starts, he’s been outstanding with a 3.43/4.01 ERA/xERA split. Jackson is just 33-years-old and he’s throwing 94 MPH with fade. His swing and miss rate of 12% supports the 26 K’s he’s posted over his last 30 innings against just eight walks. His line-drive rate is also elite at just 14%. Edwin Jackson is perceived as this replacement level starter that his way past his prime but there is no denying that dude has found something. His underlying skills say it’s legit too.

Mike Fiers comes in with a 4.32 ERA to go along with 131 K’s in 133 innings but his underlying numbers say he’s more fluke than talent. His strand rate of 78% is well-above league average. That’s one luck area where regression is imminent. Fiers hasn't been able to maintain 2016's control gains, as his underlying first-pitch strike rate and Ball% remain stuck below league average. Fiers has walked 53 batters. Though Fiers has made positive changes this season—going to the changeup more often—his June/July/August run is mostly a fluke. His 5.46 xERA over the past three months isn't convinced that he’s better than before and neither are we. Houston may indeed win here but if we’re sticking to playing value, Washington must be played here because its chances of winning may be better.

Minnesota -1½ +112 over CHICAGO

Facing an always shaky Kyle Gibson last night, the South Side had numerous chances in the first three innings to put up some crooked numbers but failed miserably. With seven base-runners in the first three innings, which including a bases loaded no out opportunity in the third, the White Sox scored one run and it came via the wild pitch. Opportunity would not strike again for the remainder of the game while the Twins managed to score four times on a very good looking rookie. Now the Twins take a huge step down in class from anything they’ve seen over the past three weeks when they face James Shields.

Shields’ is actually throwing better these days with a BB/K split of 10/30 over his last 27 innings but he’s still walking too many and giving up too many hard hit balls. His batted ball profile in his last start was 31% grounders, 46% line-drives and 23% fly-outs. He still has a weak overall BB/K split of 35/74 over 84 frames. Shields’ overall WHIP is also weak at 1.57 and it was weak during that aforementioned 27 innings better stretch too at 1.47. It’s not every pitcher who can rack up a 6-19 record with an ERA approaching 6.00 and still have a job the next year. Such is the case with James Shields who despite his 2016 struggles, opened this year with a spot in the rotation. He’s still in said rotation with an xERA of 5.44 but when you get behind Big Game James" it’s a dangerous game of chicken.

Ervin Santana seemingly has faded since the All-Star Break (4.35 ERA) but nothing could be further from the truth. He has an excellent 13% swing and miss rate and an elite 72% first-pitch strike rate so far in the second half. Santana has a BB/K split of 7/34 over his last 33 frames covering five starts and he’ll now face a young, inexperienced and impatient group of hitters in the White Sox lineup. Not only is Santana in great from but his expertise in sequencing should bode well here in fooling a group that is so raw.

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Zack Cimini

Mariners vs. Braves
Play: Mariners -115

Tuesday the Braves pitching staff surrendered just five hits to defeat the Mariners 4-0. The outing presented the obvious that road fatigue could be setting in for the Mariners. Wednesday marks their sixth straight road game as they embark on a total of twelve. Look for veteran Erasamo Ramirez and the Mariners bats to showcase that the oddmakers are correct tabbing them as slight favorites.

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Dave Cokin

Arizona at New York
Play: Arizona -155

The Mets are actually the play-on side in the series sweep revenge angle, but I’ll buck that trend here. Zack Godley is throwing for Arizona, and while he got knocked around in his most recent start, I don’t see that off game as cause for alarm. He was still generating loads of K’s, and I didn’t see any red flags to suggest Godley is suddenly going to hit the skids.

Chris Flexen will pitch tonight for the Mets. The young righty is flashing some promise, but I don’t think he’s ready to win consistently at this level just yet. Too many walks and early indicators are that he’s going to be vulnerable to long balls with some fly ball tendencies. I think it’s safe to suggest that Flexen is still a year away and is only with the big club now due to all the injuries in the rotation.

There’s certainly no bargain to be had here, and that’s going to pretty much be the case from here on with any game that features a contender vs. a run of the mill opponent. Opinion here is that even at the fairly steep tag, the Diamondbacks are the right side.

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Zack Cimini

Toronto vs. Tampa Bay
Pick: Tampa Bay +109

The Rays have now won two games in a row after losing eight of nine. Wednesday they’ll face a bigger test as they face Blue Jays pitcher Marcus Stroman. Thus far in three starts against the Rays this season Stroman has allowed a total of five runs. Yet, look for the Rays to continue on to stay back on track with another win Wednesday.

[New York Knight]

OVER 13-3 in Reds' last 16 overall, incl. 6-0 in their last 6 home games.

OVER is 35-14-3 in their last 52 meetings w/ Cubs.


CHC/CIN Total:10

[New York Knight]

Yanks 7-1 Severino's last 8 & 6-1 their last 7 @ DET.

Tigers 3-13 last 16 overall & 2-8 Zimm's last 10 vs teams above .500


NYY-212 / DET+194

[New York Knight]

Marlins are 8-1 in last 9 vs righties & 9-2 in Nicolino's last 11 starts vs teams below .500.

Phillies 1-5 last 6 @ home.


MIA-122 / PHI+113

[New York Knight]

Dodgers are 54-10 in their last 64 overall, 7-1 in Rich Hill's last 8 starts & 5-0 in last 5 meetings with Pirates.


LAD -160 / PIT +150

[New York Knight]

Under 9-0 in Nationals last 9 interleague games.

Under 5-1 in Jackson's last 6 starts.

Under 5-0 in Astros' last 5 at home.


WAS/HOU Total:9.5

[New York Knight]

MLB Public % (Top 5) Bets


Dbacks -186 68%
Twins -145 64%
Jays -106 63%


Public: 5-0 Yesterday : 70-54 Last 30 Days

[New York Knight]

Mets are 3–21 this season vs the teams with the 3 best records in the NL:

Dodgers (0–7)

Nationals (3–9)

D-Backs (0–5)

[New York Knight]

Sports Insights ...


Most Lopsided MLB Games Tonight


84% on D-Backs -185 at NYM
79% on Twins -155 at CHW
76% on Jays +102 at TB

[New York Knight]

The Greek Sportsbook ...


WNBA Sharp Action

Dallas
DAL-CON over
Seattle

[New York Knight]

Over is 14-3-1 in Padres' last 18 on road.

Over is 11-1 in Cards' last 12 vs righty starters.

Over 8-3 in last 11 meetings.


SD/STL Total: 8.5

[New York Knight]

Under 6-2 in Morales' last 8 games BHP.

Under 16-4 in Cashner's last 20 starts.

Under 5-1 Angels' last 6 vs teams below .500.


TEX/LAA Total: 9