Tuesday 8-29-17 Free Plays / Trends / Betting Info / Etc

[Can'tPickAWinner]

::handshake::

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Handicapped by The Walker Group at Fort Erie

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

Race 4 - Maiden Claiming - 8.5f on the Dirt. Purse: $10440 Class Rating: 52

FOR MAIDENS, FILLIES AND MARES THREE YEARS OLD AND UPWARD. THREE YEAR OLDS, 118 LBS.; OLDER, 120 LBS. CLAIMING PRICE $4,500, IF FOR $4,000, ALLOWED 2 LBS.


RECOMMENDED CHOICES
The Walker Group Picks

# 3 THE OTHER BOLEYN 4/5

# 4 I WANT S'MORES 3/1

# 2 BRIDIE 4/1

THE OTHER BOLEYN looks formidable to best this field. Had one of the best Equibase Speed Figures of this group in her last race. Looks to have a respectable class edge based on the most recent company kept. Earning some good money in dirt route races. BRIDIE - Reason to like this filly as she has in the saddle one of the best jocks using winning percentages over the last month. This horse has to be in good condition coming back to race so soon.

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Handicapped by Valuline at Finger Lakes

Today's Most Likely Winner Is at:
Finger Lakes, Race 4 (Tuesday August 29, 2017)

CHIEF ASSIGNMENT
(For ten of today's most likely winners, see Exotic Key Plays.)

FL-4 5.5f DIRT Five Horses
"A" CLM 5,000 3YUP $9,000
P# dd ex t s ML WP TVL

5 CHIEF ASSIGNMENT 7/5 45% 6/5 Strong Favorite icon
2 UNCOMMON GROUNDS 2/1 25% 3/1

[Can'tPickAWinner]

F.A.S.T. Sheets Free Race for Fairmount Park

Fairmount Park - Race 6

$1.00 Daily Double (Races 6-7) / Exacta .50 Cent Trifecta ($1.00 Minimum Wager) / .10 Cent Superfecta


Claiming $3,200 • 1 Mile 70 yards • Dirt • Ages 3 and up • CR: 81 • Purse: $5,000 • Post: 3:20P
FOR THREE YEAR OLDS AND UPWARD WHICH HAVE NOT WON TWO RACES IN 2017 OR WHICH HAVE NOT WON A RACE SINCE MAY 29, 2017. , 116 LBS.; , 124 LBS. NON-WINNERS OF A RACE AT A MILE OR OVER SINCE JUNE 29 ALLOWED 3 LBS. SUCH A RACE SINCE APRIL 29 ALLOWED 6 LBS. CLAIMING PRICE $3,200.
Contenders

Race Analysis
P#
Horse
Morn
Line

Accept
Odds


Race Type: Lone Front-runner. DEZIP is the Lone Front-runner of the race. * KEY ANGLES * DEZIP: Horse ranks in the top three in TrackMaster Power Rating. MAN OF QUALITY: Horse has the highest TrackMaster Power Rating. U S FREQUENTFLYER: Horse ha s run a Good Race within the last 30 days. TITIUS: Horse has the highest average Equibase Speed Figure at the distance/surface. FORAFEWDOLLARSMORE: Horse has run a Good Race within the last 30 days.
2
DEZIP
8/1

5/1
6
MAN OF QUALITY
3/1

6/1
7
U S FREQUENTFLYER
5/2

7/1
5
TITIUS
10/1

8/1
4
FORAFEWDOLLARSMORE
7/2

9/1

[Can'tPickAWinner]

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

Indiana Downs - Race 5

Daily Double / Exacta / Trifecta / 50 Cent Trifecta / Superfecta 10 Cent Superfecta / 50 Cent Pick 3 (Races 5-6-7) 50 Cent Pick 4 (Races 5-6-7-8)


Maiden Special • 6 Furlongs • Dirt • Ages 3-5 • CR: 49 • Purse: $34,000 • Post: 3:57P
FOR REGISTERED INDIANA BREDS SIRED BY REGISTERED INDIANA STALLIONS MAIDENS, FILLIES AND MARES THREE, FOUR, AND FIVE YEARS OLD. THREE YEAR OLDS, 118 LBS.; OLDER, 122 LBS.
Contenders

Race Analysis
P#
Horse
Morn
Line

Accept
Odds


Race Type: Lone Stalker. DIAMOND LILLIAN is the Lone Stalker of the race, but has been deemed a non-contender due to a low Platinum Figure or other overall low ratings. * KEY ANGLES * WELL KNOWN FACT: Horse has the highest TrackMaster Power Rating . Horse has the highest average Equibase Speed Figure at the distance/surface. Horse ranks in the top three in average Equibase Class Rating at the distance/surface. MOUNTAIN BROOKE: Horse ranks in the top three in TrackMaster Power Rating. Today is a sprint and the horse is carrying at least 120 lbs.
4
WELL KNOWN FACT
5/2

8/5
9
MOUNTAIN BROOKE
30/1

7/1

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Handicapped by The Turf Club Analysts

Bar

Louisiana Downs - Race #6 - Post: 5:30pm - Claiming - 5.5 furlongs on the Dirt. Purse: $5,500 Class Rating: 69

Rating: 4

#3 ZAR'S STAR (ML=2/1)


ZAR'S STAR - My expertise says this is the sole stalker in the race. Munna drops him down to this class level. You don't need too much more knowledge to believe this one will be one to beat at this level. Earnings per race is something that I believe can be a key handicapping factor. This mount is ranked at the very top in this group.

Vulnerable Contenders: #4 CANADIAN MAXIMUS (ML=5/2), #8 LOVE YOU TOO BABY (ML=9/2), #2 YES IM TRICKY (ML=6/1),

CANADIAN MAXIMUS - This equine doesn't have a winning state of mind. Regularly finishes in the place or show spot. Thoroughbred ran a great speed figure last time out, but that was in the mud. LOVE YOU TOO BABY - You think this horse is going to finish first just because he's always close. Just doesn't finish on top frequently. YES IM TRICKY - The speed rating last time around the track doesn't fit very well in this race when I look at the Equibase class figure of today's contest. Mark this horse as a likely underpriced equine.



STRAIGHT WAGERS:
Have to go with #3 ZAR'S STAR on the win end if we get at least 1/1 odds

EXACTA WAGERS:
3 with [2,6]

TRIFECTA WAGERS:
None

SUPERFECTA WAGERS:
Pass

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Handicapped by The Walker Group at Mountaineer Park

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

Race 6 - Claiming - 5.0f on the Dirt. Purse: $6300 Class Rating: 72

FOR THREE YEAR OLDS AND UPWARD WHICH HAVE NOT WON A RACE SINCE AUGUST 29, 2016. THREE YEAR OLDS, 116 LBS.; OLDER, 123 LBS. CLAIMING PRICE $5,000


RECOMMENDED CHOICES
The Walker Group Picks

# 7 ARBITER 9/5

# 4 BLACKEYE WYNN 10/1

# 2 BEAR TRACKS 2/1

ARBITER should be supported as the bet in here. The speed fig of 72 from his latest contest looks very good in here. Has been racing in the most competitive company of the group of horses in this race lately. Could best this group here, showing very strong numbers of late. BLACKEYE WYNN - Garnered a strong speed rating in the last race. Can run another good one in this race. Is a very strong contender based on figures garnered lately under today's conditions. BEAR TRACKS - Has very good front speed and will most likely fare admirably versus this field.

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Handicapped by The Turf Club Analysts

Bar

Presque Isle Downs - Race #6 - Post: 7:30pm - Claiming - 8.3 furlongs on the Dirt. Purse: $15,000 Class Rating: 80

Rating: 4

#2 HIGH MULTIPLE (ML=6/1)
#5 WILLY SMILE (ML=7/2)


HIGH MULTIPLE - He'll most likely come from deep to circle the field and should be in great shape to win this race. Morales comes to get aboard after getting to know the gelding in the last event. This gelding is in good condition. Finished second on August 8th. The 81 latest race speed rating looks strong in the TrackMaster PPs. Although I sometimes have doubts about a pony who was beaten as the public choice in his last race, this gelding got a solid speed figure and fits well here. WILLY SMILE - This jockey/handler duo has been producing a very beneficial ROI, right at +102.

Vulnerable Contenders: #7 CULLASAJA DRIVE (ML=2/1), #6 CONQUEST GIROBALL (ML=3/1), #3 DOUBLE ONTHE ROCKS (ML=4/1),

CULLASAJA DRIVE - When checking today's class rating, he will have to register a better speed fig than last out to compete in this dirt route. CONQUEST GIROBALL - In the last race this racer finished sixth. Doesn't show much potential for his chances this time. DOUBLE ONTHE ROCKS - On a downward moving cycle. Speed figs keep decreasing.



STRAIGHT WAGERS:
Bet on #2 HIGH MULTIPLE to win if we can get at least 8/5 odds

EXACTA WAGERS:
Box [2,5]

TRIFECTA WAGERS:
Pass

[Can'tPickAWinner]

TENNIS INSIDERS
Tennis | Aug 29, 2017
Leonardo Mayer vs. Richard Gasquet
Leonardo Mayer+299

Richard Gasquet has been carrying injuries since Roland Garros, and he's just 2-3 since Wimbledon, struggling to find his fitness & form. Leonardo Mayer is brimming with confidence, having won an ATP 500 title on the clay in Hamburg back in July, and was fortunate to enter the main draw here as a lucky loser. He certainly has the weapons to hurt Gasquet, and while he can struggle mentally he's no doubt going to get chances to win this match, leaving huge value in the moneyline. Gasquet has struggled with stanima & fatigue his entire career, and if this one goes the distance Mayer will hold the fitness advantage. Take to underdog to record the "upset" on Tuesday morning

[Can'tPickAWinner]

CAPPERS CLUB

Twins -1.5

This play just missed out on our premium card. The Minnesota Twins and the Chicago White Sox face off on Tuesday night, and with the Twins rolling coming into this game, they should win this game big.
On the mound for the Twins is Ervin Santana who was really good in his last start against the White Sox. He went seven innings and gave up three hits and one earned run.
He is facing a White Sox offense that has issues scoring runs and I think that will be the case in this game again.
The Twins bats are hot and that will continue in this game. I think they will get to James Shield early and often and cruise to a victory.
Back the Twins.
5* Cappers Club FREE Play on Twins -1.5

[Can'tPickAWinner]

SCOTT SPREITZER

Diamondbacks+113

I'm backing the Arizona Diamonbacks on Tuesday with Zack Godley over Rich Hill. Arizona has absolutely clobbered left-handed starters at home this season, posting an 11-3 record, while averaging 6.56 rpg. Rich Hill is 0-2 in his last three starts against the D-backs, including a very ugly performance at Chase Field a season ago. While there was some debate over whether or not Hill should have taken the mound in the 10th inning last time out, there is no debate that in all likelihood, at least 50 of his 99 pitches were highly stressful as he flirted with both a perfect game and a no-hitter. Arizona is back on track, winning four straight games and we expect the offense to give Godley enough support to win this game. Godley has nice numbers against the Dodgers and he has allowed just 51 base runners in 50 1/3 IP at home this season, along with a .174 BAA. We also note he has 40 strikeouts in his last 35 1/3 IP. Godley's numbers at night are phenomenal this season and we expect more of the same in this one. Besides the 4-0 overall run and the 11-3 mark at home against southpaws, the D-backs are also on a 4-0 run against lefties and they're 5-1 in Godley's last six against teams with a winning record. I'm backing the Diamondbacks on Tuesday. Thanks & GL! Scott Spreitzer.

[Can'tPickAWinner]

BIG AL

Our complimentary selection for Tuesday, August 29 is:

Cincy Reds (Romano) over NY Mets (Flaxen).

[Can'tPickAWinner]

CAPPERS ACCESS
Royals
Dodgers

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Jesse Schule

The Iceman's Free Pick

LA Dodgers vs. Arizona, 08/29/2017 21:40 EDT

Point Spread: +1½/-148 Arizona

Sportsbook:
PinnacleSports

Dodgers vs Diamondbacks Free Pick August 29, 2017.

The Dodgers are coming off back to back home losses, and they only managed to score a pair of runs in those games. They play Game 1 of a new series at Arizona on Tuesday, and we could see a pitcher's duel in the desert.

Rich Hill will toe the slab for the Dodgers, and he's coming off a near no-hitter. He took a perfect game into the ninth inning, then lost the no-hitter in the 10th when the Pirates hit a walk-off home run. Hill has pitched well against Arizona this season, but is 0-1 with a 2.70 ERA in two starts.

The D'Backs hand the ball to Zack Godley, who is coming off three straight losses. He hasn't pitched that bad, allowing eight earned runs over 16 innings in those games. He also struck out 23 batters, but his team managed to give him a total of just seven runs in his last three starts. Godley's last win came against the Dodgers, allowing three runs on eight hits over 6 2/3 innings in a 6-3 home win.

Arizona is 5-1 in Godley's last six home starts versus teams with a winning record.

Take ARI +1.5.

GL,

Jesse Schule

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Brian Bitler

Brian's 9* MLB Total Lock

San Francisco vs. San Diego, 08/29/2017 22:10 EDT

Total: +100/+8 Under

Sportsbook:
PinnacleSports

Both teams here have struggled to score runs Giants averaging 2.25 in their last 8 games and the Padres only 2.50 in their last 6. Both pitchers have been pitching well in their last few starts. Moore is 1-0 with a 2.21 ERA in his last 3 starts and Perdomo has shown flashes of becoming a very good pitcher as he has electric stuff. Love the value here on the Under take it for a 9 unit investment.

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Jeff Benton

Tuesday freebie is the Phillies over the Braves.

4* PHILADELPHIA

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Chris Jordan

My free play is on the Baltimore Orioles, who delivered a 1,000♦ win for me last night, when they returned home after sweeping the American League East-leading Boston Red Sox at Fenway Park and extended their win streak to five games. Now sitting one game above .500, the Orioles are 1 1/2 games back from the second wild-card spot and they're 39-26 at home.

The momentum is real, and in hosting a west coast team that lost two straight in the Bronx against the New York Yankees, and a third in a row in this series-opener, I think the Orioles will continue to take advantage of a tired Mariners team that is likely now beleaguered.

Seattle, which will be playing its 11th road game in 12 days after previous trips to Tampa Bay, Atlanta and the Bronx, lost a close one last night to the O's, 7-6.

I'll leave it up to you if you want to list Erasmo Ramirez and Dylan Bundy, or just one of them. I can tell you I'm confident with Baltimore's Bundy, as he aims to make it an undefeated August in his final start of the month, as he returns from the bereavement list and is 3-0 in four starts - all Orioles wins. Bundy has a 2.67 ERA and has struck out 33 in 27 innings this month.

Look for Baltimore to roll past Seattle in this one, while laying a cheap price doing so.

5* ORIOLES (Bundy over Ramirez)

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Brad Wilton

Tuesday's comp play is the Rays over the Royals.

Simply put, no case can be made right now for backing the Kansas City Royals who are on the verge of history of the wrong kind. KC comes into this one having been shutout in 4 straight games, and can break the Major League record of 48 straight scoreless innings if they go out and hang some more goose eggs on their home scoreboard tonight.

The Rays are back in the Wild Card mix thanks to 6 wins over their last 8 games, and they will go with Alex Cobb to try and extend their winning ways. He has allowed 2 runs or fewer in 6 of his last 9 outings.

Jake Junis counters for the punchless Royals. Junis has been a bright spot of late, as he is 3-0 with a 3.18 ERA in his last 5 starts. The obvious problem is when you don't score runs, you cannot win games!

The drought continues.

Tampa Bay over Kansas City.

3* TAMPA BAY

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Mike Lundin
Aug 29 '17, 8:40 PM
MLB | Tigers vs Rockies
Play on: Rockies -141 at 5Dimes

#MLB FREE PICK FROM MIKE LUNDIN - 8 IN A ROW?

Going for free pick winner #8 in a row!

The Colorado Rockies dropped the opener of this three-game series with the Detroit Tigers 4-3 on Monday. The Tigers are still just 2-9 in their last 11 road games while the Rockies have one of the best home records in baseball, and this looks like a fair price on the home team to bounce back with a win.

Colorado hands the ball to German Marquez (10-5, 4.18 ERA). The Rockies are 8-0 in the right-handers' last eight home starts and he's 6-0 with a 3.12 ERA in those games.

Michael Fulmer (10-11, 3.69 ERA) will take the ball for the Tigers. The 24 year old right-hander has taken the loss in each of his last three turns on the road, giving up 20 runs (16 earned) on 21 hits in just 13 2/3 frames in the process. He's 1-5 with a 5.06 ERA in seven starts overall since the All Star break.

The Tigers are 3-9 in the last 12 meetings at Colorado, and think the Rockies will give Fulmer a really hard time here in his first career start at Coors Field while Marquez knows what it's all about already.

My free pick is on the Colorado Rockies.

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Jack Jones
Aug 29 '17, 7:40 PM
MLB | Cardinals vs Brewers
Play on: Cardinals -114 at 5Dimes

Jack's Free Pick Tuesday: St. Louis Cardinals -114

The St. Louis Cardinals must get going if they want a shot at making the playoffs. It hasn't been a great August for them, but there's still time to turn it around. And they clearly have the edge on the mound tonight over the Milwaukee Brewers.

Matt Garza has failed to complete six innings in seven consecutive starts. He is 6-7 with a 4.67 ERA and 1.396 WHIP in 20 starts this season, including 1-1 with a 6.75 ERA and 1.910 WHIP in his last three. He is 7-5 with a 4.01 ERA and 1.427 WHIP in 16 career starts against St. Louis.

Luke Weaver is pitching significant games for the Cardinals down the stretch. He has handled himself well, going 2-1 with a 2.95 ERA and 0.982 WHIP in three starts with 23 K's in 18 1/3 innings. Weaver is also 1-1 with a 2.95 ERA and 0.927 WHIP in three career starts against Milwaukee, striking out 26 batters in 18 1/3 innings.

The Cardinals are 40-17 in their last 57 meetings in Milwaukee. The Brewers are 2-5 in Garza's last seven starts. Milwaukee is 36-79 in its last 115 games vs. a starter with a WHIP less than 1.15. Bet the Cardinals Tuesday.

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Cajun Sports

Tampa Bay vs. Kansas City
Play: Tampa Bay +107

The boys from Cigar City took Game One of their three-game set in Kansas City versus the Royals on Monday winning 12 to 0. That loss extended their current losing skid to five games having lost their last two games by a final score of 12 to 0. The Royals entered this home series against the Rays off a three-game set in Cleveland in which they were swept 3 to 0 and the Royals failed to score a single run in any of the three games. The Royals lost Game Three in Cleveland 12 to 0 and repeated that performance and score in Game One last night versus the Rays losing 12 to 0 at home. Our MLB TPR Index projects a run advantage of 1.58 runs in favor of the Rays on Tuesday night. A check of our MLB Database reveals several league-wide systems that are active for tonight’s contest. We want to play ON MLB road underdogs coming off a shutout victory in their last game, 529-659 SU (+6094). We want to play ON MLB underdogs when they scored two or fewer runs for their starter in his last start, 610-780 SU (+4484). Play ON MLB teams coming off a game which they held the largest lead in the AL winning by more than one run and their opponent did not score more than seven runs and a current line less than +200, 667-489 SU (+12468). Finally we want to Play ON MLB teams coming off a game which they won by the largest margin in the AL in their last game winning by more than one run and their opponent did not score more than seven runs and a current line less than +200, 700-502 SU (+13899). With our Team Performance Ratings Index projecting the Rays with more than a 1.5 run advantage over the Royals and additional support from several key systems we will back the boys from Cigar City on Tuesday night.

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Will Rogers

Detroit vs. Colorado
Pick: Over 11

The set-up: Colorado lost 4-3 at home last night to Detroit. Most of the Rockies woes since shortly before the All Star break have come on the road but losing at home to the Tigers, hurts. Detroit had entered the series having lost 16 of their previous 21 and owned the AL's second-worst record. Colorado is now just 11-14 in August and sits two games back of Arizona, which owns the top wild card spit in the National League. The Rockies are three games up on the Brewers for that final wild card spot but with 31 games still left to play, it's not quite time to 'pop' the champagne corks just yet.

The pitching matchup: Michael Fulmer (10-11 & 3.69 ERA) starts for Detroit and rookie German Marquez (10-5 & 4.18 ERA) for Colorado. Speaking of rookies, Fulmer was 2016's AL rookie-of-the-year, going 11-7 with a 3.06 ERA, 1.12 WHIP and .231 BAA. His numbers aren't that much worse in 2017 (3.69 ERA, 1.14 WHIP and 3.69 ERA) but he's just 10-11. The biggest difference is that after Detroit went 19-7 (plus-$1292) in his 2016 starts, the Tigers are just 12-12 in Fulmer's starts this season (minus-$115). This marks his first start against the Rockies. Marquez made just six appearances last year (including three starts), throwing only 20 2/3 innings. However, the 22-year-old rookie has made 22 starts in 2017, with the Rockies going 14-8, plus-$675 vs the moneyline, including a sweet 8-2 in his 10 home starts.

The pick: This is not just the first time Fulmer will see the Rockies, it's also his first appearance in Coors Field, where the Rockies average 6.09 RPG. I'm not so sure he'll 'like the view,' As for Marquez, the Rockies may be 8-2 in his 10 Coors Fields starts in 2017 but it's not because he's a 'shut down' pitcher (4.50 home ERA)! Play the Over.

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Larry Ness

Detroit vs. Colorado
Pick: Colorado -138

The Rockies opened a three-game home series against the Tigers last night and lost 4-3. Colorado has struggled in August, going just 11-14 and has fallen two games back of Arizona for the No. 1 wild card spot in the NL. The Rockies also have to be "looking over their shoulders," as the Brewers trail them by just three games. By no means is Colorado 'safe,' as the Rockies still have 31 games remaining. The win for Detroit was just its sixth in its last 22 and at 57-73, are ahead of only the 52-77 White Sox in the American League.

Taking the mound for Detroit will be 2016's AL rookie-of-the-year, Michael Fulmer (10-1 3.69 ERA). He'll be opposed by Colorado's German Marquez (10-5, 4.18 ERA). Fulmer's 3.69 ERA is just a half-run higher than last year's mark (3.06) and he is again allowing fewer hits (142) than innings pitched (158.1). His WHIP (1.14) is about the same as in 2016 (1.12), as is his BAA (.240 in 2017, compared to .231 in 2016). However, the results are nowhere near the same. The Tigers were in 19-7 Fulmer's 2016 starts, giving him MLB's 6th-best moneyline mark (plus-$1292). However, here in 2017, he looks to snap a six-start win-less streak in which he had lost five straight decisions, before taking a no-decision against the New York Yankees in his last outing (Tigers won 10-6). The bottom line is, Detroit is 12-12 in Fulmer's starts this season, leaving him minus-$115 against the moneyline.

The fact that Marquez has allowed five HRs in his last two starts, after allowing just 12 over his first 20, is troubling. However, after pitching just 20.2 innings last season (six appearances, including three starts), this 22-year-old rookie has made 22 starts in 2017, with the Rockies going 14-8, plus-$675 vs the moneyline (ranks 12th among all starters). Here in Coors Field, the Rockies are 8-2 in his 10 starts.

Fulmer's had a tough go of it herein 2017 and while Detroit has nothing to play for, the Rockies can 'smell' a wild card berth with just over a month to go in the regular season. The Tigers have allowed an average of 5.45 RPG away from home, while the Rockies are averaging 6.09 RPG at home. I'll play the home team.

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Power Sports

Athletics at Angels
Pick: Angels -155

I was correct in saying that Oakland (fresh off a sweep of Texas) would "cool off" in LA Monday. They lost, 3-1, and for the Angels this remains a very important series as they try and catch Minnesota for the elusive 2nd Wild Card spot in the American League. The Halos are only two back of the Twins in the loss column (same number of wins) and need to build off last night's success as the Twins are hosting Chicago this week, which means it will be difficult to make up ground. Thankfully, Oakland and its lousy 21-42 road record should help oblige.

Mike Trout sat out last night, but should be back in the lineup Tuesday. I certainly expect him to start improving upon his recent performance at the plate as he's 0 for his last 17, just one AB short of the longest hitless streak of his entire career! Maybe facing Oakland's Chad Smith will help. Smith because the oldest pitcher in A's franchise history to make his first career start, doing so at age 36 last month. He's still yet to win in seven tries and almost appears to be regressing as he's gone out four straight times w/o delivering a quality start. His strikeout numbers are very unimpressive and he's given up at least one HR in all but one of the seven starts.

Smith shouldn't expect much run support here either as Oakland doesn't even average 4.0 rpg on the road. They're one of the worst road teams in baseball in fact, currently being outscored by 1.3 rpg. The bullpen is bad, the offense is bad and they have a 36-year old journeyman starter on the mound. Meanwhile, the Angels turn to Troy Scribner, who has a 0.929 WHIP in three big league starts. Oakland managed only four hits yday and struck out 14 times. I look for a repeat of yesterday's result here.

[Can'tPickAWinner]

MLB
Dunkel

Tuesday, August 29


Detroit @ Colorado

Game 979-980
August 29, 2017 @ 8:40 pm

Dunkel Rating:
Detroit
(Fulmer) 14.245
Colorado
(Marquez) 15.750
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Colorado
by 1 1/2
9
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Colorado
-140
11
Dunkel Pick:
Colorado
(-140); Under

Oakland @ LA Angels

Game 977-978
August 29, 2017 @ 10:05 pm

Dunkel Rating:
Oakland
(Smith) 15.865
LA Angels
(Scribner) 14.702
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Oakland
by 1
11
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
LA Angels
-165
9 1/2
Dunkel Pick:
Oakland
(+145); Over

Tampa Bay @ Kansas City

Game 975-976
August 29, 2017 @ 8:15 pm

Dunkel Rating:
Tampa Bay
(Cobb) 16.001
Kansas City
(Junis) 12.604
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Tampa Bay
by 3 1/2
7
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Kansas City
-115
9 1/2
Dunkel Pick:
Tampa Bay
(-105); Under

Texas @ Houston

Game 973-974
August 29, 2017 @ 8:10 pm

Dunkel Rating:
Texas
(Perez) 16.432
Houston
(Fiers) 13.824
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Texas
by 2 1/2
6
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Texas
No Line
N/A
Dunkel Pick:
Texas
N/A

Chicago White Sox @ Minnesota

Game 971-972
August 29, 2017 @ 8:10 pm

Dunkel Rating:
Chicago White Sox
(Shields) 16.258
Minnesota
(Santana) 13.010
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Chicago White Sox
by 3
11
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Minnesota
-220
9
Dunkel Pick:
Chicago White Sox
(+185); Over

Boston @ Toronto

Game 969-970
August 29, 2017 @ 7:05 pm

Dunkel Rating:
Boston
(Sale) 15.616
Toronto
(Andrson) 13.919
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Boston
by 1 1/2
5
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Boston
-230
8 1/2
Dunkel Pick:
Boston
(-230); Under

Seattle @ Baltimore

Game 967-968
August 29, 2017 @ 7:05 pm

Dunkel Rating:
Seattle
(Ramirez) 14.667
Baltimore
(Bundy) 17.549
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Baltimore
by 3
11
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Baltimore
-140
9 1/2
Dunkel Pick:
Baltimore
(-140); Over

Cleveland @ NY Yankees

Game 965-966
August 29, 2017 @ 7:05 pm

Dunkel Rating:
Cleveland
(Bauer) 18.563
NY Yankees
(Garcia) 16.549
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Cleveland
by 2
12
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
NY Yankees
-115
9 1/2
Dunkel Pick:
Cleveland
(-105); Over

San Francisco @ San Diego

Game 963-964
August 29, 2017 @ 10:10 pm

Dunkel Rating:
San Francisco
(Moore) 14.943
San Diego
(Perdomo) 13.542
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
San Francisco
by 1 1/2
7
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
San Diego
-120
8
Dunkel Pick:
San Francisco
(+100); Under

LA Dodgers @ Arizona

Game 961-962
August 29, 2017 @ 9:40 pm

Dunkel Rating:
LA Dodgers
(Hill) 16.741
Arizona
(Godley) 13.706
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
LA Dodgers
by 3
7
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
LA Dodgers
-120
9
Dunkel Pick:
LA Dodgers
(-120); Under

Pittsburgh @ Chicago Cubs

Game 959-960
August 29, 2017 @ 8:05 pm

Dunkel Rating:
Pittsburgh
(Kuhl) 14.358
Chicago Cubs
(Arrieta) 16.839
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Chicago Cubs
by 2 1/2
12
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Chicago Cubs
-210
No Total
Dunkel Pick:
Chicago Cubs
(-210); N/A

St. Louis @ Milwaukee

Game 957-958
August 29, 2017 @ 7:40 pm

Dunkel Rating:
St. Louis
(Weaver) 14.294
Milwaukee
(Garza) 15.280
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Milwaukee
by 1
7
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Milwaukee
No Line
N/A
Dunkel Pick:
Milwaukee
N/A

NY Mets @ Cincinnati

Game 955-956
August 29, 2017 @ 7:10 pm

Dunkel Rating:
NY Mets
(Flexen) 12.662
Cincinnati
(Romano) 15.843
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Cincinnati
by 3
13
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Cincinnati
-160
10
Dunkel Pick:
Cincinnati
(-160); Over

Atlanta @ Philadelphia

Game 953-954
August 29, 2017 @ 7:05 pm

Dunkel Rating:
Atlanta
(Dickey) 15.654
Philadelphia
(Leiter) 12.808
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Atlanta
by 3
11
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Philadelphia
-115
9
Dunkel Pick:
Atlanta
(-105); Over

Miami @ Washington

Game 951-952
August 29, 2017 @ 7:05 pm

Dunkel Rating:
Miami
(Worley) 16.245
Washington
(Jackson) 14.485
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Miami
by 2
8
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Miami
No Line
N/A
Dunkel Pick:
Miami
N/A

[Can'tPickAWinner]

MLB

Tuesday, August 29

National League
Braves @ Phillies
Dickey is 2-1, 3.66 in his last five starts (under 4-1). Dickey is 1-0, 1.29 in two starts vs Philly this season. Atlanta is 4-6 in his road starts— their first 5-inning record with him: 12-9-4.

Leiter is 2-2, 4.45 in five starts this year (under 3-1-1). Phillies are 1-1 in his home starts— their first 5-inning record with him: 2-3

Braves lost four of last five games; over is 6-3 in their last nine road games. Phillies are 6-4 in last ten games; over is 8-5-1 in their last 14 games.

Marlins @ Nationals
Worley is 0-1, 8.78 in his last three starts; under is 3-1-1 in his last five. Miami is 3-2 in his road starts— their first 5-inning record with him: 4-4-2

Jackson is 2-1, 1.89 in his last three starts (under 6-1). Washington is 2-1 in his home starts— their first 5-inning record with him: 2-3-2

Marlins are 13-4 in last 17 games; over is 5-1 in their last six games. Washington is 12-6 in its last 18 games; their last four games went over.

Mets @ Reds
Flexen is 3-1, 4.09 in his last four starts, last three of which stayed under. Mets are 2-1 in his road starts— their first 5-inning record with him: 3-3

Romano is 1-0, 1.93 in his last two starts (under 6-4). Reds are 2-3 in his home starts— their first 5-inning record with him: 3-6-1

Mets are 4-11 in their last 15 games; their last three games went over. New York is 11-9 in road series openers. Cincinnati lost five of last seven games; under is 3-1 in their last four games. Reds are 11-10 in home series openers.

Cardinals @ Brewers
Weaver is 2-1, 2.95 in his first three MLB starts (under 2-1). St Louis won his only road start— their first 5-inning record with him: 2-1

Garza is 1-2, 10.50 in his last four starts; under is 7-2-1 in his last ten. Garza is 2-0, 4.22 vs St Louis this year. Milwaukee is 6-4 in his home starts— their first 5-inning record with him: 9-8-3

Cardinals lost six of last eight games; over is 7-1-1 in their last nine road games. St Louis is 8-12 in road series openers. Milwaukee won their last four home games; their last eight games stayed under. Brewers are 12-9 in home series openers.

Pirates @ Cubs
Kuhl is 1-2, 5.14 in his last three starts; under is 6-1-1 in his last eight. He is 0-1, 19.28 in two starts vs Chicago this year. Pirates are 3-8 in his road starts— their first 5-inning record with him: 13-10-3

Arrieta is 3-0, 2.22 in his last four starts, 0-2, 5.63 in three starts vs Pittsburgh. Over is 4-2-2 in his last eight starts— their first 5-inning record with him: 15-7-4

Pirates are 5-11 in last 16 games; over is 7-5-1 in their last 13 games. Cubs lost three of last five games; over is 8-5-1 in their last 14.

Dodgers @ Diamondbacks
Hill is 1-1, 3.24 in his last four starts; he had a no-hitter in 10th inning in his last start. Under is 4-2-1 in his last seven. Hill is 0-1, 2.70 in two starts vs Arizona this year. Dodgers are 5-3 in his road starts— their first 5-inning record with him: 9-6-4

Godley is 0-3, 5.06 in his last three starts; under is 3-1-2 in his last six. Godley is 0-1, 2.92 in two starts against the Dodgers this year. Arizona is 4-3 in his home starts— their first 5-inning record with him: 8-8-3

Dodgers are 4-4 in their last eight games; their last five games stayed under. LA is 11-2 in its last 13 road series openers. Arizona won six of last seven games; four of their last five games stayed under. Snakes are 15-6 in home series openers.

Giants @ Padres
Moore is 1-0, 2.21 in his last three starts; under is 3-1-1 in his last five. Giants are 2-10 in his road starts this year— their first 5-inning record with him: 3-17-6

Perdomo is 0-2, 6.00 in his last three starts; over is 5-2-1 in his last eight starts. Perdomo is 0-0, 5.25 in two starts vs SF this year. Padres are 6-5 in his home starts— their first 5-inning record with him: 10-9-4

Giants are 4-13 in last 17 road games; seven of their last eight games overall stayed under. Padres are 1-5 in their last six games; under is 9-2-1 in their last 12 games overall.

——————————–

American League
Indians @ New York
Bauer is 6-0, 2.58 in his last seven starts; under is 4-1-1 in his last six. Cleveland is 6-5 in his road starts— their first 5-inning record with him: 14-8-3

Garcia is 0-1, 7.32 in four starts for New York (under 3-1). New York won his only home start— their first 5-inning record with him: 0-3-1

Indians are 14-4 in their last 18 games; under is 7-3-1 in their last 11 road games. New York is 9-5 in its last 14 games; under is 8-3 in their last 11 home games.

Mariners @ Orioles
Ramirez is 1-0, 2.50 in his last three starts (over 3-2). Seattle is 3-1 in his road starts— their first 5-inning record with him: 4-1

Bundy is 4-0, 3.99 in his last six starts; over is 10-2 in his last 12 starts. Orioles scored 55 runs in his last six starts; they’re 9-3 in his home starts. O’s’ first 5-inning record with him: 14-8-2

Mariners are 3-5 in last eight games; over is 5-4 in their last nine games. Orioles won six of last seven games; six of their last nine games stayed under.

Red Sox @ Blue Jays
Sale is 0-2, 6.35 in his last three starts; under is 8-3 in his last 11. Boston is 10-5 in his road starts— their first 5-inning record with him: 13-6-7

Anderson is making his first start for Toronto; he was 2-2, 9.00 in six starts for the Cubs this year (over 4-2). Anderson is 40-45, 3.99 in 121 MLB starts.

Boston lost four of its last five games; under is 6-4 in its last ten games. Blue Jays lost eight of last ten games; under is 9-3 in their last 12 home games.

White Sox @ Twins
Shields is 0-0, 4.15 in his last three starts; his last four starts stayed under. Chicago is 2-5 in his road starts— their first 5-inning record with him: 3-9-3

Santana is 2-0, 4.09 in his last five starts; under is 5-2-2 in his last nine. Minnesota is 5-8 in his home starts— their first 5-inning record with him: 13-8-6

White Sox won four of last five games; their last six games stayed under. Chicago is 6-15 in road series openers. Minnesota won its last four home games; under is 5-1 in their last six games overall. Twins are 11-10 in home series openers.

Rays @ Royals
Cobb is 0-2, 6.08 in his last three starts; under is 7-2 in his last nine. Tampa Bay is 6-7 in his road starts— their first 5-inning record with him: 13-8-3

Junis is 2-0, 1.86 in his last three starts; over is 3-1 in his last four. Royals are 3-1 in his last four— their first 5-inning record with him: 5-4

Tampa Bay won six of last eight games; over is 5-2 in their last seven games. Royals lost their last five games; they haven’t scored a run in 43 innings. Under is 4-3 in their last seven games.

Rangers vs Astros (@ St Petersburg)
Perez is 4-0, 3.00 in his last four starts (under 3-1). Perez is 0-2, 14.04 vs Houston this year. Rangers’ first 5-inning record with him: 10-12-3

Fiers is 1-4, 6.61 in his last six starts; under is 2-0-1 in his last three. Fiers is 0-1, 9.90 in two starts vs Texas this year. Astros’ first 5-inning record with him: 11-11-3

This is series is in the Trop where the Rays normally play. Rangers lost four of last five games (over 4-1). Texas is 9-12 in series openers away from home. Houston won three of last four games; under is 7-2 in their last nine games. Astros are 15-6 in series openers away from home.

A’s @ Angels
Smith is 0-3, 5.67 in seven starts this year (under 5-1-1). Oakland is 1-2 in his road starts— their first 5-inning record with him: 2-4-1

Scribner is 1-1, 5.79 in three starts this year (under 2-1). Angels are 2-1 in his home starts— their first 5-inning record with him: 1-2

A’s won five of last eight games; under is 7-3 in their last ten games. Angels lost five of last eight games; under is 10-5 in their last 15.

__________________________

Interleague

Tigers @ Rockies
Fulmer is 0-5, 6.75 in his last six starts; under is 4-2-1 in his last seven road starts. Detroit is 4-7 in his road starts— their first 5-inning record with him: 11-10-3

Marquez is 1-1, 4.18 in his last five starts; under is 6-0-1 in his last seven. Colorado is 8-2 in his home starts— their first 5-inning record with him: 13-6-3

Tigers are 4-10 in last 14 games; their last four games stayed under. Colorado won three of its last five games; under is 4-1 in their last five games.

______________________________

Record with this pitcher starting:
National League
Atl-Phil: Dickey 13-12; Leiter 3-2
Mia-Wsh: Worley 7-3; Jackson 4-3
NY-Cin: Flexen 4-2; Romano 4-6
StL-Mil: Weaver 2-1; Garza 9-11
Pitt-Chi: Kuhl 10-16; Arrieta 14-12
SF-SD: Moore 8-18; Perdomo 10-13
LA-Az: Hill 11-5; Godley 11-8

American League
Clev-NY: Bauer 14-11; Garcia 2-2
Sea-Balt: Ramirez 3-2 (6-2); Bundy 16-8
Bos-Tor: Sale 18-8; Anderson 0-0 (3-3)
Chi-Min: Shields 6-9; Santana 15-11
Tex-Hst: Perez 11-14 (4-0 last 4); Fiers 14-11
TB-KC: Cobb 12-12; Junis 6-3
A’s-LAA: Smith 3-4; Scribner 2-1

Interleague
Det-Colo: Fulmer 12-12; Marquez 14-8

Pitchers allowing a run in first inning:
National League
Atl-Phil: Dickey 6-25; Leiter 2-5
Mia-Wsh: Worley 5-10; Jackson 3-7
NY-Cin: Flexen 3-6; Romano 3-10
StL-Mil: Weaver 1-3; Garza 6-20
Pitt-Chi: Kuhl 5-26; Arrieta 7-26
SF-SD: Moore 9-26; Perdomo 8-23
LA-Az: Hill 3-16; Godley 4-19

American League
Clev-NY: Bauer 4-25; Garcia 3-4
Sea-Balt: Ramirez 8-13; Bundy 4-24
Bos-Tor: Sale 2-26; Anderson 4-6
Chi-Min: Shields 5-15; Santana 5-26
Tex-Hst: Perez 11-25; Fiers 7-25
TB-KC: Cobb 4-24; Junis 3-9
A’s-LAA: Smith 3-7; Scribner 0-3

Interleague
Det-Colo: Fulmer 8-24; Marquez 6-22

_________________________

Umpires
National League
Atl-Phil: Four of last five Carapazza games went over.
Mia-Wsh: Five of last six Gibson games stayed under.
Pitt-Chi: Six of last seven Scheurwater games stayed under.
SF-SD: Underdogs are 8-8 (+$403) in last 16 Vanover games.

American League
Clev-NY: Over is 10-3 in last thirteen Hoberg games.
Sea-Balt: Over is 15-3-2 in last 20 Gonzalez games.
Bos-Tor: Six of last eight Tumpane games went over.
TB-KC: Six of last seven Estabrook games stayed under.
A’s-LAA: Under is 11-6 in last 17 Foster games.

Interleague
Det-Colo: Underdogs won last three Everitt games.

Interleague play
NL @ AL– 76-55 AL, favorites +$103
AL @ NL– 70-64 NL, favorites +$179
Total: 140-125 AL, favorites +$282

Totals in interleague games
NL @ AL: Over 65-65-3
AL @ NL: Over 71-57-7
Total: Over 136-122-10

Teams’ records in first five innings:
Team (road-home-total)- thru 8/28/17
Ariz 25-26-16……34-21–11……..59-47
Atl 23-31-9……23-35-7………..46-66
Cubs 30-30-7…….30-21-12………60-51
Reds 21-37-7……..24-35–7……….45-72
Colo 34-27-6…….34-25-4………..68-52
LA 30-19-12…….41-20-7……….71-39
Miami 28-30-8…….33-22-9………61-52
Milw 33-24-9…….31-26-8……….63-50
Mets 30-30-3……..25-36-6……..55-66
Philly 15-38-14……26-29-8……….41-67
Pitt 30-31-5…….26-28-11………57-59
St. Louis 25-28-8……35-24-9…………60-52
SD 20-39-8……..30-26–8……….50-65
SF 14-43-9……..27-28-11……….41-71
Wash 39-20-6……30-27-8………….69-47

Orioles 27-33-5……..29-31-5………56-64
Boston 29-29-8………30-33-2……..59-62
White Sox 21-35-9………24-36–4……..45-70
Cleveland 35-23-7……..31-24-8………66-47
Detroit 25-33-9…….27-29-8……..52-62
Astros 32-23-9……..40-24-4……..72-47
KC 24-30-9……..26-27-12…….50-57
Angels 25-31-8………28-26-13……..53-57
Twins 37-19-10………28-31-7……..65-49
NYY 28-36-6……….33-24-4…..…61-60
A’s 23-33-7……..28-30-11……..51-63
Seattle 26-34-8……..34-22-9………60-56
TB 33-23-10……..36-21-8……..69-44
Texas 30-24-11……..32-24-8………62-48
Toronto 24-36-4……..27-31-8……..51-67

%age of times teams score in first inning (road/home/total- 8/28/17)
Ariz 20-65……..22-64………..42
Atl 13-62……….18-66……….31
Cubs 18-67……..23-63………..41
Reds 24-65……..25-65……….49
Colo 17-67……..23-63..………40
LA 18-61……..24-67..……..42
Miami 28-66……..23-64………51
Milw 22-66……25-66…..…..47
Mets 27-63……..22-67……….49
Philly 16-67……..20-64……….36
Pitt 19-66……..21-66……….40
StL 13-62……..21-67………..34
SD 23-67……….20-63……….43
SF 15-67……….20-66……….35
Wash 25-65……..26-65……….51

Orioles 15-66……..20-66……….35
Boston 20-66……..14-65……….34
White Sox 21-65……16-64………..37
Clev 16-65……..21-65……….37
Detroit 16-66…….26-64………42
Astros 19-64……..26-67……….45
KC 16-64……..13-67……….29
Angels 23-66……..18-68………..41
Twins 15-64……..14-65……….29
NYY 16-69……..17-61……….33
A’s 15-63……..26-69………41
Seattle 21-68…….22-66………43
TB 20-66……..23-67……….43
Texas 25-66……..27-64………52
Toronto 22-64……..19-69………41

[Can'tPickAWinner]

MLB

Tuesday, August 29

Trend Report

7:05 PM
CLEVELAND vs. NY YANKEES
Cleveland is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games
Cleveland is 8-15 SU in their last 23 games when playing on the road against NY Yankees
The total has gone OVER in 5 of NY Yankees's last 7 games
NY Yankees are 3-7 SU in their last 10 games when playing at home against Cleveland

7:05 PM
ATLANTA vs. PHILADELPHIA
The total has gone OVER in 16 of Atlanta's last 22 games on the road
Atlanta is 0-5 SU in its last 5 games when playing on the road against Philadelphia
Philadelphia is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games when playing Atlanta
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Philadelphia's last 6 games when playing Atlanta

7:05 PM
SEATTLE vs. BALTIMORE
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Seattle's last 5 games when playing on the road against Baltimore
Seattle is 6-13 SU in its last 19 games when playing on the road against Baltimore
The total has gone UNDER in 6 of Baltimore's last 9 games
Baltimore is 6-3 SU in its last 9 games at home

7:05 PM
MIAMI vs. WASHINGTON
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Miami's last 6 games on the road
Miami is 4-2 SU in its last 6 games on the road
Washington is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games when playing Miami
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Washington's last 5 games at home

7:07 PM
BOSTON vs. TORONTO
Boston is 17-8 SU in its last 25 games
Boston is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games when playing on the road against Toronto
Toronto is 0-5 SU in its last 5 games when playing at home against Boston
Toronto is 2-7 SU in its last 9 games when playing Boston

7:10 PM
NY METS vs. CINCINNATI
NY Mets are 5-0 SU in its last 5 games when playing Cincinnati
The total has gone OVER in 5 of NY Mets's last 7 games when playing on the road against Cincinnati
Cincinnati is 2-4 SU in its last 6 games at home
The total has gone OVER in 8 of Cincinnati's last 11 games at home

7:10 PM
TEXAS vs. HOUSTON
Texas is 4-2 SU in its last 6 games when playing Houston
Texas is 2-4 SU in its last 6 games on the road
The total has gone UNDER in 7 of Houston's last 10 games
Houston is 2-4 SU in its last 6 games when playing Texas

7:40 PM
ST. LOUIS vs. MILWAUKEE
The total has gone OVER in 15 of St. Louis's last 20 games
St. Louis is 2-6 SU in its last 8 games
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Milwaukee's last 5 games at home
The total has gone UNDER in 13 of Milwaukee's last 19 games at home

8:05 PM
PITTSBURGH vs. CHI CUBS
Pittsburgh is 2-6 SU in its last 8 games on the road
The total has gone UNDER in 7 of Pittsburgh's last 9 games on the road
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Chi Cubs's last 6 games when playing Pittsburgh
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Chi Cubs's last 6 games at home

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

8:15 PM
TAMPA BAY vs. KANSAS CITY
Tampa Bay is 5-15 SU in its last 20 games when playing Kansas City
Tampa Bay is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Kansas City's last 5 games when playing Tampa Bay
Kansas City is 15-5 SU in its last 20 games when playing Tampa Bay

8:40 PM
DETROIT vs. COLORADO
Detroit is 6-16 SU in its last 22 games
Detroit is 3-9 SU in its last 12 games when playing on the road against Colorado
Colorado is 3-6 SU in its last 9 games
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Colorado's last 6 games when playing Detroit

9:40 PM
LA DODGERS vs. ARIZONA
LA Dodgers are 6-1 SU in their last 7 games when playing Arizona
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of LA Dodgers's last 5 games
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Arizona's last 5 games
Arizona is 1-6 SU in their last 7 games when playing LA Dodgers

10:07 PM
OAKLAND vs. LA ANGELS
The total has gone UNDER in 7 of Oakland's last 10 games
Oakland is 4-2 SU in its last 6 games
LA Angels are 8-2 SU in their last 10 games when playing at home against Oakland
LA Angels are 2-4 SU in their last 6 games

10:10 PM
SAN FRANCISCO vs. SAN DIEGO
San Francisco is 2-4 SU in its last 6 games
The total has gone UNDER in 7 of San Francisco's last 8 games
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of San Diego's last 6 games at home
San Diego is 1-4 SU in its last 5 games at home

[Can'tPickAWinner]

WNBA Betting Recap - 8/21-8/27

League Betting Notes (Monday, Aug. 21 through Sunday, Aug. 27)

-- Favorites went 8-6 straight up (SU)
-- Underdogs went 8-6 against the spread (ATS)
-- Home teams posted a 10-4 SU record
-- Home teams posted an 8-6 ATS record
-- The 'under' went 9-4-1

Team Betting Notes

-- Atlanta (12-20) must’ve received the wake-up call last week as the team captured not one but two straight victories after dropping nine consecutive games. Closing the season with three or four in a row might be tough knowing the Dream end with road games at Los Angeles on Friday and Phoenix on Sunday.

-- Chicago (12-19) snapped its two-game losing skid on Friday with a 96-83 win at Connecticut as an eye-opening 10-point road underdog. Unfortunately the club followed that performance up with a 92-62 setback at New York on Sunday afternoon. Including those results, the Sky are now 8-8 on the road opposed to 4-11 at home. The ‘over’ has gone 5-1 in their last six games.

-- After rolling off a handful of easy wins, Connecticut (20-11) struggled to a 1-1 record last week and it burned bettors twice at the betting counter. They are 0-4 ATS in their last four games when laying more than eight points and that’s something to keep an eye. The Sun will likely be the third or fourth seed in the playoffs but closing with their last three games on the road won’t be easy, especially with two on the West Coast (Phoenix, Los Angeles).

-- Dallas (15-17) went 1-1 last week and still sits in the eighth and final playoff spot in the WNBA. The Wings did go 2-0 ATS last week and is 5-2 over its last seven games. The club visits Chicago on Wednesday before hosting New York in the season finale on Sunday.

-- Indiana (9-23) couldn’t stop the bleeding this week as it dropped two more games and saw its losing skid reach six games. They did manage to cover in Saturday’s 79-74 loss at Atlanta as a 10-point road underdog. The ‘under’ cashed in both games. The club welcomes Minnesota on Wednesday before closing the season at home against San Antonio, which could be a winnable game.

-- Los Angeles (24-8) looks like it’s ready for the playoffs. The club went 2-0 last week and has now won five in a row and all of the victories have come by double digits. The Sparks are 5-0 ATS during this run and Sunday’s wire-to-wire home victory over Minnesota made a serious statement. The ‘under’ went 2-0 last week and is 7-1 over the last eight for Los Angeles. The club finishes the season with two home games versus Atlanta and Connecticut.

-- The Lynx (24-7) went 1-1 last week and the setback came on Sunday at Los Angeles. Minnesota still owns the top overall seed in the playoffs but will likely have to win out to lock up homecourt in the postseason. A trip to Indiana on Wednesday is followed with home games versus Chicago and Washington over the weekend.

-- Stop the presses in New York (20-12) because the Liberty cannot be stopped! The club extended its winning streak to eight straight games last week by going 3-0 both SU and ATS. The defense continues to be lights our and they held teams to 50, 66 and 62 points during this week’s action. The ‘under’ cashed in all of those games and is 7-0-1 during their winning streak. The club closes the season with winnable games versus San Antonio and at Dallas this week.

-- Phoenix (16-16) started the week with back-to-back losses and the offense (69, 67) looked dismal in both efforts. It didn’t improve much on Sunday but the Mercury snapped a three-game losing skid with a 75-71 win at Seattle as a five-point home underdog. Phoenix finishes the season home games versus Connecticut on Friday before Atlanta visits on Sunday. The Mercury are currently slated for the sixth seed in the playoffs but could improve to the fifth or possibly drop to as low as the eighth.

-- San Antonio (7-25) wasn’t expected to win this week as it was listed as double-digit underdogs against the top two teams in the WNBA. The Stars lost at Los Angeles by 20 on Tuesday before dropping their home finale to Minnesota by 19. The club will finish the season with a pair of road games at New York and Indiana this week.

-- The Storm (14-18) went 0-2 both SU and ATS last week as a favorite and both outcomes were decided by six points or less. Those setbacks came after the club ripped off four straight wins. Seattle (14-18) hasn’t technically clinched a playoff spot yet but it needs one win over its final two games or at least one loss by Chicago in their three games. Coincidentally, the pair play in “The Windy City” on Sunday evening.

-- Washington (17-14) will be participating in this year’s postseason and an early exit wouldn’t be surprising. The Mystics lost two games last week and they’re 1-4 over their last five games. They failed to over the spread in any of the setbacks and even the return of All-Star Elena Delle Donne might be enough to get the club on track. She returned from a six-game absence this week and dropped 15 and 29 in the losses. Washington finishes with three games this week, two at home and the season finale at Minnesota on Sunday.

[Can'tPickAWinner]

WNBA
Dunkel

Tuesday, August 29

Connecticut @ Washington

Game 629-630
August 29, 2017 @ 7:30 pm

Dunkel Rating:
Connecticut
111.359
Washington
110.486
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Connecticut
by 1
159
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Connecticut
by 2 1/2
169 1/2
Dunkel Pick:
Washington
(+2 1/2); Under

[Can'tPickAWinner]

WNBA
Long Sheet

Tuesday, August 29

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

CONNECTICUT (20 - 11) at WASHINGTON (17 - 14) - 8/29/2017, 7:35 PM
Top Trends for this game.
CONNECTICUT is 40-24 ATS (+13.6 Units) in all games over the last 2 seasons.
CONNECTICUT is 11-3 ATS (+7.7 Units) in road games this season.
CONNECTICUT is 11-3 ATS (+7.7 Units) in a road game where where the total is greater than or equal to 150 this season.
CONNECTICUT is 9-2 ATS (+6.8 Units) when playing with 3 or more days rest this season.
CONNECTICUT is 11-4 ATS (+6.6 Units) vs. division opponents this season.
CONNECTICUT is 11-3 ATS (+7.7 Units) after a division game this season.
CONNECTICUT is 16-8 ATS (+7.2 Units) after allowing 75 points or more this season.
CONNECTICUT is 17-6 ATS (+10.4 Units) after a loss by 10 points or more over the last 3 seasons.
CONNECTICUT is 33-19 ATS (+12.1 Units) after scoring 75 points or more over the last 2 seasons.
CONNECTICUT is 30-18 ATS (+10.2 Units) versus poor defensive teams - allowing 77+ points/game over the last 2 seasons.
CONNECTICUT is 31-17 ATS (+12.3 Units) versus good offensive teams - scoring 77+ points/game over the last 2 seasons.
WASHINGTON is 308-367 ATS (-95.7 Units) in all games since 1997.
WASHINGTON is 0-11 ATS (-12.1 Units) as an underdog this season.
WASHINGTON is 58-83 ATS (-33.3 Units) when playing with 2 days rest since 1997.
WASHINGTON is 3-11 ATS (-9.1 Units) revenging a loss versus opponent this season.
WASHINGTON is 2-9 ATS (-7.9 Units) when playing against a team with a winning record this season.

Head-to-Head Series History
CONNECTICUT is 5-3 against the spread versus WASHINGTON over the last 3 seasons
WASHINGTON is 6-3 straight up against CONNECTICUT over the last 3 seasons
6 of 9 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons

[Can'tPickAWinner]

WNBA

Tuesday, August 29

Trend Report

7:30 PM
CONNECTICUT vs. WASHINGTON
Connecticut is 5-13-1 SU in its last 19 games ,when playing Washington
Connecticut is 2-4 ATS in its last 6 games
Washington13-2-1 SU in its last 16 games when playing at home against Connecticut
Washington is 2-3-1 SU in its last 6 games ,at home

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Chase Diamond (Gave this out as a free play)

Chase's 15* DIAMOND DOG

Seattle vs. Baltimore, 08/29/2017 19:05 EDT

Money Line: +122 Seattle

Sportsbook:
Bookmaker

This game features the 66-66 Mariners and the 66-65 Orioles. Orioles took game 1 and hold a .5 game lead in the race for the final wild card where both these teams are in reach of. Erasmo Ramirez is just as good as Dylan Bundy and I think the Mariners flat out are better and are 15-3 83% in their last 18 versus the Orioles. I will take the plus money and the Mariners tonight for a 15* winner.

[Can'tPickAWinner]

MLB
Long Sheet

Tuesday, August 29

MIAMI (66 - 64) at WASHINGTON (79 - 51) - 7:05 PM
VANCE WORLEY (R) vs. EDWIN JACKSON (R)
There are no Top Trends with records of significance that apply to this game.

Head-to-Head Series History
MIAMI is 6-8 (+0.1 Units) against WASHINGTON this season
7 of 14 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL this season . (Over=-0.8 Units, Under=-0.7 Units)
VANCE WORLEY vs. WASHINGTON since 1997
WORLEY is 4-2 when starting against WASHINGTON with an ERA of 2.61 and a WHIP of 1.158.
His team's record is 4-2 (+1.7 units) in these starts. The OVER is 4-2. (+1.8 units)
EDWIN JACKSON vs. MIAMI since 1997
JACKSON is 1-7 when starting against MIAMI with an ERA of 6.04 and a WHIP of 1.657.
His team's record is 2-7 (-6.5 units) in these starts. The UNDER is 4-2. (+1.9 units)

ATLANTA (57 - 72) at PHILADELPHIA (49 - 81) - 7:05 PM
R.A. DICKEY (R) vs. MARK LEITER JR. (R)
Top Trends for this game.
ATLANTA is 3-10 (-9.5 Units) against the money line when playing against a team with a losing record in the second half of the season this season.
ATLANTA is 65-79 (+22.2 Units) against the money line in road games over the last 2 seasons.
ATLANTA is 47-51 (+23.2 Units) against the money line in road games in night games over the last 2 seasons.
ATLANTA is 52-57 (+21.6 Units) against the money line in road games against right-handed starters over the last 2 seasons.
ATLANTA is 95-81 (+22.7 Units) against the money line in road games after 3 or more consecutive losses since 1997.
PHILADELPHIA is 49-81 (-19.9 Units) against the money line in all games this season.
PHILADELPHIA is 14-31 (-15.2 Units) against the money line when the total is 9 to 9.5 this season.
PHILADELPHIA is 0-8 (-8.3 Units) against the money line in home games when playing on Tuesday this season.
PHILADELPHIA is 26-57 (-25.1 Units) against the money line in night games this season.
PHILADELPHIA is 31-62 (-25.8 Units) against the money line against right-handed starters this season.

Head-to-Head Series History
PHILADELPHIA is 12-2 (+11.2 Units) against ATLANTA this season
10 of 14 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL this season . (Under=+5.8 Units)
R.A. DICKEY vs. PHILADELPHIA since 1997
DICKEY is 6-5 when starting against PHILADELPHIA with an ERA of 2.76 and a WHIP of 1.229.
His team's record is 9-6 (+3.8 units) in these starts. The OVER is 7-8. (-1.7 units)
MARK LEITER JR. vs. ATLANTA since 1997
No recent starts.

NY METS (57 - 73) at CINCINNATI (55 - 76) - 7:10 PM
CHRIS FLEXEN (R) vs. SAL ROMANO (R)
Top Trends for this game.
NY METS are 57-73 (-23.8 Units) against the money line in all games this season.
NY METS are 45-53 (-15.7 Units) against the money line against right-handed starters this season.
CINCINNATI is 47-50 (+5.4 Units) against the money line against right-handed starters this season.
NY METS are 431-443 (+37.2 Units) against the money line in road games after a loss since 1997.
NY METS are 22-13 (+9.6 Units) against the money line in road games when playing against a team with a losing record this season.
NY METS are 219-168 (+40.4 Units) against the money line in road games when playing against a team with a losing record in the second half of the season since 1997.
CINCINNATI is 2-12 (-11.1 Units) against the money line at home when the total is 10 to 10.5 over the last 2 seasons.
CINCINNATI is 401-368 (-85.3 Units) against the money line in home games when playing against a team with a losing record since 1997.

Head-to-Head Series History
There were no past matchups in this series during this time period.

CHRIS FLEXEN vs. CINCINNATI since 1997
No recent starts.
SAL ROMANO vs. NY METS since 1997
No recent starts.
ST LOUIS (65 - 65) at MILWAUKEE (68 - 63) - 7:40 PM
LUKE WEAVER (R) vs. MATT GARZA (R)
There are no Top Trends with records of significance that apply to this game.

Head-to-Head Series History
MILWAUKEE is 8-6 (+3.8 Units) against ST LOUIS this season
8 of 13 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL this season . (Over=+2.6 Units)
LUKE WEAVER vs. MILWAUKEE since 1997
WEAVER is 1-1 when starting against MILWAUKEE with an ERA of 2.95 and a WHIP of 0.927.
His team's record is 1-2 (-2.2 units) in these starts. The UNDER is 2-0. (+2.0 units)
MATT GARZA vs. ST LOUIS since 1997
GARZA is 7-5 when starting against ST LOUIS with an ERA of 4.01 and a WHIP of 1.427.
His team's record is 8-8 (+1.6 units) in these starts. The OVER is 8-8. (-0.2 units)

PITTSBURGH (63 - 69) at CHICAGO CUBS (70 - 60) - 8:05 PM
CHAD KUHL (R) vs. JAKE ARRIETA (R)
Top Trends for this game.
PITTSBURGH is 92-112 (-33.6 Units) against the money line against division opponents over the last 3 seasons.
PITTSBURGH is 39-50 (-14.2 Units) against the money line in night games this season.
PITTSBURGH is 105-124 (-31.7 Units) against the money line against right-handed starters over the last 2 seasons.
PITTSBURGH is 67-84 (-23.0 Units) against the money line after a loss over the last 2 seasons.
PITTSBURGH is 117-127 (+26.5 Units) against the money line in road games when playing on Tuesday since 1997.
CHICAGO CUBS are 70-60 (-19.3 Units) against the money line in all games this season.
CHICAGO CUBS are 35-28 (-12.5 Units) against the money line in home games this season.
CHICAGO CUBS are 274-323 (-69.5 Units) against the money line in August games since 1997.
CHICAGO CUBS are 237-274 (-69.8 Units) against the money line when playing on Tuesday since 1997.
CHICAGO CUBS are 415-376 (-85.3 Units) against the money line in home games against division opponents since 1997.
CHICAGO CUBS are 50-50 (-27.1 Units) against the money line against right-handed starters this season.
CHICAGO CUBS are 34-35 (-18.6 Units) against the money line after a win this season.
CHICAGO CUBS are 818-771 (-161.3 Units) against the money line when playing against a team with a losing record since 1997.
CHICAGO CUBS are 245-201 (-48.7 Units) against the money line in home games when playing against a team with a losing record in the second half of the season since 1997.

Head-to-Head Series History
PITTSBURGH is 7-6 (+5.1 Units) against CHICAGO CUBS this season
8 of 13 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL this season . (Under=+2.6 Units)
CHAD KUHL vs. CHICAGO CUBS since 1997
KUHL is 0-3 when starting against CHICAGO CUBS with an ERA of 13.20 and a WHIP of 2.733.
His team's record is 2-3 (+0.3 units) in these starts. The UNDER is 1-4. (-3.5 units)
JAKE ARRIETA vs. PITTSBURGH since 1997
ARRIETA is 10-5 when starting against PITTSBURGH with an ERA of 2.94 and a WHIP of 0.956.
His team's record is 13-6 (+3.6 units) in these starts. The OVER is 8-10. (-2.4 units)

CHI WHITE SOX (52 - 77) at MINNESOTA (67 - 63) - 8:10 PM
JAMES SHIELDS (R) vs. ERVIN SANTANA (R)
Top Trends for this game.
MINNESOTA is 67-63 (+7.9 Units) against the money line in all games this season.
MINNESOTA is 45-34 (+13.2 Units) against the money line in night games this season.
MINNESOTA is 49-44 (+8.2 Units) against the money line against right-handed starters this season.
SANTANA is 44-24 (+16.3 Units) against the money line in August games since 1997. (Team's Record)
CHI WHITE SOX are 405-411 (+36.1 Units) against the money line in road games after a win since 1997.
MINNESOTA is 61-86 (-28.5 Units) against the money line in home games over the last 2 seasons.
MINNESOTA is 8-19 (-12.9 Units) against the money line in home games when playing with a day off over the last 2 seasons.
MINNESOTA is 52-80 (-19.2 Units) against the money line against division opponents over the last 2 seasons.
MINNESOTA is 24-36 (-16.2 Units) against the money line in home games after a win over the last 2 seasons.
SANTANA is 10-18 (-11.6 Units) against the money line in home games over the last 2 seasons. (Team's Record)

Head-to-Head Series History
MINNESOTA is 9-7 (+0.1 Units) against CHI WHITE SOX this season
11 of 15 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL this season . (Under=+6.8 Units)
JAMES SHIELDS vs. MINNESOTA since 1997
SHIELDS is 8-8 when starting against MINNESOTA with an ERA of 4.21 and a WHIP of 1.454.
His team's record is 12-11 (-2.4 units) in these starts. The UNDER is 11-12. (-2.8 units)
ERVIN SANTANA vs. CHI WHITE SOX since 1997
SANTANA is 11-9 when starting against CHI WHITE SOX with an ERA of 3.83 and a WHIP of 1.232.
His team's record is 14-12 (-0.2 units) in these starts. The OVER is 15-10. (+4.4 units)

TAMPA BAY (66 - 67) at KANSAS CITY (64 - 66) - 8:15 PM
ALEX COBB (R) vs. JAKE JUNIS (R)
Top Trends for this game.
TAMPA BAY is 134-160 (-32.1 Units) against the money line in all games over the last 2 seasons.
KANSAS CITY is 64-66 (+4.4 Units) against the money line in all games this season.
KANSAS CITY is 81-57 (+23.2 Units) against the money line at home when the money line is +125 to -125 over the last 3 seasons.
KANSAS CITY is 82-65 (+15.5 Units) against the money line in home games over the last 2 seasons.
KANSAS CITY is 49-46 (+7.7 Units) against the money line against right-handed starters this season.
TAMPA BAY is 9-1 (+9.6 Units) against the money line in road games when playing on Tuesday this season.
TAMPA BAY is 23-19 (+8.1 Units) against the money line in road games in night games this season.
KANSAS CITY is 278-394 (-107.0 Units) against the money line at home when the total is 9 to 9.5 since 1997.

Head-to-Head Series History
KANSAS CITY is 3-2 (+1.9 Units) against TAMPA BAY this season
4 of 5 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL this season . (Over=+3.0 Units)
ALEX COBB vs. KANSAS CITY since 1997
COBB is 1-2 when starting against KANSAS CITY with an ERA of 4.55 and a WHIP of 1.389.
His team's record is 2-3 (-1.3 units) in these starts. The UNDER is 2-3. (-1.6 units)
JAKE JUNIS vs. TAMPA BAY since 1997
No recent starts.

OAKLAND (58 - 73) at LA ANGELS (67 - 65) - 10:05 PM
CHRIS SMITH (R) vs. TROY SCRIBNER (R)
Top Trends for this game.
OAKLAND is 195-260 (-53.8 Units) against the money line in all games over the last 3 seasons.
OAKLAND is 21-42 (-14.9 Units) against the money line in road games this season.
OAKLAND is 50-80 (-21.7 Units) against the money line against division opponents over the last 2 seasons.
OAKLAND is 32-49 (-11.9 Units) against the money line in night games this season.
OAKLAND is 65-101 (-28.9 Units) against the money line after a loss over the last 2 seasons.
LA ANGELS are 67-65 (+8.9 Units) against the money line in all games this season.
LA ANGELS are 27-19 (+11.7 Units) against the money line when the total is 9 to 9.5 this season.
LA ANGELS are 15-5 (+12.2 Units) against the money line when playing on Tuesday this season.
LA ANGELS are 51-47 (+7.4 Units) against the money line in night games this season.
LA ANGELS are 26-15 (+11.9 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.

Head-to-Head Series History
LA ANGELS is 8-6 (+1.0 Units) against OAKLAND this season
9 of 14 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL this season . (Under=+3.5 Units)
CHRIS SMITH vs. LA ANGELS since 1997
No recent starts.
TROY SCRIBNER vs. OAKLAND since 1997
SCRIBNER is 0-0 when starting against OAKLAND with an ERA of 4.50 and a WHIP of 1.500.
His team's record is 1-0 (+1.0 units) in these starts. The OVER is 1-0. (+1.0 units)

DETROIT (57 - 73) at COLORADO (71 - 60) - 8:40 PM
MICHAEL FULMER (R) vs. GERMAN MARQUEZ (R)
Top Trends for this game.
DETROIT is 57-73 (-15.9 Units) against the money line in all games this season.
DETROIT is 331-421 (-94.6 Units) against the money line on the road when the money line is +125 to -125 since 1997.
DETROIT is 33-53 (-19.6 Units) against the money line in night games this season.
DETROIT is 38-55 (-15.7 Units) against the money line against right-handed starters this season.
DETROIT is 21-34 (-15.3 Units) against the money line after a win this season.
COLORADO is 71-60 (+9.1 Units) against the money line in all games this season.
COLORADO is 33-26 (+7.8 Units) against the money line after a loss this season.
FULMER is 31-19 (+11.9 Units) against the money line in all games over the last 2 seasons. (Team's Record)
COLORADO is 68-70 (-17.0 Units) against the money line when playing against a team with a losing record over the last 2 seasons.
COLORADO is 32-37 (-14.7 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.

Head-to-Head Series History
DETROIT is 1-0 (+1.7 Units) against COLORADO this season
1 of 1 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL this season . (Under=+1.0 Units)
MICHAEL FULMER vs. COLORADO since 1997
No recent starts.
GERMAN MARQUEZ vs. DETROIT since 1997
No recent starts.

TEXAS (64 - 66) at HOUSTON (79 - 51) - 8:10 PM
MARTIN PEREZ (L) vs. MICHAEL FIERS (R)
There are no Top Trends with records of significance that apply to this game.

Head-to-Head Series History
HOUSTON is 8-5 (+1.2 Units) against TEXAS this season
6 of 11 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL this season . (Under=+0.4 Units)
MARTIN PEREZ vs. HOUSTON since 1997
PEREZ is 5-4 when starting against HOUSTON with an ERA of 3.05 and a WHIP of 1.277.
His team's record is 6-4 (+3.0 units) in these starts. The OVER is 2-8. (-6.4 units)
MICHAEL FIERS vs. TEXAS since 1997
FIERS is 0-2 when starting against TEXAS with an ERA of 6.85 and a WHIP of 1.433.
His team's record is 1-3 (-3.2 units) in these starts. The UNDER is 1-2. (-1.2 units)

[New York Knight]

GAME: Cleveland Indians (74-56) at New York Yankees (70-60)
DATE/TIME: Tuesday, August 29 - 7:05 PM EST
WHERE: Yankee Stadium, Bronx, New York
LINE: N/A TOTAL: N/A

Preview: Indians at Yankees
Gracenote
Aug 29, 2017

The Cleveland Indians no longer seem content to win the American League Central - it looks like they're aiming at the AL's best record. The Indians will try to push their latest winning streak to six and draw closer to the AL-leading Houston Astros when they visit the New York Yankees for the second of a three-game series on Tuesday.

Cleveland (74-56) enjoys a seven-game lead over the Minnesota Twins (67-63) in the Central and is within five games of the Astros (79-51) after polishing off a 6-2 victory over the Yankees behind ace Corey Kluber on Monday. The Indians pitching staff allowed a total of eight runs in the last five games, including three consecutive shutouts of the Kansas City Royals over the weekend. The Yankees dropped back to 3 1/2 games behind the AL East-leading Boston Red Sox with Monday's setback but still hold onto the top wild card spot. New York, which hosts Boston in a four-game series beginning on Thursday, will try to even the series against Cleveland behind left-hander Jaime Garcia while the Indians counter with righty Trevor Bauer.

TV: 7:05 p.m. ET, MLB Network, STO (Cleveland), YES (New York)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Indians RH Trevor Bauer (13-8, 4.59 ERA) vs. Yankees LH Jaime Garcia (5-8, 4.52)

Bauer has not lost since July 16 but had a string of seven straight appearances allowing three or fewer runs come to an end against Boston on Thursday. The UCLA product allowed four runs on seven hits and three walks over 5 1/3 innings but struck out eight and got enough help from his offense to earn the win. Bauer was sharp against New York in Aug. 4, scattering one run and seven hits across seven innings to earn a win.

Garcia is still looking for his first win since joining the Yankees and failed to complete six innings in any of his first four turns with the team. The 31-year-old allowed four runs - two earned - on five hits and three walks in four innings without factoring in the decision at Detroit on Thursday. Garcia's lone loss in the last four turns came at Cleveland on Aug. 4, when he was reached for six runs - five earned - on five hits and four walks across 4 2/3 innings in his New York debut.

WALK-OFFS

1. The top six hitters in the Yankees lineup combined to go 0-for-22 on Monday.

2. Indians 2B/3B Jose Ramirez homered twice on Monday to reach 20 for the first time in his career.

3. Cleveland 1B Carlos Santana homered in each of the last three games.

PREDICTION: Indians 4, Yankees 3

[New York Knight]

GAME: Miami Marlins (66-64) at Washington Nationals (79-51)
DATE/TIME: Tuesday, August 29 - 7:05 PM EST
WHERE: Nationals Park, Washington, District of Columbia
LINE: N/A TOTAL: N/A

Preview: Marlins at Nationals
Gracenote
Aug 29, 2017

The healthier the Washington Nationals become, the scarier they get. The Nationals will try to ride their improving lineup to another win when they host the Miami Marlins in the second of a three-game series on Tuesday.

The Nationals have an injury list filled with enough key players - Bryce Harper, Trea Turner, Adam Eaton - to anchor any lineup but finally got one big bat back on Monday, when Jayson Werth (foot) played for the first time since June 3 and homered among two hits in support of Max Scherzer, who came off the disabled list and tossed seven strong innings in an 11-2 win. Washington, which expects to get Harper and Turner back soon, owns a 13-game lead over the Marlins in the National League East. Miami is trying to ride the hot bat of Giancarlo Stanton back into the wild card race in the NL, but is still 4 1/2 games behind the Colorado Rockies with Monday’s setback. The Marlins will try to stymie Werth and company with Vance Worley on Tuesday while the Nationals counter with Edwin Jackson.

TV: 7:05 p.m. ET, FSN Florida (Miami), MASN (Washington)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Marlins RH Vance Worley (2-3, 5.70 ERA) vs. Nationals RH Edwin Jackson (4-3, 3.38)

Worley will be trying to complete six innings for the first time since Aug. 8 at Washington and is coming off a dud at Philadelphia. The 29-year-old was ripped for eight runs and nine hits - two homers - in four innings. Worley picked up back-to-back wins over the Nationals on Aug. 2 and 8, allowing a total of one run in 13 innings.

Jackson has been a welcome addition to the rotation since joining the team last month and owns a 2.93 ERA in seven starts with Washington. The 33-year-old surrendered a total of four runs in 19 innings over his last three starts but had to settle for a loss at Houston on Wednesday, when he received only one run of support. He has so far kept Stanton in the park, but the Marlins slugger is 4-for-9 with three RBIs and three walks against Jackson in his career.

WALK-OFFS

1. Stanton on Monday was named NL Player of the Week after collecting five homers and 11 RBIs in seven games last week.

2. Nationals UTIL Howie Kendrick is 7-for-12 in his last three starts.

3. Turner (wrist) could be activated as early as Tuesday.

PREDICTION: Nationals 7, Marlins 4

[New York Knight]

GAME: Atlanta Braves (57-72) at Philadelphia Phillies (49-81)
DATE/TIME: Tuesday, August 29 - 7:05 PM EST
WHERE: Citizens Bank Park, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
LINE: N/A TOTAL: N/A

Preview: Braves at Phillies
Gracenote
Aug 29, 2017

Rhys Hoskins did not hit a home run Monday, but the rookie sensation nonetheless delivered another big blow and his Philadelphia Phillies look to continue their dominance over the visiting Atlanta Braves on Tuesday. Hoskins’ streak of five consecutive games with a homer ended, but his sixth-inning RBI double plated the go-ahead run and helped the Phillies make it a perfect 8-0 against the Braves in Philadelphia this season after Monday’s 6-1 victory.

Hoskins has developed into one of the top stories in baseball this month, hitting .309 through the first 19 games of his major-league career with 11 homers and 25 RBIs after a two-hit performance in the series opener. Philadelphia has won only 49 games this season, but 24.5 percent of its victories in 2017 have come against Atlanta as the Phillies improved to 12-2 versus the Braves. Atlanta tumbled to a season-worst 15 games under .500, mustering just seven hits in falling for the fourth time in five games. One lone bright spot for Atlanta continues to be the play of third baseman Brandon Phillips, who is hitting .362 during his current 13-game hitting streak while moving within one hit of 2,000 for his career.

TV: 7:05 p.m. ET, FSN Southeast (Atlanta), CSN Philadelphia

PITCHING MATCHUP: Braves RH R.A. Dickey (8-8, 4.06 ERA) vs. Phillies RH Mark Leiter Jr. (2-3, 3.86)

The 42-year-old Dickey, who indicated last weekend he is considering retirement after the season, has provided the Atlanta rotation with veteran stability in making 25 starts so far in 2017. He got a no-decision Wednesday against Seattle, allowing four runs on 11 hits in six innings. Dickey, who opened the month with back-to-back victories over Miami and St. Louis, is 1-0 with a 0.64 ERA in two starts against the Phillies this season.

Leiter Jr. carried a no-hitter into the sixth inning in his last start, striking out five while allowing only one hit in seven scoreless innings Wednesday against Miami. He struggled in his previous start eight days earlier, allowing eight runs (four earned) on seven hits across five innings in a loss at San Diego. The 26-year-old has bounced between the rotation and the bullpen, posting a 3.18 ERA in five starts compared to a 4.50 ERA in 16 relief appearances.

WALK-OFFS

1. Philadelphia 2B Cesar Hernandez doubled and walked in four plate appearances Monday, and is hitting .333 in 14 games against Atlanta this season.

2. Braves SS Dansby Swanson has recorded at least one hit in 13 of his past 16 games, batting .367 in that span.

3. Take out their dominance of the Braves, and the Phillies are 42 games under .500 (37-79) against the rest of baseball.

PREDICTION: Phillies 4, Braves 2

[New York Knight]

GAME: Seattle Mariners (66-66) at Baltimore Orioles (66-65)
DATE/TIME: Tuesday, August 29 - 7:05 PM EST
WHERE: Oriole Park at Camden Yards, Baltimore, Maryland
LINE: N/A TOTAL: N/A

Preview: Mariners at Orioles
Gracenote
Aug 29, 2017

The Baltimore Orioles are streaking in the right decision while the visiting Seattle Mariners are fading as they enter Tuesday's middle contest of a three-game set at Camden Yards. The host Orioles posted a 7-6 victory on Monday for their fifth consecutive victory while the setback was the third in a row for the Mariners.

The victory allowed Baltimore to move ahead of Seattle in the battle for the American League's second wild-card berth as the Orioles trail Minnesota by 1 1/2 games and the Mariners sit two games behind. Center fielder Adam Jones reached 25 homers for the seventh consecutive season, snapping a tie with Hall of Famer Cal Ripken Jr. for the club record. Red-hot right-hander Dylan Bundy will be looking to keep Baltimore's streak going, while Seattle attempts to halt the slide in which it has been outscored 23-10. Seattle left fielder Ben Gamel went 2-for-4 with a homer and a career-best five RBIs in the opener after being 2-for-22 over the previous seven games.

TV: 7:05 p.m. ET, ROOT Northwest (Seattle), MASN2 (Baltimore)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Mariners RH Erasmo Ramirez (5-4, 4.52 ERA) vs. Orioles RH Dylan Bundy (12-8, 4.18)

Ramirez is making his sixth start for Seattle since being acquired from the Tampa Bay Rays. The 27-year-old is 1-1 with a 3.76 ERA since the deal and has pitched six innings in each of his past three turns. Ramirez is 2-3 with a 2.98 ERA in 16 appearances (six starts) against the Orioles, including seven scoreless innings in two relief outings for Tampa Bay this season.

Bundy is back after a stint on the bereavement list and is 4-0 over his last six turns. The 24-year-old has struck out 28 batters in 19 innings over his last three starts and has compiled a 2.67 ERA and 0.96 WHIP in four August outings. Bundy is making his first career start against the Mariners and has a 3.18 ERA in two relief appearances versus Seattle.

WALK-OFFS

1. Orioles LF Trey Mancini has recorded three three-hit outings in the past four games and is 14-for-27 during a seven-game hitting streak.

2. Seattle CF Jarrod Dyson (groin) ran the bases prior to Monday's game and could be activated from the 10-day disabled list on Tuesday.

3. Baltimore RF Mark Trumbo, who hasn't had a multiple-RBI game since July 14, is just 1-for-20 versus Ramirez.

PREDICTION: Orioles 5, Mariners 2

[New York Knight]

GAME: Boston Red Sox (74-57) at Toronto Blue Jays (61-70)
DATE/TIME: Tuesday, August 29 - 7:07 PM EST
WHERE: Rogers Centre, Toronto, Ontario
LINE: N/A TOTAL: N/A

Preview: Red Sox at Blue Jays
Gracenote
Aug 29, 2017

A trip north of the border appears to be what the Boston Red Sox needed to break out of a funk, and now they can focus on padding their lead in the American League East. The Red Sox will try to clinch a series win when they visit the Toronto Blue Jays for the second of a three-game series on Tuesday.

Boston matched a season high with four straight losses entering the series and were not swinging the bats well until Christian Vazquez sparked a four-run rally with a two-run homer in the seventh inning of Monday's 6-5 triumph. Red Sox manager John Farrell dropped slumping designated hitter Hanley Ramirez into the No. 7 spot in the order on Monday and watched him deliver two hits and score a pair of runs as the Red Sox pushed their lead over the New York Yankees in the Al East to 3 1/2 games. The Blue Jays made things interesting when Justin Smoak belted a two-run homer off All-Star closer Craig Kimbrel in the ninth inning on Monday but still suffered their eighth loss in the last 10 games. Toronto, which sits in last place in the AL East, will try to play spoiler on Tuesday with righty Tom Koehler while the Red Sox send struggling ace Chris Sale to the mound.

TV: 7:07 p.m. ET, NESN (Boston), Sportsnet, TVA Sports (Toronto)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Red Sox LH Chris Sale (14-6, 2.88 ERA) vs. Blue Jays LH Brett Anderson (2-2, 8.18)

Sale is trying to end a losing streak after dropping his last two starts and was rocked for seven runs - six earned - on seven hits and three walks in three innings at Cleveland on Thursday. The Florida native leads the majors with 253 strikeouts but notched a season-low three on Thursday. Sale did not allow a run in either of his first two starts at Toronto this season, scattering a total of eight hits over 15 innings while totaling 24 strikeouts.

Anderson was signed to a minor league deal by the Blue Jays after being let go by the Chicago Cubs earlier in the season. The 29-year-old went 3-3 with a 3.65 ERA in stops at Double-A and Triple-A this season. Anderson is 5-3 with a 3.50 ERA in nine career starts against Boston.

WALK-OFFS

1. The Blue Jays designated OF Nori Aoki for assignment on Monday and recalled RHP Leonel Campos.

2. Boston 2B Dustin Pedroia (knee) is expected to step up his rehab by running the bases this week.

3. Toronto pitchers allowed at least six runs in seven of the last eight games.

PREDICTION: Red Sox 9, Blue Jays 2

[New York Knight]

GAME: New York Mets (57-73) at Cincinnati Reds (55-76)
DATE/TIME: Tuesday, August 29 - 7:10 PM EST
WHERE: Great American Ball Park, Cincinnati, Ohio
LINE: N/A TOTAL: N/A

Preview: Mets at Reds
Gracenote
Aug 28, 2017

A rare ray of optimism abounds for a sputtering New York Mets team that has registered losses in 11 of its last 15 games. The Mets look to turn the page from their current dismal story and add another chapter to their long-running dominance of the Cincinnati Reds on Tuesday when the clubs open a three-game series at Great American Ball Park.

New York has won 19 of its last 21 games against Cincinnati, including 14 straight since September 2014. Juan Lagares hasn't been as fortunate with the results as he is batting just .175 in his career versus the Reds, but is 7-for-19 with three RBIs and three runs scored in his last four games. Like the Mets, the National League Central cellar-dwelling Reds are far from celebrating much of anything this season and enter this series with losses in two in a row and five of seven overall. Joey Votto walked five times in Sunday's 5-2 setback versus Pittsburgh and owns a .313 batting average in 54 career games versus New York, although he'll be getting his first look at Tuesday starter Chris Flexen.

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

PITCHING MATCHUP: Mets RH Chris Flexen (3-2, 5.79 ERA) vs. Reds RH Sal Romano (3-5, 4.96)

Flexen posted his third win in four outings on Wednesday after allowing two runs on six hits in a season-high six innings of a 4-2 triumph versus Arizona. "Just really bear down and get an out and really try to limit the damage," the 23-year-old said of his approach. Flexen will be making his seventh start for the Mets since being promoted from Double-A Binghamton as an injury replacement for Zack Wheeler.

Romano settled for a no-decision despite working a career high-tying seven innings in his second straight start Thursday. The 23-year-old answered a one-run performance in a 4-3 win at Atlanta on Aug. 18 by permitting two on six hits against the Chicago Cubs. "You have to be consistent, that's what they're looking for," Romano said. "If I can have a three-pitch mix, I can be successful."

WALK-OFFS

1. Cincinnati 2B Scooter Gennett has hit safely in eight of his last 10 games.

2. New York SS Jose Reyes is 5-for-10 with three runs scored and an RBI since returning from the disabled list.

3. Reds 3B Eugenio Suarez is 0-for-4 with a pair of strikeouts on the heels of a 10-game hitting streak.

PREDICTION: Reds 3, Mets 2

[New York Knight]

GAME: St. Louis Cardinals (65-65) at Milwaukee Brewers (68-63)
DATE/TIME: Tuesday, August 29 - 7:40 PM EST
WHERE: Miller Park, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
LINE: N/A TOTAL: N/A

Preview: Cardinals at Brewers
Gracenote
Aug 28, 2017

The Milwaukee Brewers have regained their early-season form by winning nine of their last 13 contests to resume their charge toward first place in the National League Central. The Brewers look to continue their surge on Tuesday when they begin a six-game homestand with the opener an abbreviated two-game series against the St. Louis Cardinals.

Domingo Santana recorded his second multi-hit performance in four outings in Sunday's 3-2 victory over the red-hot Los Angeles Dodgers, but is just 10-for-49 with 18 strikeouts this season versus St. Louis. While the Brewers are ascending, the Cardinals have flown south of late with losses in nine of 13 outings to reside 4 1/2 games behind the first-place Chicago Cubs. Matt Carpenter belted a solo homer in Sunday's 3-2 setback to Tampa Bay and looks to continue his hot streak this season versus Milwaukee, against which he is batting .326 with three homers, six RBIs and 10 runs scored. St. Louis is just 28-34 away from Busch Stadium as it begins a 10-game road trip on Tuesday.

TV: 7:40 p.m. ET, FSN Midwest (St. Louis), FSN Wisconsin (Milwaukee)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Cardinals RH Luke Weaver (2-1, 2.31 ERA) vs. Brewers RH Matt Garza (6-7, 4.67)

Weaver was dominant in his first start in place of injured Adam Wainwright on Wednesday, striking out a career high-tying 10 and allowing just three hits over seven scoreless innings in a 6-2 victory over San Diego. "It helps when the command is there," the 24-year-old said. "I just told myself to trust my pitch. I got through the first (inning) and slowed things down, pitched with a little grit." Weaver's other big-league win this season came in Miller Park, where he permitted two runs on five hits with eight strikeouts over 6 1/3 frames in a 5-4 victory on Aug. 2.

After being scorched for 20 runs in his previous three outings, Garza settled for a no-decision on Wednesday despite yielding just one run on five hits in as many innings against San Francisco. "I was going into the game thinking: If Matt gives us 15 outs, we're in good shape," Milwaukee manager Craig Counsell said of the 33-year-old. "One run in five innings. I'll take that every single time. He did exactly what we asked him to do." Garza has received better results in a pair of outings versus St. Louis this season, posting a 2-0 mark with a 4.22 ERA.

WALK-OFFS

1. St. Louis 2B Kolten Wong carries a 10-game hitting streak into Tuesday's tilt with Milwaukee, against which he is batting a robust .435 with 11 RBIs this season.

2. Brewers OF Ryan Braun is 0-for-13 with three strikeouts in his last four contests.

3. Cardinals C Yadier Molina has 14 hits with seven runs scored in his last 10 games.

PREDICTION: Brewers 4, Cardinals 1

[New York Knight]

GAME: Pittsburgh Pirates (63-69) at Chicago Cubs (70-60)
DATE/TIME: Tuesday, August 29 - 8:05 PM EST
WHERE: Wrigley Field, Chicago, Illinois
LINE: N/A TOTAL: N/A

Preview: Pirates at Cubs
Gracenote
Aug 29, 2017

Jake Arrieta once had the Pittsburgh Pirates’ number, but the Bucs have flipped the script the past two years. Arrieta and the Chicago Cubs hope to reverse that recent trend when the former Cy Young Award winner takes the mound for the second game of a three-game set against the visiting Pirates on Tuesday.


Arrieta posted a 0.75 ERA in five starts against the Pirates during his Cy Young campaign in 2015, but he has lost his last four decisions against Pittsburgh. The momentum swing has helped Pittsburgh lead the season series 7-6, though the Cubs breezed to a 6-1 win in Monday’s series opener. Chicago is 31-22 against National League Central opponents, which has contributed to the Cubs’ 2 1/2-game lead over second-place Milwaukee. The Cubs have won four straight at home and are 27-15 since the All-Star break.

TV: 8:05 p.m. ET, ATT SportsNet Pittsburgh, CSN Chicago Plus


PITCHING MATCHUP: Pirates RH Chad Kuhl (6-9, 4.52 ERA) vs. Cubs RH Jake Arrieta (13-8, 3.49)

Kuhl has enjoyed a solid month of August, going 3-2 with a 3.33 ERA in five starts. The 24-year-old has struggled with his command a bit of late, issuing five walks in two of his last three starts, and he lasted only four innings in a loss to the Los Angeles Dodgers on Thursday. Kuhl is 0-3 with a 13.20 ERA in five starts against the Cubs.

Arrieta has been locked in since the All-Star break, going 5-1 with a 1.78 ERA in eight starts. The 31-year-old has not allowed more than two earned runs in any of those outings, and he held Cincinnati to one unearned run over 5 2/3 innings in a no-decision Thursday. Arrieta loves pitching at Wrigley Field, where he is 29-14 with a 2.34 ERA in 58 career starts.


WALK-OFFS

1. Cubs 1B Anthony Rizzo, who is 4-for-9 with a homer against Kuhl, is batting .415 with six doubles, four homers, and 22 RBIs in his past 14 games.

2. Pirates 1B Josh Bell is 6-for-11 with two doubles and a homer against Arrieta.

3. Pittsburgh CF Andrew McCutchen has hit safely in all seven games at Wrigley Field this season, going 9-for-28.


PREDICTION: Cubs 7, Pirates 5

[New York Knight]

GAME: Chicago White Sox (52-77) at Minnesota Twins (67-63)
DATE/TIME: Tuesday, August 29 - 8:10 PM EST
WHERE: Target Field, Minneapolis, Minnesota
LINE: N/A TOTAL: N/A

Preview: White Sox at Twins
Gracenote
Aug 28, 2017

The Minnesota Twins refuse to wilt in their pursuit of a postseason berth and open a six-game homestand with the first of three against the Chicago White Sox on Tuesday night. Minnesota is holding down the No. 2 wild card in the American League as they brace for a rematch against the White Sox, who took three of five from the Twins last week in Chicago.

Minnesota rebounded from the Chicago series by taking two of three in Toronto over the weekend, winning the rubber match behind three homers and five RBIs from Byron Buxton, who has gone deep eight times in the past 16 games. "He's got a lot of ways he can help you win games," Twins manager Paul Molitor said after his team won for the 15th time in 22 games. "His legs, bunting, home runs, defense, arm. It's fun to watch some of that talent start to flourish." The White Sox are languishing in the basement of the AL Central but have won four of their last five after winning two of three against Detroit. Right fielder Avisail Garcia is 15-for-30 over the past nine games to boost his batting average to .322.

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

PITCHING MATCHUP: White Sox RH James Shields (2-4, 5.63 ERA) vs. Twins RH Ervin Santana (13-7, 3.24)

Shields is winless over his last nine outings, although he turned in a quality start against the Twins in his last turn, permitting three runs on three hits over six innings in a no-decision. The long ball continues to victimize the 35-year-old, who has surrendered 13 of his 20 homers over the nine-start winless drought. Brian Dozier has lit up Shields, going 12-for-34 with four homers and 10 RBIs.

Santana also came away with a no-decision in his matchup against Shields in his last start despite permitting just two runs (one earned) on three hits over seven innings. The All-Star selection is unbeaten is in last six starts and owns a 2-0 record with 10 earned runs allowed over the past five outings. Jose Abreu is 9-for-21 against Santana, who sports a 3-0 mark and a 2.33 ERA versus Chicago this season.

WALK-OFFS

1. Twins SS Jorge Polanco homered in four straight games and drove in nine runs in last week's series at Chicago.

2. White Sox rookie 3B Matt Davidson was 3-for-8 with a three-run shot in his first two games coming off the disabled list.

3. Buxton was 7-for-13 with seven RBIs and six runs scored in the three-game set at Toronto.

PREDICTION: Twins 4, White Sox 3

[New York Knight]

GAME: Texas Rangers (64-66) at Houston Astros (79-51)
DATE/TIME: Tuesday, August 29 - 8:10 PM EST
WHERE: Tropicana Field, St. Petersburg, Florida
LINE: N/A TOTAL: N/A

Preview: Rangers at Astros
Gracenote
Aug 28, 2017

As Hurricane Harvey wreaks havoc on their hometown, the Houston Astros will be forced to move their three-game series with the Texas Rangers to Tropicana Field in St. Petersburg, Fla., beginning with the opener Tuesday night. The Astros will be the home team in those games, as well as three more against the New York Mets in the same venue to begin September.

The movement of the six-game homestand means that Houston will end up playing 19 consecutive games away from Minute Maid Park, as they completed a three-game trip Sunday and begin a 10-game trek after taking on the Mets. The one silver lining in an otherwise difficult situation may be the fact that the Astros have thrived away from Houston this year, posting a 42-22 record after a 7-5 victory at the Los Angeles Angels on Sunday. Their lead in the American League West is 13 games, while Texas is hanging around in the race for the second wild card in the AL, resting three games behind Minnesota despite being swept in Oakland over the weekend. Houston won six of the first seven meetings between the in-state rivals before the Rangers bounced back to win four of the next six.

TV: 7:10 p.m. ET, FSN Southwest (Texas), AT&T SportsNet-Southwest (Houston)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Rangers LH Martin Perez (9-10, 5.00 ERA) vs. Astros RH Mike Fiers (8-8, 4.17)

Perez is looking to win 10 games for the second year in a row and third time in his career after claiming his fourth straight victory with a gem in Los Angeles on Thursday. He limited the Angels to seven hits in seven scoreless innings of a 3-0 victory. The 26-year-old was reached for six runs (five earned) in 3 2/3 innings against Houston on June 4 but is 5-4 with a 3.05 ERA in 10 career starts versus the Astros.

Fiers also went seven innings for a win against Washington his last time out, allowing a run and four hits to snap a personal four-game losing streak. That came two turns after an erratic outing at Texas in which the Rangers got to him for six runs in four frames. Mike Napoli (two home runs in nine career at-bats against Fiers) went deep in that one against the Fiers, who has a 3.75 ERA in two career starts at Tropicana Field.

WALK-OFFS

1. Texas was 3-for-24 with runners in scoring position in the Oakland series.

2. Astros RF Josh Reddick is 12-for-23 with six RBIs over his last six games.

3. Rangers 3B Adrian Beltre remains at 461 career home runs, one shy of Jose Canseco and Adam Dunn for 35th place on the all-time list.

PREDICTION: Astros 6, Rangers 4

[New York Knight]

GAME: Tampa Bay Rays (66-67) at Kansas City Royals (64-66)
DATE/TIME: Tuesday, August 29 - 8:15 PM EST
WHERE: Kauffman Stadium, Kansas City, Missouri
LINE: N/A TOTAL: N/A

Preview: Rays at Royals
Gracenote
Aug 29, 2017

Logan Morrison hopes to continue his power surge in his hometown on Tuesday, when the red-hot Tampa Bay Rays visit the slumping Kansas City Royals, who have been shut out in four straight games. Morrison belted his third homer in two days as the Rays crushed the Royals 12-0 on Monday for their first win in nine contests at Kansas City and moved within 2 ½ games of the American League’s second wild card.

Morrison is 6-for-13 with five extra-base hits and six RBIs in the last three contests for Tampa Bay, which has won six of its last eight contests while belting 21 homers during a nine-game span. Meanwhile, the Royals are on an historic run of offensive futility - becoming the first team in the majors to be blanked in four consecutive games since 1992 and going scoreless for a club-record 43 innings after managing just two hits Monday in their fifth straight loss. Kansas City, which is still is just three games out in the AL wild-card race, can break the major-league record of 48 straight innings without a run set by the 1906 Philadelphia Athletics and matched by the 1968 Chicago Cubs. Lorenzo Cain recorded a pair of doubles for Kansas City’s only two hits and is 7-for-16 versus the Rays in 2017 while hitting .367 lifetime against them.

TV: 8:15 p.m. ET, FSN Sun (Tampa Bay), FSN Kansas City

PITCHING MATCHUP: Rays RH Alex Cobb (9-8, 3.69 ERA) vs. Royals RH Jake Junis (5-2, 4.68)

Cobb limited Toronto to four hits and one walk in his first game back from the disabled list but worked just 4 1/3 innings as his pitch count rose to 94. The 29-year-old Boston native has allowed fewer than two runs in six of his last nine outings and walked just five in his last five turns. Salvador Perez (5-for-12) and Eric Hosmer (5-for-14, two homers) have caused trouble for Cobb, who is 1-2 with a 4.55 ERA lifetime against the Royals.

Junis permitted one run over 5 1/3 innings in a no-decision against Colorado on Thursday and is 3-0 with a 3.18 ERA over his last five outings. The 24-year-old Illinois native registered 21 strikeouts and just two walks over 22 2/3 frames in that five-game span while yielding just one home run. Junis struck out two and walked two in one scoreless inning of relief to get the victory on May 9 in his only appearance against Tampa Bay.

WALK-OFFS

1. The Royals have been outscored 32-0 in the last four games and 35-2 during their losing streak.

2. Tampa Bay OF Corey Dickerson is 12-for-26 with three homers during his seven-game hitting streak.

3. Hosmer saw his seven-game hitting streak come to an end Monday but is 11-for-27 over his last eight contests.

PREDICTION: Rays 5, Royals 2

[New York Knight]

GAME: Detroit Tigers (57-73) at Colorado Rockies (71-60)
DATE/TIME: Tuesday, August 29 - 8:40 PM EST
WHERE: Coors Field, Denver, Colorado
LINE: N/A TOTAL: N/A

Preview: Tigers at Rockies
Gracenote
Aug 29, 2017

Michael Fulmer aims to halt a six-start winless streak when the Detroit Tigers visit the Colorado Rockies on Tuesday for the middle contest of their three-game interleague series. Fulmer dropped five consecutive starts before taking a no-decision against the New York Yankees in his past turn.

The Tigers recorded a 4-3 victory in Monday's series opener to win on the road for just the second time in their last 11 attempts. Detroit might be without Miguel Cabrera on Tuesday after the slugger departed Monday's contest due to lower back tightness - and it is possible the soreness will lead the club to have him begin serving a seven-game suspension for his actions in Thursday's brawl-filled game against the Yankees. Monday's setback was the 13th in 20 contests for the Rockies, who hold a three-game lead over Milwaukee for the National League's second wild card. Colorado's Charlie Blackmon went 3-for-5 in the opener to raise his NL-leading batting average to .340 and is 12-for-26 with two homers during his six-game hitting streak.

TV: 8:40 p.m. ET, FSN Detroit, AT&T SportsNet-Rocky Mountain (Colorado)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Tigers RH Michael Fulmer (10-11, 3.69 ERA) vs. Rockies RH German Marquez (10-5, 4.18)

Fulmer allowed five runs - four earned - and five hits in six innings against the Yankees in the contest in which three benches-clearing incidents occurred. The 24-year-old went 9-6 with a 3.19 ERA prior to the All-Star break and is just 1-5 with a 5.06 ERA in seven starts since. Fulmer is 2-2 with a 2.33 ERA in four career interleague starts and will be facing the Rockies for the first time.

Marquez settled for a no-decision against Kansas City in his last start as he gave up two runs and eight hits - two homers - over six innings. The 22-year-old rookie has served up five blasts in his last two outings after allowing just 12 over his first 20 turns. Marquez is 6-2 with a 4.50 ERA in 10 starts at Coors Field.

WALK-OFFS

1. Rockies RF Carlos Gonzalez (ankle) was a late scratch in the opener and is considered day-to-day.

2. Detroit 3B Nicholas Castellanos recorded a two-run triple - his AL-leading 10th of the season - among three hits in the opener.

3. Colorado activated LF/1B Ian Desmond (calf), who went 2-for-4 in his first action in more than a month, and optioned OF Raimel Tapia to Triple-A Albuquerque.

PREDICTION: Tigers 9, Rockies 7

[New York Knight]

GAME: Los Angeles Dodgers (91-38) at Arizona Diamondbacks (73-58)
DATE/TIME: Tuesday, August 29 - 9:40 PM EST
WHERE: Chase Field, Phoenix, Arizona
LINE: N/A TOTAL: N/A

Preview: Dodgers at Diamondbacks
Gracenote
Aug 28, 2017

A series that once loomed as a potential showdown for supremacy atop the National League West has lost much of its luster since the Los Angeles Dodgers' near-unstoppable run to the best record in the majors. Still, the Arizona Diamondbacks have plenty to play for as they get set to host the division-rival Dodgers on Tuesday in the opener of a three-game set.

The Diamondbacks trail first-place Los Angeles by a staggering 19 games in the division but they are holding down the top wild card and enter the series having won four in a row and six of seven. "I don't think any team's goal is to play meaningful baseball in September. That's not a good goal, to just be in it," said Arizona first baseman Paul Goldschmidt said. "You want to play in the playoffs because anything can happen and you have a chance to win the World Series." While Arizona has lost five of its last six matchups to the Dodgers, it may be catching them at an opportune time -- Los Angeles dropped two of three to Milwaukee over the weekend, its first series loss since the first week of June. Ace Clayton Kershaw is poised to return from injury at the end of the week for the Dodgers, who are attempting to avoid their first three-game skid since June 4-6.

TV: 9:40 p.m. ET, KTLA, SportsNet LA (Los Angeles), FSN Arizona

PITCHING MATCHUP: Dodgers LH Rich Hill (9-5, 3.32 ERA) vs. Diamondbacks RH Zack Godley (5-7, 3.15)

Hill absorbed one of the most hard-luck losses in baseball history - and it's not just hyperbole. After going 5-0 over his previous eight starts, he took a perfect game into the ninth inning and a no-hitter into the 10th at Pittsburgh, only to lose it -- and the game -- on a walk-off homer. Hill is 1-3 lifetime versus the Diamondbacks, but pitched seven innings of one-run ball against them on July 6.

Godley lost his third straight start by giving up three runs over five innings at the New York Mets, which followed a 10-strikeout performance in a loss at Minnesota. The 26-year-old has a pair of solid starts against the Dodgers this season, giving up one run on 5 2/3 innings on July 5 and tossing 6 2/3 innings of three-run ball on Aug. 8. Corey Seager is 1-for-11 and Justin Turner 3-for-12 versus Godley.

WALK-OFFS

1. Arizona has a streak of seven straight games in which its starters have yielded two earned runs or less.

2. Cody Bellinger is expected to come off the disabled list Wednesday and take over the starting job from 1B Adrian Gonzalez (back).

3. Goldschmidt, who has reached 30 homers and 100 RBIs for the third time in five seasons, is batting .335 at home this year.

PREDICTION: Diamondbacks 4, Dodgers 3

[New York Knight]

GAME: Oakland Athletics (58-73) at Los Angeles Angels (67-65)
DATE/TIME: Tuesday, August 29 - 10:07 PM EST
WHERE: Angel Stadium of Anaheim, Anaheim, California
LINE: N/A TOTAL: N/A

Preview: Athletics at Angels
Gracenote
Aug 29, 2017

The Los Angeles Angels expect to have Mike Trout back in the lineup Tuesday as they host the Oakland Athletics for the middle contest of their three-game series. Los Angeles was without the superstar for Monday's opener due to a stiff neck but came away with a 3-1 victory to climb within one game of Minnesota for the second wild card in the American League.

Trout is mired in an 0-for-17 slump but has belted 24 homers against Oakland, his highest total against any opponent. The Angels improved to 3-5 on their 10-game homestand as Martin Maldonado went 3-for-3 and scored twice while Andrew Heaney put forth his best effort since returning from Tommy John surgery, allowing one run and two hits over six innings while recording a career-high 10 strikeouts. Los Angeles lost the first two sets on its homestand and hopes to avoid a third straight series setback against Oakland, which took two of three earlier this month. The Athletics registered only four hits in the win, including a solo homer by Dustin Garneau for their lone run of the contest.

TV: 10:07 p.m. ET, NBCSN California (Oakland), FSN West (Los Angeles)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Athletics RH Chris Smith (0-3, 5.56 ERA) vs. Angels RH Troy Scribner (2-1, 4.00)

Smith remains in search of his first win of the season as he makes his eighth major-league start after losing in Baltimore on Aug. 21. The 36-year-old Californian was tagged by the Orioles for five runs - four earned - and six hits over 4 1/3 innings in his shortest turn of the year. Smith has made two career relief appearances against the Angels, allowing two hits with four walks and five strikeouts in 3 1/3 scoreless frames.

Scribner will be making his fourth consecutive start after beginning his season - and major-league career - with a pair of relief outings. The 26-year-old native of Connecticut suffered his first loss on Thursday, when he gave up three runs and three hits in five innings against Texas. Scribner escaped with a no-decision in his first career turn versus Oakland on Aug. 4 after yielding five runs - two earned - on two hits and four walks over four frames.

WALK-OFFS

1. Angels DH Albert Pujols went 0-for-4 on Monday, keeping him six hits behind Frank Robinson (2,943) for 34th place on the all-time list.

2. Oakland's Jed Lowrie served as the DH in the series opener after leaving Sunday's game against Texas with a left shin contusion.

3. Athletics SS Marcus Semien recorded one of his team's four hits Monday and is 4-for-10 with three RBIs and three runs scored over his last three games.

PREDICTION: Athletics 5, Angels 4

[New York Knight]

GAME: San Francisco Giants (53-80) at San Diego Padres (57-74)
DATE/TIME: Tuesday, August 29 - 10:10 PM EST
WHERE: Petco Park, San Diego, California
LINE: N/A TOTAL: N/A

Preview: Giants at Padres
Gracenote
Aug 29, 2017

Buster Posey is an unlikely participant when the San Francisco Giants visit the San Diego Padres on Tuesday for the middle contest of their three-game set. The All-Star catcher missed the series opener due to an injured left thumb and the club is awaiting MRI results that will determine the length of his absence.

The Giants didn't need much offense Monday as Jeff Samardzija tossed a three-hit shutout. The 3-0 victory was only the fourth in the last 17 road contests for the last-place Giants, who are four games behind the fourth-place Padres in the National League West. San Diego, which has dropped four straight games, recorded just one hit to the outfield on Monday - Cory Spangenberg's eighth-inning single - and has scored only three runs in its last three games. Despite the setback, the Padres have won seven of their last 10 meetings with San Francisco.

TV: 10:10 p.m. ET, NBCSN Bay Area (San Francisco), FSN San Diego

PITCHING MATCHUP: Giants LH Matt Moore (4-12, 5.38 ERA) vs. Padres RH Luis Perdomo (6-8, 4.84)

Moore has set a career high for losses but has been solid over his last three outings, going 1-0 with a 2.21 ERA. The 28-year-old is 1-4 in 12 road starts with a horrific 6.71 ERA and 1.75 WHIP. Moore's lone career start against the Padres came on July 22, when he allowed four runs and seven hits over six innings in a no-decision.

Perdomo has lost his last two decisions and is winless over his last three starts. The 24-year-old has began pitching deeper in games and has worked six or more innings in seven consecutive outings. Perdomo has posted a 3.63 ERA in three no-decisions against San Francisco this season and is 1-0 with a 3.94 ERA in seven career appearances (five starts).

WALK-OFFS

1. Giants 3B Pablo Sandoval was hitless in four at-bats in the opener and is 0-for-10 over his last three games.

2. San Diego CF Manuel Margot is 0-for-10 over his last three contests after recording back-to-back three-hit performances.

3. San Francisco RHP Johnny Cueto (forearm) will throw a bullpen session on either Tuesday or Wednesday and the team will then decide whether or not to activate him.

PREDICTION: Padres 4, Giants 3

[New York Knight]

Marlins 4-0 in last 4 games following a loss & 7-1 in Worley's last 8 starts.

Nats 1-7 in Jackson's last 8 vs NL East.


MIA +141 / WAS -153

[Can'tPickAWinner]

MLB Daily Line Drive: Tuesday's picks, betting odds and analysis

Double-Play Picks

Detroit Tigers at Colorado Rockies (-150, 11)

The Rockies welcome the Tigers for the middle game of their three-game interleague series Tuesday night at Coors Field.

We're in a bit of a pick slump at the moment, and our slump-buster all season has been the Rockies at home. Whenever we've desperately needed a win the Rox have come through for us.

Colorado comes into this game with a 38-26 record at home and will be taking on a Tigers' team who is a miserable 26-41 on the road.

The Rockies will be sending the streaking German Marquez to the hill tonight. Colorado has won his last eight starts at home and in those eight outings he owns an ERA of 3.12 (reminder - Coors Field) and a WHIP of 1.154.

The Tigers will counter with right-hander Michael Fulmer and, despite the fact that he will be the anchor of this rotation for many years to come, he is not finishing off the 2017 season on the strongest note.

The Tigers have lost five of his last six starts, including his last three starts on the road. Over those last three road losses he owns an ERA of 10.54 and a WHIP of 2.049.

The Tigers, overall, have lost nine of their last 11 games on the road and tonight will be Fulmer's first career start at Coors Field - pitching in the Mile High City is terrifying and starting pitchers making their Denver debuts never fare well.

Pick: Rockies -150

Los Angeles Dodgers at Arizona Diamondbacks (+110, 9)

Rich Hill makes his first start for the Dodgers since his near perfect game against the Pirates. He toes the rubber Tuesday night in Arizona when he faces off against the Diamondbacks.

Hill was perfect through eight innings last Wednesday in Pittsburgh, before a Logan Forsythe error in the bottom of the ninth and was still pitching a no-hitter into the 10th before surrendering a walk-off home run by Josh Harrison, to lose 1-0. Suffice to say, Hill may take some frustration out on the D-Backs.

The Dodgers’ southpaw has been solid for most of the season, going 9-5 with a 3.32 ERA and a 1.14 WHIP. But in the latter half of the season he has been even better. In nine starts since the beginning of July, Hill is 5-1 (the one being the heartbreaking defeat in Pittsburgh), with a 2.25 ERA and a 0.88 WHIP, while striking out 72.

Hill faces a D-backs lineup that, while good at home, struggles against lefties - ranking 21st in the MLB in runs scored, 24th in OPS, and 27th in average against south paws.

Arizona counters with Zack Godley. The D-backs right-hander is 2-2 with a 3.22 ERA and a 1.01 WHIP at home and is 4-4 with a 2.60 ERA and a 1.04 WHIP in night games this season.

Expect a pitcher’s duel in the desert.

Pick: Under 9

Yesterday's Picks: 0-2
Season To Date: 126-119-13


Streaking and Slumping Starting Pitchers

Streaking: Jake Arrieta, Chicago Cubs (13-8, 3.49 ERA, $-387)

Early in 2017, it appeared the Cubs were feeling the affects of a World Series hangover and former Cy Young Award winner Jake Arrieta was a perfect embodiment of that.

Arrieta began the season with an 8-7 record, a 4.35 ERA and a WHIP of 1.30, but since the All-Star break, the right-hander has really turned it around. In eight starts since the Mid-Summer Classic, Arrieta is 5-1 with a 1.78 ERA and a 1.01 WHIP.

Arrieta and the Cubs are chalky -210 home favorites today against the Pirates.

Slumping: Chris Smith, Oakland A’s (0-3, 5.56 ERA, $-40)

Veteran Chris Smith is currently taking a regular turn in the rotation, which means it is another lost season for the A’s.

In seven starts this season, Smith is 0-3 with a 5.22 ERA and a 1.29 WHIP, but it has been a little rougher recently, as the mostly career minor leaguer has gone 0-2 with a 6.89 ERA and a 1.52 WHIP in his last three starts.

Smith and the A’s are currently +145 underdogs when they visit the Angels tonight.

Tuesday's Top Trends

* The Atlanta Braves are 2-12 in their last 14 meetings with the Philadelphia Phillies. +100 today at PHI.
* The Seattle Mariners are 1-9 in Erasmo Ramirez's last 10 starts vs. a team with a winning record. +125 today at Orioles (66-65).
* The Los Angeles Dodgers are 56-13 in their last 69 overall. -130 tonight at Diamondbacks.
* Under is 22-9-4 in the Los Angeles Angels' last 35 games vs. a right-handed starter (Chris Smith). A's/Angels Total: 9.5.

Weather To Keep An Eye On

Again, thoughts and prayers for everyone in southern Texas. Please donate to the American Red Cross (follow the link for simple donation instructions).

It's going to be a messy day in the Northeast today, but nothing like they are seeing in Southern Texas, as potential tropical cyclone 10 collides with another low pressure system. Rain is expected to impact play in Baltimore, Philadelphia, The Bronx, and Washington, D.C. Keep your eyes on Twitter and our Scores page for postponements.

Wind will also be strong in all four cities mentioned above and, if the games are played, the wind will be blowing in anywhere from 12 to 20 miles per hour.

Ump Of The Day

Mike Estabrook ranks near the top of the umpire Under standings at 15-7 and the Under has cashed in six of his last seven games calling balls and strikes. Going back to include last season, the Under is 30-17 (56.67 percent) in games called by Estabrook.

Estabrook will be behind the plate tonight in Kansas City for the game between the Rays and Royals. The Royals haven't scored a run in their last 43 innings (ties American League record) and Estabrook's wide strike zone may not help their mission to break the streak.

The total for the Rays/Royals tonight is set at 9.5.

[Can'tPickAWinner]

SPORTS WAGERS

San Francisco +107 over SAN DIEGO

The Giants shut out the Padres last night and so we’re going to come right back on them again tonight, as this is a good matchup for Matt Moore against the Padres hitters and a bad matchup for San Diego’s tiring starter, Luis Perdomo against the Giants’ bats.

Matt Moore is pitching as well now as at any point in time this season, as he has a 19/6 K/BB over his last three starts. Moore also has 30 K’s over his last 31 frames to go along with a 3.73 xERA. He’ll now face a struggling Padres’ nine that scuffles against left-handed pitching with a .222 BA and .658 OPS.

Luis Perdomo had made three starts versus the Giants this season with two of those resulting in disasters. He has been hit hard in four of his last five starts with a 38% hard-hit ball % over that span. Perdomo he has not been good at Petco either, going 4-3 with a 5.22 ERA and 1.42 WHIP. Perdomo is showing all the signs of fatigue. He’s walking more batters, striking out less with both his first-pitch strike rate and swinging strikes being in rapid decline. Matt Moore holds some sneaky value here and we’re on it.

Detroit -1½ +230 over COLORADO

We’re not going to go into a lot of details here regarding the pitchers because it matters not when playing at Coors Field. We are going to commit to playing the underdog all season long at Coors Field on the ALTERNATIVE run line. What that means is that we are playing the remainder of Colorado’s home games this season and we’ll be playing the underdog in each game, whether it’s the Rocks or the opposition and we’ll be playing it regardless of who’s pitching. We’re suggesting that this wager has nothing but big profits in store. With totals being in the 10 to 12½ range daily at this venue, far more games are decided by two runs or more than one run and the underdog wins just as much as the favorite. The pitching matchups rarely matter because even the best get rocked at this park. We’ll keep a running record on this angle all season long.

Year to date:

21-35 + 23.15 units

St. Louis -1½ +133 over MILWAUKEE

Of the roughly 150 starters in MLB that will take the hill over the next five days, Matt Garza might be the 150th starter on that list worth getting behind in an evenly priced game against Luke Weaver and the Cardinals. The opposing Cardinals have a .288 BA and .858 OPS in August (first overall in MLB over the past 20 games) while averaging 5.8 runs per game. Garza’s two starts against the Cards this season have resulted in two disasters. Over his last eight starts, Garza is 3-3 but should be 0-8 with a 5.18 ERA, 1.58 WHIP, 7.21 xERA and zero redeeming skills.

Luke Weaver is so underpriced today so get in early on this one before the line increases. Weaver has only made three starts on the season, but he has been impressive in that small sample size. His last start was a dominant one in which he struck out 10 and back on August 2 he threw a beauty against the Brewers. In 23 innings, he is holding left-handed batters to a .121 BA and .407 OPS. He also has 26 K’s in those 23 innings. This is a quality prospect coming off two great minor league seasons. A buying opportunity awaits.

ARIZONA +113 over Los Angeles

Rich Hill is coming off that well-documented, fantastic start where he went nine innings, struck out 10, and only allowed one hit, a 10th inning solo shot to lose it. Rich Hill has been terrific this season with a 3.32/3.78 ERA/xERA split, not to mention 40 walks and 122 K’s in 103 innings. We’re not going to take anything away from Hill but this start comes after that emotional 10-inning loss in which he threw a no-hitter but didn’t. Furthermore, Hill has had the good fortune of throwing more games at pitcher’s parks than any starter in baseball. Check out his last 12 starts: six at Dodger Stadium, two at Citi Field (NYM), and one start each at Petco Park (SD), Marlins Park, PNC Park (Pitt) and finally Comerica Park in Detroit. That’s zero games in hitter’s parks over Rich Hill’s last 12 starts. In his 19 starts this season, 17 have been in pitcher’s parks. The only two starts in hitter’s parks came at Miller Park in Milwaukee and at Progressive Field in Cleveland. In Milwaukee, Hill walked four and was tagged for three runs in four innings (97 pitches) and in Cleveland, he was tagged for seven runs in four innings also. That’s a combined 10 runs in eight frames in his only two starts at hitters parks this season. Again, coming off that mentally draining start, Hill will now pitch in a hitter’s park for the third time this year against a Diamondbacks lineup that has been potent at home by averaging 5½ runs per game with a .830 OPS.

There’s no way around the fact that Zack Godley was bad last year. He spent time in Double A and Triple A before getting the call and bouncing between the rotation and bullpen. He wasn’t effective in either role, carrying a 6.39 ERA with a similarly bloated 1.49 WHIP in 74.2 innings. Godley had a supremely difficult time finding the plate, as his 39.6% zone rate would have been third lowest in the league (he didn’t have enough innings to qualify). Finally, Godley could not figure out lefties to save his life, and got lit up to the tune of .281/.373/.519. Then something happened.

For Zack Godley, the proverbial switch was flipped. A light came down from above and Godley ascended into big-league pitcher paradise. Through 19 starts, he’s been lights out en route to a sparkling 3.15 ERA, which is a team best. He’s even managed to strike 124 batters over 117 frames while riding a 15% swinging-strike rate which is the 8th best in baseball for pitchers logging at least 80 innings. His .215 BAA against ranks fourth best in the league behind only Max Scherzer, Alex Wood and Chris Sale. So, what happened? Godley has made significant changes to his pitch mix and zone profile. His reliance on a cutter has decreased each season, and the 21.2 percent usage rate in 2017 is down over 20 percentage points from his 2016 profile. Instead, Godley has leaned on his curveball, a pitch that he throws about 29 percent of the time and gets nearly 25% whiffs, along with the crown jewel of his new and improved arsenal, the sinker. A year ago, Godley threw the pitch in nearly a quarter of his offerings. This season he has increased that number to over 37% and has been rewarded with groundballs in nearly 70% of batted balls. The increased sinker usage also has helped Godley keep the ball in the yard. The pitch has yielded a 0.64 percent home run rate this season, helping him to fend off the growing trend of long balls in the game. Godley even has fared better against left-handed hitting this season, again increasing sinker usage at the expense of his cutter. Righties have had no shot against Godley all season. The elite groundball and swinging strike rates make for a deadly combination that should provide a solid baseline and help Godley avoid disaster outings. He’ll now face a Dodgers lineup that everyone thinks is killing it but they’re not. Over the past 20 games, L.A. is batting a combined .238, which ranks 24th out of 30 teams. Godley a dog at home is outstanding value and we’re not going to miss it.

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Ray Monohan

Cleveland vs. New York
Play: Cleveland -106

Cleveland goes to Trevor Bauer, who has been a man on a mission lately. He has 13 wins on the season and continues to turn in solid efforts for the Tribe. On August 4th, he allowed just 1 run against the Yankees in a victory. Countering him is Jamie Garcia. The LH is just 5-8 with a 4.52 ERA and was the losing pitcher in Trevor Bauer's gem on August 4th. Garcia hasn't been able to get anything going since joining the Yankees, as he searches for his first win in pinstripes. Some trends to note. Indians are 5-0 in their last 5 overall. Indians are 7-1 in their last 8 when their opponent scores 2 runs or less in their previous game. Cleveland is certainly a bet you should consider at this price.

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Wunderdog

San Francisco @ San Diego
Pick: San Diego -113

San Francisco is second worst in baseball in runs scored and on-base percentage, plus dead last in slugging. They are in Petco Park, the toughest place to hit. San Francisco plays its fifth straight road game, scoring a total of four runs the last three contests. The Giants are on a 22-47 run on the road, plus 17-38 following a win. The visitors are stuck with lefty Matt Moore (4-12, 5.38 ERA), who is 1-4 in 12 road starts with a 6.71 ERA and 1.75 WHIP. The Giants are also 17-35 on the road against a team with a winning home record. San Diego plays the second game of a long homestand. Padres' righty Luis Perdomo has posted a 3.63 ERA against division rival San Francisco this season and is 1-0 with a 3.94 ERA in seven career appearances against them. And San Diego is 24-15 against an NL team with a batting average of .250 or worse this season.

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Nelly

Baltimore Orioles - over Seattle Mariners

The Orioles are starting to look very much alive in the AL Wild Card picture and a turnaround for the pitching staff has been the primary reason. Wade Miley, Kevin Gausman, and Dylan Bundy have all bounced back from mid-season struggles and Bundy gives Baltimore a great chance to win tonight. In August Bundy is 3-0 with an 11.0 K/9 and a 2.67 ERA and he has been a solid pitcher at home all season long. Bundy is very tough on right-handed batters and he should get great support with Baltimore 15-11 this month behind nearly 6.0 runs scored per game. Baltimore has won five straight games getting a narrow win last night to start this series and the formidable offense owns an .893 team OPS in that five-game run. Baltimore has hit 47 home runs in the past 25 games and the Orioles are 39-26 at home on the season. Seattle was aggressive in making some roster moves to stay in the wild card hunt despite being buried in the AL West race but injuries to the pitching staff have made it hard for the Mariners to keep up. Seattle is 23-19 since the All Star break but they have been outscored by 20 runs in that span and fatigue has shown up now in the fourth city on a long east coast road trip with the Mariners losing the past three games. The team has just a .736 team OPS the past 24 games with only 4.1 runs scored game. Erasmo Ramirez rejoined the Mariners in late July, starting the season with the Rays but he has had mediocre results all season with a 4.52 ERA and a 6.9 K/9. With Seattle his ERA is 3.76 but with a 4.91 FIP and just a 6.1 K/9. As usual the Orioles still have an elite bullpen including a 1.70 relief ERA the past 10 games and Bundy clearly has a higher ceiling on the mound tonight.

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Buster Sports

Braves at Phillies
Play: Under 8.5

The Phillies won the first game of their three-game series with the Braves last night and we see tonight’s game as a low scoring pitchers dual. The starting pitchers for tonight’s game are for the Braves RH R.A. Dickey (8-8, 4.06 ERA) and he will face the Phillies RH Mark Leiter Jr. (2-3, 3.86 ERA). Using RA Dickey’s name in a pitchers dual may almost be laughable, but the fact is he has owned the Phillies this season sporting a 0.64 ERA in two starts against them. Some teams just can’t hit the knuckleball and the Phillies are obviously one of them. As for Leiter Jr, this will be his sixth start of the year for the Phillies as he has come out of the pen most of the year. He has been very impressive in his two home starts sporting a 1.46 ERA with a WHIP of 0.73. The Braves have not seen him at all this year, which should help Leiter Jr in keeping the runs to a minimum. The UNDER is 7-2 in the last 9 meetings in Philadelphia which just helps solidify our selection.

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Micah Roberts

Dodgers vs DBacks
Play: DBacks +125

Zack Godley has pitched well, but Arizona has lost his last three starts. Arizona is riding a four game win streak and that's was really has me liking them. The Dodgers have lost two straight and it may seem crazy to believe they'll lose three straight. Godely beat the Dodgers earlier this month and lost 1-0 to Alex Wood at Dodger Stadium.

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Doug Upstone

Mariners vs. Orioles
Play: Orioles -131

The Orioles took Game 1 of the series over Seattle and are favored to do so again. On Tuesday, consider home favorites with a money line of -125 to -175 like Baltimore, batting .290 or better over their last 20 games, against opponent starting a well rested pitcher who is working on five or six days rest. Since 2013, teams like the Birds are 45-12 in this spot.

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Rob Vinciletti

Giants vs. Padres
Play: Over 8.5

Both pitchers Moore and Perdomo have elevated Era/s of late. Moore has 6 era vs SD and has gone over in 8 of 10 road starts with a 6.72 road Era. The Giants follow him with a 5.33 road bullpen era. Perdomo has allowed 12 runs in 17 innings SF and has a 5.22 home era while pitching over in 8 of his last 11 home starts. In the series here 5 of the last 6 have gone over. Look the Giants and Padres to play over the total tonight.

[New York Knight]

The Greek Sportsbook ...


MLB Sharp Action

Red Sox
BOS-TOR under
Astros
Cardinals
CHW-MIN under
Rockies

[New York Knight]

Pirates are 0-5 last 5 on road vs teams above .500 at home & 3-10 in Kuhl's last 13 starts.

Cubs 7-3 in last 10 overall.


PIT +186 / CHC -203

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Jack Brayman

Now about this complimentary winner

My free play takes us to Tampa Bay, where the Houston Astros will be the home team against the Texas Rangers. With the tragic weather conditions in Houston, this game has been shifted to Tropicana Field.

The Texas organization ought to be ashamed of itself for the way it mishandled this situation, given the Rangers will be watching the playoffs. The Astros simply wanted to swap their home-and-home series and play in Arlington this week, while the Rangers would play in Houston in September if the disaster areas allow. But the Rangers GM Jon Daniels said it wouldn't be fair to switch and tell those who planned on going in September, suddenly go to games this week.

News flash: get your fans in the seats while you still have something to play for.

That all said, the Astros will be fired up to win for their distraught fans, while dismantling their western neighbors.

Take Houston in this one.

1* ASTROS (straight action)

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Eric Schroeder

My free play for Tuesday night is on the New York Yankees against the Cleveland Indians, and in this game I want you listing starting pitchers Trevor Bauer and Jaime Garcia.

Bauer himself said he didn’t have his best stuff his last time out, and even though he still picked up the win against the Boston Red Sox last Thursday, he allowed four runs, seven hits and three walks. Now I know this kid has not taken a loss since July 16, but this is a revenge game for the Yankees and Garcia.

New York's left-hander has yet to record a win in four starts, since the Yankees acquired him from the Twins on July 30 - including an Aug. 4 setback in Cleveland, where he was tagged for six runs on five hits and four walks. The Yankees have won two of the four games Garcia has started, and it's time for him to win one.

5* YANKEES (Garcia over Bauer)

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Mark Franco
Aug 29 '17, 7:40 PM
MLB | Cardinals vs Brewers
Play on: Cardinals -129 at GTBets

Cardinals

The Milwaukee Brewers have regained their early-season form by winning nine of their last 13 contests to resume their charge toward first place in the National League Central. The Brewers look to continue their surge on Tuesday when they begin a six-game homestand with the opener an abbreviated two-game series against the St. Louis Cardinals.

PITCHING MATCHUP: Cardinals RH Luke Weaver (2-1, 2.31 ERA) vs. Brewers RH Matt Garza (6-7, 4.67)

Weaver was dominant in his first start in place of injured Adam Wainwright on Wednesday, striking out a career high-tying 10 and allowing just three hits over seven scoreless innings in a 6-2 victory over San Diego. "It helps when the command is there," the 24-year-old said. "I just told myself to trust my pitch. I got through the first (inning) and slowed things down, pitched with a little grit." Weaver's other big-league win this season came in Miller Park, where he permitted two runs on five hits with eight strikeouts over 6 1/3 frames in a 5-4 victory on Aug. 2.

After being scorched for 20 runs in his previous three outings, Garza settled for a no-decision on Wednesday despite yielding just one run on five hits in as many innings against San Francisco. "I was going into the game thinking: If Matt gives us 15 outs, we're in good shape," Milwaukee manager Craig Counsell said of the 33-year-old. "One run in five innings. I'll take that every single time. He did exactly what we asked him to do." Garza has received better results in a pair of outings versus St. Louis this season, posting a 2-0 mark with a 4.22 ERA.

Cardinals are 4-0 in Weavers last 4 starts with 5 days of rest. Brewers are 1-5 in Garzas last 6 starts following a team loss in their previous game. Cardinals are 40-17 in the last 57 meetings in Milwaukee.

[New York Knight]

Under 6-0 in White Sox's last 6 overall & 4-0 in Shields' last 4 starts.

Under 5-1 in Twins last 6 overall & 5-1 last 6 meetings at MIN


Total: 9

[New York Knight]

Sports Insights ...


Most Lopsided Games Tonight


80% on Red Sox -255 at TOR
79% on Cubs -210 vs PIT
78% on Rockies -163 vs DET

[New York Knight]

Under 4-0 in Tigers last 4 on road.

Under 4-0 in Rockies last 4 @ home vs righty starter.

Under 7-0 Marquez's last 7 starts.


DET/COL Total: 11

[New York Knight]

Under is 6-1 in A's last 7 road games.

Under 5-1-1 in Smith's last 7 starts.

Under is 22-9-4 in Angels' last 35 vs righty starters.


Total: 9.5