7-25-13

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Free Selection from Arthur Ralph Sports

Our Free Plays are 1069-799 (58 + %) over the last 5 1/2 years !

Free winner THURS Afternoon Nationals -135

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Joe Wiz

Free Play Thursday Minnesota/Seattle Under 8

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Power Play Wins

Play of the Day

Tigers

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Angel Hernandez and the best 'over' umps in baseball

MLB umpire Angel Hernandez added to his record as the best ‘over’ ump in baseball, calling the balls and strikes during the Chicago Cubs’ 7-6 extra-innings win over the Arizona Diamondbacks Wednesday, which played over the 8-run total.

That improved the ‘over’ to 17-5 over/under when Hernandez is behind home plate this season, watching scores top the total in 77.3 percent of those games.

The 22-year MLB veteran has watched an average of 10.1 runs make it to the scoreboard in his 22 appearances as home plate ump, including 2.91 home runs in those games – highest among MLB umpire. Wednesday’s game featured two home runs.

Hernandez isn’t the only ump trending toward the over in 2013. Here’s a look at some of the other masked men helping MLB scores find their way above the number:

Ed Hickox (13-5 O/U, 10.4 rpg)
Jerry Layne (10-4 O/U, 8.9 rpg)
Tim Timmons (13-7 O/U, 9.1 rpg)
Chris Guccione (13-7 O/U, 9.5 rpg)
Mike Everitt (14-8 O/U, 9.7 rpg)
Cory Blaser (14-8 O/U, 10 rpg)

[Can'tPickAWinner]

CFL

Week 5

Edmonton (1-3) @ Montreal (1-3)-- Alouettes lost last three games, as offense struggles in first year without QB guru Trestman (new coach of Bears); Montreal led 24-0 last week in first quarter at Calgary, lost 38-27, biggest blown lead in CFL history. Als were outscored in second half of all four games (total of 59-33); they're 1-3 despite having turnover ratio of +6, a red flag. Montreal won last six series games, with five of six wins by 10+ points; Eskimos lost their last six visits here, by 36-10-34-17-23-2 points. All three Edmonton losses are by 10+ points. Over is 5-3-1 in last nine series games, 3-1 in Edmonton games.

[Can'tPickAWinner]

SCOTT SPREITZER

3* Atlanta Braves -110 over NY Mets
2* Baltimore -118 over KC

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Paul Leiner

100* Tigers -145

50* Yankees +130

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Chase Diamond

8* Chicago White Sox +1½ -130

[Can'tPickAWinner]

River City Sharps

7:15PM Philadelphia Phillies vs St. Louis Cardinals
2 UNITS UNDER 8 -120

[Can'tPickAWinner]

DHayes

MLB
1* Chicago/Detroit Under 8

[Can'tPickAWinner]

BehindTheBets
BTB Picks
Early MLB: Mets +111, Padres +133, Yankees +142, and Rockies -166,

WNBA: SA -3 (3U) and Tulsa -2 (3U) (Pinny)

PGA Round 1: Donald -125/Els and Furyk -115/McDowell

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Thursday's Night Tips

July 25, 2013


Astros at Blue Jays - 7:05 PM EST

Probables: E. Bedard (3-7, 4.41 ERA) vs. M. Buehrle (5-7, 4.83 ERA)

Previous series recap: Houston played Oakland tough, but lost two of three at home, with all three games decided by one run each. Toronto threw away two late leads against a hot Dodgers' squad, as Los Angeles pulled off the three-game sweep at Rogers Center.

Current streaks: The Astros have lost seven of their past eight games, while winning just once since the All-Star break. Houston owns a 2-8 record on the road against AL East opponents this season, but both victories came in the series opener. Toronto is winless since the break with all six defeats coming at home. The Jays have drilled the 'over' in seven of their past nine contests, while allowing at least seven runs six times in this stretch.

Rays at Red Sox - 7:10 PM EST

Probables: J. Hellickson (9-3, 4.62 ERA) vs. J. Lackey (7-7, 2.95 ERA)

Series recap: Tampa Bay received another terrific pitching performance on Wednesday as David Price shut down the Red Sox in a 5-1 triumph. The Rays have taken two of three in the series so far, as all three contests have finished 'under' the total.

Current streaks: The Rays are on fire with victories in 19 of their past 22 games, while hitting the 'under' in five straight. The Red Sox have alternated wins and losses in seven consecutive games, while posting an 8-1 mark to the 'under' in the last nine overall.

Phillies at Cardinals - 7:15 PM EST

Probables: K. Kendrick (9-6, 3.94 ERA) vs. L. Lynn (11-5, 4.13 ERA)

Series recap: St. Louis dominated Philadelphia for the second straight night, 11-3 to cash as $1.65 home favorites. The Cardinals have taken four of six meetings with the Phillies this season, while drilling the 'over' for the first time in four games.

Current streaks: The Phillies have dropped four straight games, while falling to 5-7 the last 12 opportunities as a road underdog. St. Louis has cleaned up against a weak schedule of late by winning 11 of 14 games, including nine of the last 10 at Busch Stadium.

Orioles at Royals - 8:10 PM EST

Probables: M. Gonzalez (8-3, 3.34 ERA) vs. J. Guthrie (9-7, 4.41 ERA)

Series recap: The Royals rallied from a late 3-1 deficit to score three runs in the final two innings to shock the Orioles, 4-3 on Wednesday. After dropping the series opener, Kansas City has taken two straight from Baltimore by one run each, while cashing the 'under' the last two nights.

Current streaks: Baltimore has lost three consecutive road games just twice this season, while dropping to 1-5 the last six contests decided by one run. The Royals have won four of six since the All-Star break, while going 7-4 the last 11 home games against four above .500 teams (Orioles, Tigers, Athletics, and Indians).

Cubs at Diamondbacks - 9:40 PM EST

Probables: C. Villanueva (2-6, 4.16 ERA) vs. W. Miley (6-8, 4.03 ERA)

Series recap: Chicago staved off Arizona in 12 innings, 7-6 on Wednesday to cash as $1.20 road underdogs. The Cubs have taken two of three so far in this series, while the season set is evened up at 3-3.

Current streaks: The Cubs are 0-5 the last five games off a win, while going for consecutive road victories for the first time since late June. The Diamondbacks are in the midst of a 2-5 slump, while posting a 4-6 mark the last 10 in the role of a home favorite.

Angels at Athletics - 10:05 PM EST

Probables: C.J. Wilson (10-6, 3.15 ERA) vs. D. Straily (6-3, 4.14 ERA)

Previous series recap: Los Angeles avoided a home sweep against Minnesota by squeezing past the Twins, 1-0 as heavy favorites on Wednesday. Oakland grabbed two of three from Houston on the highway, improving to 11-1 against the Astros this season.

Current streaks: Both of these teams are riding crazy 'under' runs (L.A. 7-1, Oakland 9-1), including three 'unders' in their previous series last weekend in Anaheim. The Angels have won just three of their past nine games, which includes a 1-4 record on the highway. Oakland has split six games since the break, but the A's are 9-2 the last 11 home series openers.

Reds at Dodgers - 10:10 PM EST

Probables: M. Latos (9-3, 3.53 ERA) vs. Z. Greinke (8-2, 3.36 ERA)

Previous series recap: Cincinnati grabbed three of four at San Francisco with all three victories coming by at least five runs. The Dodgers return home after a 6-0 road swing, including a three-game sweep at Toronto.

Current streaks: The Reds are picking up the pace recently with wins in seven of their past 10 contests. The Dodgers' offense put up at least eight runs in each of the last four victories on the East Coast, while owning a solid 6-1 record the last seven home series openers.

Twins at Mariners - 10:10 PM EST

Probables: K. Correia (7-6, 4.17 ERA) vs. H. Iwakuma (9-4, 2.99 ERA)

Previous series recap: Minnesota couldn't quite finish off the sweep at Los Angeles, but the Twins managed to take two of three from the Halos. The Mariners saw their eight-game winning streak snapped in a blowout loss to the Indians on Wednesday, but Seattle did grab its third straight series victory.

Current streaks: Seattle has won seven consecutive series openers, which includes four in a row at Safeco Field. Minnesota has rebounded from a six-game skid in mid-July to win six of its previous eight games, all in the underdog role.

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Thursday's MLB matinee matchups betting cheat sheet

There are six afternoon MLB games on Thursday's schedule. Here's a quick look at each of those matinee matchups:

Atlanta Braves at New York Mets (+112, 7.5)

Key pitching stat: A pair of rookie pitchers take the mound in the finale of a four-game series: Alex Wood (0-2, 2.45 ERA) and Zack Wheeler (3-1, 3.58).

Key batting stat: Braves SS Andrelton Simmons has homered in back-to-back games and has gone deep four times during a seven-game hitting streak.

Weather: Temperatures in the mid 70s with a 30 percent chance of rain and winds blowing NE at 11 mph.

Key betting note: Under is 6-2-2 in the last 10 meetings.

Pittsburgh Pirates at Washington Nationals (-142, 7.5)

Key pitching stat: Pirates RHP A.J. Burnett is 1-5 over his last 10 starts despite giving up more than three earned runs just once during the stretch.

Key batting stat: Washington OF Jayson Werth hit a two-run homer in Wednesday’s loss and has five homers in the last four games.

Weather: Temperatures in the high 70s with partly cloudy skies and winds blowing NNE at 7 mph.

Key betting note: Pirates are 1-4 in Burnett's last five road starts.

San Diego Padres at Milwaukee Brewers (-136, 8.5)

Key pitching stat: Brewers RHP Yovani Gallardo is 4-2 with a 4.17 ERA in seven career starts against San Diego.

Key batting stat: Padres OF Will Venable is 6-for-13 with a homer against Gallardo.

Weather: Temperatures in the mid 70s with clear skies and winds blowing SSW at 6 mph.

Key betting note: Under is 4-0 in the last four meetings.

New York Yankees at Texas Rangers (-148, 8.5)

Key pitching stat: The Yankees have scored two runs or fewer in seven of the last 10 starts by Kuroda, who is 1-2 with a 2.60 ERA versus Texas.

Key batting stat: Yankees 2B Robinson Cano is 7-for-21 with seven RBIs against Texas LHP Derek Holland.

Weather: Temperatures in the mid 90s with mostly cloudy skies and winds blowing ESE at 6 mph.

Key betting note: Yankees are 4-9 in their last 13 games following a loss.

Detroit Tigers at Chicago White Sox (+119, 8)

Key pitching stat: Verlander allowed five runs and a season-high 12 hits against the White Sox in a loss three starts back.

Key batting stat: Detroit outscored Chicago 19-7 in the previous three games.

Weather: Temperatures in the mid 70s with clear skies and winds blowing SSE at 2 mph.

Key betting note: The Tigers are 24-15 against AL Central opponents and Chicago is 11-21.

Miami Marlins at Colorado Rockies (-166, 10)

Key pitching stat: Colorado RHP Juan Nicasio is 3-1 in eight home starts this season,

Key batting stat: The Rockies, who average 4.4 runs - third in the NL, have scored only 38 in their last 16 games.

Weather: Temperatures in the mid 80s with a 30 percent chance of thunderstorms and winds blowing north at 8 mph.

Key betting note: Home team is 25-10 in umpire Brian Knight's last 35 games behind home plate.

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Hondo

Hondo goes for three-bagger

Hondo treaded water on the West Coast yesterday, getting nipped with the Twins before rallying with the Reds to leave the deficit holding at 605 moschittos.

Today, Mr. Aitch had success doing the Hiroki-pokey Saturday, so he again will dance with Kuroda — 20 units on the Yankees. Tonight, he expects Hellickson to shut down the Sawx and Greinke to stop the Reds — 20 units apiece.

[Can'tPickAWinner]

bookiemonsters
119-74 run

27-17 run last 44 plays

pod oakland under 7.5