7-15-14

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Athletics midseason report: Setting up for run
By THE SPORTS XCHANGE

They would never admit it publicly, but you have to know Oakland Athletics general manager Billy Beane and manager Bob Melvin aren't bothered at all to see the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim hanging around in the American League West race.

The A's take the major league's best record 59-36 but just a 1 1/2-game lead in the West into the All-Star break. The competitive nature of the latter belies the common belief that the A's, bolstered by the acquisition of front-line pitchers Jeff Samardzija and Jason Hammel from the Chicago Cubs, already are setting their postseason rotation for the inevitable rematch with the Detroit Tigers.

Beane and Melvin went out of their way in the wake of the July 5 blockbuster to insist the A's have a lot of work to do over the final 10 1/2 weeks of the season just to qualify for the playoffs.

"The narrative that this was a postseason move," Beane claimed, "was a bit presumptuous."

A pitcher might be the driving force for the A's in the second half. But it won't be Samardzija or Hammel. Or even Sonny Gray or Scott Kazmir.

It's Felix Hernandez.

You see, if the Angels win the West ahead of the A's, relegating Oakland to the wild-card game, it's quite possible it would run into Seattle Mariners ace Hernandez in that loser-is-done, wild-card contest. With 18 career wins against the A's, one as recently as Friday night, that's an even scarier vision for Oakland than possibly seeing Justin Verlander again in October.

So when Beane insists the big trade was made with the regular season in mind, it's easy to see why. For a while there, he was watching a team with Jesse Chavez, Tommy Milone and Brad Mills composing a majority of his rotation attempting to hold off the red-hot Angels.

Now most teams will see some combination of Gray, Samardzija, Kazmir and Hammel coming at them in a three-game series. To say nothing of Coco Crisp, Brandon Moss, Yoenis Cespedes and Josh Donaldson.

Bring on the Tigers. Anybody but Hernandez.

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Angels midseason report: Depth a strength
By THE SPORTS XCHANGE

After pitching a shutout during the Los Angeles' Angels 11-3 surge in May, left-hander C.J. Wilson issued the following response when asked about his team's early success.

"If we can play the next 50 games like we've played the last 15 games," Wilson said, "then that will be really, really good baseball."

Slightly more than 50 games later, the Angels are challenging the Oakland Athletics for supremacy in the American League West -- and, barring a total collapse, will do so for the rest of the season.

With first baseman Albert Pujols healthy and with outfielder Josh Hamilton focused, the Angels offense has emerged as one of the major leagues' best. Los Angeles enters the All-Star break leading the majors with 478 runs scored. The Angels also have amassed 883 hits, 300 extra-base hits and 101 home runs, totals ranking among the American League's best. Pujols, who suffered from plantar fasciitis last year, has driven in 29 runs in his last 29 games to enter the break with 63 RBIs, 20 home runs and a .274 average. Hamilton, who spent two months on the disabled list, is hitting .291. Shortstop Erick Aybar made the American League's All-Star team for the first time after batting .284 and leading the league's shortstops with 49 RBIs and a .985 fielding percentage.

Outfielder Mike Trout is, well, Mike Trout: 22 homers, 24 doubles, five triples, 69 RBIs, 105 hits, 64 runs, a .308 batting average, a .397 on-base percentage and a .601 slugging percentage.

"With as much depth as we have, we don't need any one player to carry it," Wilson said about the offense. "We just need everybody to get on base and pass the torch."

But the Angels offer more than potent hitting. Going into Sunday's road game against the Texas Rangers, the Angels pitchers have permitted opponents to bat just .236, the American League's fourth-lowest such average. The rotation's 3.75 earned-run average ranks third in the league, while the bullpen that has seen constant turnover has compiled a 1.68 earned-run average in the past 16 games while limiting opposing hitters to a .188 average.

The biggest factor, however, has been the contributions from unexpected sources. Outfielder Collin Cowgill (.277), first baseman C.J. Cron (nine homers), infielder-outfielder Grant Green (.324), right-handed starter Matt Shoemaker (7-2) and right-handed reliever Michael Morin (2.08 earned-run average) have played pivotal roles while such regulars as Hamilton, third baseman David Freese, outfielder Kole Cahoun and left-handed starter Tyler Skaggs spent time on the disabled list.

Right-hander Garrett Richards (11-2) has emerged as one of baseball's most dominant pitchers. Richards, in his second full major-league season, became just the fourth pitcher in team history to enter the All-Star break with at least 11 wins and 120 strikeouts and an ERA under 2.60. The others? Jered Weaver, Frank Tanana and Hall of Famer Nolan Ryan.

The Angels' balance has enabled them to rally for 29 of their 57 wins this season; those 29 come-from-behind wins lead the majors. That balance also reflects a new-found self-confidence and camaraderie.

"We had a tendency last year to let some teams just jump us out of the gate," Wilson said. "We'd be, like, 'Oh, my God. It's 3-0. What do we do?'"

Calhoun exemplified the Angels' esprit d'corps when he talked about being platooned with Cowgill.

"If I'm in the lineup, I'm going to do it that day," Calhoun told the Los Angeles Times. "If Collin is in the lineup, he's going to do it. We're not going to start some rivalry or talk about who should be playing. We're a team, and that's how it has to be."

Richards, rejected for the American League's All-Star pitching staff five times in a week, offered perhaps the best example of subordinating individual desire for collective success.

“How can I be mad about a personal achievement," Richards told the Los Angeles Times, "when we're playing such good baseball now?”

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Rangers midseason report: Few positives in injury-ravaged season
By THE SPORTS XCHANGE

Texas manager Ron Washington pondered for several seconds the question just presented to him.

What has been the biggest positive to you in the first half about your team?

"Did you take the time to think about that question," Washington asked.

There have been very few positives.

A team that expected to be World Series caliber after acquiring first baseman Prince Fielder and left fielder Shin-Soo Choo has instead collapsed under the weight of a two-ton boulder called the disabled list.

Rather, the Rangers will feature something more closely resembling a Triple A-caliber team in the second half.

The Rangers, who lead the majors in disabled list uses and most players used, closed the first half with the worst record in baseball. Only 10 players who broke with the team at spring training remain on the active roster.

In the first half, Texas used an MLB-record 50 players, including 30 pitchers.

"It's much-needed time off," said shortstop Elvis Andrus. "Everybody needs three or four days off to clear our mind and have some fun."

Texas was 35-35 on June 16 after having taken two of three games from Seattle on the road, including beating All-Star right-hander Felix Hernandez. Since then, the Rangers have gone 3-21 and to the bottom of the AL West.

"Couldn't have imagined it," Washington said. "You put nine guys out there, they have to perform."

Instead of vying for a division title, the Rangers will be evaluating, young and older alike, to see who can help them next year and beyond.

The second half will be about player development on the big-league level.

It's difficult to see exactly what the Rangers are at this point. If everyone comes back healthy next year, they should be expected to contend again.

If not ... well, the Rangers expect to know some of those answers to that hypothetical by the end of this season.

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Arizona Diamondbacks recall Trevor Cahill
Nick Piecoro

Trevor Cahill's stint in the minor leagues is over as the Diamondbacks announced Monday the right-hander has been recalled from Triple-A Reno and will start on Friday night vs. the Chicago Cubs at Chase Field.

To make room, the Diamondbacks optioned right-hander Mike Bolsinger to Reno.

A month ago, the Diamondbacks took Cahill out of their bullpen and sent him to the minors, where he built up his pitch count in order to return to the rotation.

There was hope he would also be able to iron out the command issues that have plagued him for more than a season and a half. On that front, the results aren't encouraging.

Cahill made one start with High-A Visalia before moving to Triple-A Reno. All told, he had a 4.45 ERA in 30 1/3 innings in the minors, with 20 walks and 27 strikeouts.

The Diamondbacks sent Cahill to the minors with the understanding he would be brought back to the majors at a specified time.

Getting him back on track is likely something of a priority for the Diamondbacks. Cahill is under contract for next season, with the Diamondbacks on the hook for $12.3 million.

After Cahill starts Friday, left-hander Wade Miley and right-hander Josh Collmenter will pitch on Saturday and Sunday against the Cubs. Lefty Vidal Nuno and right-hander Chase Anderson will follow them against the Tigers next week.

Bolsinger was in his second stint in the rotation but had recently turned in consecutive poor starts. In 10 games (nine starts) for the Diamondbacks this season, he has a 5.50 ERA in 52 1/3 innings.

[Can'tPickAWinner]

World Series Predictions

The 2014 World Series won’t begin until this October but bettors can start investing in this year’s matchup. Sportsbooks have posted odds on which teams will meet in the “Fall Classic.” Rather than guess on the upcoming AL-NL matchup, we reached out to our top two pro baseball experts on VegasInsider.com, Antony Dinero (+7,950) and Bruce Marshall (+2,764).

To no surprise, the duo are both leaning in the same direction and in this case, it’s the West Coast.

Dinero is a big believer in Don Mattingly and the Dodgers. He explained, “The National League doesn't look very challenging. Entering the final day of action prior to the All-Star break, the possibility existed that the Brewers-Cardinals winner would be the lone team 10 games over .500 if the Dodgers lost to San Diego on Sunday. Put simply, mediocrity reigns in the NL.”

“For futures purposes, the Dodgers are my clear favorite in the NL. They have the best pitcher in the game leading a capable, veteran rotation. They have a potent lineup complete with an emerging leadoff hitter in All-star Dee Gordon, affording them versatility in how they score runs outside of the long ball. If there is a weakness, L.A. must find a way to gain stability in a bullpen that already has a dependable closer in Kenley Jansen, who is 26-for-29 in save opportunities. Health permitting, the Dodgers are head and shoulders ahead of the rest.”

“Taking into account that Don Mattingly's team did its best work in the season's second half last year, the call here is to back L.A. ahead of Atlanta, St. Louis, San Francisco and the other contenders.”

Dinero believes that the American League is a three-horse race between Oakland, the L.A. Angels of Anaheim and Detroit and he believes one of those teams will meet the Dodgers in October.

His World Series predictions and analysis listed below:

Best Bet: L.A. Dodgers vs. Oakland (7/1): Adding Jeff Samardzija and Jason Hammel to the rotation was a brilliant, necessary move for a team that definitely has the offensive firepower to make noise in October.

Great Bet: L.A. Dodgers vs. Detroit (9/1): Miguel Cabrera has a ton of help, so if Justin Verlander can figure things out to strengthen a rotation featuring Max Scherzer, Anibal Sanchez and Rick Porcello, the Tigers are going to be a tough out.

Good bet, no subways: L.A. Dodgers vs. L.A. Angels (20/1): It's up to Jared Weaver, Garrett Richards and C.J. Wilson to be dependable enough to support an imposing lineup, but there are question marks in the bullpen, too.

Sleeper pick: If not the Dodgers, who? St. Louis is waking up. Michael Wacha should get healthy. Rookie Oscar Taveras might figure it out and become a catalyst for the defending NL Champs. Go on down the list with the Cards against the A's (18/1), Tigers (23/1) or Angels (55/1).

Bruce Marshall is a big believer in Los Angeles too, except he’s all-in on the Angels.

He explained, “For this particular prop at Sportsbooks, there are three WS prices I think are awfully enticing. They all involve the Angels, who look to have the goods to make a serious run. Strong up the middle (Aybar and Kendrick a real plus defensively), and with plenty of offense featuring an emerging superstar in Trout, Pujols healthy and contributing, plus Scioscia pushing the right buttons, and the Angels check plenty of boxes. The emergence of Garrett Richards also gives the Halos a pretty good 1-2-3 in the rotation (with Weaver and Wilson) for the playoffs, too. The question remains in the bullpen (not sure I trust Joe Smith as the closer) , though I would expect Jerry DiPoto to make one more move beyond the recent addition of Jason Grilli. The bullpen question obviously applies to the Tigers too. A guy to watch who could be on the move before the deadline is Padre closer Huston Street; teams like the Halos and Tigers would be desperate to sign him.”

Marshall’s top WS predictions are listed below:

Angels-Dodgers at 20/1...This is a nice price for what might be the two best teams in MLB. Is it the year of the Freeway Series? Best chance since 2004, or maybe 1982. The Dodgers have the pitching and an automatic win every time Kershaw goes to the mound, although the offense does go in funks for long stretches (too many selfish hitters), and upon inspection the team is barely above .500 when Kershaw doesn't start. The Blue is also barely above .500 at home, which has got to turn around in the second half of the season and I believe does not bode well for the Giants in the NL West. Also plenty of stiffs in the West for the Dodgers to beat up the next 2 ½ months, so their path to the playoffs looks a bit more clear to me than for other NL teams. Kershaw-Greinke-Ryu-Beckett (if healthy) is a tough rotation to top in a short series.

Reds-Angels at 120/1...After a slow start, Cincinnati has picked up lots of momentum. The Reds have playoff experience, decent depth in the rotation with a dominator in Cueto, and a lights-out closer in Chapman. What I like most about the Reds is their ability to generate runs without having to rely on the long ball (by me, this puts them ahead of the Dodgers), although the offense has some power, especially if Votto can get healthy. Billy Hamilton is also impacting games more and more and will be a player to watch in the second half of the season. The Reds have inhaled ground on the Brewers the past few weeks and will blow by them by the time we get to August. It is going to be a horse race in the Central, but I sense the Cards have a few more flaws than their recent editions, and Cincy can be awfully tough in the playoffs with a guy like Cueto, who can outpitch anyone (even Kershaw).

Pirates-Angels at 160/1...Since I believe the Bucs almost have as good of a chance as anybody in the NL, this price is too good not to take a shot. Pittsburgh is another team that might want to look for bullpen help (15 blown saves already), and just cutting down a couple of those blown saves puts the Pirates on top in the Central. Ray Searage continues to make lemonade out of lemons with the rotation that has hung tough despite injuries, McCutchen is the most-dynamic player in the NL, Harrison is an unquestioned spark plug, and Polanco has added an exciting new dimension to the lineup. There is enough offense to get it done in Pittsburgh, though I believe they might want to take a hard look at Pedro Alvarez at 3B and even consider dealing him out at the break, he often hurts the team. Importantly, the Pirates might have put their old demons to the sword against the Dodgers after winning 3 of 4 in an earlier series; LA has absolutely owned the Bucs for the last decade, and just in case that is a playoff matchup, Pittsburgh now has some confidence against the Blue. In a toss-up NL, I almost think the Bucs have as good of a chance as anybody, and this price fora potential series with the Halos is way too good to bypass, at least in relation to other possible matchups.

Marshall does believe that you should keep checking this prop, especially since Sportsbooks will update odds and make more teams available.

He said, “One team not listed on any prices, unless wanting to bet the field at an unappealing 10/1, is Tampa Bay. At this stage, I am not writing the Rays out of the AL East race, because I have no faith in the top contenders, and believe 85 or 86 wins could steal the division. Tampa Bay has played much better in recent weeks, and if it can get to .500 by the middle of August, it will have a puncher's chance. The Rays have roared down the stretch before, although we will have to see what they do about David Price. Not sure they deal him, and if they did, it would make the playoff climb a bit harder. But I still won't write them off. Toronto has been losing altitude fast, the Bosox don't have it this season, and not sure the Yankees do, either. That leaves Baltimore as the team to beat, but as usual, Buck Showalter is working that staff to death, and the O's have gotten quality starts from their staff less than 40% of the time this season, a worrying omen. If the Birds make the playoffs I would not fear them because they don't have the front-line pitchers like the other contenders to survive for long in the postseason. They could, however, steal the East with as few as 85 wins.


Possible 2014 World Series Matchups Odds

Braves vs. Athletics 21/1
Braves vs. Blue Jays 140/1
Braves vs. Indians 200/1
Braves vs. Mariners 100/1
Braves vs. Orioles 70/1
Braves vs. Red Sox 200/1
Braves vs. Royals 160/1
Braves vs. Tigers 25/1
Braves vs. Yankees 100/1

Brewers vs. Angels 45/1
Brewers vs. Athletics 15/1
Brewers vs. Blue Jays 100/1
Brewers vs. Indians 150/1
Brewers vs. Mariners 75/1
Brewers vs. Orioles 50/1
Brewers vs. Red Sox 180/1
Brewers vs. Royals 120/1
Brewers vs. Tigers 20/1
Brewers vs. Yankees 75/1

Cardinals vs. Angels 55/1
Cardinals vs. Athletics 18/1
Cardinals vs. Blue Jays 120/1
Cardinals vs. Indians 180/1
Cardinals vs. Mariners 90/1
Cardinals vs. Orioles 60/1
Cardinals vs. Red Sox 200/1
Cardinals vs. Royals 140/1
Cardinals vs. Tigers 23/1
Cardinals vs. Yankees 90/1

Dodgers vs. Angels 20/1
Dodgers vs. Athletics 7/1
Dodgers vs. Blue Jays 50/1
Dodgers vs. Indians 75/1
Dodgers vs. Mariners 35/1
Dodgers vs. Orioles 25/1
Dodgers vs. Red Sox 90/1
Dodgers vs. Royals 60/1
Dodgers vs. Tigers 9/1
Dodgers vs. Yankees 35/1

Giants vs. Angels 60/1
Giants vs. Athletics 21/1
Giants vs. Blue Jays 140/1
Giants vs. Indians 200/1
Giants vs. Mariners 100/1
Giants vs. Orioles 70/1
Giants vs. Red Sox 200/1
Giants vs. Royals 160/1
Giants vs. Tigers 25/1
Giants vs. Yankees 100/1

Nationals vs. Angels 35/1
Nationals vs. Athletics 11/1
Nationals vs. Blue Jays 80/1
Nationals vs. Indians 110/1
Nationals vs. Mariners 55/1
Nationals vs. Orioles 35/1
Nationals vs. Red Sox 130/1
Nationals vs. Royals 90/1
Nationals vs. Tigers 14/1
Nationals vs. Yankees 55/1

Pirates vs. Angels 160/1
Pirates vs. Athletics 55/1
Pirates vs. Blue Jays 350/1
Pirates vs. Indians 500/1
Pirates vs. Mariners 250/1
Pirates vs. Orioles 180/1
Pirates vs. Red Sox 600/1
Pirates vs. Royals 400/1
Pirates vs. Tigers 70/1
Pirates vs. Yankees 250/1

Reds vs. Angels 120/1
Reds vs. Athletics 40/1
Reds vs. Blue Jays 250/1
Reds vs. Indians 400/1
Reds vs. Mariners 200/1
Reds vs. Orioles 140/1
Reds vs. Red Sox 450/1
Reds vs. Royals 300/1
Reds vs. Tigers 55/1
Reds vs. Yankees 200/1

Field (Any Other Matchup) 10/1

[Can'tPickAWinner]

All-Star starters: King Felix, Wainwright

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) - Seattle's Felix Hernandez will start Tuesday night's All-Star game for the American League and Adam Wainwright of the St. Louis Cardinals will open for the National League.

Hernandez, the first Venezuela pitcher to start for the All-Stars, is 11-2 with a 2.12 ERA. He is the second Seattle pitcher to start an All-Star game following Randy Johnson in 1995 and 1997.

''Just throw zeros out there and get my team to win, that's all I got to do,'' Hernandez said.

NL manager Mike Matheny of the Cardinals chose the ace of his own staff. Wainwright is 12-4 with a 1.83 ERA and three complete games in 19 starts. It will be the 11th All-Star start by a Cardinals pitcher.

''Aside from having the ability to win two World Series with the St. Louis Cardinals, I think this has to be one of the highlights of my baseball career to this point,'' Wainwright said. ''One of the coolest things I can say I did is to start a big league All-Star game.''

Yankees shortstop Derek Jeter, a 14-time All-Star who is playing his final season, will lead off for the AL.

''It's a rare and unique opportunity,'' AL manager John Farrell of the Boston Red Sox said. ''At the same time we are able to celebrate a player who is not only a champion, but a guy that sets the bar that I think all players should aspire to. The way he has handled himself with class, with performance - no doubt a Hall of Famer.''

Wainwright is enticed by pitching to Jeter.

''I have been in the big leagues for nine years. I've never faced him,'' Wainwright said. ''I'm very excited about it, just to say I faced the best. And he is undoubtedly one of the best to ever play his position, one of the greatest Yankees of all time.''

The Los Angeles Angels' Mike Trout bats second and plays left, followed by Seattle second baseman Robinson Cano, Detroit first baseman Miguel Cabrera, Toronto right fielder Jose Bautista, Baltimore designated hitter Nelson Cruz, Orioles center fielder Adam Jones, Oakland third baseman Josh Donaldson and Kansas City catcher Salvador Perez.

Pittsburgh center fielder Andrew McCutchen leads off for the NL, followed by Los Angeles Dodgers right fielder Yasiel Puig, Colorado shortstop Troy Tulowitzki and Arizona first baseman Paul Goldschmidt. Miami's Giancarlo Stanton will be the DH and bat fifth. He will be followed by Milwaukee third baseman Aramis Ramirez, Philadelphia second baseman Chase Utley, Milwaukee catcher Jonathan Lucroy and Brewers left fielder Carlos Gomez.

[Can'tPickAWinner]

NL seeks rare All-Star game win over AL Tuesday
By: Freddy Wander - StatFox


2014 MLB All-Star Game

Target Field – Minneapolis, MN
First pitch: Tuesday, 8:15 p.m. EDT

Game Line: National League -109, American League -101
Total: Over 7.5 (-105), Under 7.5 (-115)

The top talent in Major League Baseball will head to Target Field this week for the 85th installment of the mid-summer classic. The American League halted a skid of three straight losses last year with a 3-0 victory and has now won in 13 of the past 17 years. There has been plenty more importance put on this game since 2003 when it started deciding home-field advantage for the World Series, yet even though the AL has had the advantage in eight of the 11 years, they are just 5-6 in the championship over that time.

The Over/Under for the All-Star game has been easy to predict in recent years as pitching has taken over the game and the Under has gone 6-0 since 2008. In each of the past four years, one team has scored one or fewer runs and it has shown that since the big steroid era, there are just much better pitchers and fewer batters that can hit them. So far on the year, Target Field is yielding the fourth-fewest number of home runs (1.63 HR per game) in the AL, but is considered more-or-less a neutral field due to its space in the outfield; leaving room for plenty of extra-base hits. While the Under streak will end eventually, this is not the year with some of the impressive pitching that will be on display Tuesday night.

As usual, the pitching for this game is amazing, but when looking at the rosters, the National League seems to have more firepower coming from their arms. The starters will be led by stud LHP Clayton Kershaw (11-2, 1.78 ERA) who has allowed just one run over his past five starts, spanning 41 innings. Joining him will be Tuesday's starter Adam Wainwright (12 wins, 1.83 ERA), fellow Dodger Zack Greinke, Alfredo Simon (12 wins), Henderson Alvarez and Tim Hudson. Unfortunately, Jordan Zimmermann will be out with an injury while Madison Bumgarner, Johnny Cueto and Julio Teheran are all not pitching because they started on Sunday. Aroldis Chapman (21 saves, 18.2 K/9) and Craig Kimbrel (29 saves, 14.8 K/9) lead a group of relievers that also includes Huston Street, Pat Neshek, Francisco Rodriguez, Tyler Clippard and Tony Watson. The AL took a big blow with the losses of Masahiro Tanaka (elbow) and David Price (inactive), but will still have tremendous starters including Tuesday starter Felix Hernandez (11 wins, 2.12 ERA), Yu Darvish, Max Scherzer, Jon Lester, Scott Kazmir, Mark Buehrle and final vote winner Chris Sale. Joining them out of the bullpen will be Greg Holland (25 saves), Sean Doolittle, Glen Perkins, Fernando Rodney, Dellin Betances and Koji Uehara, who replaced Tanaka on the roster. Overall the NL has more top-line pitchers and they have the advantage in that regard for this contest.

The AL’s offense is led by arguably the two best hitters in the world, OF Mike Trout and 3B Miguel Cabrera, who have gone one-two in MVP voting in each of the past two seasons. Trout (.310 BA) ranks fourth in the league in home runs (22) while putting up an impressive 73 RBI (T-3rd in MLB) and the second-best OPS (1.005) among all players. Cabrera (.306 BA) currently leads the majors with 75 RBI and has the most doubles (34) in the AL, but has not enjoyed as many homers with only 14 on the year. Joining them in the starting lineup is one of the hottest hitters in the league this season, OF Nelson Cruz, who is currently second in MLB with 28 homers and 74 RBI. Robinson Cano will once again be starting at the second-base position and has made a seamless transition to the Mariners as he has put up the fourth-best average (.334 BA) in baseball while coming into this game on an eight-game hitting streak where he has gone 14-for-28 with a homer and 6 RBI. SS Derek Jeter will be playing in his 14th All-Star game and has gone 11-for-25 (.440) with a homer and 3 RBI in that time. The reserves for the AL are stacked as well with 1B Jose Abreu (MLB-high 29 HR), 2B Jose Altuve (league-leading 130 hits) and OF Michael Brantley (.322, 15 HR, 63 RBI) as the big highlights.

The NL will be led by reigning National League MVP OF Andrew McCutchen and power-hitting SS Troy Tulowitzki. McCutchen is extremely impressive on offense and ranks in the top-10 of the league in hits (115), doubles (28) and batting average (.324) while adding both power (17 HR) and speed (15 SB). Tulo has the top average in baseball (.345 BA) and ranks first among all shortstops with 21 homers. 1B Paul Goldschmidt (.308 BA) is having another tremendous year as he leads the league with 36 two-baggers, and he will be joined in the infield by 2B Chase Utley (.293 BA) who has the most All-Star appearances on the NL club with six. Joining McCutchen in the outfield will be two of the game's most exciting young players in Yasiel Puig (.309 BA, 12 HR, 52 RBI) and Carlos Gomez (.304 BA, 14 HR, 48 RBI). Missing from the roster will be veteran C Yadier Molina (thumb), who will be replaced by Jonathan Lucroy (.315 BA). Eight of the 13 reserves for the NL are first-time participants in this game, and the inexperience may cause some problems as the game goes on.


ALL-STAR GAME STARTERS

American League Starters

C: Salvador Perez, Royals
1B: Miguel Cabrera, Tigers
2B: Robinson Cano, Mariners
SS: Derek Jeter, Yankees
3B: Josh Donaldson, Athletics
OF: Mike Trout, Angels
OF: Jose Bautista, Blue Jays
OF: Adam Jones, Orioles
DH: Nelson Cruz, Orioles

Starting pitcher: Felix Hernandez, Mariners


National League Starters

C: Jonathan Lucroy, Brewers
1B: Paul Goldschmidt, Diamondbacks
2B: Chase Utley, Phillies
SS: Troy Tulowitzki, Rockies
3B: Aramis Ramirez, Brewers
OF: Andrew McCutchen, Pirates
OF: Carlos Gomez, Brewers
OF: Yasiel Puig, Dodgers

Starting pitcher: Adam Wainwright, Cardinals

[Can'tPickAWinner]

WNBA Betting Recap - 7/7-7/13
By Joe Williams

League Betting Notes (from Monday, July 7 through Sunday, July 13)

-- Favorites went 13-4 straight up
-- Favorites went 11-6 against the spread (ATS)
-- Home teams posted a 9-8 SU record
-- Road teams posted a 10-7 ATS record
-- The 'under' went 12-5

Team Betting Notes

-- It was a week of the 'under', with just five overs in 17 tries. That is a stark contrast to what we've seen for most of the season. Even Minnesota (16-6) saw the under go 2-1. Entering the week, the over had been 13-6 through the first 19 games.

-- Tulsa (7-14) started the season 7-1 ATS through the first eight games. Since, they are just 4-8-1, including 0-4 ATS over the past four outings.

-- Washington (9-12) has kicked off its west coast swing going 2-1 SU/ATS. While the Mystics have been subpar for most of the season, they're a solid bet on the road. Washington is 5-5 SU and 6-4 ATS away from the nation's capital.

-- The freefall continues for Chicago (8-13), as they lost their fifth straight game Sunday at Atlanta (15-5). The Sky was able to cover, snapping an 0-4 ATS streak.

-- Phoenix (16-3) has rattled off nine consecutive victories, and they are 6-2-1 ATS during the impressive span, including 4-0 ATS over the past four outings.

-- San Antonio (11-11) has pulled even overall, although they were manhandled by Phoenix Sunday (90-61). Still, the Stars have posted covers in six of the past eight, and nine of the past 12.

[Can'tPickAWinner]

StatFox Super Situations

WNBA | WASHINGTON at PHOENIX
Play Under - Home teams where the total is greater than or equal to 140 very good shooting team - shooting >=46% on the season against opponent after a game where a team made 80% of their free throws or better
59-26 since 1997. ( 69.4% | 30.4 units )
7-3 this year. ( 70.0% | 3.7 units )

WNBA | CONNECTICUT at SEATTLE
Play On - Favorites vs. the money line (SEATTLE) revenging a same season loss versus opponent, off a road loss against a division rival
191-70 since 1997. ( 73.2% | 0.0 units )
1-0 this year. ( 100.0% | 0.0 units )

WNBA | CONNECTICUT at SEATTLE
Play On - Road teams vs. the 1rst half line (CONNECTICUT) poor defensive team - shooting pct defense of >=44% on the season, after a game - shooting 37% or lower, allowing 48% or higher
41-15 since 1997. ( 73.2% | 24.5 units )
1-1 this year. ( 50.0% | -0.1 units )

[Can'tPickAWinner]

AFL Betting Recap - Week 18
By Joe Williams

League Betting Notes

-- Favorites went 4-2 straight up in Week 18
-- Underdogs went 4-2 ATS in Week 18
-- Home teams posted a 4-2 SU record in Week 18
-- Home teams posted a 4-2 ATS record in Week 18
-- The 'under' went 4-1-1 in Week 18

Team Betting Notes

-- San Jose (12-4) kept steaming along, winning its fifth consecutive game. However, Tampa Bay (8-8) was able to cover a big number. Still, the SaberCats are 8-2 ATS over the past 10.

-- Cleveland (15-1) was a 21.5-point favorite on the road, but they barely scraped by San Antonio (1-15) by a 50-47 score. The Gladiators started the season 6-0 ATS, but they're just 4-6 ATS over the past 10.

-- Arizona (14-2) is in shock - Spokane (9-7) Shock, that is - after a road loss in the Pacific Northwest. The Rattlers have failed to cover in back-to-back games, and they're just 2-4 ATS over the past six.

-- In the third installment of the 'Expansion Bowl', Portland (5-11) finally got it right against LA Kiss (3-13). Los Angeles had won the first two meetings straight-up.

-- With their loss, the Kiss also went 'under' 106, snapping a string of five consecutive 'over' results.

-- New Orleans (4-13) stunned Jacksonville (6-10), winning outright despite being a 17-point underdog.

-- Orlando (9-7) helped themselves by doubling up Iowa (6-10). The 'under' is now 5-1 in the past six for Orlando.

[Can'tPickAWinner]

StatFox Super Situations

ARENA | TAMPA BAY at SPOKANE
Play On - Road underdogs or pick (TAMPA BAY) poor defensive team (290 to 310 YPG) against a good defensive team (250 to 270 YPG)
44-17 since 1997. ( 72.1% | 25.3 units )
1-0 this year. ( 100.0% | 1.0 units )

ARENA | PORTLAND at ARIZONA
Play Against - Any team vs the the 1rst half line (ARIZONA) after playing a game where both teams scored 58 or more points
135-87 over the last 10 seasons. ( 60.8% | 39.3 units )
13-13 this year. ( 50.0% | -1.3 units )

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Don Anthony

All Star Game FREE Premium play

National League vs. American League UNDER 8

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Hollywood Sports

NL at AL Jul 15 2014 8:15PM

Free Play Under

Take the Under in the All-Star game on Tuesday. In the battle between the games best hitters and pitchers, the pitchers have betting getting upper hand as of late -- as last year's 3-0 win by the American League once again attested. Since 2006, only one time has more than 8 runs been scored. Also, don't underestimate the advantage pitchers have when facing hitters that are unfamiliar with their stuff since they play in the other league. The last three All-Star games have seen an average of just 5.0 total runs per game. Go with recent history and expect another low-scoring game this year. Take the Under. Best of luck -- Frank.

[Can'tPickAWinner]

WNBA Basketball Picks

Washington at Phoenix

The Mystics head to Phoenix tonight to face a Mercury team that is 6-0-1 ATS in its last 7 home games. Phoenix is the pick (-10) according to Dunkel, which has the Mercury favored by 12 1/2. Dunkel Pick: Phoenix (-10). Here are all of today's WNBA picks.

TUESDAY, JULY 15 Time Posted: 7:00 a.m. EST

Game 651-652: Connecticut at Seattle (3:00 p.m. EST) Dunkel Ratings: Connecticut 103.586; Seattle 112.749 Dunkel Line & Total: Seattle by 9; 140 Vegas Line & Total: Seattle by 3 1/2; 144 1/2 Dunkel Pick: Seattle (-3 1/2); Under

Game 653-654: Los Angeles at Indiana (8:00 p.m. EST) Dunkel Ratings: Los Angeles 115.937; Indiana 111.332 Dunkel Line & Total: Los Angeles by 4 1/2; 154 Vegas Line & Total: Los Angeles by 2; 151 1/2 Dunkel Pick: Los Angeles (-2); Over

Game 655-656: Washington at Phoenix (10:00 p.m. EST) Dunkel Ratings: Washington 111.019; Phoenix 123.391 Dunkel Line & Total: Phoenix by 12 1/2; 150 Vegas Line & Total: Phoenix by 10; 154 1/2 Dunkel Pick: Phoenix (-10); Under

[Can'tPickAWinner]

DAVE AQUINO

Results since July 4th


Today's Selections


MLB (17-16): none


WNBA (4-1): sun/storm under 143.5


CFL (1-0): none