7-22-14

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MLB betting cheat sheet: Rays in tough versus Wainwright

Here's a comprehensive look at betting notes for the early-week major league games:

Same Old Padres

The San Diego Padres continue to be the league's strongest under play, going below 6.5 for the second straight day in Sunday's 2-1 victory over the New York Mets. The Under has prevailed at least twice in 13 of San Diego last 14 series, a staggering stretch during which the Padres are 11-32-1 O/U.

Verlander Reversing Course?

Justin Verlander will look to continue the reversal of an ugly trend Monday as he and the Detroit Tigers (-132, 9) visit the Arizona Diamondbacks. Verlander is 10-2 O/U over his last 12 starts - going 5-7 against the moneyline over that span - but was an Under last time out.

Zimmermann Good to Go

Washington pitcher Jordan Zimmermann is expected to start Tuesday against Colorado. Zimmermann left his last start with a strained biceps; the right-hander allowed four runs over 3 1/3 innings in that one to snap a string of seven straight quality starts during which the Nationals went 5-2 SU and 1-6 O/U.

Pitching Notes

* Nationals righty Doug Fister looks like a strong under play Monday as Washington (-141, 10.5) visits the Rockies. Fister has gone Under in five of his last six starts and is 10-16-5 O/U in his career with the total set at 9 or higher.
* The Tampa Bay Rays are going to need plenty of good karma Tuesday as they face St. Louis ace Adam Wainwright. The Cardinals right-hander has allowed two runs or fewer in all but three of his starts this season, with St. Louis an absurd 15-4 against the moneyline in his outings so far.

Hitting Notes

* Miami Marlins slugger Giancarlo Stanton has two homers in three games out of the All-Star break, but may struggle Monday night against host Atlanta (-186, 7). Stanton is just 2-for-15 against Braves starter Julio Teheran, though he has taken the Atlanta righty deep once.

* The Boston Red Sox get another southpaw Tuesday as they face off against JA Happ and the Toronto Blue Jays. Boston enters the week with the second-most at-bats versus lefties this season (1,125); they're hitting just .248 off southpaws for the year.

Totals Streak

Washington Nationals (5-1 O/U): The bats are booming in the U.S. capital, with the Nationals leading the league in batting average (.326) and tied for first in runs scored (25) since the break. The Nationals are 48-40-8 O/U for the year despite ranking in the middle of the pack in runs scored.

Prop of the Day

Take the under in a big way in Colorado. In addition to Fister's recent run of unders, Colorado counterpart Franklin Morales is 3-7 O/U in 10 home starts on the season and has surrendered a modest five home runs in 42 1/3 innings at Coors Field.

Injury Notes

* Baltimore Orioles starter Ubaldo Jimenez has been scratched from a scheduled rehab start Wednesday due to soreness in his sprained right ankle. The veteran righty, who is just 3-8 with a 4.52 ERA and a 7-10 O/U record in 17 starts, isn't expected to return until mid-August.

* New York Mets right-hander Jon Niese has been activated off the 15-day disabled list and will start Monday against the host Seattle Mariners (-120, 7.5). Niese, who was on the shelf with a shoulder ailment, is 5-4 with a 2.96 ERA; New York is 10-7 against the moneyline and 6-7-4 O/U in his 17 starts.

Weather Watch

* Wind at Citizens Bank Park will blow out to center field at 6 mph for Monday's game between host Philadelphia (-130, 7) and San Francisco. Teams hit .249 with an average of 1.95 homers under similar conditions last season - below stadium averages - but combined to go 12-7 O/U.

* Fans at Wrigley Field will see wind blowing out to center field at 11 mph for Tuesday's tilt between the host Cubs and the San Diego Padres. Teams combined to score more than 13 runs with an average of 4.57 homers in seven games under similar conditions in 2013.

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Royals considering Alex Rios, other bats to help sagging offense
Jon Heyman

Alex Rios is on the radar for the Royals, who could have a host of corner outfielders to consider. Alex Rios is on the radar for the Royals, who could have a host of corner outfielders to consider.

The Royals are looking for corner bats as they try to fix their offensive woes and get back into the AL Central race, and Rangers right fielder Alex Rios is one player they've considered.

Kansas City is 14th in the AL with a .687 OPS and 12th with 388 runs, so it understands it needs some help.

Beyond Rios, other corner outfield bats that are available include Marlon Byrd, Domonic Brown, Josh Willingham, Carlos Quentin, Nate Schierholtz (though Cubs teammates Chris Coghlan and Justin Ruggiano are hitting better lately) and perhaps Martin Prado.

Rios makes $12 million and has a $13.5 million option with a $1 million buyout. He also has a limited no-trade list of six teams to which he can block trades.

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Rockies place Justin Morneau on disabled list with neck injury
By Matt Snyder

The Colorado Rockies have placed first baseman Justin Morneau on the 15-day disabled list with neck stiffness.

In Morneau's place, Ben Paulsen will be making his major-league debut, playing first and batting sixth Monday night. Paulsen was hitting .291/.380/.524 with 24 doubles, 15 homers and 57 RBI for Triple-A Colorado Springs.

Morneau, 33, hasn't played since the All-Star break due to the stiff neck, so it obviously hasn't improved to the point that the Rockies thought it was worthwhile to keep him off the DL. Since he hasn't played since July 13, he could end up only being out another week.

Morneau is hitting .312/.345/.502 (121 OPS+) with 20 doubles, 13 homers and 60 RBI this season.

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Following demotion, Milone wants A's to trade him
Ken Rosenthal

The odd man out in the Oakland Athletics’ rotation wants to be gone for good.

Left-hander Tommy Milone has asked the club to trade him, major-league sources tell FOX Sports.

The A’s sent Milone to Triple-A on July 5 after acquiring right-handers Jeff Samardzija and Jason Hammel from the Chicago Cubs.

It is not unusual for players to request trades after getting demoted. Milone, though, is more established than most – in 468 2/3 major-league innings, he has a 3.84 ERA.

His demotion was his third in 12 months – and occurred after he had gone 6-0 with a 2.62 ERA in his previous 11 starts.

The Athletics have received trade inquiries on Milone, but the team is not eager to move him, knowing he might be needed due to injury or ineffectiveness, sources say.

Milone, 27, would have become eligible for arbitration this offseason if he had remained in the majors all season. But his time in the minors could delay his eligibility for at least one year.

He is 6-3 with a 3.55 ERA in 16 starts for the A’s this season. His career ERA, when adjusted to his park and league, is league-average.

The Athletics acquired Milone, catcher Derek Norris and right-handers Brad Peacock and A.J. Cole from the Nationals for left-hander Gio Gonzalez and a minor leaguer on Dec. 23, 2011.

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Yanks' Teixeira out with mild strain
By THE SPORTS XCHANGE

New York Yankees first baseman Mark Teixeira will miss three to four days with a mild lat strain, manager Joe Girardi said Monday.

Girardi said there are no disabled list plans for now. Teixeira has dealt with some wrist and hamstring injuries this season.

Newsday reported that Teixeira will get a platelet-rich plasma injection for his strained lat.

Teixeira is 0-for-12 with a walk since the All-Star break. For the season, he is hitting .231 with 17 homers and 48 RBIs.

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WNBA Betting Recap - 7/14-7/20
By Joe Williams

League Betting Notes

Favorites went 7-2 straight up

Favorites went 6-3 against the spread (ATS)

Home teams posted a 6-3 SU record

Home teams posted a 5-4 ATS record

The 'over' went 6-3

Team Betting Notes

After a low-scoring week which saw the 'under' cash in 12 of 17 games last week, the ladies stepped on the accelerator and saw the 'over' cash in six of nine outings in the period leading up to the All-Star game.

Washington (10-13) has been a hard team to figure for most of the season, but suddenly the Mystics have gone 3-1 SU/ATS over the pas four to provide a little bit of clarity.

Tulsa (8-15) slapped the brakes on a five-game losing streak, topping San Antonio (11-12) by a 95-90 score Thursday. The two sides complete their home-and-home Tuesday in San Antonio. The Stars are 0-3 SU/ATS over their past three.

Another week, another loss for Chicago (8-14). The Sky have now dropped six straight games, and they are 1-5 ATS during the abysmal span.

Phoenix (18-3) might have been gracious hosts for this past weekend's WNBA All-Star Game, but the Mercury have been anything but gracious against visitors during the regular season. Brittney Griner and company have rattled off 12 straight victories, and they are 7-0 ATS in the past seven.

Minnesota (17-6) is trying to keep Phoenix within sight in the Western Conference. The Lynx has won four straight games, going 4-0 ATS during the impressive stretch.

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WNBA Basketball Picks

Atlanta at Minnesota

The Dream head to Minnesota tonight where they are 1-7 ATS in their last 8 games. Minnesota is the pick (-5) according to Dunkel, which has the Lynx favored by 8. Dunkel Pick: Minnesota (-5). Here are all of today's WNBA picks.

TUESDAY, JULY 22 Time Posted: 8:00 a.m. EST

Game 601-602: Tulsa at San Antonio (8:00 p.m. EST) Dunkel Ratings: Tulsa 105.985; San Antonio 106.978 Dunkel Line & Total: San Antonio by 1; 159 Vegas Line & Total: San Antonio by 4 1/2; 163 Dunkel Pick: Tulsa (+4 1/2); Under

Game 603-604: Indiana at Chicago (8:00 p.m. EST) Dunkel Ratings: Indiana 109.516; Chicago 109.051 Dunkel Line & Total: Even; 154 Vegas Line & Total: Indiana by 2; 150 Dunkel Pick: Chicago (+2); Over

Game 605-606: Atlanta at Minnesota (8:00 p.m. EST) Dunkel Ratings: Atlanta 112.750; Minnesota 120.510 Dunkel Line & Total: Minnesota by 8; 167 Vegas Line & Total: Minnesota by 5; 163 Dunkel Pick: Minnesota (-5); Over

Game 607-608: Phoenix at Seattle (10:00 p.m. EST) Dunkel Ratings: Phoenix 120.229; Seattle 109.079 Dunkel Line & Total: Phoenix by 11; 147 Vegas Line & Total: Phoenix by 6; 151 1/2 Dunkel Pick: Phoenix (-6); Under

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Today's MLB Picks

Kansas City at Chicago White Sox

The White Sox look to follow up their 3-1 win in last night's series opener as they face a Royals team that is 0-8 in its last 8 during Game 2 of a series. Chicago is the pick (+100) according to Dunkel, which has the White Sox favored by 2 1/2. Dunkel Pick: Chicago White Sox (+100). Here are all of today's MLB picks.

TUESDAY, JULY 22 Time Posted: 8:00 a.m. EST

Game 951-952: LA Dodgers at Pittsburgh (7:05 p.m. EST) Dunkel Ratings: LA Dodgers (Beckett) 15.012; Pittsburgh (Worley) 16.673 Dunkel Line: Pittsburgh by 1 1/2; 7 Vegas Line: Pittsburgh (-115); 8 Dunkel Pick: Pittsburgh (-115); Under

Game 953-954: San Francisco at Philadelphia (7:05 p.m. EST) Dunkel Ratings: San Francisco (Petit) 14.461; Philadelphia (Hernandez) 13.084 Dunkel Line: San Francisco by 1 1/2; 9 Vegas Line: San Francisco (-125); 8 1/2 Dunkel Pick: San Francisco (-125); Over

Game 955-956: Miami at Atlanta (7:10 p.m. EST) Dunkel Ratings: Miami (Turner) 14.852; Atlanta (Minor) 16.705 Dunkel Line: Atlanta by 2; 7 Vegas Line: Atlanta (-185); 8 Dunkel Pick: Atlanta (-185); Under

Game 957-958: San Diego at Chicago Cubs (8:05 p.m. EST) Dunkel Ratings: San Diego (Stults) 12.532; Cubs (Kendricks) 14.708 Dunkel Line: Chicago Cubs by 2; 9 Vegas Line: Chicago Cubs (-120); No Run Total Dunkel Pick: Chicago Cubs (-120); N/A

Game 959-960: Cincinnati at Milwaukee (8:10 p.m. EST) Dunkel Ratings: Cincinnati (Bailey) 14.055; Milwaukee (Nelson) 15.673 Dunkel Line: Milwaukee by 1 1/2; 9 Vegas Line: Milwaukee (-130); 8 Dunkel Pick: Milwaukee (-130); Over

Game 961-962: Washington at Colorado (8:40 p.m. EST) Dunkel Ratings: Washington (Zimmermann) 16.461; Colorado (Flande) 14.204 Dunkel Line: Washington by 2 1/2; 10 Vegas Line: Washington (-175); 11 Dunkel Pick: Washington (-175); Under

Game 963-964: Texas at NY Yankees (7:05 p.m. EST) Dunkel Ratings: Texas (Martinez) 15.648; NY Yankees (Whitley) 14.455 Dunkel Line: Texas by 1; 8 Vegas Line: NY Yankees (-180); 9 Dunkel Pick: Texas (+160); Under

Game 965-966: Boston at Toronto (7:07 p.m. EST) Dunkel Ratings: Boston (Peavy) 17.118; Toronto (Happ) 13.841 Dunkel Line: Boston by 3 1/2; 10 Vegas Line: Toronto (-110); 9 Dunkel Pick: Boston (-110); Over

Game 967-968: Kansas City at Chicago White Sox (8:10 p.m. EST) Dunkel Ratings: Kansas City (Chen) 13.699; White Sox (Carroll) 16.219 Dunkel Line: Chicago White Sox by 2 1/2; 10 Vegas Line: Kansas City (-120); 9 Dunkel Pick: Chicago White Sox (+100); Over

Game 969-970: Cleveland at Minnesota (8:10 p.m. EST) Dunkel Ratings: Cleveland (Salazar) 14.525; Minnesota (Pino) 15.756 Dunkel Line: Minnesota by 1; 8 Vegas Line: Cleveland (-140); 8 1/2 Dunkel Pick: Minnesota (+120); Under

Game 971-972: Baltimore at LA Angels (10:05 p.m. EST) Dunkel Ratings: Baltimore (Gonzalez) 16.548; LA Angels (Santiago) 15.302 Dunkel Line: Baltimore by 1 1/2; 9 Vegas Line: LA Angels (-145); 8 1/2 Dunkel Pick: Baltimore (+125); Over

Game 973-974: Houston at Oakland (10:05 p.m. EST) Dunkel Ratings: Houston (Oberholtzer) 15.225; Oakland (Kazmir) 14.004 Dunkel Line: Houston by 1; 7 Vegas Line: Oakland (-240); 7 1/2 Dunkel Pick: Houston (+200); Under

Game 975-976: Tampa Bay at St. Louis (8:15 p.m. EST) Dunkel Ratings: Tampa Bay (Odorizzi) 15.547; St. Louis (Wainwright) 17.144 Dunkel Line: St. Louis by 1 1/2; 6 Vegas Line: St. Louis (-185); 7 Dunkel Pick: St. Louis (-185); Under

Game 977-978: Detroit at Arizona (9:40 p.m. EST) Dunkel Ratings: Detroit (Porcello) 14.753; Arizona (Anderson) 13.215 Dunkel Line: Detroit by 1 1/2; 9 Vegas Line: Detroit (-145); 8 1/2 Dunkel Pick: Detroit (-145); Over

Game 979-980: NY Mets at Seattle (10:10 p.m. EST) Dunkel Ratings: NY Mets (deGrom) 15.665; Seattle (Ramirez) 14.036 Dunkel Line: NY Mets by 1 1/2; 6 Vegas Line: Seattle (-130); 7 1/2 Dunkel Pick: NY Mets (+110); Under

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Gamblers Data

Free Play Tuesday

Orioles/Angels under 8.5

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Arthur Ralph Sports

Free Play TUES

Red Sox w/ Peavy +100

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MLB

'Road Warrior!'

The second game of a three game series is today’s baseball betting focus as the Colorado Rockies host the Washington Nationals this evening at Coors Field. Struggling Rockies looking to snap a 6-game slide have lefty Yohan Flande toeing the rubber tonight and brings an 0-2 record to the hill with a 7.36 ERA. Flande will be matching pitches with Washington's right-hander Jordan Zimmermann, who has a 6-5 record, 3.03 ERA. Taking a road favorite can be a perilous road in baseball betting, but there is enough in Washington's favor to counteract such concerns. With last night's opening series victory the Nationals' have now won all four meetings this season moving to 8-3 the past eleven encounters. Nationals' on a 12-3 stretch vs the NL West have been solid choices as -$1.51 to -$2.00 chalk with Zimmermann posting a profitable 18-3 record the past 21 situations. Zimmermann bringing to the table a 5-1 team start record in this series the baseball handicapping numbers make a strong case for Washington.

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2Halves2Win

MLB COMP

HOU @ OAK

1* Athletics ML

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CHASE DIAMOND

10* MLB RUN LINE DESTROYER

This game has the 40-59 Rangers at the 50-48 Yankees. Rangers got a upset win yesterday and that should lead to some momentum today. Chase Whitley has been nothing special and this Rangers team will be ready to win again today and with the public so heavy on the Yankees at 78% I like our chances with the Rangers at +1.5 but I see them winning outrite again today. Take Rangers +1.5 .

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Game of the Day: Dodgers at Pirates

Los Angeles Dodgers at Pittsburgh Pirates (-109, 8)

Josh Beckett makes his return from the disabled list Tuesday to lead the Los Angeles Dodgers into the second of three games at Pittsburgh. Beckett has been sidelined since earlier this month with a hip issue which temporarily derailed a spectacular campaign, as the veteran had posted scoreless outings in five of nine appearances prior to the injury. He will be hoping to pitch the Dodgers to their third straight win after they took the series opener 5-2.

Los Angeles shortstop Hanley Ramirez and right fielder Yasiel Puig both remain day-to-day after being hit in the hand by pitches over the weekend in St. Louis. Pittsburgh will be looking to bounce back from a six-hit effort in the opener, which ended its home winning streak at six and dropped the club to 15-30 against the Dodgers all-time at PNC Park. The Pirates still own the top home mark in the National League at 32-21.

TV: 7:05 p.m. ET, SNLA (Los Angeles), ROOT (Pittsburgh)

LINE HISTORY: Books opened the Pirates as -114 home faves and are now -109. The total opened at 8.

INJURY REPORT: Dodgers - RF Yasiel Puig (Questionable, hand), SS Hanley Ramirez (Questionable, hand), 3B Chose Figgins (15-day DL, hip). Pirates - SS Clint Barmes (15-Day DL, groin).

POWER RANKINGS: Dodgers (-185), Pirates (-163).

PITCHING MATCHUP: Dodgers RH Josh Beckett (6-5, 2.26 ERA) vs. Pirates RH Vance Worley (2-1, 3.38)

Beckett yielded three hits in five scoreless frames at Colorado on July 6 in his most recent outing. Including his no-hitter at Philadelphia on May 25, he owns a 1.74 ERA over a span of nine starts, which includes five innings with two runs allowed against Pittsburgh at home on May 30. Overall, the 34-year-old is 1-2 with a 2.16 ERA in three career starts against the Pirates, none of which have taken place in the Steel City.

Worley has not started since July 8, having thrown two innings in relief at Cincinnati in his final appearance before the All-Star break. He has lasted seven frames in each of his two home starts, allowing four runs on 11 hits along the way. Worley has surrendered nine runs in eight innings over two starts versus Los Angeles, but hasn't faced the Dodgers since 2012.

TRENDS:

* Over is 11-4 in umpire Toby Basner's last 15 games behind home plate.
* Dodgers are 5-0 in Beckett's last five road starts.
* Under is 3-0-1 in Pirates last four overall.
* Pirates are 8-2 in their last 10 games following a loss.

CONSENSUS: 62.58 percent of wagers on Consensus are backing the Dodgers.