MLB Early-week betting cheat sheet: Felix, fatigue bad news for Jays
Here's a comprehensive look at betting notes for the early-week major-league games:
'Dogs Have Their (Sun)Day
The underdog play was a strong one on a weird Sunday in the major leagues. Underdogs went a staggering 10-5 SU, a trend that included victories by Minnesota (+162), the Chicago Cubs (+144), Toronto (+144) and Colorado (+143).
Felix + Fatigue = ?
The Blue Jays could be in tough Monday night as they open a three-game series against Felix Hernandez and the Seattle Mariners (-194, 6.5). Toronto made the cross-continental trip after playing 19 innings against Detroit on Sunday, and that fatigue factor could push the line higher in favor of Seattle.
Road Warrior Adam
St. Louis Cardinals ace Adam Wainwright will look to continue his road dominance Tuesday as he faces the Marlins in Miami. Wainwright has been one of the best pitchers away from his home park this season, going 9-3 with a 1.32 ERA and just one home run allowed over 95 2/3 innings.
Pitching Notes
* Detroit Tigers right-hander Justin Verlander will try to cure his recent road woes Monday as he tangles with the host Pittsburgh Pirates (+102, 7.5). Verlander is 1-4 SU in his last five starts away from Comerica Park, though he has recorded five straight Unders in that span.
* Interleague play has agreed with Chicago White Sox lefty Chris Sale, who faces the San Francisco Giants on Tuesday night. Sale is perfect in 14 apperances (six starts) against the National League, going 3-0 with a 2.52 ERA and 60 strikeouts over 53 2/3 innings.
Hitting Notes
* Philadelphia second baseman Chase Utley will be at a decided disadvantage Monday as he faces off against Jonathon Niese and the New York Mets (-118, 8). Utley has just three hits - all singles - in 28 career at-bats against Niese.
* A pair of Chicago Cubs are looking forward to Tuesday's matchup with Milwaukee Brewers hurler Wily Peralta. Starlin Castro is 10-for-21 with a pair of home runs in his career versus Peralta, while Anthony Rizzo is 8-for-19 with four homers and nine RBIs.
Totals Streak
New York Mets (5-1-2 O/U): The Mets continue to be the league's pushiest team - leading the majors with 13 - but have become a strong Over play of late, having allowed five or more runs in four of their last eight games. New York is 52-53-13 O/U for the season.
Prop of the Day
The Mariners are +325 to win by more than three runs, and Hernandez alone makes this a viable betting option. The sensational right-hander has made 15 consecutive starts of seven innings or more with two earned runs or fewer allowed - a major-league record.
Injury Notes
* St. Louis Cardinals catcher Yadier Molina has had the cast removed from his surgically-repaired right thumb and can begin light baseball-related activities. The Cardinals are 12-12 SU, 15-9 O/U and -68 units since Molina suffered the thumb injury just over a month ago.
* The Minnesota Twins will activate Joe Mauer from the disabled list in time for the opener of a three-game set Monday against the host Houston Astros (+101, 8.5). Mauer has missed the last 34 games with a strained oblique; the Twins are 14-20 SU, 16-18 O/U and -330 units in his absence.
Weather Watch
* Fans at Citizens Bank Park will be treated to winds blowing out to left field at 11 mph for Monday's showdown between Philadelphia and the visiting Mets. Philadelphia went 6-1 SU and 2-4-1 O/U in seven games under similar conditions a season ago.
* Citi Field will see wind blowing out to left field at 11 mph for Tuesday's showdown between host New York and the Washington Nationals. Teams combined to average 2.04 home runs in 26 games with the wind blowing out to left in 2013 - above the stadium average of 1.84.
Here's a comprehensive look at betting notes for the early-week major-league games:
'Dogs Have Their (Sun)Day
The underdog play was a strong one on a weird Sunday in the major leagues. Underdogs went a staggering 10-5 SU, a trend that included victories by Minnesota (+162), the Chicago Cubs (+144), Toronto (+144) and Colorado (+143).
Felix + Fatigue = ?
The Blue Jays could be in tough Monday night as they open a three-game series against Felix Hernandez and the Seattle Mariners (-194, 6.5). Toronto made the cross-continental trip after playing 19 innings against Detroit on Sunday, and that fatigue factor could push the line higher in favor of Seattle.
Road Warrior Adam
St. Louis Cardinals ace Adam Wainwright will look to continue his road dominance Tuesday as he faces the Marlins in Miami. Wainwright has been one of the best pitchers away from his home park this season, going 9-3 with a 1.32 ERA and just one home run allowed over 95 2/3 innings.
Pitching Notes
* Detroit Tigers right-hander Justin Verlander will try to cure his recent road woes Monday as he tangles with the host Pittsburgh Pirates (+102, 7.5). Verlander is 1-4 SU in his last five starts away from Comerica Park, though he has recorded five straight Unders in that span.
* Interleague play has agreed with Chicago White Sox lefty Chris Sale, who faces the San Francisco Giants on Tuesday night. Sale is perfect in 14 apperances (six starts) against the National League, going 3-0 with a 2.52 ERA and 60 strikeouts over 53 2/3 innings.
Hitting Notes
* Philadelphia second baseman Chase Utley will be at a decided disadvantage Monday as he faces off against Jonathon Niese and the New York Mets (-118, 8). Utley has just three hits - all singles - in 28 career at-bats against Niese.
* A pair of Chicago Cubs are looking forward to Tuesday's matchup with Milwaukee Brewers hurler Wily Peralta. Starlin Castro is 10-for-21 with a pair of home runs in his career versus Peralta, while Anthony Rizzo is 8-for-19 with four homers and nine RBIs.
Totals Streak
New York Mets (5-1-2 O/U): The Mets continue to be the league's pushiest team - leading the majors with 13 - but have become a strong Over play of late, having allowed five or more runs in four of their last eight games. New York is 52-53-13 O/U for the season.
Prop of the Day
The Mariners are +325 to win by more than three runs, and Hernandez alone makes this a viable betting option. The sensational right-hander has made 15 consecutive starts of seven innings or more with two earned runs or fewer allowed - a major-league record.
Injury Notes
* St. Louis Cardinals catcher Yadier Molina has had the cast removed from his surgically-repaired right thumb and can begin light baseball-related activities. The Cardinals are 12-12 SU, 15-9 O/U and -68 units since Molina suffered the thumb injury just over a month ago.
* The Minnesota Twins will activate Joe Mauer from the disabled list in time for the opener of a three-game set Monday against the host Houston Astros (+101, 8.5). Mauer has missed the last 34 games with a strained oblique; the Twins are 14-20 SU, 16-18 O/U and -330 units in his absence.
Weather Watch
* Fans at Citizens Bank Park will be treated to winds blowing out to left field at 11 mph for Monday's showdown between Philadelphia and the visiting Mets. Philadelphia went 6-1 SU and 2-4-1 O/U in seven games under similar conditions a season ago.
* Citi Field will see wind blowing out to left field at 11 mph for Tuesday's showdown between host New York and the Washington Nationals. Teams combined to average 2.04 home runs in 26 games with the wind blowing out to left in 2013 - above the stadium average of 1.84.

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