Thursday 8-31-17 Free Plays / Trends / Betting Info / Etc

[New York Knight]

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NFL - Dolphins over 37.5

[New York Knight]

GAME: Boston Red Sox (76-57) at New York Yankees (70-62)
DATE/TIME: Thursday, August 31 - 7:05 PM EST
WHERE: Yankee Stadium, Bronx, New York
LINE: N/A TOTAL: N/A

Preview: Red Sox at Yankees
Gracenote
Aug 31, 2017

The Boston Red Sox brought out the broom in their recent series while the New York Yankees were on the receiving end of it in their last set. The Red Sox will look to continue their momentum at the expense of the Yankees on Thursday when the American League East rivals renew acquaintances in the opener of a four-game series in the Bronx.

Hanley Ramirez homered for the second straight outing in Wednesday's 7-1 rout for Boston, which enjoyed a 16-6 edge in run differential against cellar-dwelling Toronto. The 33-year-old is 6-for-15 with five runs scored during his four-game hitting streak, but is just 2-for-19 in his career versus Thursday starter CC Sabathia. The AL East-leading Red Sox hold a 5 1/2-game lead over the Yankees, who were outscored 17-7 while getting swept by Cleveland. "It's as frustrating as it gets. Calendar's going to flip to a new month here pretty soon, and we're running out of time to catch those guys (the Red Sox)," said Brett Gardner, who is just 3-for-14 against Thursday starter Eduardo Rodriguez.

TV: 7:05 p.m. ET, MLB Network, NESN (Boston), WPIX (New York)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Red Sox LH Eduardo Rodriguez (4-4, 4.19 ERA) vs. Yankees LH CC Sabathia (10-5, 3.82)

Rodriguez has struggled since returning from the disabled list, posting an 0-2 mark with a 5.08 ERA in eight starts. The 24-year-old Venezuelan was blitzed for five runs on seven hits in 6 2/3 innings of a 7-0 setback versus Baltimore on Saturday. Rodriguez has fared well at Yankee Stadium, posting a 2-1 mark with a 1.38 ERA in four career starts while scattering two hits over six scoreless innings in his last trip on Aug. 11.

Sabathia has answered a trio of four-run outings with two strong performances, including a sterling six-inning stint in a 4-3 win at Boston on Aug. 19. The 37-year-old received a no-decision in last trip to the mound, however, despite yielding one run on five hits in seven innings against Seattle. Sabathia's lone run allowed came on a solo shot, marking the sixth homer he has surrendered in his last five outings after keeping the ball in the park in his previous five.

WALK-OFFS

1. New York SS Didi Gregorius is 3-for-27 in his last seven contests.

2. Boston RF Mookie Betts has hit safely in eight of his last nine games.

3. Yankees 2B Starlin Castro is 0-for-8 in his last three contests after erupting for seven hits in his previous four outings.

PREDICTION: Yankees 5, Red Sox 4

[New York Knight]

GAME: Toronto Blue Jays (61-72) at Baltimore Orioles (68-65)
DATE/TIME: Thursday, August 31 - 7:05 PM EST
WHERE: Oriole Park at Camden Yards, Baltimore, Maryland
LINE: N/A TOTAL: N/A

Preview: Blue Jays at Orioles
Gracenote
Aug 31, 2017

The red-hot Baltimore Orioles have improved their standing in the postseason picture with wins in a season-high seven straight contests. The Orioles look to continue their recent surge as well as their dominance of the visiting Toronto Blue Jays on Thursday when the American League East rivals play the opener of a four-game series at Camden Yards.

"It's no surprise because we know we are a good team. We have to just keep it up and keep winning series," said Jonathan Schoop, who belted his team co-leading 30th homer in Baltimore's 8-7 victory over Seattle on Wednesday afternoon. The 25-year-old has four homers and 13 RBIs while hitting safely in 10 of his last 11 games, but is just 5-for-26 with 10 strikeouts in his career versus Thursday starter Marco Estrada. The Orioles have won nine of 12 encounters with the Blue Jays this season and reside 1 1/2 games behind Minnesota in the race for the AL's second wild-card spot. Cellar-dwelling Toronto has seen its faint playoff hopes nearly evaporate with losses in four straight and 10 of its last 12 games.

TV: 7:05 p.m. ET, Sportsnet (Toronto), MASN (Baltimore)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Blue Jays RH Marco Estrada (6-8, 5.04 ERA) vs. Orioles RH Jeremy Hellickson (8-7, 4.88)

Estrada improved to 2-1 in his last four outings on Saturday after allowing three runs in six innings of a 10-9 victory versus Minnesota. The 34-year-old holds the same mark with a 2.77 ERA in seven career appearances in Baltimore. Estrada has pitched brilliantly against the Orioles this season, posting a 1-0 mark after permitting three runs on 14 hits in 20 2/3 innings.

Hellickson yielded two earned runs over seven innings in Friday's 16-3 rout of Boston to improve to 2-2 in five starts since being acquired from Philadelphia on July 28. The 30-year-old has struggled with the home run ball, as he has been taken deep seven times in his last three outings. Hellickson will look to do a better job keeping Jose Bautista in the yard, as the slugger is batting a robust .364 with three homers in his career against the Iowa native.

WALK-OFFS

1. Baltimore C Welington Castillo, who matched a career high with four hits on Wednesday, is batting .379 with six home runs and 14 RBIs in August.

2. Toronto C Raffy Lopez has two homers, four RBIs and as many runs scored during his last four games.

3. Orioles SS Tim Beckham is riding a nine-game hitting streak and has his safely in 26 of 28 games since joining the team at the trade deadline.

PREDICTION: Orioles 4, Blue Jays 2

[New York Knight]

GAME: Philadelphia Phillies (49-83) at Miami Marlins (66-66)
DATE/TIME: Thursday, August 31 - 7:10 PM EST
WHERE: Marlins Park, Miami, Florida
LINE: N/A TOTAL: N/A

Preview: Phillies at Marlins
Gracenote
Aug 30, 2017

The Miami Marlins were dealt a damaging blow against the best team in the National League East, but they hope to rebound against the division's worst when they begin a four-game set with the visiting Philadelphia Phillies on Thursday. After winning 13 of 16 games to get back into the playoff hunt, the Marlins lost three straight at Washington - capped by Wednesday's 4-0 loss.

They managed five runs and 22 hits in the series, falling back to .500 and 5 1/2 games behind Colorado in the race for the NL's second wild card. "I think we just keep going," starter Adam Conley told reporters after a hard-luck loss Wednesday. "Three games at their place against the team leading our division doesn't outweigh how long we've been playing good baseball." Included in Miami's recent surge was a series win last week in which they took three out of four at Philadelphia. Giancarlo Stanton, who remained stuck on 51 home runs Wednesday, went deep twice in that series against the Phillies, who enter on a sour note after dropping both ends of a doubleheader against Atlanta by a combined score of 14-3.

TV: 7:10 p.m. ET, CSN Philadelphia, FSN Florida (Miami)

PITCHING MATCHUPS: Phillies RH Ben Lively (1-5, 4.36 ERA) vs. Marlins RH Odrisamer Despaigne (0-1, 3.70)

Lively had an uneven start against the Chicago Cubs his last time out, allowing a season-high six runs while striking out a season-high eight batters in five innings. The rookie served up four home runs - also a personal high - after keeping the ball in the park in 16 1/3 innings over the course of his previous three outings. The 25-year-old will be facing the Marlins for the first time and is 0-3 with a 3.98 ERA in five road starts.

Despaigne made his first start in nearly four months a good one, limiting San Diego to one run and three hits over six innings Saturday. The 30-year-old from Cuba has allowed one run in 12 frames over six games (one start) at Marlins Park this year. He tossed 2 2/3 scoreless frames at Philadelphia on Aug. 23 but has an 8.44 ERA in three career relief appearances versus the Phillies.

WALK-OFFS

1. Stanton is batting .307 with a 1.128 OPS in 62 home games.

2. Marlins 3B Derek Dietrich was hitless in nine at-bats in the Washington series and has struck out 16 times in his last 10 games.

3. Phillies rookie LF Rhys Hoskins has gone three games without a home run after hitting 11 in his first 18 career contests, although he is 4-for-12 with a double in that stretch.

PREDICTION: Marlins 7, Phillies 4

[New York Knight]

GAME: Atlanta Braves (59-72) at Chicago Cubs (72-60)
DATE/TIME: Thursday, August 31 - 8:05 PM EST
WHERE: Wrigley Field, Chicago, Illinois
LINE: N/A TOTAL: N/A

Preview: Braves at Cubs
Gracenote
Aug 31, 2017

The Chicago Cubs are in the midst of an historic power surge, and their young sluggers next take aim at the visiting Atlanta Braves when the teams begin a four-game series on Thursday. Chicago has scored 17 runs twice in its last five games and hopes to remain hot after collecting a season-high 20 hits in Wednesday’s 17-3 win over Pittsburgh.


The Cubs became the first team in major-league history to have five players with at least 20 home runs at age 25 or younger in the same season when rookie Ian Happ hit the plateau in Wednesday’s rout. Chicago swept the three-game series from the Pirates and is a season-high 12 games above .500 and 3 1/2 ahead of Milwaukee in the National League Central. The Braves ended their three-game losing streak with a 9-1 win on Wednesday and went on to complete a sweep of their doubleheader at Philadelphia. Chicago outscored the Braves 17-6 during a three-game sweep in Atlanta last month.

TV: 8:05 p.m. ET, FSN Southeast (Atlanta), CSN Chicago


PITCHING MATCHUP: Braves LH Sean Newcomb (2-7, 4.36 ERA) vs. Cubs RH Kyle Hendricks (5-4, 3.45)

Newcomb has recorded only one win in his last 10 starts, and it came on Aug. 20 as he threw five scoreless innings against Cincinnati. The 24-year-old gave up four runs and seven hits over 4 2/3 frames of a no-decision against Colorado on Saturday. Newcomb faced the Cubs on July 18 and was tagged for five runs and eight hits – two homers – in a loss.

Hendricks snapped his eight-start winless skid when he held Philadelphia to two runs over seven innings in a 17-2 rout on Saturday. The 27-year-old posted a 3.86 ERA during the drought, but the Cubs scored fewer than three runs in six of his eight starts over that stretch. Hendricks has posted a 2.84 ERA in three career games (two starts) against Atlanta.


WALK-OFFS

1. The Cubs have a franchise-record six players with 20 or more home runs, joining Baltimore as the only two teams in the majors to do so this season.

2. Atlanta 2B Brandon Phillips is 22-for-64 during a 14-game hitting streak.

3. Happ became the fastest player in franchise history to reach 20 home runs, doing so in his 89th game to surpass Kyle Schwarber's mark of 97 games.


PREDICTION: Cubs 6, Braves 4

[New York Knight]

GAME: Washington Nationals (81-51) at Milwaukee Brewers (69-64)
DATE/TIME: Thursday, August 31 - 8:10 PM EST
WHERE: Miller Park, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
LINE: N/A TOTAL: N/A

Preview: Nationals at Brewers
Gracenote
Aug 30, 2017

The Washington Nationals are streaking toward another postseason berth, while the host Milwaukee Brewers are fighting tooth and nail to make up their deficits as the teams begin a big four-game series at Miller Park on Thursday. The Nationals have won four in a row to increase their commanding lead in the National League East to 15 games with 30 to play.

Stephen Strasburg was the hero in Wednesday's 4-0 win over Miami, tossing a shutout while smacking his second home run of the year to lead his team to its 10th victory in 14 games. The Brewers are 3 1/2 games behind the first-place Chicago Cubs in the NL Central and three games behind Colorado for the second wild card after hanging on for a 6-5 win over St. Louis on Wednesday. The series opener features a matchup with two of the hotter pitchers in the NL, with Nationals lefty Gio Gonzalez opposing Zach Davies for the Brewers. Both hurlers have seven quality starts in their last eight outings.

TV: 8:10 p.m. ET, MASN2 (Washington), FSN Wisconsin (Milwaukee)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Nationals LH Gio Gonzalez (13-5, 2.40 ERA) vs. Brewers RH Zach Davies (15-7, 3.91)

The Nationals have won each of Gonzalez's last six starts and he has victories in five consecutive outings while posting a 0.79 ERA. He was a tad more human in his win over the New York Mets on Saturday, allowing two runs for the first time in a month and striking out a season low-tying two. The 31-year-old gave up two runs in seven strong frames against Milwaukee on July 26 at home, but he has a 6.00 ERA in three career starts at Miller Park.

Davies was dominant against the best team in the majors Saturday at Dodger Stadium, holding Los Angeles to three hits and fanning seven in seven scoreless innings. He posted a similar line at Washington on July 25, when he yielded three hits across 7 2/3 scoreless of an 8-0 victory. The 24-year-old, who has gone 32 1/3 innings in August without allowing a home run, is 2-0 with a 2.33 ERA in three career starts against the Nationals.

WALK-OFFS

1. Washington's starters have a 2.23 ERA in their last 21 games.

2. Brewers 2B Jonathan Villar slugged a two-run homer Wednesday and is 8-for-18 over his last six games.

3. Nationals INF Wilmer Difo is batting .394 during an eight-game hitting streak.

PREDICTION: Nationals 4, Brewers 3

[New York Knight]

Public % (Top 5) Bets


Memphis -25.5 85%

Fla Int +17 75%

Idaho -22 70%


CFB Public: 2-2 YTD

[New York Knight]

Public % (Top 5) Bets


Marlins -153 65%

Orioles -133 64%

Nats +107 64%


Public: 2-3 Yesterday : 20-20 Last 7 Days

[New York Knight]

CG Technology ...


"Took a six figure bet on Oklahoma State and a 35k bet on Oklahoma St 1st half in last 30 minutes ... Lots of love for Cowboys tonight"

[New York Knight]

Marlins are 13-3 in their last 16 home games.

Phillies are 1-7 in Lively's last 8 starts and 3-7 in last 10 vs Marlins.


PHI +144 / MIA -156

[New York Knight]

The Greek Sportsbook ...


MLB Sharp Action

PHI-MIA under
ATL-CHC under
Brewers
Cardinals

[New York Knight]

The Greek Sportsbook ...


NCAAF Sharp Action

Hoosiers
OSU-IND over
Buffalo
ULM
ULM-Memphis under
OK ST
TUL-OK ST under

[New York Knight]

Sports Insights ...


Most Lopsided Games Tonight

81% on Cubs -230 vs ATL

80% on Marlins -185 vs PHI

74% on Orioles -146 vs TOR