Wednesday 9-13-17 Free Plays / Trends / Betting Info / Etc

[Can'tPickAWinner]

John Martin
Sep 13 '17, 10:05 PM
MLB | Astros vs Angels
Play on: Angels -114 at 5Dimes

1 Unit FREE PLAY on Los Angeles Angels -114

The Los Angeles Angels really need wins right now to make the postseason. They trail the Minnesota Twins by two games for the last wild card spot. I think Tyler Skaggs will get the job done here against a team he has had success against. Skaggs is 2-2 with a 3.37 ERA in five previous starts against the Astros. Mike Fiers has allowed 14 earned runs in 8 1/3 innings in his last two starts for a 15.13 ERA. Fiers is 3-2 with a 4.40 ERA in seven previous starts against the Angels.

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Mike Lundin
Sep 13 '17, 9:40 PM
MLB | COL vs ARI
Play on: UNDER 9 -105

#MLB FREE PICK FROM MIKE LUNDIN

The Colorado Rockies are riding a six-game winning streak, including back-to-back wins here at Chase Field. They won Tuesday's contest 4-2, and I predict another low-scoring contest tonight.

German Marquez (10-6, 4.27 ERA) will take the ball for Colorado. The 22 year old right-hander has allowed eight runs (six earned) in 10 innings through his last two starts, but under is still 9-1 in his last 10 starts overall. He has held Arizona to 13 runs in five meetings covering 29 2/3 innings in five starts on the season, each game going under the total.

The D'Backs turn to Patrick Corbin (13-12 , 4.16 ERA) who was charged with eight runs on 11 hits and three walks through 4 1/3 frames of a 10-6 loss to San Diego his last time out. He had however been excellent during a five-game winning streak prior to that, allowing just a total of two earned runs in 35 2/3 innings.

Under is 4-1 in Corbin's last five starts against the Rockies.

My free pick is on the Under.

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Jimmy Boyd
Sep 13 '17, 7:05 PM
MLB | Marlins vs Phillies
Play on: Phillies -118 at 5Dimes

Free Pick on Phillies -

I like the value here with Philadelphia as a short home favorite against the Marlins on Wednesday. The Phillies are riding a huge wave of momentum into this one, as they pulled off an improbable 9-8 win in 15 innings on Tuesday. Philly trailed 2-7 after 6 innings, but score 1 in the 7th, 3 in the 8th and 1 more in the 9th to send it to extra. They then matched Miami in the 10th with a run.

That's a tough loss to bounce back from for the Marlins and it's not like they have been playing well of late, as they are just 2-13 in their last 15 games. On top of that, Miami sends out a struggling Dan Straily, who has a 5.06 ERA and 1.812 WHIP in his last 3 starts. Phillies on the other hand counter with Aaron Nola, who is 7-4 with a 3.18 ERA and 1.045 WHIP in 11 home starts.

Phillies are 13-4 in their last 17 games after scoring 8 or more runs, while Miami is a mere 8-17 in their last 25 after putting up 8 or more runs and 7-24 in their last 31 when they come into a contest having lost 4 of their last 5. Take Philadelphia!

[New York Knight]

MLB's top Under umpire is behind the plate tonight.

UNDER is 16-6-4 (72.7%) in Dan Bellino's games BHP in 2017.


ATL/WAS Total: 8

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Diamond Trends - Wednesday
September 13, 2017
TOP SU TREND:

-- The Mariners are 11-0 since Jul 15, 2017 past the first game of a series after their bullpen did not allow a run last game.

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TOP OU TREND:

-- The Giants are 0-14 OU (-2.43 ppg) since Apr 27, 2010 as a home dog past the first game of a series after they allowed 5+ walks last game.

TOP STARTER TREND:

-- The Cubs are 10-0 since Apr 11, 2016 when Jon Lester starts at home when they won as an away favorite in his last start.

TOP CHOICE TREND:

-- The Blue Jays are 14-0 since May 15, 2009 as a favorite after a game as a home dog in which Jose Bautista struck out at least twice.

Trends are verified using Sports Data Query Language (SDQL)

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Mike Williams
Sep 13 '17, 7:05 PM
MLB | MIA vs PHI
Play on: OVER 9 -105

1* on Marlins vs Phillies over 9 -105

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Dave Price
Sep 13 '17, 8:05 PM
MLB | Mariners vs Rangers
Play on: Rangers -102 at betonline

Dave's Wednesday Free Play:

1* on Texas Rangers -102

The Key: Great price here with the Texas Rangers at basically even money at home against the Seattle Mariners. Martin Perez is 7-0 with a 3.15 ERA in his last 7 starts. Perez enjoys facing the Mariners, going 6-3 with a 3.54 ERA in 13 lifetime starts against them. Mike Leake has had little success on the road this year, going 4-6 with a 5.05 ERA and 1.41 WHIP in 12 starts away from home. The Mariners are 1-6 in their last 7 road games. The Rangers are 5-1 in their last 6 games following a loss. The Rangers are 20-7 in Perez's last 27 home starts vs. a team with a losing record. The Rangers are 5-1 in Perez's last 6 home starts vs. Seattle. Take Texas.

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Bobby Conn
Sep 13 '17, 8:05 PM
MLB | Mariners vs Rangers
Play on: Mariners -107 at 5Dimes

1* Free Play on Mariners -107

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Info Plays
Sep 13 '17, 10:05 PM
MLB | Astros vs Angels
Play on: Angels -114 at 5Dimes

1* Free Play on Angels -114

[New York Knight]

Marlins are 3-13 in their last 16 overall & 3-8 in Straily's last 11.

Phillies have won 4 of Nola's last 5 home starts.


MIA +110 / PHI -120

[Can'tPickAWinner]

MLB Daily Line Drive: Wednesday's picks, betting odds and analysis

Double-Play Picks

Atlanta Braves at Washington Nationals (-300, 8)

The Braves and Nationals meet in D.C. on Wednesday night for the middle game of their three-game series. The Braves rode a brilliant pitching performance by Julio Teheran to a convincing 8-0 victory in the opener and the Nats will be looking for some payback tonight.

While everyone is talking about big winnings streaks and big losing streaks from the other top teams in baseball, nobody is talking about the Washington Nationals. It's the quiet ones you always have to worry about.

The Nats will send their bulldog Max Scherzer to the mound tonight. Their team win/loss in his last 18 starts is 14-4, and they have covered the -1.5 runline in 9 of those 14 victories. The Nationals are also 7-1 in Scherzer's last eight starts against the Braves and have covered -1.5 in five of those seven wins.

There is no more competitive pitcher in the game than Max Scherzer - he hates to lose and he very rarely has back-to-back rough outings. He allowed four earned runs in his last start, against the Phillies. That is only the fourth time this season that "Mad Max" has allowed more than three runs in a start - the previous three times he has rebounded to the tune of a 0.95 ERA and a WHIP of only 0.895, with the Nats covering the runline on all three occasions.

Braves' "gentle giant" Luiz Gohara will get his second major league start on the other side. It's a tough assignment as the Nats are among the top teams in almost every offensive stat category versus left-handed pitching this season, and Gohara was banged around in his first big league outing for six run in four innings of work against the Rangers.

Pick: Nationals -1.5 (-145)

Baltimore Orioles at Toronto Blue Jays (-125, 8.5)

After advancing to the ALCS the past two years, the Blue Jays have been reduced to the roll of spoiler this season and that’s exactly what they’re doing to the Orioles as the Jays look to sweep away Baltimore in Toronto on Wednesday night.

The Blue Jays have embraced their spoiler role, rattling off four straight wins, including the first two games of their series with the O’s, who have dropped six straight games and now sit 4.5 game behind the Twins for the second wildcard spot in the AL.

If there is one guy who might believe the Jays still have a shot at the postseason, it’s Marcus Stroman, who makes the start against the Orioles on Wednesday. The electric right-hander has been a bright spot for Toronto, going 11-7 with a 3.18 ERA and a 1.30 WHIP in 2017. His numbers at home are even more impressive. Despite the 5-5 record, he owns a 2.76 ERA and a 1.22 WHIP in 15 starts at Rogers Centre.

The Orioles counter with Kevin Gausman. The right-hander has been the epitome of the O’s rotation this season – inconsistent. Look at his last four starts, he has two performances in which he allowed no earned runs in 13.2 innings sandwiched by two starts where he allowed five runs in each and couldn’t get out of the fourth inning.

While one of those good starts was against the Blue Jays, they present good value here. And while it may be too little too late, they are a team that is fun to watch again.

Pick: Blue Jays -125

Yesterday's Picks: 1-1
Season To Date: 140-133-14

Streaking and Slumping Starting Pitchers

Streaking: Mike Clevinger, Cleveland Indians (9-5, 3.30 ERA, $238)

Just like the team he pitches for, Indians' Mike Clevinger is on a streak - although his is a shutout streak.

Clevinger has spun three shutout performances in a row, spanning 18 innings of work. During those three clean performances by Clevinger the Indians are 3-0 and he owns an ERA of 0.00 (of course) and a WHIP of 0.889.

The Indians are big -275 home favorites this afternoon against Buck Farmer and the Tigers as the Tribe look to tie the major league record for most consecutive wins with 21.

Slumping: Tyler Glasnow, Pittsburgh Pirates (2-6, 7.45 ERA, $-79)

Tyler Glasnow makes his triumphant return to the Pirates' starting rotation after some time away in the minors. Glasnow had a rough go of it at the major league level during the first half on the season, going just 2-6 with an ERA of 7.45 in 12 starts.

In his last three starts he was 0-3 with an ERA of 9.64 and a WHIP of 1.86. Hopefully, for himself and Pirates backers, he worked out the kinks during his time riding the bus.

Glasnow and the Pirates are +150 underdogs this evening in Milwaukee against Chase Anderson and the Brewers.

Wednesday's Top Trends

* The Cleveland Indians have won their last 20 games overall. -275 today vs. Tigers.
* The Texas Rangers are 7-0 in Martin Perez's last seven starts. -105 today vs. Mariners.
* The New York Mets are 1-11 in their last 12 games vs. a left-handed starter. +245 today at Cubs (Lester).
* The Los Angeles Dodgers have lost their last 15 games started by someone other than Clayton Kershaw. -220 today (Darvish) at Giants.

Weather To Keep An Eye On

There should be no precipitation impacting any action on the field today across Major League Baseball.

There will be a 10-13 mile per hour wind blowing out to left-center field tonight at AT&T Park in San Francisco where the Giants will take on the Dodgers. The total is set at 7.5.

Wrigley Field in Chicago will have barely a whisper of wind today at 3-5 miles per hour blowing from right-to-left. The total for Harvey vs. Lester is set at 8.5.

Ump Of The Day

Dan Bellino is the top Under umpire in Major League Baseball and he will be behind the plate for tonight's game in Washington, D.C. between the Nationals and the visiting Braves.

Under is 16-6-4 (72.7 percent) in Bellino's 22 games calling balls and strikes this season and the total for tonight's game has dropped from the opening number of 8.5, down to 8.

[Can'tPickAWinner]

GAME: Detroit Tigers (60-84) at Cleveland Indians (89-56)
DATE/TIME: Wednesday, September 13 - 12:10 PM EST
WHERE: Progressive Field, Cleveland, Ohio
LINE: N/A TOTAL: N/A

Preview: Tigers at Indians
Gracenote
Sep 13, 2017

The rampaging Cleveland Indians posted one historical entry in the record books and can add another when they go for their 21st consecutive victory and a three-game sweep of the visiting Detroit Tigers on Wednesday afternoon. Cleveland matched Oakland (2002) for the longest winning streak in American League history with Tuesday's 2-0 victory.

The Indians, who have not lost since Aug. 23 and own the AL's best record, can match the Chicago Cubs (1935) for the second-longest run in major league annals after blanking the Tigers for a second straight game. Shortstop Francisco Lindor provided the only run necessary by leading off the first with his 30th homer -- his third in four games and ninth during the team's tear. Cleveland's starters have combined for a dazzling 1.71 ERA during the record streak, including 18 scoreless innings from right-hander Mike Clevinger, who has allowed one run in beating Detroit three times this season and enters the series finale with a 15-inning scoreless streak against the Tigers. Buck Farmer takes the mound for Detroit, which has scored a total of five runs in losing all six matchups to the Indians in September.

TV: 12:10 p.m. ET, MLB Network, FSN Detroit, STO (Cleveland)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Tigers RH Buck Farmer (4-2, 6.32 ERA) vs. Indians RH Mike Clevinger (9-5, 3.30)

In his third start since his recall from Triple-A, Farmer picked up the victory at Toronto by allowing two runs (one earned) on five hits over five innings. He lasted only three innings against Cleveland in his previous turn and took the loss after giving up five runs on five hits. Jose Ramirez is hitless in six at-bats against Farmer, who is 0-3 in five appearances (three starts) versus Cleveland.

Although he started the season in the minors, Clevinger is a mainstay of the rotation as he tossed six scoreless innings for the third consecutive start to beat Baltimore last time out. He has yielded 10 hits during his three-start winning streak and has limited the Tigers to eight hits over 18 innings in the three matchups this season. Miguel Cabrera is 2-for-10 with a homer and five RBIs against Clevinger.

WALK-OFFS

1. Cleveland has posted seven shutouts and yielded only 32 runs in the 20 straight wins.

2. Tigers RF Nicholas Castellanos is riding a nine-game hitting streak.

3. Lindor tied Jimmy Rollins (2007) and Jose Valentin (2004) for the most homers (30) in a season by a switch-hitting shortstop.

PREDICTION: Indians 6, Tigers 2

[Can'tPickAWinner]

GAME: New York Yankees (78-66) at Tampa Bay Rays (72-74)
DATE/TIME: Wednesday, September 13 - 1:10 PM EST
WHERE: Citi Field, New York City, New York
LINE: N/A TOTAL: N/A

Preview: Yankees at Rays
Gracenote
Sep 13, 2017

The New York Yankees will try for their fourth straight series win when they conclude a three-game set at Citi Field in Queens against the host Tampa Bay Rays. The Yankees managed three hits in dropping a 2-1 decision Tuesday night, evening the set at a game apiece and sinking New York four games behind first-place Boston in the American League East.

They remain atop the heap in the wild-card race and will next head back across town to begin a closing stretch in which they play 14 of their final 17 games at home. The Rays also hope to have some home games on the horizon and plan to return to their hurricane-ravaged city after Wednesday's game. They are scheduled to open a three-game series with the Red Sox on Friday after a day off to check in on their families and homes that may have been impacted by Hurricane Irma. Jaime Garcia gets the start in the finale for New York opposite Chris Archer for Tampa Bay.

TV: 1:10 p.m. ET, YES (New York), FSN Sun (Tampa Bay)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Yankees LH Jaime Garcia (5-9, 4.43 ERA) vs. Rays RH Chris Archer (9-9, 4.00)

Garcia is winless in five starts since joining New York at the trade deadline after suffering a hard-luck loss against Cleveland his last time out, allowing one earned run in five innings. He will be pitching for the first time in two weeks and for the third time this year at Citi Field. The 31-year-old is facing the Rays for the first time.

Archer has hit a wall in September, first giving up a pair of home runs to the only batters he faced in Chicago before leaving with a forearm issue and then getting throttled at Fenway Park. The Red Sox got to him for eight runs (six earned) and nine hits in three innings, bumping Archer's ERA to 4.00 for the first time in 2017. The 28-year-old has 27 strikeouts in 19 1/3 innings over three starts against the Yankees this year.

WALK-OFFS

1. Rays SS Adeiny Hechavarria hit the go-ahead homer in the eighth inning Tuesday and is 4-for-7 with three extra-base hits in the series.

2. Yankees OF Clint Frazier was activated from the 10-day disabled list (oblique) Tuesday and went 0-for-2.

3. New York has won 14 of its last 19 series against Tampa Bay.

PREDICTION: Yankees 6, Rays 4

[Can'tPickAWinner]

GAME: Chicago White Sox (57-87) at Kansas City Royals (72-72)
DATE/TIME: Wednesday, September 13 - 2:15 PM EST
WHERE: Kauffman Stadium, Kansas City, Missouri
LINE: N/A TOTAL: N/A

Preview: White Sox at Royals
Gracenote
Sep 12, 2017

The Kansas City Royals hope to contain Chicago's Jose Abreu one more time when they host the White Sox on Wednesday afternoon in the finale of their three-game series. Abreu was 10-for-13 with three home runs, eight RBIs, two triples and two home runs in his last three contests, including 4-for-5 with two RBIs in Monday's 11-3 victory in Kansas City, but was 1-for-5 in Tuesday's 4-3 loss that snapped a three-game winning streak.

Brandon Moss' grand slam accounted for the Royals' runs as they remain on the periphery of the American League wild card race, three games behind Minnesota for the final spot. Kansas City hopes to have center fielder Lorenzo Cain (quads) and 3B Mike Moustakas (right knee) back in the lineup after neither played Tuesday. "We've had an off day planned for Cain and Moose for four or five days because this is a quick turnaround," Royals manager Ned Yost told reporters about the day game after a night game. Chicago's Lucas Giolito was ejected from his last start -- his fourth of the season since being recalled from Triple-A Charlotte -- and opposes rookie Eric Skoglund, who returns to the rotation after his first career relief appearance.

TV: 2:15 p.m. ET, CSN Chicago, FSN Kansas City

PITCHING MATCHUP: White Sox RH Lucas Giolito (2-2, 2.84 ERA) vs. Royals LH Eric Skoglund (1-2, 10.29)

Giolito allowed five runs (three earned), three hits and four walks while striking out five in 5 1/3 innings of a 9-2 loss to San Francisco on Friday. The 23-year-old Californian won his previous two starts, yielding one run and six hits over 14 innings in victories over Tampa Bay (10 strikeouts) and Detroit. Giolito, who makes his first road start of the season and second of his career, has never faced Kansas City or any of its players.

Skoglund permitted three runs, three hits and three walks in three innings of relief in the Royals' 17-0 loss at Minnesota on Sept. 2. The 24-year-old Floridian made his major-league debut May 30 versus Detroit, allowing two hits and one walk while striking out five in 6 1/3 innings of a 1-0 victory. Skoglund yielded 13 runs in 4 2/3 innings over three starts in between, with two coming in June and the other Aug. 27 -- a 12-0 loss at Cleveland in which he permitted seven runs in 1 1/3 frames.

WALK-OFFS

1. Chicago rookie Nicky Delmonico (.281 batting average, seven home runs, 15 RBIs in 96 at-bats) recorded his second two-hit game in the last three contests Tuesday after going 0-for-17 in his previous five games.

2. Kansas City claimed RHP Mike Morin (0-0, 6.91 ERA in 10 relief appearances this season) off waivers from the Los Angeles Angels.

3. Abreu needs eight RBIs in the last 16 games to reach 100 for the fourth time in his four-year career.

PREDICTION: Royals 6, White Sox 5

[Can'tPickAWinner]

GAME: Atlanta Braves (65-78) at Washington Nationals (88-56)
DATE/TIME: Wednesday, September 13 - 7:05 PM EST
WHERE: Nationals Park, Washington, District of Columbia
LINE: N/A TOTAL: N/A

Preview: Braves at Nationals
Gracenote
Sep 13, 2017

The Washington Nationals already have clinched the National League East title, and Max Scherzer gets the start for Wednesday’s home contest against the Atlanta Braves looking to sharpen himself heading into the postseason. The Nationals hope to chase down the Dodgers for home-field advantage in the NL, but the Braves dominated the series opener Tuesday in an 8-0 victory that marked Atlanta’s fifth victory in eight games at Washington this season.

The Braves pounced on Washington in the first game of the series, collecting nine extra-base hits among their 14 hits in the victory. Rookie second baseman Ozzie Albies finished with three hits in the opener, extending his hitting streak to 10 games. In a losing cause, Washington first baseman Ryan Zimmerman recorded two hits and is hitting .343 in 10 games in September. The Nationals fell Tuesday for just the second time in their past eight games.

TV: 7:05 p.m. ET, FSN Southeast (Atlanta), MASN (Washington)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Braves LH Luiz Gohara (0-1, 13.50 ERA) vs. Nationals RH Max Scherzer (14-5, 2.32)

Gohara makes his second major-league start after losing his debut, in which he allowed six runs in four innings Sept. 6 against Texas. The 21-year-old struggled with his control, walking four hitters, but struck out six. Acquired from Seattle in an offseason trade, Gohara went 7-4 with a 2.62 ERA at three stops in the Atlanta minor leagues in 2017.

Scherzer again is a favorite for the NL Cy Young, starting the week leading the NL with 239 strikeouts and topping the majors in WHIP (0.875) and hits per nine innings (5.6). He is 6-0 in his past 12 starts – Washington is 10-2 in that stretch – while striking out 94 in 70 2/3 innings with 21 earned runs allowed. The 33-year-old is 1-1 in three starts with a 3.20 ERA against Atlanta this season, striking out 23 with seven walks in 19 2/3 innings.

WALK-OFFS

1. Washington hopes OF Jayson Werth, who has missed the past five games with a sore left shoulder, can play Wednesday.

2. Atlanta struggled mightily after reaching .500 in mid-July, but has won five of its past six games and is 6-5 in September.

3. Braves 1B Freddie Freeman is 8-for-18 in his past four games with two homers, four runs scored and five RBIs.

PREDICTION: Nationals 6, Braves 1