Thursday 9-21-17 Free Plays / Trends / Betting Info / Etc

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Eric Schroeder

My free winner is on the Houston Astros Run Line, over the Chicago White Sox. Normally I may not lay this big of a price with a run line, but this is a free play, and outside of my total tonight, it's the best option I've got in terms of an opinion.

IMPORTANT: As you know every single Run Line play and Total wager will automatically list the scheduled starting pitchers at the time of the wager. But with this game I am not concerned with who is pitching for either team tonight and want you playing this game on the Run Line regardless. That said, IT IS YOUR RESPONSIBILITY to be sure you have action even if one of the pitchers scheduled to start is scratched, by betting the game over again in the event that takes place.

Fact is, we have an Astros team that is in pursuit of the American League's best record, and they're hosting a wickedly dismal Chicago squad that can't seem to get out of its own way at times.

The Astros are 1 1/2 games behind the Cleveland Indians for the AL's top record, and could very well catch this team with so much motivation behind them.

Houston is playing for so much more than a title, after the devastation of Harvey, and I think this team's spirit has been lifted to carry the burden of lifting the city.

Look for the Astros to keep rolling toward the best record on the junior circuit.

4* ASTROS RUN LINE

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Jack Brayman

Now about this complimentary winner

I don't know what it is about San Diego, and Petco Park, but good teams go there to lose.

May 29-31, the Cubs got swept.

Sept. 1-3, the Dodgers won the lid-lifter and lost the last three.

To start the week, the Diamondbacks almost got swept, losing two of three.

There are other series I could mention, with teams that were good at the moment, or contending at that time, but are only in the wild card race now.

But San Diego has found a knack for beating playoff-contending teams. Period.

I'll take a shot with the Friars, who have won three of four, catching money from a Rockies team that has lost three straight.

5* PADRES

[New York Knight]

Top MLB $ starters:

1. P. Bridwell (15-2) $1644
2. D. Pomeranz (21-9) $1049
3. C. Kershaw (21-4) $1035
4. Z. Greinke (21-9) $1023



Worst MLB $ starters:

334. M.Bumgarner (3-13) $-1603
333. M.Moore (10-20) $-1133
332. R.Nolasco (10-21) $-1015
331. J.Biagini (5-11) $-934

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Dave Price
Sep 21 '17, 8:10 PM
MLB | Cubs vs Brewers
Play on: Brewers +118 at BetOnline

Dave's Thursday Free Play:

1* on Milwaukee Brewers +118

The Key: This is a huge series for the Milwaukee Brewers. They are only one game back in the wild card and actually still have a shot to chase down the Cubs in the NL Central at 3.5 games back if they can sweep this series. Zach Davies is 17-9 with a 3.99 ERA in 31 starts for the Brewers this season. Davies is 2-1 with a 2.70 ERA in his last 3 starts against the Cubs this season. Jake Arrieta will be making his first start back from a hamstring injury that has kept him out since September 4th. Don't expect him to go deep into this ball game. The Cubs are 1-5 in Arrieta's last 6 road starts vs. a team with a winning record. The Brewers are 7-0 in their last 7 games vs. a right-handed starter. Milwaukee is 10-3 in its last 13 home games. Take Milwaukee.

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Doug Upstone
Sep 21 '17, 7:35 PM in 3h
MLB | Nationals vs Braves
Play on: Nationals -135 at 5Dimes

Since winning four in a row, the Atlanta offense has all but disappeared in averaging 2.3 RRG in their last six outings. Last night they were whipped 7-3 by Washington and that could happen again as underdogs with a money line of +100 or higher like the Braves, batting .190 or worse over their last three contests, after a game where the bullpen was rocked for five or more earned runs are 11-45 since 2013.

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Teddy Davis
Sep 21 '17, 7:10 PM
MLB | Twins vs Tigers
Play on: Twins -122 at 5Dimes

I trust the Twins to bounce back here against a division rival after getting swept by the Yankees. They are still 1.5 ahead of the Angels right now and can't afford many more losses. Mejia takes the mound for the Twins here who has had his best stuff on the road this year with a 2.54 ERA in 6 starts.

Zimmermann has flat out been awful for the Tigers with a 6.16 ERA on the season. He comes into this game in terrible form as well with a 9.00 ERA his last 3 starts. The Tigers have clearly thrown in the towel for the season.

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Brad Diamond
Sep 21 '17, 7:35 PM
MLB | Nationals vs Braves
Play on: Nationals -136 at 5Dimes

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Brandon Lee
Sep 21 '17, 8:10 PM
MLB | CHC vs MIL
Play on: UNDER 8½ +105

10* FREE MLB PICK (Cubs/Brewers UNDER 8.5)

It's going to feel like a playoffs for this 4-game series between the Cubs and Brewers. The Brewers are 3.5 back with 11 to play and also can't afford to lose if they want to keep pace with the Rockies for the Wild Card spot. Chicago knows this is their chance to secure the division title and secure a spot in the postseason. Both teams are going to pull out all the stops to secure the win and I'm expecting a low-scoring game in the opener with Jake Arrieta facing off against Zach Davies. Arrieta has a 2.79 ERA and 0.989 WHIP in 14 career starts against the Brewers, allowing just 3 earned runs in 13 innings against them this season. Davies has been sharp against Chicago each of the last 3 times he's faced them this season, allowing just 6 runs over 20 innings (3 or less each start). Give me the UNDER 8.5!

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Jack Jones
Sep 21 '17, 10:10 PM
MLB | Rangers vs Mariners
Play on: Rangers +130 at 5Dimes

Jack's Free Pick Thursday: Texas Rangers +130

The Texas Rangers have quietly stayed alive in the wild card race. Both the Angels and Twins have struggled of late, so the Rangers are now just 2.5 games out of the wild card with 11 games remaining. The Rangers have won three straight coming in, and they are up against a Seattle Mariners team that has packed it in with five straight losses to fall out of contention.

James Paxton has had good season-long numbers, but he has fought injuries and will be making just his second start since August 10th. Paxton wasn't sharp in his return from the DL, giving up 3 earned runs and 6 base runners in 1 1/3 innings of a 2-5 loss to Houston. Paxton is 2-3 with a 3.64 ERA and 1.532 WHIP in nine career starts against Texas. He gave up 7 earned runs in 3 2/3 innings in his last start against the Rangers on June 16th.

Cole Hamels has been a reliable starter for the Rangers this season and has been consistently undervalued. The left-hander is 10-4 with a 3.96 ERA and 1.172 WHIP in 21 starts this year. Hamels is 17-2 (+15.0 Units) against the money line when playing against a marginal losing team (Win Pct. 46% to 49%) over the last two seasons.

The Rangers are 29-7 in Hamels' last 36 starts vs. a team with a losing record. Texas is 47-19 in Hamels' last 66 starts overall. The Rangers are 7-1 in their last eight games vs. a starting pitcher with a WHIP less than 1.15. Bet the Rangers Thursday.

[Can'tPickAWinner]

John Martin
Sep 21 '17, 4:05 PM in 20m
MLB | Indians vs Angels
Play on: Angels +109 at BMaker

1 Unit FREE PLAY on Los Angeles Angels +109

The Angels will be motivated to avoid the sweep today after losing the first two games of this series to the Cleveland Indians in tough fashion. They cannot afford many more losses here if they want to make the postseason as they are 1.5 games behind the Twins in the wild card. The Angels have the clear edge on the mound with Parker Bridwell, who is 8-2 with a 3.84 ERA and 1.22 WHIP in 17 starts this year. The Angels are 15-2 in his 17 starts and bettors would be up +16.8 units backing him every start. Danny Salazar is 5-6 with a 4.70 ERA in 17 starts, 4-3 with a 5.57 ERA in 11 road starts, and 1-1 with an 8.02 ERA in his last three starts. He will be making just his 2nd start since August 20th and his first since September 5th, so there could be some rust there. Give me the Angels.

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Art Aronson
Sep 21 '17, 7:10 PM
MLB | STL vs CIN
Play on: OVER 8½ -123

This is a 1* Free Play on the OVER Cards/Reds.

Based primarily on the struggles of Reds’ starter Homer Bailey (5-8, 6.86 ERA.) Bailey comes in off a strong outing against the Pirates on Friday, but performances like those have been few and far between. Besides, the veteran has an atrocious 1-5, 7.78 ERA record at home. Cards’ starter Carlos Martinez has obviously been much more consistent than Bailey this year, but he’s already struggled against the Reds twice this season and he was most recently demolished for seven runs by the Cubs in his last trip to the mound. Consider the OVER in this one.

AAA Sports

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Jimmy Boyd
Sep 21 '17, 4:05 PM in 20m
MLB | Indians vs Angels
Play on: Angels +118 at GTBets

Free Pick on Angels +

I really like the value here with the Angels as a home dog against the Indians on Thursday. LA is right in the thick of things for the final AL Wild Card spot, as they are just 1.5-games back of the Twins. More than anything, I like the pitching matchup for the Angels in this one.

Los Angeles will send out Parker Bridwell, who has been one of their big surprises of 2017. He's 8-2 with a 3.84 ERA and 1.220 WHIP in 17 starts and will have the advantage here of this being the first time a lot of these Indians hitters will have seen him. Cleveland counters with Danny Salazar, who is making his first start since Sept. 5th and he's really struggled of late when he's got a chance, posting a ugly 8.02 ERA and 1.540 WHIP in his last 3 outings. He's also got a poor 5.57 ERA in 11 road starts on the season.

Bridwell has thrived as a dog on the mound, as the Angels have gone 9-1 when he's been listed as an underdog on the money line. LA is also a perfect 7-0 in Bridwell's 7 starts during day games and 8-2 in his last 10 outings after a loss. Take Los Angeles!

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Larry Wallace
Sep 21 '17, 7:10 PM
MLB | Cardinals vs Reds
Play on: Cardinals -1½ +100 at 5Dimes

Take the Cardinals in this match-up against the Reds. Martinez this season has a 3.57 ERA. Also, in his career against the Reds he is 3-2. Bailey while pitching at home is 1-5 with a 7.78 ERA. In his career against the Cardinals Bailey is 6-12 with a 5.75 ERA.

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Mike Williams
Sep 21 '17, 7:05 PM
MLB | TAM vs BAL
Play on: OVER 10 -110

1* on Rays vs Orioles over 10 -110

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Info Plays
Sep 21 '17, 7:35 PM
MLB | Nationals vs Braves
Play on: Nationals -135 at GTBets

1* Free Play on Nationals -135