Sunday 4-8-18 Free Plays / Trends / Betting Info / Etc

[Can'tPickAWinner]

MLB
Long Sheet

Sunday, April 8

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

CINCINNATI (2 - 5) at PITTSBURGH (6 - 2) - 1:35 PM
TYLER MAHLE (R) vs. JAMESON TAILLON (R)
Top Trends for this game.
PITTSBURGH is 31-22 (+13.8 Units) against the money line in day games over the last 2 seasons.

Head-to-Head Series History
PITTSBURGH is 2-1 (+0.8 Units) against CINCINNATI this season
2 of 3 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL this season . (Over=+1.0 Units)

TYLER MAHLE vs. PITTSBURGH since 1997
MAHLE is 0-1 when starting against PITTSBURGH with an ERA of 2.45 and a WHIP of 1.182.
His team's record is 0-2 (-2.1 units) in these starts. The UNDER is 2-0. (+2.0 units)

JAMESON TAILLON vs. CINCINNATI since 1997
TAILLON is 1-2 when starting against CINCINNATI with an ERA of 5.30 and a WHIP of 1.570.
His team's record is 4-3 (-0.8 units) in these starts. The UNDER is 3-3. (-0.7 units)

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

MIAMI (2 - 6) at PHILADELPHIA (3 - 4) - 1:35 PM
TREVOR RICHARDS (R) vs. JAKE ARRIETA (R)
Top Trends for this game.
MIAMI is 52-106 (-42.1 Units) against the money line in road games in day games since 1997.
PHILADELPHIA is 176-110 (+46.9 Units) against the money line in home games when playing on Sunday since 1997.
MIAMI is 19-9 (+13.8 Units) against the money line after allowing 10 runs or more over the last 3 seasons.
PHILADELPHIA is 43-79 (-28.7 Units) against the money line against right-handed starters over the last 2 seasons.

Head-to-Head Series History
PHILADELPHIA is 2-0 (+2.0 Units) against MIAMI this season
1 of 2 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL this season . (Over=+0.0 Units)

TREVOR RICHARDS vs. PHILADELPHIA since 1997
No recent starts.

JAKE ARRIETA vs. MIAMI since 1997
ARRIETA is 3-0 when starting against MIAMI with an ERA of 1.38 and a WHIP of 0.769.
His team's record is 3-1 (+2.1 units) in these starts. The OVER is 3-0. (+3.0 units)

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

CHICAGO CUBS (4 - 4) at MILWAUKEE (5 - 4) - 2:10 PM
JOSE QUINTANA (L) vs. CHASE ANDERSON (R)
Top Trends for this game.
CHICAGO CUBS are 1699-1766 (-270.0 Units) against the money line in all games since 1997.
CHICAGO CUBS are 28-30 (-15.3 Units) against the money line when the total is 8 to 8.5 over the last 2 seasons.
CHICAGO CUBS are 40-40 (-23.2 Units) against the money line in day games over the last 2 seasons.
CHICAGO CUBS are 1253-1311 (-204.5 Units) against the money line against right-handed starters since 1997.
CHICAGO CUBS are 51-48 (-18.9 Units) against the money line after a win over the last 2 seasons.
QUINTANA is 9-26 (-17.9 Units) against the money line in road games in day games since 1997. (Team's Record)
MILWAUKEE is 91-80 (+19.0 Units) against the money line in all games over the last 2 seasons.
MILWAUKEE is 30-22 (+14.0 Units) against the money line when playing on Sunday over the last 3 seasons.
MILWAUKEE is 49-37 (+21.7 Units) against the money line against left-handed starters over the last 3 seasons.
MILWAUKEE is 44-36 (+11.9 Units) against the money line after a loss over the last 2 seasons.

Head-to-Head Series History
CHICAGO CUBS is 2-1 (+0.7 Units) against MILWAUKEE this season
2 of 3 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL this season . (Under=+0.9 Units)

JOSE QUINTANA vs. MILWAUKEE since 1997
QUINTANA is 2-1 when starting against MILWAUKEE with an ERA of 0.90 and a WHIP of 0.733.
His team's record is 3-1 (+1.7 units) in these starts. The OVER is 0-4. (-4.2 units)

CHASE ANDERSON vs. CHICAGO CUBS since 1997
ANDERSON is 3-2 when starting against CHICAGO CUBS with an ERA of 3.78 and a WHIP of 1.121.
His team's record is 3-4 (+1.0 units) in these starts. The OVER is 3-3. (-0.5 units)

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

ARIZONA (6 - 2) at ST LOUIS (4 - 4) - 2:15 PM
TAIJUAN WALKER (R) vs. LUKE WEAVER (R)
Top Trends for this game.
ARIZONA is 100-74 (+19.0 Units) against the money line in all games over the last 2 seasons.
ARIZONA is 25-21 (+14.2 Units) against the money line as a road underdog of +125 to +175 over the last 3 seasons.
ARIZONA is 20-12 (+10.3 Units) against the money line in April games over the last 2 seasons.
ST LOUIS is 83-81 (-29.8 Units) against the money line in home games over the last 3 seasons.
ST LOUIS is 36-45 (-28.4 Units) against the money line in home games after a win over the last 3 seasons.
ST LOUIS is 35-43 (-18.4 Units) against the money line in home games when playing against a team with a winning record over the last 3 seasons.

Head-to-Head Series History
ARIZONA is 1-1 (+0.0 Units) against ST LOUIS this season
1 of 2 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL this season . (Over=-0.2 Units, Under=-0.2 Units)

TAIJUAN WALKER vs. ST LOUIS since 1997
WALKER is 0-1 when starting against ST LOUIS with an ERA of 4.50 and a WHIP of 1.500.
His team's record is 1-1 (+0.2 units) in these starts. The OVER is 1-1. (-0.1 units)

LUKE WEAVER vs. ARIZONA since 1997
WEAVER is 0-1 when starting against ARIZONA with an ERA of 7.20 and a WHIP of 1.400.
His team's record is 0-1 (-1.2 units) in these starts. The UNDER is 1-0. (+1.0 units)

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

ATLANTA (5 - 3) at COLORADO (5 - 4) - 3:10 PM
SEAN NEWCOMB (L) vs. KYLE FREELAND (L)
Top Trends for this game.
COLORADO is 92-80 (+11.8 Units) against the money line in all games over the last 2 seasons.
COLORADO is 30-22 (+14.0 Units) against the money line against left-handed starters over the last 2 seasons.
COLORADO is 35-31 (+12.8 Units) against the money line when playing against a team with a winning record over the last 2 seasons.
ATLANTA is 145-172 (+34.5 Units) against the money line as a road underdog of +125 to +175 since 1997.
ATLANTA is 73-90 (+22.9 Units) against the money line in road games over the last 3 seasons.
ATLANTA is 69-89 (+19.4 Units) against the money line when playing against a team with a winning record over the last 3 seasons.

Head-to-Head Series History
ATLANTA is 1-1 (+0.4 Units) against COLORADO this season
1 of 2 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL this season . (Over=-0.0 Units, Under=-0.3 Units)

SEAN NEWCOMB vs. COLORADO since 1997
NEWCOMB is 0-0 when starting against COLORADO with an ERA of 5.90 and a WHIP of 1.687.
His team's record is 1-1 (+0.6 units) in these starts. The OVER is 1-1. (-0.1 units)

KYLE FREELAND vs. ATLANTA since 1997
FREELAND is 0-0 when starting against ATLANTA with an ERA of 5.25 and a WHIP of 1.417.
His team's record is 1-1 (-0.8 units) in these starts. The OVER is 1-1. (-0.1 units)

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

LA DODGERS (2 - 6) at SAN FRANCISCO (4 - 3) - 4:05 PM
CLAYTON KERSHAW (L) vs. TY BLACH (L)
Top Trends for this game.
LA DODGERS are 92-87 (-25.1 Units) against the money line in road games over the last 3 seasons.
LA DODGERS are 5-12 (-10.5 Units) against the money line in road games in April games over the last 2 seasons.
LA DODGERS are 46-41 (-23.5 Units) against the money line against division opponents over the last 2 seasons.
LA DODGERS are 35-31 (-18.6 Units) against the money line after a loss over the last 2 seasons.
LA DODGERS are 6-12 (-16.7 Units) against the money line after 3 or more consecutive losses over the last 2 seasons.
SAN FRANCISCO is 279-186 (+55.9 Units) against the money line in home games against left-handed starters since 1997.
KERSHAW is 67-23 (+32.3 Units) against the money line in day games since 1997. (Team's Record)
KERSHAW is 29-6 (+17.9 Units) against the money line when playing against a team with a winning record over the last 2 seasons. (Team's Record)
SAN FRANCISCO is 68-101 (-34.2 Units) against the money line in all games over the last 2 seasons.
SAN FRANCISCO is 9-20 (-14.4 Units) against the money line when playing on Sunday over the last 2 seasons.
SAN FRANCISCO is 22-43 (-23.5 Units) against the money line after a win over the last 2 seasons.
SAN FRANCISCO is 24-43 (-27.7 Units) against the money line when playing against a team with a losing record over the last 2 seasons.

Head-to-Head Series History
SAN FRANCISCO is 3-2 (+3.2 Units) against LA DODGERS this season
3 of 5 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL this season . (Under=+0.8 Units)

CLAYTON KERSHAW vs. SAN FRANCISCO since 1997
KERSHAW is 22-10 when starting against SAN FRANCISCO with an ERA of 1.58 and a WHIP of 0.840.
His team's record is 26-15 (+1.6 units) in these starts. The UNDER is 28-11. (+15.8 units)

TY BLACH vs. LA DODGERS since 1997
BLACH is 3-2 when starting against LA DODGERS with an ERA of 1.41 and a WHIP of 1.000.
His team's record is 3-2 (+3.8 units) in these starts. The OVER is 0-5. (-5.7 units)

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

NY METS (6 - 1) at WASHINGTON (4 - 4) - 8:05 PM
MATT HARVEY (R) vs. TANNER ROARK (R)
Top Trends for this game.
NY METS are 8-20 (-13.6 Units) against the money line when playing on Sunday over the last 2 seasons.
HARVEY is 13-23 (-16.0 Units) against the money line in all games over the last 2 seasons. (Team's Record)
HARVEY is 5-16 (-12.5 Units) against the money line in road games over the last 2 seasons. (Team's Record)
HARVEY is 5-12 (-13.6 Units) against the money line when playing on Sunday since 1997. (Team's Record)
HARVEY is 5-15 (-15.7 Units) against the money line against division opponents over the last 2 seasons. (Team's Record)
WASHINGTON is 72-39 (+19.4 Units) against the money line in night games over the last 2 seasons.
WASHINGTON is 23-25 (-15.2 Units) against the money line as a home favorite of -125 to -175 over the last 2 seasons.

Head-to-Head Series History
NY METS is 2-0 (+2.9 Units) against WASHINGTON this season
1 of 2 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL this season . (Over=-0.1 Units, Under=-0.3 Units)

MATT HARVEY vs. WASHINGTON since 1997
HARVEY is 3-6 when starting against WASHINGTON with an ERA of 3.20 and a WHIP of 1.138.
His team's record is 5-9 (-5.4 units) in these starts. The UNDER is 6-7. (-1.9 units)

TANNER ROARK vs. NY METS since 1997
ROARK is 7-2 when starting against NY METS with an ERA of 2.54 and a WHIP of 1.129.
His team's record is 8-3 (+4.8 units) in these starts. The OVER is 4-5. (-1.4 units)

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

BALTIMORE (3 - 6) at NY YANKEES (5 - 4) - 1:05 PM
MIKE WRIGHT (R) vs. JORDAN MONTGOMERY (L)
Top Trends for this game.
BALTIMORE is 30-56 (-22.1 Units) against the money line in road games over the last 2 seasons.
BALTIMORE is 16-38 (-20.6 Units) against the money line in road games after a loss over the last 2 seasons.
BALTIMORE is 263-247 (+32.0 Units) against the money line in April games since 1997.

Head-to-Head Series History
BALTIMORE is 2-1 (+2.7 Units) against NY YANKEES this season
2 of 3 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL this season . (Over=+0.9 Units)

MIKE WRIGHT vs. NY YANKEES since 1997
WRIGHT is 0-1 when starting against NY YANKEES with an ERA of 11.25 and a WHIP of 2.250.
His team's record is 0-1 (-1.2 units) in these starts. The UNDER is 1-0. (+1.1 units)

JORDAN MONTGOMERY vs. BALTIMORE since 1997
MONTGOMERY is 2-1 when starting against BALTIMORE with an ERA of 2.67 and a WHIP of 1.222.
His team's record is 3-2 (+1.0 units) in these starts. The OVER is 4-1. (+2.9 units)

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

TAMPA BAY (1 - 7) at BOSTON (7 - 1) - 1:05 PM
ANDREW KITTREDGE (R) vs. EDUARDO RODRIGUEZ (L)
There are no Top Trends with records of significance that apply to this game.

Head-to-Head Series History
BOSTON is 5-1 (+3.4 Units) against TAMPA BAY this season
4 of 6 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL this season . (Under=+1.7 Units)

ANDREW KITTREDGE vs. BOSTON since 1997
KITTREDGE is 0-1 when starting against BOSTON with an ERA of 2.70 and a WHIP of 1.201.
His team's record is 0-1 (-1.0 units) in these starts. The OVER is 0-1. (-1.0 units)

EDUARDO RODRIGUEZ vs. TAMPA BAY since 1997
RODRIGUEZ is 0-2 when starting against TAMPA BAY with an ERA of 6.57 and a WHIP of 1.743.
His team's record is 3-2 (+0.8 units) in these starts. The UNDER is 2-3. (-1.6 units)

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

KANSAS CITY (2 - 4) at CLEVELAND (3 - 5) - 1:10 PM
JASON HAMMEL (R) vs. MIKE CLEVINGER (R)
Top Trends for this game.
HAMMEL is 4-14 (-13.3 Units) against the money line in road games after a win over the last 3 seasons. (Team's Record)
HAMMEL is 53-66 (-29.1 Units) against the money line when playing against a team with a losing record since 1997. (Team's Record)
CLEVELAND is 97-49 (+28.2 Units) against the money line when the total is 8 to 8.5 over the last 3 seasons.
CLEVELAND is 116-117 (-36.7 Units) against the money line in home games in April games since 1997.
CLEVELAND is 1-6 (-10.9 Units) against the money line after getting shut out over the last 2 seasons.

Head-to-Head Series History
KANSAS CITY is 1-1 (+1.2 Units) against CLEVELAND this season
2 of 2 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL this season . (Under=+2.0 Units)

JASON HAMMEL vs. CLEVELAND since 1997
HAMMEL is 3-5 when starting against CLEVELAND with an ERA of 5.37 and a WHIP of 1.261.
His team's record is 3-7 (-2.7 units) in these starts. The OVER is 3-6. (-3.5 units)

MIKE CLEVINGER vs. KANSAS CITY since 1997
CLEVINGER is 2-0 when starting against KANSAS CITY with an ERA of 2.49 and a WHIP of 1.200.
His team's record is 3-1 (+1.3 units) in these starts. The OVER is 1-3. (-2.6 units)

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

DETROIT (3 - 4) at CHI WHITE SOX (3 - 4) - 2:10 PM
MICHAEL FIERS (R) vs. REYNALDO LOPEZ (R)
Top Trends for this game.
DETROIT is 67-102 (-32.9 Units) against the money line in all games over the last 2 seasons.
DETROIT is 46-80 (-31.5 Units) against the money line against right-handed starters over the last 2 seasons.
DETROIT is 22-44 (-24.4 Units) against the money line after a win over the last 2 seasons.
DETROIT is 28-48 (-21.7 Units) against the money line when playing against a team with a losing record over the last 2 seasons.
CHI WHITE SOX are 31-22 (+15.2 Units) against the money line in April games over the last 3 seasons.

Head-to-Head Series History
DETROIT is 2-0 (+2.3 Units) against CHI WHITE SOX this season
1 of 2 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL this season . (Over=-0.1 Units, Under=-0.3 Units)

MICHAEL FIERS vs. CHI WHITE SOX since 1997
FIERS is 1-0 when starting against CHI WHITE SOX with an ERA of 0.92 and a WHIP of 0.916.
His team's record is 1-2 (-1.1 units) in these starts. The OVER is 0-3. (-3.1 units)

REYNALDO LOPEZ vs. DETROIT since 1997
LOPEZ is 1-0 when starting against DETROIT with an ERA of 5.14 and a WHIP of 1.286.
His team's record is 1-0 (+1.0 units) in these starts. The OVER is 1-0. (+1.0 units)

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

SEATTLE (4 - 3) at MINNESOTA (4 - 3) - 2:10 PM
MARCO GONZALES (L) vs. LANCE LYNN (R)
Top Trends for this game.
MINNESOTA is 89-81 (+11.2 Units) against the money line in all games over the last 2 seasons.
MINNESOTA is 45-36 (+12.2 Units) against the money line after a loss over the last 2 seasons.
MINNESOTA is 72-92 (-25.6 Units) against the money line in home games over the last 3 seasons.
MINNESOTA is 24-43 (-22.2 Units) against the money line in home games in day games over the last 3 seasons.
MINNESOTA is 53-77 (-28.6 Units) against the money line in home games after allowing 10 runs or more since 1997.

Head-to-Head Series History
SEATTLE is 1-1 (+0.3 Units) against MINNESOTA this season
1 of 2 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL this season . (Over=+0.0 Units)

MARCO GONZALES vs. MINNESOTA since 1997
No recent starts.

LANCE LYNN vs. SEATTLE since 1997
No recent starts.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

TORONTO (5 - 4) at TEXAS (4 - 6) - 3:05 PM
JAIME GARCIA (L) vs. COLE HAMELS (L)
Top Trends for this game.
GARCIA is 44-50 (-25.6 Units) against the money line when playing against a team with a losing record since 1997. (Team's Record)
TEXAS is 177-160 (+24.1 Units) against the money line in all games over the last 3 seasons.
TEXAS is 81-59 (+30.3 Units) against the money line when the total is 9 to 9.5 over the last 3 seasons.
TEXAS is 72-60 (+27.5 Units) against the money line when playing against a team with a winning record over the last 3 seasons.
HAMELS is 38-21 (+16.5 Units) against the money line in all games over the last 3 seasons. (Team's Record)

Head-to-Head Series History
TEXAS is 1-1 (+0.3 Units) against TORONTO this season
1 of 2 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL this season . (Over=+0.0 Units)

JAIME GARCIA vs. TEXAS since 1997
GARCIA is 0-0 when starting against TEXAS with an ERA of 1.80 and a WHIP of 1.100.
His team's record is 1-1 (+0.0 units) in these starts. The OVER is 1-1. (+0.0 units)

COLE HAMELS vs. TORONTO since 1997
HAMELS is 0-4 when starting against TORONTO with an ERA of 6.27 and a WHIP of 1.634.
His team's record is 1-6 (-6.1 units) in these starts. The UNDER is 2-5. (-3.5 units)

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

OAKLAND (4 - 6) at LA ANGELS (6 - 3) - 4:05 PM
KENDALL GRAVEMAN (R) vs. SHOHEI OHTANI (R)
Top Trends for this game.
LA ANGELS are 337-264 (+46.5 Units) against the money line in day games since 1997.
LA ANGELS are 48-36 (+18.4 Units) against the money line after a loss over the last 2 seasons.
OAKLAND is 36-30 (+8.5 Units) against the money line in day games over the last 2 seasons.

Head-to-Head Series History
LA ANGELS is 4-2 (+1.8 Units) against OAKLAND this season
5 of 6 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL this season . (Over=+4.0 Units)

KENDALL GRAVEMAN vs. LA ANGELS since 1997
GRAVEMAN is 2-2 when starting against LA ANGELS with an ERA of 4.33 and a WHIP of 1.296.
His team's record is 6-6 (+1.0 units) in these starts. The OVER is 7-5. (+1.6 units)

SHOHEI OHTANI vs. OAKLAND since 1997
OHTANI is 1-0 when starting against OAKLAND with an ERA of 4.50 and a WHIP of 0.667.
His team's record is 1-0 (+1.0 units) in these starts. The OVER is 1-0. (+1.0 units)

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

SAN DIEGO (2 - 7) at HOUSTON (7 - 2) - 2:10 PM
TYSON ROSS (R) vs. CHARLIE MORTON (R)
Top Trends for this game.
HOUSTON is 119-70 (+18.7 Units) against the money line in all games over the last 2 seasons.
HOUSTON is 90-42 (+28.2 Units) against the money line against right-handed starters over the last 2 seasons.
HOUSTON is 129-135 (-40.1 Units) against the money line in home games in April games since 1997.
MORTON is 16-37 (-20.8 Units) against the money line in day games since 1997. (Team's Record)

Head-to-Head Series History
SAN DIEGO is 1-1 (+1.4 Units) against HOUSTON this season
2 of 2 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL this season . (Under=+2.1 Units)

TYSON ROSS vs. HOUSTON since 1997
ROSS is 1-1 when starting against HOUSTON with an ERA of 5.90 and a WHIP of 1.500.
His team's record is 1-1 (-0.5 units) in these starts. The OVER is 1-0. (+1.0 units)

CHARLIE MORTON vs. SAN DIEGO since 1997
MORTON is 5-1 when starting against SAN DIEGO with an ERA of 2.34 and a WHIP of 1.020.
His team's record is 6-2 (+3.4 units) in these starts. The OVER is 2-4. (-1.7 units)

[Can'tPickAWinner]

5-inning or full-game odds? How you should bet the best and worst MLB bullpens
Ashton Grewal

The Boston Red Sox were up 3-0 on Opening Day when their ace Chris Sale left the mound following six innings of work. But the Tampa Bay Rays scored six runs in the eighth inning and won the game 6-4 as +155 underdogs. That was a tough loss for BoSox moneyline bettors, however, that wager didn’t have to end in an L.

Most sportsbooks offer 5-inning odds (grading the game on just the first five innings of action), which would have meant a win for – albeit at a different price – for Boston backers on Opening Day.

Nowadays, most starting pitchers are asked just to get to the sixth inning (or even just the fifth) so the manager can get on the horn and bring in the setup for the setup guy. Relievers are pitching more and more innings and greatly impacting game results because of it.

There were 44 starting pitchers in 2010 who threw 200 or more innings. Last year, there were only 15. It stinks losing a game when your team’s starting hurler pitches great and then you lose the game because the bullpen didn’t do their job.

Team bullpen stats are tools bettors can use to determine whether wagering on the full-game monyeline or the first five-innings moneyline is the best choice. You can feel more confident betting on a team rolling out its fifth starter if its relief staff is holding down the fort and, conversely, you can back an ace for just the first five innings if you don’t believe in the bullpen.

Here’s a quick look at two of the best bullpens in baseball and two of the worst heading into the second weekend of the season.

BEST BULLPENS

Chicago Cubs

Bullpen ERA: 0.69

A four-game set against the Miami Marlins was supposed to be an easy-peasy opening to the 2018 campaign for the Chicago Cubs. The two-time defending National League Central winners and 2016 World Series champions were visiting a city with more Cubs fans than Miami fans, and the Marlins' offseason selloff left a roster closer resembling a Double-A team than one worthy of the big show. Oddsmakers made the Cubs -200 or larger favorites in three of the four games.

Chicago ran out nearly $65 million worth of starting pitching talent including newly-acquired Yu Darvish and came away with just one quality start from the four games. Thankfully, the bullpen was there to clean up the mess. The Cubs avoided embarrassment and left South Florida by splitting the four-game series thanks in large part to the work of their relief staff.

The Northsiders own the best bullpen earned-run average in the majors (0.69) through Wednesday.

New York Mets

Bullpen ERA: 1.16

Mets fans thought 2018 could be a big bounce-back year for their club because of the return to health of the young pitching staff. And, while Matt Harvey and Jacob deGrom both look great, the bullpen is a big part of the reason New York is 5-1 after its first six games.

The Metropolitans own the best WHIP (walks plus hits per inning) for a relief staff at 0.94 and closer Jeurys Familia is three for three in save opportunities this season.

WORST BULLPENS

Kansas City Royals

Bullpen ERA: 9.00

Kansas City’s World Series teams from the middle of the decade were built on the arms coming out of the pen. The saying used to go that Royals manager Ned Yost only needed his starter to pitch five innings because the club had shutdown relievers for every other inning.

Closer Kelvin Herrera is still doing his thing, now as the team closer, but the bridge from the starter to Herrera in the eighth or ninth inning isn’t the same. Blaine Boyer is the worst offender. The journeyman reliever has given up four runs in just two appearances this season.

New York Yankees

Bullpen ERA: 6.63

The Yankees' relief staff ranks 26th in the majors but it had to be included on the naughty list because of the preseason hype surrounding the group. The bullpen was supposed to be a team strength for New York with big name arms like David Robertson and Aroldis Chapman expected to close the door in late innings.

Robertson is proving to be the weak link in chain so far. He’s given up four runs in three innings of work and has yet to strike anyone out. The Yankees have also blown two of their three save chances.

[Can'tPickAWinner]

MLB

Sunday, April 8


Streaking and Slumping Starting Pitchers

Streaking: Tyler Mahle, Cincinnati Reds (1-0, 0.00 ERA, $100)

Tyler Mahle is a dynamic young starting pitcher and the Cincinnati Reds are hoping he can be the anchor of their rotation of many years to come. His first start of 2018 was a brilliant six-inning, one-hit shutout of the Chicago Cubs and in five career major league starts he has allowed zero earned runs in three of those outings.

Mahle and the Reds are currently listed as +135 underdogs in frigid Pittsburgh against Jameson Taillon and the Pirates.

Slumping: Trevor Richards, Miami Marlins (0-1, 10.38 ERA, $-100)

Much like the Cleveland Indians in the movie 'Major League' the Marlins' ownership group has no intention of trying to win baseball games this season - but they're already located in Miami so what, really, is their end game. In Jeter we trust? Nah, not yet.

Right-handed starter Trevor Richards had a disasterous major league debut when he allowed five earned runs on eight hits in just 4.1 innings of work against the Red Sox this past Monday.

Richards and the fish will look to rebound today on the road as +168 underdogs in Philadelphia against Jake Arrieta and the Phillies.

Sunday's Top Trends

* Under is 7-1 in Charlie Morton's last 8 starts overall. SD/HOU total: 8.5.
* Cubs are 0-8 in their last 8 games following a win. -130 today @ Brewers.
* Cardinals are 9-1 in Luke Weaver's last 10 starts. -145 today vs. Diamondbacks.
* Under is 13-3 in Kyle Freeland's last 16 home starts. ATL/COL total: 11.5.
* Dodgers are 48-12 in Clayton Kershaw's last 60 starts. -200 today @ Giants.
* Mets are 0-5 in Matt Harvey's last 5 starts vs. Nationals. +145 today @ Washington.

Weather Watch

Wind shouldn't be a major factor today across Major League Baseball and precipitation should hold off in most locations, at least, until after the teams are off the field. The main weather issue across many northern cities today will be the cold temperatures.

Low-40's at Yankees Stadium in the Bronx (BAL/NYY total: 9), upper-30's at Fenway Park in Boston (TB/BOS total: 9), low-30's at Progressive Field in Cleveland (KC/CLE total: 8), mid-30's at PNC Park in Pittsburgh (CIN/PIT total: 7.5), low-40's at Citizens Bank Park in Philadelphia (MIA/PHI total: 8), low-30's at Target Field in Minneapolis (SEA/MIN total: 9), mid-30's at Guaranteed Rate Field in Chicago (DET/CHW total: 8.5), low-40's at Busch Stadium in St. Louis (ARI/STL total: 7.5), and mid-40's for the nightcap at Nationals Park (NYM/WAS total: 8).

Ump of the Day

Bruce Dreckman will be calling balls and strikes in San Francisco this afternoon where the Giants and Dodgers will go to battle for the sixth time already in this young season. The Under has cashed in eight of Dreckman's last nine games behind the dish. Dreckman also has current Under trends involving both teams as Under is 5-1 in his last six games involving the Giants and Under is 20-5-1 in his last 26 games behind the plate involving the Dodgers.

The total for today's game at AT&T Park is set at 7.5.

[Can'tPickAWinner]

MLB
Dunkel

Sunday, April 8


Tampa Bay @ Boston

Game 917-918
April 8, 2018 @ 1:05 pm

Dunkel Rating:
Tampa Bay
(Kittredge) 16.504
Boston
(Rdriguez) 15.019
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Tampa Bay
by 1 1/2
9
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Boston
-220
9 1/2
Dunkel Pick:
Tampa Bay
(+190); Under