Friday 4-12-19 Free Plays / Trends / Betting Info / Etc

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Dwayne Connors

Comp play for Friday is the Yankees at home to take their weekend opener by at least 2 runs over the White Sox.


New York had the day off yesterday and had to stew about getting swept in their most recent 3 games at Minute Maid Park against the Houston Astros. The Yankees may be dealing with a slew of injuries, but they did hold leads in all 3 of those games, and wound up losing all 3.


Back at home tonight, and playing a team that has lost their last 5 - all of the losses by 4 runs or more - and stands at just 3-8 for the season should bode well for getting back on the rails for the Yanks. The Chicago White Sox are the un-proud owners of the worst ERA in the American League, as they enter play tonight sporting a 6.9 team ERA.


Lucas Giolito did take a no-hitter into the 7th inning in his season debut which was good for one of the Sox three wins this season, but in his second start, Giolito was rocked by the Mariners, as he allowed 5 runs on 6 hits, while also walking 4 as he could not work past the 5th inning. This will be his second career start against New York, and his first at Yankee Stadium. Last year, Giolito allowed 7 runs on 6 hits in just 5 innings in a home loss to the Yankees.


New York will counter with the slow-starting J.A. Happ who is 0-1 in his pair of starts this year with an ERA over 6. This start against the White Sox should be to his liking, as he is a lifetime 4-2 in his 6 starts against the Pale Hose with an ERA of 3.86.


This is the first of a nine game home stand for New York, and I like it to get off on the right foot with a 2 runs or better victory over the struggling ChiSox.


Yankees on the Run Line for Friday.

2* N.Y. YANKEES -1 1/2 RUNS

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Jack Brayman

My free winner for tonight is on the Boston Red Sox Run Line, over the Baltimore Orioles.

Baltimore arrives in Beantown after hosting Oakland, and while the defending World Series champs already enjoyed their home opener, now I expect electricity out of Fenway for the first Friday night game of the season.

Though pitchers are automatically listed when making Run Line wagers, I am insisting you DO NOT worry about who the scheduled starters are. In the event of a scratch, you MUST re-wager the game with the new pitcher(s) who are scheduled. This play will stand no matter who pitches for either team.

That said, Boston southpaw Eduardo Rodriguez should be on the bump, and he'll be looking to erase what has been one of the roughest starts to the season for any Boston pitcher. Rodriguez was charged with six runs on eight hits over 3 2/3 innings against the A's in his last start and has allowed 12 runs over eight innings so far this season.

Good thing for Boston backers is he was 7-4 with a 3.70 ERA at home last season. And against Baltimore last season, opposing batters hit just .229, so he will bring some confidence to the mound for this one.

Take the Sox on the Run Line here.

3* RED SOX RUN LINE

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Tony Weston

COMPLIMENTARY WINNER

This was supposed to be a test for the Seattle Mariners, this home series against the two-time defending American League West champion Houston Astros.

Instead, something tells me the test is on the Astros, as the M's return to Seattle after a 6-1 road trip, and riding a six-game win streak thanks to an offensive surge.

Seattle has homered in all 15 games, breaking the mark of 14 at the start of a season set by the 2002 Cleveland Indians. The M's have been led offensively by Dan Vogelbach, who has hit .462 (12-for-26) with six home runs and 11 RBIs over the past seven games.

The Mariners have hit 36 homers, tying them with the 2000 St. Louis Cardinals for the most through 15 games. No other club has scored six or more runs in 13 of its first 15 games.

Now they have a chance to make a statement against the preseason-favored Astros, and I like the M's to go off on the series lid-lifter.

Don't list pitchers, just straight action, as Seattle sends a message.

4* MARINERS

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Chris Jordan

Last night I hit the Toronto Maple Leafs with my main free pick. The bonus play on the Over, but the big freebie won. So, I am back on the ice for my free play tonight, as I love the Columbus Blue Jackets and Tampa Bay Lightning to stay Under the posted number.

After the display we saw the other night, in Game 1, I don't think either goaltender was pleased with his performance. The Columbus Blue Jackets stole home ice from the league's top seed, with a 4-3 win, and Andrei Vasilevskiy will be looking to avenge the loss.

In the 13 games following contests he allowed four or more goals, Vasilevskiy has a 2.30 goals against average (GAA), including four shutouts. In seven of those games he's allowed 2 or fewer goals.

I expect Tampa's goaltender to be on point tonight.

Meanwhile, for Columbus, it'll be Sergei Bobrovsky looking to improve on how he started the game, spotting the Lightning a 3-0 lead. And remember, Bobrovsky went 37-24-1 with a 2.58 GAA, .913 save percentage and nine shutouts in 62 games, leading the NHL in shutouts, and ranking second in wins.

The two-time Vezina Trophy winner was 18-8-0 with a 2.01 GAA, .930 save percentage and seven shutouts since Feb. 1. He's got the hot hand, and will also be at his best tonight.

Play this one low.

4* UNDER Blue Jackets-Lightning