Wednesday 6-19-19 Free Plays / Trends / Betting Info / Etc

[Can'tPickAWinner]

The Last Call Wednesday's Free Play: NY Mets + 137

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Tony Weston

COMPLIMENTARY WINNER

My free winner for Wednesday night is on the Detroit Tigers against the Pittsburgh Pirates, and I'm listing the scheduled starters: Jordan Zimmerman and Trevor Williams.

I get it, the Tigers haven't been that good, and their 26-43 mark has them sitting in fourth place in the American League Central. But I don't know if the Pirates are good enough to be laying a big price like they are when they've lost 8 of 10 and can't get consistent pitching.

The Pirates have a 5.51 ERA over their last 10 games and have been outscored by five runs in that span. Tonight they're handing the ball to Williams, who is expected to return from the injured list after just one rehab start at Triple-A. The Tigers faced the right-hander in April, and will know what to expect.

I'd rather invest in Zimmerman, who has been on the injured list since April 26 with a right UCL sprain. That's the tendon that'll have you under the knife for Tommy John, so he's likely rehabbed his elbow and I think he will come back stronger than we saw at the beginning of the campaign.

The righty is 0-4 with a 5.93 ERA, but he did complete two rehab outings this month while working on his mechanics. He gave up some homers, but those starts are more for getting your form, command and velocity going once again. They're not there to keep your minor-league ERA intact.

I like the veteran hurler from Detroit to rebound from the injured list much better than the young righty from Pittsburgh. List both and take the big underdog price.

4* TIGERS (Zimmerman over Williams)

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Bob Valentino

Your Wednesday free play release is the White Sox and Cubs to land Under the total as they conclude their pair of interleague games from Wrigley Field.

It is Lucas Giolito and Jon Lester to the hill, and while Lester has been off form - 4 runs or more allowed in 5 of his last 6 outings - Giolito has been the exact opposite, as he stands at 10-1 for the year with a scant 2.22 season ERA, and an even lower 0.43 ERA over his last 3 starts, 2 of those 3 holding Under the total.

With bragging rights for the city on the line, I like Giolito to continue to stay on point, and for the savvy veteran Lester to find his "A" game in this primetime showdown for Wednesday.

Last night's game saw just 4 combined runs cross the plate, as it held easily Under the total. That Under means that the Cubbies have now held Under the total in 3 straight and in 6 of their last 9 games overall.

I don't see too many runs tonight.

White Sox and Cubs to hold Under the total.

2* WHITE SOX-CUBS UNDER

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Dwayne Connors

Wednesday night comp play on the White Sox with Lucas Giolito to sweep the short two game set over the Cubs and Jon Lester.


The Cubs got the start they were looking for last night from Cole Hamels, but the bullpen could not prevent the White Sox from going deep late last night in a 3-1 Pale Hose win that dropped the Cubbies to just 2-6 over their last 8 games.


The chances that mark dips to 2-7 are very real, as Giolito has won 8 starts in a row, and he has done so by flashing a dominant 0.94 ERA with an impressive 65 strikeouts in his 57-plus innings pitched!


Giolito is 10-2 for the year, and the Pale Hose have won 11 of his 13 season starts, so grabbing the Sox at plus-money is something I am most definitely interested in, especially when you consider that Cubs starter Jon Lester has been in a tailspin for a while now.


Lester was just touched up by the L.A. Dodgers, as the southpaw allowed 3 home runs and 6 runs to score in his short 5 innings of work. That means he has now allowed 4 earned runs or better in 5 of his last 6 turns on the hill, while going just 2-4 in those 6 assignments.


Bragging rights for the Windy City will go to the South Siders in this concluding two game set tonight.


Take the red-hot Giolito to continue his tear as the White Sox make it 2-for-2 over the Cubs at Wrigley Field on Wednesday night.

3* WHITE SOX

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Chris Jordan

My free play for tonight is on the Chicago White Sox over the Chicago Cubs, and I want you to list the scheduled starting pitchers: Lucas Giolito and Jon Lester.

It's a shame the South Siders can't contend out of the American League Central, considering how well Giolito has performed this season. He should be mentioned in the A.L. Cy Young conversation, considering he is 10-1 with a 2.22 ERA.

The right-hander has won eight straight starts and is 9-0 over his last 11 trips to the hill after a stellar performance against the A.L. East-leading Yankees on Friday. Giolito is sporting a stingy 0.94 ERA with 65 strikeouts over 57 1/3 innings during his eight-start win streak.

Lester, meanwhile, steps to the mound for the Cubs after giving up six runs - thanks to three two-run homers - in a five-inning loss to the Dodgers on Thursday. The veteran southpaw has a lofty 7.59 ERA in his last six outings, and over 17 career games against the White Sox, Lester is 9-6 with a 4.13 ERA.

Let's play the dog price here.

3* WHITE SOX (Giolito over Lester)

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Diamond Trends - Wednesday
Vince Akins

SU Play ON Trend of the Day:

The Cubs are 13-0 SU at home when they are seeking immediate revenge for a loss in which they held the lead.

SU Play AGAINST Trend of the Day:

The Reds are 0-15 SU as a dog in the last game of a series when they are off a game as a dog in which they hit more home runs than their opponent.

Batter-Based Trend of the Day:

The Astros are 20-0 SU as a 140-plus favorite after a game as a road favorite in which Yuli Gurriel had multiple hits and they are not facing a team that has 50-plus fewer wins.

Starter-Based Trend of the Day:

The Diamondbacks are 15-0 SU when Zack Greinke starts as a 135-plus favorite and their bullpen gave up runs in each of their last two games.

[Can'tPickAWinner]

STREAKING AND SLUMPING STARTERS

STREAKING

Lucas Giolito, Chicago White Sox (10-1, 2.22 ERA, $1,155): Giolito is arguably the best pitcher in baseball and the way he’s been dealing over the last two months is nothing short of incredible. Giolito has a 0.94 ERA and a 0.75 WHIP while limiting opponents to a .149 batting average over his last eight starts. He’ll look to strut his stuff when he takes the ball against the cross-town rival Cubs tonight. The White Sox are +130 underdogs with a total of 7 for tonight’s game at Wrigley.

SLUMPING

Aaron Sanchez, Toronto Blue Jays (3-8, 5.04 ERA, $-426): The Blue Jays rebuild is in full swing, but the current roster’s biggest weak spot is the starting pitching and Sanchez has been no exception. The right-hander has been roughed up to the tune of a 10.20 ERA and a 1.93 WHIP over his last three starts. He also has more walks (10) than strikeouts (nine) over that span. He hopes to bounce back when the Jays host the Angels tonight. Toronto is currently a +155 home dog with a total of 9.5.


WHO NEEDS A NOSE?

They don’t call him “Mad Max” for nothing. Max Scherzer broke his nose in batting practice yesterday, but still plans on starting at home tonight against the Phillies. Would you really expect anything less from Scherzer. The former Cy Young award winner is also dealing right now, so probably wants to keep that groove going. He has recorded 10 consecutive quality starts where he has a 2.01 ERA, a 1.15 WHIP and has racked up a whopping 92 punchouts in 67 innings.