Thursday 6-27-19 Free Plays / Trends / Betting Info / Etc

[Can'tPickAWinner]

F.A.S.T. Sheets Free Race for Canterbury Park
PURCHASE
Canterbury Park - Race 6

Win, Place &Show / $1 Exacta / $.50 Trifecta / $.10 Superfecta $1 Daily Double / $.50 Rolling Pick 3 (Races 6-7-8) $.50 Final 5 Jackpot (Races 6-10)


Claiming $16,000 • 7 1/2 Furlongs • Turf • Ages 3 and up • CR: 76 • Purse: $16,000 • Post: 8:35P
(RAIL AT 10 FEET). FOR FILLIES AND MARES THREE YEARS OLD AND UPWARD WHICH HAVE NEVER WON TWO RACES. THREE YEAR OLDS, 120 LBS.; OLDER, 123 LBS. CLAIMING PRICE $16,000. MINNESOTA BRED CLAIMING PRICE $25,000. (IF MANAGEMENT DEEMS IT INADVISABLE TO RUN THIS RACE ON THE TURF, TWO-YEAR-OLD RACES WILL BE RUN AT 6 AND 1/2 FURLONGS AND RACES FOR THREE-YEAR-OLDS AND UP WILL BE RUN AT A DISTANCE OF 1 MILE ON THE MAIN TRACK.)
Contenders

Race Analysis
P#
Horse
Morn
Line

Accept
Odds


Race Type: Basic Race. This race has a mixed pace scenario. Check on scratches of any of the Front-runners (to look for a lone Front-runner). * KEY ANGLES * PURE SUGAR: Horse has run a Good Race within the last 30 days. LASER LADEE: Horse ranks in the top three in average Equibase Speed Figure at the distance/surface. DAWN TRAVELLER (IRE): Horse has run a Good Race within the last 30 days. TAKE CHARGE GAL: Horse has a TrackMaster "+" designation or an "L" designation. STORM SHELTER: Toda y is a sprint and this is the horse's third or fourth start after a layoff.
1
PURE SUGAR
3/1

5/1
6
LASER LADEE
10/1

7/1
2
DAWN TRAVELLER (IRE)
7/2

7/1
9
TAKE CHARGE GAL
12/1

7/1
7
STORM SHELTER
8/1

10/1




P#

Horse (In Running Style Order)

Post

Morn
Line

Running Style

Good
Class

Good
Speed

Early Figure

Finish Figure

Platinum
Figure
6
LASER LADEE
6

10/1
Front-runner
77

65

110.0

59.7

48.7
1
PURE SUGAR
1

3/1
Front-runner
69

71

93.9

72.0

62.0
3
SUNSET DREAMER
3

15/1
Front-runner
57

51

80.6

45.5

26.5
2
DAWN TRAVELLER (IRE)
2

7/2
Stalker
82

74

65.3

68.7

61.2
9
TAKE CHARGE GAL
9

12/1
Alternator/Stalker
74

69

58.8

70.2

61.2
4
YOU ARE INVITED
4

9/2
Trailer
69

73

48.3

66.4

55.4
10
GIO'S LIL ANGEL
10

6/1
Trailer
51

57

41.7

54.0

45.0
7
STORM SHELTER
7

8/1
Trailer
72

66

35.0

68.1

60.6
8
TEMPLE TOWER
8

10/1
Alternator/Non-contender
49

57

33.2

64.5

50.0
5
BENDI BLU
5

20/1
Alternator/Non-contender
66

56

25.3

50.0

39.0

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Handicapped by The Turf Club Analysts
PURCHASE

Bar

Delaware Park - Race #4 - Post: 2:45pm - Claiming - 8.0 furlongs on the Dirt. Purse: $12,000 Class Rating: 61

Rating: Golden DollarGolden DollarGolden DollarGolden Dollar

#5 STERLING FURIOSA (ML=8/1)
#6 GIFTED PATH (ML=6/1)


STERLING FURIOSA - This deep stretch runner should have a solid impact on this race. Expect a solid stretch run. The Jun 6th contest at Delaware Park was at a class level of (69). Dropping down in class significantly, so she should be in a good position. This racer earns a lot of dough per race around the track. I believe she will add to the lifetime total right here. GIFTED PATH -

Vulnerable Contenders: #2 PRINCESS A'GO GO (ML=9/5), #4 OCEAN COURT (ML=5/2), #1 ESTRELLA GRANDE (ML=7/2),

PRINCESS A'GO GO - Awfully hard to play this less than sharp equine when she hasn't been showing any signs of readiness lately. OCEAN COURT - I cannot play this repeated non-winner. Gets the job executed once in a while. Hard to back any horse with declining speed figs of 48/23/14. ESTRELLA GRANDE - Tough to put your money on the win end of any thoroughbred that finishes second and third as frequently as this entrant does. Finished third last time out. Would have to improve to be on the board in today's race.



STRAIGHT WAGERS:
#5 STERLING FURIOSA is going to be the play if we are getting 9/5 or better

EXACTA WAGERS:
Box [5,6]

TRIFECTA WAGERS:
Pass

SUPERFECTA WAGERS:
Pass

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Handicapped by The Walker Group at Belterra Park
PURCHASE
Always check program numbers.
Odds shown are morning line odds.

Race 2 - Allowance - 6.0f on the Dirt. Purse: $16900 Class Rating: 88

FOR THREE YEAR OLDS AND UPWARD WHICH HAVE NEVER WON TWO RACES. THREE YEAR OLDS, 119 LBS.; OLDER, 125 LBS. NON-WINNERS OF A RACE SINCE JUNE 14, 2019 ALLOWED 2 LBS. A RACE SINCE THEN ALLOWED 4 LBS. OHIO REGISTERED FOALS


RECOMMENDED CHOICES
The Walker Group Picks

# 5 ROYAL BLUE BOY 7/2

# 2 CALL WEST 9/2

# 3 GO UNCLE BOB 5/2

ROYAL BLUE BOY is my choice. The speed figure of 78 from his latest contest looks very good in here. Overall the speed figures of this horse look formidable in this contest. CALL WEST - In this field, this one is in the upper half of earnings per start in dirt sprint races. Has longshot possibilities and could win at high odds. GO UNCLE BOB - Might best this field here, showing very good numbers of late. Leon will almost certainly be able to get this colt to break out early for this race.

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Handicapped by The Walker Group at Belmont Park
PURCHASE
Always check program numbers.
Odds shown are morning line odds.

Race 8 - Optional Claiming - 8.0f on the Dirt. Purse: $82000 Class Rating: 99

FOR THREE YEAR OLDS WHICH HAVE NEVER WON $10,000 ONCE OTHER THAN MAIDEN, CLAIMING, STARTER OR STATE BRED ALLOWANCE OR WHICH HAVE NEVER WON TWO RACES OR CLAIMING PRICE $100,000. WEIGHT, 122 LBS. NON-WINNERS OF A RACE OTHER THAN CLAIMING OR STARTER AT A MILE OR OVER ALLOWED 2 LBS. A RACE OTHER THAN CLAIMING OR STARTER AT ANY DISTANCE ALLOWED 4 LBS. CLAIMING PRICE


RECOMMENDED CHOICES
The Walker Group Picks

# 5 NOT THAT BRADY 5/2

# 3 FEDERAL CASE 4/1

# 1 FAMILY BIZ 10/1

NOT THAT BRADY appears to be the wager in here. Rodriguez has a strong winning percentage with horses running in dirt route races. Could beat this field given the 97 speed rating earned in his last outing. Rodriguez has shown excellent profits (+2 return on investment ) with horses in dirt route events. FEDERAL CASE - He has been racing admirably lately while recording strong Equibase Speed Figures. Pletcher has a sound 26 percent win rate with entries running at this distance and surface. FAMILY BIZ - Solid average Equibase Speed Figures in dirt route races make this horse a contender. Decent selection to take this race going in a dirt route.

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Handicapped by The Turf Club Analysts
PURCHASE

Bar

Prairie Meadows - Race #5 - Post: 7:52pm - Maiden Claiming - 5.5 furlongs on the Dirt. Purse: $14,414 Class Rating: 52

Rating: Golden DollarGolden DollarGolden DollarGolden Dollar

#4 STEPHANIE'S CITY (ML=8/1)
#8 JOLYNNSDUBLOHSEVEN (ML=8/1)
#7 LAUNCH LIGHT LUCY (ML=5/1)


STEPHANIE'S CITY - Gelner brings her right back. I advise you stay with this strong filly. She has the highest EPS (earnings per start). Check out this one. This filly should be at the peak of fitness, this far into her form cycle. JOLYNNSDUBLOHSEVEN - Last race Jun 1st was pretty strong for a $10,000 Maiden Claiming race so this filly's race wasn't all that bad. This filly ran well in her last race but just couldn't beat the winner. Note that she was well in front of the show horse, and looks like a major contender in this field. I'm optimistic this filly will run well today. Last morning work was 2nd fastest of the day, which tells me she's sharp right now. I like the fact that this filly's last speed fig, 53, is tops in this group. This filly is in fine physical condition, having run a good race on June 1st, finishing second. LAUNCH LIGHT LUCY - This filly is in good form, having run a nice race on Jun 8th, finishing second. I think that a sprinter coming off a layoff will usually run her best in the 3rd or 4th start back.

Vulnerable Contenders: #3 CAMELNTIME (ML=9/2), #1 MISS LEARJET (ML=6/1), #6 DANZIG WHO (ML=8/1),

CAMELNTIME - This filly hasn't had any recent good results in short distance races. I find it hard to wager on her in this contest. Doesn't seem inspiring to me after the lack of any sort of closing response on June 8th. Not probable that the speed fig she garnered on June 8th will be good enough in this affair. MISS LEARJET - There's zip, speed, and more speed in this affair. Doesn't seem too promising for this horse. Don't believe this entrant will make an impact today. That last speed rating was most unsatisfactory when compared with today's class rating. DANZIG WHO - All types of crazy zip on board for this clash. Little chance for this speedball.



STRAIGHT WAGERS:
#4 STEPHANIE'S CITY is the play if we get odds of 7/2 or better

EXACTA WAGERS:
Box [4,7,8]

TRIFECTA WAGERS:
Box [4,7,8] Total Cost: $6

SUPERFECTA WAGERS:
None

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Handicapped by Top Horse Analytics at Churchill Downs
PURCHASE

06/27/19, CD, Race 4, 6.27 ET
6F [Dirt] 1.07.03 MAIDEN CLAIMING. Purse $34,000.
Claiming Price $40,000, For Each $5,000 To $30,000 1 lb. FOR MAIDENS, THREE YEARS OLDAND UPWARD
Daily Double / Exacta / Trifecta / Superfecta / Pick 3 (Races 4-5-6) - Pick 5 (Races 4-8)
Best in race Flags - (J)ockey (T)rainer (S)peed (F)inish (E)arnings (W)orkouts (L)ead (C)loser
Rating Pgm# Horse Name M/L Jockey Trainer Flags
100.0000 12 Butter Hut 6-1 Lanerie C J Thomas Lee JW
099.4420 11 Slick Silver 3-1 Santana. Jr. R Asmussen Steven M. TSFEL
098.6732 10 Copper Fiddle(b+) 7/2 Hill C Catalano Wayne M.
097.8492 16 Nice of Me 6-1 Beschizza A Correas. IV Ignacio
097.1734 3 Kansas City Zip 6-1 Geroux F Williamson Brian
096.8902 13 Super Terrific 7/2 Baze T McGee Paul J.
096.8509 14 Venkman 10-1 Landeros C Arnold. II George R.
096.8007 1 Replete 12-1 Hernandez. Jr. B J Stewart Dallas
096.7434 8 Lea Ridge 8-1 Graham J Van Meter William B.
095.6585 6 Cuzi'mhappy 12-1 Gilligan J Blair Jordan
095.5825 15 Shell Fire 15-1 Bridgmohan S Von Hemel Donnie K.
094.4222 7 K C Against World 15-1 Saez G Foley Gregory D.
093.8284 9 Written Permission 10-1 Mena M Morse Randy L. C
093.6558 5 Lons Shackleford 15-1 Morales E Pish Danny
092.6145 2 Young Lochinvar 20-1 Sutherland C Hancock John A.
091.0766 4 Majors Vindication 20-1 Court J K Fires William H.
After scratches, a horse Pgm# with profit MUST be the top rated horse for the profitable condition to be valid.
Profits are for $2 Win bets. ROI is based on $1. Stats are by [category] and exclusive to CD.
Pgm# Profit ROI WPC W# Occ Profitable Conditions If Top Rated Horse
12 38.20 1.76 48.00 12 25 [Dirt MdnMClm] *Actual Post Greater Than 9
11 64.00 1.09 32.22 116 360 [All Surfaces] Best Finish
10 38.20 1.76 48.00 12 25 [Dirt MdnMClm] *Actual Post Greater Than 9
16 38.20 1.76 48.00 12 25 [Dirt MdnMClm] *Actual Post Greater Than 9
3 26.40 1.07 33.00 67 203 [Dirt MdnMClm] Not First Race After 45 Days Off
13 38.20 1.76 48.00 12 25 [Dirt MdnMClm] *Actual Post Greater Than 9
14 38.20 1.76 48.00 12 25 [Dirt MdnMClm] *Actual Post Greater Than 9
1 26.40 1.07 33.00 67 203 [Dirt MdnMClm] Not First Race After 45 Days Off
8 26.40 1.07 33.00 67 203 [Dirt MdnMClm] Not First Race After 45 Days Off
6 19.40 1.10 31.68 32 101 [Dirt MdnMClm] *Not Actual Post 1 And Distance 6f or 6 1/2f
15 38.20 1.76 48.00 12 25 [Dirt MdnMClm] *Actual Post Greater Than 9
7 26.40 1.07 33.00 67 203 [Dirt MdnMClm] Not First Race After 45 Days Off
9 26.40 1.07 33.00 67 203 [Dirt MdnMClm] Not First Race After 45 Days Off
5 19.40 1.10 31.68 32 101 [Dirt MdnMClm] *Not Actual Post 1 And Distance 6f or 6 1/2f
2 26.40 1.07 33.00 67 203 [Dirt MdnMClm] Not First Race After 45 Days Off
4 19.40 1.10 31.68 32 101 [Dirt MdnMClm] *Not Actual Post 1 And Distance 6f or 6 1/2f
* Dynamic condition may change before the race. Confirm before using stats for top rated horse.

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Handicapped by Top Horse Analytics at Gulfstream Park
PURCHASE

06/27/19, GP, Race 4, 2.45 ET
1M [Dirt] 1.33.01 MAIDEN CLAIMING. Purse $17,000.
Claiming Price $10,000. FOR MAIDENS, FILLIES AND MARES THREE YEARS OLDAND UPWARD
$1 Daily Double / $1 Exacta / $.50 Trifecta / $.10 Superfecta - $.50 Bet 3 (Races 4-5-6) / $1 Super Hi 5 / $.20 Rainbow 6 (Races 4-9)
Best in race Flags - (J)ockey (T)rainer (S)peed (F)inish (E)arnings (W)orkouts (L)ead (C)loser
Rating Pgm# Horse Name M/L Jockey Trainer Flags
100.0000 10 Kaufy Futures 5-1 Vasquez M A Levy Tamara L. SW
097.7998 3 Rosetta's Gift 8/5 Zayas E J O'Connell Kathleen JTEC
097.5732 11 Yes Its Factual 4-1 Lebron V Wolfson Milton W.
096.2280 4 Respondingtoglobal 12-1 Martinez G A Cordero-Lopez Alexis
095.3049 2 Inca Princess 8-1 Gonzales J J Lichoa Alfredo FL
094.1437 1 Grand Tap 12-1 Zapico S Mejia Jaime
093.9447 9 Aurora Nation 20-1 Reyes L Jehaludi Mohamed
093.8094 8 Better Vibes 15-1 Torres C A Homeister. Sr. Rosemar
093.3360 7 Machita 15-1 Meneses M Lichoa Alfredo
092.1725 5 Two Step Beat 20-1 Arroyo M Dominguez Luis R.
091.7228 6 Flashproudwild 50-1 Maragh T Mejia Jaime
After scratches, a horse Pgm# with profit MUST be the top rated horse for the profitable condition to be valid.
Profits are for $2 Win bets. ROI is based on $1. Stats are by [category] and exclusive to GP.
Pgm# Profit ROI WPC W# Occ Profitable Conditions If Top Rated Horse
10 27.80 1.20 33.82 23 68 [Dirt MdnMClm] Race Distance Route
3 27.80 1.20 33.82 23 68 [Dirt MdnMClm] Race Distance Route
11 27.80 1.20 33.82 23 68 [Dirt MdnMClm] Race Distance Route
4 27.80 1.20 33.82 23 68 [Dirt MdnMClm] Race Distance Route
2 64.00 1.25 36.22 46 127 [All Dirt] Last Race Was Sprint With Route Today
1 28.60 1.28 39.22 20 51 [Dirt MdnMClm] First Race After 45 Days Off
9 27.80 1.20 33.82 23 68 [Dirt MdnMClm] Race Distance Route
8 64.00 1.25 36.22 46 127 [All Dirt] Last Race Was Sprint With Route Today
7 27.80 1.20 33.82 23 68 [Dirt MdnMClm] Race Distance Route
5 64.00 1.25 36.22 46 127 [All Dirt] Last Race Was Sprint With Route Today
6 64.00 1.25 36.22 46 127 [All Dirt] Last Race Was Sprint With Route Today

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Chris Jordan

My free play for Thursday is the Philadelphia Phillies over the New York Mets in National League East action, and I don't want you listing the starting pitchers in this game.

The second-place Phillies have won three straight and are going for the sweep today at Citizens Bank Park, after the Phillies won last night, 5-4, rallying from a 4-0 deficit. At the plate, we saw Jean Segura go 2-for-5 with a home run and three RBIs for Philadelphia. Now the momentum carries over to this series-finale.

And I simply like the momentum the Phils are playing with right now, with a lot of things coming together nicely with their lineup after the team lost seven straight prior to this series.

All three of Philadelphia's wins in this series have been in comeback fashion.

Bryce Harper leads the team with 54 RBIs, despite a rather low .246 batting average. But Rhys Hoskins has been effective over the last 10 games with extra-base hits, stroking two doubles and three home runs with three RBIs for Philadelphia.

Take the home team in this matinee, and don't forget to chek out my 1000♦ Winner tonight in San Francisco.

1* PHILLIES (straight action)

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Bob Valentino

Thursday's comp play will be the Nats on the Run Line over the Marlins.

This one is all about pitcher Stephen Strasburg's dominance over the Fish, as Strasburg has won his last 9 decisions over Miami, and for his career is 18-7 with a 2.88 ERA. That includes a late April win over the Marlins that saw him work 8 scoreless innings with 2 hits and 11 strikeouts.

Those numbers should bode quite well as he looks to pitch the Nationals to their 8th win over their last 10 games played.

Miami is just 3-6 in this year's season series against Washington, and all 6 of those losses have come by 2 runs or more.

The Marlins were playing some solid baseball prior to dropping the first pair in this concluding 3 game series, and starter Sandy Alcantara has been doing some solid mound-work of late. The problem is, Alcantara has not been able to figure out the Nationals who hung a loss on him in late May as he dropped to 0-3 for his career versus Washington with an ERA of 9.00.

I like the Nationals to notch another 2 runs or better series win over the Marlins to conclude their series today.

4* WASHINGTON -1 1/2 RUNS

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Dwayne Connors

Thursday's comp play is the Twins over the Rays.


Minnesota used a bases-clearing 3 run double in the bottom of the 7th inning to help secure last night's 6- win over Tampa Bay, as the Twins have abused the Rays in this year's season series meetings.


Minny has now won 5 straight this season over Tampa, and overall the Twins are 8-2 the last 10 season series meetings.


The Rays are on a 2-7 slide on this current road trip from hell, and they have lost 11 of their last 15 games overall to drift well behind the Yankees in the A.L. East standings.


Ryan Stanek will be the "opener" for today's finale, and he was on the hill in a May home loss to the Twins, as his ERA is now over 4 in his last 5 appearances versus Minnesota.


Martin Perez has cooled since his 7-1 start, as he is 0-2 over his last 5 starts, but the way his team is hitting leads me to believe they will break out the broom in this last game of the series at Target Field.


Take the Twins.

3* MINNESOTA

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Tony Weston

COMPLIMENTARY WINNER

My free play for Wednesday is the Houston Astros on the Run Line against the Pittsburgh Pirates.

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, and I want you to be sure the following pitchers are the registered starters on your ticket when making your wager: Brad Peacock and Joe Musgrove. If one or both of these pitchers is not going, this is a no-play.

Let's start with the Astros power-packed lineup facing Pittsburgh's Joe Musgrove (5-7, 4.57), who has had a topsy-turvy season, lacking consistency. Now he faces a first-place team, with a DH, and in the humidity.

The Astros will victimize Musgrove with an offense that boasts the second-highest batting average (.267) and second-best slugging percentage (.473) in baseball.

I'd rather invest in Peacock, who is looking to avenge his last trip to the hill, as the right-hander was tagged with the loss against the Yankees, despite a respectable performance that left him stinging a bit. Peacock allowed two runs over six innings with 11 strikeouts, and comes into this one with just one win in his past six starts.

Peacock will be dealing in this one, and the Astros hitters will have his back.

1* ASTROS RUN LINE (Peacock over Musgrove)

[Can'tPickAWinner]

1. NSA(The Legend) MLB – Cubs -110
2. Gameday Network MLB – Nationals -1.5
3. VegasSI.com MLB – Tigers over 9.5
4. Vegas Line Crushers MLB – Dodgers -1.5
5. Sports Action 365 MLB – Angels -160
6. Point Spread Report MLB – Tigers +105
7. Lou Panelli MLB – Phillies -130
8. Gerry “Big Cat” Andino MLB – Angels under 9.5
9. VegasSI.com Platinum Info Club MLB – Astros -1.5
10. William E. Stockton MLB – Brewers under 10
11. Vincent Pioli MLB – Twins -105
12. Steve “Scoop” Kendall MLB – Nationals -1.5
13. SCORE MLB – Giants -105
14. East Coast Line Movers MLB – Phillies under 9
15. Tony Campone MLB – Angels -160
16. Chicago Sports Group MLB – Nationals -1.5
17. Hollywood Sportsline MLB – Dodgers -1.5
18. VIP Action MLB – Tigers over 9.5
19. South Beach Sports MLB – Cubs -110
20. Las Vegas Sports Commission MLB – Phillies -130
21. NY Players Club MLB – Brewers -170
22. Fred Callahan MLB – Giants -105
23. Las Vegas Private CEO Club MLB – Tigers +105
24. Michigan Sports MLB – Cubs -110
25. National Consensus Report MLB – Dodgers -1.5

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Kenny Walker

Jun 27 '19, 1:10 PM in 3h
MLB | Rays vs Twins
Play on: Twins -105 at YouWager

Free Pick on Twins

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Jack Jones

Jun 27 '19, 2:10 PM in 4h
MLB | Pirates vs Astros
Play on: Astros -1½ -106 at pinnacle

Jack’s Free Pick Thursday: Houston Astros -1.5 (-106)
The Houston Astros have a big edge over the Pittsburgh Pirates on the mound today. They also will be motivated to bounce back from a tough 2-14 loss to the Pirates yesterday.
Brad Peacock is 5-5 with a 3.71 ERA and 1.120 WHP in 14 starts this season, including 3-2 with a 3.38 ERA and 1.081 WHIP in eight home starts.
Joe Musgrove is 5-7 with a 4.90 ERA in 15 starts this season. He is also 2-4 with a 4.83 ERA in eight road starts and 1-1 with a 5.40 ERA in his last three starts.
The Pirates are 2-8 in their last 10 vs. a team with a winning record. Pittsburgh is 2-8 in Musgrove’s last 10 road starts vs. a team with a winning record. The Astros are 40-15 in their last 55 vs. a team with a losing record. Houston is 6-0 in Peacock’s last six interleague starts. Bet the Astros on the Run Line Thursday.

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Larry Ness

Jun 27 '19, 10:07 PM in 12h
MLB | A's vs Angels
Play on: A's +148 at 5Dimes

My free play is on the Oak A's at 10:07 ET.
The A's won FIVE of the final seven contests of their 10-game homestand from June 17-23 and have now opened a six-game road trip by sweeping the Cards in St Louis in a two-game IL series Tuesday and Wednesday. Oakland has won 10 of 14 overall following its sweep of St Louis as and while the A's remain SEVEN games back of the first-place Astros in the AL Wes, they are right in the thick of the AL wild-card race. SIX teams are fighting for two spots and all are within 4 1/2 games (the 43-38 A's currently sit 1 1/2 games back of the No. 2 spot). The Angels also swept a two-game interleague series to open the week, after they posted their second consecutive 5-1 win over Cincinnati on Wednesday. LA is 41-40, leaving them 3 1/2 games out of that No. 2 wild card spot. Tanner Anderson (0-2, 4.20 ERA) will take the ball Thursday night for Oakland and will be opposed by LA's Griffin Canning (2-4, 3.88 ERA). Daniel Mengden was recalled from the minors earlier on Wednesday and then went out to combine with three relievers on a five-hitter in Oakland's 2-0 victory. The A's also reached into their farm system to recall second-year right-hander Tanner Anderson back on June 10, and he's scheduled to make the fourth start since his promotion tonight. Anderson remains in search of his first victory in the American League. He suffered both of his losses this year against Tampa Bay and recorded his ONLY major-league win in a relief outing against Milwaukee on July 15, 2018 while with Pittsburgh. Canning is a 23-year-old rookie who posted a 2.57 ERA with 28 strikeouts over 28 innings in five May starts (team was 3-2) but he owns a 5.01 ERA in four June starts (0-3 / team is 1-3). His June includes a 4-2 home loss to the Athletics on June 4, one in which he yielded four runs and seven hits over six innings. That defeat came six days after he allowed one run on three hits over six innings in a no-decision at Oakland (Angels won 12-7). Canning will be making his third start against Oakland in less than a month (he hasn't faced any other team more than once) and faces a beatable mound opponent. However, this contest is about more than just its starting pitchers. Oakland's 19-19 road record is VERY deceiving, as the A's opened 5-15 away from home in 2019 but enters this four-game series in Anaheim 14-5 over their last 19 road games. I'm taking the 'price.' Good luck...Larry