The Bum's Sports Page For Wednesday July 22nd Best Bets-Trends-News !

[StarDust Bum]

MLB

Wednesday, July 22


MLB roundup: Karns homers as Rays blank Phils

PHILADELPHIA -- Nathan Karns combined with five relievers on a four-hitter and hit his first major league homer as the Tampa Bay Rays beat the Philadelphia Phillies 1-0 Tuesday night.

The Rays, who had lost 10 of their previous 12 on the road, ended Philadelphia's four-game winning streak and spoiled the major league debut of Aaron Nola, the Phillies' first-round draft pick in June 2014.

Karns (5-5) surrendered three hits in five shutout innings while striking out four and walking two. He became the first American League pitcher to homer since the Baltimore Orioles' Zach Britton went deep against the Atlanta Braves on July 3, 2011.

Brad Boxberger worked a perfect ninth for his 24th save.

Mets 7, Nationals 2

WASHINGTON -- Pinch hitter Eric Campbell lined a two-run single in the seventh inning, leading New York past Washington.

The Mets tacked on four in the ninth on RBI singles by Curtis Granderson, Ruben Tejada and Daniel Murphy against reliever Tanner Roark. Wilmer Flores, who had two hits and two RBIs, drove in the fourth run of the inning with a groundout.

Mets All-Star Jacob deGrom (10-6) allowed two runs on three hits in six innings. He struck out eight and didn't issue a walk.

Yankees 3, Orioles 2

NEW YORK -- Brendan Ryan hit a tiebreaking double with two outs in the sixth inning, and New York opened a three-game series against Baltimore with a victory.

In his 16th at-bat of an injury-plagued season, Ryan snapped a 2-2 deadlock by hitting a 0-1 fastball from Baltimore left-hander Wei-Yin Chen (4-6) down the left field line. Left fielder Travis Snider was slow retrieving it, and Didi Gregorius scored ahead of the relay throw.

Ryan's fifth hit of the year came shortly after the Yankees squandered a two-run lead with two outs in the top of the sixth.

Braves 4, Dodgers 3

ATLANTA -- Chris Johnson had three hits, and starter Alex Wood overcame two early Los Angeles homers in Atlanta's win.

Wood (7-6) allowed six hits and the three runs over 6 2/3 innings to win for just the second time at Turner Field this season. The left-hander walked four and struck out three.

Dodgers starter Brett Anderson left the game in the third inning after injuring his left leg while unsuccessfully trying to field a chopper by Jonny Gomes.

Mariners 11, Tigers 9

DETROIT -- Pinch hitter Franklin Gutierrez hit a grand slam to cap a five-run eighth, and Seattle outslugged Detroit.

Gutierrez's opposite-field shot off Neftali Feliz (1-3) was the second grand slam of his career and the second pinch-hit grand slam in Mariners history.

Nelson Cruz homered and Robinson Cano rapped three hits, scored twice and drove in a run for the Mariners. Joe Beimel (1-1) pitched two-thirds of an inning to get the win, and Carson Smith tossed 1 1/3 innings of scoreless relief to collect his eighth save.

Brewers 8, Indians 1

MILWAUKEE -- Matt Garza threw six shutout innings in his first start since returning from the disabled list, and Jean Segura hit his fourth home run of the season as Milwaukee extended its winning streak to four games with a victory over Cleveland.

Garza (5-10) had been sidelined since July 2 with a fatigued right shoulder. He struck out four, gave up six hits and walked a pair during his outing, but was helped in large part by his defense, which turned three double plays for him and four for the game.

The Brewers' offense couldn't do much against Danny Salazar (8-5), who struck out eight over six innings, but provided just enough support in the early innings to give Garza his first victory since June 6.

Astros 8, Red Sox 3

HOUSTON -- Rookie Vince Velasquez earned his first career victory as Houston beat Boston.

Velasquez (1-1) worked six innings, allowing seven hits and three runs while recording seven strikeouts. After running into trouble in the third inning, he rebounded to allow just two baserunners over his final three innings.

The Astros erased a 3-1 deficit with a four-run fifth inning. Houston added insurance in the sixth with a two-run, opposite-field home run from Chris Carter, his 16th on the season.

Royals 3, Pirates 1

KANSAS CITY, Mo. -- Jarrod Dyson singled home two runs in the eighth inning as Kansas City downed Pittsburgh.

Dyson's single scored Omar Infante, who reached on an error, and Alex Rios, who singled. Alcides Escobar singled home Dyson for the final run.

Wade Davis (6-1), the fifth of six Kansas City pitchers, picked up the victory. Greg Holland gave up a run on four hits and a walk in the ninth but picked up his 21st save.

Cardinals 8, White Sox 5

CHICAGO -- Matt Holliday slugged a grand slam homer and Michael Wacha collected his 11th victory as St. Louis beat Chicago.

Holliday launched a first-pitch shot to left in the fourth inning off Carlos Rodon for his sixth career grand slam.

The victory was third in four games for St. Louis and first in three games against Chicago. The White Sox absorbed their third consecutive loss and fifth in six games.

Rangers 9, Rockies 0

DENVER -- Matt Harrison gave Texas a huge boost, pitching six scoreless innings in a romp over Colorado.

Shin-Soo Choo hit for the cycle, capped by a triple in the ninth, and he drove in three runs to support Harrison.

The victory was Harrison's first in the big leagues since May 8, 2014, when he beat the Rockies in Texas. Six days later, Harrison went on the disabled list with a back condition that led to season-ending spinal fusion surgery.

Cubs 5, Reds 4 (13 innings)

CINCINNATI -- Kyle Schwarber hit a two-run, game-tying home run in the ninth inning and a go-ahead solo shot in the 13th, lifting Chicago past Cincinnati.

Playing less than 40 miles from his hometown of Middletown, Ohio, the Cubs catcher launched a 2-2 pitch from right-hander Nate Adcock (1-2) for his third career homer to put Chicago ahead.

Schwarber finished the night 4-for-7 with a double, two homers and four RBIs. Through 11 major league games, he is hitting .410 with three homers and 10 RBIs.

Blue Jays 7, A's 1

OAKLAND, Calif. -- Russell Martin smacked a three-run homer and teammates Edwin Encarnacion and Jose Bautista added solo blasts, sending Toronto past Oakland in the teams' first meeting since their blockbuster trade in November.

All-Star Josh Donaldson, the Blue Jays' lone acquisition in the five-player deal, added two doubles and an RBI in his return to Oakland as Toronto roughed up former teammate Kendall Graveman and three relievers.

Brett Lawrie, sent to Oakland along with Graveman and two minor-leaguers, recorded two of the Athletics' eight hits, a pair of singles, in his first game against his old mates.

Angels 7, Twins 0

ANAHEIM, Calif. -- Los Angeles scored five runs in the sixth inning to break open a tight game and rode the pitching of Matt Shoemaker and the bullpen to beat Minnesota.

It was the Angels' sixth win in a row and 16th in 19 games as they improved to a season-high 13 games over .500 (53-40) and maintained their two-game lead over second-place Houston in the American League West.

The Angels didn't have center fielder Mike Trout for the first time this season, because their star was out with a sore left heel. It didn't matter. They knocked out 13 hits, including a three-run homer from Chris Iannetta and four hits by C.J. Cron.

Giants 9, Padres 3

SAN DIEGO -- Rookie Chris Heston dominated San Diego, and San Francisco hit three home runs while cruising to a victory.

Heston (10-5) was sensational through 7 1/3 innings. He allowed one hit, two walks and hit a batter while striking out six.

Hector Sanchez stroked his second career grand slam in the sixth inning off Padres reliever Dale Thayer, extending the visitors' advantage to 9-0. Hunter Pence and Brandon Crawford also homered for the Giants.

Marlins 3, Diamondbacks 0

PHOENIX -- Michael Morse homered, and Mat Latos threw seven scoreless innings in Miami's victory over Arizona.

Latos (4-6) gave up four singles and a walk as the Marlins broke an eight-game road losing streak.

Adeiny Hechavarria broke a scoreless tie with a two-out RBI single that scored J.T. Realmuto in the fifth inning, and Morse hit his fourth homer of the season leading off the seventh.

[StarDust Bum]

MLB
Armadillo's Write-Up

Wednesday, July 22


National League
Mets @ Nationals
deGrom is 6-2, 1.49 in his last ten starts; three of his last four stayed under.

Ross is 2-1, 2.66 in his three starts (under 2-1).

Mets are 4-7 in last 11 games with Washington; six of last nine series games stayed under total. Nats won ten of last 14 home games; 11 of their last 14 home games stayed under. NY lost three of last four games; 13 of their last 18 road games stayed under.

Cubs @ Reds
Hammel is is 0-2, 4.08 in his last six starts; seven of his last nine stayed under total- Cubs scored 11 runs in his last five.

Iglesias is 1-2, 5.40 in his five starts, three of which went over.

Chicago lost five of last seven games; under is 8-3-1 in their last 12 on road. Reds lost six of their last nine home games. Cubs won six of their last eight games with Cincinnati.

Dodgers @ Braves
Anderson is 3-1, 2.81 in his last five starts.

Wood is 1-1, 8.49 in his last three starts; four of his last six stayed under.

Braves won nine of last 13 home games; 11 of their last 15 games at home stayed under. LA is 14-7 in its last 21 games, 8-3 in last 11 on road,. Under is 13-4 in their last 17 road games. Dodgers won eight of last 11 games with the Braves; four of last five went over.

Marlins @ Diamondbacks
Latos is 1-2, 4.21 in his last four starts; three of his last four road starts stayed under the total.

Hellickson is 2-2, 5.34 in his last six starts; over is 5-2-1 in his last eight.

Miami lost its last six games with Arizona; six of last eight series games went under total. Marlins are 2-15 in last 17 road games; under is 8-3-1 in their last 12. Diamondbacks lost their last six of their last seven games.

Giants @ Padres
Heston is 3-0, 2.48 in his last five starts; over is 9-4 in his last 13.

Despaigne is 0-3, 5.29 in his last six starts; four of his last five home starts went over the total.

Giants won four of last seven games with San Diego; five of the seven went under total. SF won six of last seven games, outscoring opponents 45-23; over is 22-9 in their last 31 road games. San Diego won its last five games; over is 13-6-1 in their last 20 at home.

American League
Orioles @ Bronx
Chen is 3-1, 2.42 in his last seven starts; his last 11 starts stayed under.
Eovaldi is 4-0, 2.93 in his last five starts; three of his last four starts stayed under the total.
Home side won seven of last nine Baltimore-Bronx games; over is 3-1-2 in last six series games. Orioles are 3-6 in last nine road games but won last two; under is 8-4-1 in his last 13 games. Bronx is 8-4 in last 12 games; their last three stayed under.

Mariners @ Tigers
Seattle is 6-1 in last seven Walker starts, but he is 0-1, 9.82 in his last two; four of his last five starts went over the total.

Greene is 0-5, 13.50 in his last five starts; three of his last four went over.

Seattle lost five of last seven games; under is 10-2-1 in Seattle's last 13 road games. Tigers lost five of last seven games; over is 23-3-1 in their last 27 games, 11-1-1 in their last thirteen at home. Mariners are 5-4 in their last nine games against Detroit.

Red Sox @ Astros
Johnson is making first MLB start; he was 8-6, 2.73 in 16 AAA starts in '15.

Velasquez is 0-1, 4.62 in his last five starts (under 3-2).

Red Sox are 0-4 since All-Star break, outscored 22-4. Boston is 5-3 in its last eight games with Houston; six of the eight games went over total. Astros lost seven of last nine games (under 6-2-1).

Blue Jays @ A's
Buehrle is 3-1, 2.39 in his last seven starts; under is 6-3-2 in last 11.

Graveman is 3-1, 2.02 in his last four starts; under is 4-1-1 in his last six.

Home side won last seven Toronto-Oakland games; Jays lost last four games in Oakland- last eight series games stayed under. Toronto lost seven of last ten road games. A's won four of last five games; five of their last seven games stayed under the total.

Twins @ Angels
Gibson is 4-0, 1.63 in his last four starts; under is 4-1-1 in his last six.

Shoemaker is 0-3, 5.00 in his last five starts; his last three stayed under.

Angels won last seven games with Minnesota; over is 7-0-1 in last eight tilts in series. Halos are 18-7 in last 25 home games, nine of last 11 stayed under the total. Minnesota won seven of last ten games; three of last four stayed under the total.

Interleague
Rays @ Phillies
Rays lost last four Karns starts (0-2, 3.96); four of his last six went under.

Nola is making MLB debut; he was 3-1, 3.58 in six AAA starts. .

Tampa Bay lost nine of last 12 road games; over is 11-6-2 in their last 19 games overall. Phillies lost four of last six games with Tampa; over is 3-1-1 in last five. Philly won last four games; over is 4-2-1 in their last seven.

Indians @ Brewers
Salazar is 2-1, 3.43 in his last three starts; three of his last four went over.

Garza is 0-3, 8.50 in his last five starts; seven of his last nine went over.

Cleveland lost last seven games with Milwaukee; teams are meeting for first time since 2009; over is 5-2 in last seven series games. Indians won six of last nine games (under 6-3). Brewers won four of last five games; seven of their last ten games stayed under.

Cardinals @ White Sox
Wacha is 1-1, 4.50 in his last four starts, three of which went over.

Rodon is 1-1, 4.09 in his last four starts; under is 3-2 in his home starts.

St Louis lost six of last eight games with the White Sox; five of last six went under total. Cardinals lost four of last six games- seven of their last ten went under total. Chicago. lost four of last five; under is 6-1-1 in their last eight.

Pirates @ Royals
Cole is 8-1, 2.75 in his last ten starts; his last four all went over.

Vargas is 4-1, 2.67 in his last five starts, with last three staying under.

Pirates won six of last seven games with Kansas City (under 5-2); home side won eight of last ten series games. Pittsburgh lost three of last four games, allowing 25 runs; five of their last seven went over. Royals won eight of last 11 games; three of their last five stayed under.

Rangers @ Rockies
Harrison allowed six runs in four IP (78 PT) in his first '15 start.

Kendrick is 1-3, 5.40 in his last six starts; over is 11-7 in his starts.

Texas lost 19 of last 24 games; under is 9-5-1 in last 15 road games. Colorado won last five home games, allowing 18 runs; five of their last eight games overall went under the total. Rockies won four of last five games vs Texas.

Win-loss records this year for team with this starting pitcher:
NY-Wsh-- deGrom 10-7; Ross 2-1
Chi-Cin-- Hammel 7-10; Iglesias 2-3
LA-Atl-- Anderson 10-8; Wood 7-12
Mia-Az-- Latos 5-9; Hellickson 8-9
SF-SD-- Heston 11-7; Despaigne 5-8

Balt-NY-- Chen 10-7; Eovaldi 11-7
Sea-Det-- Walker 9-9; Greene 6-8
Bos-Hst-- Johnson 0-0; Velasquez 3-3
Tor-A's-- Buehrle 11-7; Graveman 8-6
Min-LAA-- Gibson 10-8; Shoemaker 8-8

TB-Phil-- Karns 7-10; Nola 0-0
Clev-Mil-- Salazar 11-5; Garza 6-10
StL-Chi-- Wacha 13-4; Rodon 7-4
Pitt-KC-- Cole 14-4; Vargas 6-2
Tex-Colo-- Harrison 0-1; Kendrick 5-13

Times this starting pitcher allowed a run in first inning:
NY-Wsh-- deGrom 5-17; Ross 0-3
Chi-Cin-- Hammel 5-17; Iglesias 1-5
LA-Atl-- Anderson 6-18; Wood 5-18
Mia-Az-- Latos 6-14; Hellickson 6-17
SF-SD-- Heston 1-18; Despaigne 4-13

Balt-NY-- Chen 4-17; Eovaldi 7-18
Sea-Det-- Walker 4-18; Greene 4-14
Bos-Hst-- Johnson 0-0; Velasquez 3-6
Tor-A's-- Buehrle 10-18; Graveman 4-14
Min-LAA-- Gibson 3-18; Shoemaker 4-16

TB-Phil-- Karns 8-17; Nola 0-0
Clev-Mil-- Salazar 5-16; Garza 6-16
StL-Chi-- Wacha 4-17; Rodon 4-11
Pitt-KC-- Cole 7-18; Vargas 2-8
Tex-Colo-- Harrison 0-1; Kendrick 11-18

Umpires
-- NY-Wsh-- Six of last seven Muchinski games stayed under.
-- Chi-Cin-- Six of last eight Culbreth games stayed under.
-- LA-Atl-- Underdogs won six of last seven Hoye games; five of last six stayed under the total.
-- Mia-Az-- Under is 4-1-1 in last six Kulpa games.
-- SF-SD-- Underdogs are 9-5 in last fourteen Fairchild games.

-- Sea-Det-- Under is 4-1-2 in last seven Nelson games.

-- TB-Phil-- Last four TBarrett games stayed under total.
-- Pitt-KC-- Seven of last ten Davis games stayed under.
-- Tex-Colo-- Six of last seven Hallion games went over.

[StarDust Bum]

MLB

Wednesday, July 22

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Trend Report
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12:10 PM
LA DODGERS vs. ATLANTA
The total has gone OVER in 4 of LA Dodgers's last 6 games when playing Atlanta
LA Dodgers are 10-4 SU in their last 14 games when playing Atlanta
Atlanta is 4-10 SU in their last 14 games when playing LA Dodgers
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Atlanta's last 6 games when playing LA Dodgers

12:35 PM
NY METS vs. WASHINGTON
NY Mets are 6-3 SU in its last 9 games
NY Mets are 6-15 SU in its last 21 games when playing Washington
The total has gone UNDER in 10 of Washington's last 15 games
Washington is 15-6 SU in its last 21 games when playing NY Mets

12:35 PM
CHI CUBS vs. CINCINNATI
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Chi Cubs's last 6 games
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Chi Cubs's last 6 games when playing on the road against Cincinnati
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Cincinnati's last 6 games when playing at home against Chi Cubs
Cincinnati is 2-5 SU in its last 7 games

1:05 PM
TAMPA BAY vs. PHILADELPHIA
Tampa Bay is 5-2 SU in its last 7 games when playing Philadelphia
Tampa Bay is 2-7 SU in its last 9 games on the road
Philadelphia is 6-3 SU in its last 9 games when playing at home against Tampa Bay
The total has gone OVER in 17 of Philadelphia's last 23 games at home

2:10 PM
CLEVELAND vs. MILWAUKEE
Cleveland is 2-4 SU in its last 6 games
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Cleveland's last 5 games on the road
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Milwaukee's last 5 games when playing Cleveland
Milwaukee is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games when playing Cleveland

3:10 PM
TEXAS vs. COLORADO
The total has gone UNDER in 15 of Texas's last 23 games on the road
Texas is 3-10 SU in its last 13 games
Colorado is 4-2 SU in its last 6 games when playing Texas
Colorado is 5-1 SU in its last 6 games when playing at home against Texas

3:40 PM
SAN FRANCISCO vs. SAN DIEGO
San Francisco is 1-4 SU in its last 5 games when playing on the road against San Diego
The total has gone OVER in 8 of San Francisco's last 12 games on the road
The total has gone OVER in 14 of San Diego's last 21 games at home
The total has gone UNDER in 9 of San Diego's last 13 games

6:10 PM
CHI CUBS vs. CINCINNATI
Chi Cubs11-3-1 SU in their last 15 games when playing Cincinnati
Chi Cubs6-2-1 SU in their last 9 games on the road
Cincinnati is 1-3-1 SU in its last 5 games ,at home
Cincinnati is 1-3-1 SU in their last 5 games ,when playing at home against Chi Cubs

7:05 PM
BALTIMORE vs. NY YANKEES
Baltimore is 2-5 SU in its last 7 games on the road
Baltimore is 4-10 SU in its last 14 games
NY Yankees are 5-1 SU in their last 6 games when playing at home against Baltimore
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of NY Yankees's last 5 games at home

7:08 PM
SEATTLE vs. DETROIT
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Seattle's last 7 games when playing on the road against Detroit
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Seattle's last 6 games when playing Detroit
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Detroit's last 6 games when playing Seattle
Detroit is 2-4 SU in its last 6 games at home

8:10 PM
ST. LOUIS vs. CHI WHITE SOX
The total has gone OVER in 12 of St. Louis's last 17 games when playing Chi White Sox
St. Louis is 3-6 SU in their last 9 games when playing Chi White Sox
Chi White Sox are 1-4 SU in their last 5 games at home
The total has gone UNDER in 16 of Chi White Sox's last 20 games at home

8:10 PM
BOSTON vs. HOUSTON
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Boston's last 7 games on the road
Boston is 15-6 SU in its last 21 games when playing Houston
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Houston's last 5 games at home
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Houston's last 6 games when playing at home against Boston

8:10 PM
PITTSBURGH vs. KANSAS CITY
The total has gone UNDER in 6 of Pittsburgh's last 8 games when playing Kansas City
Pittsburgh is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games when playing Kansas City
Kansas City is 1-4 SU in its last 5 games when playing Pittsburgh
Kansas City is 8-2 SU in its last 10 games at home

9:40 PM
MIAMI vs. ARIZONA
Miami is 2-5 SU in its last 7 games when playing on the road against Arizona
The total has gone UNDER in 9 of Miami's last 10 games when playing on the road against Arizona
The total has gone UNDER in 9 of Arizona's last 10 games when playing at home against Miami
Arizona is 5-1 SU in its last 6 games when playing Miami

10:05 PM
TORONTO vs. OAKLAND
Toronto is 1-4 SU in its last 5 games when playing on the road against Oakland
Toronto is 4-2 SU in its last 6 games
Oakland is 4-2 SU in its last 6 games
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Oakland's last 5 games when playing at home against Toronto

10:05 PM
MINNESOTA vs. LA ANGELS
Minnesota is 1-4 SU in its last 5 games on the road
Minnesota is 0-5 SU in their last 5 games when playing on the road against LA Angels
LA Angels are 5-0 SU in their last 5 games when playing Minnesota
The total has gone OVER in 4 of LA Angels's last 6 games when playing Minnesota

[StarDust Bum]

MLB
Dunkel

Wednesday, July 22


LA Dodgers @ Atlanta

Game 951-952
July 22, 2015 @ 12:10 pm

Dunkel Rating:
LA Dodgers
(Bolsnger) 14.573
Atlanta
(Teheran) 15.484
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Atlanta
by 1
6
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
LA Dodgers
-155
7 1/2
Dunkel Pick:
Atlanta
(+135); Under

Chicago Cubs @ Cincinnati

Game 953-954
July 22, 2015 @ 12:35 pm

Dunkel Rating:
Chicago Cubs
(Hendrcks) 12.399
Cincinnati
(Leake) 16.432
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Cincinnati
by 4
7
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Chicago Cubs
-120
8
Dunkel Pick:
Cincinnati
(+100); Under

NY Mets @ Washington

Game 955-956
July 22, 2015 @ 12:35 pm

Dunkel Rating:
NY Mets
(Syndrgrd) 13.011
Washington
(Zmmermnn) 16.514
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Washington
by 3 1/2
8
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Washington
-135
7
Dunkel Pick:
Washington
(-135); Over

San Francisco @ San Diego

Game 957-958
July 22, 2015 @ 3:40 pm

Dunkel Rating:
San Francisco
(Cain) 14.249
San Diego
(Shields) 15.836
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
San Diego
by 1 1/2
8
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
San Diego
-120
7
Dunkel Pick:
San Diego
(-120); Over

Miami @ Arizona

Game 959-960
July 22, 2015 @ 9:40 pm

Dunkel Rating:
Miami
(Fernandez) 16.382
Arizona
(Ray) 14.922
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Miami
by 1 1/2
6
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Miami
-130
7 1/2
Dunkel Pick:
Miami
(-130); Under

Seattle @ Detroit

Game 961-962
July 22, 2015 @ 7:08 pm

Dunkel Rating:
Seattle
(Mntgmery) 12.994
Detroit
(Sanchez) 16.948
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Detroit
by 4
8
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Detroit
-140
9
Dunkel Pick:
Detroit
(-140); Under

Baltimore @ NY Yankees

Game 963-964
July 22, 2015 @ 7:05 pm

Dunkel Rating:
Baltimore
(Gausman) 16.568
NY Yankees
(Nova) 15.094
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Baltimore
by 1 1/2
9
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
NY Yankees
-125
8 1/2
Dunkel Pick:
Baltimore
(+105); Over

Boston @ Houston

Game 965-966
July 22, 2015 @ 8:05 pm

Dunkel Rating:
Boston
(Kelly) 16.268
Houston
(McHugh) 15.039
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Boston
by 1
9 1/2
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Houston
-135
8
Dunkel Pick:
Boston
(+115); Over

Toronto @ Oakland

Game 967-968
July 22, 2015 @ 10:05 pm

Dunkel Rating:
Toronto
(Doubront) 17.345
Oakland
(Gray) 14.465
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Toronto
by 3
6
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Oakland
-160
7
Dunkel Pick:
Toronto
(+140); Under

Minnesota @ LA Angels

Game 969-970
July 22, 2015 @ 10:05 pm

Dunkel Rating:
Minnesota
(Pelfrey) 16.587
LA Angels
(Wilson) 15.617
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Minnesota
by 1
7
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
LA Angels
-180
8
Dunkel Pick:
Minnesota
(+160); Under

Tampa Bay @ Philadelphia

Game 971-972
July 22, 2015 @ 1:05 pm

Dunkel Rating:
Tampa Bay
(Odorizzi) 15.592
Philadelphia
(Morgan) 13.130
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Tampa Bay
by 2 1/2
9
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Tampa Bay
-160
8
Dunkel Pick:
Tampa Bay
(-160); Over

Cleveland @ Milwaukee

Game 973-974
July 22, 2015 @ 2:10 pm

Dunkel Rating:
Cleveland
(Anderson) 17.874
Milwaukee
(Lohse) 13.411
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Cleveland
by 4 1/2
10
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Cleveland
-115
8 1/2
Dunkel Pick:
Cleveland
(-115); Over

Texas @ Colorado

Game 975-976
July 22, 2015 @ 3:10 pm

Dunkel Rating:
Texas
(Perez) 13.169
Colorado
(DeLaRosa) 15.039
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Colorado
by 2
10
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Colorado
-150
11
Dunkel Pick:
Colorado
(-150); Under

St. Louis @ Chicago White Sox

Game 977-978
July 22, 2015 @ 8:10 pm

Dunkel Rating:
St. Louis
(Lynn) 16.737
Chicago White Sox
(Danks) 14.384
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
St. Louis
by 2 1/2
7
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
St. Louis
-150
8
Dunkel Pick:
St. Louis
(-150); Under

Pittsburgh @ Kansas City

Game 979-980
July 22, 2015 @ 8:10 pm

Dunkel Rating:
Pittsburgh
(Morton) 17.077
Kansas City
(Volquez) 13.684
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Pittsburgh
by 3 1/2
9
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Kansas City
-135
8
Dunkel Pick:
Pittsburgh
(+115); Over

Chicago Cubs @ Cincinnati

Game 981-982
July 22, 2015 @ 6:10 pm

Dunkel Rating:
Chicago Cubs
(Beeler) 15.699
Cincinnati
(Cingrani) 13.516
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Chicago Cubs
by 2
10
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Cincinnati
-115
8 1/2
Dunkel Pick:
Chicago Cubs
(-105); Over

[StarDust Bum]

Pro Baseball Trend Report

LA DODGERS (53 - 42) at ATLANTA (45 - 49) - 12:10 PM
MIKE BOLSINGER (R) vs. JULIO TEHERAN (R)

Top Trends for this game.

LA DODGERS are 53-42 (-10.4 Units) against the money line in all games this season.
LA DODGERS are 20-25 (-14.3 Units) against the money line in road games this season.
LA DODGERS are 229-237 (-58.1 Units) against the money line when playing on Wednesday since 1997.
LA DODGERS are 53-42 (-10.4 Units) against the money line in games played on a grass field this season.
LA DODGERS are 16-20 (-11.7 Units) against the money line in road games against right-handed starters this season.
ATLANTA is 26-19 (+9.5 Units) against the money line in home games this season.
ATLANTA is 26-19 (+9.5 Units) against the money line in home games in games played on a grass field this season.
ATLANTA is 12-6 (+8.7 Units) against the money line in home games when playing against a team with a winning record this season.
LA DODGERS are 72-37 (+22.6 Units) against the money line after a loss over the last 2 seasons.
ATLANTA is 30-44 (-14.4 Units) against the money line in day games over the last 2 seasons.

Head-to-Head Series History

ATLANTA is 3-2 (+2.2 Units) against LA DODGERS this season
3 of 4 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL this season . (Over=+2.0 Units)

MIKE BOLSINGER vs. ATLANTA since 1997

BOLSINGER is 0-1 when starting against ATLANTA with an ERA of 12.26 and a WHIP of 3.270.
His team's record is 0-1 (-1.0 units) in these starts. The UNDER is 0-1. (-1.1 units)

JULIO TEHERAN vs. LA DODGERS since 1997

TEHERAN is 0-4 when starting against LA DODGERS with an ERA of 8.46 and a WHIP of 1.836.
His team's record is 0-4 (-4.8 units) in these starts. The UNDER is 1-3. (-2.6 units)

CHICAGO CUBS (50 - 42) at CINCINNATI (41 - 50) - 12:35 PM
KYLE HENDRICKS (R) vs. MIKE LEAKE (R)

Top Trends for this game.

CHICAGO CUBS are 1437-1595 (-277.8 Units) against the money line in all games since 1997.
CHICAGO CUBS are 760-805 (-154.6 Units) against the money line in day games since 1997.
CHICAGO CUBS are 1055-1189 (-215.7 Units) against the money line against right-handed starters since 1997.
CHICAGO CUBS are 666-771 (-202.4 Units) against the money line after a win since 1997.
CHICAGO CUBS are 702-703 (-159.0 Units) against the money line when playing against a team with a losing record since 1997.
CHICAGO CUBS are 123-129 (+1.0 Units) against the money line in games played on a grass field over the last 2 seasons.
HENDRICKS is 20-11 (+9.4 Units) against the money line in all games over the last 2 seasons. (Team's Record)
HENDRICKS is 20-10 (+10.4 Units) against the money line in games played on a grass field over the last 2 seasons. (Team's Record)
CINCINNATI is 10-20 (-12.5 Units) against the money line in day games this season.

Head-to-Head Series History

CHICAGO CUBS is 8-3 (+4.3 Units) against CINCINNATI this season
5 of 10 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL this season . (Over=-0.3 Units, Under=-1.1 Units)

KYLE HENDRICKS vs. CINCINNATI since 1997

HENDRICKS is 1-0 when starting against CINCINNATI with an ERA of 3.00 and a WHIP of 1.056.
His team's record is 3-0 (+3.3 units) in these starts. The OVER is 1-2. (-1.2 units)

MIKE LEAKE vs. CHICAGO CUBS since 1997

LEAKE is 8-2 when starting against CHICAGO CUBS with an ERA of 3.28 and a WHIP of 1.177.
His team's record is 12-6 (+5.5 units) in these starts. The OVER is 8-9. (-1.8 units)

NY METS (49 - 45) at WASHINGTON (50 - 42) - 12:35 PM
NOAH SYNDERGAARD (R) vs. JORDAN ZIMMERMANN (R)

Top Trends for this game.

NY METS are 17-31 (-12.0 Units) against the money line in road games this season.
NY METS are 12-25 (-12.4 Units) against the money line in road games against right-handed starters this season.
NY METS are 3-15 (-12.1 Units) against the money line in road games after a win this season.
ZIMMERMANN is 57-27 (+20.8 Units) against the money line in all games over the last 3 seasons. (Team's Record)
ZIMMERMANN is 32-10 (+19.2 Units) against the money line when the total is 7 or less over the last 3 seasons. (Team's Record)
ZIMMERMANN is 57-27 (+20.8 Units) against the money line in games played on a grass field over the last 3 seasons. (Team's Record)
NY METS are 128-128 (+6.8 Units) against the money line in all games over the last 2 seasons.
NY METS are 39-29 (+16.5 Units) against the money line in July games over the last 3 seasons.
NY METS are 23-8 (+15.7 Units) against the money line in day games this season.
NY METS are 128-126 (+8.8 Units) against the money line in games played on a grass field over the last 2 seasons.

Head-to-Head Series History

WASHINGTON is 5-4 (+0.3 Units) against NY METS this season
5 of 9 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL this season . (Under=+0.3 Units)

NOAH SYNDERGAARD vs. WASHINGTON since 1997
No recent starts.

JORDAN ZIMMERMANN vs. NY METS since 1997

ZIMMERMANN is 8-5 when starting against NY METS with an ERA of 2.91 and a WHIP of 1.148.
His team's record is 15-6 (+7.1 units) in these starts. The UNDER is 10-11. (-2.4 units)

SAN FRANCISCO (50 - 44) at SAN DIEGO (44 - 50) - 3:40 PM
MATT CAIN (R) vs. JAMES SHIELDS (R)

Top Trends for this game.

CAIN is 18-30 (-19.3 Units) against the money line in all games over the last 2 seasons. (Team's Record)
CAIN is 11-21 (-15.6 Units) against the money line when the total is 7 or less over the last 2 seasons. (Team's Record)
CAIN is 3-13 (-13.4 Units) against the money line in day games over the last 2 seasons. (Team's Record)
CAIN is 18-30 (-19.3 Units) against the money line in games played on a grass field over the last 2 seasons. (Team's Record)
CAIN is 5-16 (-17.1 Units) against the money line when playing against a team with a losing record over the last 2 seasons. (Team's Record)
SAN DIEGO is 65-51 (+15.5 Units) against the money line in home games when playing against a team with a winning record over the last 3 seasons.
SAN DIEGO is 17-6 (+11.7 Units) against the money line in home games when playing against a team with a winning record in the second half of the season over the last 2 seasons.
SHIELDS is 40-22 (+19.7 Units) against the money line when the total is 7 or less since 1997. (Team's Record)
SAN FRANCISCO is 150-123 (+18.5 Units) against the money line in all games over the last 2 seasons.
SAN FRANCISCO is 74-63 (+18.5 Units) against the money line in road games over the last 2 seasons.
SAN FRANCISCO is 27-16 (+11.8 Units) against the money line when playing on Wednesday over the last 2 seasons.
SAN FRANCISCO is 58-40 (+15.2 Units) against the money line in day games over the last 2 seasons.
SAN FRANCISCO is 150-123 (+18.5 Units) against the money line in games played on a grass field over the last 2 seasons.
SAN FRANCISCO is 53-41 (+16.9 Units) against the money line in road games against right-handed starters over the last 2 seasons.
SAN FRANCISCO is 30-20 (+9.9 Units) against the money line after a win this season.
SAN FRANCISCO is 37-17 (+17.3 Units) against the money line when playing against a team with a losing record in the second half of the season over the last 2 seasons.
SHIELDS is 3-9 (-9.5 Units) against the money line in home games after a loss over the last 2 seasons. (Team's Record)

Head-to-Head Series History

SAN DIEGO is 6-6 (+0.4 Units) against SAN FRANCISCO this season
7 of 12 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL this season . (Under=+1.1 Units)

MATT CAIN vs. SAN DIEGO since 1997
CAIN is 7-14 when starting against SAN DIEGO with an ERA of 3.18 and a WHIP of 1.158.
His team's record is 12-22 (-14.2 units) in these starts. The UNDER is 15-17. (-4.4 units)

JAMES SHIELDS vs. SAN FRANCISCO since 1997

SHIELDS is 2-3 when starting against SAN FRANCISCO with an ERA of 4.66 and a WHIP of 1.276.
His team's record is 2-3 (-1.0 units) in these starts. The UNDER is 2-3. (-1.7 units)

MIAMI (39 - 55) at ARIZONA (43 - 49) - 9:40 PM
JOSE FERNANDEZ (R) vs. ROBBIE RAY (L)

Top Trends for this game.

MIAMI is 39-55 (-15.4 Units) against the money line in all games this season.
MIAMI is 15-32 (-14.8 Units) against the money line in road games this season.
MIAMI is 9-22 (-12.0 Units) against the money line in road games in night games this season.
ARIZONA is 22-14 (+8.2 Units) against the money line when playing against a team with a losing record this season.
MIAMI is 404-401 (+35.2 Units) against the money line against left-handed starters since 1997.
FERNANDEZ is 25-14 (+12.9 Units) against the money line in all games over the last 2 seasons. (Team's Record)
FERNANDEZ is 25-13 (+13.9 Units) against the money line in games played on a grass field over the last 2 seasons. (Team's Record)
FERNANDEZ is 20-8 (+13.0 Units) against the money line in night games over the last 2 seasons. (Team's Record)
ARIZONA is 107-147 (-35.1 Units) against the money line in all games over the last 2 seasons.
ARIZONA is 14-29 (-14.1 Units) against the money line as a home underdog of +100 to +125 over the last 2 seasons.
ARIZONA is 56-71 (-19.4 Units) against the money line in home games over the last 2 seasons.
ARIZONA is 107-147 (-35.1 Units) against the money line in games played on a grass field over the last 2 seasons.

Head-to-Head Series History

ARIZONA is 5-1 (+4.5 Units) against MIAMI this season
5 of 6 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL this season . (Under=+3.8 Units)

JOSE FERNANDEZ vs. ARIZONA since 1997

FERNANDEZ is 0-1 when starting against ARIZONA with an ERA of 2.46 and a WHIP of 0.682.
His team's record is 0-1 (-1.0 units) in these starts. The UNDER is 1-0. (+1.0 units)

ROBBIE RAY vs. MIAMI since 1997
No recent starts.

SEATTLE (43 - 51) at DETROIT (46 - 47) - 7:05 PM
MIKE MONTGOMERY (L) vs. ANIBAL SANCHEZ (R)

Top Trends for this game.

SEATTLE is 43-51 (-13.9 Units) against the money line in all games this season.
SEATTLE is 38-50 (-18.4 Units) against the money line in games played on a grass field this season.
SEATTLE is 14-28 (-18.9 Units) against the money line after a win this season.
SEATTLE is 724-652 (-100.2 Units) against the money line when playing against a team with a losing record since 1997.
SEATTLE is 339-315 (-79.4 Units) against the money line when playing against a team with a losing record in the second half of the season since 1997.
SEATTLE is 69-59 (+15.9 Units) against the money line in road games over the last 2 seasons.
SEATTLE is 51-38 (+15.2 Units) against the money line in road games against right-handed starters over the last 2 seasons.
DETROIT is 168-158 (-48.8 Units) against the money line as a home favorite of -125 to -150 since 1997.
DETROIT is 69-63 (-17.1 Units) against the money line in home games over the last 2 seasons.
DETROIT is 14-19 (-15.3 Units) against the money line in home games when playing on Wednesday over the last 3 seasons.
DETROIT is 69-63 (-17.1 Units) against the money line in home games in games played on a grass field over the last 2 seasons.
DETROIT is 23-31 (-10.4 Units) against the money line in night games this season.
DETROIT is 57-63 (-20.1 Units) against the money line after a loss over the last 2 seasons.
DETROIT is 64-63 (-15.7 Units) against the money line when playing against a team with a losing record over the last 2 seasons.

Head-to-Head Series History

DETROIT is 3-2 (+1.7 Units) against SEATTLE this season
4 of 5 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL this season . (Over=+2.7 Units)

MIKE MONTGOMERY vs. DETROIT since 1997

No recent starts.

ANIBAL SANCHEZ vs. SEATTLE since 1997

SANCHEZ is 1-0 when starting against SEATTLE with an ERA of 2.89 and a WHIP of 1.340.
His team's record is 2-1 (+0.9 units) in these starts. The OVER is 1-1. (-0.1 units)

BALTIMORE (46 - 46) at NY YANKEES (51 - 41) - 7:05 PM
KEVIN GAUSMAN (R) vs. IVAN NOVA (R)

Top Trends for this game.

BALTIMORE is 26-32 (-9.0 Units) against the money line in night games this season.
BALTIMORE is 12-23 (-10.5 Units) against the money line in road games against right-handed starters this season.
NY YANKEES are 14-4 (+9.4 Units) against the money line at home with a money line of -100 to -125 this season.
NY YANKEES are 20-7 (+8.0 Units) against the money line in home games in night games this season.
NY YANKEES are 30-20 (+8.3 Units) against the money line after a win this season.
BALTIMORE is 146-116 (+33.4 Units) against the money line in all games over the last 2 seasons.
BALTIMORE is 72-50 (+24.3 Units) against the money line against division opponents over the last 2 seasons.
BALTIMORE is 130-103 (+28.3 Units) against the money line in games played on a grass field over the last 2 seasons.
BALTIMORE is 65-50 (+17.5 Units) against the money line after a loss over the last 2 seasons.
BALTIMORE is 67-58 (+14.9 Units) against the money line when playing against a team with a winning record over the last 2 seasons.
BALTIMORE is 36-25 (+14.3 Units) against the money line when playing against a team with a winning record in the second half of the season over the last 2 seasons.

Head-to-Head Series History

NY YANKEES is 6-5 (+0.6 Units) against BALTIMORE this season
5 of 9 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL this season . (Over=+0.7 Units)

KEVIN GAUSMAN vs. NY YANKEES since 1997

GAUSMAN is 1-0 when starting against NY YANKEES with an ERA of 1.59 and a WHIP of 1.000.
His team's record is 2-1 (+1.0 units) in these starts. The OVER is 1-2. (-1.0 units)

IVAN NOVA vs. BALTIMORE since 1997

NOVA is 5-3 when starting against BALTIMORE with an ERA of 5.17 and a WHIP of 1.331.
His team's record is 8-4 (+1.9 units) in these starts. The OVER is 6-6. (-0.3 units)

BOSTON (42 - 52) at HOUSTON (52 - 43) - 8:10 PM
JOE KELLY (R) vs. COLLIN MCHUGH (R)

Top Trends for this game.

BOSTON is 42-52 (-16.6 Units) against the money line in all games this season.
BOSTON is 20-27 (-12.5 Units) against the money line when the total is 8 to 8.5 this season.
BOSTON is 7-17 (-9.7 Units) against the money line as a road underdog of +100 to +125 this season.
BOSTON is 18-33 (-14.7 Units) against the money line on the road when the total is 8 to 8.5 over the last 2 seasons.
BOSTON is 16-24 (-13.0 Units) against the money line in July games over the last 2 seasons.
BOSTON is 35-46 (-18.9 Units) against the money line in games played on a grass field this season.
BOSTON is 27-34 (-11.5 Units) against the money line in night games this season.
BOSTON is 33-37 (-9.2 Units) against the money line against right-handed starters this season.
BOSTON is 19-28 (-12.4 Units) against the money line when playing against a team with a winning record this season.
KELLY is 1-11 (-11.3 Units) against the money line when playing on Wednesday since 1997. (Team's Record)
HOUSTON is 52-43 (+5.7 Units) against the money line in all games this season.
HOUSTON is 31-17 (+9.4 Units) against the money line in home games this season.
HOUSTON is 52-37 (+12.1 Units) against the money line in games played on a grass field this season.
HOUSTON is 33-23 (+10.7 Units) against the money line against right-handed starters this season.
MCHUGH is 25-16 (+10.1 Units) against the money line in games played on a grass field over the last 2 seasons. (Team's Record)
KELLY is 8-2 (+8.4 Units) against the money line when playing against a team with a winning record in the second half of the season over the last 2 seasons. (Team's Record)

Head-to-Head Series History

HOUSTON is 2-2 (+0.1 Units) against BOSTON this season
3 of 4 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL this season . (Over=+2.1 Units)

JOE KELLY vs. HOUSTON since 1997

KELLY is 0-1 when starting against HOUSTON with an ERA of 15.75 and a WHIP of 3.250.
His team's record is 0-1 (-1.3 units) in these starts. The UNDER is 0-1. (-1.0 units)

COLLIN MCHUGH vs. BOSTON since 1997
MCHUGH is 1-1 when starting against BOSTON with an ERA of 3.18 and a WHIP of 1.853.
His team's record is 1-1 (+0.2 units) in these starts. The OVER is 1-1. (-0.1 units)

TORONTO (48 - 47) at OAKLAND (43 - 52) - 10:05 PM
FELIX DOUBRONT (L) vs. SONNY GRAY (R)

Top Trends for this game.

DOUBRONT is 23-13 (+13.0 Units) against the money line in road games since 1997. (Team's Record)
OAKLAND is 43-52 (-18.0 Units) against the money line in all games this season.
OAKLAND is 33-45 (-24.1 Units) against the money line when the total is 7 or less over the last 2 seasons.
OAKLAND is 8-13 (-9.5 Units) against the money line as a home favorite of -125 to -150 this season.
OAKLAND is 20-28 (-17.5 Units) against the money line in home games this season.
OAKLAND is 8-13 (-9.6 Units) against the money line at home when the total is 7 or less this season.
OAKLAND is 14-19 (-15.9 Units) against the money line in home games when playing on Wednesday over the last 3 seasons.
OAKLAND is 41-50 (-18.4 Units) against the money line in games played on a grass field this season.
OAKLAND is 84-79 (-19.5 Units) against the money line in night games over the last 2 seasons.
OAKLAND is 7-18 (-13.7 Units) against the money line against left-handed starters this season.
GRAY is 5-10 (-10.6 Units) against the money line at home when the total is 7 or less over the last 2 seasons. (Team's Record)

Head-to-Head Series History

TORONTO is 1-0 (+1.0 Units) against OAKLAND this season
1 of 1 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL this season . (Over=+1.0 Units)

FELIX DOUBRONT vs. OAKLAND since 1997

DOUBRONT is 1-2 when starting against OAKLAND with an ERA of 7.85 and a WHIP of 1.636.
His team's record is 1-3 (-2.6 units) in these starts. The OVER is 2-2. (-0.2 units)

SONNY GRAY vs. TORONTO since 1997

GRAY is 1-1 when starting against TORONTO with an ERA of 2.08 and a WHIP of 1.077.
His team's record is 1-1 (+0.0 units) in these starts. The OVER is 0-1. (-1.1 units)

MINNESOTA (50 - 43) at LA ANGELS (53 - 40) - 10:05 PM
MIKE PELFREY (R) vs. C.J. WILSON (L)

Top Trends for this game.

LA ANGELS are 53-40 (+9.5 Units) against the money line in all games this season.
LA ANGELS are 12-3 (+9.0 Units) against the money line in July games this season.
LA ANGELS are 49-37 (+8.3 Units) against the money line in games played on a grass field this season.
LA ANGELS are 43-26 (+14.4 Units) against the money line in night games this season.
LA ANGELS are 107-77 (+16.5 Units) against the money line against right-handed starters over the last 2 seasons.
LA ANGELS are 16-6 (+10.7 Units) against the money line after shutting out their opponent over the last 2 seasons.
MINNESOTA is 50-43 (+16.1 Units) against the money line in all games this season.
MINNESOTA is 50-43 (+16.1 Units) against the money line in games played on a grass field this season.
MINNESOTA is 26-22 (+10.5 Units) against the money line in night games this season.
MINNESOTA is 19-13 (+9.8 Units) against the money line against left-handed starters this season.
MINNESOTA is 25-17 (+13.2 Units) against the money line after a loss this season.
MINNESOTA is 20-12 (+11.6 Units) against the money line after 3 or more consecutive losses over the last 2 seasons.
PELFREY is 55-44 (+17.8 Units) against the money line after a loss since 1997. (Team's Record)
LA ANGELS are 155-138 (-67.1 Units) against the money line as a home favorite of -150 to -175 since 1997.

Head-to-Head Series History

LA ANGELS is 1-0 (+1.0 Units) against MINNESOTA this season
0 of 0 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL this season . (Over=+0.0 Units)

MIKE PELFREY vs. LA ANGELS since 1997

PELFREY is 3-1 when starting against LA ANGELS with an ERA of 4.15 and a WHIP of 1.154.
His team's record is 3-1 (+2.8 units) in these starts. The OVER is 3-1. (+2.1 units)

C.J. WILSON vs. MINNESOTA since 1997

WILSON is 6-2 when starting against MINNESOTA with an ERA of 5.67 and a WHIP of 1.445.
His team's record is 6-3 (+1.6 units) in these starts. The UNDER is 3-6. (-4.1 units)

TAMPA BAY (48 - 48) at PHILADELPHIA (33 - 63) - 1:05 PM
JAKE ODORIZZI (R) vs. ADAM MORGAN (L)

Top Trends for this game.

TAMPA BAY is 125-133 (-28.3 Units) against the money line in all games over the last 2 seasons.
TAMPA BAY is 19-29 (-18.4 Units) against the money line after shutting out their opponent over the last 3 seasons.
TAMPA BAY is 48-55 (-17.2 Units) against the money line when playing against a team with a losing record over the last 2 seasons.
TAMPA BAY is 44-22 (+16.8 Units) against the money line in July games over the last 3 seasons.
PHILADELPHIA is 33-63 (-20.2 Units) against the money line in all games this season.
PHILADELPHIA is 21-43 (-22.9 Units) against the money line when playing on Wednesday over the last 3 seasons.
PHILADELPHIA is 33-63 (-20.2 Units) against the money line in games played on a grass field this season.
PHILADELPHIA is 26-51 (-18.9 Units) against the money line against right-handed starters this season.
PHILADELPHIA is 19-43 (-17.9 Units) against the money line after a loss this season.
Head-to-Head Series History
PHILADELPHIA is 1-1 (+0.1 Units) against TAMPA BAY this season
1 of 1 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL this season . (Under=+1.0 Units)

JAKE ODORIZZI vs. PHILADELPHIA since 1997
No recent starts.

ADAM MORGAN vs. TAMPA BAY since 1997
No recent starts.

CLEVELAND (44 - 48) at MILWAUKEE (42 - 52) - 2:10 PM
CODY ANDERSON (R) vs. KYLE LOHSE (R)

Top Trends for this game.

CLEVELAND is 44-48 (-14.6 Units) against the money line in all games this season.
CLEVELAND is 40-48 (-18.7 Units) against the money line in games played on a grass field this season.
CLEVELAND is 116-70 (+29.5 Units) against the money line when playing against a team with a losing record over the last 3 seasons.
CLEVELAND is 65-27 (+29.6 Units) against the money line when playing against a team with a losing record in the second half of the season over the last 3 seasons.
MILWAUKEE is 20-28 (-11.7 Units) against the money line in home games this season.
MILWAUKEE is 59-84 (-30.4 Units) against the money line in day games over the last 3 seasons.
MILWAUKEE is 20-28 (-11.7 Units) against the money line in home games in games played on a grass field this season.
MILWAUKEE is 31-43 (-12.2 Units) against the money line against right-handed starters this season.
MILWAUKEE is 4-11 (-9.5 Units) against the money line in home games when playing against a team with a losing record this season.
MILWAUKEE is 13-25 (-22.1 Units) against the money line when playing against a team with a losing record in the second half of the season over the last 2 seasons.

Head-to-Head Series History

MILWAUKEE is 1-0 (+1.1 Units) against CLEVELAND this season
1 of 1 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL this season . (Over=+1.0 Units)

CODY ANDERSON vs. MILWAUKEE since 1997
No recent starts.

KYLE LOHSE vs. CLEVELAND since 1997

LOHSE is 7-9 when starting against CLEVELAND with an ERA of 5.62 and a WHIP of 1.352.
His team's record is 8-10 (-2.6 units) in these starts. The UNDER is 10-7. (+2.6 units)

TEXAS (44 - 49) at COLORADO (40 - 52) - 3:10 PM
MARTIN PEREZ (L) vs. JORGE DE LA ROSA (L)

Top Trends for this game.

TEXAS is 10-31 (-23.4 Units) against the money line in July games over the last 2 seasons.
TEXAS is 37-62 (-24.8 Units) against the money line when playing against a team with a losing record over the last 2 seasons.
DE LA ROSA is 27-20 (+8.9 Units) against the money line in all games over the last 2 seasons. (Team's Record)
DE LA ROSA is 29-9 (+17.9 Units) against the money line in home games over the last 3 seasons. (Team's Record)
DE LA ROSA is 15-2 (+12.4 Units) against the money line in home games in July games since 1997. (Team's Record)
DE LA ROSA is 20-5 (+17.7 Units) against the money line in day games over the last 3 seasons. (Team's Record)
DE LA ROSA is 27-20 (+8.9 Units) against the money line in games played on a grass field over the last 2 seasons. (Team's Record)
DE LA ROSA is 32-12 (+23.3 Units) against the money line after a loss over the last 3 seasons. (Team's Record)
DE LA ROSA is 56-33 (+20.9 Units) against the money line when playing against a team with a losing record since 1997. (Team's Record)
DE LA ROSA is 32-15 (+17.7 Units) against the money line when playing against a team with a losing record in the second half of the season since 1997. (Team's Record)
TEXAS is 44-49 (+8.4 Units) against the money line in all games this season.
TEXAS is 28-23 (+18.7 Units) against the money line in road games this season.
TEXAS is 41-45 (+8.0 Units) against the money line in games played on a grass field this season.
COLORADO is 106-148 (-35.9 Units) against the money line in all games over the last 2 seasons.
COLORADO is 208-281 (-80.5 Units) against the money line in July games since 1997.
COLORADO is 9-24 (-16.4 Units) against the money line in an inter-league game over the last 2 seasons.
COLORADO is 106-148 (-35.9 Units) against the money line in games played on a grass field over the last 2 seasons.
COLORADO is 58-91 (-28.1 Units) against the money line after a loss over the last 2 seasons.

Head-to-Head Series History

TEXAS is 1-1 (+0.2 Units) against COLORADO this season
1 of 2 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL this season . (Over=+0.0 Units)

MARTIN PEREZ vs. COLORADO since 1997

PEREZ is 0-1 when starting against COLORADO with an ERA of 9.00 and a WHIP of 2.000.
His team's record is 0-1 (-1.0 units) in these starts. The UNDER is 1-0. (+1.0 units)

JORGE DE LA ROSA vs. TEXAS since 1997

DE LA ROSA is 2-0 when starting against TEXAS with an ERA of 3.00 and a WHIP of 1.417.
His team's record is 2-0 (+3.4 units) in these starts. The OVER is 1-1. (+0.0 units)

ST LOUIS (59 - 34) at CHI WHITE SOX (42 - 49) - 8:10 PM
LANCE LYNN (R) vs. JOHN DANKS (L)

Top Trends for this game.

LYNN is 5-16 (-13.6 Units) against the money line in road games after a win over the last 3 seasons. (Team's Record)
CHI WHITE SOX are 194-149 (+41.8 Units) against the money line in an inter-league game since 1997.
CHI WHITE SOX are 77-79 (+11.7 Units) against the money line in night games over the last 2 seasons.
DANKS is 23-14 (+12.5 Units) against the money line in July games since 1997. (Team's Record)
DANKS is 9-2 (+8.8 Units) against the money line in home games after a loss over the last 2 seasons. (Team's Record)
ST LOUIS is 59-34 (+20.2 Units) against the money line in all games this season.
ST LOUIS is 59-34 (+20.2 Units) against the money line in games played on a grass field this season.
ST LOUIS is 39-24 (+12.0 Units) against the money line in night games this season.
ST LOUIS is 38-21 (+13.2 Units) against the money line after a win this season.
Head-to-Head Series History

CHI WHITE SOX is 2-1 (+1.4 Units) against ST LOUIS this season
2 of 3 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL this season . (Over=+1.1 Units)

LANCE LYNN vs. CHI WHITE SOX since 1997

LYNN is 1-0 when starting against CHI WHITE SOX with an ERA of 0.68 and a WHIP of 0.825.
His team's record is 1-1 (+0.0 units) in these starts. The OVER is 0-2. (-2.0 units)

JOHN DANKS vs. ST LOUIS since 1997
No recent starts.

PITTSBURGH (54 - 39) at KANSAS CITY (56 - 36) - 8:10 PM
CHARLIE MORTON (R) vs. EDINSON VOLQUEZ (R)

Top Trends for this game.

PITTSBURGH is 256-491 (-105.4 Units) against the money line in road games when playing against a team with a winning record since 1997.
PITTSBURGH is 110-245 (-74.2 Units) against the money line in road games when playing against a team with a winning record in the second half of the season since 1997.
KANSAS CITY is 56-36 (+18.8 Units) against the money line in all games this season.
KANSAS CITY is 31-17 (+10.2 Units) against the money line in home games this season.
KANSAS CITY is 26-9 (+12.8 Units) against the money line in home games when playing on Wednesday over the last 3 seasons.
KANSAS CITY is 28-14 (+12.8 Units) against the money line in an inter-league game over the last 2 seasons.
KANSAS CITY is 56-36 (+18.8 Units) against the money line in games played on a grass field this season.
KANSAS CITY is 36-25 (+8.8 Units) against the money line in night games this season.
KANSAS CITY is 39-20 (+17.5 Units) against the money line against right-handed starters this season.
KANSAS CITY is 91-67 (+18.0 Units) against the money line after a win over the last 2 seasons.
KANSAS CITY is 73-57 (+12.7 Units) against the money line when playing against a team with a winning record over the last 2 seasons.
KANSAS CITY is 53-39 (+17.3 Units) against the money line when playing against a team with a winning record in the second half of the season over the last 3 seasons.
VOLQUEZ is 31-20 (+10.5 Units) against the money line in all games over the last 2 seasons. (Team's Record)
PITTSBURGH is 239-185 (+36.0 Units) against the money line in all games over the last 3 seasons.
PITTSBURGH is 37-20 (+17.0 Units) against the money line in an inter-league game over the last 3 seasons.
PITTSBURGH is 237-184 (+34.5 Units) against the money line in games played on a grass field over the last 3 seasons.
PITTSBURGH is 101-71 (+18.5 Units) against the money line in night games over the last 2 seasons.
PITTSBURGH is 191-151 (+29.3 Units) against the money line against right-handed starters over the last 3 seasons.

Head-to-Head Series History

PITTSBURGH is 1-1 (+0.1 Units) against KANSAS CITY this season
1 of 2 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL this season . (Over=-0.2 Units, Under=-0.1 Units)

CHARLIE MORTON vs. KANSAS CITY since 1997
MORTON is 0-1 when starting against KANSAS CITY with an ERA of 5.40 and a WHIP of 1.400.
His team's record is 0-1 (-1.0 units) in these starts. The OVER is 0-1. (-1.0 units)

EDINSON VOLQUEZ vs. PITTSBURGH since 1997
VOLQUEZ is 2-0 when starting against PITTSBURGH with an ERA of 4.18 and a WHIP of 1.374.
His team's record is 4-5 (-3.7 units) in these starts. The UNDER is 4-4. (-0.7 units)

CHICAGO CUBS (50 - 42) at CINCINNATI (41 - 50) - 6:10 PM
DALLAS BEELER (R) vs. TONY CINGRANI (L)

Top Trends for this game.

CHICAGO CUBS are 1437-1595 (-277.8 Units) against the money line in all games since 1997.
CHICAGO CUBS are 702-703 (-159.0 Units) against the money line when playing against a team with a losing record since 1997.
CHICAGO CUBS are 123-129 (+1.0 Units) against the money line in games played on a grass field over the last 2 seasons.
CHICAGO CUBS are 33-24 (+8.8 Units) against the money line in night games this season.

Head-to-Head Series History
CHICAGO CUBS is 8-3 (+4.3 Units) against CINCINNATI this season
5 of 10 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL this season . (Over=-0.3 Units, Under=-1.1 Units)

DALLAS BEELER vs. CINCINNATI since 1997
BEELER is 0-1 when starting against CINCINNATI with an ERA of 7.20 and a WHIP of 2.000.
His team's record is 0-1 (-1.0 units) in these starts. The UNDER is 1-0. (+1.0 units)

TONY CINGRANI vs. CHICAGO CUBS since 1997
CINGRANI is 1-2 when starting against CHICAGO CUBS with an ERA of 4.70 and a WHIP of 1.109.
His team's record is 2-4 (-5.5 units) in these starts. The UNDER is 1-5. (-4.5 units)

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MLB

Wednesday, July 22


Rays streaking against left-handed starters

The Tampa Bay Rays have won 11 consecutive games against left handed starters and will meet another when they take on the Philadelphia Phillies Wednesday afternoon.

In fact, not only have the Rays won against lefty starters, they have dominated them, outscoring them 43-16 in those 11 games.

Today the Rays go up against Phillies left-hander Adam Morgan, who is 1-2 with a 3.91 ERA in four starts this season. The Rays will counter with right-hander jake Odorizzi.

The Rays are currently -156 road favorites.


Nats Zimmermann loves playing the Mets

Washington Nationals starter Jordan Zimmermann loves playing the New York Mets, with the Nats winning his last six starts against their division rivals.

In 21 career starts against the Mets, Zimmermann has pitched to a 2.91 ERA with 95 strikeouts to 21 walks.

Zimmermann (3.27 ERA, 11-8 O/U) makes his 22nd career start against the Mets and their rookie starter Noah Syndergaard (3.05 ERA, 2-9 O/U) Wednesday afternoon. The Nats are currently -125 favorites with a total of 7.0.


Cubs' Hendricks on a hot under streak

The under has been a hot bet when the Chicago Cubs starter Kyle Hendricks takes the hill, going under in five straight starts.

Hendricks has pitched to a 1.45 ERA with 24 strikeouts to just four walks in those starts and the under is actually 9-2 in his last 11 starts overall.

Hendricks takes the mound Wednesday afternoon in Cincinnati against the Reds, who counters with Mike Leake. Leake is also hot pitching to a 1.80 ERA and an 0-3 O/U record in his last three starts. The total is currently at 8.0.


Chance of rain, thunderstorms at Turner Field

There is some rough weather in the forecast when the Atlanta Braves host the Los Angeles Dodgers Wednesday afternoon.

There is a chance of thunderstorms and a 42 percent chance of rain. Additionally, there is a six mile per hour wind blowing in from left field.

The Braves, currently +136 home dogs, send Julio Teheran (4.53 ERA, 14-5 ERA) to the hill to go up against the Dodgers Michael Bolsinger (3.04 ERA, 7-7 O/U). The total is at 7.5 runs.


Nationals happy to see Wegner behind home plate

The Washington Nationals are 6-0 in their last six games where umpire Mark Wegner has been calling balls and strikes.

Additionally, home teams are 9-8 in the games Wegner has been behind home plate this season.

The Nationals are currently -125 home favorites and send right-hander Jordan Zimmermann (8-5, 3.27 ERA) to the hill to take on Mets rookie right-hander Noah Syndergaard (4-5, 3.05 ERA).

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Standings


AMERICAN - EAST

Team Win Loss Percent GB Home Away Last 10 Streak

New York Yankees 51 41 .554 0 28-17 23-24 7-3 W-2

Toronto Blue Jays 48 47 .505 4 28-19 20-28 5-5 W-2

Baltimore Orioles 46 46 .500 5 27-18 19-28 3-7 L-1

Tampa Bay Rays 48 48 .500 5 24-27 24-21 5-5 W-1

Boston Red Sox 42 52 .447 10 22-23 20-29 3-7 L-6

AMERICAN - CENTRAL

Team Win Loss Percent GB Home Away Last 10 Streak

Kansas City Royals 56 36 .609 0 31-17 25-19 7-3 W-1

Minnesota Twins 50 43 .538 6 31-16 19-27 6-4 L-3

Detroit Tigers 46 47 .495 10 24-26 22-21 4-6 L-1

Cleveland Indians 44 48 .478 12 19-26 25-22 6-4 L-1

Chicago White Sox 42 49 .462 13 24-21 18-28 5-5 L-3

AMERICAN - WEST

Team Win Loss Percent GB Home Away Last 10 Streak

Los Angeles Angels 53 40 .570 0 30-18 23-22 8-2 W-6

Houston Astros 52 43 .547 2 31-17 21-26 3-7 W-2

Texas Rangers 44 49 .473 9 16-26 28-23 3-7 W-1

Seattle Mariners 43 51 .457 10 20-27 23-24 4-6 W-1

Oakland Athletics 43 52 .453 11 20-28 23-24 5-5 L-1

NATIONAL - EAST

Team Win Loss Percent GB Home Away Last 10 Streak

Washington Nationals 50 42 .543 0 27-19 23-23 4-6 L-1

New York Mets 49 45 .521 2 32-14 17-31 6-4 W-1

Atlanta Braves 45 49 .479 6 26-19 19-30 3-7 W-2

Miami Marlins 39 55 .415 12 24-23 15-32 4-6 W-1

Philadelphia Phillies 33 63 .344 19 22-26 11-37 4-6 L-1

NATIONAL - CENTRAL

Team Win Loss Percent GB Home Away Last 10 Streak

St. Louis Cardinals 59 34 .634 0 33-12 26-22 5-5 W-1

Pittsburgh Pirates 54 39 .581 5 32-16 22-23 5-5 L-1

Chicago Cubs 50 42 .543 8 25-20 25-22 5-5 W-1

Cincinnati Reds 41 50 .451 17 24-21 17-29 4-6 L-1

Milwaukee Brewers 42 52 .447 17 20-28 22-24 6-4 W-4

NATIONAL - WEST

Team Win Loss Percent GB Home Away Last 10 Streak

Los Angeles Dodgers 53 42 .558 0 33-17 20-25 6-4 L-2

San Francisco Giants 50 44 .532 2 25-22 25-22 8-2 W-1

San Diego Padres 44 50 .468 8 21-23 23-27 5-5 L-1

Arizona Diamondbacks 43 49 .467 8 23-25 20-24 3-7 L-1

Colorado Rockies 40 52 .435 11 22-25 18-27 5-5 L-1

Updated Wed Jul 22 10:34 AM EDT

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MLB

Wednesday, July 22

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Game of the Day: Pirates at Royals
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Pittsburgh Pirates at Kansas City Royals (-129, 8.0)

The Kansas City Royals are 20 games over .500 and own a comfortable lead atop the American League Central, but they suddenly have concerns over their starting rotation. Kansas City's bullpen has been taxed for 12 2/3 innings against the visiting Pittsburgh Pirates in their three-game interleague series, which concludes on Wednesday.

The Royals demoted Yordano Ventura to the minors after a four-inning start Monday and saw left-hander Jason Vargas leave with elbow pain in the second inning on Tuesday. Vargas, who just returned from a six-week stint on the disabled list, will undergo an MRI exam on his elbow Wednesday. The Pirates fell to 1-4 since the All-Star break following Tuesday's 3-1 loss and dropped five games behind first-place St. Louis in the National League Central. Pittsburgh's Charlie Morton will oppose ex-Pirate Edinson Volquez in the series finale.

TV: 8:10 p.m. ET, ROOT (Pittsburgh), FSN Kansas City

LINE HISTORY: The Royals opened as -132 home favorites and have been bet down slightly at -129. The total has held steady at 8.0 runs.

INJURY REPORT:

Pirates - C F. Cervelli (questionable Wednesday, wrist), SP F. Liriano (probable Thursday, neck), CF G. Hernandez (15-day DL, shoulder), 3B J. Harrison (Late Aug, thumb), SS J. Mercer (Early Sept, knee), RF C. Hart (60-day DL, shoulder), SS J. Sellers (60-day DL, Achilles).

Royals - SP J. Vargas (day-to-day, elbow), LF A. Gordon (Early Sept, groin), SP B. Flynn (60-day DL, back).

WEATHER REPORT: There is a chance of thunderstorms in addition to a 21 percent chance of rain. There will also be slight six mile per hour wind blowing in from right field.

PITCHING MATCHUP: Pirates RH Charlie Morton (6-3, 4.34 ERA) vs. Royals RH Edinson Volquez (8-5, 3.28)

Morton is in the midst of a three-start winless drought in which he has allowed a combined 14 hits in 18 innings but also had as many walks as strikeouts (10). He permitted a season high-tying four runs over six frames in a loss at Milwaukee last time out to drop to 2-2 with an 8.20 ERA in four road starts this season. The sinkerballer won his first five outings of the season but has only one victory in his last five turns.

Volquez, who won 13 games with Pittsburgh last season, remained winless over his last four starts after allowing two runs over 6 1/3 innings in a loss at the Chicago White Sox on Friday. He did not factor in the decision in his previous three turns, a stretch which followed a three-start winning streak. Volquez saw plenty of the Pirates from his days in the NL, logging a 2-0 record and 4.18 ERA in nine career starts.

UMPIRE REPORT: Tony Randazzo will be the man behind the plate calling balls and strikes Wednesday night. Home teams are 7-7 in games where he is behind home plate and his record against the total is 8-6 O/U. There is an average of 8.36 runs scored per game and he has a strike percentage of 64.94.

TRENDS:

* Over is 5-1 in the last six meetings in Kansas City.
* Pirates are 4-1 in the last five meetings.
* Under is 6-2 in the last eight meetings.
* Pirates are 1-4 in the last five meetings in Kansas City.

CONSENSUS: The public is backing the home side in this contest with 67.61 percent of wagers backing the Royals.

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Brewers' surge likely too little, too late

Jul 22, 2015

MILWAUKEE -- This is exactly what Milwaukee Brewers general manager Doug Melvin and manager Craig Counsell -- previously an assistant to Melvin -- had in mind when they began the 2015 season.

The Brewers won their fourth in a row and fifth in six tries Tuesday, knocking off the Cleveland Indians 8-1 behind a strong effort from right-hander Matt Garza, a lineup that produced offense from top-to-bottom and a crisp defense that turned a season-high four double plays.

The result left Milwaukee (42-52) within 10 games of .500 for the first time since May 19 and 37-35 since Counsell replaced Ron Roenicke as manager on May 4.

So with the Brewers playing their best baseball of the year -- and performing to the level the front office had in mind -- is it too early to start dreaming?

"We're playing better, we're more consistent," catcher Jonathan Lucroy said. "It's always possible, but a lot of things have to go right for us."

The Brewers are 17 1/2 games behind the front-running St. Louis Cardinals in the National League Central and nine games back of the Chicago Cubs for the second NL wild-card spot, but with six teams separating them, it is still wishful thinking.

"In this game, today, it's tough," Lucroy said. "Not impossible, but tough."

What the Brewers can accomplish, and in the very near future, is a move out of the NL Central basement. They are only a half-game behind the fourth-place Reds (41-50), who are expected to begin a fire sale in the very near future.

"I think we're in a mood right now of, 'Let's play a good game tomorrow,'" Counsell said. "We've been doing good in that mode, and I think that's the mode to stay in."

Milwaukee, too, is in selling mode, and the sudden resurgence of some of its veteran talent could lead to some deals. Left fielder Gerardo Parra, who is batting .426 this month, might be headed elsewhere.

"I don't worry about it," Counsell said. "I plan on writing his name in the lineup tomorrow. He's doing a great job. He's going to be our leadoff hitter tomorrow.

"I'm lost for words to say about him, but it's fun watching him play right now. He's just been exceptional, he really has."

[StarDust Bum]

Six-game skid wrecks Red Sox's momentum

Jul 22, 2015

HOUSTON -- Just prior to dropping their final game before the All-Star Game break, the Boston Red Sox enjoyed a 15-7 stretch in which they did not lose consecutive games, a run that gave them hope of climbing back into contention in the wide open American League East.

On Tuesday night, Boston dropped its sixth consecutive game, falling 8-3 to the Houston Astros. Combined with the New York Yankees' 3-2 win over the Baltimore Orioles, the Red Sox dropped 10 games out of first place.

Just as quickly as it arrived, hope appears to have vanished.

"We've got to lead from the mound. We've got to give our offense a chance to get on track," Red Sox manager John Farrell said, discussing the myriad problems plaguing the team. "That looked to be the case tonight where we put together some hits and scored the three runs. We were swinging the bat pretty darn well. We had a number of hard-contact hits tonight that they made some very good defensive plays on. But this is frustrating for everyone involved."

The Red Sox, whose pitching has been ineffective this season, hoped that right-hander Justin Masterson could provide a boost following a move to the bullpen that included consecutive scoreless outings. However, against the Astros, he surrendered three runs on four hits while recording just five outs.

After the Red Sox were on the wrong end of a four-game series sweep against the Angels, with the final two losses coming Monday in a doubleheader that forced Farrell to juggle his rotation, Boston is in desperate need for someone, anyone, to step forward.

"Yeah we got to be professional," catcher Ryan Hanigan said. "Keep playing hard, representing the city of Boston. We got to go out there and compete. We've got a lot of talented guys that have been through adversity, and there's a lot of season left. We just have to get ourselves going. Have everything click at the same time -- offense, defense, pitching, the whole deal."

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Ausmus: Sub-.500 Tigers remain a contender

Jul 21, 2015

DETROIT -- Brad Ausmus is growing weary of the questions regarding the Tigers being buyers or sellers at the trade deadline. What's clear is that Detroit's manager is not ready to give up on the season.

The Tigers are 46-47 after an 11-9 loss to the Seattle Mariners on Tuesday in which reliever Neftali Feliz squandered a two-run lead in the eighth. Detroit is 10 1/2 games behind the Kansas City Royals in the American League Central and four games behind in the chase for the two AL wild-card spots.

The media was kicked out of the clubhouse 10 minutes after it opened up on Tuesday afternoon so that the team could hold a closed-door meeting. Ausmus wouldn't divulge what was discussed but grew testy afterward when a columnist suggested the team had fallen out of the race.

"I don't subscribe to the theory that we're out of it," he said. "Four games out of a playoff position is far from out of it. I know people like to make it a big story because the Tigers have been so successful and all of a sudden, they're .500 with the trade deadline looming.

"It's a big story to say the Tigers are sellers ... because they haven't been sellers in so long, it's very sensationalistic to talk about it. And sensationalism sells."

A story in USA Today intimated that general manager Dave Dombrowski was already shopping his top would-be free agents, with ace David Price and left fielder Yoenis Cespedes heading that list.

"Things can turn dramatically over a 10-game period. But you have to play well, at some point, on a consistent basis," Dombrowski said in the story. "We're at a point where we have to do what's best in our heart for the franchise."

Ausmus, who meets with Dombrowski daily, said his boss isn't keen on selling off assets.

"Dave believes in this team, too," Ausmus said. "You put together a team for 162 games. You don't put together a team for two-thirds of the season."

Even so, Ausmus admits he is disappointed in how the season is unfolding.

"I'm in charge of the team, so the responsibility falls on me," he said. "When I say I'm disappointed in our record, I'm not saying I'm disappointed in our effort. The effort is there, and that includes the coaching staff. I am disappointed in the record, and I'll take the blame for it because of what my job title is. But I still firmly believe that over this six-month season, our record will be where it's supposed to be."

So is Ausmus ready to offer a playoff guarantee? He won't go that far.

"I'm not Joe Namath," he said.

[StarDust Bum]

Mariners' Cruz flexes his muscles again

DETROIT -- Seattle Mariners manager Lloyd McClendon proved prophetic in his observations about Nelson Cruz's power stroke prior to Tuesday's game.

"His power numbers are not where you're used to seeing them, but I think they'll come back. It may come back with a bang tonight," he said. "I saw some swings (Monday night) that were real close."

Cruz showed off his power in the evening, blasting a home run over the 420-foot mark in center field during the Mariners' 11-9 win over the Detroit Tigers at Comerica Park.

"I guess he was right," the designated hitter said. "Hopefully, he can say that tomorrow."

Cruz carried the Mariners during the first two months of the season when he blasted 18 home runs. However, from May 28 until Tuesday, he added only three more long balls.

McClendon noticed as the All-Star break approached that the 35-year-old outfielder looked tired, and it showed at the plate.

"The season is a grind and you get banged up," McClendon said pregame. "He's no different than anybody else. He probably got a little fatigued because 10 to 12 days ago, the hands started to drop. But you see the hands back up in a good position to hit. I suspect he'll break out of it any day now."

It wasn't a function of pitchers being more careful with him, though McClendon moved him up to the No. 3 spot this week and dropped second baseman Robinson Cano to the cleanup spot, offering Cruz better protection.

"They've tried to pitch him the same way all season," McClendon said. "I think it's execution. They make mistakes, he takes advantage of it. He just hasn't had a lot of mistakes to swing at."

That's not to say Cruz was totally unproductive until his 455-foot solo shot against Tigers starter Shane Greene. He still is the only Mariners regular hitting .300. His 22 home runs lead the club by a wide margin, and he also tops the Mariners in RBIs (54), runs (45) and hits (104).

"You're going to have streaks and you're going to fall into little funks," McClendon said. "The thing that's neat about Nellie is even when he's in a little slump, he's still able to get a hit here or there."

[StarDust Bum]

Preview: Liberty (11-5) at Sparks (3-12)

Date: July 22, 2015 10:30 PM EDT

After an offseason of controversy and tumult, the New York Liberty can go into the All-Star break with sole possession of first place in the Eastern Conference with a victory Wednesday night.

Major help is on the way for the Los Angeles Sparks, though it won't come quite yet for the league's worst team.

The Sparks will play one final time without two-time MVP Candace Parker as they try to end the visiting Liberty's four-game win streak.

New York (11-5) made major news in the offseason when it fired coach Bill Laimbeer after last year's 15-19 campaign, only to rehire him less than three months later. Another unusual off-the-court move came May 5 when Isiah Thomas was brought on as the team's president even though the NBA's Knicks didn't win a single playoff game during Thomas' stint as their team president from December 2003 to April 2008.

There have been few problems on the court to this point. The Liberty are off to the club's best start since going 16-5 in 2001 and have opened this three-game trip with two close victories, 75-73 over Phoenix on Saturday and 81-77 over Seattle on Tuesday.

The catalyst has been Tina Charles, who had 18 points and 14 boards against the Mercury before scoring a season-high 30 versus the Storm.

New York owns a half-game lead over defending East champion Chicago.

Los Angeles (3-12) learned Tuesday that it will soon have Parker back in its lineup. The superstar had originally planned to sit out the entire season due to playing year-round overseas but now plans to be back on the floor next Wednesday in the Sparks' first game after the break.

Perhaps inspired by that news, Los Angeles ended a five-game slide Tuesday with a 70-65 home win over Phoenix. Jantel Lavender had 19 points and 11 rebounds for her ninth double-double and Nneka Ogwumike scored 17.

New York has won two straight over Los Angeles after dropping the previous three meetings. Sugar Rodgers scored a career-high 23 points in a 79-70 victory June 28.

Both teams are 1-1 in the second half of back-to-backs. The Sparks are 0-5 against the East while the Liberty are 5-1 versus the West.


WNBA HEAD TO HEAD

Jun 28, 2015 Score ATS Results
LOS 70 Over: 149
NEW « 79 Cover: 5.5
Tools: Recaps

Jul 23, 2014 Score ATS Results
NEW « 66 Cover: 9.5
LOS 64 Under: 130
Tools: Recaps

Jul 11, 2014 Score ATS Results
LOS « 68 Cover: 10
NEW 54 Under: 122
Tools: Recaps

[StarDust Bum]

Preview: Sun (7-7) at Lynx (12-3)

Date: July 22, 2015 1:00 PM EDT

Maya Moore has made it resoundingly clear with her recent play that she doesn't need a whole lot of help, particularly since she's become even harder to guard from long range.

Regardless, the Minnesota Lynx have elected to provide a bit more assistance in their hobbled backcourt.

The top team in the WNBA brought Renee Montgomery back to her original club earlier this week, and the veteran guard could suit up Wednesday before a home crowd against the free-falling Connecticut Sun.

Moore, the reigning Western Conference Player of the Week, scored a season-high 32 points in Sunday's 79-72 win at Tulsa and has managed at least 20 in seven straight games while averaging 25.7.

A drastic turnaround from beyond the arc has had a lot to do with it. The 2014 MVP has shot 48.9 percent (23 of 47) from 3-point range during the hot stretch after posting a mark of 27.9 (12 of 43) through the first eight games.

The Lynx (12-3), who have won a season-high four straight and four in a row in Minneapolis heading into a three-game homestand, were in need of backcourt help with All-Star guard Seimone Augustus out for an undetermined time after undergoing arthroscopic surgery on her right knee Friday.

Monica Wright has also been sidelined indefinitely after knee surgery, but the Lynx dealt her to Seattle for a 2016 second-round pick and Montgomery, the player Minnesota chose with the fourth overall pick in 2009. Montgomery was traded to Connecticut and played there from 2010-14, so she figures to be plenty familiar with the Sun.

This season, Montgomery averaged 7.1 points in 17.8 minutes over 17 games with the Storm, including two starts.

Any backcourt concerns for coach Cheryl Reeve's team have also been eased by Anna Cruz's latest efforts. The second-year guard has started two games in place of Augustus and averaged 12.0 points, 6.0 rebounds and 5.0 assists while hitting 9 of 18 shots.

"We told Anna that she doesn't have to be Seimone Augustus, she just needs to be Anna Cruz," Reeve told the team's official website.

The Lynx opened the season series with an 85-79 win in Connecticut on July 14. Moore had 26 points, while the Sun's Alex Bentley scored 22. It was Minnesota's fifth straight win in the series and Moore has averaged 23.8 points on the streak.

After Sunday's 89-82 loss in Washington, Connecticut (7-7) has followed up its seven-game winning streak with six straight losses.

Bentley's scoring surge began on the win streak, and the guard is averaging 18.9 in her last nine, though she's likely more concerned with ending the slide before it matches a seven-game losing streak from August 2013.


WNBA HEAD TO HEAD

Jul 14, 2015 Score ATS Results
MIN « 85 Over: 164
CONN 79 Cover: 0.5
Tools: Recaps

Jul 27, 2014 Score ATS Results
MIN « 76 Cover: 5.5
CONN 65 Under: 141
Tools: Recaps

May 18, 2014 Score ATS Results
CONN 87 Cover: 11.5
MIN « 90 Over: 177
Tools: Recaps

[StarDust Bum]

Standings

EASTERN CONFERENCE

Team W L PCT GB CONF HOME ROAD L-10 STREAK

New York Liberty
11 5 0.688 0 6-4 6-2 5-3 8-2 W 4

Chicago Sky
11 6 0.647 0.5 8-4 7-1 4-5 7-3 W 2

Washington Mystics
9 6 0.600 1.5 7-5 5-3 4-3 6-4 W 3

Indiana Fever
8 8 0.500 3 4-6 5-4 3-4 6-4 L 2

Connecticut Sun
7 7 0.500 3 3-6 3-4 4-3 4-6 L 6

Atlanta Dream
7 10 0.412 4.5 4-7 5-4 2-6 4-6 L 2


WESTERN CONFERENCE

Team W L PCT GB CONF HOME ROAD L-10 STREAK

Minnesota Lynx
12 3 0.800 0 9-2 6-1 6-2 8-2 W 4

Phoenix Mercury
9 7 0.563 3.5 8-3 6-2 3-5 6-4 L 2

Tulsa Shock
10 8 0.556 3.5 6-6 6-2 4-6 3-7 L 4

San Antonio Stars
5 12 0.294 8 4-7 5-3 0-9 4-6 W 1

Seattle Storm
5 13 0.278 8.5 4-9 4-5 1-8 3-7 L 1

Los Angeles Sparks
3 12 0.200 9 3-7 3-5 0-7 3-7 W 1