The Bum's Sports Page For Thursday July 23rd Best Bets-Trends-News !

[StarDust Bum]

Orioles place Pearce on DL with strained oblique

Jul 22, 2015

Baltimore Orioles infielder/outfielder Steve Pearce went on the 15-day disabled list Wednesday due to a strained left oblique muscle.

Pearce appeared in just one of the Orioles' previous five games while dealing with the ailment. The DL move was made retroactive to Sunday.

"He said he hasn't gotten any better the last day or two," manager Buck Showalter said. "Stevie said, 'I don't want (to realize) two days from now I need to go on the disabled list and we had to make this move.' That's exactly what happened. We were prepared to go in some other ways."

Pearce was due to undergo an MRI exam. He also will leave the team, which played Wednesday night at Yankee Stadium in New York, to return to Baltimore to be examined.

"I'm not disappointed," Pearce told the Baltimore Sun. "It just needs to get done. It kind of stinks that I'm going on (the DL), but it needs to be taken care of."

In 58 games this season, Pearce is hitting .227 with a .290 on-base percentage, a .392 slugging percentage, seven homers and 24 RBIs. He has started games at first base, second base, left field and right field.

The move to put Pearce on the DL cleared a spot on the 25-man roster for right-hander Kevin Gausman, who was recalled from Triple-A Norfolk to start Wednesday against the Yankees.

Gausman was sent down earlier this month to keep him active during the All-Star break. In two starts for Norfolk the past two weeks, he went 0-1 with a 1.64 ERA.

[StarDust Bum]

Team Pitcher Open Line Movements Current Runline Scores

1:05 PM EDT

909 SEATTLE MARINERS (R) Iwakuma, H 8 8u15 / 8u20 / 7.5 7.5u20 +1.5(-170)
910 DETROIT TIGERS (L) Price, D -145 -153 / -147 / -148 -144 -1.5(+150)

DET-1B-Miguel Cabrera-OUT | TV: FS-Detroit, ROOT-Northwest, DTV: 663, 687

1:05 PM EDT

911 BALTIMORE ORIOLES (R) Jimenez, U 8 8u15 / 8u20 / 8u25 7.5o15 +1.5(-170)
912 NEW YORK YANKEES (R) Tanaka, M -160 -160 / -137 / -150 -146 -1.5(+150)

TV: MASN, YES, DTV: 631, 640

3:35 PM EDT

913 MINNESOTA TWINS (R) Santana, E 7o25 7o25 +1.5(-140)
914 LOS ANGELES ANGELS (R) Richards, G -170 -175 / -180 / -185 -183 -1.5(+120)

TV: FS-West, DTV: 692


3:35 PM EDT

915 TORONTO BLUE JAYS (R) Hutchison, D 7.5o15 7.5o23 / 7.5o25 / 7.5o20 7.5 +1.5(-175) betting closed
916 OAKLAND ATHLETICS (L) Kazmir, S -125 -125 / -115 / -133 -129 -1.5(+155)

Pitching Change: Toronto - R.A. Dickey for D. Hutchison | TV: CSN-California, DTV: 698

[StarDust Bum]

MLB
Long Sheet

Thursday, July 23

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WASHINGTON (51 - 42) at PITTSBURGH (54 - 40) - 7:05 PM
DOUG FISTER (R) vs. FRANCISCO LIRIANO (L)
Top Trends for this game.
FISTER is 1-7 (-7.0 Units) against the money line in night games this season. (Team's Record)
PITTSBURGH is 239-186 (+35.0 Units) against the money line in all games over the last 3 seasons.
PITTSBURGH is 83-47 (+21.6 Units) against the money line in home games over the last 2 seasons.
PITTSBURGH is 18-4 (+13.2 Units) against the money line in home games in July games over the last 2 seasons.
PITTSBURGH is 83-47 (+21.6 Units) against the money line in home games in games played on a grass field over the last 2 seasons.
PITTSBURGH is 101-72 (+17.5 Units) against the money line in night games over the last 2 seasons.
PITTSBURGH is 68-37 (+21.2 Units) against the money line in home games against right-handed starters over the last 2 seasons.
PITTSBURGH is 369-372 (+51.5 Units) against the money line in home games when playing against a team with a winning record since 1997.
WASHINGTON is 27-18 (+8.6 Units) against the money line when playing against a team with a winning record this season.
PITTSBURGH is 61-58 (-31.1 Units) against the money line as a home favorite of -150 to -175 since 1997.

Head-to-Head Series History
WASHINGTON is 3-0 (+3.2 Units) against PITTSBURGH this season
2 of 3 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL this season . (Under=+1.1 Units)

DOUG FISTER vs. PITTSBURGH since 1997
FISTER is 1-1 when starting against PITTSBURGH with an ERA of 1.07 and a WHIP of 1.026.
His team's record is 2-2 (-0.3 units) in these starts. The UNDER is 2-1. (+1.0 units)

FRANCISCO LIRIANO vs. WASHINGTON since 1997
LIRIANO is 1-2 when starting against WASHINGTON with an ERA of 4.42 and a WHIP of 1.254.
His team's record is 1-2 (-1.0 units) in these starts. The UNDER is 2-0. (+2.0 units)

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LA DODGERS (54 - 42) at NY METS (49 - 46) - 7:10 PM
CLAYTON KERSHAW (L) vs. BARTOLO COLON (R)
Top Trends for this game.
LA DODGERS are 54-42 (-9.4 Units) against the money line in all games this season.
LA DODGERS are 25-23 (-12.8 Units) against the money line when the total is 7 or less this season.
LA DODGERS are 21-25 (-13.3 Units) against the money line in road games this season.
LA DODGERS are 54-42 (-9.4 Units) against the money line in games played on a grass field this season.
LA DODGERS are 39-32 (-10.2 Units) against the money line in night games this season.
LA DODGERS are 17-20 (-10.7 Units) against the money line in road games against right-handed starters this season.
LA DODGERS are 27-28 (-15.9 Units) against the money line after a win this season.
NY METS are 128-129 (+5.8 Units) against the money line in all games over the last 2 seasons.
NY METS are 32-14 (+15.7 Units) against the money line in home games this season.
NY METS are 39-30 (+15.5 Units) against the money line in July games over the last 3 seasons.
NY METS are 32-14 (+15.7 Units) against the money line in home games in games played on a grass field this season.
NY METS are 26-37 (-12.0 Units) against the money line in night games this season.
NY METS are 174-217 (-55.8 Units) against the money line in home games when playing against a team with a winning record in the second half of the season since 1997.

Head-to-Head Series History
NY METS is 2-1 (+2.7 Units) against LA DODGERS this season
2 of 3 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL this season . (Over=+1.1 Units)

CLAYTON KERSHAW vs. NY METS since 1997
KERSHAW is 5-0 when starting against NY METS with an ERA of 1.58 and a WHIP of 1.169.
His team's record is 7-1 (+4.8 units) in these starts. The OVER is 3-5. (-2.0 units)

BARTOLO COLON vs. LA DODGERS since 1997
COLON is 2-4 when starting against LA DODGERS with an ERA of 6.03 and a WHIP of 1.473.
His team's record is 2-4 (-3.0 units) in these starts. The UNDER is 3-3. (-0.2 units)

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MILWAUKEE (42 - 53) at ARIZONA (43 - 50) - 9:40 PM
MICHAEL FIERS (R) vs. ZACK GODLEY (R)
Top Trends for this game.
MILWAUKEE is 124-133 (-17.9 Units) against the money line in all games over the last 2 seasons.
MILWAUKEE is 31-44 (-13.3 Units) against the money line against right-handed starters this season.
MILWAUKEE is 59-72 (-19.2 Units) against the money line after a loss over the last 2 seasons.
MILWAUKEE is 12-21 (-11.3 Units) against the money line when playing against a team with a losing record this season.
MILWAUKEE is 13-26 (-23.2 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.
FIERS is 6-14 (-12.7 Units) against the money line when playing against a team with a losing record since 1997. (Team's Record)
MILWAUKEE is 9-1 (+9.0 Units) against the money line on the road when the total is 8 to 8.5 this season.
ARIZONA is 107-148 (-36.1 Units) against the money line in all games over the last 2 seasons.
ARIZONA is 14-30 (-15.1 Units) against the money line as a home underdog of +100 to +125 over the last 2 seasons.
ARIZONA is 56-72 (-20.4 Units) against the money line in home games over the last 2 seasons.
ARIZONA is 210-201 (-47.5 Units) against the money line at home when the total is 8 to 8.5 since 1997.
ARIZONA is 107-148 (-36.1 Units) against the money line in games played on a grass field over the last 2 seasons.

Head-to-Head Series History
ARIZONA is 2-1 (+1.1 Units) against MILWAUKEE this season
3 of 3 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL this season . (Over=+3.1 Units)

MICHAEL FIERS vs. ARIZONA since 1997
FIERS is 1-1 when starting against ARIZONA with an ERA of 4.91 and a WHIP of 1.364.
His team's record is 1-1 (+0.0 units) in these starts. The OVER is 2-0. (+2.1 units)

ZACK GODLEY vs. MILWAUKEE since 1997
No recent starts.

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MIAMI (40 - 55) at SAN DIEGO (44 - 51) - 10:10 PM
TOM KOEHLER (R) vs. TYSON ROSS (R)
Top Trends for this game.
MIAMI is 40-55 (-14.4 Units) against the money line in all games this season.
MIAMI is 16-32 (-13.8 Units) against the money line in road games this season.
KOEHLER is 22-15 (+12.5 Units) against the money line after a win over the last 2 seasons. (Team's Record)
SAN DIEGO is 27-38 (-11.2 Units) against the money line when the total is 7 or less this season.

Head-to-Head Series History
There were no past matchups in this series during this time period.

TOM KOEHLER vs. SAN DIEGO since 1997
KOEHLER is 1-0 when starting against SAN DIEGO with an ERA of 3.00 and a WHIP of 1.333.
His team's record is 1-0 (+1.0 units) in these starts. The OVER is 1-0. (+1.0 units)

TYSON ROSS vs. MIAMI since 1997
ROSS is 1-0 when starting against MIAMI with an ERA of 1.29 and a WHIP of 0.857.
His team's record is 1-0 (+1.3 units) in these starts. The OVER is 1-0. (+1.0 units)

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SEATTLE (43 - 52) at DETROIT (47 - 47) - 1:05 PM
HISASHI IWAKUMA (R) vs. DAVID PRICE (L)
Top Trends for this game.
SEATTLE is 43-52 (-14.9 Units) against the money line in all games this season.
SEATTLE is 1-8 (-7.9 Units) against the money line when playing on Thursday this season.
SEATTLE is 38-51 (-19.4 Units) against the money line in games played on a grass field this season.
PRICE is 15-4 (+9.6 Units) against the money line in all games this season. (Team's Record)
PRICE is 15-4 (+9.6 Units) against the money line in games played on a grass field this season. (Team's Record)
PRICE is 10-1 (+8.7 Units) against the money line after a win this season. (Team's Record)
SEATTLE is 69-60 (+14.9 Units) against the money line in road games over the last 2 seasons.
IWAKUMA is 12-4 (+10.9 Units) against the money line when the total is 8 to 8.5 since 1997. (Team's Record)
DETROIT is 23-30 (-9.2 Units) against the money line when the total is 8 to 8.5 this season.
DETROIT is 70-63 (-16.1 Units) against the money line in home games over the last 2 seasons.
DETROIT is 70-63 (-16.1 Units) against the money line in home games in games played on a grass field over the last 2 seasons.
DETROIT is 32-39 (-9.7 Units) against the money line against right-handed starters this season.
DETROIT is 65-63 (-14.7 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 4-2 (+2.7 Units) against SEATTLE this season
5 of 6 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL this season . (Over=+3.7 Units)

HISASHI IWAKUMA vs. DETROIT since 1997
IWAKUMA is 1-1 when starting against DETROIT with an ERA of 3.60 and a WHIP of 1.120.
His team's record is 2-2 (+0.3 units) in these starts. The OVER is 3-1. (+2.0 units)

DAVID PRICE vs. SEATTLE since 1997
PRICE is 2-1 when starting against SEATTLE with an ERA of 2.53 and a WHIP of 0.813.
His team's record is 3-1 (+1.1 units) in these starts. The UNDER is 3-1. (+2.0 units)

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BALTIMORE (46 - 47) at NY YANKEES (52 - 41) - 1:05 PM
UBALDO JIMENEZ (R) vs. MASAHIRO TANAKA (R)
Top Trends for this game.
BALTIMORE is 17-28 (-10.4 Units) against the money line in road games this season.
BALTIMORE is 12-24 (-11.5 Units) against the money line in road games against right-handed starters this season.
JIMENEZ is 15-29 (-16.0 Units) against the money line on the road when the total is 8 to 8.5 since 1997. (Team's Record)
JIMENEZ is 14-30 (-18.4 Units) against the money line in road games in day games since 1997. (Team's Record)
JIMENEZ is 0-6 (-7.2 Units) against the money line in road games after a loss this season. (Team's Record)
NY YANKEES are 20-8 (+11.7 Units) against the money line when playing on Thursday over the last 2 seasons.
NY YANKEES are 31-20 (+9.3 Units) against the money line after a win this season.
BALTIMORE is 146-117 (+32.4 Units) against the money line in all games over the last 2 seasons.
BALTIMORE is 177-201 (+41.1 Units) against the money line as a road underdog of +125 to +150 since 1997.
BALTIMORE is 32-17 (+16.2 Units) against the money line when playing on Thursday over the last 3 seasons.
BALTIMORE is 72-51 (+23.3 Units) against the money line against division opponents over the last 2 seasons.
BALTIMORE is 46-37 (+15.7 Units) against the money line in road games in day games over the last 3 seasons.
BALTIMORE is 130-104 (+27.3 Units) against the money line in games played on a grass field over the last 2 seasons.
BALTIMORE is 65-51 (+16.5 Units) against the money line after a loss over the last 2 seasons.
BALTIMORE is 67-59 (+13.9 Units) against the money line when playing against a team with a winning record over the last 2 seasons.
BALTIMORE is 36-26 (+13.3 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 7-5 (+1.6 Units) against BALTIMORE this season
5 of 10 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL this season . (Over=-0.4 Units, Under=-0.4 Units)

UBALDO JIMENEZ vs. NY YANKEES since 1997
JIMENEZ is 3-4 when starting against NY YANKEES with an ERA of 5.48 and a WHIP of 1.734.
His team's record is 3-5 (-1.3 units) in these starts. The OVER is 3-5. (-2.3 units)

MASAHIRO TANAKA vs. BALTIMORE since 1997
TANAKA is 0-1 when starting against BALTIMORE with an ERA of 3.86 and a WHIP of 1.071.
His team's record is 0-2 (-3.8 units) in these starts. The UNDER is 0-2. (-2.3 units)

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MINNESOTA (50 - 44) at LA ANGELS (54 - 40) - 3:35 PM
ERVIN SANTANA (R) vs. GARRETT RICHARDS (R)
Top Trends for this game.
SANTANA is 0-8 (-9.1 Units) against the money line in road games after a loss over the last 2 seasons. (Team's Record)
LA ANGELS are 54-40 (+10.5 Units) against the money line in all games this season.
LA ANGELS are 83-49 (+17.4 Units) against the money line in home games over the last 2 seasons.
LA ANGELS are 13-3 (+10.0 Units) against the money line in July games this season.
LA ANGELS are 50-37 (+9.3 Units) against the money line in games played on a grass field this season.
LA ANGELS are 108-77 (+17.5 Units) against the money line against right-handed starters over the last 2 seasons.
RICHARDS is 30-13 (+14.6 Units) against the money line in all games over the last 2 seasons. (Team's Record)
MINNESOTA is 50-44 (+15.1 Units) against the money line in all games this season.
MINNESOTA is 56-56 (+9.4 Units) against the money line in day games over the last 2 seasons.
MINNESOTA is 50-44 (+15.1 Units) against the money line in games played on a grass field this season.
MINNESOTA is 31-30 (+6.3 Units) against the money line against right-handed starters this season.
MINNESOTA is 25-18 (+12.2 Units) against the money line after a loss this season.
MINNESOTA is 20-13 (+10.6 Units) against the money line after 3 or more consecutive losses over the last 2 seasons.
SANTANA is 50-28 (+24.2 Units) against the money line when playing against a team with a winning record in the second half of the season since 1997. (Team's Record)
LA ANGELS are 156-138 (-66.1 Units) against the money line as a home favorite of -150 to -175 since 1997.

Head-to-Head Series History
LA ANGELS is 2-0 (+2.0 Units) against MINNESOTA this season
1 of 1 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL this season . (Under=+1.1 Units)

ERVIN SANTANA vs. LA ANGELS since 1997
SANTANA is 0-1 when starting against LA ANGELS with an ERA of 5.87 and a WHIP of 1.043.
His team's record is 0-1 (-1.2 units) in these starts. The UNDER is 0-1. (-1.2 units)

GARRETT RICHARDS vs. MINNESOTA since 1997
RICHARDS is 1-0 when starting against MINNESOTA with an ERA of 2.46 and a WHIP of 1.228.
His team's record is 1-0 (+1.0 units) in these starts. The OVER is 0-0. (+0.0 units)

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TORONTO (48 - 48) at OAKLAND (44 - 52) - 3:35 PM
R.A. DICKEY (R) vs. SCOTT KAZMIR (L)
Top Trends for this game.
DICKEY is 7-17 (-12.5 Units) against the money line on the road with a money line of -100 to -125 since 1997. (Team's Record)
DICKEY is 7-19 (-11.7 Units) against the money line in road games over the last 2 seasons. (Team's Record)
OAKLAND is 44-52 (-17.0 Units) against the money line in all games this season.
OAKLAND is 21-28 (-16.5 Units) against the money line in home games this season.
OAKLAND is 47-48 (-16.0 Units) against the money line in day games over the last 2 seasons.
OAKLAND is 42-50 (-17.4 Units) against the money line in games played on a grass field this season.
OAKLAND is 18-25 (-12.0 Units) against the money line after a win this season.

Head-to-Head Series History
OAKLAND is 1-1 (+0.0 Units) against TORONTO this season
1 of 1 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL this season . (Over=+1.0 Units)

R.A. DICKEY vs. OAKLAND since 1997
DICKEY is 2-4 when starting against OAKLAND with an ERA of 4.30 and a WHIP of 1.309.
His team's record is 4-8 (-3.8 units) in these starts. The OVER is 5-7. (-2.4 units)

SCOTT KAZMIR vs. TORONTO since 1997
KAZMIR is 5-6 when starting against TORONTO with an ERA of 3.63 and a WHIP of 1.327.
His team's record is 6-11 (-5.0 units) in these starts. The UNDER is 11-5. (+5.4 units)

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CHI WHITE SOX (42 - 50) at CLEVELAND (45 - 48) - 7:10 PM
JEFF SAMARDZIJA (R) vs. TREVOR BAUER (R)
Top Trends for this game.
CHI WHITE SOX are 16-28 (-16.3 Units) against the money line against division opponents this season.
CHI WHITE SOX are 41-83 (-29.9 Units) against the money line in road games after a loss over the last 3 seasons.
CHI WHITE SOX are 69-90 (-23.4 Units) against the money line when playing against a team with a losing record over the last 3 seasons.
SAMARDZIJA is 20-33 (-19.2 Units) against the money line in all games over the last 2 seasons. (Team's Record)
SAMARDZIJA is 7-18 (-12.6 Units) against the money line in road games over the last 2 seasons. (Team's Record)
SAMARDZIJA is 10-18 (-11.7 Units) against the money line against division opponents over the last 2 seasons. (Team's Record)
SAMARDZIJA is 19-32 (-19.4 Units) against the money line in games played on a grass field over the last 2 seasons. (Team's Record)
SAMARDZIJA is 10-16 (-10.9 Units) against the money line in night games over the last 2 seasons. (Team's Record)
CLEVELAND is 117-70 (+30.5 Units) against the money line when playing against a team with a losing record over the last 3 seasons.
CLEVELAND is 66-27 (+30.6 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.
CHI WHITE SOX are 77-80 (+10.7 Units) against the money line in night games over the last 2 seasons.
CLEVELAND is 45-48 (-13.6 Units) against the money line in all games this season.
CLEVELAND is 19-26 (-16.8 Units) against the money line in home games this season.
CLEVELAND is 14-22 (-11.7 Units) against the money line against division opponents this season.
CLEVELAND is 41-48 (-17.7 Units) against the money line in games played on a grass field this season.
CLEVELAND is 9-17 (-15.0 Units) against the money line in home games in night games this season.
CLEVELAND is 18-26 (-14.7 Units) against the money line after a win this season.

Head-to-Head Series History
CLEVELAND is 5-4 (+1.5 Units) against CHI WHITE SOX this season
9 of 9 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL this season . (Under=+9.0 Units)

JEFF SAMARDZIJA vs. CLEVELAND since 1997
SAMARDZIJA is 1-0 when starting against CLEVELAND with an ERA of 0.00 and a WHIP of 1.333.
His team's record is 1-0 (+1.1 units) in these starts. The OVER is 0-1. (-1.0 units)

TREVOR BAUER vs. CHI WHITE SOX since 1997
BAUER is 2-0 when starting against CHI WHITE SOX with an ERA of 2.60 and a WHIP of 1.409.
His team's record is 4-1 (+3.5 units) in these starts. The OVER is 1-4. (-3.2 units)

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BOSTON (42 - 53) at HOUSTON (53 - 43) - 8:10 PM
WADE MILEY (L) vs. LANCE MCCULLERS (R)
Top Trends for this game.
BOSTON is 42-53 (-17.6 Units) against the money line in all games this season.
BOSTON is 20-28 (-13.5 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 6-15 (-9.8 Units) against the money line on the road when the total is 8 to 8.5 this season.
BOSTON is 16-25 (-14.0 Units) against the money line in July games over the last 2 seasons.
BOSTON is 35-47 (-19.9 Units) against the money line in games played on a grass field this season.
BOSTON is 27-35 (-12.5 Units) against the money line in night games this season.
BOSTON is 33-38 (-10.2 Units) against the money line against right-handed starters this season.
BOSTON is 19-29 (-13.4 Units) against the money line when playing against a team with a winning record this season.
BOSTON is 24-42 (-16.1 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.
HOUSTON is 53-43 (+6.7 Units) against the money line in all games this season.
HOUSTON is 32-17 (+10.4 Units) against the money line in home games this season.
HOUSTON is 53-37 (+13.1 Units) against the money line in games played on a grass field this season.
HOUSTON is 84-93 (+7.4 Units) against the money line in night games over the last 2 seasons.
HOUSTON is 61-61 (+10.9 Units) against the money line after a win over the last 2 seasons.
HOUSTON is 25-16 (+12.7 Units) against the money line after 3 or more consecutive wins over the last 3 seasons.

Head-to-Head Series History
HOUSTON is 3-2 (+1.1 Units) against BOSTON this season
3 of 5 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL this season . (Over=+1.0 Units)

WADE MILEY vs. HOUSTON since 1997
MILEY is 2-0 when starting against HOUSTON with an ERA of 3.00 and a WHIP of 1.278.
His team's record is 2-1 (+0.9 units) in these starts. The OVER is 2-1. (+0.9 units)

LANCE MCCULLERS vs. BOSTON since 1997
MCCULLERS is 0-0 when starting against BOSTON with an ERA of 1.80 and a WHIP of 2.000.
His team's record is 0-1 (-1.0 units) in these starts. The OVER is 1-0. (+1.0 units)

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KANSAS CITY (57 - 36) at ST LOUIS (60 - 34) - 7:15 PM
CHRIS YOUNG (R) vs. JOHN LACKEY (R)
Top Trends for this game.
ST LOUIS is 60-34 (+21.2 Units) against the money line in all games this season.
ST LOUIS is 33-12 (+17.1 Units) against the money line in home games this season.
ST LOUIS is 58-27 (+21.9 Units) against the money line at home when the total is 7 or less over the last 3 seasons.
ST LOUIS is 60-34 (+21.2 Units) against the money line in games played on a grass field this season.
ST LOUIS is 40-24 (+13.0 Units) against the money line in night games this season.
ST LOUIS is 49-21 (+25.8 Units) against the money line against right-handed starters this season.
ST LOUIS is 39-21 (+14.2 Units) against the money line after a win this season.
ST LOUIS is 29-17 (+11.2 Units) against the money line when playing against a team with a winning record this season.
ST LOUIS is 37-15 (+19.7 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 3 seasons.
LACKEY is 19-4 (+13.6 Units) against the money line in home games in an inter-league game since 1997. (Team's Record)
KANSAS CITY is 57-36 (+19.8 Units) against the money line in all games this season.
KANSAS CITY is 19-9 (+11.7 Units) against the money line when the total is 7 or less this season.
KANSAS CITY is 26-17 (+11.9 Units) against the money line as a road underdog of +100 to +125 over the last 2 seasons.
KANSAS CITY is 25-19 (+8.6 Units) against the money line in road games this season.
KANSAS CITY is 29-14 (+13.8 Units) against the money line in an inter-league game over the last 2 seasons.
KANSAS CITY is 57-36 (+19.8 Units) against the money line in games played on a grass field this season.
KANSAS CITY is 37-25 (+9.8 Units) against the money line in night games this season.
KANSAS CITY is 40-20 (+18.5 Units) against the money line against right-handed starters this season.
KANSAS CITY is 34-24 (+8.7 Units) against the money line after a win this season.
KANSAS CITY is 74-57 (+13.7 Units) against the money line when playing against a team with a winning record over the last 2 seasons.
KANSAS CITY is 54-39 (+18.3 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.
YOUNG is 26-17 (+12.6 Units) against the money line in all games over the last 2 seasons. (Team's Record)
YOUNG is 58-49 (+17.3 Units) against the money line in road games since 1997. (Team's Record)
YOUNG is 26-16 (+13.6 Units) against the money line in games played on a grass field over the last 2 seasons. (Team's Record)
YOUNG is 18-10 (+10.7 Units) against the money line after a win over the last 2 seasons. (Team's Record)
YOUNG is 15-8 (+9.5 Units) against the money line when playing against a team with a winning record over the last 2 seasons. (Team's Record)

Head-to-Head Series History
ST LOUIS is 3-2 (+1.2 Units) against KANSAS CITY this season
4 of 4 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL this season . (Under=+4.0 Units)

CHRIS YOUNG vs. ST LOUIS since 1997
YOUNG is 2-3 when starting against ST LOUIS with an ERA of 2.41 and a WHIP of 1.286.
His team's record is 3-4 (-2.4 units) in these starts. The UNDER is 5-2. (+2.7 units)

JOHN LACKEY vs. KANSAS CITY since 1997
LACKEY is 3-5 when starting against KANSAS CITY with an ERA of 3.66 and a WHIP of 1.276.
His team's record is 6-5 (-1.8 units) in these starts. The UNDER is 8-3. (+4.8 units)

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MLB

Thursday, July 23

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Game of the Day: Royals at Cardinals
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Kansas City Royals at St. Louis Cardinals (-137, 7.0)

The two top teams in baseball will square off Thursday night when the Kansas City Royals visit the St. Louis Cardinals in a make-up game from last month. St. Louis, which owns the best home and overall record in the majors, has won the past three meetings in the I-70 Series this season, outscoring the American League-leading Royals 13-3.

The Cardinals are 33-12 at Busch Stadium entering their 11-game homestand and have a chance to put a stranglehold on the National League Central, with their next three opponents after Thursday's matchup a combined 27 games under .500. Kansas City has won 12 of 15 to move a season-high 21 games over .500. Third baseman Mike Moustakas has three homers and eight RBIs in seven games since the All-Star break after going deep only three times in the previous 48 contests. The Royals send Chris Young to the mound to oppose Cardinals right-hander John Lackey, who lost a rain-shortened decision at Kansas City on May 23 before his scheduled start against the Royals last month was washed out.

TV: 7:15 p.m. ET, FSN Kansas City, FSN Midwest (St. Louis)

LINE HISTORY: The Cardinals have held steady at their opening number of -137. The total remains at 7.0 runs.

INJURY REPORT:

Royals - SP J. Vargas (out for season, elbow), LF A. Gordon (early Sept, groin), SP B. Flynn (60-day DL, back).

Cardinals - RP M. Harris (15-day DL, groin), SP J. Garcia (15-day DL, groin), RP M. Belisle (15-day DL, elbow), CF J. Jay (15-day DL, wrist), RP J. Walden (60-day DL, bicep), SP A. Wainwright (60-day DL, Achillies), 1B M. Adams (60-day DL, quad).

WEATHER REPORT: It should be a clear night in St. Louis, with a very slight 9 percent chance of rain and a five mile per hour wind blowing in from right field.

PITCHING MATCHUP: Royals RH Chris Young (8-5, 3.03 ERA) vs. Cardinals RH John Lackey (8-5, 2.90)

Young lasted only five innings but halted a three-start winless drought in his last outing, allowing two runs on three hits in a 4-2 victory over the Chicago White Sox. Young has been victimized by the long ball of late, surrendering at least two homers in three of his last six turns. Young, who is 1-3 with a 2.93 ERA lifetime against the Cardinals, has not pitched beyond six innings in each of his last six starts.

Lackey has been on a roll since the rainout versus the Royals last month, registering seven straight quality starts and going 4-1 while permitting a total of nine runs in that span. He gave up 10 hits in seven innings last time out versus the Mets but limited the damage to one run. Lackey has excelled at home this season with a 6-2 mark and 1.91 ERA, but he is only 3-5 with a 3.67 ERA in 11 starts against Kansas City.

TRENDS:

* Under is 8-1-3 in the last 12 meetings.
* Under is 5-1-1 in the last seven meetings in St. Louis.
* Cardinals are 8-0 in Lackey's last eight home starts versus a team with a winning record.
* Royals are 6-1 in their last seven interleague games.

CONSENSUS: The public is backing the home side, with 65.74 percent of wagers backing the Cardinals at -137.

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Armadillo: Thursday's six-pack

Odds to win the Canadian Open golf tournament this weekend.......

8-1-- Jason Day-- Have to be concerned if his vertigo flares up.

15-1-- Bubba Watson-Jim Furyk-Matt Kuchar

20-1-- Brooks Koepka-- Short week after Monday round in Scotland.

25-1-- Luke Donald-Graham DeLaet-- DeLaet is the home country hero.

30-1-- Ryan Palmer-JB Holmes

35-1-- Hunter Mahan

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Armadillo: Thursday's List of 13: Notes from the Adidas Uprising tournament

13) A tip of the hat to the people who organize the Adidas Uprising tournament at the Cashman Center in downtown Las Vegas, a building next to the ballpark where the Mets' AAA team plays. This tournament is really well organized, well-run-- I had a great time watching games there Wednesday. Good hot dogs too.

If you're in Las Vegas and you like college basketball, Cashman Center is good place to see lot of good games/players all under one roof.

12) Seven games under one roof, so which game do I watch? You see Roy Williams and Lon Kruger watching the same game, well there's a good place to start. Just about all the bigtime coaches are here this week; its the last week of summer recruiting.

11) Obviously, there is tremendous competition for players; the team with the better players wins most of the time- tactics only take you so far. So coaches wear the polo shirt from their school, sit on the baseline and watch these games-- there are nine games on each court every day.

Coaches don't watch every game; they watch the kids they're interested in and fill in with other games in between, trying to find their next star. It is an inexact science.

10) Some coaches are wearing different polo shirts this summer; Bobby Hurley wears an Arizona State shirt, Ben Howland/Mississippi State, Rick Barnes/Tennessee, Shaka Smart/Texas, Eric Musselman/Nevada. New faces in new places next winter.

9) Most frustrating thing about watching this stuff: Kids do not understand, for the most part, what impresses a coach. Making shots is great, but are they good shots? Is a point guard making his teammates better? Is a big guy contesting shots and finishing close to the basket?

There was a 6-11 kid today who was jacking 3-pointers; he is one of the few unsigned Class of 2015 kids left, but no one wants him because he has low basketball IQ. Now he will get something eventually because he is 6-11, but he isn't as good as he should be and he won't play for as good a program as he should.

8) A coach I was talking to today suggested college games would be faster if they did not let teams bring chairs onto the floor during time-outs. NBA teams don't do it.

7) In 'n Out Burger is America's finest fast food. We need these in New York. I'm not kidding, best milkshake I've ever had. Someone make this happen, please?!?!

6) One of best things about these tournaments is seeing high school kids from different corners of the country facing each other. Watched a good game tonight with a team from Mississippi playing a team from Oakland. High level of play, coaches from Iowa State, Miss State, Texas A&M watching. Bigtime players.

5) Kid named Jereny Sheppard had a really good game tonight; showed great range on his shot-- sometimes a kid has a great game and it isn't indicative of his true game, but he looked like a keeper for sure, He plays for Team Loaded in Virginia and played in a game where a lot of high-level coaches were watching attentively.

4) A teammate of his, Isaiah Todd was listed as a 14-year old 8th grader in the book; coaches I asked all seemed to think it was a mistake in the book. You almost never see a kid that yioung competing at this level. Pretty good player too.

3) Rick Pitino is coaching the Puerto Rican team in the Pan Am games; veteran coach Ralph Willard is here with the Louisville assistants, keeping track of prospects.

2) This whole enterprise is an enormous moneymaker; costs around $650 a team to play in this event and there are tons of teams in several age groups. On top of that, it costs $375 for a college program to get the information packet, plus $75 each for each additional assistant coach-- and they have to play that at each tournament they go to- there are three in town this week.

One mid-major head coach I was talking to Wednesday said he shelled out $1,000, just for admission/information packets for his staff. Do the math there-- there are 351 D-I basketball programs- they all need to recruit at events like this.

1) Thursday's plan is to head to Bishop Gorman to the Fab 48 tournament and see those teams play-- there were lot of good teams there last year, with teams from as far away as Germany and the Canary Islands. Basketball is truly a global game now.

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See spot. See spot bet: This week's best spot bet opportunities

Lookahead spot

The Boston Red Sox are longing for the familiar form of Fenway Park, wrapping up a seven-game western road trip this week. Boston has stumbled since returning from the break. It was swept in four games against the Los Angeles Dodgers, getting outscored 4-24 in that series, and dropped the opener at Houston Tuesday.

Boston has another game against the Astros before heading home. The Red Sox are just 20-29 and down -8.5 units away from Beantown, as of Wednesday, and could get caught looking ahead to an extended 10-game home stand which begins Friday.

Letdown spot

The Carolina Panthers are trying to hold on to their place in the NFC South as well as the conference, making the playoffs as a 7-8-1 SU team last season – enough to top the sub-par division. The Panthers can prove they’re not just a formality with a big win against the Green Bay Packers in Week 9 of the upcoming NFL season. Oddsmakers currently have Carolina set as a 3-point home underdog for that matchup.

However, the Panthers are in prime letdown position following this showdown with the Cheeseheads, traveling to play the Tennessee Titans in Week 10. Carolina is an early 2.5-point underdog on the road but the Titans will be coming home for the only time in a four-game span that has them in Houston, New Orleans and Jacksonville in November.

Schedule spot

There’s plenty of buzz in Ann Arbor this summer, with former San Francisco 49ers head coach Jim Harbaugh taking over the sidelines at the Big House. However, Harbaugh’s debut will come away from home in a tough schedule spot for the Wolverines. Michigan opens play at Utah in Week 1, set as a +5.5 underdog, in what will be a closely-dissected game for loyal backers of the Maize and Blue.

Not only will Michigan be dealing with the pressure that comes with upholding Harbaugh’s standard but this showdown in Salt Lake City will also test the Wolverines’ early-season conditioning, which is never in game shape no matter how many wind sprints you run. The altitude at Rice-Eccles Stadium could quickly suck the air out of Harbaugh’s debut.

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WNBA JUNE/ JULY RECORD:

*****...............................8 - 10 - 2
DOUBLE PLAY....................24 - 25
TRIPLE PLAY......................11 - 8
SLAM DUNK.......................16 - 12

MLB RECORD FOR JUNE/JULY:

*****.............................64 - 78 - 1 .....................,........- 9.79
double play......................112 - 119 - 2 ..........................- 18.84
triple play........................48 - 41 - 1 .............................+ 10.23
grand slam......................70 - 70 - 2...............................- 17.18
double grand slam.............0 - 1.......................................- 8.00

CFL JUNE/JULY RECORD:

SINGLE PLAY.................................1 - 1
DOUBLE PLAY................................4 - 7
TRIPLE PLAY..................................3 - 1
BLOW OUT....................................0 - 2

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THURSDAY, JULY 23

Game Score Status Pick Amount

Baltimore - 1:05 PM ET Baltimore +128 500 TRIPLE PLAY
NY Yankees - Over 7.5 500

Seattle - 1:08 PM ET Seattle +129 500 DOUBLE PLAY
Detroit - Over 7.5 500

Minnesota - 3:35 PM ET Minnesota +153 500 DOUBLE PLAY
LA Angels - Over 7 500

Toronto - 3:35 PM ET Oakland -117 500 *****
Oakland - Over 7.5 500

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Koehler's stellar pitching cashing Under bets

Miami Marlins righty Tom Koehler has been in fine form over the course of this last seven starts and Under bettors have taken notice as scorelines have remained under the closing number in five of those games (two pushes).

The 29-year-old has an ERA of just 2.56 over those last seven starts and he gone at least six innings in each effort.

Koehler is scheduled to get the start in San Diego as the Marlins visit the Padres Thursday. The Padres are being offered in the -148 vicinity and the total is presently 6.5.

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Home teams cashing bets with Meals umpiring

The home team has gone 14-3 in the last 17 ball games that umpire Jerry Meals has worked behind home plate this season. Meals is scheduled to call balls and strikes in Houston as the Astros host the Boston Red Sox Thursday evening.

Meals is presently ranked No. 3 in our top umpire homer standings, bringing a 15-5 record season-to-date for the home into tonight's matchup.

The Astros are presently being offered around -129 and are expected to start Lance McCullers while Wade Miley is slated to counter for the Red Sox (+119).

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Holy $hit Betting Stat of the Day: Indians and White Sox on crazy under streak

The Cleveland Indians and Chicago White Sox start up a four game series Thursday evening in Cleveland and it is a matchup that has gone under the total in 14 consecutive games dating back to last season.

Going back even further, the under is a crazy 22-3 between the American League Central rivals.

Jeff Samardzija (4.08 ERA, 9-9 O/U) will make the start for the Pale Hose, while Trevor Bauer (4.03 ERA, 5-12 O/U) gets the call for the Tribe. Additionally, the under is a combined 6-0 in the pairs' last six starts.

The total for tonight's game is currently at 7.5 runs.

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Brewers-Diamondbacks total dropping

The total for Thursday's meeting between the Milwaukee Brewers and Arizona Diamondbacks has dropped from 8.5 to 8 at books both offshore and in Nevada.

Mike Fiers owns a personal record of 5-7 and has an Over/Under record of 8-10-1 in 19 starts this season and is scheduled to start for the Brew Crew. Opposing him is expected to be Zack Godley, who will be making his Major League Baseball debut.

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D-backs' Godley set for major league debut

Jul 23, 2015

PHOENIX -- Zack Godley was converted from a relief pitcher to a starter this season, his first with the Arizona Diamondbacks' organization, and the results led him from Class A Visalia to the major leagues in less than four months.

Godley, who was acquired in the offseason trade that sent catcher Miguel Montero to the Chicago Cubs, is set to make his major league debut in a start against the Milwaukee Brewers at Chase Field on Thursday.

The 25-year-old right-hander is 9-4 with a 2.72 ERA in 15 minor league starts this year.

"We had a lot of options, obviously, the guys here, all our pitchers in Triple-A," Arizona manager Chip Hale said. "But we felt like this guy has kind of epitomized what we are trying to get through as an organization. He's a big competitor. The way he pitches is kind of what we are looking for."

His style and stuff?

"You'll see that tomorrow," Hale said. "I'm not going to give it away."

Godley threw strikes and commanded the strike zone in Visalia (12 starts) and Double-A Mobile (three) this season. In 89 1/3 innings, he has given up 77 hits and 25 walks while striking out 86. He won his first six starts at Visalia and led minor league baseball in victories in the first week of May. He finished with nine quality starts in Visalia and gave up two hits in five scoreless innings in his first start for Mobile, a no-decision July 1.

Godley is expected to make two starts, and likely three, for the Diamondbacks while filling in for right-hander Chase Anderson, who was placed on the disabled list Sunday with triceps inflammation. Josh Collmenter was a candidate to replace Anderson, as was Triple-A starter Allen Webster. The D-backs could have considered top prospect Aaron Blair, but it is believed they did not want to start his clock toward arbitration and free agency this early.

"It's Chase's spot, and we don't know if Chase is coming back in 15 days," Hale said. "Is it two starts? Is it three? The one thing I will say is that he was a reliever when we traded for him with the Cubs, so he's being built up as a starter. There is an issue on how many times he can start from here to October. We have to be careful with that. Definitely he'll get this start and the next one, and then we'll see where we are."

Godley was the Cubs' 10th-round pick in the 2013 draft out of the University of Tennessee, where he pitched against some of the best college competition. He led the Southeastern Conference in innings and complete games in 2013.

"The one thing we know about him is that he is a big-time competitor," Hale said. "He knows about those nerves. I think he'll be excited. There will be some butterflies as usual. Maybe a little struggle early, nut we just deal with it. That's OK. He's just a young kid."

Godley is not on the 40-man roster, so the Diamondbacks must make another move to make room for him Thursday.

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A's trade left-hander Kazmir to Astros

The Oakland Athletics have traded left-handed starter Scott Kazmir to the Houston Astros right before his scheduled start Thursday.

The Athletics will receive a pair of prospects in return, pitcher Daniel Mengden and catcher Jacob Nottingham.

The 31-year-old Kazmir is 5-5, wit a 2.38 ERA and a WHIP of 1.08 in his second season with the A's. He hasn't been good to bettors though, coming in at -$428 in starter money.

The Houston Astros were +2,500 to win the World Series before the trade, according to CarbonSports.ag.

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Kershaw feasts on NL East opponents

Los Angeles Dodgers starter Clayton Kershaw loves going up against the National League East, leading his team to a 23-3 record in his last 26 starts against them.

The New York Mets are hoping to avoid being Kershaw's latest NL East victim, but he seems to enjoy playing the Mets even more. He is 5-0 with a 1.58 ERA in eight career starts.

The Mets will try and counter with the ageless Bartolo Colon, but the Dodgers are currently big -212 favorites.


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Nationals have dominated Pirates

The Washington Nationals begin a four-game series Thursday in Pittsburgh against the Pirates, a matchup they have dominated.

The Nationals have won seven consecutive games against the Pirates dating back to last season, outscoring the Buccos 39-17 in the process.

Despite the streak, the Pirates are currently -180 home favorites or the series opener, where they will send left-hander Francisco Liriano (5-6, 2.98 ERA) to the mound to take on the Nationals righty Doug Fister (3-5, 4.30 ERA).


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Clock ticking on Rays' season

Jul 22, 2015

PHILADELPHIA -- The second half is only six games old, but the Tampa Bay Rays aren't acting as if time is on their side.

Still in postseason contention with the American League East wide open, the Rays went 2-4 over a six-game road trip, finished by a 5-4, 10-inning loss to the major league-worst Philadelphia Phillies on Wednesday. The defeat put Tampa Bay (48-49) back under .500 after being at or above the mark for 49 of the last 53 days, as its now 8-19 since June 20.

The Rays will have Thursday off before beginning a six-game homestand Friday.

And they know time is ticking on their season.

"Kind of a little bit of a gut check for all of us I think, myself included," Rays manager Kevin Cash said. "If 24 hours off helps us evaluate that, then so be it. But we need to kind of flip a switch here ... now."

Tampa Bay closer Brad Boxberger took the loss Wednesday after allowing the winning run in his second inning of work.

He, like everyone in the Rays' clubhouse, understands the importance of playing well as the July 31 trade deadline approaches and the number of games starts to dwindle.

"We definitely put ourselves in a hole losing this series to a team we definitely should have taken the series from," Boxberger said. "We'll see how we react. Got some good teams coming up and it's just a matter of turning things around or it's not looking too good."

Did a few breaks cost them a series in Philadelphia?

"We've got to make our own breaks," Cash said. "They were presented to us. It wasn't like anything was working against us, we just didn't execute and get it done."

They'll hope to get it done at home before it's too late.