The Bum's Sports Page For Friday August 14th Best Bets-Trends-News !

[StarDust Bum]

Preview: Reds (51-62) at Dodgers (64-51)
Game: 2
Venue: Dodger Stadium
Date: August 14, 2015 10:10 PM EDT

The Los Angeles Dodgers have the league's best one-two punch with Clayton Kershaw and Zack Greinke, but they're having trouble filling out the back end of their rotation.

After Mat Latos turned in another subpar performance, Alex Wood gets a third chance at his first win with the Dodgers on Friday night against the Cincinnati Reds.

Greinke leads the majors with a 1.59 ERA while Kershaw has the most strikeouts at 205. They've combined to win 22 games and are the primary reasons why Los Angeles' rotation is third with a 3.23 ERA.

The Dodgers (64-51), though, have used 14 other starters and their latest additions - Latos and Wood - have made little impact.

Latos and Wood came to Los Angeles in separate deals on July 30, and they've combined to go 0-3 with a 6.23 ERA in five starts. Latos failed to complete at least five innings for a second straight start Thursday, giving up five runs in 4 2-3 innings of a 10-3 loss to Cincinnati (51-62) in the opener of this four-game set.

That also came after Greinke and Kershaw totaled 14 scoreless innings in back-to-back wins over Washington.

"This isn't what we wanted and obviously not what he wants either," manager Don Mattingly said of Latos.

The same is true for Wood (7-7, 3.72 ERA), who is 0-1 while allowing seven runs and 13 hits with 13 strikeouts in 11 1-3 innings in two starts since being acquired from Atlanta.

He threw 3 2-3 hitless innings of relief in his only appearance against the Reds in 2013.

While this is his home debut for the Dodgers, the left-hander is 1-0 with a 1.08 ERA in four career games - two starts - at Chavez Ravine.

Wood is trying to help Los Angeles, which has dropped five of its last seven games, expand its 2 1/2-game lead over second-place San Francisco in the NL West.

It's unclear if he'll have Yasmani Grandal behind the plate after he sat out Thursday with a sore left shoulder. However, he's been mired in a 2-for-17 slump over his past five games.

"We'll see," Mattingly told MLB's official website. "If it's something that lingers, at least we're in a good spot for it."

The Reds are expected to recall John Lamb from Triple-A Louisville for his major league debut.

One of three left-handed prospects acquired from Kansas City in the Johnny Cueto trade last month, Lamb is 10-2 with a 2.67 ERA and 9.5 strikeouts per nine innings over 20 starts in the minors this year. He's compiled a 2.28 ERA with 52 strikeouts in 43 1-3 innings over his last eight outings.

Lamb, 25, will wear Cueto's old No. 47 as he takes fellow rookie Michael Lorenzen's spot in the rotation after he was optioned to Louisville on Thursday.

"I think it's something that John earned, really, the way he was pitching with Kansas City when we got him," manager Bryan Price said. "It's going to be unusual for him I'm sure ... We're excited to have him in the organization and to be able to provide him a well-earned opportunity for him to make his debut."

Billy Hamilton is 8 for 19 with seven runs in his last five games after going 2 for 22 over the previous seven. The center fielder had career highs with four hits and four runs Thursday, increasing his career average against Los Angeles 113 points to .321.

"When you're struggling, it's hard to keep that confidence going," Hamilton said.


SERIES AT A GLANCE

GAME 1
Reds at Dodgers
Thu, Aug 13 Final 10 to 3
Boxscores • Recaps

GAME 2
Reds at Dodgers
Fri, Aug 14 - 10:10PM EDT

GAME 3
Reds at Dodgers
Sat, Aug 15 - 9:10PM EDT

GAME 4
Reds at Dodgers
Sun, Aug 16 - 4:10PM EDT

[StarDust Bum]

Preview: Angels (60-54) at Royals (68-46)
Game: 2
Venue: Ewing M. Kauffman Stadium
Date: August 14, 2015 8:10 PM EDT

The Los Angeles Angels snapped their lengthy road losing streak in a fashion they hope will ignite a positive run.

Looking to build on that needed victory, the Angels continue their four-game set with the AL-leading Kansas City Royals on Friday night.

Los Angeles (60-54) totaled 19 runs during a nine-game road slide that ended Thursday when it tagged star Kansas City relievers Wade Davis and Greg Holland for six runs in the eighth and ninth innings to win 7-6.

"This is huge," said Kole Calhoun, who delivered a two-run double during the Angels' four-run ninth. "We finally got some things to go our way. Hopefully this sparks something and can get us on a roll."

Though the Angels have won six times in the last 20 contests, they have a two-game lead for the AL's second wild-card spot and are 1 1/2 behind first-place Houston in the West. Los Angeles last won consecutive road contests during a five-game winning stretch July 3-8.

'I think it's definitely a win to build on," Huston Street said after recording his 27th save. "This is a good series for us to show something.'

Los Angeles turns to Jered Weaver (4-8, 4.69 ERA), who returned from missing more than a month with a hip problem Sunday to yield two runs in the first of his five innings and struck out seven during a 5-4, 11-inning victory over Baltimore.

"Those last four innings were money," Weaver told MLB's official website. "It was nice to be able to throw the ball like I know I can and be able to spot up like I know I can. It was a good one to work off of."

Weaver, 0-4 with a 6.10 ERA in his last five starts, hopes to be better against the Royals than he was April 11 while allowing six runs, seven hits and walking four in 4 1-3 innings of a 6-4 defeat. Though the right-hander last pitched at Kansas City in 2011, he's allowed one run in 20 1-3 innings to win his last three starts there.

Ex-Angel Kendrys Morales, who had two hits with a RBI in the opener, is 8 for 12 with a home run and double against Weaver

Kansas City (68-46) has dropped two straight after winning the first five on a 10-game homestand.

Perhaps baseball's best set-up man, Davis yielded two runs for the first time in his last 115 appearances. Holland blew the save by giving up four runs, marking the second time he's allowed at least that many in 309 career regular-season and playoff outings.

"It's one of those nights," Holland said.

Teammate Danny Duffy (5-5, 4.19) gave up three runs in 18 1-3 innings while going 1-0 in three July home starts prior to matching that run total in 3 1-3 of Sunday's 5-4 win over the Chicago White Sox.

"I know what I can do. (Sunday was) just one of those days," the left-hander said. "I really have found my slot, but (Sunday) I just wasn't able to execute. I couldn't put the ball where I wanted to."

That was pretty much the case in his only previous start against the Angels last season when he gave up five runs and nine hits in six innings of a 6-1 road defeat.

Calhoun has never faced Duffy, but is batting .435 with eight RBIs in his last five games against the Royals after going 0 for 13 in his first five. However, he is also hitting .136 in his last 22 at-bats against lefties.


SERIES AT A GLANCE

GAME 1
Angels at Royals
Thu, Aug 13 Final 7 to 6
Boxscores • Recaps

GAME 2
Angels at Royals
Fri, Aug 14 - 8:10PM EDT

GAME 3
Angels at Royals
Sat, Aug 15 - 7:10PM EDT

GAME 4
Angels at Royals
Sun, Aug 16 - 8:10PM EDT

[StarDust Bum]

Preview: Yankees (62-51) at Blue Jays (64-52)
Game: 1
Venue: Rogers Centre
Date: August 14, 2015 7:07 PM EDT

An electric atmosphere is expected this weekend at Rogers Centre that should bring back memories of the early 1990s - the last time the Toronto Blue Jays were the talk of town.

All three games of this series against the New York Yankees are sold out, and the Blue Jays can establish a franchise record with their 12th straight victory when they send David Price to the mound in Friday night's matchup with first place in the AL East on the line.

Toronto (64-52) leads New York by one-half game after becoming the first team since the 1954 Cleveland Indians to post two win streaks of at least 11 games. Baseball's highest scoring team averages 5.3 runs, with the Yankees second at 4.8.

'Our guys are feeling good,' Toronto manager John Gibbons said. 'We're confident now. We're on a nice little roll and it means something.'

The Blue Jays own baseball's longest postseason drought, having failed to reach the playoffs since winning their second straight title in 1993.

The Yankees (62-51) have already been victimized by them during this streak, getting outscored 10-1 last weekend in a three-game sweep in the Bronx. New York failed to score in the final 26 innings of that series and dropped to 2-7 versus Toronto.

"We didn't play well against them at home, they swept us, and it'll be tough," Yankees left fielder Brett Gardner said. "I know it'll be a big series, and their fans are pretty rowdy up there, I'm sure it'll be a great atmosphere and we're looking forward to the challenge."

Jose Bautista and Josh Donaldson combined for four of Toronto's six homers in that set. The Blue Jays have hit a major league-best 22 in 12 games this month and lead the AL with 157.

Price (11-4, 2.35 ERA) cruised to a 6-0 victory in Saturday's middle game with seven strikeouts over seven innings in his second start with the Blue Jays. He had been pounded for eight runs while failing to pitch past the third inning in his previous two outings versus the Yankees.

Yankees stars Alex Rodriguez and Mark Teixeira haven't fared well against him with averages of .239 and .200, respectively. Gardner's .136 average against Price left him out of last Saturday's lineup while Brian McCann went 0 for 3 versus Price to drop to 9 for 19 with three homers in the matchup.

The left-hander is 8-0 with a 3.53 ERA in 10 starts at Rogers Centre, winning his Toronto debut there Aug. 3 over Minnesota.

Price's mound opponent once again will be Ivan Nova (4-4, 3.52), who was charged with four runs over 5 1-3 innings to drop to 1-2 with a 6.94 ERA in his last five starts versus the Blue Jays.

Edwin Encarnacion is 8 for 24 with a homer against the right-hander and Bautista is 5 for 15 with one home run.

The Blue Jays are hoping Encarnacion returns after missing four games with a jammed left middle finger. Troy Tulowitzki will be back in the lineup after he was rested in Thursday's 4-2 victory over Oakland.

New York ended a five-game slide in which it totaled six runs by winning 8-6 at Cleveland on Thursday. Jacoby Ellsbury went 2 for 4 after entering in a 0-for-19 slump, Gardner was 3 for 4 with three RBIs and McCann had a three-run homer.

"Obviously to be able to score eight runs and get some guys going was important," manager Joe Girardi said.

Rodriguez is in a 2-for-25 slump and is batting .156 against Toronto. Teixeira is hitting .214 in the season series and Gardner and Beltran are each at .200.


SERIES AT A GLANCE

GAME 1
Yankees at Blue Jays
Fri, Aug 14 - 7:07PM EDT

GAME 2
Yankees at Blue Jays
Sat, Aug 15 - 1:07PM EDT

GAME 3
Yankees at Blue Jays
Sun, Aug 16 - 1:07PM EDT

[StarDust Bum]

Preview: Nationals (58-56) at Giants (61-53)
Game: 2
Venue: AT&T Park
Date: August 14, 2015 10:15 PM EDT

The Washington Nationals are doing their best not to let frustration get the best of them.

Though they'll have Max Scherzer pitching on the road where he excels, the Nationals likely need to jump-start their offense in order to avoid a fourth straight defeat Friday night against the San Francisco Giants.

Washington (58-56) has recorded a Yunel Escobar first-inning homer from Thursday's 3-1 loss at San Francisco and 14 other hits while batting .156, going 1 for 11 with runners in scoring position and striking out 32 times in the last three contests. The Nationals have lost 10 of 14 and are 4 1/2 games behind the first-place New York Mets in the East, but won't panic.

'We're all professionals here. We're not going to let how the last game went affect the next one,' Thursday's loser Stephen Strasburg said. 'We're just going to keep working hard. It'll figure itself out. It'll all come out in the wash. We just have to stick together and keep pulling for each other and leave it all out there on the field.'

Manager Matt Williams could tweak his lineup after his club managed five hits and fanned 14 times Thursday.

'You'll know when I make the lineup (Friday)," he said.

The Nationals should at least feel confident behind Scherzer (11-8, 2.44 ERA). The right-hander is 7-3 with an NL-best 1.87 ERA in 12 road starts but has posted a 5.25 ERA in two August outings - both at home. He yielded three of his four runs over six innings of Sunday's 6-4 loss to Colorado on solo homers.

"You can't ever afford to leave the ball in the middle of the plate and I paid for it,' he said.

Brandon Crawford and Buster Posey are the only Giants to homer off Scherzer, who last faced San Francisco in the fourth and final game of the 2012 World Series with Detroit.

Posey had two hits with an RBI on Thursday to help the Giants (61-53) win for the second time in three contests following four straight losses at Wrigley Field. San Francisco is 2 1/2 games behind the first-place Los Angeles Dodgers in the West.

Batting .332 and tied for second in the majors with Washington's Bryce Harper, Posey has hit .370 in his last 11 regular season and playoff games against the Nationals.

The Giants hope to see some improvement from Matt Cain (2-3, 5.59), who is 0-2 with a 7.80 ERA in his last three starts. The right-hander gave up five runs, six hits, walked a season-high five and hit two batters in four-plus innings of Saturday's 8-6 loss to the Chicago Cubs.

'I'm making too many mistakes in situations where I can get myself out of it, and I've got to eliminate those,' Cain said.

With injuries to starters Tim Lincecum, Tim Hudson and recently acquired Mike Leake, Giants manager Bruce Bochy has perhaps extended his patience with a veteran who has been back a little more than a month from elbow surgery and a strained flexor tendon.

'Is he where he's going to be?' Bochy said. 'I don't think so, but I thought his stuff was good - 92, 93 (mph). He made some great pitches, he made some mistakes. I'm sure it's going to get better with time.'

Cain is 0-1 with a 4.34 ERA in his last three starts against the Nationals.

Jayson Werth is batting .125 in his last 14 games but is 5 for 8 with a homer against Cain.

The Giants won't have outfielder Nori Aoki for the immediate future after he was placed on the seven-day concussion list Thursday.


SERIES AT A GLANCE

GAME 1
Nationals at Giants
Thu, Aug 13 Final 1 to 3
Boxscores

GAME 2
Nationals at Giants
Fri, Aug 14 - 10:15PM EDT

GAME 3
Nationals at Giants
Sat, Aug 15 - 10:05PM EDT

GAME 4
Nationals at Giants
Sun, Aug 16 - 4:05PM EDT

[StarDust Bum]

MLB
Armadillo's Write-Up

Friday, August 14

National League
Pirates @ Mets
Happ is 0-2, 9.30 in his last five starts; six of his last nine went over.

Colon is 1-5, 5.60 in his last six starts; four of his last five went over.

Pittsburgh won five of last seven games (over 5-1-1). Mets won 12 of last 14 games; three of last four stayed under. Pirates won six of last seven games vs New York; six of last nine series games stayed under.

Diamondbacks @ Braves
Ray is 0-3, 5.56 in his last four starts; under is 5-2-1 in his last eight.

Teheran is 1-2, 4.63 in his last five starts (over 2-0-1 in last three).

Arizona won three of last four games with Atlanta; over is 3-1-1 in last five in series. D'backs won three of last four games, with last three going over total. Braves lost last three games; over is 6-2-1 in their last nine.

Phillies @ Brewers
Morgan is 2-1, 4.24 in his last three starts; his last four on road went under.

Peralta is 0-2, 7.84 in his last two starts; over is 4-2-1 in his last seven.

Road team won last ten Philly-Milwaukee games, with Brewers winning last four; over is 4-0-1 in last five series games. Phillies are 17-7 in last 24 games; six of their last seven went over. Brewers lost five of their last six games.

Marlins @ Cardinals
Koehler is 0-3, 8.27 in his last three starts, all of which went over.

Garcia is 3-3, 1.36 in his last eight starts, seven of which stayed under.

Miami lost its last four games with St Louis; under is 3-1-1 in last five series games. Marlins won last three games, scoring 23 runs; eight of their last ten went over total. Cardinals won six of last eight games; under is 7-2-1 in their last ten.

Padres @ Rockies
Ross is 2-1, 3.50 in his last three starts; four of his last six on road went over.

Flande is 1-0, 3.68 in his three starts (over 2-1).

San Diego won its last five games with Colorado, scoring 35 runs; Padres are 2-7 in last nine games overall-- six of their last eight went over. Rockies lost five of their last six games (under 4-2).

Reds @ Dodgers
Lamb is making MLB debut; he was 10-2, 2.67 in 20 AAA starts this year. .

Wood is 1-2, 4.94 in his last five starts; under is 5-3-2 in his last ten.

Cincinnati is 7-4 in its last 11 games with the Dodgers; four of last six went under the total. Reds lost six of last nine games; nine of last 12 stayed under total. Dodgers lost five of last seven games; six of their last eight games went over the total.

Nationals @ Giants
Scherzer is 1-0, 3.32 in his last three starts; three of his last four went over.

Cain is 0-2, 7.80 in his last three starts; over is 4-0-1 in his last five.

Washington won four of last six games with the Giants; seven of last eight in series stayed under total. Nationals lost four of last five games, and scored one run in last two games- their last three stayed under. San Francisco lost five of last seven games; their last four stayed under.

American League
A's @ Orioles
Mills is making first '15 start; he is 4-4, 8.15 in 13 MLB starts, spread out over six different seasons. He is 4-11, 4.45 in 22 AAA starts this year.

Jimenez is 2-1, 3.66 in his last thee starts.

Oakland lost last three games, scorng seven runs- four of their last six games stayed under. A's split last ten games with Baltimore- eight of last ten went over total. Orioles lost three of their last four games overall.

Bronx @ Blue Jays
Nova is 3-1, 3.63 in his last four starts; four of his last five stayed under.

Price is 2-0, 0.60 in two starts for Toronto; five of his last six stayed under.

Bronx lost six of last eight games; six of eight stayed under. Toronto won its last 11 games; four of last five stayed under- they've won five of their last six games with New York, with last four staying under the total.

Mariners @ Red Sox
Montgomery is 0-2, 6.82 in his last six starts (over 3-2-1).

Kelly is 2-2, 7.48 in his last six starts; Boston scored 26 runs in his last three- over is 3-1-1 in his last five. He failed to finish 6th inning in his last six starts.

Seattle won five of last seven games with Boston; last four games in series stayed under total. Mariners won three of last four games overall (under 3-1). Red Sox lost three of their last four games (over 4-0).

Rays @ Rangers
Karns is 3-0, 2.95 in his last four starts; over is 3-1-1 in his last five.

Perez is 1-0, 2.51 in his last two starts; three of his last four went over.

Tampa Bay won four of last six games with Texas (over 4-1-1); Rays are 7-2 in last nine games- seven of last eight went over. Rangers lost three of last four games; four of their last six went over the total.

Indians @ Twins
Kluber is 2-1, 2.66 in his last three starts; four of his last five went over.

May is 0-4, 4.94 in his last five starts; five of his last six stayed under.

Cleveland won three of last four games with Minnesota; last seven series tilts went over the total. Indians won four of last five games; five of their last six went over. Twins lost eight of last 11 games; over is 7-1 in their last eight.

Angels @ Royals
Weaver is 0-4, 6.39 in his last five starts; four of his last six went over.

Duffy is 1-1, 4.96 in his last three starts; seven of his last eight stayed under.

Royals won seven of last eight games with the Angels; four of last five went over the total. KC won five of its last seven games overall; four of last six got over the total. Halos lost four of last six overall (under 5-4 in last nine).

Tigers @ Astros
Simon is 3-3, 8.68 in his last nine starts; eight of his last ten went over.

Keuchel is 1-2, 4.43 in his last three starts; under is 5-3 in his last eight.

Tigers are 3-5 in last eight games with Houston; over is 3-1-1 in last five in series. Detroit lost three of last four games; over is 4-2-1 in their last seven. Astros lost seven of last nine games; four of last five stayed under.

Interleague
Cubs @ White Sox
Hendricks is 2-0, 2.92 in his last two starts; three of his last four went over.

Former Cub Samardzija is 1-2, 10.38 in his last three starts; his last four starts all went over the total.

Cubs lost five of last seven games with the White Sox (under 4-2-1) but they won 12 of its last 13 games overall; six of last eight went over total. Pale Hose won last three games, allowing four runs; over is 7-3 in their last ten.

Win-loss records this year for team with this starting pitcher:
Pitt-NY-- Happ 7-14, 0-1; Colon 10-12 (1-8 last 9)
Az-Atl-- Ray 4-9; Teheran 13-10
Phil-Mil-- Morgan 5-3; Peralta 4-8
Mia-StL-- Koehler 10-11 (1-5 last 6); Garcia 5-5
SD-Colo- Ross 12-12; Flande 2-1
Cin-LA-- Lamb 0-0; Wood 8-15, 0-2
Wsh-SF-- Scherzer 13-10; Cain 3-4

A's-Balt-- Mills 0-0; Jimenez 11-11
NY-Tor-- Nova 4-4; Price 17-6, 2-0
Sea-Bos-- Montgomery 4-9 (0-6 last 6); Kelly 7-11
TB-Tex-- Karns 11-11 (4-0 last 4); Perez 3-2
Clev-Minn-- Kluber 8-16; May 6-9 (0-5 last 5)
LA-KC-- Weaver 7-9; Duffy 11-6
Det-Hst-- Simon 13-8; Keuchel 15-8

Chi-Chi-- Hendricks 12-10; Samardzija 11-12

Times this starting pitcher allowed a run in first inning:
Pitt-NY-- Happ 9-21; Colon 6-22
Az-Atl-- Ray 2-13; Teheran 8-23
Phil-Mil-- Morgan 1-8; Peralta 4-12
Mia-StL-- Koehler 5-21; Garcia 2-10
SD-Colo-- Ross 7-24; Flande 1-3
Cin-LA-- Lamb 0-0; Wood 6-23
Wsh-SF-- Scherzer 4-23; Cain 3-7

A's-Balt-- Mills 0-0; Jimenez 6-22
NY-Tor-- Nova 1-8; Price 4-23
Sea-Bos-- Montgomery 2-13; Kelly 8-18
TB-Tex-- Karns 9-22; Perez 0-5
Clev-Minn-- Kluber 10-24; May 5-15
LA-KC-- Weaver 5-16; Duffy 3-17
Det-Hst-- Simon 3-21; Keuchel 4-23

Chi-Chi-- Hendricks 4-22; Samardzija 11-23

[StarDust Bum]

MLB

Friday, August 14

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Trend Report
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4:10 PM
CHI CUBS vs. CHI WHITE SOX
Chi Cubs are 5-0 SU in their last 5 games
The total has gone OVER in 6 of Chi Cubs's last 8 games
The total has gone OVER in 7 of Chi White Sox's last 9 games at home
Chi White Sox are 5-2 SU in their last 7 games when playing Chi Cubs

7:05 PM
OAKLAND vs. BALTIMORE
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Oakland's last 6 games
Oakland is 1-7 SU in its last 8 games on the road
Baltimore is 5-2 SU in its last 7 games at home
Baltimore is 2-4 SU in its last 6 games

7:07 PM
NY YANKEES vs. TORONTO
The total has gone OVER in 6 of NY Yankees's last 7 games on the road
NY Yankees are 1-4 SU in their last 5 games when playing on the road against Toronto
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Toronto's last 6 games when playing NY Yankees
Toronto is 6-1 SU in their last 7 games when playing NY Yankees

7:10 PM
SEATTLE vs. BOSTON
Seattle is 3-9 SU in its last 12 games when playing on the road against Boston
Seattle is 4-2 SU in its last 6 games on the road
Boston is 9-3 SU in its last 12 games when playing at home against Seattle
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Boston's last 5 games

7:10 PM
PITTSBURGH vs. NY METS
The total has gone UNDER in 10 of Pittsburgh's last 14 games when playing NY Mets
Pittsburgh is 6-1 SU in its last 7 games when playing NY Mets
NY Mets are 2-4 SU in its last 6 games when playing at home against Pittsburgh
NY Mets are 15-7 SU in its last 22 games when playing at home against Pittsburgh

7:35 PM
ARIZONA vs. ATLANTA
The total has gone OVER in 11 of Arizona's last 15 games
The total has gone OVER in 8 of Arizona's last 9 games on the road
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Atlanta's last 7 games at home
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Atlanta's last 6 games

8:05 PM
TAMPA BAY vs. TEXAS
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Tampa Bay's last 7 games when playing on the road against Texas
The total has gone OVER in 6 of Tampa Bay's last 7 games on the road
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Texas's last 6 games when playing Tampa Bay
Texas is 2-4 SU in its last 6 games when playing Tampa Bay

8:10 PM
PHILADELPHIA vs. MILWAUKEE
The total has gone OVER in 6 of Philadelphia's last 7 games on the road
The total has gone OVER in 6 of Philadelphia's last 7 games
Milwaukee is 1-5 SU in its last 6 games
Milwaukee is 1-4 SU in its last 5 games when playing at home against Philadelphia

8:10 PM
DETROIT vs. HOUSTON
Detroit is 5-11 SU in its last 16 games on the road
Detroit is 13-6 SU in its last 19 games when playing Houston
Houston is 1-4 SU in its last 5 games
Houston is 2-6 SU in its last 8 games when playing at home against Detroit

8:10 PM
LA ANGELS vs. KANSAS CITY
LA Angels are 6-14 SU in their last 20 games
LA Angels are 1-9 SU in their last 10 games on the road
Kansas City is 7-1 SU in their last 8 games when playing LA Angels
Kansas City is 3-7 SU in their last 10 games when playing at home against LA Angels

8:10 PM
CLEVELAND vs. MINNESOTA
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Cleveland's last 5 games when playing Minnesota
Cleveland is 1-4 SU in its last 5 games on the road
Minnesota is 6-12 SU in its last 18 games when playing at home against Cleveland
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Minnesota's last 5 games when playing Cleveland

8:15 PM
MIAMI vs. ST. LOUIS
Miami is 1-4 SU in its last 5 games when playing St. Louis
Miami is 5-13 SU in its last 18 games
St. Louis is 6-2 SU in its last 8 games
The total has gone UNDER in 14 of St. Louis's last 19 games

8:40 PM
SAN DIEGO vs. COLORADO
The total has gone OVER in 8 of San Diego's last 9 games on the road
San Diego is 2-7 SU in its last 9 games
Colorado is 7-2 SU in its last 9 games when playing at home against San Diego
The total has gone UNDER in 7 of Colorado's last 10 games when playing at home against San Diego

10:10 PM
CINCINNATI vs. LA DODGERS
The total has gone UNDER in 9 of Cincinnati's last 12 games
Cincinnati is 3-6 SU in its last 9 games
LA Dodgers are 2-5 SU in their last 7 games
LA Dodgers are 6-2 SU in their last 8 games at home

10:15 PM
WASHINGTON vs. SAN FRANCISCO
The total has gone UNDER in 6 of Washington's last 8 games on the road
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Washington's last 6 games when playing on the road against San Francisco
The total has gone UNDER in 7 of San Francisco's last 8 games when playing Washington
San Francisco is 2-4 SU in its last 6 games when playing Washington

[StarDust Bum]

MLB

Friday, August 14


Reds will recall LHP Lamb to start Friday

The Cincinnati Reds will recall left-hander John Lamb from Triple-A Louisville to make his major-league debut on Friday against the Los Angeles Dodgers.

Lamb, 25, was acquired last month in a deal that sent starter Johnny Cueto to the Kansas City Royals.

Lamb is 10-2 with a 2.67 ERA in 20 starts at Triple-A for the Royals and Reds.

Lamb will displace Michael Lorenzen from the rotation. Lorenzen, 23, is 3-8 with a 5.46 ERA in 19 games (17 starts), but he is 0-4 with a 12.57 ERA in five starts since the All-Star break.

With Lamb starting Friday, left-hander David Holmberg's start was pushed back to Saturday and right-hander Anthony DeSclafani was bumped to Sunday.


Overs cash at high rate on the diamond Thursday

There was were piles of runs scored on the diamond Thursday, leading to the over going an impressive 7-2.

There was an average of 11.33 runs scored per game in yesterday's nine games, resulting in the cash rate of 77.78 percent.



MLB roundup: Blue Jays post 11th straight win

TORONTO -- Ryan Goins hit a three-run homer, Mark Buehrle pitched into the eighth inning and the Toronto Blue Jays defeated the Oakland Athletics 4-2 on Thursday to extend their winning streak to 11 games.

The three-game sweep allowed the Blue Jays to equal the club record for most wins in a row, most recently accomplished June 2-14.

Dioner Navarro, Justin Smoak and Kevin Pillar hit successive one-out singles in the second inning to produce one run. Goins, who played shortstop with Troy Tulowitzki getting the day off, hit his fourth homer of the season to score three more for a 4-0 lead.

Buehrle allowed seven hits and two walks and struck out two for his fourth win in a row.

Cubs 9, Brewers 2

CHICAGO -- Chicago slammed three home runs in an inning for the first time since 2008 en route to a second straight series sweep.

Dexter Fowler, Kyle Schwarber and Anthony Rizzo each homered as part of the four-run outburst in the fifth inning. Schwarber, who went 3-for-4 with two runs and four RBIs, gave the Cubs a 7-2 lead with a two-run shot in the seventh for his second career multi-homer game. The victory was the seventh straight and 13th in 14 games for Chicago.

The Cubs jumped ahead in the fifth when Fowler homered to right. Schwarber then launched a 2-2 pitch for his seventh home run of the season and a 4-1 lead. Rizzo hit a two-out homer for a 5-1 lead -- the first time the Cubs had three homers in an inning at Wrigley Field since June 21, 2008, against the Chicago White Sox.

Pirates 10, Cardinals 5

ST. LOUIS -- Scoring seven runs in the first inning and three in the ninth, Pittsburgh avoided a sweep by St. Louis.

Francisco Liriano struggled through six innings to pick up the win. In cutting St. Louis' National League Central lead to six games, the Pirates snapped an eight-game losing streak in Busch Stadium dating to July 10, 2014.

Lance Lynn didn't make it out of the first inning for the first time in 119 career starts for the Cardinals. Aided by unusually shoddy St. Louis defense, Pittsburgh battered Lynn for six hits and seven runs in the first, knocking him out after a two-out RBI single by Gregory Polanco made it 6-0. Pedro Alvarez hit a two-run homer and Neil Walker started the outburst with a triple and ended it with a first-pitch RBI single off reliever Tyler Lyons.

Yankees 8, Indians 6

CLEVELAND -- Brian McCann and Stephen Drew homered to help New York generate some runs against Cleveland.

The eight runs were two more than the Yankees scored during a five-game losing streak. McCann's three-run homer in the first inning and Drew's solo homer in the second gave the Yankees a 4-0 lead in a game in which they never trailed.

Mets 12, Rockies 3

NEW YORK -- Kelly Johnson had two RBI doubles and a homer as New York collected nine extra-base hits in completing a four-game sweep of Colorado.

The National League East-leading Mets moved a season-high 11 games above .500. The Rockies have lost 10 of their last 14 games.

Johnson delivered run-scoring doubles in the first and third inning and homered in the fifth. Curtis Granderson hit a two-run homer, scored twice and drove in three. Juan Lagares hit a pinch-three-run homer in the eighth.

Rangers 6, Twins 5

MINNEAPOLIS -- A sacrifice fly by Elvis Andrus in the top of the eighth inning scored the winning run as Texas defeated Minnesota.

The victory salvaged the final game of the three-game series for the Rangers, who moved back to within a half game of the Twins in the American League wild-card standings.

Mitch Moreland chipped in with a career-high four hits, including a two-run homer, and knocked in four runs. Adrian Beltre had three hits and scored three times.

Keone Kela got the win, pitching 1 1/3 innings of scoreless relief. Shawn Tolleson worked a spotless ninth for his 21st save of the season.

Angels 7, Royals 6

KANSAS CITY, Mo. -- C.J. Cron and Kole Calhoun hit two-run doubles in the ninth inning, and the Los Angeles Angels snapped a nine-game road losing skid with a victory over Kansas City.

Kansas City's usually dependable bullpen was unreliable with Wade Davis and Greg Holland unable to hold a four-run lead after seven innings.

Mike Trout contributed a RBI double and scored on David Murphy's ground out in the eighth for the Angels. Eric Hosmer's 13th homer in the ninth came off Huston Street, who still logged his 27th save.

Giants 3, Nationals 1

SAN FRANCISCO -- Ryan Vogelsong rebounded from a leadoff home run by Yunel Escobar to limit Washington to one run in five innings as San Francisco won to open a four-game series.

Vogelsong and Hunter Strickland, Sergio Romo and Sergio Casilla combined to hold the Nationals to five hits.

Matt Duffy and Buster Posey had RBI hits in a two-run first inning, and Brandon Belt, promoted to third in the batting order, plated Gregor Blanco with an insurance run in the seventh inning to account for the Giants' scoring.

Reds 10, Dodgers 3

LOS ANGELES -- Eugenio Suarez and Billy Hamilton homered and Brandon Phillips drove in three runs as Cincinnati pounded the Los Angeles Dodgers at Dodger Stadium.

Suarez, who went 3-for-5 and drove in four runs, hit a three-run blast to spark a four-run surge in the sixth inning that blew the game open. Hamilton, who recorded a career-high four hits, went deep in the eighth to help Cincinnati capture only its third win in nine games.

Cincinnati rookie Keyvius Sampson allowed two runs on five hits with three strikeouts and three walks in five innings.

[StarDust Bum]

MLB
Dunkel

Friday, August 14


Pittsburgh @ NY Mets

Game 901-902
August 14, 2015 @ 7:10 pm

Dunkel Rating:
Pittsburgh
(Happ) 17.453
NY Mets
(Colon) 15.754
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Pittsburgh
by 1 1/2
9
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
NY Mets
-120
8
Dunkel Pick:
Pittsburgh
(+100); Over

Arizona @ Atlanta

Game 903-904
August 14, 2015 @ 7:05 pm

Dunkel Rating:
Arizona
(Ray) 14.511
Atlanta
(Teheran) 16.189
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Atlanta
by 1 1/2
7
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Arizona
-130
7 1/2
Dunkel Pick:
Atlanta
(+110); Under

Philadelphia @ Milwaukee

Game 905-906
August 14, 2015 @ 8:10 pm

Dunkel Rating:
Philadelphia
(Morgan) 14.568
Milwaukee
(Peralta) 16.025
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Milwaukee
by 1 1/2
10
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Milwaukee
-160
8 1/2
Dunkel Pick:
Milwaukee
(-160); Over

Miami @ St. Louis

Game 907-908
August 14, 2015 @ 8:15 pm

Dunkel Rating:
Miami
(Koehler) 14.266
St. Louis
(Garcia) 17.365
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
St. Louis
by 3
6
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
St. Louis
-215
7
Dunkel Pick:
St. Louis
(-215); Under

San Diego @ Colorado

Game 909-910
August 14, 2015 @ 8:40 pm

Dunkel Rating:
San Diego
(Ross) 16.421
Colorado
(Flande) 15.002
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
San Diego
by 1 1/2
12
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Colorado
-110
10 1/2
Dunkel Pick:
San Diego
(-110); Over

Cincinnati @ LA Dodgers

Game 911-912
August 14, 2015 @ 10:10 pm

Dunkel Rating:
Cincinnati
(Lamb) 15.821
LA Dodgers
(Wood) 14.767
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Cincinnati
by 1
6 1/2
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
LA Dodgers
-170
7
Dunkel Pick:
Cincinnati
(+150); Under

Washington @ San Francisco

Game 913-914
August 14, 2015 @ 10:15 pm

Dunkel Rating:
Washington
(Scherzer) 16.621
San Francisco
(Cain) 13.075
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Washington
by 3 1/2
5 1/2
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Washington
-155
7
Dunkel Pick:
Washington
(-155); Under

Oakland @ Baltimore

Game 915-916
August 14, 2015 @ 7:05 pm

Dunkel Rating:
Oakland
(Mills) 13.690
Baltimore
(Jimenez) 15.187
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Baltimore
by 1 1/2
10 1/2
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Baltimore
No Line
N/A
Dunkel Pick:
Baltimore
N/A

NY Yankees @ Toronto

Game 917-918
August 14, 2015 @ 7:07 pm

Dunkel Rating:
NY Yankees
(Nova) 14.591
Toronto
(Price) 16.788
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Toronto
by 2
10
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Toronto
-250
8 1/2
Dunkel Pick:
Toronto
(-250); Over

Seattle @ Boston

Game 919-920
August 14, 2015 @ 7:10 pm

Dunkel Rating:
Seattle
(Mntgmery) 15.148
Boston
(Kelly) 16.715
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Boston
by 1 1/2
11
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Boston
-120
9 1/2
Dunkel Pick:
Boston
(-120); Over

Tampa Bay @ Texas

Game 921-922
August 14, 2015 @ 8:05 pm

Dunkel Rating:
Tampa Bay
(Karns) 15.429
Texas
(Perez) 11.806
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Tampa Bay
by 3 1/2
10 1/2
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Texas
-120
9
Dunkel Pick:
Tampa Bay
(+100); Over

Cleveland @ Minnesota

Game 923-924
August 14, 2015 @ 8:10 pm

Dunkel Rating:
Cleveland
(Kluber) 14.614
Minnesota
(May) 17.112
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Minnesota
by 2 1/2
7
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Cleveland
-160
7 1/2
Dunkel Pick:
Minnesota
(+140); Under

LA Angels @ Kansas City

Game 925-926
August 14, 2015 @ 8:10 pm

Dunkel Rating:
LA Angels
(Weaver) 16.357
Kansas City
(Duffy) 12.480
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
LA Angels
by 4
9
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Kansas City
-135
8
Dunkel Pick:
LA Angels
(+115); Over

Detroit @ Houston

Game 927-928
August 14, 2015 @ 8:10 pm

Dunkel Rating:
Detroit
(Simon) 15.821
Houston
(Keuchel) 14.709
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Detroit
by 1
9
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Houston
-230
8
Dunkel Pick:
Detroit
(+195); Over

Chicago Cubs @ Chicago White Sox

Game 929-930
August 14, 2015 @ 4:10 pm

Dunkel Rating:
Chicago Cubs
(Hendricks) 16.006
Chicago White Sox
(Samrdzija) 12.580
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Chicago Cubs
by 3 1/2
9
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Chicago Cubs
-115
8
Dunkel Pick:
Chicago Cubs
(-115); Over

[StarDust Bum]

Pro Baseball Trend Report


PITTSBURGH (66 - 46) at NY METS (63 - 52) - 7:10 PM
J.A. HAPP (L) vs. BARTOLO COLON (R)
Top Trends for this game.
PITTSBURGH is 259-494 (-105.4 Units) against the money line in road games when playing against a team with a winning record since 1997.
PITTSBURGH is 113-248 (-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.
HAPP is 7-14 (-8.2 Units) against the money line in all games this season. (Team's Record)
HAPP is 6-14 (-9.2 Units) against the money line in games played on a grass field this season. (Team's Record)
NY METS are 63-52 (+10.7 Units) against the money line in all games this season.
NY METS are 26-13 (+11.1 Units) against the money line at home with a money line of -100 to -125 over the last 2 seasons.
NY METS are 42-18 (+21.8 Units) against the money line in home games this season.
NY METS are 62-48 (+13.8 Units) against the money line in games played on a grass field this season.
NY METS are 27-13 (+12.5 Units) against the money line in home games in night games this season.
NY METS are 38-24 (+12.8 Units) against the money line after a win this season.
COLON is 13-2 (+11.0 Units) against the money line when playing on Friday over the last 3 seasons. (Team's Record)
PITTSBURGH is 66-46 (+11.9 Units) against the money line in all games this season.
PITTSBURGH is 29-14 (+15.2 Units) against the money line when playing on Friday over the last 2 seasons.
PITTSBURGH is 66-46 (+11.9 Units) against the money line in games played on a grass field this season.
PITTSBURGH is 109-78 (+18.7 Units) against the money line in night games over the last 2 seasons.
PITTSBURGH is 54-37 (+11.3 Units) against the money line against right-handed starters this season.
PITTSBURGH is 41-24 (+12.9 Units) against the money line after a win this season.
COLON is 85-76 (-25.9 Units) against the money line in home games in night games since 1997. (Team's Record)
COLON is 74-65 (-22.8 Units) against the money line in home games after a win since 1997. (Team's Record)

Head-to-Head Series History
PITTSBURGH is 3-0 (+3.0 Units) against NY METS this season
2 of 3 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL this season . (Over=+0.9 Units)

J.A. HAPP vs. NY METS since 1997
HAPP is 3-1 when starting against NY METS with an ERA of 4.76 and a WHIP of 1.500.
His team's record is 4-2 (+2.6 units) in these starts. The OVER is 4-2. (+1.8 units)
BARTOLO COLON vs. PITTSBURGH since 1997
COLON is 4-2 when starting against PITTSBURGH with an ERA of 1.97 and a WHIP of 1.073.
His team's record is 5-2 (+2.7 units) in these starts. The UNDER is 7-0. (+7.0 units)


ARIZONA (56 - 57) at ATLANTA (51 - 63) - 7:35 PM
ROBBIE RAY (L) vs. JULIO TEHERAN (R)
Top Trends for this game.
ARIZONA is 0-6 (-7.2 Units) against the money line on the road with a money line of -100 to -125 this season.
ATLANTA is 17-11 (+8.4 Units) against the money line as a home underdog of +100 to +125 this season.
ATLANTA is 30-23 (+9.8 Units) against the money line in home games this season.
ATLANTA is 16-5 (+10.9 Units) against the money line in home games when playing on Friday over the last 2 seasons.
ATLANTA is 30-23 (+9.8 Units) against the money line in home games in games played on a grass field this season.
ATLANTA is 27-17 (+12.8 Units) against the money line in home games in night games this season.
ATLANTA is 15-7 (+9.9 Units) against the money line in home games after a loss this season.
TEHERAN is 10-1 (+10.0 Units) against the money line when playing on Friday over the last 2 seasons. (Team's Record)
TEHERAN is 9-3 (+7.3 Units) against the money line in night games this season. (Team's Record)
ARIZONA is 56-57 (+2.6 Units) against the money line in all games this season.
ARIZONA is 56-57 (+2.6 Units) against the money line in games played on a grass field this season.
ARIZONA is 42-40 (+5.6 Units) against the money line in night games this season.
ARIZONA is 31-26 (+7.2 Units) against the money line after a loss this season.
ARIZONA is 32-18 (+14.5 Units) against the money line when playing against a team with a losing record this season.
ATLANTA is 130-146 (-19.9 Units) against the money line in all games over the last 2 seasons.
ATLANTA is 65-79 (-26.0 Units) against the money line when playing against a team with a losing record over the last 2 seasons.
ATLANTA is 31-39 (-15.9 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
ARIZONA is 2-1 (+1.0 Units) against ATLANTA this season
2 of 2 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL this season . (Over=+2.0 Units)

ROBBIE RAY vs. ATLANTA since 1997
No recent starts.

JULIO TEHERAN vs. ARIZONA since 1997
TEHERAN is 2-1 when starting against ARIZONA with an ERA of 2.35 and a WHIP of 1.130.
His team's record is 2-2 (-0.2 units) in these starts. The OVER is 0-4. (-4.3 units)


PHILADELPHIA (46 - 69) at MILWAUKEE (48 - 68) - 8:10 PM
ADAM MORGAN (L) vs. WILY PERALTA (R)
Top Trends for this game.
PHILADELPHIA is 86-112 (-32.7 Units) against the money line when playing against a team with a losing record over the last 3 seasons.
PHILADELPHIA is 125-112 (+27.5 Units) against the money line in road games when playing on Friday since 1997.
PHILADELPHIA is 10-5 (+7.9 Units) against the money line when playing against a team with a losing record in the second half of the season this season.
MILWAUKEE is 48-68 (-19.6 Units) against the money line in all games this season.
MILWAUKEE is 24-36 (-15.9 Units) against the money line in home games this season.
MILWAUKEE is 48-68 (-19.6 Units) against the money line in games played on a grass field this season.
MILWAUKEE is 15-24 (-11.0 Units) against the money line in home games in night games this season.
MILWAUKEE is 26-41 (-15.3 Units) against the money line after a loss this season.
MILWAUKEE is 6-16 (-10.6 Units) against the money line after 3 or more consecutive losses this season.
MILWAUKEE is 16-25 (-11.5 Units) against the money line when playing against a team with a losing record this season.
MILWAUKEE is 17-30 (-23.4 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 4-0 (+4.1 Units) against PHILADELPHIA this season
3 of 3 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL this season . (Over=+3.1 Units)

ADAM MORGAN vs. MILWAUKEE since 1997
No recent starts.

WILY PERALTA vs. PHILADELPHIA since 1997
PERALTA is 1-2 when starting against PHILADELPHIA with an ERA of 8.82 and a WHIP of 1.898.
His team's record is 1-2 (-2.3 units) in these starts. The UNDER is 2-1. (+0.8 units)


MIAMI (46 - 68) at ST LOUIS (73 - 41) - 8:15 PM
TOM KOEHLER (R) vs. JAIME GARCIA (L)
Top Trends for this game.
MIAMI is 46-68 (-21.5 Units) against the money line in all games this season.
MIAMI is 18-38 (-18.0 Units) against the money line in road games this season.
MIAMI is 46-65 (-18.5 Units) against the money line in games played on a grass field this season.
MIAMI is 29-47 (-18.8 Units) against the money line in night games this season.
ST LOUIS is 73-41 (+24.2 Units) against the money line in all games this season.
ST LOUIS is 42-17 (+18.4 Units) against the money line in home games this season.
ST LOUIS is 73-41 (+24.2 Units) against the money line in games played on a grass field this season.
ST LOUIS is 51-29 (+17.0 Units) against the money line in night games this season.
ST LOUIS is 57-26 (+26.5 Units) against the money line against right-handed starters this season.
ST LOUIS is 72-44 (+20.2 Units) against the money line after a loss over the last 2 seasons.
MIAMI is 83-86 (+20.9 Units) against the money line in road games when playing with a day off since 1997.
MIAMI is 406-402 (+36.3 Units) against the money line against left-handed starters since 1997.
MIAMI is 364-418 (+40.6 Units) against the money line when playing against a team with a winning record in the second half of the season since 1997.
KOEHLER is 23-17 (+11.9 Units) against the money line after a win over the last 2 seasons. (Team's Record)
GARCIA is 26-34 (-22.9 Units) against the money line when playing against a team with a losing record since 1997. (Team's Record)

Head-to-Head Series History
ST LOUIS is 3-0 (+3.0 Units) against MIAMI this season
1 of 2 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL this season . (Over=+0.0 Units)

TOM KOEHLER vs. ST LOUIS since 1997
KOEHLER is 1-1 when starting against ST LOUIS with an ERA of 11.17 and a WHIP of 2.068.
His team's record is 1-1 (+0.0 units) in these starts. The OVER is 2-0. (+2.0 units)

JAIME GARCIA vs. MIAMI since 1997
GARCIA is 1-0 when starting against MIAMI with an ERA of 1.59 and a WHIP of 1.353.
His team's record is 2-1 (+0.4 units) in these starts. The OVER is 2-1. (+1.0 units)


SAN DIEGO (54 - 61) at COLORADO (47 - 66) - 8:40 PM
TYSON ROSS (R) vs. YOHAN FLANDE (L)
Top Trends for this game.
COLORADO is 157-143 (+28.5 Units) against the money line as a home underdog of +100 to +125 since 1997.
COLORADO is 113-162 (-40.5 Units) against the money line in all games over the last 2 seasons.
COLORADO is 113-162 (-40.5 Units) against the money line in games played on a grass field over the last 2 seasons.
COLORADO is 25-47 (-18.6 Units) against the money line in night games this season.
COLORADO is 89-111 (-31.8 Units) against the money line when playing against a team with a losing record over the last 3 seasons.

Head-to-Head Series History
SAN DIEGO is 7-2 (+5.3 Units) against COLORADO this season
5 of 9 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL this season . (Over=+0.9 Units)

TYSON ROSS vs. COLORADO since 1997
ROSS is 0-4 when starting against COLORADO with an ERA of 3.40 and a WHIP of 1.386.
His team's record is 2-5 (-3.5 units) in these starts. The UNDER is 5-2. (+2.5 units)

YOHAN FLANDE vs. SAN DIEGO since 1997
FLANDE is 0-2 when starting against SAN DIEGO with an ERA of 5.40 and a WHIP of 1.100.
His team's record is 0-2 (-2.0 units) in these starts. The OVER is 0-1. (-1.0 units)


CINCINNATI (51 - 62) at LA DODGERS (64 - 51) - 10:10 PM
JOHN LAMB (L) vs. ALEX WOOD (L)
Top Trends for this game.
CINCINNATI is 56-85 (-22.6 Units) against the money line in road games over the last 2 seasons.
CINCINNATI is 56-85 (-22.6 Units) against the money line in road games in games played on a grass field over the last 2 seasons.
CINCINNATI is 351-377 (+34.3 Units) against the money line in road games after a win since 1997.
LA DODGERS are 64-51 (-11.5 Units) against the money line in all games this season.
LA DODGERS are 32-29 (-12.9 Units) against the money line when the total is 7 or less this season.
LA DODGERS are 64-51 (-11.5 Units) against the money line in games played on a grass field this season.
LA DODGERS are 46-39 (-13.0 Units) against the money line in night games this season.
WOOD is 18-28 (-13.7 Units) against the money line in all games over the last 2 seasons. (Team's Record)
WOOD is 18-27 (-12.7 Units) against the money line in games played on a grass field over the last 2 seasons. (Team's Record)
WOOD is 9-17 (-12.8 Units) against the money line when playing against a team with a losing record over the last 2 seasons. (Team's Record)

Head-to-Head Series History
CINCINNATI is 1-0 (+1.5 Units) against LA DODGERS this season
1 of 1 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL this season . (Over=+1.0 Units)

JOHN LAMB vs. LA DODGERS since 1997
No recent starts.

ALEX WOOD vs. CINCINNATI since 1997
No recent starts.


WASHINGTON (58 - 56) at SAN FRANCISCO (61 - 53) - 10:15 PM
MAX SCHERZER (R) vs. MATT CAIN (R)
Top Trends for this game.
WASHINGTON is 58-56 (-10.2 Units) against the money line in all games this season.
WASHINGTON is 27-33 (-10.1 Units) against the money line in road games this season.
WASHINGTON is 20-26 (-15.2 Units) against the money line when playing on Friday over the last 2 seasons.
WASHINGTON is 57-55 (-10.4 Units) against the money line in games played on a grass field this season.
WASHINGTON is 34-39 (-12.1 Units) against the money line in night games this season.
WASHINGTON is 43-44 (-8.7 Units) against the money line against right-handed starters this season.
SAN FRANCISCO is 161-132 (+19.1 Units) against the money line in all games over the last 2 seasons.
SAN FRANCISCO is 161-132 (+19.1 Units) against the money line in games played on a grass field over the last 2 seasons.
SAN FRANCISCO is 1061-888 (+118.6 Units) against the money line in night games since 1997.
SAN FRANCISCO is 36-25 (+9.3 Units) against the money line after a win this season.
SAN FRANCISCO is 737-727 (+46.1 Units) against the money line when playing against a team with a winning record since 1997.
CAIN is 19-33 (-22.1 Units) against the money line in all games over the last 3 seasons. (Team's Record)
CAIN is 12-22 (-16.1 Units) against the money line when the total is 7 or less over the last 3 seasons. (Team's Record)
CAIN is 19-33 (-22.1 Units) against the money line in games played on a grass field over the last 3 seasons. (Team's Record)

Head-to-Head Series History
WASHINGTON is 3-1 (+1.7 Units) against SAN FRANCISCO this season
3 of 4 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL this season . (Under=+1.9 Units)

MAX SCHERZER vs. SAN FRANCISCO since 1997
SCHERZER is 1-3 when starting against SAN FRANCISCO with an ERA of 4.91 and a WHIP of 1.363.
His team's record is 1-4 (-4.8 units) in these starts. The UNDER is 3-2. (+0.7 units)

MATT CAIN vs. WASHINGTON since 1997
CAIN is 5-5 when starting against WASHINGTON with an ERA of 3.34 and a WHIP of 1.134.
His team's record is 8-6 (+0.9 units) in these starts. The UNDER is 8-6. (+1.0 units)


OAKLAND (51 - 65) at BALTIMORE (57 - 56) - 7:05 PM
BRAD MILLS (L) vs. UBALDO JIMENEZ (R)
There are no Top Trends with records of significance that apply to this game.

Head-to-Head Series History
BALTIMORE is 2-1 (+1.0 Units) against OAKLAND this season
2 of 3 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL this season . (Over=+1.0 Units)

BRAD MILLS vs. BALTIMORE since 1997
MILLS is 3-0 when starting against BALTIMORE with an ERA of 1.56 and a WHIP of 0.923.
His team's record is 3-0 (+3.0 units) in these starts. The OVER is 0-3. (-3.2 units)

UBALDO JIMENEZ vs. OAKLAND since 1997
JIMENEZ is 3-1 when starting against OAKLAND with an ERA of 4.91 and a WHIP of 1.519.
His team's record is 4-1 (+3.4 units) in these starts. The UNDER is 2-2. (-0.0 units)


NY YANKEES (62 - 51) at TORONTO (64 - 52) - 7:05 PM
IVAN NOVA (R) vs. DAVID PRICE (L)
Top Trends for this game.
TORONTO is 11-1 (+10.2 Units) against the money line in August games this season.
TORONTO is 93-64 (+16.9 Units) against the money line in games played on artificial turf over the last 2 seasons.
TORONTO is 32-15 (+16.7 Units) against the money line after 3 or more consecutive wins over the last 2 seasons.
TORONTO is 24-9 (+12.3 Units) against the money line in home games when playing against a team with a winning record this season.
TORONTO is 13-3 (+10.0 Units) against the money line when playing against a team with a winning record in the second half of the season this season.
PRICE is 12-0 (+12.1 Units) against the money line against division opponents this season. (Team's Record)
PRICE is 12-2 (+9.1 Units) against the money line after a win this season. (Team's Record)
NY YANKEES are 24-16 (+10.9 Units) against the money line in road games against left-handed starters over the last 2 seasons.

Head-to-Head Series History
TORONTO is 7-2 (+5.6 Units) against NY YANKEES this season
6 of 9 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL this season . (Under=+2.8 Units)

IVAN NOVA vs. TORONTO since 1997
NOVA is 4-2 when starting against TORONTO with an ERA of 4.83 and a WHIP of 1.408.
His team's record is 6-4 (+1.7 units) in these starts. The OVER is 4-6. (-2.6 units)

DAVID PRICE vs. NY YANKEES since 1997
PRICE is 11-7 when starting against NY YANKEES with an ERA of 4.31 and a WHIP of 1.347.
His team's record is 17-10 (+5.5 units) in these starts. The UNDER is 9-17. (-11.0 units)


SEATTLE (54 - 61) at BOSTON (50 - 64) - 7:10 PM
MIKE MONTGOMERY (L) vs. JOE KELLY (R)
Top Trends for this game.
SEATTLE is 54-61 (-14.2 Units) against the money line in all games this season.
SEATTLE is 49-60 (-18.8 Units) against the money line in games played on a grass field this season.
SEATTLE is 37-40 (-9.2 Units) against the money line in night games this season.
SEATTLE is 18-35 (-22.4 Units) against the money line after a win this season.
SEATTLE is 94-101 (-28.5 Units) against the money line when playing against a team with a losing record over the last 3 seasons.
SEATTLE is 341-320 (-84.2 Units) against the money line when playing against a team with a losing record in the second half of the season since 1997.
MONTGOMERY is 0-7 (-7.7 Units) against the money line after a win this season. (Team's Record)
SEATTLE is 74-63 (+17.2 Units) against the money line in road games over the last 2 seasons.
SEATTLE is 20-7 (+14.1 Units) against the money line when playing with a day off over the last 2 seasons.
SEATTLE is 54-41 (+15.2 Units) against the money line in road games against right-handed starters over the last 2 seasons.
BOSTON is 50-64 (-20.9 Units) against the money line in all games this season.
BOSTON is 612-553 (-81.0 Units) against the money line when the total is 9 to 9.5 since 1997.
BOSTON is 14-31 (-21.9 Units) against the money line at home with a money line of -100 to -125 over the last 2 seasons.
BOSTON is 61-76 (-34.9 Units) against the money line in home games over the last 2 seasons.
BOSTON is 23-30 (-16.3 Units) against the money line at home when the total is 9 to 9.5 over the last 2 seasons.
BOSTON is 10-21 (-12.9 Units) against the money line when playing with a day off over the last 2 seasons.
BOSTON is 43-58 (-23.2 Units) against the money line in games played on a grass field this season.
BOSTON is 33-43 (-14.5 Units) against the money line in night games this season.
BOSTON is 34-48 (-20.3 Units) against the money line against left-handed starters over the last 2 seasons.
BOSTON is 33-41 (-19.0 Units) against the money line in home games after a loss over the last 2 seasons.
BOSTON is 51-59 (-17.4 Units) against the money line when playing against a team with a losing record over the last 2 seasons.
KELLY is 3-10 (-9.4 Units) against the money line when the total is 9 to 9.5 over the last 2 seasons. (Team's Record)

Head-to-Head Series History
BOSTON is 2-2 (+0.6 Units) against SEATTLE this season
4 of 4 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL this season . (Under=+4.0 Units)

MIKE MONTGOMERY vs. BOSTON since 1997
No recent starts.

JOE KELLY vs. SEATTLE since 1997
KELLY is 0-0 when starting against SEATTLE with an ERA of 0.79 and a WHIP of 1.059.
His team's record is 1-1 (+0.0 units) in these starts. The OVER is 1-1. (+0.0 units)


TAMPA BAY (58 - 56) at TEXAS (56 - 57) - 8:05 PM
NATE KARNS (R) vs. MARTIN PEREZ (L)
Top Trends for this game.
TAMPA BAY is 135-141 (-27.7 Units) against the money line in all games over the last 2 seasons.
TAMPA BAY is 56-62 (-17.6 Units) against the money line when playing against a team with a losing record over the last 2 seasons.
TEXAS is 56-57 (+15.3 Units) against the money line in all games this season.
TEXAS is 53-53 (+14.8 Units) against the money line in games played on a grass field this season.
TEXAS is 42-39 (+15.8 Units) against the money line in night games this season.
TEXAS is 36-34 (+10.3 Units) against the money line against right-handed starters this season.
TEXAS is 34-19 (+26.7 Units) against the money line when playing against a team with a winning record this season.
TEXAS is 43-66 (-21.1 Units) against the money line when the total is 9 to 9.5 over the last 2 seasons.
TEXAS is 56-77 (-22.1 Units) against the money line in home games over the last 2 seasons.
TEXAS is 30-54 (-24.9 Units) against the money line at home when the total is 9 to 9.5 over the last 2 seasons.

Head-to-Head Series History
TEXAS is 2-2 (+1.0 Units) against TAMPA BAY this season
3 of 4 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL this season . (Over=+1.9 Units)

NATE KARNS vs. TEXAS since 1997
KARNS is 1-0 when starting against TEXAS with an ERA of 2.57 and a WHIP of 0.857.
His team's record is 1-0 (+1.0 units) in these starts. The OVER is 1-0. (+1.0 units)

MARTIN PEREZ vs. TAMPA BAY since 1997
PEREZ is 0-1 when starting against TAMPA BAY with an ERA of 5.07 and a WHIP of 1.126.
His team's record is 0-1 (-1.0 units) in these starts. The UNDER is 1-0. (+1.0 units)


CLEVELAND (53 - 60) at MINNESOTA (57 - 57) - 8:10 PM
COREY KLUBER (R) vs. TREVOR MAY (R)
Top Trends for this game.
CLEVELAND is 53-60 (-19.6 Units) against the money line in all games this season.
CLEVELAND is 18-26 (-12.4 Units) against the money line when playing on Friday over the last 2 seasons.
CLEVELAND is 17-29 (-17.6 Units) against the money line against division opponents this season.
CLEVELAND is 49-60 (-23.7 Units) against the money line in games played on a grass field this season.
CLEVELAND is 34-38 (-11.8 Units) against the money line in night games this season.
KLUBER is 8-16 (-14.0 Units) against the money line in all games this season. (Team's Record)
KLUBER is 3-9 (-8.1 Units) against the money line in road games this season. (Team's Record)
KLUBER is 2-9 (-10.0 Units) against the money line against division opponents this season. (Team's Record)
KLUBER is 7-16 (-15.0 Units) against the money line in games played on a grass field this season. (Team's Record)
KLUBER is 4-10 (-10.0 Units) against the money line in night games this season. (Team's Record)
MINNESOTA is 57-57 (+10.0 Units) against the money line in all games this season.
MINNESOTA is 36-23 (+15.6 Units) against the money line in home games this season.
MINNESOTA is 60-64 (+10.3 Units) against the money line against division opponents over the last 2 seasons.
MINNESOTA is 57-53 (+14.0 Units) against the money line in games played on a grass field this season.
MINNESOTA is 32-30 (+9.0 Units) against the money line in night games this season.
MINNESOTA is 23-15 (+9.7 Units) against the money line in home games against right-handed starters this season.
MINNESOTA is 30-26 (+10.0 Units) against the money line after a loss this season.
MINNESOTA is 35-24 (+17.4 Units) against the money line when playing against a team with a losing record this season.
MINNESOTA is 116-133 (-38.6 Units) against the money line in home games in August games since 1997.

Head-to-Head Series History
MINNESOTA is 5-4 (+2.7 Units) against CLEVELAND this season
6 of 8 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL this season . (Over=+4.0 Units)

COREY KLUBER vs. MINNESOTA since 1997
KLUBER is 5-2 when starting against MINNESOTA with an ERA of 3.48 and a WHIP of 1.172.
His team's record is 6-6 (-2.1 units) in these starts. The UNDER is 5-7. (-2.9 units)

TREVOR MAY vs. CLEVELAND since 1997
MAY is 2-2 when starting against CLEVELAND with an ERA of 7.32 and a WHIP of 1.779.
His team's record is 2-2 (+0.6 units) in these starts. The OVER is 2-1. (+0.9 units)


LA ANGELS (60 - 54) at KANSAS CITY (68 - 46) - 8:10 PM
JERED WEAVER (R) vs. DANNY DUFFY (L)
Top Trends for this game.
KANSAS CITY is 68-46 (+19.6 Units) against the money line in all games this season.
KANSAS CITY is 16-5 (+10.3 Units) against the money line at home with a money line of -100 to -125 this season.
KANSAS CITY is 39-20 (+14.6 Units) against the money line in home games this season.
KANSAS CITY is 67-43 (+21.5 Units) against the money line in games played on a grass field this season.
KANSAS CITY is 45-32 (+9.5 Units) against the money line in night games this season.
KANSAS CITY is 46-27 (+17.5 Units) against the money line against right-handed starters this season.
KANSAS CITY is 26-17 (+9.3 Units) against the money line after a loss this season.
KANSAS CITY is 77-62 (+11.9 Units) against the money line when playing against a team with a winning record over the last 2 seasons.
KANSAS CITY is 57-44 (+16.5 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.
LA ANGELS are 158-121 (+16.5 Units) against the money line in all games over the last 2 seasons.
LA ANGELS are 774-759 (+63.0 Units) against the money line in road games since 1997.
LA ANGELS are 285-207 (+55.0 Units) against the money line when playing on Friday since 1997.
LA ANGELS are 649-640 (+55.6 Units) against the money line in road games in games played on a grass field since 1997.
LA ANGELS are 124-88 (+19.6 Units) against the money line in night games over the last 2 seasons.
WEAVER is 92-46 (+33.1 Units) against the money line after a win since 1997. (Team's Record)

Head-to-Head Series History
KANSAS CITY is 3-1 (+2.5 Units) against LA ANGELS this season
3 of 4 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL this season . (Over=+2.1 Units)

JERED WEAVER vs. KANSAS CITY since 1997
WEAVER is 7-5 when starting against KANSAS CITY with an ERA of 2.74 and a WHIP of 1.150.
His team's record is 8-6 (-1.4 units) in these starts. The UNDER is 10-4. (+5.4 units)

DANNY DUFFY vs. LA ANGELS since 1997
DUFFY is 0-1 when starting against LA ANGELS with an ERA of 7.50 and a WHIP of 1.833.
His team's record is 0-1 (-1.0 units) in these starts. The UNDER is 0-0. (+0.0 units)


DETROIT (55 - 59) at HOUSTON (62 - 53) - 8:10 PM
ALFREDO SIMON (R) vs. DALLAS KEUCHEL (L)
Top Trends for this game.
DETROIT is 243-209 (-26.2 Units) against the money line in all games over the last 3 seasons.
DETROIT is 25-34 (-11.3 Units) against the money line when the total is 8 to 8.5 this season.
DETROIT is 28-41 (-14.2 Units) against the money line in night games this season.
HOUSTON is 62-53 (+4.1 Units) against the money line in all games this season.
HOUSTON is 38-18 (+15.1 Units) against the money line in home games this season.
HOUSTON is 62-47 (+10.5 Units) against the money line in games played on a grass field this season.
HOUSTON is 28-13 (+11.4 Units) against the money line in home games in night games this season.
HOUSTON is 40-31 (+8.1 Units) against the money line against right-handed starters this season.
HOUSTON is 66-65 (+11.2 Units) against the money line after a win over the last 2 seasons.
HOUSTON is 26-12 (+10.1 Units) against the money line in home games when playing against a team with a losing record this season.
KEUCHEL is 32-20 (+15.5 Units) against the money line in all games over the last 2 seasons. (Team's Record)
KEUCHEL is 31-18 (+15.7 Units) against the money line in games played on a grass field over the last 2 seasons. (Team's Record)
KEUCHEL is 21-11 (+12.9 Units) against the money line in night games over the last 2 seasons. (Team's Record)
DETROIT is 43-31 (+12.3 Units) against the money line in road games after a win over the last 2 seasons.
SIMON is 33-21 (+15.7 Units) against the money line in all games over the last 2 seasons. (Team's Record)
SIMON is 17-12 (+8.7 Units) against the money line in road games over the last 2 seasons. (Team's Record)
SIMON is 33-21 (+15.7 Units) against the money line in games played on a grass field over the last 2 seasons. (Team's Record)
SIMON is 19-5 (+16.4 Units) against the money line after a win over the last 2 seasons. (Team's Record)

Head-to-Head Series History
HOUSTON is 2-2 (+0.2 Units) against DETROIT this season
2 of 3 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL this season . (Over=+1.0 Units)

ALFREDO SIMON vs. HOUSTON since 1997
SIMON is 1-0 when starting against HOUSTON with an ERA of 0.00 and a WHIP of 0.714.
His team's record is 1-0 (+1.1 units) in these starts. The OVER is 0-0. (+0.0 units)

DALLAS KEUCHEL vs. DETROIT since 1997
KEUCHEL is 1-0 when starting against DETROIT with an ERA of 4.05 and a WHIP of 1.124.
His team's record is 2-0 (+4.5 units) in these starts. The OVER is 1-1. (-0.1 units)


CHICAGO CUBS (65 - 48) at CHI WHITE SOX (54 - 58) - 4:10 PM
KYLE HENDRICKS (R) vs. JEFF SAMARDZIJA (R)
Top Trends for this game.
CHICAGO CUBS are 6-12 (-10.6 Units) against the money line when playing on Friday this season.
CHICAGO CUBS are 766-809 (-156.3 Units) against the money line in day games since 1997.
CHICAGO CUBS are 1067-1192 (-209.3 Units) against the money line against right-handed starters since 1997.
CHICAGO CUBS are 678-775 (-196.6 Units) against the money line after a win since 1997.
CHICAGO CUBS are 712-708 (-158.1 Units) against the money line when playing against a team with a losing record since 1997.
CHI WHITE SOX are 35-25 (+12.0 Units) against the money line at home when the total is 8 to 8.5 over the last 2 seasons.
CHI WHITE SOX are 194-150 (+40.8 Units) against the money line in an inter-league game since 1997.
CHICAGO CUBS are 65-48 (+7.7 Units) against the money line in all games this season.
CHICAGO CUBS are 26-15 (+14.4 Units) against the money line in August games over the last 2 seasons.
CHICAGO CUBS are 65-48 (+7.7 Units) against the money line in games played on a grass field this season.
HENDRICKS is 23-12 (+11.3 Units) against the money line in all games over the last 2 seasons. (Team's Record)
HENDRICKS is 8-0 (+9.0 Units) against the money line in August games over the last 2 seasons. (Team's Record)
HENDRICKS is 23-11 (+12.3 Units) against the money line in games played on a grass field over the last 2 seasons. (Team's Record)
CHI WHITE SOX are 40-61 (-20.6 Units) against the money line in day games over the last 2 seasons.
CHI WHITE SOX are 3-13 (-12.2 Units) against the money line in home games after 3 or more consecutive wins over the last 3 seasons.
SAMARDZIJA is 22-35 (-18.9 Units) against the money line in all games over the last 2 seasons. (Team's Record)
SAMARDZIJA is 3-12 (-10.7 Units) against the money line at home with a money line of -100 to -125 over the last 3 seasons. (Team's Record)
SAMARDZIJA is 19-27 (-13.5 Units) against the money line in home games over the last 3 seasons. (Team's Record)
SAMARDZIJA is 15-29 (-15.9 Units) against the money line in day games over the last 3 seasons. (Team's Record)
SAMARDZIJA is 21-34 (-19.0 Units) against the money line in games played on a grass field over the last 2 seasons. (Team's Record)
SAMARDZIJA is 11-22 (-15.1 Units) against the money line after a win over the last 3 seasons. (Team's Record)
SAMARDZIJA is 15-32 (-17.6 Units) against the money line when playing against a team with a winning record over the last 3 seasons. (Team's Record)

Head-to-Head Series History
CHI WHITE SOX is 2-1 (+1.5 Units) against CHICAGO CUBS this season
2 of 2 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL this season . (Under=+2.0 Units)

KYLE HENDRICKS vs. CHI WHITE SOX since 1997
HENDRICKS is 0-0 when starting against CHI WHITE SOX with an ERA of 0.00 and a WHIP of 0.714.
His team's record is 0-1 (-1.6 units) in these starts. The UNDER is 1-0. (+1.0 units)

JEFF SAMARDZIJA vs. CHICAGO CUBS since 1997
No recent starts.

[StarDust Bum]

Friday's Tip Sheet

August 14, 2015


New York Yankees at Toronto Blue Jays | 7:07 p.m. ET (MLB Network)

Another nationally televised game, another affair involving the New York Yankees; MLB Network is going with this clash its Friday Night showcase game tonight, and in this instance, it’s a game that certainly deserves top-billing with the Blue Jays seeking to continue their monumental 11-game winning streak that has vaulted them into first-place in the AL East.

Toronto couldn’t have a better starter on the mound to kick off this series, as they will be going with one of their prized trade deadline acquisitions, David Price (11-4, 2.35 ERA). The former AL Cy Young award winner has made two starts now as a member of the Blue Jays, and basically has been flawless. He’s surrendered a combined on run over his couple of outings, spanning 15 innings, while racking up 18 strikeouts compared to just five walks, and most important of all, he was victorious both times. One of those assignments under his belt includes an excellent seven-shutout-inning performance over these same Yankees, which came only six days ago at Yankee Stadium.

Ivan Nova (4-4, 3.52 ERA) was the opposing hurler that day and will be looking for a different result in this rematch. He’s been fairly solid since making his return from Tommy John surgery in the latter portion of June, having made eight starts, five of which he allowed two runs or less, and none have seen him yield more than four. With the Blue Jays being so hot, the linesmakers have set them as a whopping -250 favorite.

Tampa Bay Rays at Texas Rangers | 8:05 p.m. ET

The AL Wild Card race this year really is as interesting as it’s ever been, with the majority of the league still realistically in contention for both spots. That includes these two teams slated to begin a series in Arlington tonight, as the Rays and Rangers sit 2 and 3.5 games back of the second Wild Card berth, respectively. Tampa Bay has been the hotter team as of late, carrying a four-game win streak into this three-game set, and will lean on impressive rookie Nathan Karns (7-5, 3.52 ERA) to keep it going.

While Karns is coming off a couple of so-so outings, the fact remains that he’s been incredibly consistent this season, having registered an outstanding 16 starts in which he’s given up two runs or less. That actually ranks him amongst the league-leaders, putting him in the same class as David Price and Felix Hernandez, making him an intriguing +105 road ’dog.

For the Rangers, it’s youngster Martin Perez (1-2, 5.81 ERA) scheduled to take the mound, as he continues his progress after returning from Tommy John surgery less than a month ago. While his numbers overall aren’t exactly desirable, Perez has actually pitched much better than that, as his current ERA is mostly the product of a one-inning, eight-run performance at the hands of the Yankees a few weeks ago -- the game where Texas took an absolute 21-5 shellacking in the Bronx. If you take that start out of the equation, Perez has been solid in his four other outings, allowing no more than three runs in any of them, while three of those assignments clocked in as official quality starts. He’s been especially good in the last two, surrendering just three runs over 14 1/3 combined innings of work, while accumulating a cool 11/1 K/BB ratio. The over/under is 9.

Cleveland Indians at Minnesota Twins | 8:10 p.m. ET

The last time Corey Kluber (7-12, 3.46 ERA) toed the rubber, it was against these same Minnesota Twins last Sunday, and the result was arguably the best performance of the year for the reigning AL Cy Young award winner. Kluber was absolutely magnificent, spinning a complete game three-hitter, while yielding one run, one walk, and striking out ten. Now, his task will be containing the Twins on their turf at Target Field, which he did earlier in the year when he held them to two runs on three hits over eight sparkling innings. The linesmakers are obviously aware of this and have him set as a pretty chalky -150 road favorite.

Part of the reasoning for those heavy odds also has to do with Kluber’s counterpart tonight, Trevor May (8-7, 4.09 ERA), who is making just his first start since July 1. That was when May was banished to the Minnesota bullpen, but now with Phil Hughes landing on the disabled list, the 25-year-old right-hander will get another crack at starting.

And he probably deserves the opportunity, as May has flashed some potential at times throughout his first full season in the big leagues, like from mid-May to mid-June, when the Twins youngster registered five quality starts in seven tries. Furthermore, he owns a respectable 85/20 K/BB ratio in 94 2/3 total innings. The over/under for this matchup opened up at 7, but has since gone up to 7.5 in some shops.

Washington Nationals at San Francisco Giants | 10:15 p.m. ET

It’s been a real rough time as of late for the once-mighty Nationals, who were heavy favorites to win the NL East coming into the season. They backed that up by leading the division for the majority of the year, but are really scuffling right now, having lost 10 of 14, enabling the Mets to gain 7.5 games on them in the standings since July 30, and thus take over first-place. Fortunately for the Nats, they have their ace Max Scherzer (11-8, 2.44 ERA) on the hill tonight to try and turn things back in the other direction, although surprisingly, the former AL Cy Young winner actually has been quite human since the All-Star break. In fact, in his five outings following the Midsummer Classic, Scherzer has put together a very average 3.90 ERA and 1.27 WHIP. If there’s one trend that can get him back on track, though, it’s his road dominance. In 12 starts away from home this season, Scherzer is 7-3 with an exceptional 1.87 ERA and 0.82 WHIP to show for his efforts. In addition, offenses are hitting a miniscule .187 off the right-hander in those assignments. The linesmakers have him as a -155 road favorite as a result.

While Scherzer has been incredibly stingy on the road, he’ll be squaring off with a pitcher who’s been at his best in his home starts this season, that being Matt Cain (2-3, 5.59 ERA), albeit in a much smaller sample size. Cain only made his season debut on July 2 after a lengthy stint on the disabled list, and has made six starts since then. His numbers on the year don’t look pretty, but when it comes to making an assignment at AT&T Park, it’s almost like it’s the Matt Cain of old. He’s 1-1 with a 3.00 ERA, 1.00 WHIP, and .227 BAA in those outings, which looks much more pleasant than the 6.84 ERA, 1.88 WHIP, and .343 BAA he’s posted on the road. In any event, the over/under for this is ranging from 6.5 to 7, but don’t expect it to remain as high 7 much longer.

[StarDust Bum]

WNBA
Long Sheet

Friday, August 14

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NEW YORK (15 - 6) at CONNECTICUT (12 - 10) - 8/14/2015, 7:05 PM
Top Trends for this game.
CONNECTICUT is 13-5 ATS (+7.5 Units) in home games vs. division opponents over the last 2 seasons.
CONNECTICUT is 115-80 ATS (+27.0 Units) revenging a loss versus opponent since 1997.
NEW YORK is 15-5 ATS (+9.5 Units) in all games this season.
NEW YORK is 9-2 ATS (+6.8 Units) after a division game this season.
NEW YORK is 6-0 ATS (+6.0 Units) in road games after 3 or more consecutive unders over the last 3 seasons.
NEW YORK is 9-2 ATS (+6.8 Units) after scoring 75 points or more this season.
NEW YORK is 8-2 ATS (+5.8 Units) when playing against a team with a winning record this season.

Head-to-Head Series History
CONNECTICUT is 5-5 against the spread versus NEW YORK over the last 3 seasons
NEW YORK is 6-4 straight up against CONNECTICUT over the last 3 seasons
7 of 9 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons

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MINNESOTA (17 - 6) at ATLANTA (8 - 14) - 8/14/2015, 7:35 PM
Top Trends for this game.
ATLANTA is 10-3 ATS (+6.7 Units) as an underdog this season.
ATLANTA is 30-16 ATS (+12.4 Units) off an upset win as an underdog since 1997.
ATLANTA is 19-5 ATS (+13.5 Units) in home games after scoring 75 points or more over the last 3 seasons.
MINNESOTA is 55-37 ATS (+14.3 Units) as a favorite over the last 3 seasons.

Head-to-Head Series History
MINNESOTA is 5-3 against the spread versus ATLANTA over the last 3 seasons
MINNESOTA is 6-2 straight up against ATLANTA over the last 3 seasons
6 of 8 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons

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CHICAGO (14 - 10) at SEATTLE (6 - 18) - 8/14/2015, 10:05 PM
Top Trends for this game.
CHICAGO is 6-17 ATS (-12.7 Units) against Western conference opponents over the last 2 seasons.
CHICAGO is 6-17 ATS (-12.7 Units) in non-conference games over the last 2 seasons.
CHICAGO is 14-27 ATS (-15.7 Units) after allowing 75 points or more over the last 2 seasons.
SEATTLE is 97-68 ATS (+22.2 Units) versus poor defensive teams - allowing 77+ points/game since 1997.

Head-to-Head Series History
SEATTLE is 3-1 against the spread versus CHICAGO over the last 3 seasons
SEATTLE is 3-1 straight up against CHICAGO over the last 3 seasons
3 of 4 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons

[StarDust Bum]

WNBA

Friday, August 14

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Trend Report
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7:00 PM
NEW YORK vs. CONNECTICUT
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of New York's last 5 games
New York is 8-1 SU in its last 9 games
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Connecticut's last 5 games
Connecticut is 8-2 SU in its last 10 games when playing at home against New York

7:30 PM
MINNESOTA vs. ATLANTA
Minnesota is 6-3 SU in its last 9 games on the road
Minnesota is 2-5 ATS in its last 7 games on the road
Atlanta is 4-12 ATS in its last 16 games when playing Minnesota
Atlanta is 2-14 SU in its last 16 games when playing Minnesota

10:00 PM
CHICAGO vs. SEATTLE
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Chicago's last 6 games when playing on the road against Seattle
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Chicago's last 5 games
Seattle is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games when playing at home against Chicago
Seattle is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games when playing Chicago

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WNBA

Friday, August 14


Dream continue to cash over tickets, defense failing

The Atlanta Dream have gone over in six of their past seven games. Those seven games have seen the Dream and their opponents combine for an average of 171.5 points per game.

The Dream defense, which is last in the WNBA, is allowing a ridiculous 91.1 ppg in their past seven which is nearly 10 points more than their season average.

The total is currently set at 156.5 when the Dream host the Minnesota Lynx Friday.

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Preview: Lynx (17-6) at Dream (8-14)

Date: August 14, 2015 7:30 PM EDT

The Minnesota Lynx became the first WNBA team to clinch a playoff spot and have shifted their focus to securing home-court advantage throughout the postseason.

The Atlanta Dream are just trying to get out of the Eastern Conference basement.

Minnesota seeks a third straight victory when it visits the Dream on Friday night.

Maya Moore has returned to her high-scoring ways after falling one shy of matching Diana Taurasi's league-record 12-game streak of at least 20 points. Moore totaled 30 in two games after the streak, but had 20 points in Sunday's 72-64 win over Los Angeles and tied her season high with 32 in Tuesday's 83-76 victory over San Antonio, which secured a playoff berth for the Lynx (17-6).

Minnesota leads the Mercury by two games atop the West.

"Right now, this is that point in the season where everybody is vying for a playoff spot," coach Cheryl Reeve told the team's official website. "It took a lot for us to get out of here with a W."

Lindsay Whalen had nine assists to become the third player in league history with at least 2,000.

"It's a team award with that type of a stat, so it's definitely cool to be a part of that group and have 2,000," Whalen said. "It means I've played with a lot of great players and made some plays along the way."

Minnesota has won two WNBA titles since Whalen joined the club in 2010, beating the Dream with three-game sweeps in the finals in 2011 and '13. The Lynx have won five of the last six meetings beginning with the latter series, including an 86-70 win July 31.

Moore had 21 points and 10 rebounds in that contest. Damiris Dantas scored nine points against her former team after she was dealt to the Dream in a three-team trade with Chicago that sent Sylvia Fowles to the Lynx on July 27.

Dantas scored a career-high 18 points Sunday as Atlanta (8-14) ended a six-game losing streak with a 98-90 win over Tulsa, its highest-scoring game of the season. It is five games behind Indiana, Chicago and Washington, which are tied in the battle for the East's final three playoff spots.

Angel McCoughtry had 23 points and nine rebounds for the Dream, who have played eight of nine on the road. They've also been playing with a thin frontcourt, having traded Erika de Souza in the Dantas deal and dealing with the absence of Sancho Lyttle, who has missed the last 10 with a foot injury.

The Dream will play their next two at home, where they've won three of four. Minnesota is beginning a stretch of five of six on the road.


WNBA HEAD TO HEAD

Jul 31, 2015 Score ATS Results
ATL 70 Over: 156
MIN « 86 Cover: 2.5
Tools:

Jul 22, 2014 Score ATS Results
ATL 108 Cover: 1
MIN « 112 Over: 220
Tools: Recaps

Jun 13, 2014 Score ATS Results
MIN 82 Over: 167
ATL « 85 Cover: 1.5
Tools: Recaps

Oct 10, 2013 Score ATS Results
MIN « 87 Cover: 3.5
ATL 77 Over: 164
Tools: Recaps

Oct 8, 2013 Score ATS Results
ATL 63 Under: 151
MIN « 88 Cover: 14
Tools: Recaps

Oct 6, 2013 Score ATS Results
ATL 59 Under: 143
MIN « 84 Cover: 15.5
Tools: Recaps

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Preview: Sky (14-10) at Storm (6-18)

Date: August 14, 2015 10:00 PM EDT

There wasn't much concern Sunday when Elena Delle Donne played well after turning an ankle, but now the Chicago Sky hope she won't have to miss a second straight game.

The MVP candidate is questionable as the Sky try to avoid their fourth consecutive road loss Friday night against the WNBA-worst Seattle Storm, who have dropped six of seven.

After rolling her ankle in the second quarter versus Phoenix, Delle Donne played through the sprain and scored 16 of her 33 points in the third to key a 74-64 win.

The All-Star forward, however, experienced some swelling the following day and was held out of Chicago's 84-63 loss at Eastern Conference-leading New York on Tuesday. She's listed as day-to-day.

Coach Pokey Chatman said Delle Donne, who leads the league with 24.3 points per game, will play if the ankle proves stable leading up to the contest. The Sky are 5-13 over the past two seasons without Delle Donne, who missed 17 games last year due to a recurrence of lyme disease.

Tamera Young stepped into the starting lineup Tuesday, finishing with two points and two rebounds in nine minutes. It was her fifth game back after missing 15 while recovering from thumb surgery.

Chicago leads the WNBA with 83.3 points per game but fell far short of that mark without Delle Donne. Cappie Pondexter tried to pick up the slack with 23, while Jessica Breland had 11 points and seven rebounds.

"I thought we punched back in the third quarter, made some adjustments and we didn't knock a few shots down and I think they capitalized on top of that," Pondexter said.

The Sky (14-10) are in a tight East race with the top five teams separated by 3 1/2 games. They could regroup offensively against a Seattle team that has allowed 80.1 points per game during its current 1-6 slump.

The Storm wrapped up a 1-5 road trip Wednesday with an 83-66 defeat to Phoenix. Rookie Kaleena Mosqueda-Lewis tied Ramu Tokashiki with a game-high 14 points a night after scoring a career-high 15 in an 85-77 win over Los Angeles.

"She's been working extremely hard to get ready and play in this league," coach Jenny Boucek told the team's official website. "Now she's ready."

All-Star Sue Bird is expected to play after sitting out the last of back-to-back games to rest.

Bird and Crystal Langhorne each had 19 points in the last matchup with the Sky as Seattle completed a sweep of last year's season series with an 80-73 home win. Delle Donne did not play in either meeting.

Langhorne, who leads the Storm with 11.2 points per game, looks to bounce back after scoring seven on 3-of-10 shooting Wednesday. She had totaled 47 points on 21-of-27 shooting in her previous two games.

The Storm (6-18), last in the league with a minus-4.5 rebounding margin, could have a tough time on the boards against a Chicago team that is second at plus-2.4.

Second-year center Markeisha Gatling faces the Sky for the first time since they waived her before the season.


WNBA HEAD TO HEAD

Jul 5, 2014 Score ATS Results
CHI 73 Over: 153
SEA « 80 Cover: 4.5
Tools: Recaps

Jun 10, 2014 Score ATS Results
SEA « 80 Cover: 6
CHI 76 Over: 156
Tools: Recaps