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Friday's Diamond Notes
May 6, 2016
Hottest team: Red Sox (9-2 last 11)
Boston rebounded from a series opening loss to Chicago to grab the final two games from the White Sox to remain atop the AL East. The Red Sox have won four consecutive series, which includes a three-game home sweep of the rival Yankees last weekend at Fenway Park. The offense has been a big part of this recent run for the Sox, scoring at least five runs in seven of the nine victories in this stretch, while posting an impressive 5-1 record in the last six road contests.
Coldest team: Athletics (2-6 last eight)
Oakland began the season owning an impressive 7-0 record away from the Coliseum, but the A’s have dropped five of their last six games on the highway. The A’s returned home to beat the Astros in consecutive games, but Oakland is riding a four-game losing streak, which includes getting swept by the AL West-leading Mariners. Oakland embarks on a nine-game road trip that continues to Boston and Tampa Bay after heading to Baltimore this weekend, as the A’s lost all four visits to Camden Yards last season.
Hottest pitcher: Jordan Zimmermann, Tigers (5-0, 0.55 ERA)
In spite of Detroit’s inconsistent 14-13 start, the Tigers have been automatic when Zimmerman takes the mound this season. Zimmerman has yielded only two earned runs in five starts, while not being listed as a favorite of higher than -130 this season. The former Washington ace is facing Texas for the first time in his career, as the Rangers have scored just eight runs in their last four games.
Coldest pitcher: Michael Pineda, Yankees (1-3, 6.33 ERA)
Pineda is winless in his last four starts since beating the Astros in his season debut. The New York right-hander scattered five hits in five innings of work the last time he faced Boston last weekend at Fenway Park, but the Yankees lost, 8-0. The Yankees’ offense provided Pineda with 16 runs in his first start against Houston, but New York has plated five runs in his last four outings.
Biggest UNDER run: White Sox (9-2 at home)
Chicago continues to be one of the top UNDER teams at home this season, in spite of cashing just its second OVER at U.S. Cellular Field in last night’s 7-3 loss to Boston. The White Sox have grabbed control of the AL Central at 19-10, but Chicago has scored four runs or less in eight of their last 10 home contests, while scoring 10 runs in a three-game sweep over the Twins when these teams last hooked up at Target Field in April.
Biggest OVER run: Brewers (8-0 last eight)
Milwaukee cashed another OVER in Thursday’s 9-5 defeat at Cincinnati, the 22nd straight game the Brewers have allowed at least four runs. In that span, the Brewers have hit the OVER 17 times, including eight times away from Miller Park. Six of the last seven meetings between the Brewers and Reds have eclipsed the OVER, including the last four matchups at Great American Ballpark.
Matchup to watch: Pirates vs. Cardinals
Pittsburgh swept St. Louis to start the season at PNC Park, including limiting the Cardinals to one run in two of the victories. The Pirates face another tough division foe after getting swept at home by the Cubs, while the Cardinals are coming off a series victory over the surprising Phillies. Francisco Liriano shut down the Cardinals on opening day by striking out 10 and scattering three hits in six innings of a 4-1 victory. Carlos Martinez lost his first decision in five starts for St. Louis his last time out against Washington, as the Cardinals went 2-2 in the right-hander’s four starts against Pittsburgh in 2015.
Betcha didn’t know: Diamondbacks’ ace Zack Greinke has made three career starts at Turner Field and has yet to pick up a victory in Atlanta. The last time Greinke took the mound in Atlanta came back in the 2013 NLDS as the Braves beat the Dodgers, 4-3, while his previous regular season start at Turner Field was nearly five years ago to the day, an 8-0 defeat as a member of the Brewers.
Biggest public favorite: Giants (-200) vs. Rockies
Biggest public underdog: Phillies (+115) at Marlins
Biggest line move: Twins (+125 to +115) at White Sox
May 6, 2016
Hottest team: Red Sox (9-2 last 11)
Boston rebounded from a series opening loss to Chicago to grab the final two games from the White Sox to remain atop the AL East. The Red Sox have won four consecutive series, which includes a three-game home sweep of the rival Yankees last weekend at Fenway Park. The offense has been a big part of this recent run for the Sox, scoring at least five runs in seven of the nine victories in this stretch, while posting an impressive 5-1 record in the last six road contests.
Coldest team: Athletics (2-6 last eight)
Oakland began the season owning an impressive 7-0 record away from the Coliseum, but the A’s have dropped five of their last six games on the highway. The A’s returned home to beat the Astros in consecutive games, but Oakland is riding a four-game losing streak, which includes getting swept by the AL West-leading Mariners. Oakland embarks on a nine-game road trip that continues to Boston and Tampa Bay after heading to Baltimore this weekend, as the A’s lost all four visits to Camden Yards last season.
Hottest pitcher: Jordan Zimmermann, Tigers (5-0, 0.55 ERA)
In spite of Detroit’s inconsistent 14-13 start, the Tigers have been automatic when Zimmerman takes the mound this season. Zimmerman has yielded only two earned runs in five starts, while not being listed as a favorite of higher than -130 this season. The former Washington ace is facing Texas for the first time in his career, as the Rangers have scored just eight runs in their last four games.
Coldest pitcher: Michael Pineda, Yankees (1-3, 6.33 ERA)
Pineda is winless in his last four starts since beating the Astros in his season debut. The New York right-hander scattered five hits in five innings of work the last time he faced Boston last weekend at Fenway Park, but the Yankees lost, 8-0. The Yankees’ offense provided Pineda with 16 runs in his first start against Houston, but New York has plated five runs in his last four outings.
Biggest UNDER run: White Sox (9-2 at home)
Chicago continues to be one of the top UNDER teams at home this season, in spite of cashing just its second OVER at U.S. Cellular Field in last night’s 7-3 loss to Boston. The White Sox have grabbed control of the AL Central at 19-10, but Chicago has scored four runs or less in eight of their last 10 home contests, while scoring 10 runs in a three-game sweep over the Twins when these teams last hooked up at Target Field in April.
Biggest OVER run: Brewers (8-0 last eight)
Milwaukee cashed another OVER in Thursday’s 9-5 defeat at Cincinnati, the 22nd straight game the Brewers have allowed at least four runs. In that span, the Brewers have hit the OVER 17 times, including eight times away from Miller Park. Six of the last seven meetings between the Brewers and Reds have eclipsed the OVER, including the last four matchups at Great American Ballpark.
Matchup to watch: Pirates vs. Cardinals
Pittsburgh swept St. Louis to start the season at PNC Park, including limiting the Cardinals to one run in two of the victories. The Pirates face another tough division foe after getting swept at home by the Cubs, while the Cardinals are coming off a series victory over the surprising Phillies. Francisco Liriano shut down the Cardinals on opening day by striking out 10 and scattering three hits in six innings of a 4-1 victory. Carlos Martinez lost his first decision in five starts for St. Louis his last time out against Washington, as the Cardinals went 2-2 in the right-hander’s four starts against Pittsburgh in 2015.
Betcha didn’t know: Diamondbacks’ ace Zack Greinke has made three career starts at Turner Field and has yet to pick up a victory in Atlanta. The last time Greinke took the mound in Atlanta came back in the 2013 NLDS as the Braves beat the Dodgers, 4-3, while his previous regular season start at Turner Field was nearly five years ago to the day, an 8-0 defeat as a member of the Brewers.
Biggest public favorite: Giants (-200) vs. Rockies
Biggest public underdog: Phillies (+115) at Marlins
Biggest line move: Twins (+125 to +115) at White Sox
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