The Bum's MLB Best Bets - Trends - News Thru the World Series !

[StarDust Bum]

Diamond Trends - Monday
May 22, 2017


TOP SU TREND:


-- The Yankees are 11-0 since Sep 24, 2015 as a home favorite off a game as a dog in which they had more strikeouts than hits.


TOP OU TREND:


-- The Twins are 10-0 OU (3.15 ppg) after a game as a home favorite in which they scored in at least four separate innings since Apr 19, 2016.

TOP STARTER TREND:


-- The Yankees are 0-10 since Sep 05, 2014 when Michael Pineda starts at home when not a -170+ favorite if they won in his last start against the current opponent.


TOP RUN LINE TREND:


-- The Orioles are 7-0 RL ON since Sep 30, 2016 in the first game of a series with no rest when playing a team that has a worse record.

[StarDust Bum]

MONDAY, MAY 22


GAME TIME(ET) PICK UNITS


MIN at BAL 07:05 PM


MIN +115


U 9.5


COL at PHI 07:05 PM

O 8.0


KC at NYY 07:05 PM


KC +155


O 8.0


CLE at CIN 07:10 PM


CIN +115


O 9.0


LAA at TB 07:10 PM


O 8.0


PIT at ATL 07:35 PM


ATL +110


U 8.0


SF at CHC 08:05 PM


SF +170


U 10.0


DET at HOU 08:10 PM


U 8.5


CHW at ARI 09:40 PM


U 9.5

[StarDust Bum]

Baseball Capsules
May 23, 2017


CHICAGO (AP) Joe Panik hit his first career leadoff homer and doubled twice, helping the San Francisco Giants beat the Chicago Cubs 6-4 on Monday night.


Brandon Belt also connected and Ty Blach (2-2) pitched into the eighth inning in the first meeting between the teams since San Francisco was eliminated by Chicago in the NL Division Series last year. Panik, Belt and Justin Ruggiano each had two RBIs as the streaking Giants won for the eighth time in 10 games.


Ruggiano's leadoff drive in the eighth made it 6-0 and gave San Francisco 18 straight solo homers, just three from matching its major league record of 21 set in 2011.


The Cubs responded with four in the bottom half on two-run homers by Javier Baez and Ben Zobrist. But the rally stalled from there.


With one out and runners on first and second, Hunter Strickland got Willson Contreras to bounce into an inning-ending double play. Mark Melancon worked the ninth for his ninth save in 11 chances.


John Lackey (4-4) pitched five shaky innings in his first loss in a month.

DIAMONDBACKS 5, WHITE SOX 1


PHOENIX (AP) - Zack Greinke struck out a season-high 12 for Arizona and came within one out of a complete game against Chicago.


The ace right-hander allowed four hits and improved to 5-0 in his last six starts. The crowd booed loudly when manager Torey Lovullo walked to the mound to pull Greinke (6-2) after Jose Abreu's two-out double in the ninth.


Daniel Descalso hit a three-run homer and Paul Goldschmidt added a solo shot for the Diamondbacks during their sixth victory in seven games.


The White Sox managed only Leury Garcia's solo homer against Greinke, who walked one in his third double-digit strikeout game this season.


Miguel Gonzalez (3-5) went five-plus innings, permitting five runs - four earned.

YANKEES 4, ROYALS 2


NEW YORK (AP) - Didi Gregorius, Brett Gardner and Chris Carter homered, and New York beat Jason Vargas again in defeating Kansas City.


A reversed call in the seventh inning kept the Yankees ahead and enabled Michael Pineda (5-2) to top Vargas for the second time in a week. The Royals, with the worst record in the AL, have lost five of seven.


Vargas (5-3) began the day with a 2.03 ERA, tied for second-best in the majors. But the lefty fell to 0-7 lifetime against the Yankees when he was tagged by Gardner and Gregorius, the only left-handed hitters in New York's lineup.


Dellin Betances pitched the ninth for his third save.

ASTROS 1, TIGERS 0


HOUSTON (AP) - Brad Peacock and three relievers combined on a one-hitter, and Jose Altuve provided the offense with an RBI double as Houston nipped Detroit.


Peacock was solid moving out of the bullpen to make a spot start for injured ace Dallas Keuchel. In his first start since September, Peacock allowed the lone hit and struck out eight in 4 1/3 innings. He was lifted after walking Tyler Collins in the fifth.


Chris Devenski (3-2) took over and pitched 2 2/3 innings before Will Harris worked the eighth. Ken Giles struck out two in the ninth for his 12th save, allowing the Astros to bounce back after being swept by Cleveland last weekend.


Houston struck early against Michael Fulmer (5-2) when George Springer drew a leadoff walk and scored on Altuve's one-out double in the first.

TWINS 14, ORIOLES 7


BALTIMORE (AP) - Max Kepler homered and drove in four runs, Miguel Sano and Jorge Polanco each had a career-high four hits and Minnesota roared back to beat Baltimore.


The Twins trailed 5-0 in the second inning and 6-2 entering the fifth before cranking up the offense against Ubaldo Jimenez and an ineffective Orioles bullpen. Tyler Wilson (2-2) gave up six runs in 1 1/3 innings.


A two-run double by Kepler helped the Twins knot the score in the fifth. Minnesota sent 11 batters to the plate in a six-run sixth, and Sano added a two-run homer in the ninth.


Joe Mauer had three hits, two RBIs and scored twice for the Twins, who reached season highs in runs and hits (21).


Adam Jones hit a three-run drive in the second off winner Kyle Gibson (1-4).

ROCKIES 8, PHILLIES 1


PHILADELPHIA (AP) - Jeff Hoffman struck out seven and tossed three-hit ball over seven innings to lead Colorado over Philadelphia.


Hoffman (2-0) also had his first big league hit and the National League-leading Rockies continued to cruise away from home. They are best in the majors with a 16-7 road record and are 5-2 on this 10-game trip, their longest of the season.


Nolan Arenado hit a two-run homer in a four-run ninth after the Rockies scored four times off Phillies starter Jerad Eickhoff (0-5). Charlie Blackmon had a two-run double.


REDS 5, INDIANS 1


CINCINNATI (AP) - Scott Feldman struck out a season-high nine while ending Cincinnati's long stretch of ineffective starts, and Scott Schebler homered for the third straight game in leading Cincinnati past Cleveland.


The Reds took the opener of the annual intrastate series. The teams play two games in Cincinnati followed by two in Cleveland. The Indians had won their last four at Great American Ball Park and six straight overall in the Ohio series.


Feldman (3-4) got the first victory by a Reds starter since May 9. He gave up four hits, including Jason Kipnis' homer, while becoming the first Cincinnati starter in the last 10 games to make it through six innings. The Reds' rotation is last in the NL in ERA and innings pitched.


Three relievers closed out a seven-hitter for Cincinnati's second victory in 10 games.


Schebler connected against Josh Tomlin (2-6) for his third homer in a span of seven at-bats. It's the first time he's homered in three consecutive games. Zack Cozart's two-run single in the seventh off Dan Otero put Cincinnati in control.

BRAVES 5, PIRATES 2


ATLANTA (AP) - Matt Adams hit a two-run homer in his second start since being traded to Atlanta, and Ender Inciarte had a career-high five hits as the Braves beat Gerrit Cole.


Brandon Phillips also homered for the Braves, who have won eight of 11.


Adams was acquired from St. Louis on Saturday as a fill-in for injured first baseman Freddie Freeman, expected to miss about 10 weeks with a broken left wrist. Adams had two hits, including his fifth-inning homer high into the right-field seats for a 5-1 lead.


David Freese and Pittsburgh manager Clint Hurdle were ejected by plate umpire Phil Cuzzi in the fourth.


Mike Foltynewicz (3-4) allowed two runs, one earned, in five-plus innings to win his third straight start. Jim Johnson got his ninth save.


Cole (2-5) gave up five runs and 10 hits in 4 2/3 innings. He had lasted at least six innings in eight straight starts and allowed no more than two earned runs in six consecutive starts.

ANGELS 3, RAYS 2


ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. (AP) - Jefry Marte scored the go-ahead run on a wild pitch in the seventh inning to help Los Angeles beat Tampa Bay.


The Angels, who have won six of eight, pushed across the decisive run without a hit against relievers Jumbo Diaz (0-3) and Ryne Stanek. After walking Mike Trout intentionally to load the bases with two outs, Stanek threw a ball in the dirt while facing Albert Pujols, allowing Marte to score easily.


Corey Dickerson and Logan Morrison homered off Angels starter J.C. Ramirez (4-3).


Dickerson's 12th home run, and sixth in six games, came on his 28th birthday. Morrison's 12th of the season was his seventh this month.


Bud Norris got four outs for his ninth save.

[StarDust Bum]

Tuesday’s six-pack


Some over/under win totals for college football this coming fall:


— Utah 6.5, over -$120


— Virginia Tech, 9


— Washington, 9.5


— Washington State 7.5, over -$125


— West Virginia 7, over -$120


— Wisconsin 9.5, over -$125


**********************************


Tuesday’s List of 13: Nobody asked me, but……..


13) Apparently there are severe political problems in Venezuela which are stressing out lot of the Venezuelan ballplayers playing in the major leagues here.


Chip Caray said on the Braves game last night there are over 90 players/coaches from Venezuela in professional baseball right now. If a ballplayer here speaks out against what is going on there, it can have severe repercussions for his family back home. Not a good situation.


12) So far, 631 college basketball players have announced the intent to transfer; 271 of them haven’t said where they’re going yet. Thats just about two transfers per Division I team.


11) According to people in Las Vegas who know about such things, when Celtics (+16) won Game 3 in Cleveland Sunday, it was the third biggest upset in ANY NBA game in the last 22 years, coming after a Nuggets (+17) upset of Washington in ’97 and the Lakers’ (+17) upset of Golden State last fall.


10) Gonzaga/Creighton signed to play a home/home series; sounds a made-for-TV deal, which is good for us, the viewing public. Good for Gonzaga’s strength of schedule, too. Creighton plays in the Big East, so their SOS doesn’t need the help.


9) No baseball team has ever started 12-24 or worse and rallied to make the playoffs.


8) Last fall, Cowboys owner Jerry Jones gave around 200 policemen in North Little Rock game tickets and transportation to Cowboys’ games in Dallas, as a way of thanking them for their service. Now all that has been ruled an ethics violation, for the cops accepting the gifts. Jones refused reimbursement; seems to me that all this lacks some common sense, but thats just me.


7) Monday was former major league pitcher Tommy John’s 74th birthday; the crafty lefty pitched 2,544 innings AFTER the revolutionary elbow surgery in 1963, that now bears his name.


6) Atlanta Hawks’ Paul Millsap is voiding the last year for his $21.4M contract and will become a free agent this summer. Millsap is 32 but still a highly productive player.


5) Braves 5, Pirates 2— Ender Inciarte had five hits for the Braves, first Atlanta player to do that since Jason Hayward four years ago.


Newly acquired Matt Adams homered for the Braves, making him the first person to homer for two different teams in brand new SunTrust Park— he homered for St Louis there earlier this season.


4) We talked a few days ago about Arizona’s Chris Iannetta getting hit by a pitch in the face, breaking his nose and a couple of teeth. Iannetta came off the 7-day DL Sunday and hit a homer in his first at-bat back, which can’t be an easy thing to do.


3) Warriors 129, Spurs 115— Took Kevin Durant’s advice and watched baseball instead. Golden State now awaits the Cavaliers in the NBA Finals, assuming Cleveland can put away an underdog Celtics team playing without its best player, Isaiah Thomas.


This was the last NBA game for Manu Ginobili, who had a great, great career.


2) Two drivers who will compete in the Indianapolis 500 this weekend were robbed at gunpoint of a drive-thru window at a Taco Bell in Indianapolis Sunday night. The crime was perpetrated by two kids, a 14 and 15-year old, at 9:40 pm. I have no idea what else to say about this.


1) Nashville 6, Anaheim 3— Predators are in the Stanley Cup final for the first time ever.

[StarDust Bum]

Tuesday’s games
National League


Rockies @ Phillies
Marquez is 2-0, 0.69 in his last two starts; his last four starts stayed under the total.


Eflin is 0-1, 6.88 in his last three starts; his last four starts went over.


Rockies won six of last eight games; over is 7-3 in their last ten road games. Phillies lost seven of last eight games; over is 9-4 in their last 13 games.


Pirates @ Braves
Glasnow is 1-2, 9.88 in his last three starts (over 6-1-1).


Teheran is 1-3, 8.55 in his last four starts; over is 4-1-1 in his last six.


Pirates won six of last nine games; under is 15-8-1 in their road games. Atlanta is 8-3 in its last 11 games; over is 7-3-1 in their last 11 home games.


Giants @ Cubs
Cueto is 0-2, 4.71 in his last three starts (over 6-2-1).


Hendricks is 2-1, 2.12 in his last five starts, four of which stayed under.


Giants won 10 of last 12 games; four of their last five games went over. Cubs won four of last six games; over is 15-1 in last sixteen games at Wrigley Field.

Padres @ Mets
Chacin is 2-3, 9.12 in five road starts, four of which went over total.


Harvey is 0-3, 9.00 in his last four starts (over 5-2-1).


San Diego lost five of its last six games; they’re 2-5 in road series openers. Over is 8-5-1 in their last 14 road games. Mets lost eight of last ten games, are 4-4 in home series openers. Over is 7-2-1 in their last ten games.

Cardinals @ Dodgers
Lynn is 4-1, 2.57 in his last six starts (over 6-2).


Kershaw is 6-1, 1.99 in his last seven starts; three of his last four starts went over.


St Louis lost four of last five games; they’re 2-3 in road series openers. Over is 9-1-1 in their last 11 road games. Los Angeles won six of last seven home games; they’re 5-2 in home series openers. Last five Dodger games went over the total.


——————————–


American League
Kansas City @ New York
Duffy is 1-1, 1.31 in his last three starts; under is 6-1 in his last seven outings.


Montgomery is 1-3, 5.34 in his last five starts (over 4-3).


Royals lost five of last seven games; over is 7-4 in their last 11 road games. New York lost three of last five games; over is 9-3 in their last 12 home games.

Twins @ Orioles
Santana is 1-2, 4.95 in his last three starts (under 4-2-3).


Bundy is 4-1, 3.05 in his last seven starts (under 5-4).


Twins are 10-2 in last 12 road games; over is 7-2 in their last nine road tilts. Baltimore won eight of last ten home games; over is 5-2-1 in their last eight games.


Angels @ Rays
Shoemaker is 2-0, 2.92 in his last two starts (over 5-4).


Cobb is 3-1, 2.96 in his last four starts; over is 5-2-1 in his last eight starts.


Angels won six of last eight games; four of their last six games went over total. Tampa Bay won four of last six games; over is 10-3-1 in their last 14 games.


Rangers @ Red Sox
Cashner is 1-2, 2.31 in his last six starts (under 5-1-1).


Porcello is 1-5, 5.44 in his last seven starts; over is 2-0-1 in his last three.


Texas won 11 of its last 12 games; they’re 3-4 in road series openers. Under is 5-3 in their last eight road games. Boston lost three of last four games; they’re 4-4 in home series openers. Over is 7-1 in last eight Red Sox fans.


Tigers @ Astros
Zimmerman is 3-2, 7.28 in his last seven starts, six of which went over.


McCullers is 2-0, 1.07 in his last four starts, all of which stayed under total.


Tigers lost three of last four games; under is 5-1 in their last six road games. Houston lost three of their last four games; under is 4-1 in their last five games.


__________________________


Interleague
Mariners @ Nationals
Bergman 1-1, 2.19 in two starts this year (under 2-0).


Ross is back from AAA; he is 1-0, 7.47 in three starts this year (over 3-0). Nationals scored 52 runs in the three games.


Mariners lost 8 of last 11 games, are 2-5 in road series openers. Over is 5-2 in their last seven games. Washington lost four of last five games; they’re 5-2 in home series openers. Over is 8-3 in Nationals’ last 11 home games.


Indians @ Reds
Carrasco is 3-1, 2.76 in his last five starts (under 7-1).


Garrett 1-3, 7.24 in his last five starts; over is 3-1 in his last four starts.


Indians won six of last nine road games; under is 14-2 in their last 16 road games. Reds lost eight of last ten games; seven of last eight Cincy games went over the total.


Blue Jays @ Brewers
Biagini is 1-1, 4.85 in three starts this year (over 3-0).


Nelson is 1-0, 1.72 in his last three starts; over is 4-2 in his last six starts.


Toronto lost five of last seven games; they’re 5-3 in road series openers. Over is 5-2 in their last seven games. Milwaukee won 10 of last 13 games, is 5-2 in home series openers. Over is 15-3 in last 18 games at Miller Park.

White Sox @ Diamondbacks
Covey is 0-2, 9.00 in his last four starts (over 3-2-2).


Corbin is 1-1, 9.00 in his last three starts; under is 3-1 in his last four starts.


White Sox won three of last four games; five of their last seven games went over the total. Arizona won six of its last seven games; under is 5-3-1 in their last nine home games.

Marlins @ A’s
Urena is 1-2, 2.55 in three starts this year (under 2-1).


Hahn is 0-2, 5.40 in his last four starts (under 4-3).


Miami is 3-15 in its last 18 games, 2-6 in road series openers. Over is 6-1 in their last seven road games. Oakland won three of last four games, is 4-3 in home series openers. Over is 8-3 in their last 11 home games.


______________________________


Record with this pitcher starting:
National League
SF-Chi: Cueto 6-3; Hendricks 4-4
Col-Phil: Marquez 2-3; Eflin 2-4
Pitt-Atl: Glasnow 5-3; Teheran 3-6
SD-NY: Chacin 4-5; Harvey 2-6
StL-LA: Lynn 5-3; Kershaw 7-2


American League
Min-Balt: Santana 6-3; Bundy 6-3
KC-NY: Duffy 4-5; Montgomery 3-4
LA-TB: Shoemaker 6-3; Cobb 4-5
Tex-Bos: Cashner 3-4; Porcello 4-5
Det-Hst: Zimmerman 4-4; McCullers 7-2


Interleague
Sea-Wsh: Bergman 1-1; Ross 3-0
Clev-Cin: Carrasco 6-2; Garrett 4-3
Tor-Mil: Biagini 2-1; Nelson 3-5
CWS-Az: Covey 3-4; Corbin 5-4
Mia-A’s: Urena 1-2; Hahn 2-5


Pitchers allowing a run in first inning:
National League
SF-Chi: Cueto 3-9; Hendricks 4-8
Col-Phil: Marquez 2-5; Eflin 5-6
Pitt-Atl: Glasnow 3-8; Teheran 4-9
SD-NY: Chacin 3-9; Harvey 4-8
StL-LA: Lynn 3-8; Kershaw 4-9


American League
Min-Balt: Santana 2-9; Bundy 1-9
KC-NY: Duffy 1-9; Montgomery 2-7
LA-TB: Shoemaker 6-9; Cobb 1-9
Tex-Bos: Cashner 2-7; Porcello 2-9
Det-Hst: Zimmerman 4-8; McCullers 1-9

Interleague
Sea-Wsh: Bergman 0-2; Ross 2-3
Clev-Cin: Carrasco 1-8; Garrett 3-7
Tor-Mil: Biagini 1-3; Nelson 2-8
CWS-Az: Covey 4-7; Corbin 5-9
Mia-A’s: Urena 1-3; Hahn 3-7


_________________________


Umpires
National League
SF-Chi: Over is 3-1-1 in last five Blaser games.
Col-Phil: Four of last five Conroy games stayed under.
Pitt-Atl: Underdogs are 7-4 in last eleven Lentz games.


American League
Min-Balt: Road team won four of last five Gibson games.
KC-NY: Under is 4-2 in Hudson games this season.
LA-TB: Three of last four West games went over total.
Det-Hst: Over is 6-4 in last ten Torres games.

Interleague
Clev-Cin: Home side won four of last five Fagan games.
CWS-Az: Six of last seven TBarrett games went over.


Interleague play
NL @ AL– 22-10 AL, favorites -$81
AL @ NL– 21-19 AL, favorites +$62
Total: 43-29 AL, favorites -$19

Totals in interleague games
NL @ AL: Over 15-17-1
AL @ NL: Over 26-15
Total: Over 41-32-1


Teams’ records in first five innings:


Team (road-home-total)- thru 5/22/17
Ariz 7-9-3……15-8–4…….22-17–7
Atl 9-11-3……8-9-2……..17-20–5
Cubs 9-11………..10-9-3……..19-20-3
Reds 4-12-2……12-11–2……..16-23-4
Colo 15-6-2…..11-10-2…….26-16–5
LA 9-11-2……15-6-2…….24-17-4
Miami 7-15-1…….8-9-3……..15-24-4
Milw 12-5-4…….11-10-2…….23-15-6
Mets 8-10-1……..9-12-2…….17-22-3
Philly 7-12-5………7-8-2…….14-20-7
Pitt 7-15-2…….10-8-3……..17-23-5
St. Louis 7-5-2……..14-6-5……..21-11-7
SD 5-14-4…….10-11–2…….15-25-6
SF 5-15-5……11-7-3………19-22-8
Wash 15-7-2……9-8-2………24-15-4


Orioles 10-10-2……….11-8-1……21-18-3
Boston 8-12-2………9-10-2……..17-22-4
White Sox 8-14-5……..8-7–1……..16-21-6
Cleveland 11-12-2……..6-11-1……..17-23-3
Detroit 9-10-2…….12-8-2……..21-18-4
Astros 8-8-5……..12-11-1……..20-19-6
KC 6-12-3…….13-8-2……..19-20-5
Angels 6-12-6……12-6-5………18-18-11
Twins 9-5-3………10-9-5………19-14-7
NYY 11-10-1……….12-8…..…….23-18-1
A’s 7-11-3……..9-9-5……..16-20-8
Seattle 6-12-5……..12-6-4……..18-18-9
TB 11-7-3……..17-6-3……..28-13-6
Texas 12-5-4……..11-8-5…….23-13-9
Toronto 7-16-1……..6-9-5……..13-25-6


%age of times teams score in first inning (road/home/total- 5/22/17)
Ariz 6-19……..9-27……….15
Atl 5-23……..5-19………..10
Cubs 4-21……..9-22………..13
Reds 4-18……..12-26………16
Colo 8-23……..8-23……….16
LA 7-22……..10-23..……17
Miami 7-23……..7-20……….14
Milw 8-21……..11-23………19
Mets 8-19……..12-23……….20
Philly 9-25……..4-17…………13
Pitt 6-24……..8-21…………14
StL 6-16……..7-25………..13
SD 11-23……6-23………..17
SF 4-28……..6-21………..10
Wash 8-24……..7-19……….15


Orioles 2-23……..6-20………..8
Boston 7-22……..5-21………..12
White Sox 7-27…….8-16………..15
Clev 6-25……..8-18………..14
Detroit 5-21……11-22………..16
Astros 7-21……..12-24……….19
KC 3-21……..4-23…………7
Angels 8-24…….5-23………..13
Twins 3-17……..7-24………10
NYY 6-22……..9-20……….15
A’s 3-21……..5-23……….8
Seattle 9-23…….10-22………19
TB 6-21……..14-26………20
Texas 8-21……..8-24………16
Toronto 8-24……..4-21………12

[StarDust Bum]

LEADING OFF: Cano comes off DL; Harvey returns home
May 22, 2017


A look at what's happening all around the majors Tuesday:

GUESS WHO'S BACK?


All-Star second baseman Robinson Cano is expected to come off the disabled list when Seattle begins an interleague series at NL East-leading Washington. Cano has been sidelined with a strained quadriceps. The Mariners, last in the AL West, have dropped three straight and seven of 10.


HOME SWEET HOME?


It will be interesting to see how Matt Harvey is received by Mets fans when the embattled pitcher makes his first start at Citi Field since serving a three-day suspension for skipping a game this month following a late night on the town. Harvey (2-3, 5.56 ERA) apologized and went 0-1 in two starts on the team's most recent road trip. He is 0-3 in his last six outings and hasn't won since April 11. This time, Harvey faces Jhoulys Chacin (4-3) and the struggling Padres.


REMEMBER WHEN


The Giants and Cubs continue their four-game set at Wrigley Field with a rematch of Game 1 in last year's NL Division Series. San Francisco right-hander Johnny Cueto and Chicago lefty Jon Lester got the 2016 series started with a terrific pitchers' duel. Cueto struck out 10 while throwing eight innings of three-hit ball. Lester allowed five hits in eight innings. The Cubs won 1-0 on Javier Baez's eighth-inning homer. Cueto was all set to pitch Game 5 at Wrigley Field, but the Cubs rallied for a series-clinching 6-5 win in Game 4 on the way to their first championship in 108 years. ''I'm telling you, man, Game 4 pretty much won the World Series, I thought, versus San Francisco,'' Cubs manager Joe Maddon said Monday. ''I did not want to see Mr. Cueto pitching back here again.''


ON A ROLL


Houston right-hander Lance McCullers Jr. (4-1, 2.65 ERA) tries to extend a stingy streak when he faces Miguel Cabrera, J.D. Martinez and the dangerous Tigers. McCullers has not allowed an earned run in his last three outings. Jordan Zimmermann (4-2, 6.25) pitches for Detroit.


ACES UP


Clayton Kershaw (7-2, 2.15 ERA) starts for the Dodgers against Lance Lynn (4-2, 2.78) and the Cardinals in Los Angeles. And there's a fine pitching matchup at Camden Yards, where Ervin Santana (6-2, 2.07 ERA) and the Twins face Baltimore right-hander Dylan Bundy (5-2, 2.97).


CHANGE OF PACE

Braves manager Brian Snitker thought it'd make sense to avoid having teams face hard-throwing right-handers Mike Foltynewicz and Julio Teheran in back-to-back games. The obvious remedy to that problem is 42-year-old knuckleballer R.A. Dickey, who will start on three days' rest against Pittsburgh. Teheran goes Wednesday. Dickey is 3-4 with a 6.20 ERA in eight career starts on three days' rest.

[StarDust Bum]

Tuesday's Diamond Notes
May 22, 2017


Hottest team: Brewers (10-3 last 13) vs. Blue Jays


Not many people would have predicted Milwaukee to be leading the NL Central towards the end of May. Milwaukee finished off a 4-2 road swing by splitting a two-game set with the Cubs, but the Brewers have gone 5-2-1 in the last eight series since April 26. Since losing the season opener to the Rockies, the Brewers are 5-1 in the past six Game 1’s of a series at Miller Park.


Milwaukee has already beaten Toronto twice this season at Rogers Center, as the Brewers host the Blue Jays for a two-game set at Miller Park. Jimmy Nelson takes the mound for Milwaukee in the series opener, as the Brewers have dropped three straight starts by the right-hander at home since beating the Cubs in early April.


Coldest team: Marlins (2-8 last 10) vs. Athletics


Miami limps into Oakland after dropping three of four to Los Angeles, while failing to win a series in its past eight attempts. Marlins’ pitching is getting knocked around during this cold spell by allowing at least six runs in six of the past seven games, while losing in each of the previous five series openers.


Interleague play hasn’t been kind to the Marlins by compiling a dreadful 2-8 record, but both victories came on the road at Seattle and Tampa Bay. Jose Urena makes his fourth start of the season for Miami, as the right-hander’s only win came on the highway against the Mets by tossing six scoreless innings of one-hit ball in a 7-0 victory earlier this month.


Hottest pitcher: Lance McCullers, Jr., Astros (4-1, 2.65 ERA)


The one-two punch of Dallas Keuchel and McCullers atop the Houston rotation is one of the best in baseball as the right-hander is unbeaten in four starts at Minute Maid Park. McCullers hasn’t allowed an earned run in his last three trips to the mound, while coming off road victories over the Marlins and Yankees his past two times out. The Astros continue their series with the Tigers after shutting out Detroit, 1-0 on Monday as McCullers is facing the Tigers for the first time since his rookie season of 2015.


Coldest pitcher: Matt Harvey, Mets (2-3, 5.56 ERA)


New York rebounded from a seven-game skid by picking up a series victory over the Angels this past weekend at home. However, Harvey is winless in his last six starts, while allowing 20 earned runs in his past four outings. Harvey owns a 1-2 record at Citi Field this season as the Mets open up a series with the struggling Padres. Harvey’s lone double-digit strikeout performance of 2016 came at San Diego last May as he struck out 10 Padres in a 4-3 victory.


Biggest OVER run: Rockies (6-2 last eight)


Colorado cashed its fourth straight OVER in Monday’s 8-1 blowout of Philadelphia, as the Rockies have plated at least six runs in each of these contests. The Rockies enter Tuesday’s action with a 5-2 mark to the OVER in Game 2’s on the road this season, while Phillies’ right-hander Zach Eflin has hit the OVER in five of six starts this season.


Biggest UNDER run: Tigers (7-3 last 10)


Detroit has been the model of inconsistency lately by scoring at least five runs in four of the last seven games. However, the Tigers have also been limited to a total of three runs in the past two games, while getting blanked at Houston on Monday. The UNDER run may change with Jordan Zimmermann taking the mound for the Tigers on Tuesday as Detroit has eclipsed the OVER in six of his last seven starts.


Matchup to watch: Rangers vs. Red Sox


Texas continues to play well following a series victory at Detroit over the weekend to extend its hot winning stretch to 11-1 the last 12 games. The Rangers will be tested again on their road swing at Fenway Park to face a Red Sox squad returning home from a 3-3 trip at St. Louis and Oakland.


The Sox avoided a four-game sweep to the Athletics by blowing out Oakland on Sunday, 12-3. Last season’s Cy Young winner Rick Porcello has slumped to a 2-5 record through nine starts after dropping only four decisions in 33 starts last season. Porcello is winless in his previous four home outings, while laying his biggest number of 2017 on Tuesday by opening up as a -200 favorite at several sports books.


Andrew Cashner counters for Texas as the journeyman right-hander has turned in four consecutive quality starts. Cashner has given up eight earned runs in his previous six starts, but the Rangers have posted an 0-3 record in his three outings away from Arlington. Texas and Boston split six meetings last season as the home team went 2-1 in each series.


Betcha didn’t know: The Giants knocked off the Cubs in the series opener at Wrigley Field on Monday. Johnny Cueto heads to the mound on Tuesday as the right-hander was winless in two starts against Chicago last season. However, the blame can’t be placed on Cueto as he tossed a combined 15 innings and allowed eight hits and two earned runs. But, the Giants lost the two games, 3-2 and 1-0 with the shutout coming in the National League Divisional Series to Jon Lester, who starts for the Cubs opposite Cueto.


Biggest public favorite: Dodgers (-260) vs. Cardinals


Biggest public underdog: Marlins (+105) at Athletics


Biggest line move: Yankees (-135 to -150) vs. Royals

[StarDust Bum]

May's MLB Picks
Overall Picks of the Day DOGS AND TOTALS ONLY )
Date W-L-T % Units Record


05/22/2017............. 8-5-1......... 61.54%......... +18.50
05/21/2017........... 12-8-2......... 60.00%.......... +19.50
05/20/2017........... 11-11-0........ 50.00%........... +5.00
05/19/2017........... 16-3-0......... 84.21%.......... +75.75
05/18/2017............4-11-1..........26.67%.............-37.75
05/17/2017........... 7-12-0......... 36.84%............ -28.25
05/16/2017............. 9-9-2......... 50.00%............. -1.75
05/12/2017........... 6-13-0......... 31.58%............ -38.75
05/11/2017............. 9-3-1......... 75.00%........... +29.75
05/10/2017............ 6-15-0......... 28.57%............ -45.25
05/09/2017............ 8-12-2......... 40.00%............ -19.75
05/08/2017............. 6-6-1.......... 50.00%............. -1.00
05/07/2017........... 10-10-1........ 50.00%.............. -0.75
05/06/2017........... 12-9-0.......... 57.14% ...........+13.75
05/05/2017........... 4-13-0.......... 23.53%............ -50.00
05/04/2017........... 7-11-0.......... 38.89%............ -22.50
05/03/2017.......... 11-12-0.......... 47.83%............. -5.00
05/02/2017.......... 11-11-0.......... 50.00%............. -1.50
05/01/2017.......... 9 -8 - 0.......... 52.94%........... +11.25


Totals.................164 - 182 .........47.39%.............- 77.25


Best Bets Daily: ( DOGS AND TOTALS ONLY )
Sides / Totals.


05/22/2017..........4 - 1..........80.00%.........+4.10........4 - 4.........50.00%........-0.40
05/21/2017..........3 - 4..........42.85%..........-0,70........9 - 4.........69.23%........+4.60
05/20/2017..........4 - 4..........50.00%.........+1.60........9 - 6.........60.00%........+0.40
05/19/2017..........7 - 1..........87.50%.........+8.35........9 - 2.........81.81%........+6.90
05/18/2017..........2 - 3..........40.00%..........-0.75........2 - 7.........22.22%.........-5.50
05/17/2017..........1 - 3..........25.00%..........-1.85........4 - 4.........50.00%.........-0.40
05/16/2017..........1 - 2..........33.00%..........-0.95........4 - 4.........50.00%.........-0.40
05/12/2017..........2 - 3..........40.00%..........-0.25........4 - 10........40.00%.........-7.20
05/11/2017..........1 - 2..........33.33%..........-0.95........4 - 1..........80.00%.........+2.90
05/10/2017..........3 - 7..........30.00%..........-3.75........3 - 8..........37.50%.........-5.80
05/09/2017..........3 - 4..........42.85%..........-0.10........8 - 6.........57.44%.........+1,40
05/08/2017..........0 - 4..........00.00%..........-4.00........6 - 2.........75.00%.........+3.28
05/07/2017..........4 - 4..........50.00%.........+0.45........7 - 6.........53.84%.........+0.40
05/06/2017..........1 - 5..........20.00%..........-3.85.......10 - 5........66.66%.........+4.50
05/05/2017..........0 - 3..........00.00%..........-3.00........4 - 9..........30.76%.........- 5.90
05/04/2017..........3 - 4..........42.85%..........-0.80........4 - 7..........36.36%.........- 3.70
05/03/2017..........3 - 5..........37.50%..........-1.40........8 - 6..........57.44%.........+2.40
05/02/2017..........2 - 5..........28.57%.........- 2.70........9 - 6..........60.00%.........+ 3.30
05/01/2017..........4 - 2..........66.66 %.......+ 3.85........5 - 5..........50.00%.........- 0.50


Totals...............48 - 66.........42.10%.........- 6.73......113 - 102.........52.55%........+ 10.12

[StarDust Bum]

Shrinking strike zone has been a boon for MLB Over bettors

Hitting a baseball is described as the hardest thing to do in sports, but over the last season or so – things appear to be getting easier for MLB hitters.

Scoring is up and, as a result, over bettors are cashing in handsomely. Entering play on Monday, the Over is 71-34-4 in the last eight days of major league action and 384-304-27 for the season. That equals a 67.6 percent win rate over the last eight days and 55.8 percent for the season.

And this isn’t just a handful of clubs distorting the totals. Of the 30 big league clubs, only eight teams have played more games resulting in unders than overs.

So why are there some many game scores larger than the betting totals?

As mentioned earlier, and not surprisingly given the link between game totals, scoring is up. In 2014, MLB games averaged 8.14 runs scored per game. This season teams are scoring 9.16 runs per game.

We already talked about how 2017 is on pace to top the all-time record for most home runs in a season.

The spike in home run rate has been so drastic that baseball writers are openly questioning whether or not the balls are being juiced.

Pitchers are having a tougher time right now getting hitters out. The average team WHIP (Walks + Hits per inning) is at the highest mark (1.33) since 2010, and team walks allowed per nine innings is at the highest mark (3.4) since 2009.

FIP (Field Independent Pitching), a statistic which measures the three outcomes completely in control of the pitcher (strikeout, walk and home run), is also at its highest league average (4.22) since 2009.

The reason for the increase in runs scored and over winning tickets might not be anything as nefarious as juiced balls. The biggest advantage hitters are getting at the dish could be a shrinking strike zone.

MLB’s competition committee agreed last year to raise the strike zone so that pitches below the knees would stop being called for strikes by umpires. The league proposed the change in February but the union did not agree to it.

Major League Baseball can change the strike zone without consent from the union but it would have to wait one year after the proposal before the rule change could come into effect.

The data tells us MLB umpires aren’t waiting.

Last season was the first time in six seasons when the strike zone didn’t increase according to Jon Roegele of Hardballtimes.com. Fangraphs took it a step further measuring called third strikes in the lower part of the strike zone and demonstrated that the total is in decline.

We’ll know more as the campaign progresses but for the time being over bettors should continue to enjoy a historical batting season until oddsmakers properly adjust to the rise in runs scored per game.

Here’s a quick rundown of the best over teams in baseball:

New York Mets

O/U record: 27-9-6
Over win rate: 75%

The starting pitching staff was supposed to be the strength of the club, but injuries to multiple starters – including Noah Syndergaard – have weaken the unit significantly. The Mets own the highest team ERA (5.14) in the majors.

Chicago Cubs

O/U record: 27-14-1
Over win rate: 65.8%

The imbalance of over/under record for the defending World Series champions boils down to three of its starting pitchers off to poor starts. The over is a combined 19-6-1 in games Jon Lester, Jake Arrieta and John Lackey take the hill.

Milwaukee Brewers

O/U record: 28-15-1
Over win rate: 65.1%

[StarDust Bum]

MLB
Dunkel

Tuesday, May 23


Miami @ Oakland

Game 979-980
May 23, 2017 @ 10:05 pm

Dunkel Rating:
Miami
(Urena) 12.852
Oakland
(Hahn) 14.727
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Oakland
by 2
6
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Oakland
-125
8 1/2
Dunkel Pick:
Oakland
(-125); Under

Chicago White Sox @ Arizona

Game 977-978
May 23, 2017 @ 9:40 pm

Dunkel Rating:
Chicago White Sox
(Covey) 15.955
Arizona
(Corbin) 14.839
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Chicago White Sox
by 1
13
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Arizona
-200
10 1/2
Dunkel Pick:
Chicago White Sox
(+170); Over

Toronto @ Milwaukee

Game 975-976
May 23, 2017 @ 7:40 pm

Dunkel Rating:
Toronto
(Biagini) 13.922
Milwaukee
(Nelson) 17.143
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Milwaukee
by 3
11
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Milwaukee
-115
9
Dunkel Pick:
Milwaukee
(-115); Over

Cleveland @ Cincinnati

Game 973-974
May 23, 2017 @ 7:10 pm

Dunkel Rating:
Cleveland
(Carrasco) 15.834
Cincinnati
(Garrett) 15.022
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Cleveland
by 1
9
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Cleveland
-170
8 1/2
Dunkel Pick:
Cleveland
(-180); Over

Seattle @ Washington

Game 971-972
May 23, 2017 @ 7:05 pm

Dunkel Rating:
Seattle
(Bergman) 13.568
Washington
(Ross) 12.156
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Seattle
by 1 1/2
7
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Seattle
No Line
N/A
Dunkel Pick:
Seattle
N/A

Detroit @ Houston

Game 969-970
May 23, 2017 @ 8:10 pm

Dunkel Rating:
Detroit
(Zmmrmnn) 17.302
Houston
(McCllers) 13.856
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Detroit
by 3 1/2
11
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Houston
-210
8 1/2
Dunkel Pick:
Detroit
(+180); Over

Texas @ Boston

Game 967-968
May 23, 2017 @ 7:10 pm

Dunkel Rating:
Texas
(Cashner) 16.069
Boston
(Porcello) 14.854
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Texas
by 1
11
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Boston
-200
9 1/2
Dunkel Pick:
Texas
(+170); Over

LA Angels @ Tampa Bay

Game 965-966
May 23, 2017 @ 7:10 pm

Dunkel Rating:
LA Angels
(Shmaker) 14.922
Tampa Bay
(Cobb) 16.499
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Tampa Bay
by 1 1/2
9
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Tampa Bay
-115
8
Dunkel Pick:
Tampa Bay
(-115); Over

Kansas City @ NY Yankees

Game 963-964
May 23, 2017 @ 7:05 pm

Dunkel Rating:
Kansas City
(Duffy) 16.790
NY Yankees
(Mntgmry) 14.201
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Kansas City
by 2 1/2
6
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
NY Yankees
-145
8 1/2
Dunkel Pick:
Kansas City
(+125); Under

Minnesota @ Baltimore

Game 961-962
May 23, 2017 @ 7:05 pm

Dunkel Rating:
Minnesota
(Santana) 16.446
Baltimore
(Bundy) 14.320
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Minnesota
by 2
6
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Baltimore
-125
9
Dunkel Pick:
Minnesota
(+105); Under

St. Louis @ LA Dodgers

Game 959-960
May 23, 2017 @ 10:10 pm

Dunkel Rating:
St. Louis
(Lynn) 14.706
LA Dodgers
(Kershaw) 16.575
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
LA Dodgers
by 2
8
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
LA Dodgers
-260
6 1/2
Dunkel Pick:
LA Dodgers
(-260); Over

San Diego @ NY Mets

Game 957-958
May 23, 2017 @ 7:10 pm

Dunkel Rating:
San Diego
(Chacin) 12.795
NY Mets
(Harvey) 14.364
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
NY Mets
by 1 1/2
11
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
NY Mets
-145
8
Dunkel Pick:
NY Mets
(-145); Over

Pittsburgh @ Atlanta

Game 955-956
May 23, 2017 @ 7:35 pm

Dunkel Rating:
Pittsburgh
(Glasnow) 15.887
Atlanta
(Dickey) 14.034
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Pittsburgh
by 2
10
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Atlanta
-115
9
Dunkel Pick:
Pittsburgh
(-105); Over

Colorado @ Philadelphia

Game 953-954
May 23, 2017 @ 7:05 pm

Dunkel Rating:
Colorado
(Marquez) 14.195
Philadelphia
(Eflin) 16.106
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Philadelphia
by 2
6
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Colorado
-130
8 1/2
Dunkel Pick:
Philadelphia
(+110); Under

San Francisco @ Chicago Cubs

Game 951-952
May 23, 2017 @ 7:05 pm

Dunkel Rating:
San Francisco
(Cueto) 15.410
Chicago Cubs
(Lester) 16.804
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Chicago Cubs
by 1 1/2
11
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Chicago Cubs
-155
No Total
Dunkel Pick:
Chicago Cubs
(-155); N/A

[StarDust Bum]

MLB
Long Sheet

Tuesday, May 23

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

SAN FRANCISCO (20 - 26) at CHICAGO CUBS (22 - 21) - 7:05 PM
JOHNNY CUETO (R) vs. JON LESTER (L)
Top Trends for this game.
LESTER is 50-12 (+27.5 Units) against the money line in home games when playing against a team with a losing record since 1997. (Team's Record)
SAN FRANCISCO is 32-17 (+18.1 Units) against the money line in May games over the last 2 seasons.
SAN FRANCISCO is 1146-979 (+100.7 Units) against the money line in night games since 1997.
SAN FRANCISCO is 792-791 (+40.2 Units) against the money line when playing against a team with a winning record since 1997.
CUETO is 29-13 (+13.0 Units) against the money line in all games over the last 2 seasons. (Team's Record)
CUETO is 34-16 (+17.1 Units) against the money line in May games since 1997. (Team's Record)
CUETO is 22-7 (+14.7 Units) against the money line in night games over the last 2 seasons. (Team's Record)
CHICAGO CUBS are 1621-1707 (-262.6 Units) against the money line in all games since 1997.
CHICAGO CUBS are 349-292 (-79.4 Units) against the money line as a home favorite of -125 to -175 since 1997.
CHICAGO CUBS are 867-798 (-156.6 Units) against the money line in home games since 1997.
CHICAGO CUBS are 229-269 (-70.6 Units) against the money line when playing on Tuesday since 1997.
CHICAGO CUBS are 15-17 (-10.5 Units) against the money line against right-handed starters this season.
CHICAGO CUBS are 783-748 (-158.7 Units) against the money line when playing against a team with a losing record since 1997.

Head-to-Head Series History
SAN FRANCISCO is 1-0 (+1.8 Units) against CHICAGO CUBS this season
0 of 0 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL this season . (Over=+0.0 Units)

JOHNNY CUETO vs. CHICAGO CUBS since 1997
CUETO is 9-9 when starting against CHICAGO CUBS with an ERA of 3.13 and a WHIP of 1.152.
His team's record is 12-13 (-2.1 units) in these starts. The OVER is 10-14. (-4.5 units)

JON LESTER vs. SAN FRANCISCO since 1997
LESTER is 5-1 when starting against SAN FRANCISCO with an ERA of 1.84 and a WHIP of 0.932.
His team's record is 5-1 (+3.5 units) in these starts. The OVER is 2-3. (-1.1 units)

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

COLORADO (29 - 17) at PHILADELPHIA (15 - 27) - 7:05 PM
GERMAN MARQUEZ (R) vs. ZACH EFLIN (R)
Top Trends for this game.
COLORADO is 112-199 (-63.5 Units) against the money line in road games in May games since 1997.
COLORADO is 434-683 (-131.2 Units) against the money line in road games in night games since 1997.
COLORADO is 29-17 (+14.8 Units) against the money line in all games this season.
COLORADO is 13-6 (+7.8 Units) against the money line on the road when the money line is +125 to -125 this season.
COLORADO is 16-7 (+11.2 Units) against the money line in road games this season.
COLORADO is 12-5 (+7.7 Units) against the money line in road games against right-handed starters this season.

Head-to-Head Series History
COLORADO is 1-0 (+1.1 Units) against PHILADELPHIA this season
1 of 1 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL this season . (Over=+1.0 Units)

GERMAN MARQUEZ vs. PHILADELPHIA since 1997
No recent starts.

ZACH EFLIN vs. COLORADO since 1997
EFLIN is 1-0 when starting against COLORADO with an ERA of 3.00 and a WHIP of 1.500.
His team's record is 1-0 (+1.9 units) in these starts. The OVER is 0-0. (+0.0 units)

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

PITTSBURGH (20 - 25) at ATLANTA (19 - 23) - 7:35 PM
TYLER GLASNOW (R) vs. R.A. DICKEY (R)
Top Trends for this game.
PITTSBURGH is 72-90 (-28.7 Units) against the money line against right-handed starters over the last 2 seasons.
ATLANTA is 42-43 (+13.8 Units) against the money line after a win over the last 2 seasons.
PITTSBURGH is 115-123 (+28.5 Units) against the money line in road games when playing on Tuesday since 1997.
ATLANTA is 26-48 (-20.0 Units) against the money line in home games in night games over the last 2 seasons.

Head-to-Head Series History
PITTSBURGH is 3-1 (+1.8 Units) against ATLANTA this season
3 of 4 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL this season . (Over=+2.0 Units)

TYLER GLASNOW vs. ATLANTA since 1997
No recent starts.

R.A. DICKEY vs. PITTSBURGH since 1997
DICKEY is 3-3 when starting against PITTSBURGH with an ERA of 3.49 and a WHIP of 1.182.
His team's record is 4-4 (+0.0 units) in these starts. The UNDER is 3-5. (-3.0 units)

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

SAN DIEGO (16 - 30) at NY METS (18 - 24) - 7:10 PM
JHOULYS CHACIN (R) vs. MATT HARVEY (R)
Top Trends for this game.
SAN DIEGO is 13-37 (-21.6 Units) against the money line in road games when playing against a team with a losing record over the last 2 seasons.
NY METS are 18-24 (-11.2 Units) against the money line in all games this season.
NY METS are 54-51 (-20.8 Units) against the money line in home games over the last 2 seasons.
NY METS are 40-38 (-19.7 Units) against the money line in home games against right-handed starters over the last 2 seasons.
NY METS are 8-15 (-9.8 Units) against the money line after a loss this season.
NY METS are 49-46 (-20.1 Units) against the money line when playing against a team with a losing record over the last 2 seasons.
HARVEY is 8-17 (-15.1 Units) against the money line in all games over the last 2 seasons. (Team's Record)
HARVEY is 5-11 (-9.7 Units) against the money line in night games over the last 2 seasons. (Team's Record)
HARVEY is 18-29 (-19.7 Units) against the money line after a loss since 1997. (Team's Record)

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

JHOULYS CHACIN vs. NY METS since 1997
CHACIN is 1-4 when starting against NY METS with an ERA of 4.98 and a WHIP of 1.543.
His team's record is 2-4 (-1.8 units) in these starts. The UNDER is 3-3. (-0.6 units)

MATT HARVEY vs. SAN DIEGO since 1997
HARVEY is 2-1 when starting against SAN DIEGO with an ERA of 3.38 and a WHIP of 1.000.
His team's record is 2-2 (-0.7 units) in these starts. The UNDER is 1-3. (-2.5 units)

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

ST LOUIS (22 - 19) at LA DODGERS (26 - 19) - 10:10 PM
LANCE LYNN (R) vs. CLAYTON KERSHAW (L)
Top Trends for this game.
ST LOUIS is 2-9 (-9.3 Units) against the money line when playing with a day off this season.
ST LOUIS is 58-39 (+22.3 Units) against the money line in road games over the last 2 seasons.
ST LOUIS is 14-4 (+10.8 Units) against the money line in road games in May games over the last 2 seasons.
ST LOUIS is 74-51 (+23.9 Units) against the money line in road games in night games over the last 3 seasons.
ST LOUIS is 35-20 (+16.0 Units) against the money line in road games after a win over the last 2 seasons.
ST LOUIS is 25-18 (+14.4 Units) against the money line in road games when playing against a team with a winning record over the last 2 seasons.
LA DODGERS are 122-96 (-10.3 Units) against the money line in all games over the last 2 seasons.
LA DODGERS are 19-27 (-19.5 Units) against the money line when playing with a day off over the last 3 seasons.
LA DODGERS are 85-74 (-19.4 Units) against the money line in night games over the last 2 seasons.
LA DODGERS are 63-57 (-13.7 Units) against the money line after a win over the last 2 seasons.

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

LANCE LYNN vs. LA DODGERS since 1997
LYNN is 4-1 when starting against LA DODGERS with an ERA of 4.04 and a WHIP of 1.536.
His team's record is 5-3 (+2.6 units) in these starts. The OVER is 2-6. (-4.8 units)

CLAYTON KERSHAW vs. ST LOUIS since 1997
KERSHAW is 6-9 when starting against ST LOUIS with an ERA of 3.87 and a WHIP of 1.225.
His team's record is 9-11 (-5.5 units) in these starts. The UNDER is 10-9. (+0.1 units)

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

MINNESOTA (23 - 18) at BALTIMORE (25 - 18) - 7:05 PM
ERVIN SANTANA (R) vs. DYLAN BUNDY (R)
Top Trends for this game.
MINNESOTA is 82-121 (-24.8 Units) against the money line in all games over the last 2 seasons.
MINNESOTA is 54-91 (-31.3 Units) against the money line against right-handed starters over the last 2 seasons.
SANTANA is 3-13 (-11.9 Units) against the money line when the total is 9 to 9.5 over the last 2 seasons. (Team's Record)
BALTIMORE is 114-92 (+21.4 Units) against the money line in all games over the last 2 seasons.
BALTIMORE is 59-41 (+16.2 Units) against the money line at home when the money line is +125 to -125 over the last 3 seasons.
BALTIMORE is 15-5 (+9.2 Units) against the money line in home games this season.
BALTIMORE is 20-11 (+9.1 Units) against the money line in night games this season.
BALTIMORE is 82-62 (+18.8 Units) against the money line against right-handed starters over the last 2 seasons.
BALTIMORE is 59-52 (+12.3 Units) against the money line when playing against a team with a winning record over the last 2 seasons.
MINNESOTA is 12-5 (+9.1 Units) against the money line in road games this season.
MINNESOTA is 15-5 (+11.0 Units) against the money line in night games this season.

Head-to-Head Series History
MINNESOTA is 1-0 (+1.3 Units) against BALTIMORE this season
1 of 1 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL this season . (Over=+1.0 Units)

ERVIN SANTANA vs. BALTIMORE since 1997
SANTANA is 4-5 when starting against BALTIMORE with an ERA of 4.87 and a WHIP of 1.300.
His team's record is 7-8 (-3.2 units) in these starts. The OVER is 5-9. (-4.4 units)

DYLAN BUNDY vs. MINNESOTA since 1997
No recent starts.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

KANSAS CITY (18 - 26) at NY YANKEES (26 - 16) - 7:05 PM
DANNY DUFFY (L) vs. JORDAN MONTGOMERY (L)
Top Trends for this game.
NY YANKEES are 62-39 (+17.3 Units) against the money line in home games over the last 2 seasons.
NY YANKEES are 41-22 (+14.6 Units) against the money line in home games in night games over the last 2 seasons.
NY YANKEES are 40-22 (+15.5 Units) against the money line in home games after a win over the last 2 seasons.
KANSAS CITY is 205-179 (+21.3 Units) against the money line in all games over the last 3 seasons.
NY YANKEES are 142-127 (-67.4 Units) against the money line in home games in May games since 1997.

Head-to-Head Series History
NY YANKEES is 3-1 (+1.9 Units) against KANSAS CITY this season
3 of 4 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL this season . (Under=+1.8 Units)

DANNY DUFFY vs. NY YANKEES since 1997
DUFFY is 2-2 when starting against NY YANKEES with an ERA of 5.88 and a WHIP of 1.500.
His team's record is 3-3 (+0.0 units) in these starts. The OVER is 3-3. (-0.4 units)

JORDAN MONTGOMERY vs. KANSAS CITY since 1997
MONTGOMERY is 0-1 when starting against KANSAS CITY with an ERA of 9.00 and a WHIP of 1.400.
His team's record is 0-1 (-1.2 units) in these starts. The UNDER is 1-0. (+1.1 units)

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

LA ANGELS (24 - 23) at TAMPA BAY (23 - 24) - 7:10 PM
MATT SHOEMAKER (R) vs. ALEX COBB (R)
Top Trends for this game.
LA ANGELS are 7-0 (+7.7 Units) against the money line when playing on Tuesday this season.
TAMPA BAY is 91-118 (-31.0 Units) against the money line in all games over the last 2 seasons.
TAMPA BAY is 50-57 (-16.2 Units) against the money line in home games over the last 2 seasons.
TAMPA BAY is 8-16 (-13.1 Units) against the money line in home games in May games over the last 2 seasons.
TAMPA BAY is 57-76 (-22.4 Units) against the money line in night games over the last 2 seasons.
TAMPA BAY is 47-70 (-20.8 Units) against the money line when playing against a team with a winning record over the last 2 seasons.

Head-to-Head Series History
LA ANGELS is 1-0 (+1.1 Units) against TAMPA BAY this season
1 of 1 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL this season . (Under=+1.0 Units)

MATT SHOEMAKER vs. TAMPA BAY since 1997
SHOEMAKER is 3-0 when starting against TAMPA BAY with an ERA of 2.60 and a WHIP of 1.096.
His team's record is 3-0 (+3.1 units) in these starts. The OVER is 3-0. (+3.0 units)

ALEX COBB vs. LA ANGELS since 1997
COBB is 1-1 when starting against LA ANGELS with an ERA of 7.08 and a WHIP of 1.722.
His team's record is 2-2 (+0.6 units) in these starts. The OVER is 2-2. (-0.1 units)

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

TEXAS (24 - 21) at BOSTON (22 - 21) - 7:10 PM
ANDREW CASHNER (R) vs. RICK PORCELLO (R)
Top Trends for this game.
TEXAS is 119-91 (+29.0 Units) against the money line in all games over the last 2 seasons.
TEXAS is 57-31 (+27.3 Units) against the money line when the total is 9 to 9.5 over the last 2 seasons.
TEXAS is 97-90 (+32.7 Units) against the money line in road games over the last 3 seasons.
TEXAS is 30-18 (+16.6 Units) against the money line in May games over the last 2 seasons.
TEXAS is 35-22 (+17.1 Units) against the money line when playing on Tuesday over the last 3 seasons.
TEXAS is 88-62 (+27.9 Units) against the money line in night games over the last 2 seasons.
TEXAS is 91-67 (+23.6 Units) against the money line against right-handed starters over the last 2 seasons.
TEXAS is 71-47 (+23.6 Units) against the money line after a win over the last 2 seasons.
TEXAS is 45-31 (+19.0 Units) against the money line when playing against a team with a winning record over the last 2 seasons.
BOSTON is 659-595 (-82.3 Units) against the money line when the total is 9 to 9.5 since 1997.
BOSTON is 354-282 (-47.4 Units) against the money line at home when the total is 9 to 9.5 since 1997.
BOSTON is 7-14 (-9.5 Units) against the money line after a win this season.
BOSTON is 41-48 (-21.7 Units) against the money line in home games when playing against a team with a winning record over the last 3 seasons.

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

ANDREW CASHNER vs. BOSTON since 1997
No recent starts.

RICK PORCELLO vs. TEXAS since 1997
PORCELLO is 5-4 when starting against TEXAS with an ERA of 5.50 and a WHIP of 1.689.
His team's record is 5-5 (-0.2 units) in these starts. The OVER is 6-4. (+1.8 units)

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

DETROIT (21 - 22) at HOUSTON (30 - 15) - 8:10 PM
JORDAN ZIMMERMANN (R) vs. LANCE MCCULLERS JR. (R)
Top Trends for this game.
DETROIT is 52-167 (-61.9 Units) against the money line as a road underdog of +175 to +250 since 1997.
HOUSTON is 30-15 (+11.1 Units) against the money line in all games this season.
HOUSTON is 30-6 (+18.5 Units) against the money line as a home favorite of -175 to -250 over the last 3 seasons.
HOUSTON is 24-10 (+12.1 Units) against the money line against right-handed starters this season.
DETROIT is 107-97 (+9.9 Units) against the money line in all games over the last 2 seasons.
DETROIT is 57-49 (+11.7 Units) against the money line when playing against a team with a winning record over the last 2 seasons.

Head-to-Head Series History
HOUSTON is 1-0 (+1.0 Units) against DETROIT this season
1 of 1 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL this season . (Under=+1.0 Units)

JORDAN ZIMMERMANN vs. HOUSTON since 1997
ZIMMERMANN is 2-2 when starting against HOUSTON with an ERA of 2.94 and a WHIP of 0.978.
His team's record is 3-2 (+0.5 units) in these starts. The UNDER is 4-1. (+2.8 units)

LANCE MCCULLERS JR. vs. DETROIT since 1997
MCCULLERS JR. is 1-0 when starting against DETROIT with an ERA of 3.00 and a WHIP of 1.167.
His team's record is 1-0 (+1.0 units) in these starts. The OVER is 0-1. (-1.1 units)

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

SEATTLE (20 - 25) at WASHINGTON (26 - 17) - 7:05 PM
CHRISTIAN BERGMAN (R) vs. JOE ROSS (R)
There are no Top Trends with records of significance that apply to this game.

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

CHRISTIAN BERGMAN vs. WASHINGTON since 1997
No recent starts.

JOE ROSS vs. SEATTLE since 1997
No recent starts.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

CLEVELAND (23 - 20) at CINCINNATI (21 - 23) - 7:10 PM
CARLOS CARRASCO (R) vs. AMIR GARRETT (L)
Top Trends for this game.
CLEVELAND is 70-35 (+24.0 Units) against the money line when the total is 8 to 8.5 over the last 2 seasons.
CLEVELAND is 37-20 (+15.3 Units) against the money line on the road when the total is 8 to 8.5 over the last 2 seasons.
CINCINNATI is 392-421 (-98.1 Units) against the money line in home games after a win since 1997.

Head-to-Head Series History
CINCINNATI is 1-0 (+1.2 Units) against CLEVELAND this season
1 of 1 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL this season . (Under=+1.0 Units)

CARLOS CARRASCO vs. CINCINNATI since 1997
CARRASCO is 2-0 when starting against CINCINNATI with an ERA of 3.50 and a WHIP of 1.000.
His team's record is 3-0 (+3.0 units) in these starts. The OVER is 3-0. (+3.1 units)

AMIR GARRETT vs. CLEVELAND since 1997
No recent starts.

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TORONTO (19 - 26) at MILWAUKEE (25 - 19) - 7:40 PM
JOE BIAGINI (R) vs. JIMMY NELSON (R)
Top Trends for this game.
TORONTO is 113-103 (-19.1 Units) against the money line in all games over the last 2 seasons.
TORONTO is 66-68 (-21.8 Units) against the money line in night games over the last 2 seasons.
MILWAUKEE is 25-19 (+10.8 Units) against the money line in all games this season.
MILWAUKEE is 35-25 (+12.4 Units) against the money line at home when the total is 9 to 9.5 over the last 2 seasons.
MILWAUKEE is 12-6 (+8.1 Units) against the money line in May games this season.
MILWAUKEE is 18-11 (+10.9 Units) against the money line in night games this season.
MILWAUKEE is 20-14 (+9.6 Units) against the money line against right-handed starters this season.
MILWAUKEE is 52-54 (+7.4 Units) against the money line after a loss over the last 2 seasons.

Head-to-Head Series History
MILWAUKEE is 2-0 (+3.7 Units) against TORONTO this season
2 of 2 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL this season . (Under=+2.0 Units)

JOE BIAGINI vs. MILWAUKEE since 1997
No recent starts.

JIMMY NELSON vs. TORONTO since 1997
NELSON is 0-1 when starting against TORONTO with an ERA of 6.35 and a WHIP of 1.940.
His team's record is 0-1 (-1.2 units) in these starts. The UNDER is 0-1. (-1.3 units)

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

CHI WHITE SOX (20 - 23) at ARIZONA (27 - 19) - 9:40 PM
DYLAN COVEY (R) vs. PAT CORBIN (L)
Top Trends for this game.
ARIZONA is 27-19 (+8.7 Units) against the money line in all games this season.
ARIZONA is 19-8 (+10.7 Units) against the money line in home games this season.
ARIZONA is 22-13 (+8.5 Units) against the money line in night games this season.
ARIZONA is 20-11 (+9.3 Units) against the money line against right-handed starters this season.
ARIZONA is 101-70 (+25.3 Units) against the money line when playing against a team with a losing record over the last 3 seasons.

Head-to-Head Series History
ARIZONA is 1-0 (+1.0 Units) against CHI WHITE SOX this season
1 of 1 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL this season . (Under=+1.0 Units)

DYLAN COVEY vs. ARIZONA since 1997
No recent starts.

PAT CORBIN vs. CHI WHITE SOX since 1997
No recent starts.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

MIAMI (15 - 28) at OAKLAND (20 - 24) - 10:05 PM
JOSE URENA (R) vs. JESSE HAHN (R)
Top Trends for this game.
MIAMI is 15-28 (-13.5 Units) against the money line in all games this season.
MIAMI is 4-16 (-12.6 Units) against the money line in May games this season.
MIAMI is 8-22 (-14.6 Units) against the money line in an inter-league game over the last 2 seasons.
MIAMI is 9-23 (-15.1 Units) against the money line in night games this season.
MIAMI is 11-23 (-13.7 Units) against the money line against right-handed starters this season.
URENA is 3-14 (-11.1 Units) against the money line in night games over the last 2 seasons. (Team's Record)
OAKLAND is 116-66 (+36.6 Units) against the money line in home games in an inter-league game since 1997.
OAKLAND is 157-211 (-47.1 Units) against the money line in all games over the last 3 seasons.
OAKLAND is 82-103 (-31.4 Units) against the money line in home games over the last 3 seasons.
OAKLAND is 11-25 (-14.8 Units) against the money line when playing with a day off over the last 3 seasons.
OAKLAND is 52-69 (-25.5 Units) against the money line in home games against right-handed starters over the last 3 seasons.
OAKLAND is 50-64 (-28.8 Units) against the money line in home games after allowing 10 runs or more since 1997.
OAKLAND is 44-72 (-22.7 Units) against the money line after a loss over the last 2 seasons.
OAKLAND is 63-89 (-28.0 Units) against the money line when playing against a team with a losing record over the last 3 seasons.

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

JOSE URENA vs. OAKLAND since 1997
No recent starts.

JESSE HAHN vs. MIAMI since 1997
No recent starts.

[StarDust Bum]

MLB

Tuesday, May 23

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Trend Report
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

7:05 PM
COLORADO vs. PHILADELPHIA
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Colorado's last 5 games when playing Philadelphia
Colorado is 8-17 SU in its last 25 games when playing on the road against Philadelphia
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Philadelphia's last 5 games when playing at home against Colorado
Philadelphia is 17-8 SU in its last 25 games when playing at home against Colorado

7:05 PM
KANSAS CITY vs. NY YANKEES
Kansas City is 1-5 SU in their last 6 games when playing NY Yankees
The total has gone OVER in 8 of Kansas City's last 11 games when playing NY Yankees
The total has gone OVER in 9 of NY Yankees's last 12 games at home
The total has gone OVER in 4 of NY Yankees's last 5 games when playing at home against Kansas City

7:05 PM
SEATTLE vs. WASHINGTON
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Seattle's last 5 games when playing on the road against Washington
Seattle is 3-8 SU in its last 11 games
Washington is 5-1 SU in its last 6 games at home
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Washington's last 5 games when playing at home against Seattle

7:05 PM
MINNESOTA vs. BALTIMORE
Minnesota is 6-3 SU in its last 9 games when playing on the road against Baltimore
The total has gone UNDER in 7 of Minnesota's last 10 games when playing Baltimore
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Baltimore's last 6 games at home
Baltimore is 5-2 SU in its last 7 games when playing Minnesota

7:05 PM
SAN FRANCISCO vs. CHI CUBS
San Francisco is 8-15 SU in its last 23 games on the road
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of San Francisco's last 6 games when playing on the road against Chi Cubs
Chi Cubs are 4-2 SU in their last 6 games
Chi Cubs are 4-2 SU in their last 6 games when playing San Francisco

7:10 PM
TEXAS vs. BOSTON
Texas is 6-3 SU in its last 9 games when playing Boston
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Texas's last 7 games when playing on the road against Boston
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Boston's last 7 games when playing at home against Texas
The total has gone OVER in 8 of Boston's last 9 games

7:10 PM
CLEVELAND vs. CINCINNATI
The total has gone OVER in 6 of Cleveland's last 7 games when playing Cincinnati
Cleveland is 4-2 SU in its last 6 games on the road
Cincinnati is 8-3 SU in its last 11 games at home
Cincinnati is 1-6 SU in its last 7 games when playing Cleveland

7:10 PM
LA ANGELS vs. TAMPA BAY
The total has gone UNDER in 6 of LA Angels's last 8 games when playing Tampa Bay
LA Angels are 3-6 SU in their last 9 games on the road
Tampa Bay is 4-2 SU in its last 6 games
The total has gone OVER in 8 of Tampa Bay's last 10 games

7:10 PM
SAN DIEGO vs. NY METS
San Diego is 1-4 SU in its last 5 games when playing NY Mets
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of San Diego's last 6 games when playing NY Mets
NY Mets are 10-5 SU in its last 15 games when playing at home against San Diego
The total has gone OVER in 17 of NY Mets's last 24 games

7:35 PM
PITTSBURGH vs. ATLANTA
Pittsburgh is 2-8 SU in its last 10 games on the road
The total has gone OVER in 6 of Pittsburgh's last 9 games when playing on the road against Atlanta
The total has gone OVER in 8 of Atlanta's last 12 games at home
Atlanta is 4-2 SU in its last 6 games when playing at home against Pittsburgh

7:40 PM
TORONTO vs. MILWAUKEE
Toronto is 2-6 SU in its last 8 games when playing on the road against Milwaukee
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Toronto's last 7 games
Milwaukee is 6-1 SU in its last 7 games at home
Milwaukee is 6-2 SU in its last 8 games when playing at home against Toronto

8:10 PM
DETROIT vs. HOUSTON
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Detroit's last 7 games when playing on the road against Houston
Detroit is 1-4 SU in its last 5 games when playing on the road against Houston
Houston is 10-5 SU in its last 15 games at home
Houston is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games when playing at home against Detroit

9:40 PM
CHI WHITE SOX vs. ARIZONA
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Chi White Sox's last 7 games
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Chi White Sox's last 7 games on the road
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Arizona's last 7 games when playing Chi White Sox
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Arizona's last 5 games when playing at home against Chi White Sox

10:05 PM
MIAMI vs. OAKLAND
Miami is 1-6 SU in its last 7 games
Miami is 2-5 SU in its last 7 games when playing Oakland
The total has gone OVER in 7 of Oakland's last 9 games
Oakland is 5-2 SU in its last 7 games when playing Miami

10:10 PM
ST. LOUIS vs. LA DODGERS
St. Louis is 2-4 SU in their last 6 games when playing LA Dodgers
The total has gone OVER in 4 of St. Louis's last 6 games when playing LA Dodgers
LA Dodgers are 4-2 SU in their last 6 games when playing St. Louis
The total has gone UNDER in 11 of LA Dodgers's last 16 games when playing St. Louis

[StarDust Bum]

TUESDAY, MAY 23

GAME TIME(ET) PICK UNITS

MIN at BAL 07:05 PM

O 9.0

COL at PHI 07:05 PM

PHI +120

O 8.5

SF at CHC 07:05 PM

SF +150

O 7.0

SEA at WAS 07:05 PM

SEA +130

U 9.0

KC at NYY 07:05 PM

KC +130

U 8.5

CLE at CIN 07:10 PM

O 8.5

LAA at TB 07:10 PM

O 8.5

TEX at BOS 07:10 PM

TEX +167

U 9.0

SD at NYM 07:10 PM

SD +110

O 8.0

PIT at ATL 07:35 PM

U 9.5

TOR at MIL 07:40 PM

U 9.0

DET at HOU 08:10 PM

DET +200

CHW at ARI 09:40 PM

CHW +165

O 11.0

MIA at OAK 10:05 PM

MIA +115

O 8.5

STL at LAD 10:10 PM

STL +205

O 7.0

[StarDust Bum]

Wednesday’s six-pack

Some over/under win totals for college football this coming fall:

— Miami, 8.5, under -$120

— Louisville 9, over -$120

— Kentucky 6, over -$130

— TCU 7, over -$125

— Tennessee 7.5, under -$130

— Texas 7.5, under -$120

*************************************

Wednesday’s List of 13: Mid-week musings……..

13) Washington Nationals are only current division leader in the major leagues who were in the playoffs last season. Lot of upheaval early this year.

12) Why would you catch a home run at a big league ballgame and throw it back on the field? That bothers me every time I see it; you catch a home run, keep the damn thing or give it to a little kid.

Speaking of home runs, Cincinnati’s Amir Garrett has allowed 10 homers in his last 25.1 IP, which is not good.

11) Nationals 10, Mariners 1— From Justin Havens on Twitter: Seattle’s Christian Bergman is the first big league pitcher since 1950 to allow 14+ hits, 10+ runs in a game, without striking anyone out. Much of the damage against Bergman came during a very steady rain, but still, hard to believe he isn’t on his way back to AAA as you read this.

10) Xavier got great news Tuesday; star guard Trevon Bluiett will be back with the Musketeers this winter; decisions like this turn teams from marginal contenders to top 25 teams, with an outside shot to make the Final Four.

9) Mets 9, Padres 3— For the third time in their last four games, San Diego’s starting pitcher allowed 5+ runs in the first inning. Hell of a job GM AJ Preller is doing— he went to Cornell, so of course he is qualified to run a major league baseball team.

Meanwhile the manager Preller fired in San Diego two years ago, Bud Black, has the Colorado Rockies in first place. Black went to San Diego State.

8) Baseball oddity last night: Michael Conforto is the first Met leadoff hitter EVER to drive in three runs in the first inning of a game.

Conforto homered to lead off the game, then when the Mets batted around, he knocked in two more runs in his next AB.

7) SLS Hotel/Casino was sold this week to the owners of the Grand Sierra in Reno. SLS has the smallest hotel room I’ve ever seen— I was laughing when I first checked in at how small it was, but SLS is a cool place with lot of good food choices. Not much of a sportsbook, though.

6) If you see the Progressive Insurance commercial where the guys are in a man cave watching football, the game on that TV is from the USFL around 30 years ago— Jm Kelly playing for the Houston Gamblers, against the Memphis Showboats (I think it is Memphis).

If companies use NFL highlights for commercials, they have to pay for them. Old USFL footage is apparently free, even though Donald Trump owned one of the teams (NJ Generals).

5) Over the last seven years, Oregon’s basketball team is 33-15 against the spread when getting points in a conference game— Vanderbilt is 27-13-1 over the last four years as an SEC underdog.

4) Since joining the WCC, BYU is 2-11 against the spread in WCC tournament games; 2-6 when a favorite, 0-5 when an underdog.

3) Odd fact of the day: 18% of the world’s milk comes from India, making India the largest supplier of milk/butter in the world. They said it on Pawn Stars; it must be true.

2) Cavaliers 112, Celtics 99— Cleveland leads this series 3-1.

1) Bad news for my right thumb; Odell Beckham Jr got a huge deal with Nike this week, meaning there will be a flood of commercials with the Giants’ WR this season and in coming years, which means increased use of the mute button on my remote and/or simply changing channels.

[StarDust Bum]

Wednesday’s games
National League

Rockies @ Phillies
Chatwood is 1-4, 6.07 in his last five starts; his last three starts stayed under.

Hellickson is 1-1, 6.60 in his last three road starts (under 6-2-1).

Rockies won seven of last nine games; over is 8-3 in their last 11 road games. Phillies lost eight of last nine games; over is 10-4 in their last 14 games.

Pirates @ Braves
Williams is 1-1, 3.38 in his last two starts (over 1-1-1).

Teheran is 1-3, 8.55 in his last four starts; over is 4-1-1 in his last six.

Pirates lost six of last eight road games; over is 5-3–1 in their last nine games. Atlanta is 9-3 in its last 12 games; over is 8-3-1 in their last 12 home games.

Giants @ Cubs
Moore is 1-0, 2.71 in his last three starts; over is 4-0-1 in his road starts.

Hendricks is 2-1, 2.12 in his last five starts, four of which stayed under.

Giants won 10 of last 13 games; four of their last six games went over. Cubs won five of last seven games; over is 15-2 in last 17 games at Wrigley Field.

Padres @ Mets
Cosart is 0-1, 2.84 in three starts (12.2 IP) this year (under 2-1).

Gsellman is 2-2, 10.00 in his last four starts (over 7-0).

San Diego lost six of its last seven games; over is 9-5-1 in their last 15 road games. Mets lost eight of last eleven games; over is 8-2-1 in their last eleven games.

Cardinals @ Dodgers
Leake is 4-2, 2.01 in eight starts this year; over is 3-1-1 in his last five starts.

Hill is 1-1, 2.77 in three starts (13 IP) this season (under 3-0).

St Louis lost five of last six games; over is 9-2-1 in their last 12 road games. Los Angeles won seven of last eight home games; five of last six Dodger games went over the total.

——————————–

American League
Kansas City @ New York
Hammel is 1-4, 7.56 in his last five starts; over is 3-1 in his last four.

Severino 0-1, 4.50 in his last four starts, all of which went over the total.

Royals lost five of last eight games; under is 8-4 in their last 12 games. New York lost four of last six games; over is 9-4 in their last 13 home games.

Twins @ Orioles
Berrios is 2-0, 0.61 in two starts this month (under 2-0).

Tillman is 1-0, 3.52 in three starts this season (under 3-0).

Twins are 11-2 in last 13 road games; over is 8-2 in their last ten road tilts. Baltimore won eight of last 11 home games; over is 5-3-1 in their last nine games.

Angels @ Rays
Nolasco is 0-1, 4.24 in his last four starts; under is 5-1 in his last six starts.

Ramirez is 1-0, 2.61 in two starts this season (over 2-0).

Angels won seven of last nine games; under is 7-4 in their last 11 games. Tampa Bay lost its last three games; over is 10-4-1 in their last 15 games.

Rangers @ Red Sox
Perez is 1-0, 2.70 in his last two starts (under 6-3).

Sale is 3-0, 3.54 in his last four starts- under is 7-1 in his last eight outings.

Texas won 11 of its last 13 games; over is 6-3 in their last nine games. Boston lost three of last five games; over is 8-1 in last nine Red Sox games.

Tigers @ Astros
Norris is 0-1, 6.75 in his last three starts; under is 3-1 in his last four.

Morton is 4-1, 4.85 in his last five starts; over is 5-1 in his last six.

Tigers lost four of last five games; under is 6-1 in their last seven road games. Houston lost three of their last five games; under is 5-1 in their last six games.

__________________________

Interleague
Mariners @ Nationals
Gaviglio blanked the White Sox for five innings in his first MLB start.

Roark is 0-2, 7.06 in his last four starts (over 7-1-1).

Mariners lost nine of last 12 games; over is 6-2 in their last eight games. Washington lost four of last six games; over is 9-3 in Nationals’ last 12 home games.

Reds @ Indians
Bonilla is 0-2, 6.08 in two starts this year (over 1-1).

Bauer is 2-2, 7.17 in his last four starts, three of which stayed under.

Indians won seven of last ten road games; over is 4-0 in their last four home games. Reds lost nine of last 11 games; eight of last nine Cincy games went over the total.

Blue Jays @ Brewers
Stroman is 2-0, 1.02 in his last three starts; over is 4-1 in his last five outings.

Garza is 1-0, 1.87 in his last three starts; three of his last four starts stayed under.

Toronto lost five of last eight games; under is 3-1 in their last four games. Milwaukee won 10 of last 14 games; over is 15-4 in last 19 games at Miller Park.

White Sox @ Diamondbacks
Quintana is 1-1, 2.57 in his last four starts; under is 7-1 in his last eight starts.

Delgado is making his first ’17 start; he’s started 48 MLB games, 36 of them in 2012-13- this is his first start in two years. He is 1-0, 4.05 in 15 relief stints (26.2 IP) this year.

White Sox won three of last four games; five of their last seven games went over the total. Arizona won six of its last seven games; under is 5-3-1 in their last nine home games.

Marlins @ A’s
Volquez is 0-5, 6.12 in his last five starts (under 5-2-1).

Gray is 1-1, 5.16 in four starts this year (over 4-0).

Miami is 3-15 in its last 18 games; over is 6-1 in their last seven road games. Oakland won three of last four games; over is 8-3 in their last 11 home games.

______________________________

Record with this pitcher starting:
National League
SF-Chi: Moore 3-6; Hendricks 4-4
Col-Phil: Chatwood 3-6; Hellickson 8-1
Pitt-Atl: Williams 1-2; Teheran 3-6
SD-NY: Cosart 1-2; Gsellman 4-3
StL-LA: Leake 4-4; Hill 1-2

American League
Min-Balt: Berrios 2-0; Tillman 2-1
KC-NY: Hammel 1-7; Severino 4-4
LA-TB: Nolasco 3-6; Ramirez 2-0
Tex-Bos: Perez 3-6; Sale 6-3
Det-Hst: Norris 3-5; Morton 6-3

Interleague
Sea-Wsh: Gaviglio 1-0; Roark 5-4
Cin-Clev: Bonilla 2-2; Bauer 4-4
Tor-Mil: Stroman 5-4; Garza 4-1
CWS-Az: Quintana 4-5; Delgado 0-0
Mia-A’s: Volquez 1-7; Gray 2-2

Pitchers allowing a run in first inning:
National League
SF-Chi: Moore 3-9; Hendricks 4-8
Col-Phil: Chatwood 1-9; Hellickson 4-9 (4 of last 4)
Pitt-Atl: Williams 1-3; Teheran 4-9
SD-NY: Cosart 0-3; Gsellman 5-7
StL-LA: Leake 1-8; Hill 0-3

American League
Min-Balt: Berrios 0-2; Tillman 0-3
KC-NY: Hammel 1-8; Severino 2-8
LA-TB: Nolasco 4-9; Ramirez 2-2
Tex-Bos: Perez 4-9; Sale 0-9
Det-Hst: Norris 1-8; Morton 1-9

Interleague
Sea-Wsh: Gaviglio 0-1; Roark 4-9
Cin-Clev: Bonilla 2-2; Bauer 2-8
Tor-Mil: Stroman 1-9; Garza 1-5
CWS-Az: Quintana 2-9; Delgado 0-0
Mia-A’s: Volquez 4-8; Gray 1-4

_________________________

Umpires
National League
SF-Chi: Last four Nelson games went over the total.
Col-Phil: Over is 4-1-1 in last six Woodring games.
Pitt-Atl: Under is 4-2 in last six Carapazza games.
SD-NY: Over is 5-2 in last seven Everitt games
StL-LA: Three of last four Drake games stayed under.

American League
Min-Balt: Last four LBarrett games stayed under.
KC-NY: Underdogs are 4-4 (+$125) in Layne games this year.
LA-TB: Under is 4-2-1 in last seven Wendelstedt games.
Tex-Bos: Six of last seven Marquez games went over.
Det-Hst: Three of last four Hoye games went over total.

Interleague
Sea-Wsh: Under is 4-1-1 in Tichenor games this year.
Clev-Cin: Underdogs won four of last six Kellogg games.
Tor-Mil: Five of last six Winters games went over.
CWS-Az: Over is 6-2 in Hernandez games this season.
Mia-A’s: Over is 4-2 in Iassogna games this season.

Interleague play
NL @ AL– 23-10 AL, favorites +$19
AL @ NL– 23-21 AL, favorites +$247
Total: 46-31 AL, favorites +$266

Totals in interleague games
NL @ AL: Over 16-17-1
AL @ NL: Over 28-17
Total: Over 44-34-1

Teams’ records in first five innings:
Team (road-home-total)- thru 5/23/17
Ariz 7-9-3……16-8–4…….23-17–7
Atl 9-11-3……8-10-2……..17-21–5
Cubs 9-11………..11-9-3……..20-20-3
Reds 4-12-2……12-12–2……16-24-4
Colo 16-6-2…..11-10-2…….27-16–5
LA 9-11-2……16-6-2…….25-17-4
Miami 8-15-1…….8-9-3……..16-24-4
Milw 12-5-4…….11-11-2…….23-16-6
Mets 8-10-1……..10-12-2……18-22-3
Philly 7-12-5………7-9-2…….14-21-7
Pitt 8-15-2…….10-8-3…….18-23-5
St. Louis 7-6-2……..14-6-5……..21-12-7
SD 5-15-4…….10-11–2…….15-26-6
SF 5-16-5……11-7-3………19-23-8
Wash 15-7-2……10-8-2………25-15-4

Orioles 10-10-2……..11-9-1………21-19-3
Boston 8-12-2………10-10-2……..18-22-4
White Sox 8-15-5……..8-7–1……..16-22-6
Cleveland 12-12-2……..6-11-1……..18-23-3
Detroit 9-11-2…….12-8-2……..21-19-4
Astros 8-8-5……..13-11-1……..21-19-6
KC 6-13-3…….13-8-2……..19-21-5
Angels 7-12-6……12-6-5………19-18-11
Twins 10-5-3………10-9-5……20-14-7
NYY 11-10-1……….13-8…..…….24-18-1
A’s 7-11-3……..9-10-5……..16-21-8
Seattle 6-13-5……..12-6-4……..18-19-9
TB 11-7-3……..17-7-3……..28-14-6
Texas 12-6-4……..11-8-5…….23-14-9
Toronto 8-16-1……..6-9-5……..14-25-6

%age of times teams score in first inning (road/home/total- 5/23/17)
Ariz 6-19……..10-28……….16
Atl 5-23……..5-20………..10
Cubs 4-21……..10-23………..14
Reds 4-18……..13-27………17
Colo 8-24……..8-23……….16
LA 7-22……..11-24..…….18
Miami 8-24……..7-20……….15
Milw 8-21……..11-24………19
Mets 8-19……..13-24……….21
Philly 9-25……..4-18…………13
Pitt 7-25……..8-21…………15
StL 6-17……..7-25………..13
SD 11-24……6-23………..17
SF 4-29……..6-21………..10
Wash 8-24……..7-20……….15

Orioles 2-23……..6-21………..8
Boston 7-22……..5-22………..12
White Sox 7-28…….8-16………..15
Clev 7-26……..8-18……….15
Detroit 5-22……11-22………..16
Astros 7-21……..12-25……….19
KC 3-22……..4-23…………7
Angels 9-25…….5-23………..14
Twins 3-18……..7-24………10
NYY 6-22……..9-21……….15
A’s 3-21……..5-24……….8
Seattle 9-24…….10-22………19
TB 6-21……..14-27………20
Texas 8-22……..8-24………16
Toronto 8-25……..4-21………12