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

[StarDust Bum]

It no longer counts: All-Star result won't matter in October
July 12, 2017

MIAMI (AP) The new All-Star Game rules were picture-perfect for Nelson Cruz.

Yadier Molina didn't mind them, either.

And come Game 1 of the World Series in October, no one will be harkening back to how a play here or there at the Midsummer Classic might have ultimately played a role in deciding baseball's champion for 2017.

World Series home-field advantage is now decided by winning percentage and no longer by the result of the All-Star Game - and not coincidentally there were no shortage of hijinks at Marlins Park on Tuesday night. Cruz got a photo with plate umpire Joe West before an at-bat, Molina was high-fiving opponents after a home run and someone stuck a used piece of chewing gum on the hat of unsuspecting American League manager Brad Mills.

''I tried to do it in 2013 but I couldn't do it,'' said Cruz, who planned the stunt pregame. ''This time, if I had to take a picture with someone it was Joe West. He's the legend.''

The AL beat the NL 2-1 in 10 innings.

Odds are, the shenanigans like what Cruz pulled off will be remembered a lot longer than that score.

''That was one of the best moments in the game,'' said Robinson Cano - whose homer in the 10th inning gave the AL the win, exactly 50 years to the day after Tony Perez hit what had been the last extra-inning home run in All-Star history.

Cruz walked to the plate with his phone - ringer on silent - in his back pocket. He wanted to take a selfie with West, but his batting gloves made maneuvering the buttons impossible. So he handed the phone to Molina, the NL catcher who was wondering what was happening before he agreed to take the photo.

The loquacious West, who recently worked his 5,000th game and is nicknamed ''Cowboy Joe'' for singing country songs, also was caught off-guard.

''I've never seen that before - ever,'' he told The Associated Press. ''That's the first time I ever think I've been speechless on a field.''

Said NL manager Joe Maddon of the reigning World Series champion Chicago Cubs, after Cruz's phone gag: ''I would bet if the game had counted, he would not have done that, yes.''

It wasn't all fun and games.

Washington's Bryce Harper lost his hat as he sprinted for a sprawling, spectacular catch in right field. Yankees catcher Gary Sanchez gave up his body a couple times late to keep pitches that could have cost the AL the game in front of him.

AL starter Chris Sale of the Red Sox, according to Statcast, got one pitch up to 99.5 mph for his hardest toss of 2017. NL starter Max Scherzer also came out letting it fly.

''I don't need anything on the line,'' Scherzer said. ''I don't need home-field advantage. I want to go out there and have success against them.''

Despite the motto - ''This time it counts'' - that MLB attached when the correlation between the All-Star result and home field for the World Series began in 2003, it's unclear how much the whole thing counted. Former Commissioner Bud Selig put in the rule as part of the response to the 7-7 tie that was widely criticized in 2002.

There's no absolute conclusion to draw from these numbers:

- Out of the 14 years, nine teams with home-field advantage won the World Series.

- But in 10 of those years, the team with the better regular-season record had the home-field edge anyway.

- And home teams went 1-2 in Game 7s of the World Series under those rules, St. Louis beating Texas in 2011, Kansas City losing to San Francisco in 2014 and Cleveland losing to the Cubs last year.

The Cubs' Wade Davis, who was an AL All-Star in 2015 and 2016 before becoming one for the NL this year, said Royals manager Ned Yost reminded players in 2015 how much home-field will matter to someone from their league come October. And those words came in the season after Yost and the Royals lost a title-deciding Game 7 at home to the Giants.

''I don't know what the right way to do it is,'' Davis said. ''I'm not sure. I mean, I guess you're flipping a coin either way. I thought it was kind of cool. Ned gave a pretty cool speech a couple years ago about winning the game and how it would benefit to have home-field advantage.''

Davis gave up Cano's home run in the 10th on Tuesday.

If the Cubs get back to the Fall Classic, it won't matter.

''I never liked that rule,'' Giants catcher and three-time World Series champion Buster Posey said. ''We benefited from it a couple of times, but I think anybody that plays a six-month, 162-game season probably is going to feel like whoever has the best winning percentage should have home-field advantage.''

Indeed, that's now what really counts.

[StarDust Bum]

Giants' Bumgarner will start Saturday
July 11, 2017

Out since April 20, Madison Bumgarner is ready to get rolling with the San Francisco Giants and he will start Saturday against the San Diego Padres.

The left-hander threw 86 pitches in Class A San Jose for the Giants on Monday and will be activated after the All-Star break.

"It sucks," he said Monday, "I put myself in this spot. I wish I wouldn't have."

With the Giants on a road trip in Colorado in April, Bumgarner was injured during an off-day in Denver. Bumgarner injured the shoulder and his ribs in a dirt bike accident.

Four days later, Bumgarner said he regretted the decision to ride trail bikes in the mountains outside of Denver with two family members.

"Obviously, it was not my intentions when we set out to enjoy the off-day," Bumgarner said at the time. "I realize that's definitely not the most responsible decision I've made. It sucks not being able to be out here with my guys."

Bumgarner opted not to have shoulder surgery and said he reminded himself repeatedly not to second-guess the decision during his stint in the minors.

The original timetable was for Bumgarner to miss six-to-eight weeks, but Bumgarner was still in the middle of rehab in the minors in June.

The 2014 World Series hero had never previously been on the disabled list during his eight-plus major league seasons.

Bumgarner, 27, is 0-3 with a 3.00 ERA this season.

The Giants are sputtering, 27 games back of the Los Angeles Dodgers in the National League West.

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Livan Hernandez files for bankruptcy
July 11, 2017

FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. (AP) Former major league pitcher Livan Hernandez has filed for bankruptcy in Florida, claiming debts of up to a million dollars.

Federal court records show Hernandez filed for bankruptcy on June 30. He says he has less than $50,000 in assets and between a half-million and a million dollars in liabilities. The website baseball-reference.com shows Hernandez earned $53 million during his 17-year career, which ended in 2012.

The 42-year-old Cuba native debuted for the Florida Marlins in 1996. The next year, he was MVP of the National League Championship Series and the World Series as the Marlins won the title. He also pitched for nine other teams, primarily the San Francisco Giants, Montreal Expos, Washington Nationals and Arizona Diamondbacks.

He finished his career with a 178-177 record and a 4.44 ERA.

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MLB notebook: Bumgarner to come off DL, start Saturday
July 11, 2017

Out since April 20, Madison Bumgarner is ready to get rolling with the San Francisco Giants and will start Saturday against the San Diego Padres.

The left-hander threw 86 pitches in Class A San Jose for the Giants on Monday and will be activated after the All-Star break.

With the Giants on a road trip in Colorado in April, Bumgarner was injured during an off-day in Denver. Bumgarner injured the shoulder and his ribs in a dirt bike accident.

The 2014 World Series hero had never previously been on the disabled list during his eight-plus major league seasons. Bumgarner, 27, is 0-3 with a 3.00 ERA this season.

--Unable to replicate his success at the plate from last season, Chris Carter is a free agent once more after the New York Yankees released the slumping first baseman.

Carter, 30, hit eight home runs and drove in 26 runs while hitting .201 and striking out 76 times in 62 games with the Yankees this season. He slugged a National League-leading 41 homers with 94 RBIs in 160 games for the Milwaukee Brewers last year.

The slugger signed a one-year, $3.5 million deal with New York in February. He was designated for assignment June 24, but returned to the team June 29 when first baseman Tyler Austin was placed on the disabled list. Carter was designated for assignment for the second time this season on July 4.

--The Baltimore Orioles assigned Paul Janish and David Washington to Triple-A Norfolk after both infielders cleared waivers.

Janish had been designated for assignment on Saturday when right-hander Chris Tillman was reinstated from the paternity list. Washington was designated for assignment on Thursday to clear a roster spot for the recall of second baseman Johnny Giavotella.

In 14 games with Baltimore this season, Janish was 2-for-26 with three RBIs. He was hitless in his last 12 at-bats. Washington appeared in three games with the Orioles, going 0-for-6 with five strikeouts.

[StarDust Bum]

Friday’s six-pack

— White Sox traded Jose Quintana to the Cubs for four prospects, one of whom is Eloy Jimenez, considered a top-10 prospect.

— Since 2007, Ball State is 31-13 vs spread as a football road underdog.

— Western Michigan opens the season at USC/Michigan State; good for the accountants, bad for the players/coaches.

— Since 2014, Northwestern is 10-4 against the spread on the road.

— Southern Utah’s Randy Onwuasor scored 23.6 pts/game LY; now he is transferring, a huge blow to the Thunderbirds’ Big Sky hopes next winter.

— When Rip Hamilton went to the Chicago Bulls in 2011, he paid CJ Watson $15K cash, so he could wear #32, which had been Watson’s number.

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Friday’s List of 13: Random stuff with the weekend here……..

13) Justin Bour hit 22 homers in the first round of Home Run Derby Monday night; he didn’t advance, but the reaction his two teammates (Giancarlo Stanton, Marcell Ozuna) had after he finished his round was one of the things that makes sports great.

Stanton/Ozuna are both more famous than Bour, but their joy at his success was very cool- when you have teammates that enjoy other teammates’ successes, that makes things fun. It was refreshing to see.

12) You could wager in Las Vegas on whether the first pitch of the All-Star Game would be a ball or a strike. Turns out Jose Altuve swung/missed at the first pitch.

11) Joey Votto is a great player, but he is 0-10 in All-Star Games, tied with Terry Moore for most AB’s in All-Star Games without getting a hit.

10) Arizona Diamondbacks are usually short on pitching. On December 8, 2009, they made this trade:

Arizona got: Edwin Jackson, Ian Kennedy
Detroit got: Max Scherzer, Austin Jackson, Phil Coke, Daniel Sclereth
New York (A) got: Curtis Granderson

Not a great trade by the Diamondbacks. Scherzer is 126-59 since leaving Arizona.

9) PJ Carlesimo said De’Aaron Fox and Jayson Tatum were the two most impressive rookies in the Las Vegas summer league.

8) New England Patriots have had the same coordinators since 2012. Every other team in the NFL has had at least one coordinator change in the last two years.

7) Atlanta Falcons have a new domed stadium opening this fall: at least the food will be affordable. $2 hot dogs, $3 nachos, $5 for a Bud Light. Tickets to the games are probably expensive as hell, but the food is definitely reasonably priced.

6) Random fact: Oakland A’s assistant general manager Dan Feinstein, in charge of pro scouting and player personnel, was a Medieval European History major at Cal-Davis. Not sure if they had baseball in medieval Europe, but at least the guy went to a state college.

5) They had 7,024 people at the AAA All-Star Game in Tacoma Wednesday night. Minor league baseball is solid, affordable entertainment.

4) Suns’ GM Ryan McDonough signed a player named Mike James, who at one time played ball at Eastern Arizona College, a school McDonough said he had never heard of (me either). James went on to play at Lamar, and then in Europe for a while.

Eastern Arizona is in Thatcher, AZ; its teams are known as the Gila Monsters.

3) Las Vegas sports books saved around $100,000 because a lot of people who bet on the Cubs to win the World Series last year decided to keep their winning tickets as souvenirs, rather than cash them in. The 180-day deadline to cash winning tickets passed in May.

2) Every NFL team got $244M from the league’s national revenue sharing program last year; that is $7.8B in total revenues and thats before a ticket is sold in the stadiums. Must be nice.

1) Kid Rock might run for the US Senate from Michigan; Dwayne (Rock) Johnson might run for President. This is life in 2017.

[StarDust Bum]

Friday’s games
National League

Cardinals @ Pirates
Leake is 1-2, 6.07 in his last five starts (over 3-1-1). St Louis is 5-2 in his road starts- their first 5-inning record with him: 9-6-2.

Cole is 4-1, 3.45 in his last five starts; under is 11-4-1 in his last 16. Pirates are 5-3 in his home starts- their first 5-inning record with him: 4-11-3.

Cardinals won three of last four games, are 4-8 in road series openers. Over is 8-3-1 in their last 12 road games. Pittsburgh won five of last six games; they’re 5-9 in home series openers. Under is 9-2 in their last 11 home games.

Nationals @ Reds
Gonzalez is 0-2, 2.37 in his last three starts; under is 5-2 in his last seven. Washington is 6-3 in his last nine starts- their first 5-inning record with him: 11-4-3.

Adleman is 1-4, 5.88 in his last five starts (over 8-6-1). Cincinnati is 5-3 in his home starts- their first 5-inning record with him: 7-7-1.

Nationals won five of last seven games, are 9-5 in road series openers. Over is 5-2 in their last seven games. Cincinnati is 8-5 in its last 13 games, 8-6 in home series openers. Under is 9-0-1 in their last ten games.

Rockies @ Mets
Colorado is 5-0 in Gray starts (2-0, 4.13); under is 3-1-1 in those games. Rockies won all three of his road starts- their first 5-inning record with him: 3-1-1.

deGrom is 5-0, 1.85 in his last five starts (under 4-1). Mets are 5-3 in his home starts- their first 5-inning record with him: 11-5-1.

Rockies are 2-11 in last 13 road games, 9-6 in road series openers. Under is 10-1-1 in their last 12 games. New York lost five of last six games; they’re 7-2 in last nine home series openers. Under is 6-3 in their last nine games.

Dodgers @ Marlins
McCarthy is 1-1, 3.29 in his last five starts; over is 3-0-1 in his last four. Dodgers are 3-2 in his road starts- their first 5-inning record with him: 8-5-1.

Straily is 3-0, 1.99 in his last five starts (under 4-1). Miami is 6-3 in his home starts- their first 5-inning record with him: 11-6-1.

Dodgers won their last six games, are 5-1 in last six road series openers. Under is 5-1-2 in their last eight games. Miami won five of last six games; they’re 5-2 in last seven home series openers. Under is 5-0-1 in their last six home games.

Diamondbacks @ Braves
Walker is 0-1, 5.89 in his last three starts; under is 5-3 in his last eight starts. Arizona is 5-2 in his road outings- their first 5-inning record with him: 7-5-2.

Dickey is 2-0, 1.00 in his last four starts (under 3-1). Braves are 7-2 in his home starts- their first 5-inning record with him: 9-5-3.

Diamondbacks lost five of last six games, are 8-5 in road series openers. Under is 5-1-2 in their last eight games. Atlanta lost four of last six games, is 7-6 in home series openers. Five of their last six games went over.

Phillies @ Brewers
Pivetta is 1-0, 2.57 in his last two starts; under is 5-1 in his last six. Phillies are 2-5 in his road starts- their first 5-inning record with him: 3-6-2

Davies is 3-0, 2.84 in his last three starts; over is 5-1 in his last six starts. Milwaukee is 5-4 in his home starts— their first 5-inning record with him: 9-6-3

Phillies lost five of last six games, are 7-8 in road series openers. Under is 7-0-1 in their last eight games. Milwaukee is 9-2 in its last 11 games, 8-7 in home series openers. Under is 5-2 in their last seven games.

Giants @ Padres
Cueto is 1-2, 4.99 in his last five starts; over is 4-2 in his last six. Giants are 5-5 in his road starts- their first 5-inning record with him: 7-7-4

Richard is 0-1, 6.14 in his last four starts (under 10-8). San Diego is 4-5 in his home starts— their first 5-inning record with him: 9-8-1

Giants lost five of last six games, are 7-8 in road series openers. Under is 6-2 in their last eight games. San Diego won five of last seven games; they’re 10-5 in home series openers. Under is 9-3 in their last 12 games.

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American League
New York @ Boston
Pineda is 1-1, 8.39 in his last five starts; his last eight starts went over. New York is 4-3 in his road outings- their first 5-inning record with him: 8-9

Pomeranz is 3-0, 2.12 in his last five starts; over is 6-1 in his last seven. Boston is 7-2 in his Fenway starts— their first 5-inning record with him: 10-7

New York lost six of last eight games; they’re 8-4 in last 12 road series openers. Over is 5-2 in their last seven road games. Boston lost four of last five games, is 10-4 in home series openers. Under is 5-1 in their last six home games.

Blue Jays @ Tigers
Sanchez is 0-2, 6.23 in six starts this year (under 4-2). Toronto is 0-2 in his road starts— their first 5-inning record with him: 1-4-1

Verlander is 0-2, 7.20 in his last two starts; over is 6-4 in his last 10 starts. Detroit is 2-8 in his road starts— their first 5-inning record with him: 7-8-3

Blue Jays won three of last four road games, are 2-6 in last eight road series openers. Over is 4-1 in their last five games. Detroit is 3-5 in its last eight games, 10-4 in home series openers. Under is 4-1-1 in their last six games.

Mariners @ White Sox
Paxton is 2-0, 2.03 in his last two starts; over is 4-1 in his last five. Seattle is 2-3 in his road starts— their first 5-inning record with him: 7-4-3

Shields is 1-1, 9.42 in his last three starts; over is 3-1 in his last four. White Sox are 2-1 in his home starts-— their first 5-inning record with him: 3-3-1

Mariners lost five of last seven games; they’re 5-8 in road series openers. Over is 4-2 in their last six games. Chicago lost four of last five games; they’re 5-7 in home series openers. Over is 5-2 in their last seven home games.

Twins @ Astros
Berrios is 1-1, 6.75 in his last three starts (under 8-2-1). Minnesota is 4-2 in his road starts- – their first 5-inning record with him: 7-3-1

Morton is 1-0, 2.08 in his last two starts; over is 6-1-1 in his last eight. Astros are 5-2 in his home starts- – their first 5-inning record with him: 6-3-2

Twins lost six of last eight road games, are 9-4 in road series openers. Over is 7-4 in their last 11 games. Houston won six of last eight games; they’re 0-5 in last five home series openers. Over is 11-2 in their last 13 games.

Rangers @ Royals
Perez is 2-1, 7.01 in his last seven starts; over is 6-2 in his last eight. Rangers are 1-4 in his road stats— their first 5-inning record with him: 6-7-3

Hammel is 0-2, 6.75 in his last three starts; over is 7-4 in his last 11. Royals are 3-8 in his road starts- their first 5-inning record with him: 4-10-3

Rangers are 2-5 in last seven road games, 5-9 in road series openers. Under is 3-0-1 in their last four games. Kansas City lost its last three games, is 7-7 in home series openers. Over is 4-1 in their last five home games.

Indians @ A’s
Carrasco is 5-0, 3.60 in his last six starts (under 4-2). Cleveland is 8-1 in his road starts- – their first 5-inning record with him: 11-5-1

Gray is 2-1, 2.14 in his last three starts (over 10-3). Oakland is 5-3 in his home starts- – their first 5-inning record with him: 8-5

Indians are 9-2 in last 11 road games, 6-8 in road series openers. Under is 7-4-1 in their last 12 games. Oakland won four of last six games, is 6-8 in home series openers. Over is 4-2 in their last six games.

Rays @ Angels
Faria is 4-0, 2.35 in his first six MLB starts (under 3-2-1). Rays are 3-0 in his road starts- – their first 5-inning record with him: 5-0-1

Nolasco is 2-2, 5.24 in his last four stats; under is 8-3-1 in his last 12. Angels are 3-5 in his home starts- – their first 5-inning record with him: 6-9-3

Rays won three of last four games, are 10-5 in road series openers. Over is 3-1 in their last four road games. Angels are 3-7 in last ten games, 5-8 in home series openers. Under is 6-1-1 in their last eight games.

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Interleague
Cubs @ Orioles
Montgomery is 0-3, 8.40 in his last three starts; under is 4-2 in his starts. Cubs are 0-3 in his road starts- – their first 5-inning record with him: 2-3-1

Gausman is 2-0, 3.24 in his last three starts; under is 3-1 in his last four. Orioles are 7-3 in his home starts- – their first 5-inning record with him: 8-11

Cubs are 4-8 in last 12 games overall, 8-17 in last 25 road games, 6-8 in road series openers. Under is 11-2 in their last 13 road games. Baltimore lost four of last five home games; they’re 10-4 in home series openers. Under is 4-1 in their last five home games.

______________________________

Record with this pitcher starting:
National League
StL-Pitt: Leake 8-9; Cole 10-8
Wsh-Cin: Gonzalez 9-9; Adleman 6-9
Col-NY: Gray 5-0; deGrom 11-6
LA-Mia: McCarthy 10-4; Straily 11-7
Az-Atl: Walker 10-4; Dickey 10-7
Phil-Mil: Pivetta 3-8; Davies 12-6
SF-SD: Cueto 9-9; Richard 7-11

American League
NY-Bos: Pineda 10-7; Pomeranz 11-6
Tor-Det: Sanchez 2-4; Verlander 8-10
Sea-Chi: Paxton 8-6; Shields 3-4
Min-Hst: Berrios 8-3; Morton 7-4
Tex-KC: Perez 6-10; Hammel 4-13
Clev-A’s: Carrasco 14-3; Gray 6-7
TB-LAA: Faria 5-1; Nolasco 5-13

Interleague
Chi-Balt: Montgomery 1-5; Gausman 9-10

Pitchers allowing a run in first inning:
National League
StL-Pitt: Leake 3-17; Cole 6-18
Wsh-Cin: Gonzalez 6-18; Adleman 4-15
Col-NY: Gray 1-5; deGrom 6-17
LA-Mia: McCarthy 2-14; Straily 4-18
Az-Atl: Walker 5-14; Dickey 6-17
Phil-Mil: Pivetta 4-11; Davies 6-18
SF-SD: Cueto 6-18; Richard 4-18

American League
NY-Bos: Pineda 10-17; Pomeranz 5-17
Tor-Det: Sanchez 1-6; Verlander 6-18
Sea-Chi: Paxton 1-14; Shields 3-7
Min-Hst: Berrios 3-11; Morton 1-11
Tex-KC: Perez 6-16; Hammel 1-17
Clev-A’s: Carrasco 3-17; Gray 2-13
TB-LAA: Faria 2-6; Nolasco 5-18

Interleague
Chi-Balt: Montgomery 2-6; Gausman 4-19

_________________________

Umpires
National League

American League

Interleague

Interleague play
NL @ AL– 45-32 AL, favorites -$1,093
AL @ NL– 47-44 NL, favorites -$390
Total: 88-77 AL, favorites -$1,483

Totals in interleague games
NL @ AL: Over 44-36-2
AL @ NL: Over 48-37-3
Total: Over 92-73-5

Teams’ records in first five innings:
Team (road-home-total)- thru 7/9/17
Ariz 14-17-10……27-14–7……….40-31
Atl 20-19-6……16-22-4………..36-41
Cubs 17-24-3……20-19-5………..37-43
Reds 14-27-4……18-22–3…………32-49
Colo 26-15-6…….23-19-2……….49-34
LA 18-17-5…….33-13-4……….51-30
Miami 19-23-3…….21-16-5……..40-39
Milw 22-14-6…….23-20-6………44-34
Mets 22-19-2……..18-22-3………40-41
Philly 11-26-9……14-20-7……….25-46
Pitt 22-21-3…..17-20-6………..39-41
St. Louis 16-17-5……28-15-7……….44-32
SD 12-27-5……..21-19–4………33-46
SF 10-32-7……..17-20-4……….30-52
Wash 29-12-2……21-17-7………..50-29

Orioles 16-27-4……..18-20-3………34-47
Boston 20-24-6………18-19-2…….38-43
White Sox 16-28-6……..17-18–2……..33-45
Cleveland 21-17-4……..20-20-5……..40-37
Detroit 16-22-6…….22-17-4……..38-39
Astros 23-13-8……..27-15-3……..50-28
KC 15-22-7………19-17-7…….34-39
Angels 18-25-7………18-16-8………36-41
Twins 23-12-5………19-24-5……..42-35
NYY 18-22-3……….25-15-3…..…43-37
A’s 13-24-7……..19-17-9……..32-41
Seattle 14-22-5……..23-18-8……..37-40
TB 21-14-9……..29-11-6……..50-25
Texas 23-12-8……..20-17-8………43-29
Toronto 15-24-3……..15-23-8……..30-47

%age of times teams score in first inning (road/home/total- 7/9/17)
Ariz 12-41……..18-48………30
Atl 8-45……..11-42…………19
Cubs 13-44……..16-44……….29
Reds 18-45……..17-43……….35
Colo 10-47……..13-44..…….23
LA 11-40……..19-50..……..30
Miami 18-45……..14-42………32
Milw 18-42……20-49…..…..38
Mets 19-43……..15-43……….34
Philly 13-46……..11-41……….24
Pitt 12-46……..14-43……….26
StL 10-38……..14-50……….24
SD 18-44……..13-44…………31
SF 10-49……..11-41…………21
Wash 16-43……..20-45………36

Orioles 7-47……..15-41……….22
Boston 15-50……..10-39………25
White Sox 15-50……11-37……….26
Clev 9-42……..14-45……….23
Detroit 8-44…….18-43………..26
Astros 14-44……..19-45………33
KC 9-44……..7-43…………16
Angels 20-50…….10-42……….30
Twins 9-40……..11-48……….20
NYY 11-43……..14-43………25
A’s 8-44……..13-45……….21
Seattle 15-41…….18-49………33
TB 13-44……..20-46……..33
Texas 14-43……..21-45………35
Toronto 12-42……..9-46……….21

[StarDust Bum]

Weekend Outlook
July 13, 2017

Washington (52-36) at Cincinnati (39-49)
Scheduled Rotation: Gonzalez (7-4) vs. Adleman (5-6), TBA vs. Castillo (1-1), TBA vs. Bailey (2-2), TBA vs. Feldman (7-6)
Series Price: TBA

Are you kidding me with this Nationals lineup featuring the top three hitters in the National League? Daniel Murphy (.342), Ryan Zimmerman (.330) and Bryce Harper (.325) are 1-2-3. And to boot, they also have starters with two of the top three ERA's with Max Scherzer (2.1) and Gio Gonzalez (2.86). The only thing stopping them from being a great bet at 6/1 odds to win the World Series is their lousy bullpen which has an MLB-worst 5.20 ERA. You can bet that a few trades will be made for bullpen relief before the deadline at the end of the month. If you've been betting the Nationals all season you'd have to say they're overrated, or overpriced, because you would be down -1.1 units despite them being 16 games over .500. The Nats went 'over' in their last three before the break, but the Reds have been on an incredible 10-1-1 'under' run thanks to a vastly improved bullpen. Cincinnati has gone 23-20 at home, but lost two of three at Washington in their only meetings this season.

St. Louis (43-45) at Pittsburgh (42-47)
Scheduled Rotation: Leake (6-7) vs. Cole (7-7), Lynn (7-6) vs. Kuhl (3-6), Martinez (6-8) vs. TBA
Series Price: TBA

Both teams have been disappointing, but I'm sure they'd both gladly take where they're at with St. Louis being only 5.5 back out of first tied with the Cubs and Pittsburgh being only seven games back. Last season the Pirates finished five games under like they performed in the first-half and finished 25 games back because of the dominant Cubs. I love what Milwaukee has done, but that starting rotation isn't running away with the National League Central, sorry. The Cardinals are the team that could actually make a run just because of their pitching, which ranks sixth in baseball with a 3.97 ERA. The Cards are -9.5 units so far if betting daily, but I like them to be one of the more profitable teams in the second-half because of their pitching. Their hitting will come around. The Cards are on a run of going only 5-12 in their last 17 road games but they've beaten the Bucs in seven of the last nine meetings. The 'under' has been a good bet in this series -- seven of the past 10 -- and Pittsburgh has gone 19-6-2 to the 'under' in its last 27 games overall.

Los Angeles Dodgers (61-29) at Miami (41-46)
Scheduled Rotation: McCarthy (6-3) vs. Straily (7-4), Wood (10-0) vs. TBA, Hill 95-4) vs. TBA
Series Price: TBA

An interesting look for a Dodgers player to win MVP is rookie sensation Cody Bellinger, who has 18/1 odds. He's hit 25 homers and 58 RBI in 70 games and really has been the key to the Dodgers offense charging to the largest margin of victory (+1.8). That effort has helped them topple Colorado and Arizona and get 32 games over .500 which has them 7.5 games out front in the National League West. There's been several instances in baseball where a key player with lesser stats won because of the contribution to a team making the postseason. Only Fred Lynn and Ichiro Suzuki has won rookie-of-the-year and MVP in the same season. In 1981, Fernando-mania gave him the rookie-of-the-year award and Cy Young -- man, what a wild, magical strike-shortened season that was and it ended with a World Series title for Los Angeles. The Dodgers have MLB's best record and are now the 7/2 favorites (Bet $100 to win $350) at the Westgate Las Vegas SuperBook to win it all. Meanwhile, Miami is in the selling mode as the trade deadline approaches, but they have won 14 of its last 20 at home. For whatever reason over the years, these two squads score a lot when they hook-up going 42-16-6 to the 'over' in their last 64 meetings.

Arizona (53-36) at Atlanta (42-45)
Scheduled Rotation: Walker (10-4) vs. Dickey (6-5), Corbin (6-9) vs. Foltynewscz (7-5), Godley (3-3 vs. Garcia (2-7)
Series Price: TBA


Arizona has had the most rapidly dropped World Series odds from an opener of 100/1 down to 18/1. Its success stems from getting solid starts from the rotation. The club is No. 2 in baseball with the lowest ERA (3.43) behind the Dodgers (3.24) which is why they also have the most rapidly improved team rating. They've netted +15.2 units if you've bet them every day this season. Getting swept at home by the Dodgers before the break really slowed some of their momentum, but they haven't lost more than three straight all season and that's a testament to their starters. Paul Goldschimdt (.312, 20 HR, 67 RBI, 13 SB) also got back to his normal self in the first half after being sluggish in 2016. The Westgate is offering him as the 11/4 co-favorite with Joey Votto and Bryce Harper to win the 2017 NL Most Valuable Player award. Despite Arizona finishing the first-half going 1-5, they still ended up with a franchise-best first-half record. Atlanta should be applauded for hanging in there and battling after a rough start. They were nine games under .500 on May 10, but are now only three games back. The Braves need to clean up their act in games decided by five runs or more where they are 8-20. Despite the losing record, they do win a few with chunky prices and have netted +5.2 units on the season. R.A. Dickey is +4.8 units with the Braves going just 10-7 behind him. The Braves have gone 11-4-2 to the 'under' in their last 17 home games. Arizona has gone 35-17-1 to the 'under' in its last 53 road games.

NY Yankees (45-41) at Boston (50-39)
Scheduled Rotation: TBA vs. Pomeranz (9-4), TBA vs. Sale (11-4), TBA vs. Porcello (4-11), DH #2 TBA vs. Price (4-2)
Series Price: TBA

The Yankees stayed on top of the American League East for 51 days, but a seven-game losing streak in June helped contribute to their slide. At the same time, Boston has put it all together and now lead the Yankees by 3.5 games in the division. The Yankees are currently 20/1 to win the World Series, but they're not playing like a 20/1 squad lately. They're batting only .221 in their last 10 games and have gone 3-10 in their last 13 road games. They've had trouble with lefties all season, batting just .229 and they'll get three right out the gate with Drew Pomeranz, Chris Sale and David Price this weekend. The Yankees have won seven of the past eight meetings, but Boston is on a 13-5 run at home. Look for Boston to take this series and the Yankees to make a couple moves for pitching to stay in the AL Wild Card race.

Minnesota (45-43) at Houston (60-29)
Scheduled Rotation: Berrios (8-2) vs. Morton, Santana (10-6) vs. Musgrove (4-7), Gibson (5-7) vs. Fiers (5-4)
Series Price: TBA

Houston has been the best bet all season at +20.9 units, but Minnesota has been profitable as well at +5.2 units. The Astros have an MLB-leading .285 batting average and while going 8-3 in their last 11 they're batting .329. This team is actually getting better and they've been doing without ace pitcher Dallas Keuchel (neck), and he's scheduled to be back within two weeks. They're a short 9/2 price to win the World Series for a good reason. Amazingly, the Twins are still looking at postseason play being only one game out of the final wild card spot. They've stayed alive by going an impressive 25-15 on the road. The hot trend coming in to this series is the totals going 'over.' Houston has gone 12-3-1 to the 'over' in their last 16 games and the 'over' is 8-1-2 on their last 11 meetings with Minnesota. Houston pounded the Twins in a three-game sweep at Target Field in May where the combined score was 40-16.

Texas (43-45) at Kansas City (44-43)
Scheduled Rotation: Perez (4-6) vs. Hammel (4-8), Hamels (4-0) vs. Vargas (12-3), Darvish (6-8) vs. TBA
Series Price: TBA

The Royals find themselves only three games out of first in the mediocre American League Central, which is a huge accomplishment considering they started April with a 7-16 record and that included a nine-game losing streak. They got right back into the mix of things by going 17-9 in June aided by their bats finally waking up. Ian Kennedy has also been a big reason for the KC upswing with them winning five of his past six starts after losing eight of his first 10. Texas is only three games out of the Wild Card, but the standings would look a lot different if they could win some one-run games -- they're 6-14. The Rangers have won 13 of the past 16 meetings and the 'under' has gone 31-15-5 in the past 51 meetings.

Chicago Cubs (43-45) at Baltimore (42-46)
Scheduled Rotation: Montgomery (1-6) vs. Gausman (5-7), TBA vs. Miley (4-7), TBA vs. TBA
Series Price: TBA

Prior to the start of the season, the Cubs were 3/1 favorites to repeat as World Series champions, but now with a losing record at the break you can get 12/1 odds if you think they take control in the second half. The Orioles have made the playoffs three of the past five seasons and opened the season with plenty of respect at 20/1 to win the World Series, but now they're 200/1 as they sit in fourth-place. The bad news for Baltimore is when they hit the road where they're 17-30. However, they're pretty good at home at 25-16. The Cubs are 19-25 on the road this season, but the good news for Cubs fans is that no one has really taken control of the NL Central even though the Brewers closed out the first-half on a 9-2 run. This is a good test for both teams to maybe find their true identity and the Cubs rotation just got better by trading for Jose Quintana. Something to keep note of is that the Cubs have stayed 'under' in 21 of their last 28 road games while Baltimore has gone 9-4 to the 'under' in its last 13.

[StarDust Bum]

MLB notebook: Cubs acquire LHP Quintana from White Sox
July 13, 2017

Jose Quintana is headed across town after a trade Thursday sent the left-handed starter from the Chicago White Sox to the Cubs in exchange for four prospects.

Quintana is under team control until 2020 at a team-friendly contract that includes $8.85 million in 2018, and team options in 2019 ($10.5 million) and 2020 ($11.5 million).

In return for Quintana, a steady frontline starter who should bring consistency to a shaky Cubs' rotation, the White Sox landed outfielder Eloy Jimenez, the No. 5 prospect in baseball according to Baseball America's midseason rankings, right-handed pitcher Dylan Cease, first baseman Matt Rose and infielder Bryant Flete.

The deal between Chicago teams is the 15th in the teams' history and first since 2006, when the White Sox sent left-handed reliever Neal Cotts to the North Side.

Quintana, 28, is 4-8 with a 4.49 ERA and 109 strikeouts in 18 starts this season, his sixth with the White Sox. Quintana has gone 50-54 with a 3.51 ERA and 890 strikeouts in 172 career games (169 starts) after being signed as a minor league free agent on Nov. 11, 2011.

--The Tampa Bay Rays placed outfielder Colby Rasmus on the restricted list, and he is not expected to play again this season, the Tampa Bay Times reported.

Rasmus has had physical problems recently, and the Times reported Rasmus has decided to "step away" from baseball.

Rasmus, 30, had surgery to repair his left hip labrum and his core muscle last offseason. However, the hip still bothered him in spring training and he began the season on the disabled list. He played his first game of the season on May 2, but went back on the disabled list on June 23.

Rasmus is hitting .281 with nine homers while playing in 37 games this season. Last season he hit .206 with 15 homers.

--The St. Louis Cardinals activated second baseman Kolten Wong and left-handed reliever Kevin Siegrist from the 10-day disabled list.

Wong missed the previous 24 games with a right triceps strain. He is batting .301 with one homer and 19 RBIs in 47 games.

Siegrist was sidelined for 17 games due to a cervical spine sprain. He is 1-1 with a 4.94 ERA in 31 appearances.

The roster openings were created Sunday when infielder Alex Mejia and right-hander Luke Weaver were optioned to Triple-A Memphis.

--The New York Yankees acquired first baseman Garrett Cooper from the Milwaukee Brewers for left-handed reliever Tyler Webb.

Cooper promptly was assigned to Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre. He has yet to appear in the majors, although that may be a matter of time with New York's pressing need at first base.

The 26-year-old Cooper was batting .365 with 17 homers and 82 RBIs in 75 games with the Brewers' Triple-A affiliate in Colorado Springs of the Pacific Coast League. He led all Triple-A players in batting average and doubles (29) and was second in the Pacific Coast League in RBIs.

Webb, who faced the Brewers twice last week, has yet to record a decision with a 4.50 ERA in seven appearances this season with the Yankees. The 26-year-old owns a 15-14 record with a 3.45 ERA in 150 games over five minor league seasons with the organization.

--An appeals court ruled that a committee of Major League Baseball owners and executives can determine the amount of rights fees the Washington Nationals can earn from television broadcasts of their games.

The Nationals labeled the decision as "a major legal victory."

Washington has been embroiled in a long-running dispute with the Mid-Atlantic Sports Network, which is super-majority owned and controlled by the Baltimore Orioles. The network was established in March 2005 after the Montreal Expos relocated to the American capital and became the Nationals, thereby moving into the Orioles' exclusive broadcast territory since 1972.

In Thursday's decision, the Appellate Division ruled that MASN and the Orioles are bound by the contractual commitment they made to have rights fees disputes arbitrated before Major League Baseball's Revenue Sharing Definitions Committee. This will allow the Nationals to proceed to a new arbitration before the RSDC of the rights fees for 2012-2016, as well as an arbitration to determine the fees for the forthcoming five-year period of 2017-2021. The disputed totals exceed more than $100 million for each of these five-year periods.

[StarDust Bum]

LEADING OFF: Trout returns, Cubs try to start turnaround
July 14, 2017

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

BACK TO IT

Baseball is back, and so is Mike Trout. The two-time AL MVP is set to return to the Angels lineup after missing 39 games because of a torn ligament in his left thumb. Los Angeles opens the unofficial second half against Tampa Bay, which took three of four from Boston before the All-Star break to get within 3 1/2 games of the AL East lead. Jacob Faria (4-0, 2.11) has been among the best rookie pitchers this season, striking out 37 over his first 38 1/3 big league innings. Tampa Bay is 5-1 in games he's started.

BEARING DOWN

The Cubs won't get to show off new pitcher Jose Quintana just yet, but they are back in action against Baltimore and looking to get on track following a disappointing open to the season. Chicago hopes Quintana, acquired from the White Sox in a blockbuster trade Thursday, can aid an aging rotation, but first it will turn to Mike Montgomery (1-6, 3.75) against the O's. The Cubs are 43-45, well behind their 53-35 mark through 88 games last season, when they ended a 108-year World Series drought.

TITO RETURNS

Indians manager Terry Francona will be back on the bench a week removed from a procedure for an irregular heartbeat. Francona says he's feeling better, though ''a little tired, but that'll come.'' The 58-year-old was supposed to manage the AL during Tuesday's All-Star Game, but instead rested after dealing with dizziness, fatigue and a rapid heart rate before the break.

FIRST OF FOUR

The AL East-leading Red Sox are set to host the second-place Yankees for four games. Boston's charge to the top of the division before the break was fueled largely by Chris Sale and Mookie Betts, but scheduled starter Drew Pomeranz (9-4, 3.60) has also been excellent. The left-hander is 3-0 with a 1.82 ERA in his past five starts entering the series opener with New York. For the Yankees, Aaron Judge returns from his dominant All-Star Home Run Derby championship with a chance at an AL MVP/Rookie of the Year sweep.

HAIRY SITUATION

Mets right-hander Jacob deGrom takes on Colorado righty Jon Gray in a battle of well-coifed hurlers. DeGrom (9-3, 3.65) has been excellent for a New York rotation beset by injuries, winning five consecutive starts behind a 1.62 ERA. Gray (2-0, 3.75) missed over two months with a stress fracture in his left foot this season, but has won both his starts since recovering. And of course, both pitchers have rocked shoulder-length hair, although Gray is still growing his back out after he chopped off eight inches for charity in April.

UNLUCKY GIO

Gio Gonzalez tries to snap an unlikely skid for himself when the NL East-leading Nationals face the Reds. Gonzalez (7-4, 2.86) has lost three straight starts despite a 2.37 ERA over that stretch. The steady left-hander had gone eight starts without a loss prior to this streak.

[StarDust Bum]

MLB
Long Sheet

Friday, July 14

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ST LOUIS (43 - 45) at PITTSBURGH (42 - 47) - 7:05 PM
MIKE LEAKE (R) vs. GERRIT COLE (R)
Top Trends for this game.
ST LOUIS is 43-45 (-9.6 Units) against the money line in all games this season.
ST LOUIS is 15-21 (-11.9 Units) against the money line against division opponents this season.
ST LOUIS is 26-32 (-11.8 Units) against the money line in night games this season.
ST LOUIS is 31-36 (-11.9 Units) against the money line against right-handed starters this season.
LEAKE is 36-48 (-23.0 Units) against the money line when the total is 8 to 8.5 since 1997. (Team's Record)
LEAKE is 7-17 (-14.9 Units) against the money line against division opponents over the last 2 seasons. (Team's Record)
PITTSBURGH is 153-113 (+34.2 Units) against the money line in home games in July games since 1997.
PITTSBURGH is 619-552 (+61.6 Units) against the money line in home games in night games since 1997.
ST LOUIS is 65-54 (+13.2 Units) against the money line in road games over the last 2 seasons.
PITTSBURGH is 59-64 (-20.0 Units) against the money line in home games over the last 2 seasons.
PITTSBURGH is 20-29 (-15.8 Units) against the money line in home games against division opponents over the last 2 seasons.
PITTSBURGH is 90-109 (-29.4 Units) against the money line against right-handed starters over the last 2 seasons.

Head-to-Head Series History
ST LOUIS is 4-2 (+1.6 Units) against PITTSBURGH this season
4 of 6 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL this season . (Under=+1.7 Units)

MIKE LEAKE vs. PITTSBURGH since 1997
LEAKE is 10-5 when starting against PITTSBURGH with an ERA of 3.61 and a WHIP of 1.257.
His team's record is 14-16 (-2.9 units) in these starts. The OVER is 13-16. (-3.7 units)

GERRIT COLE vs. ST LOUIS since 1997
COLE is 7-5 when starting against ST LOUIS with an ERA of 2.69 and a WHIP of 1.124.
His team's record is 8-6 (+1.6 units) in these starts. The OVER is 10-4. (+6.1 units)

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WASHINGTON (52 - 36) at CINCINNATI (39 - 49) - 7:10 PM
GIO GONZALEZ (L) vs. TIM ADLEMAN (R)
Top Trends for this game.
GONZALEZ is 24-27 (-13.4 Units) against the money line in all games over the last 2 seasons. (Team's Record)
GONZALEZ is 0-8 (-11.9 Units) against the money line as a road favorite of -125 to -175 over the last 2 seasons. (Team's Record)
GONZALEZ is 0-7 (-9.2 Units) against the money line in road games when playing on Friday over the last 3 seasons. (Team's Record)
GONZALEZ is 17-25 (-19.9 Units) against the money line when playing against a team with a losing record over the last 2 seasons. (Team's Record)
CINCINNATI is 19-10 (+9.1 Units) against the money line at home when the money line is +125 to -125 this season.
WASHINGTON is 36-15 (+16.2 Units) against the money line in night games this season.
WASHINGTON is 18-8 (+10.0 Units) against the money line in road games after a win this season.
CINCINNATI is 397-425 (-97.3 Units) against the money line in home games after a win since 1997.

Head-to-Head Series History
WASHINGTON is 2-1 (+0.5 Units) against CINCINNATI this season
2 of 3 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL this season . (Over=+0.8 Units)

GIO GONZALEZ vs. CINCINNATI since 1997
GONZALEZ is 3-2 when starting against CINCINNATI with an ERA of 2.98 and a WHIP of 1.033.
His team's record is 4-4 (-1.0 units) in these starts. The OVER is 5-2. (+3.2 units)

TIM ADLEMAN vs. WASHINGTON since 1997
No recent starts.

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LA DODGERS (61 - 29) at MIAMI (41 - 46) - 7:10 PM
BRANDON MCCARTHY (R) vs. DANIEL STRAILY (R)
Top Trends for this game.
LA DODGERS are 14-27 (-13.9 Units) against the money line on the road when the money line is +125 to -125 over the last 2 seasons.
LA DODGERS are 63-64 (-18.0 Units) against the money line in road games over the last 2 seasons.
LA DODGERS are 20-31 (-19.6 Units) against the money line on the road when the total is 8 to 8.5 over the last 3 seasons.
LA DODGERS are 41-45 (-17.2 Units) against the money line in road games in night games over the last 2 seasons.
LA DODGERS are 77-79 (-28.2 Units) against the money line in road games against right-handed starters over the last 3 seasons.
LA DODGERS are 26-40 (-24.2 Units) against the money line in road games after a win over the last 2 seasons.
LA DODGERS are 8-19 (-21.4 Units) against the money line in road games after 3 or more consecutive wins over the last 3 seasons.
LA DODGERS are 29-31 (-16.9 Units) against the money line in road games when playing against a team with a losing record over the last 2 seasons.
LA DODGERS are 10-15 (-14.3 Units) against the money line in road games when playing against a team with a losing record in the second half of the season over the last 2 seasons.
STRAILY is 31-18 (+19.1 Units) against the money line in all games over the last 2 seasons. (Team's Record)
STRAILY is 12-3 (+9.6 Units) against the money line at home when the money line is +125 to -125 over the last 2 seasons. (Team's Record)
STRAILY is 19-6 (+15.6 Units) against the money line in home games over the last 2 seasons. (Team's Record)
STRAILY is 10-2 (+9.9 Units) against the money line in home games after a win over the last 2 seasons. (Team's Record)
STRAILY is 16-11 (+10.9 Units) against the money line when playing against a team with a winning record over the last 2 seasons. (Team's Record)
MIAMI is 38-48 (-20.1 Units) against the money line in home games in night games over the last 2 seasons.
MIAMI is 90-107 (-23.5 Units) against the money line against right-handed starters over the last 2 seasons.

Head-to-Head Series History
LA DODGERS is 3-1 (+1.4 Units) against MIAMI this season
3 of 3 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL this season . (Over=+3.0 Units)

BRANDON MCCARTHY vs. MIAMI since 1997
MCCARTHY is 2-0 when starting against MIAMI with an ERA of 0.60 and a WHIP of 0.600.
His team's record is 2-0 (+2.0 units) in these starts. The OVER is 0-1. (-1.0 units)

DANIEL STRAILY vs. LA DODGERS since 1997
STRAILY is 1-1 when starting against LA DODGERS with an ERA of 4.26 and a WHIP of 0.868.
His team's record is 1-1 (+0.6 units) in these starts. The OVER is 1-1. (+0.0 units)

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COLORADO (52 - 39) at NY METS (39 - 47) - 7:10 PM
JON GRAY (R) vs. JACOB DEGROM (R)
Top Trends for this game.
COLORADO is 231-304 (-79.8 Units) against the money line in July games since 1997.
COLORADO is 439-692 (-134.4 Units) against the money line in road games in night games since 1997.
COLORADO is 52-39 (+13.9 Units) against the money line in all games this season.
COLORADO is 22-20 (+12.9 Units) against the money line as a road underdog of +125 to +175 over the last 2 seasons.
COLORADO is 26-21 (+8.2 Units) against the money line in road games this season.
COLORADO is 73-76 (+15.8 Units) against the money line in road games against right-handed starters over the last 3 seasons.
COLORADO is 29-22 (+7.9 Units) against the money line after a win this season.
NY METS are 39-47 (-15.4 Units) against the money line in all games this season.
NY METS are 19-24 (-13.3 Units) against the money line in home games this season.
NY METS are 43-44 (-20.0 Units) against the money line in home games in night games over the last 2 seasons.
NY METS are 30-37 (-14.9 Units) against the money line against right-handed starters this season.
NY METS are 27-34 (-20.7 Units) against the money line in home games after a loss over the last 2 seasons.
NY METS are 7-22 (-16.1 Units) against the money line when playing against a team with a winning record this season.
NY METS are 195-238 (-60.8 Units) against the money line in home games when playing against a team with a winning record in the second half of the season since 1997.

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

JON GRAY vs. NY METS since 1997
GRAY is 1-0 when starting against NY METS with an ERA of 6.13 and a WHIP of 1.227.
His team's record is 1-2 (-1.0 units) in these starts. The UNDER is 2-1. (+0.7 units)

JACOB DEGROM vs. COLORADO since 1997
DEGROM is 2-0 when starting against COLORADO with an ERA of 0.95 and a WHIP of 0.777.
His team's record is 2-2 (-0.8 units) in these starts. The OVER is 0-4. (-4.4 units)

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ARIZONA (53 - 36) at ATLANTA (42 - 45) - 7:35 PM
TAIJUAN WALKER (R) vs. R.A. DICKEY (R)
Top Trends for this game.
ATLANTA is 110-138 (+9.8 Units) against the money line in all games over the last 2 seasons.
ATLANTA is 22-13 (+13.1 Units) against the money line when the total is 9 to 9.5 this season.
ATLANTA is 88-103 (+12.6 Units) against the money line against right-handed starters over the last 2 seasons.
ATLANTA is 49-65 (+13.0 Units) against the money line when playing against a team with a winning record over the last 2 seasons.
ARIZONA is 53-36 (+15.3 Units) against the money line in all games this season.
ARIZONA is 21-9 (+11.2 Units) against the money line when the total is 9 to 9.5 this season.
ARIZONA is 38-23 (+12.9 Units) against the money line in night games this season.
ARIZONA is 43-25 (+15.8 Units) against the money line against right-handed starters this season.
ARIZONA is 33-18 (+11.4 Units) against the money line when playing against a team with a losing record this season.
ATLANTA is 34-56 (-20.4 Units) against the money line in home games in night games over the last 2 seasons.

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

TAIJUAN WALKER vs. ATLANTA since 1997
No recent starts.

R.A. DICKEY vs. ARIZONA since 1997
DICKEY is 2-1 when starting against ARIZONA with an ERA of 1.64 and a WHIP of 1.091.
His team's record is 2-1 (+0.8 units) in these starts. The OVER is 0-3. (-3.3 units)

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PHILADELPHIA (29 - 58) at MILWAUKEE (50 - 41) - 8:10 PM
NICK PIVETTA (R) vs. ZACH DAVIES (R)
Top Trends for this game.
PHILADELPHIA is 29-58 (-22.1 Units) against the money line in all games this season.
PHILADELPHIA is 4-23 (-19.1 Units) against the money line when the total is 9 to 9.5 this season.
PHILADELPHIA is 14-37 (-19.5 Units) against the money line in night games this season.
PHILADELPHIA is 19-44 (-21.8 Units) against the money line against right-handed starters this season.
MILWAUKEE is 50-41 (+17.4 Units) against the money line in all games this season.
MILWAUKEE is 23-16 (+8.9 Units) against the money line when the total is 9 to 9.5 this season.
MILWAUKEE is 42-29 (+15.0 Units) against the money line at home when the total is 9 to 9.5 over the last 2 seasons.
MILWAUKEE is 31-24 (+13.4 Units) against the money line in night games this season.
MILWAUKEE is 38-32 (+11.6 Units) against the money line against right-handed starters this season.
MILWAUKEE is 26-22 (+8.9 Units) against the money line after a win this season.
DAVIES is 12-6 (+7.8 Units) against the money line in all games this season. (Team's Record)
DAVIES is 7-1 (+7.3 Units) against the money line after a win this season. (Team's Record)
PHILADELPHIA is 133-128 (+23.4 Units) against the money line in road games when playing on Friday since 1997.
PHILADELPHIA is 386-431 (+51.7 Units) against the money line in road games when playing against a team with a winning record since 1997.
PHILADELPHIA is 425-423 (+45.7 Units) against the money line when playing against a team with a winning record in the second half of the season since 1997.

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

NICK PIVETTA vs. MILWAUKEE since 1997
No recent starts.

ZACH DAVIES vs. PHILADELPHIA since 1997
DAVIES is 0-1 when starting against PHILADELPHIA with an ERA of 6.00 and a WHIP of 1.667.
His team's record is 0-1 (-1.3 units) in these starts. The UNDER is 1-0. (+1.0 units)

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SAN FRANCISCO (34 - 56) at SAN DIEGO (38 - 50) - 10:10 PM
JOHNNY CUETO (R) vs. CLAYTON RICHARD (L)
Top Trends for this game.
SAN FRANCISCO is 34-56 (-24.9 Units) against the money line in all games this season.
SAN FRANCISCO is 37-46 (-20.0 Units) against the money line when the total is 8 to 8.5 over the last 2 seasons.
SAN FRANCISCO is 8-17 (-9.6 Units) against the money line on the road when the money line is +125 to -125 this season.
SAN FRANCISCO is 17-32 (-14.1 Units) against the money line in road games this season.
SAN FRANCISCO is 4-13 (-9.4 Units) against the money line in road games against division opponents this season.
SAN FRANCISCO is 79-89 (-23.9 Units) against the money line in night games over the last 2 seasons.
SAN FRANCISCO is 2-14 (-13.3 Units) against the money line after allowing 10 runs or more over the last 2 seasons.
SAN FRANCISCO is 22-33 (-12.1 Units) against the money line after a loss this season.
SAN FRANCISCO is 11-25 (-18.0 Units) against the money line when playing against a team with a losing record this season.
SAN FRANCISCO is 23-26 (-18.2 Units) against the money line when playing against a team with a losing record in the second half of the season over the last 2 seasons.
SAN DIEGO is 34-27 (+14.0 Units) against the money line at home when the total is 8 to 8.5 over the last 2 seasons.
SAN DIEGO is 23-17 (+14.6 Units) against the money line when playing on Friday over the last 2 seasons.
SAN DIEGO is 79-91 (+14.3 Units) against the money line in night games over the last 2 seasons.
SAN DIEGO is 34-30 (+10.4 Units) against the money line in home games after a loss over the last 2 seasons.
RICHARD is 44-35 (+17.1 Units) against the money line against division opponents since 1997. (Team's Record)
CUETO is 23-9 (+13.6 Units) against the money line in night games over the last 2 seasons. (Team's Record)

Head-to-Head Series History
SAN DIEGO is 4-2 (+3.1 Units) against SAN FRANCISCO this season
3 of 6 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL this season . (Over=-0.5 Units, Under=-0.2 Units)

JOHNNY CUETO vs. SAN DIEGO since 1997
CUETO is 8-4 when starting against SAN DIEGO with an ERA of 2.93 and a WHIP of 1.065.
His team's record is 9-4 (+2.7 units) in these starts. The UNDER is 10-3. (+6.5 units)

CLAYTON RICHARD vs. SAN FRANCISCO since 1997
RICHARD is 6-6 when starting against SAN FRANCISCO with an ERA of 3.97 and a WHIP of 1.364.
His team's record is 10-6 (+6.8 units) in these starts. The OVER is 8-7. (+0.5 units)

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

NY YANKEES (45 - 41) at BOSTON (50 - 39) - 7:10 PM
MICHAEL PINEDA (R) vs. DREW POMERANZ (L)
Top Trends for this game.
NY YANKEES are 9-19 (-11.2 Units) against the money line on the road when the money line is +125 to -125 this season.
NY YANKEES are 19-37 (-15.6 Units) against the money line in road games against division opponents over the last 2 seasons.
PINEDA is 21-34 (-24.2 Units) against the money line after a loss since 1997. (Team's Record)
POMERANZ is 17-6 (+11.9 Units) against the money line when playing against a team with a winning record over the last 2 seasons. (Team's Record)
NY YANKEES are 70-59 (+13.6 Units) against the money line when playing against a team with a winning record over the last 2 seasons.
BOSTON is 671-605 (-83.0 Units) against the money line when the total is 9 to 9.5 since 1997.
BOSTON is 359-284 (-45.9 Units) against the money line at home when the total is 9 to 9.5 since 1997.
BOSTON is 383-336 (-91.3 Units) against the money line in home games against division opponents since 1997.
BOSTON is 47-49 (-17.4 Units) against the money line in home games when playing against a team with a winning record over the last 3 seasons.
BOSTON is 216-221 (-63.6 Units) against the money line in home games when playing against a team with a winning record in the second half of the season since 1997.

Head-to-Head Series History
NY YANKEES is 4-1 (+3.5 Units) against BOSTON this season
3 of 5 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL this season . (Under=+0.8 Units)

MICHAEL PINEDA vs. BOSTON since 1997
PINEDA is 5-5 when starting against BOSTON with an ERA of 4.23 and a WHIP of 1.197.
His team's record is 7-5 (+0.9 units) in these starts. The OVER is 4-7. (-3.7 units)

DREW POMERANZ vs. NY YANKEES since 1997
POMERANZ is 1-1 when starting against NY YANKEES with an ERA of 2.57 and a WHIP of 1.286.
His team's record is 3-2 (+0.3 units) in these starts. The UNDER is 2-2. (-0.3 units)

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

TORONTO (41 - 47) at DETROIT (39 - 48) - 7:10 PM
AARON SANCHEZ (R) vs. JUSTIN VERLANDER (R)
Top Trends for this game.
TORONTO is 41-47 (-14.9 Units) against the money line in all games this season.
TORONTO is 13-19 (-10.9 Units) against the money line when the total is 9 to 9.5 this season.
TORONTO is 22-32 (-16.6 Units) against the money line in night games this season.
TORONTO is 5-12 (-11.9 Units) against the money line after allowing 10 runs or more over the last 2 seasons.
TORONTO is 15-22 (-14.8 Units) against the money line when playing against a team with a losing record this season.
VERLANDER is 10-0 (+10.2 Units) against the money line in home games after a win over the last 2 seasons. (Team's Record)
DETROIT is 39-48 (-10.9 Units) against the money line in all games this season.
DETROIT is 13-23 (-11.5 Units) against the money line when the total is 9 to 9.5 this season.
DETROIT is 43-61 (-20.9 Units) against the money line at home when the money line is +125 to -125 over the last 3 seasons.
DETROIT is 21-33 (-12.1 Units) against the money line in night games this season.
DETROIT is 27-38 (-11.3 Units) against the money line against right-handed starters this season.
DETROIT is 14-23 (-11.9 Units) against the money line after a win this season.
DETROIT is 387-336 (-71.1 Units) against the money line in home games when playing against a team with a losing record since 1997.
VERLANDER is 9-18 (-12.6 Units) against the money line when playing against a team with a losing record over the last 3 seasons. (Team's Record)

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

AARON SANCHEZ vs. DETROIT since 1997
SANCHEZ is 0-0 when starting against DETROIT with an ERA of 2.77 and a WHIP of 0.846.
His team's record is 0-2 (-3.9 units) in these starts. The UNDER is 2-0. (+2.0 units)

JUSTIN VERLANDER vs. TORONTO since 1997
VERLANDER is 3-4 when starting against TORONTO with an ERA of 4.76 and a WHIP of 1.208.
His team's record is 5-6 (-2.3 units) in these starts. The UNDER is 4-7. (-3.9 units)

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

MINNESOTA (45 - 43) at HOUSTON (60 - 29) - 8:10 PM
JOSE BERRIOS (R) vs. CHARLIE MORTON (R)
Top Trends for this game.
HOUSTON is 60-29 (+20.9 Units) against the money line in all games this season.
HOUSTON is 42-22 (+11.4 Units) against the money line in night games this season.
HOUSTON is 45-18 (+21.8 Units) against the money line against right-handed starters this season.
HOUSTON is 39-21 (+11.2 Units) against the money line after a win this season.
MINNESOTA is 45-43 (+5.3 Units) against the money line in all games this season.
MINNESOTA is 9-3 (+9.6 Units) against the money line as a road underdog of +125 to +175 this season.
MINNESOTA is 25-15 (+16.2 Units) against the money line in road games this season.
MINNESOTA is 10-4 (+7.5 Units) against the money line when playing on Friday this season.
MINNESOTA is 29-19 (+11.8 Units) against the money line in night games this season.
MINNESOTA is 34-29 (+7.7 Units) against the money line against right-handed starters this season.
MINNESOTA is 12-6 (+8.4 Units) against the money line in road games after a loss this season.
MINNESOTA is 10-6 (+8.6 Units) against the money line in road games when playing against a team with a winning record this season.
HOUSTON is 26-32 (-14.8 Units) against the money line in home games when playing against a team with a winning record over the last 2 seasons.

Head-to-Head Series History
HOUSTON is 3-0 (+3.0 Units) against MINNESOTA this season
2 of 2 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL this season . (Over=+2.0 Units)

JOSE BERRIOS vs. HOUSTON since 1997
BERRIOS is 1-2 when starting against HOUSTON with an ERA of 8.03 and a WHIP of 2.109.
His team's record is 1-2 (-0.6 units) in these starts. The UNDER is 0-1. (-1.1 units)

CHARLIE MORTON vs. MINNESOTA since 1997
MORTON is 0-0 when starting against MINNESOTA with an ERA of 4.76 and a WHIP of 1.764.
His team's record is 1-0 (+1.0 units) in these starts. The UNDER is 0-1. (-1.2 units)

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

SEATTLE (43 - 47) at CHI WHITE SOX (38 - 49) - 8:10 PM
JAMES PAXTON (L) vs. JAMES SHIELDS (R)
Top Trends for this game.
SEATTLE is 95-108 (-28.4 Units) against the money line after a win over the last 3 seasons.
SEATTLE is 796-718 (-106.8 Units) against the money line when playing against a team with a losing record since 1997.
SEATTLE is 376-344 (-76.4 Units) against the money line when playing against a team with a losing record in the second half of the season since 1997.
PAXTON is 9-17 (-12.6 Units) against the money line in night games over the last 2 seasons. (Team's Record)
CHI WHITE SOX are 26-16 (+13.5 Units) against the money line at home when the total is 9 to 9.5 over the last 2 seasons.
SEATTLE is 27-9 (+14.9 Units) against the money line as a road favorite of -125 to -175 over the last 3 seasons.

Head-to-Head Series History
CHI WHITE SOX is 3-1 (+2.7 Units) against SEATTLE this season
3 of 4 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL this season . (Over=+1.9 Units)

JAMES PAXTON vs. CHI WHITE SOX since 1997
PAXTON is 0-0 when starting against CHI WHITE SOX with an ERA of 3.18 and a WHIP of 1.236.
His team's record is 0-2 (-3.4 units) in these starts. The UNDER is 1-1. (-0.2 units)

JAMES SHIELDS vs. SEATTLE since 1997
SHIELDS is 5-6 when starting against SEATTLE with an ERA of 4.51 and a WHIP of 1.281.
His team's record is 9-8 (-0.4 units) in these starts. The UNDER is 10-6. (+3.3 units)

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

TEXAS (43 - 45) at KANSAS CITY (44 - 43) - 8:15 PM
MARTIN PEREZ (L) vs. JASON HAMMEL (R)
Top Trends for this game.
KANSAS CITY is 44-43 (+6.9 Units) against the money line in all games this season.
KANSAS CITY is 73-48 (+24.7 Units) against the money line at home when the money line is +125 to -125 over the last 3 seasons.
KANSAS CITY is 71-53 (+16.8 Units) against the money line in home games over the last 2 seasons.
KANSAS CITY is 93-63 (+20.1 Units) against the money line in home games in night games over the last 3 seasons.
TEXAS is 138-115 (+27.3 Units) against the money line in all games over the last 2 seasons.
TEXAS is 63-45 (+21.4 Units) against the money line when the total is 9 to 9.5 over the last 2 seasons.
TEXAS is 107-102 (+36.4 Units) against the money line in road games over the last 3 seasons.
TEXAS is 99-80 (+21.9 Units) against the money line in night games over the last 2 seasons.
TEXAS is 106-86 (+22.2 Units) against the money line against right-handed starters over the last 2 seasons.
TEXAS is 99-90 (+19.5 Units) against the money line after a loss over the last 3 seasons.
TEXAS is 55-46 (+19.1 Units) against the money line when playing against a team with a winning record over the last 2 seasons.
KANSAS CITY is 273-390 (-108.1 Units) against the money line at home when the total is 9 to 9.5 since 1997.
HAMMEL is 14-30 (-23.1 Units) against the money line in July games since 1997. (Team's Record)
HAMMEL is 14-21 (-15.5 Units) against the money line when playing against a team with a losing record over the last 3 seasons. (Team's Record)

Head-to-Head Series History
TEXAS is 4-0 (+4.1 Units) against KANSAS CITY this season
4 of 4 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL this season . (Under=+4.0 Units)

MARTIN PEREZ vs. KANSAS CITY since 1997
PEREZ is 0-0 when starting against KANSAS CITY with an ERA of 1.42 and a WHIP of 1.421.
His team's record is 1-1 (+0.0 units) in these starts. The OVER is 0-2. (-2.0 units)

JASON HAMMEL vs. TEXAS since 1997
HAMMEL is 1-3 when starting against TEXAS with an ERA of 4.74 and a WHIP of 1.459.
His team's record is 1-4 (-4.1 units) in these starts. The UNDER is 5-0. (+5.0 units)

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

CLEVELAND (47 - 40) at OAKLAND (39 - 50) - 10:05 PM
CARLOS CARRASCO (R) vs. SONNY GRAY (R)
Top Trends for this game.
CLEVELAND is 47-40 (-18.5 Units) against the money line in all games this season.
CLEVELAND is 27-29 (-19.3 Units) against the money line in night games this season.
CLEVELAND is 22-22 (-16.9 Units) against the money line when playing against a team with a losing record this season.
CLEVELAND is 76-41 (+18.2 Units) against the money line when the total is 8 to 8.5 over the last 2 seasons.
CLEVELAND is 38-21 (+14.5 Units) against the money line on the road when the total is 8 to 8.5 over the last 2 seasons.
CARRASCO is 21-5 (+14.5 Units) against the money line in road games in night games over the last 3 seasons. (Team's Record)
OAKLAND is 176-237 (-53.9 Units) against the money line in all games over the last 3 seasons.
OAKLAND is 92-115 (-35.3 Units) against the money line in home games over the last 3 seasons.
OAKLAND is 22-43 (-21.4 Units) against the money line when playing on Friday over the last 3 seasons.
OAKLAND is 60-79 (-29.1 Units) against the money line in home games against right-handed starters over the last 3 seasons.
OAKLAND is 19-31 (-12.8 Units) against the money line after a loss this season.
GRAY is 6-15 (-12.0 Units) against the money line in night games over the last 2 seasons. (Team's Record)
GRAY is 8-18 (-12.4 Units) against the money line after a loss over the last 2 seasons. (Team's Record)

Head-to-Head Series History
CLEVELAND is 3-1 (+1.5 Units) against OAKLAND this season
3 of 4 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL this season . (Under=+2.0 Units)

CARLOS CARRASCO vs. OAKLAND since 1997
CARRASCO is 3-0 when starting against OAKLAND with an ERA of 1.45 and a WHIP of 0.613.
His team's record is 3-1 (+1.5 units) in these starts. The OVER is 1-3. (-2.0 units)

SONNY GRAY vs. CLEVELAND since 1997
GRAY is 2-2 when starting against CLEVELAND with an ERA of 4.00 and a WHIP of 1.250.
His team's record is 3-3 (-0.2 units) in these starts. The UNDER is 3-2. (+0.8 units)

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

TAMPA BAY (47 - 43) at LA ANGELS (45 - 47) - 10:05 PM
JACOB FARIA (R) vs. RICKY NOLASCO (R)
Top Trends for this game.
TAMPA BAY is 115-136 (-25.8 Units) against the money line in all games over the last 2 seasons.
TAMPA BAY is 70-88 (-21.8 Units) against the money line in night games over the last 2 seasons.
LA ANGELS are 216-168 (+39.7 Units) against the money line at home when the money line is +125 to -125 since 1997.
LA ANGELS are 99-52 (+26.5 Units) against the money line in home games in July games since 1997.
LA ANGELS are 36-33 (+7.6 Units) against the money line in night games this season.
TAMPA BAY is 35-25 (+9.5 Units) against the money line against right-handed starters this season.
LA ANGELS are 11-29 (-19.3 Units) against the money line when playing on Friday over the last 2 seasons.

Head-to-Head Series History
LA ANGELS is 2-2 (+0.1 Units) against TAMPA BAY this season
4 of 4 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL this season . (Under=+4.1 Units)

JACOB FARIA vs. LA ANGELS since 1997
No recent starts.

RICKY NOLASCO vs. TAMPA BAY since 1997
NOLASCO is 3-7 when starting against TAMPA BAY with an ERA of 6.67 and a WHIP of 1.553.
His team's record is 3-7 (-3.1 units) in these starts. The UNDER is 4-6. (-3.1 units)

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

CHICAGO CUBS (43 - 45) at BALTIMORE (42 - 46) - 7:05 PM
MIKE MONTGOMERY (L) vs. KEVIN GAUSMAN (R)
Top Trends for this game.
CHICAGO CUBS are 43-45 (-21.1 Units) against the money line in all games this season.
CHICAGO CUBS are 5-13 (-9.0 Units) against the money line on the road when the money line is +125 to -125 this season.
CHICAGO CUBS are 19-25 (-12.2 Units) against the money line in road games this season.
CHICAGO CUBS are 15-19 (-18.9 Units) against the money line in July games over the last 2 seasons.
CHICAGO CUBS are 29-39 (-28.2 Units) against the money line against right-handed starters this season.
CHICAGO CUBS are 798-762 (-164.9 Units) against the money line when playing against a team with a losing record since 1997.
MONTGOMERY is 10-19 (-12.9 Units) against the money line in all games over the last 2 seasons. (Team's Record)
BALTIMORE is 130-120 (+10.5 Units) against the money line in all games over the last 2 seasons.
BALTIMORE is 65-47 (+16.2 Units) against the money line at home when the money line is +125 to -125 over the last 3 seasons.
BALTIMORE is 25-16 (+8.1 Units) against the money line in home games this season.
BALTIMORE is 55-34 (+16.2 Units) against the money line in home games in night games over the last 2 seasons.
BALTIMORE is 72-58 (+15.2 Units) against the money line after a win over the last 2 seasons.
BALTIMORE is 55-26 (+20.2 Units) against the money line in home games when playing against a team with a losing record over the last 3 seasons.
GAUSMAN is 0-8 (-8.5 Units) against the money line when playing on Friday over the last 2 seasons. (Team's Record)

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

MIKE MONTGOMERY vs. BALTIMORE since 1997
No recent starts.

KEVIN GAUSMAN vs. CHICAGO CUBS since 1997
GAUSMAN is 0-1 when starting against CHICAGO CUBS with an ERA of 5.40 and a WHIP of 1.200.
His team's record is 0-1 (-1.1 units) in these starts. The UNDER is 1-0. (+1.0 units)

[StarDust Bum]

MLB

Friday, July 14

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

7:05 PM
CHI CUBS vs. BALTIMORE
The total has gone UNDER in 16 of Chi Cubs's last 22 games
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Chi Cubs's last 6 games when playing Baltimore
Baltimore is 1-4 SU in its last 5 games at home
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Baltimore's last 6 games when playing Chi Cubs

7:05 PM
ST. LOUIS vs. PITTSBURGH
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of St. Louis's last 6 games
St. Louis is 5-1 SU in its last 6 games when playing on the road against Pittsburgh
Pittsburgh is 1-5 SU in its last 6 games when playing at home against St. Louis
Pittsburgh is 2-5 SU in its last 7 games at home

7:10 PM
WASHINGTON vs. CINCINNATI
Washington is 2-5 SU in its last 7 games on the road
Washington is 5-2 SU in its last 7 games
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Cincinnati's last 5 games at home
Cincinnati is 4-2 SU in its last 6 games

7:10 PM
NY YANKEES vs. BOSTON
The total has gone OVER in 4 of NY Yankees's last 5 games on the road
NY Yankees are 7-1 SU in their last 8 games when playing Boston
Boston is 1-4 SU in its last 5 games
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Boston's last 7 games when playing NY Yankees

7:10 PM
TORONTO vs. DETROIT
Toronto is 2-4 SU in its last 6 games when playing on the road against Detroit
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Toronto's last 6 games when playing Detroit
Detroit is 4-2 SU in its last 6 games when playing at home against Toronto
The total has gone OVER in 6 of Detroit's last 8 games when playing at home against Toronto

7:10 PM
COLORADO vs. NY METS
Colorado is 1-8 SU in its last 9 games on the road
Colorado is 6-1 SU in its last 7 games when playing NY Mets
NY Mets are 11-3 SU in its last 14 games when playing at home against Colorado
The total has gone UNDER in 13 of NY Mets's last 16 games when playing at home against Colorado

7:10 PM
LA DODGERS vs. MIAMI
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of LA Dodgers's last 6 games
LA Dodgers are 5-0 SU in their last 5 games
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Miami's last 6 games at home
Miami is 5-1 SU in its last 6 games

7:35 PM
ARIZONA vs. ATLANTA
Arizona is 6-13 SU in its last 19 games when playing on the road against Atlanta
Arizona is 1-5 SU in its last 6 games
Atlanta is 2-5 SU in its last 7 games when playing Arizona
Atlanta is 13-6 SU in its last 19 games when playing at home against Arizona

8:10 PM
MINNESOTA vs. HOUSTON
The total has gone UNDER in 10 of Minnesota's last 15 games on the road
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Minnesota's last 6 games when playing Houston
Houston is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games when playing Minnesota
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Houston's last 6 games when playing Minnesota

8:10 PM
SEATTLE vs. CHI WHITE SOX
Seattle is 2-5 SU in its last 7 games
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Seattle's last 6 games
The total has gone OVER in 7 of Chi White Sox's last 9 games
Chi White Sox are 4-2 SU in their last 6 games at home

8:10 PM
PHILADELPHIA vs. MILWAUKEE
Philadelphia is 4-12 SU in its last 16 games on the road
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Philadelphia's last 6 games when playing Milwaukee
Milwaukee is 4-2 SU in its last 6 games when playing at home against Philadelphia
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Milwaukee's last 6 games when playing at home against Philadelphia

8:15 PM
TEXAS vs. KANSAS CITY
Texas is 4-2 SU in its last 6 games when playing on the road against Kansas City
The total has gone UNDER in 12 of Texas's last 18 games on the road
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Kansas City's last 5 games when playing Texas
Kansas City is 0-5 SU in its last 5 games when playing Texas

10:05 PM
CLEVELAND vs. OAKLAND
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Cleveland's last 5 games when playing Oakland
The total has gone UNDER in 12 of Cleveland's last 18 games
The total has gone UNDER in 6 of Oakland's last 7 games when playing at home against Cleveland
Oakland is 4-2 SU in its last 6 games

10:07 PM
TAMPA BAY vs. LA ANGELS
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Tampa Bay's last 5 games when playing LA Angels
Tampa Bay is 4-2 SU in its last 6 games
LA Angels are 5-2 SU in their last 7 games when playing Tampa Bay
LA Angels are 2-5 SU in their last 7 games

10:10 PM
SAN FRANCISCO vs. SAN DIEGO
San Francisco is 4-2 SU in its last 6 games on the road
San Francisco is 1-5 SU in its last 6 games
San Diego is 7-3 SU in its last 10 games when playing at home against San Francisco
San Diego is 12-4 SU in its last 16 games when playing San Francisco

[StarDust Bum]

B]MLB
Dunkel

Friday, July 14[/B]


Chicago Cubs @ Baltimore

Game 979-980
July 14, 2017 @ 7:05 pm

Dunkel Rating:
Chicago Cubs
(Mntgmry) 15.308
Baltimore
(Gausman) 12.951
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Chicago Cubs
by 2 1/2
8
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Baltimore
-110
10
Dunkel Pick:
Chicago Cubs
(-110); Under

Tampa Bay @ LA Angels

Game 977-978
July 14, 2017 @ 10:05 pm

Dunkel Rating:
Tampa Bay
(Faria) 13.401
LA Angels
(Nolasco) 16.980
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
LA Angels
by 3 1/2
7
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Tampa Bay
-115
8 1/2
Dunkel Pick:
LA Angels
(-105); Under

Cleveland @ Oakland

Game 975-976
July 14, 2017 @ 10:05 pm

Dunkel Rating:
Cleveland
(Carrasco) 16.397
Oakland
(Gray) 14.173
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Cleveland
by 2
10
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Cleveland
-140
8
Dunkel Pick:
Cleveland
(-140); Over

Texas @ Kansas City

Game 973-974
July 14, 2017 @ 8:15 pm

Dunkel Rating:
Texas
(Perez) 16.914
Kansas City
(Hammel) 15.020
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Texas
by 2
8
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Kansas City
-125
9 1/2
Dunkel Pick:
Texas
(+105); Under

Seattle @ Chicago White Sox

Game 971-972
July 14, 2017 @ 8:10 pm

Dunkel Rating:
Seattle
(Paxton) 13.111
Chicago White Sox
(Shields) 14.251
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Chicago White Sox
by 1
11
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Seattle
-160
9 1/2
Dunkel Pick:
Chicago White Sox
(+140); Over

Minnesota @ Houston

Game 969-970
July 14, 2017 @ 8:10 pm

Dunkel Rating:
Minnesota
(Berrios) 13.032
Houston
(Morton) 18.896
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Houston
by 6
12
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Houston
-175
9
Dunkel Pick:
Houston
(-175); Over

Toronto @ Detroit

Game 967-968
July 14, 2017 @ 7:10 pm

Dunkel Rating:
Toronto
(Sanchez) 15.768
Detroit
(Verlnder) 13.135
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Toronto
by 2 1/2
8
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Detroit
-120
9
Dunkel Pick:
Toronto
(+100); Under

NY Yankees @ Boston

Game 965-966
July 14, 2017 @ 7:10 pm

Dunkel Rating:
NY Yankees
(Pineda) 16.768
Boston
(Pmeranz) 13.959
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
NY Yankees
by 3
11
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Boston
-130
9
Dunkel Pick:
NY Yankees
(+110); Over

San Francisco @ San Diego

Game 963-964
July 14, 2017 @ 10:10 pm

Dunkel Rating:
San Francisco
(Cueto) 13.010
San Diego
(Richard) 14.981
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
San Diego
by 2
6
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
San Francisco
-115
8
Dunkel Pick:
San Diego
(-105); Under

Philadelphia @ Milwaukee

Game 961-962
July 14, 2017 @ 8:10 pm

Dunkel Rating:
Philadelphia
(Pivetta) 17.156
Milwaukee
(Davies) 14.253
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Philadelphia
by 3
7
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Milwaukee
-160
9 1/2
Dunkel Pick:
Philadelphia
(+140); Under

Arizona @ Atlanta

Game 959-960
July 14, 2017 @ 7:35 pm

Dunkel Rating:
Arizona
(Walker) 14.000
Atlanta
(Dickey) 15.867
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Atlanta
by 2
12
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Arizona
-115
9 1/2
Dunkel Pick:
Atlanta
(-105); Over

Colorado @ NY Mets

Game 957-958
July 14, 2017 @ 7:10 pm

Dunkel Rating:
Colorado
(Gray) 12.571
NY Mets
(deGrom) 15.919
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
NY Mets
by 3 1/2
7
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
NY Mets
-140
8
Dunkel Pick:
Colorado
(-140); Under

LA Dodgers @ Miami

Game 955-956
July 14, 2017 @ 7:10 pm

Dunkel Rating:
LA Dodgers
(McCrthy) 17.646
Miami
(Straily) 15.845
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
LA Dodgers
by 2
10
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
LA Dodgers
-125
8 1/2
Dunkel Pick:
LA Dodgers
(-125); Over

Washington @ Cincinnati

Game 953-954
July 14, 2017 @ 7:10 pm

Dunkel Rating:
Washington
(Gnzalez) 14.607
Cincinnati
(Adleman) 15.446
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Cincinnati
by 1
9
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Washington
-135
10
Dunkel Pick:
Cincinnati
(+115); Under

St. Louis @ Pittsburgh

Game 951-952
July 14, 2017 @ 7:05 pm

Dunkel Rating:
St. Louis
(Leake) 17.750
Pittsburgh
(Cole) 14.235
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
St. Louis
by 3 1/2
9
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Pittsburgh
-120
8
Dunkel Pick:
St. Louis
(+100); Over

[StarDust Bum]

Friday's Diamond Notes
July 14, 2017

Hottest team: Dodgers (6-0 last six, 9-1 last nine)
Wrapping up home sweeps of Arizona and Kansas City helped L.A. finish one win ahead of Houston for the best record in baseball at the All-Star break. Clayton Kershaw pitched a complete game to deliver the win, but isn't expected to be in the mix until next week. Brandon McCarthy will look to keep the winning streak alive after a promising start last time out as he battles back from a stint on the disabled list and a case of the yips. If he can strengthen his hold on a spot in the rotation and pitch consistently, the Dodgers have a shot at 100 wins. He'll run into a hot counterpart in Miami's Dan Straily, who comes off nearly throwing his first career complete game and has been outstanding over his last five starts.

Coldest team: Diamondbacks (1-5 last six, 3-8 last 11)
All this unexpected swoon has done to the Snakes is increase the likelihood that they'll be in the NL's Wild Card game. Catching the Dodgers is going to be tougher now, but Arizona remains ahead in the race to host the Wild Card, up two games on Colorado and nearly 10 on the Cubs and Cards, currently both on the outside looking in. The Diamondbacks get back at it against a hot knuckleballer in R.A. Dickey (1.00 ERA over last four), which doesn't sound like an easy rebound opportunity from the layoff after scoring a single run over two home losses to Cincinnati last weekend. The D'Backs see the Reds again next week for a shot at revenge, but begin a six-game road trip in Atlanta hoping that Taijuan Walker can help stop the bleeding.

Hottest pitcher: Carlos Carrasco, Indians (10-3, 3.44 ERA)
The Tribe has won 11 of their Venenzuelan righty's last 12 starts and are 14-3 on the season. They even won when he got rocked by the Rangers on June 26, rallying for a memorable 15-9 win. He's given up two or fewer runs in five of his last six outings, making his shortest, ugliest outing a true outlier. Carrasco has struck out 46 while walking just nine within that span. He's been brilliant on the road (7-1, 2.38) this season and is 3-0 with a 1.80 ERA in five career outings against Oakland, where counterpart Sonny Gray could very well be making his final start.

Coldest pitcher: Mike Montgomery, Cubs (1-6, 3.75 ERA)
Even though he has't pitched as poorly as it sounds, the Cubs have dropped six of the seven appearances Montgomery has made since Joe Maddon inserted him into the rotation. The most recent one came in relief on Sunday during a 14-3 home loss to get him additional work after he lasted just 2.1 innings after surrendering seven runs in an 11-2 loss to the Brewers. His ERA this month is 15.19 and his WHIP is a robust 2.63. Among hitters he's set to face in the Orioles lineup at Camden Yards, only Welington Castillo has successfully reached, homering. Oddsmakers view the opening game of MLB's lone interleague series as a pick'em entering Friday.

Biggest UNDER run: Rockies (10-1-1 last 12)
Colorado is 5-13 since June 21 and has dropped a significant share of no-shows where it seems like the team would collectively rather be anywhere else. They maxed out at 6 runs for the first 15 games of that stretch, but scored 12 against the White Sox last Friday at Coors and registered a 10-0 win on Sunday. Can the bats remain productive on the road in Queens? The Rockies will run into Jacob deGrom first, which isn't ideal since he's 5-0 over his last five, surrendering one run or fewer in their first four of this stretch. Colorado ace Jon Gray is making his third start in retruning from a two-month DL stint after breaking his left foot. The number opened at 8.

Biggest OVER run: Astros (10-1-1 last 12)
In a figurative bat flip to open All-Star festivities, baseball's best offense dropped a 19-run bomb on the Blue Jays to earn the team's 60th win on Sunday, marking the fourth time in the team's last six games that they've ventured into double-digits. Houston's production has been cartoonish, so we'll see whether having a pause dropped into its lap manages to slow the bats down. The Astros are home to face Twins' phenom Jose Berrios (8-2, 3.53), who they've already beaten once. Houston touched him up for four earned runs over five innings in a 7-2 win on May 30 without the benefit of a home run. Charlie Morton will get the nod to try and continue the team's winning ways after a sharp first outing coming off a DL stint.

Matchup to watch: Yankees at Red Sox
New York opened a seven-game road trip by picking up its sixth straight win on June 12 and then dropped seven consecutive contests, beginning a 7-18 run over their final 25 games before the break. They'll look to get back on track in Boston against a rival that has taken full advantage of the Yankees' futility, carrying a 3.5-game lead in the AL East into tonight despite coming in losers of four of five. Drew Pomeranz, who is 3-0 with a 1.82 ERA over his last five, gets the ball first for the Sox. Michael Pineda will pitch for the Yankees after allowing three homers and lasting just three innings as he was booed in the Bronx. He hasn't been good on the road (5.73 ERA over seven starts), but did win at Houston in one of his best outings since beating Boston 9-1 on June 8, surrendering one unearned run over seven innings. The teams will command a nationally-televised spotlight all weekend.

Betcha didn’t know: The Brewers got to the All-Star break in sole possession of first place for the first time since '14, but this 5.5-game bulge is their largest lead ever. They finished third three years ago and are by far the most surprising team leading a division at the unofficial halfway point, but it would be a mistake to sell what Milwaukee has accomplished to this point short. Even with defending champion Chicago and St. Louis each two games under .500 and struggling more than anyone expected, the Brewers lead the NL with 138 homers and rank only behind Houston (148) in all of baseball. They're also topping the National League with 75 stolen bases and have pitched well. Zach Davies has won five of his last six decisions and can match last season's career-high win total if he picks up his 11th as a heavy favorite at home against Philadelphia.

Biggest public favorite: Brewers (-165) vs. Phillies

Biggest public underdog: Padres (+101) vs. Giants

Biggest line move: Mariners (-155 to -170) at White Sox

[StarDust Bum]

Red Sox cut losses, designate Sandoval for assignment
July 14, 2017

BOSTON (AP) The Boston Red Sox have designated third baseman Pablo Sandoval for assignment.

The team cut its losses with the one-time San Francisco Giants slugger on Friday after activating him from the disabled list. He had been on an injury rehab assignment for an inner ear infection with Triple-A Pawtucket. The Red Sox have 10 days to trade or release him.

Sandoval had won three World Series titles with the Giants before the Red Sox signed him for five years and $95 million before the 2015 season. He has appeared in just 161 games since then, hitting .237 with 14 homers.

[StarDust Bum]

Red Sox designate 3B Sandoval for assignment
July 14, 2017

The Boston Red Sox designated third baseman Pablo Sandoval for assignment on Friday.

Sandoval, 30, was returned from his injury rehab assignment with Triple-A Pawtucket and activated from the 10-day disabled list before being designated for assignment. He was placed on the 10-day disabled list on June 20 with a left inner ear infection.

President of baseball operations Dave Dombrowski made the announcement prior to Friday night's home game against the New York Yankees.

Sandoval is still owed $18.6 million in each of the next two seasons, a $5 million buyout and the rest of his $17 million for 2017.

Sandoval is hitting just .212 (21-for-99) with four home runs and 12 RBIs in 32 games this season.

Signed by Boston as a free agent in November 2014, the Venezuelan native appeared in 161 games with the Red Sox (2015-17), batting .237 with 14 homers and 59 RBIs.

Sandoval spent his first seven major league seasons with San Francisco (2008-14), winning World Series titles with the Giants in 2010, 2012 and 2014.

A two-time All-Star, Sandoval has hit .285 with 120 home runs and 521 RBIs in 1,030 career major league games.

[StarDust Bum]

Secret no more: Brewers look to keep NL Central lead
July 14, 2017

MILWAUKEE (AP) Eric Thames looked up at the television near his locker in the Milwaukee Brewers clubhouse in time to hear baseball analysts heaping praise on one of the majors' most surprising teams.

The Brewers aren't a secret anymore, not with a 5 1/2-game lead in the National League Central at the All-Star break.

''It's good to see on TV, the press, everyone starting to realize that the team's a force to be reckoned with,'' Thames said with a smile Thursday before an early-evening team workout at Miller Park ''I'm digging it. I'm ready to start the second half.''

It has been quite a season for a club that was supposed to be in the second full year of a rebuilding project. At 50-41, Milwaukee is in first place at the break for the fifth time in franchise history, and the first time since 2014.

Most of the key pieces from the 2014 team that collapsed in the second half were traded away or let go over the past couple of years, including Jonathan Lucroy and Carlos Gomez. The Brewers entered this season with a young, mainly unproven roster surrounding outfielder Ryan Braun and second baseman Jonathan Villar.

The defending World Series champion Chicago Cubs were expected to roll to another division title. But the Cubs have struggled, as have another perceived contender, the St. Louis Cardinals. Those teams are tied for second behind Milwaukee.

The Brewers have bashed their way to the top with an NL-best 138 home runs. Hard-throwing right-hander Corey Knebel has emerged as an All-Star closer. The team has weathered injuries to Braun and opening day starter Junior Guerra, as well as a disappointing first half for Villar.

Manager Craig Counsell's team returns from the break to host the Philadelphia Phillies on Friday.

''I guess I'm surprised with where we're sitting right now, with the (size of the) lead. I think everybody is in baseball,'' Counsell said. ''How we've played - not really that surprised. We've earned our record.''

Slick-fielding Orlando Arcia, 22, is hitting .283 with eight homers at shortstop, while in right, Domingo Santana has turned into a reliable, middle-of-the-order hitter. The 24 year-old Santana is hitting .291 with 15 homers and 50 RBIs.

On the mound, 28-year-old starter Jimmy Nelson (8-4, 3.30 ERA) has become a stabilizing presence. Chase Anderson (6-2, 2.89) also had a good first half before landing on the DL on July 1 with a left abdominal muscle injury.

A couple offseason moves by general manager David Stearns have especially paid off.

Thames has been a breakout star after hitting 11 of his 23 homers in April. After playing in Korea the previous three seasons, the bearded slugger has quickly become a fan favorite in Milwaukee because of his upbeat personality and prodigious power.

Third baseman Travis Shaw, who was acquired in December from Boston for reliever Tyler Thornburg, is tied for sixth in the NL with 65 RBIs. The left-handed bats of Thames and Shaw have helped balance what had been a mainly right-handed lineup.

Shaw is one of the few players in the clubhouse who has been in a pennant race after playing with the Red Sox last season. Now he is looking forward to another summer of meaningful games, especially after the Cubs bolstered their rotation on Thursday by acquiring left-handed starter Jose Quintana from the White Sox.

Asked if such a move adds more pressure in the Brewers clubhouse, Shaw said that ''There's more pressure on them than there is on us right now. They're the defending champions.

''We weren't supposed to be here, so we're kind of playing with house money right now,'' Shaw added. ''At the same time, a 5 1/2-game lead, we kind of expect to keep that cushion and finish like we are right now.''

[StarDust Bum]

FRIDAY, JULY 14

GAME TIME(ET) PICK UNITS

STL at PIT 07:05 PM

STL +100

CHC at BAL 07:05 PM

U 10.0

TOR at DET 07:10 PM

TOR +100

O 9.0

LAD at MIA 07:10 PM

O 8.5

WAS at CIN 07:10 PM

U 10.0

NYY at BOS 07:10 PM

NYY +105

COL at NYM 07:10 PM

O 7.5

ARI at ATL 07:35 PM

O 9.5

MIN at HOU 08:10 PM

U 9.0

PHI at MIL 08:10 PM

U 9.5

SEA at CHW 08:10 PM

U 9.5

TEX at KC 08:15 PM

TEX +100

U 9.0

CLE at OAK 10:05 PM

OAK +125

U 8.0

TB at LAA 10:07 PM

U 8.5

SF at SD 10:10 PM

U 8.0