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[StarDust Bum]

MLB
Dunkel

Thursday, July 27


Chicago Cubs @ Chicago White Sox

Game 915-916
July 27, 2017 @ 8:10 pm

Dunkel Rating:
Chicago Cubs
(Lester) 16.094
Chicago White Sox
(Pelfrey) 13.288
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Chicago Cubs
by 3
9
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Chicago Cubs
-240
10 1/2
Dunkel Pick:
Chicago Cubs
(-240); Under

Tampa Bay @ NY Yankees

Game 913-914
July 27, 2017 @ 7:05 pm

Dunkel Rating:
Tampa Bay
(Archer) 14.805
NY Yankees
(Sabathia) 15.662
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
NY Yankees
by 1
7
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
NY Yankees
-115
8 1/2
Dunkel Pick:
NY Yankees
(-115); Under

Oakland @ Toronto

Game 911-912
July 27, 2017 @ 12:35 pm

Dunkel Rating:
Oakland
(Manaea) 13.140
Toronto
(Stroman) 15.120
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Toronto
by 2
6
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Toronto
-160
9
Dunkel Pick:
Toronto
(-160); Under

LA Angels @ Cleveland

Game 909-910
July 27, 2017 @ 12:10 pm

Dunkel Rating:
LA Angels
(Ramirez) 17.013
Cleveland
(Bauer) 14.984
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
LA Angels
by 2
12
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Cleveland
-155
9
Dunkel Pick:
LA Angels
(+135); Over

NY Mets @ San Diego

Game 907-908
July 27, 2017 @ 9:10 pm

Dunkel Rating:
NY Mets
(Flexen) 13.697
San Diego
(Perdomo) 15.439
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
San Diego
by 2
10
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
San Diego
-110
8 1/2
Dunkel Pick:
San Diego
(-110); Over

Arizona @ St. Louis

Game 905-906
July 27, 2017 @ 7:15 pm

Dunkel Rating:
Arizona
(Godley) 18.043
St. Louis
(Weaver) 15.545
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Arizona
by 2 1/2
10
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Arizona
No Line
N/A
Dunkel Pick:
Arizona
N/A

Cincinnati @ Miami

Game 903-904
July 27, 2017 @ 7:10 pm

Dunkel Rating:
Cincinnati
(Stphnson) 12.547
Miami
(O'Grady) 15.517
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Miami
by 3
13
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Miami
-135
9 1/2
Dunkel Pick:
Miami
(-135); Over

Milwaukee @ Washington

Game 901-902
July 27, 2017 @ 12:05 pm

Dunkel Rating:
Milwaukee
(Blazek) 13.947
Washington
(Scherzer) 17.026
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Washington
by 3
11
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Washington
No Line
N/A
Dunkel Pick:
Washington
N/A

[StarDust Bum]

MLB
Armadillo's Write-Up

Thursday, July 27

National League
Brewers @ Nationals
Blazek is making his first MLB start after 108 relief stints (120.2 IP). He is 2-2, 3.13 in 20 AAA games this season (10 starts, 63.1 IP).

Scherzer is 3-0, 3.14 in his last five starts; his last four went over. Washington is 5-3 in his home starts— their first 5-inning record with him: 13-5-2

Brewers lost eight of last ten games; under is 8-3 in their last 11. Washington is 9-3 in its last 12 games; under is 6-2 in their last eight games.

Reds @ Marlins
Stephenson allowed five runs in 5.1 IP (100 PT) in his first ’17 start, at home vs Miami (under 1-0)— their first 5-inning record with him: 0-0-1

O’Grady is 1-1, 5.40 in three starts this year (under 2-1). Miami is 2-0 in his road starts— their first 5-inning record with him: 1-1-1

Cincinnati is 2-11 in its last 13 games, 6-12 in road series openers. Under is 7-2-1 in their last 10 road games. Miami won four of last six games; they scored 22 runs last night. Marlins are 6-3 in last nine home series openers. Last three Miami games went over.

Diamondbacks @ Cardinals
Godley is 0-3, 5.55 in his last four starts; over is 4-3 in his road starts. Arizona is — their first 5-inning record with him:

Weaver is making his first ‘17 start; he is 1-4, 5.28 in 12 MLB games (8 starts). He is 9-1, 1.91 in 13 AAA starts this year- he’s thrown 3 scoreless innings in two MLB relief stints this season.

Arizona is 1-5 in game following its last six wins; over is 5-2 in their last seven games. Snakes are 9-6 in road series openers. St Louis won its last three games; they’re 6-2 in last eight home series openers. Under is 10-4-1 in their last 15 games.

Mets @ Padres
Flexen is making his first MLB start; he was 6-1, 1.76 in 10 AA starts this season.

Perdomo is 3-0, 4.03 in his last four starts that weren’t in Denver. Three of his last four starts went over total. San Diego is 6-3 in his home starts— their first 5-inning record with him: 8-5-4

Mets won six of last eight games; over is 5-1 in their last five games. San Diego lost three of last five games; over is 10-2-1 in their last 13.

——————————–

American League
A’s @ Blue Jays
Manaea is 1-1, 3.76 in his last four starts; over is 6-2 in his last eight. A’s are 4-5 in his road starts— their first 5-inning record with him: 7-6-5

Stroman is 1-0, 2.11 in his last three starts; under is 4-0-1 in his last five. Toronto is 6-4 in his home starts— their first 5-inning record with him: 11-8-1

Oakland lost seven of last nine games; under is 3-1 in their last four. Blue Jays won their last three games; under is 4-1 in their last five.

Angels @ Indians
Ramirez is 2-1, 3.50 in his last three starts; under is 11-8 in his starts. Angels are 6-3 in his road starts— their first 5-inning record with him: 7-8-4

Bauer is 1-2, 9.28 in his last three starts; under is 10-5 in his last 15. Indians are 5-5 in his home starts— their first 5-inning record with him: 9-8-2

Angels lost their last three games; over is 5-1 in their last six games. Cleveland won nine of last ten home games; over is 5-2 in their last seven overall.

Rays @ New York
Archer is 1-3, 4.78 in his last six starts; under is 3-1-1 in his last five. Tampa Bay is 5-5 in his road starts— their first 5-inning record with him: 12-4-5

Sabathia is 7-1, 1.98 in his last nine starts; under is 9-1 in his last ten. New York is 5-1 in his home starts— their first 5-inning record with him: 9-6-1

Rays lost five of last seven games, but won last two; they’re 12-5 in road series openers. Under is 7-2-1 in their last ten games. New York won five of last six games; they’re 9-6 in home series openers. Three of their last four games went over.

__________________________

Interleague

Cubs @ White Sox
Lester is 2-0, 1.80 in his last two starts; under is 7-3 in his last ten. Cubs are 5-4 in his road starts — their first 5-inning record with him: 7-10-4

Pelfrey is 0-3, 5.87 in his last five starts; under is 6-2 in his last eight. Pale Hose are 3-5 in his home starts — their first 5-inning record with him: 7-7-2

White Sox are 1-10 since All-Star break; under is 3-1-1 in their last five games. Cubs are 10-2 since All-Star break; under is 6-3-1 in their last ten games.

______________________________

Record with this pitcher starting:
National League
Mil-Wsh: Blazek 0-0; Scherzer 13-7
Cin-Mia: Stephenson 0-1; O’Grady 2-1
Az-StL: Godley 8-5; Weaver 0-0
NY-SD: Flexen 0-0; Perdomo 7-10

American League
A’s-Tor: Manaea 9-9; Stroman 12-8
LAA-Clev: Ramirez Bauer 9-10
TB-NYY: Archer 11-10; Sabathia 12-4

Interleague
Chi-Chi: Lester 12-9; Pelfrey 6-10

Pitchers allowing a run in first inning:
National League
Mil-Wsh: Blazek 0-0; Scherzer 5-20
Cin-Mia: Stephenson 1-1; O’Grady 2-3
Az-StL: Godley 2-13; Weaver 0-0
NY-SD: Flexen 0-0; Perdomo 7-17

American League
A’s-Tor: Manaea 4-18; Stroman 4-20
LAA-Clev: Ramirez Bauer 4-19
TB-NYY: Archer 5-21; Sabathia 4-16

Interleague
Chi-Chi: Lester 9-21; Pelfrey 4-16

_________________________

Umpires
National League

American League

Interleague

Interleague play
NL @ AL– 51-40 AL, favorites -$677
AL @ NL– 56-49 NL, favorites -$366
Total: 100-96 AL, favorites -$1,043

Totals in interleague games
NL @ AL: Over 47-44-2
AL @ NL: Over 60-42-4
Total: Over 105-86-6

Teams’ records in first five innings:
Team (road-home-total)- thru 7/26/17
Ariz 17-20-11……30-15–9……….46-35
Atl 21-22-8……19-25-4………..40-47
Cubs 24-24-3……22-19-8………..46-43
Reds 14-29-5……19-29–5…………33-58
Colo 27-20-6…….27-20-2……….54-40
LA 22-18-5…….36-16-5……….58-34
Miami 22-25-4…….23-19-6……..45-44
Milw 26-17-8…….25-20-7………50-37
Mets 23-20-3……..23-27-3………46-47
Philly 12-29-11……17-23-7……….29-52
Pitt 24-24-4…….19-22-9………43-46
St. Louis 18-22-8……31-15-7……….49-37
SD 14-31-6……..25-20–5………39-51
SF 10-35-7……..19-25-7……….32-60
Wash 34-14-4……21-19-7………….55-33

Orioles 17-28-4……..22-26-3………39-54
Boston 21-27-7………21-24-2…….42-51
White Sox 18-29-8……..18-22–3……..36-50
Cleveland 23-19-6……..24-20-6……..46-39
Detroit 19-24-8…….23-21-4……..42-45
Astros 26-16-8……..31-17-4……..57-33
KC 17-22-7………22-21-10…….39-43
Angels 18-26-7………21-18-11………39-44
Twins 25-16-6………22-26-6……..47-41
NYY 22-28-4……….27-15-3…..…49-43
A’s 17-26-7……..23-18-10……..40-44
Seattle 17-25-6……..27-19-9……..44-44
TB 23-17-10……..32-12-7……..55-29
Texas 25-18-10……..21-19-8………46-37
Toronto 20-29-3……..17-23-8……..37-52

%age of times teams score in first inning (road/home/total- 7/26/17)
Ariz 14-47……..21-54………..34
Atl 11-51……..13-48………..24
Cubs 14-51……..18-49……….32
Reds 18-48……..19-52……….37
Colo 13-53……..17-50..……..30
LA 14-45……..20-56..……..34
Miami 23-51……..17-48………40
Milw 20-51……20-52…..…..40
Mets 20-46……..17-53……….37
Philly 15-52……..13-48………..28
Pitt 15-52……..16-50……….31
StL 12-48……..17-53………..29
SD 20-51……..15-50…………35
SF 12-52……..15-51…………27
Wash 22-52……..20-47……….42

Orioles 7-50……..17-52……….24
Boston 17-56……..10-47………27
White Sox 15-55……12-43……….27
Clev 9-48……..17-51……….26
Detroit 10-51…….20-49……..30
Astros 15-50……..21-51………36
KC 10-47……..10-53………20
Angels 20-52…….12-50……….32
Twins 11-46……..12-54……….23
NYY 12-54……..14-45………27
A’s 11-49……..16-52………26
Seattle 16-47…….19-56………35
TB 14-50……..20-52……..34
Texas 17-53……..22-47………39
Toronto 16-52……..10-50……..26

[StarDust Bum]

MLB

Thursday, July 27

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

12:05 PM
MILWAUKEE vs. WASHINGTON
The total has gone UNDER in 9 of Milwaukee's last 11 games on the road
The total has gone UNDER in 9 of Milwaukee's last 11 games
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Washington's last 5 games at home
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Washington's last 6 games when playing Milwaukee

12:10 PM
LA ANGELS vs. CLEVELAND
The total has gone OVER in 4 of LA Angels's last 5 games
LA Angels are 1-4 SU in their last 5 games on the road
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Cleveland's last 6 games at home
The total has gone OVER in 6 of Cleveland's last 8 games when playing at home against LA Angels

12:37 PM
OAKLAND vs. TORONTO
Oakland is 1-5 SU in its last 6 games
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Oakland's last 5 games
Toronto is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games when playing at home against Oakland
Toronto is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games when playing Oakland

7:05 PM
TAMPA BAY vs. NY YANKEES
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Tampa Bay's last 6 games on the road
Tampa Bay is 4-2 SU in its last 6 games on the road
NY Yankees are 4-2 SU in their last 6 games when playing Tampa Bay
The total has gone OVER in 8 of NY Yankees's last 11 games when playing at home against Tampa Bay

7:10 PM
CINCINNATI vs. MIAMI
Cincinnati is 0-5 SU in its last 5 games when playing on the road against Miami
Cincinnati is 4-2 SU in its last 6 games when playing Miami
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Miami's last 5 games when playing Cincinnati
Miami is 2-4 SU in its last 6 games when playing Cincinnati

7:15 PM
ARIZONA vs. ST. LOUIS
Arizona is 6-12 SU in its last 18 games
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Arizona's last 5 games when playing on the road against St. Louis
St. Louis is 8-2 SU in its last 10 games when playing at home against Arizona
St. Louis is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games at home

8:10 PM
CHI CUBS vs. CHI WHITE SOX
Chi Cubs are 4-1 SU in their last 5 games when playing Chi White Sox
The total has gone UNDER in 12 of Chi Cubs's last 17 games on the road
Chi White Sox are 0-5 SU in their last 5 games at home
Chi White Sox are 1-11 SU in their last 12 games

9:10 PM
NY METS vs. SAN DIEGO
The total has gone OVER in 5 of NY Mets's last 6 games when playing San Diego
NY Mets are 6-2 SU in its last 8 games
The total has gone OVER in 5 of San Diego's last 5 games at home
The total has gone OVER in 4 of San Diego's last 5 games when playing at home against NY Mets

[StarDust Bum]

MLB
Long Sheet

Thursday, July 27

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

MILWAUKEE (54 - 49) at WASHINGTON (60 - 39) - 12:05 PM
MICHAEL BLAZEK (R) vs. MAX SCHERZER (R)
Top Trends for this game.
MILWAUKEE is 54-49 (+13.0 Units) against the money line in all games this season.
MILWAUKEE is 26-25 (+9.3 Units) against the money line in road games this season.
MILWAUKEE is 7-1 (+7.6 Units) against the money line in road games when playing on Thursday this season.
MILWAUKEE is 42-39 (+8.2 Units) against the money line against right-handed starters this season.
MILWAUKEE is 67-70 (+8.6 Units) against the money line after a loss over the last 2 seasons.
WASHINGTON is 18-21 (-15.3 Units) against the money line in day games this season.
WASHINGTON is 11-15 (-13.3 Units) against the money line in home games after a win this season.

Head-to-Head Series History
MILWAUKEE is 1-1 (+0.2 Units) against WASHINGTON this season
1 of 2 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL this season . (Under=+0.0 Units)

MICHAEL BLAZEK vs. WASHINGTON since 1997
No recent starts.

MAX SCHERZER vs. MILWAUKEE since 1997
SCHERZER is 1-2 when starting against MILWAUKEE with an ERA of 1.91 and a WHIP of 0.848.
His team's record is 1-4 (-6.2 units) in these starts. The UNDER is 4-1. (+2.9 units)

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

CINCINNATI (41 - 60) at MIAMI (46 - 53) - 7:10 PM
ROBERT STEPHENSON (R) vs. CHRIS O'GRADY (L)
Top Trends for this game.
CINCINNATI is 6-19 (-13.0 Units) against the money line against left-handed starters this season.
MIAMI is 13-5 (+10.2 Units) against the money line after allowing 10 runs or more over the last 2 seasons.
CINCINNATI is 418-391 (+45.8 Units) against the money line in road games when playing against a team with a losing record since 1997.
MIAMI is 12-21 (-11.3 Units) against the money line in home games in night games this season.
MIAMI is 94-111 (-23.2 Units) against the money line against right-handed starters over the last 2 seasons.

Head-to-Head Series History
MIAMI is 2-1 (+1.2 Units) against CINCINNATI this season
3 of 3 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL this season . (Under=+3.0 Units)

ROBERT STEPHENSON vs. MIAMI since 1997
STEPHENSON is 0-1 when starting against MIAMI with an ERA of 8.44 and a WHIP of 1.876.
His team's record is 0-1 (-1.1 units) in these starts. The OVER is 0-1. (-1.1 units)

CHRIS O'GRADY vs. CINCINNATI since 1997
O'GRADY is 0-0 when starting against CINCINNATI with an ERA of 5.78 and a WHIP of 2.141.
His team's record is 1-0 (+1.0 units) in these starts. The UNDER is 1-0. (+1.0 units)

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

ARIZONA (58 - 43) at ST LOUIS (50 - 51) - 7:15 PM
ZACK GODLEY (R) vs. LUKE WEAVER (R)
There are no Top Trends with records of significance that apply to this game.

Head-to-Head Series History
ST LOUIS is 2-1 (+1.1 Units) against ARIZONA this season
2 of 3 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL this season . (Over=+1.0 Units)

ZACK GODLEY vs. ST LOUIS since 1997
GODLEY is 0-1 when starting against ST LOUIS with an ERA of 3.86 and a WHIP of 0.714.
His team's record is 0-1 (-1.3 units) in these starts. The UNDER is 1-0. (+1.0 units)

LUKE WEAVER vs. ARIZONA since 1997
No recent starts.

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

NY METS (47 - 52) at SAN DIEGO (44 - 57) - 9:10 PM
CHRIS FLEXEN (R) vs. LUIS PERDOMO (R)
Top Trends for this game.
NY METS are 47-52 (-13.3 Units) against the money line in all games this season.
NY METS are 36-42 (-14.8 Units) against the money line against right-handed starters this season.
SAN DIEGO is 64-67 (+10.7 Units) against the money line in home games over the last 2 seasons.
SAN DIEGO is 35-28 (+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 83-96 (+14.8 Units) against the money line in night games over the last 2 seasons.
SAN DIEGO is 25-21 (+8.5 Units) against the money line when playing against a team with a losing record this season.
NY METS are 27-17 (+11.8 Units) against the money line on the road when the total is 8 to 8.5 over the last 2 seasons.
NY METS are 109-86 (+37.6 Units) against the money line in road games when playing on Thursday since 1997.
NY METS are 425-438 (+35.1 Units) against the money line in road games after a loss since 1997.
NY METS are 18-9 (+9.5 Units) against the money line in road games when playing against a team with a losing record this season.
NY METS are 215-164 (+40.3 Units) against the money line in road games when playing against a team with a losing record in the second half of the season since 1997.

Head-to-Head Series History
SAN DIEGO is 3-3 (+1.2 Units) against NY METS this season
5 of 6 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL this season . (Over=+4.0 Units)

CHRIS FLEXEN vs. SAN DIEGO since 1997
No recent starts.

LUIS PERDOMO vs. NY METS since 1997
No recent starts.

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LA ANGELS (49 - 53) at CLEVELAND (54 - 45) - 12:10 PM
JC RAMIREZ (R) vs. TREVOR BAUER (R)
Top Trends for this game.
CLEVELAND is 19-5 (+13.1 Units) against the money line when playing on Thursday over the last 2 seasons.
LA ANGELS are 530-507 (+43.7 Units) against the money line in road games since 1997.
LA ANGELS are 183-149 (+47.8 Units) against the money line in road games in day games since 1997.
LA ANGELS are 29-23 (+12.1 Units) against the money line after a loss this season.
CLEVELAND is 54-45 (-19.6 Units) against the money line in all games this season.
CLEVELAND is 42-48 (-23.1 Units) against the money line when the total is 9 to 9.5 over the last 3 seasons.
CLEVELAND is 27-24 (-16.9 Units) against the money line in home games this season.
CLEVELAND is 29-27 (-18.0 Units) against the money line when playing against a team with a losing record this season.

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

JC RAMIREZ vs. CLEVELAND since 1997
No recent starts.

TREVOR BAUER vs. LA ANGELS since 1997
BAUER is 3-0 when starting against LA ANGELS with an ERA of 3.14 and a WHIP of 1.291.
His team's record is 3-1 (+2.0 units) in these starts. The OVER is 0-4. (-4.4 units)

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

OAKLAND (44 - 57) at TORONTO (47 - 54) - 12:35 PM
SEAN MANAEA (L) vs. MARCUS STROMAN (R)
Top Trends for this game.
OAKLAND is 181-244 (-54.4 Units) against the money line in all games over the last 3 seasons.
OAKLAND is 12-25 (-11.5 Units) against the money line when the total is 9 to 9.5 this season.
OAKLAND is 16-34 (-14.8 Units) against the money line in road games this season.
OAKLAND is 22-35 (-13.2 Units) against the money line after a loss this season.
OAKLAND is 48-66 (-19.3 Units) against the money line when playing against a team with a losing record over the last 2 seasons.
MANAEA is 0-9 (-9.7 Units) against the money line in road games when playing against a team with a losing record over the last 2 seasons. (Team's Record)
TORONTO is 47-54 (-16.2 Units) against the money line in all games this season.
TORONTO is 8-17 (-13.2 Units) against the money line against left-handed starters this season.
TORONTO is 19-28 (-13.3 Units) against the money line after a win this season.
TORONTO is 19-24 (-12.7 Units) against the money line when playing against a team with a losing record this season.

Head-to-Head Series History
TORONTO is 4-2 (+1.7 Units) against OAKLAND this season
4 of 5 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL this season . (Under=+3.1 Units)

SEAN MANAEA vs. TORONTO since 1997
MANAEA is 1-0 when starting against TORONTO with an ERA of 3.00 and a WHIP of 1.167.
His team's record is 1-0 (+1.0 units) in these starts. The OVER is 0-0. (+0.0 units)

MARCUS STROMAN vs. OAKLAND since 1997
STROMAN is 0-0 when starting against OAKLAND with an ERA of 4.63 and a WHIP of 1.371.
His team's record is 0-2 (-2.5 units) in these starts. The OVER is 1-1. (+0.0 units)

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TAMPA BAY (53 - 49) at NY YANKEES (53 - 46) - 7:05 PM
CHRIS ARCHER (R) vs. C.C. SABATHIA (L)
Top Trends for this game.
TAMPA BAY is 121-142 (-27.1 Units) against the money line in all games over the last 2 seasons.
TAMPA BAY is 75-91 (-20.4 Units) against the money line in night games over the last 2 seasons.
ARCHER is 22-32 (-15.4 Units) against the money line in all games over the last 2 seasons. (Team's Record)
ARCHER is 8-17 (-10.8 Units) against the money line against division opponents over the last 2 seasons. (Team's Record)
ARCHER is 14-21 (-10.1 Units) against the money line in night games over the last 2 seasons. (Team's Record)
ARCHER is 6-19 (-15.4 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 37-19 (+16.9 Units) against the money line in home games against division opponents over the last 2 seasons.
NY YANKEES are 73-63 (+13.2 Units) against the money line when playing against a team with a winning record over the last 2 seasons.
SABATHIA is 12-4 (+8.7 Units) against the money line in all games this season. (Team's Record)
SABATHIA is 8-1 (+7.9 Units) against the money line against division opponents this season. (Team's Record)
SABATHIA is 20-8 (+13.3 Units) against the money line in night games over the last 2 seasons. (Team's Record)
TAMPA BAY is 19-12 (+9.8 Units) against the money line when playing against a team with a winning record this season.
SABATHIA is 17-25 (-20.2 Units) against the money line in home games in July games since 1997. (Team's Record)

Head-to-Head Series History
NY YANKEES is 5-4 (+0.5 Units) against TAMPA BAY this season
5 of 9 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL this season . (Over=+0.7 Units)

CHRIS ARCHER vs. NY YANKEES since 1997
ARCHER is 6-6 when starting against NY YANKEES with an ERA of 2.73 and a WHIP of 0.958.
His team's record is 8-7 (+0.5 units) in these starts. The UNDER is 8-6. (+1.3 units)

C.C. SABATHIA vs. TAMPA BAY since 1997
SABATHIA is 16-14 when starting against TAMPA BAY with an ERA of 3.73 and a WHIP of 1.249.
His team's record is 23-20 (-2.4 units) in these starts. The UNDER is 20-21. (-3.5 units)

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CHICAGO CUBS (53 - 47) at CHI WHITE SOX (39 - 59) - 8:10 PM
JON LESTER (L) vs. MIKE PELFREY (R)
Top Trends for this game.
CHICAGO CUBS are 53-47 (-15.1 Units) against the money line in all games this season.
CHICAGO CUBS are 36-41 (-25.1 Units) against the money line against right-handed starters this season.
CHICAGO CUBS are 26-26 (-11.5 Units) against the money line after a win this season.
CHICAGO CUBS are 807-764 (-159.9 Units) against the money line when playing against a team with a losing record since 1997.
LESTER is 27-7 (+16.8 Units) against the money line in night games over the last 2 seasons. (Team's Record)
LESTER is 94-38 (+35.0 Units) against the money line when playing against a team with a losing record since 1997. (Team's Record)

Head-to-Head Series History
CHI WHITE SOX is 1-2 (+0.3 Units) against CHICAGO CUBS this season
1 of 2 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL this season . (Over=+0.0 Units)

JON LESTER vs. CHI WHITE SOX since 1997
LESTER is 6-6 when starting against CHI WHITE SOX with an ERA of 4.43 and a WHIP of 1.281.
His team's record is 8-6 (-0.7 units) in these starts. The UNDER is 7-6. (+0.5 units)

MIKE PELFREY vs. CHICAGO CUBS since 1997
PELFREY is 2-0 when starting against CHICAGO CUBS with an ERA of 1.66 and a WHIP of 0.969.
His team's record is 3-0 (+3.3 units) in these starts. The OVER is 0-2. (-2.3 units)

[StarDust Bum]

Thursday's Diamond Notes
July 27, 2017

Hottest team: Indians (6-0 last six) vs. Angels

Cleveland looks to finish off a perfect homestand this afternoon and pull off the sweep of Los Angeles. The Indians have heated up offensively since returning to Progressive Field by scoring double-digit runs three times, including plating 21 runs in the first two wins over the Angels. Cleveland hasn’t managed to pull away from Kansas City in the AL Central thanks to the Royals winning eight in a row, but the Tribe is currently in a stretch of playing six consecutive teams that are sitting below the .500 mark.

Trevor Bauer rebounded from a pair of losses to the Padres and Athletics by beating Toronto in his past start. The Indians’ right-hander scattered six hits in five innings of a 13-3 victory over the Blue Jays for his first win in nearly a month. The Los Angeles native beat the Angels at home last season, while picking up a no-decision in a 4-3 walk-off loss in Anaheim despite pitching eight innings.

Coldest team: White Sox (1-9 last 10) vs. Cubs

The Crosstown Cup started with the White Sox upsetting the defending champions on Monday, 3-1 at Wrigley Field. The Cubs bounced back with consecutive blowouts in the next two games as the Windy City rivals finish up their series on Thursday at Guaranteed Rate Field. The Sox have won only one game since the All-Star break, while posting a dreadful 0-6 record at home.

The Pale Hose will look to break through at home as heavy underdogs with Mike Pelfrey heading to the mound. Pelfrey is winless in his past three starts, while not lasting past the fifth inning in each off his past five outings.

Hottest pitcher: CC Sabathia, Yankees (9-3, 3.44 ERA)

The most consistent pitcher for New York this season won a Cy Young award back in 2007. Sabathia is fresh off a pair of road victories at Boston and Seattle since the All-Star break, while allowing six hits and one earned run in 11 innings of work. The Bronx Bombers have compiled a solid 12-4 record in his 16 starts this season, including a 5-1 mark at Yankee Stadium. Sabathia beat the Rays twice this season at Tropicana Field, even though he lasted five innings in each outing.

Coldest pitcher: Robert Stephenson, Reds (0-3, 8.10 ERA)

Cincinnati has slumped to a 2-11 record since the All-Star break, including three straight road losses to Cleveland and New York. The Reds travel to Miami for a four-game series as Stephenson is making his second start against the Marlins in less than a week. Stephenson didn’t finish the sixth inning as he allowed five earned runs and eight hits in a 5-4 home defeat to Miami. Those numbers in that start were an improvement from his previous appearance at Toronto on May 29 as he was knocked around for 10 hits and seven runs in two innings of relief in a 17-2 drubbing.

Biggest OVER run: Padres (11-1-1 last 13)

San Diego finally broke through against New York last night, doubling up the Mets, 6-3 as the Padres go for the series split this evening. During this long OVER stretch, there has been no rhyme or reason on how the Padres are playing in high-scoring games. Nine times in this span, the Padres have scored five runs or more, but San Diego has allowed at least five runs on eight occasions. Luis Perdomo is making his first home start for the Padres since June 28 as three of his previous four starts have sailed OVER the total.

Biggest UNDER run: Athletics (4-0 last four)

Oakland’s offense has gone south north of the border in Toronto the last three days by scoring a total of five runs. The A’s were three outs away from beating the Blue Jays on Wednesday, but the Blue Jays hit two runs in the ninth inning to edge Oakland, 3-2. Oakland has failed to bust the three-run plateau in the past four contests, but the A’s have fared well in the past five series finales by posting a 4-1 mark. Sean Manaea takes the mound for Oakland in the finale as the southpaw has hit the OVER in three straight starts, while putting together a 4-0 OVER streak in the past four away starts.

Matchup to watch: Diamondbacks vs. Cardinals

St. Louis has put together probably the most erratic season of any team this season. The Cardinals started slow, then moved to the top of the NL Central before faltering again. The Redbirds are back on the winning track after pulling off a three-game sweep of the struggling Rockies to pull within one game of the .500 mark, while improving to 6-1 in the previous seven contests at Busch Stadium.

The Diamondbacks head to St. Louis following a 3-3 homestand, capped off by a 10-3 blowout of the Braves on Wednesday. Arizona dropped two of three to St. Louis at Chase Field in late June with the only victory coming in extra innings in the opener. Zack Godley ended a three-start losing skid in his last outing for the D-backs in spite of picking up a no-decision. Arizona staved off Washington, 6-5 after blowing a 5-0 lead as the right-hander struck out a season-high 10 batters.

The Cardinals counter with right-hander Luke Weaver, who is making his season debut in the starting role. The former Florida State standout has tossed three innings in relief this season, while posting a 1-4 record with a 5.70 ERA in his rookie campaign of 2016. The Cardinals look to improve on a 5-2 record in its previous seven series openers, including three straight wins in this situation.

Betcha didn’t know: Max Scherzer attempts to rebound from a tough start, literally in his last outing. The Washington ace surrendered three consecutive home runs to begin last Saturday’s start in Arizona as the Nationals fell short in a 6-5 defeat. Washington battles Milwaukee in the rubber game of their series this afternoon as the Nats own a perfect 6-0 record this season when Scherzer takes the mound following a loss in his last appearance.

Biggest public favorite: Cubs (-235) at White Sox

Biggest public underdog: Reds (+125) at Marlins

Biggest line move: Angels (+145 to +135) at Indians

[StarDust Bum]

Thursday's Best Bet
July 27, 2017

Thursday MLB Best Bet
Chicago Cubs vs. Chicago White Sox

After dropping the opener of this two-game, home-and-home crosstown series, the Cubs have really broken their bats out in taking the next two games of this series. The defending World Series champs from the north side have won two in a row by putting up 7 and 8 runs respectively, fully taking advantage of a White Sox team that's selling off the farm and building for the future.

The Cubs have really kicked things into gear since returning from the All-Star break and with a huge series essentially for first place in the NL Central on deck with Milwaukee, the Cubs would hate a slip up tonight. Could it happen?

BetDSI.eu Odds: Chicago Cubs (-240), Chicago White Sox (+213); Total set at 10.5

Given the current trajectory of both teams this year it's no surprise to see the Cubs coming in as heavy chalk once again. The “Northsiders” have Jon Lester on the hill this evening and he and his teammates do deserve to be somewhat heavy favorites tonight. However, this line might be a little inflated given the perspective of both teams (Cubs rolling, White Sox in sell mode) and it's not like the AL squad doesn't have a few things lining up positively for them.

For starters, the forecast is calling for the strong Chicago winds to be blowing straight across to right field and a little out. That's not particularly good news for the lefty Lester, as the White Sox will unquestionably load up their lineup with as many right-handed bats as possible.

The White Sox rank 8th in all of baseball in runs scored vs southpaws, and their .282 team average vs lefties is 3rd in MLB overall. The only AL teams to have more hits vs lefties than the White Sox are Cleveland and Houston, and we all know that both of those teams are well on their way to the postseason this year.

Secondly, the White Sox for all their youth, would love get a split in this crosstown series with the defending champs. They've got a somewhat favorable scenario tonight with the Cubs in a potential look-ahead spot with the Brewers on deck, and with the possibility of the Cubs getting on the path of running away with the NL Central again with a good weekend in Wisconsin, I'm not so sure we get an 100% focused Cubs team this evening.

Admittedly, there will be a few things that have to go right for the White Sox to come out on top this evening, and having Mike Pelfrey on the mound isn't exactly a huge confidence boost. Pelfrey has been hit hard for the bulk of this season, and with the way the Cubs are swinging the bats these days, lighting up Pelfrey and the White Sox for the third straight game isn't out of the question.

But that idea is also built into the price of this line and when the oddsmakers have put a big of a 'tax' on the Cubs this evening with a little inflation, knowing the Cubs will be getting the bulk of the support, I've got no problem taking a shot with the home dogs at this price.

Best Bet: Chicago White Sox ML +213

[StarDust Bum]

Diamond Trends - Thursday
July 27, 2017

TOP SU TREND

-- The White Sox are 0-12 since Jun 14, 2017 when they blew a lead in their starters last start and lost.

TOP OU TREND

-- The Angels are 0-11-1 OU (-4.29 ppg) since Aug 07, 2016 in the last game of a series as a dog vs a team that has won at least their last two games.

TOP STARTER TREND

-- The Cubs are 13-0 since Jun 20, 2015 when Jon Lester starts as a favorite after he gave up no walks in his last start.

TOP CHOICE TREND

-- The Athletics are 0-10 since Jul 26, 2015 in the last game of a series as a dog off a game as a dog in which they lost by one run.

[StarDust Bum]

LEADING OFF: Archer-Sabathia, Scherzer-Garza key matchups
July 26, 2017

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


ALL BUNCHED UP

The AL East is bunched up as Tampa Bay opens a four-game series at the Yankees on Thursday, when Chris Archer (7-6) starts for the Rays and CC Sabathia (9-3) for New York. Boston, which ended a four-game skid by winning at Seattle on Wednesday, leads by one game over New York, with Tampa Bay another 1+ games back. The Rays are starting an eight-game trip that finishes with four games at Houston, which has the AL's best record.

''We're going to display what type team we really are,'' Archer said. ''I think with how we've been playing this year we're ready.''

---

MAX VS. MATT

Washington's Max Scherzer (11-5, 2.26) enters Thursday's home start against Milwaukee with a 2.57 ERA in three starts against the Brewers since joining the Nationals. Brewers starter Matt Garza (4-5, 3.83) has a 19.85 ERA in four starts at Nationals Park.

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AGAIN ALREADY

Miami rookie left-hander Chris O'Grady (1-1, 5.40) is scheduled to make his fourth big league start on Thursday at home against Cincinnati, his second straight outing against the Reds. The 27-year-old lefty did not get a decision last Sunday, when he gave up three runs, four hits and six walks over 4 2/3 innings in Miami's 5-4 win.

---

DECISION AHEAD

Rookie Rafael Devers made quite an impression in his first two days with the Boston Red Sox.

Was it good enough to stick around?

That's one of the big questions as the Red Sox return home for a 10-game homestand that begins Friday against Kansas City. Boston acquired infielder Eduardo Nunez from San Francisco this week but still need to make a move to get him on the roster before Friday's game.

It may be hard to send down Devers after his first two games, which included an impressive home run against Seattle on Wednesday. Devers became the youngest Red Sox's player to home in more than 50 years.

''He hasn't hurt his cause by any means with what he has done in a very short look,'' Boston manager John Farrell said.

[StarDust Bum]

Best Bets and Opinions
Date....................... W-L-T................. %...................... Units Record

07/26/2017..........12-10-0............54.55%....................+12.75
07/25/2017............7-15-2............31.82%.....................-40.75
07/24/2017............7-14-0............33.33%.....................-35.75
07/23/2017............4-11-1............26.67%.....................-36.00
07/22/2017............8-14-1............36.36%.....................-32.50
07/21/2017............10-8-0............55.55%....................+11.00
07/20/2017..............6-4-1............60.00%....................+13.00
07/19/2017............9-12-0............42.86%.....................-15.00
07/18/2017..............8-9-0............47.06% ......................-7.25
07/17/2017..............8-7-1............53.33%......................+7.75
07/16/2017.............5-10-0............33.33%.....................-20.75
07/15/2017...........10-10-2.............50.00%.....................+4.50
07/14/2017.............10-7-1.............58.82%...................+13.75
07/09/2017.............14-4-2.............77.78%...................+61.75
07/08/2017...............5-8-2.............38.46%....................-16.25
07/07/2017.............11-7-2.............61.11%...................+23.00
07/06/2017............. 6-7-0............. 46.15%..................... -1.75
07/05/2017.......... 11-10-0............. 52.38%.................. +12.75
07/04/2017............ 4-13-0............. 23.53%................... -41.00
07/03/2017.............. 5-9-1............. 35.71%................... -20.75
07/02/2017.............. 5-4-1............. 55.56%.................. +10.75
07/01/2017............ 11-9-0............. 55.00%.................. +11.00


Total:.............176 - 202 - 16............46.56%....................- 85.65


ATS / Totals
Best Bets:

07/26/2017.........3 - 7................30.00%...........-3.15...........7 - 2 .........+4.80
07/25/2017.........3 - 7................30.00%...........-3.35...........1 - 6...........-5.60
07/24/2017.........2 - 7................22.22%...........-4.45...........3 - 4..........- 1.40
07/23/2017.........2 - 4................33.33%............-1.60..........1 - 3..........- 2.30
07/22/2017.........2 - 6................25.00%............-3.40..........7 - 7 - 1......- 0.70
07/21/2017.........4 - 3................57.14%...........+2.15..........5 - 1.........+ 2.80
07/20/2017.........1 - 2................33.33%............-0.20..........6 - 1..........+4.90
07/19/2017.........4 - 6................40.00%............-1.50..........1 - 5...........-5.60
07/18/2017.........2 - 2................50.00%...........+0.25..........6 - 6...........-0.60
07/17/2017.........1 - 3................25.00%...........- 1.05..........4 - 4...........- 0.40
07/16/2017.........3 - 3................50.00%..........+ 1.55..........1 - 5............-4.50
07/15/2017.........5 - 3................62.50%...........+3.60..........4 - 4...........- 0.40
07/14/2017.........2 - 1................66.66%...........+1.25..........6 - 6...........+2.70
07/09/2017.........5 - 2................71.42%...........+5.15..........5 - 1..........+ 4.90
07/08/2017.........1 - 3................25.00%............-1.75..........4 - 5 - 2.......- 1.50
07/07/2017.........4 - 5................44.44%............-0.20...........5 - 1..........+ 3.90
07/06/2017.........2 - 5................28.57%...........- 2.70...........2 - 0..........+ 2.00
07/05/2017.........4 - 3................57,14%...........+3.25.......... 6 - 7...........- 1.70
07/04/2017........ 1 - 5 - 0...........16.66%............-2.40...........3 - 3............- 0.30
07/03/2017.........0 - 5 - 0...........00.00%............-5.00...........2 - 2 - 0.......- 0.20
07/02/2017.........4 - 3 - 0...........57.14%.........+11.75...........2 - 2 - 1.......- 1.00
07/01/2017........ 3 - 3 - 0.......... 50.00%.......... +0.70...........5 - 3...........+ 1.70


Totals:...............58 - 88 - 0.........39.76%..........- 1.09........84 - 77 - 4......+ 1.50

[StarDust Bum]

THURSDAY, JULY 27

GAME TIME(ET) PICK UNITS

MIL at WAS 12:05 PM

MIL +235

U 8.0

LAA at CLE 12:10 PM

LAA +150

O 9.5

OAK at TOR 12:37 PM

OAK +165

U 8.5

TB at NYY 07:05 PM

U 9.0

CIN at MIA 07:10 PM

O 9.5

ARI at STL 07:15 PM

U 9.0

CHC at CHW 08:10 PM

CHW +205

NYM at SD 09:10 PM

NYM +100

U 9.0

[StarDust Bum]

Baseball Capsules
July 27, 2017

WASHINGTON (AP) The Washington Nationals tied a franchise record with eight home runs, including two apiece by Bryce Harper and Ryan Zimmerman, and Max Scherzer pitched six innings of three-hit ball in a 15-2 rout of the fading Milwaukee Brewers on Thursday.

Washington matched two major league records in a seven-run third inning: Most consecutive home runs (four) and most home runs in an inning (five).

After Harper connected off Michael Blazek (0-1) in the first inning, Brian Goodwin started the long-ball barrage in the third with a two-run drive. Wilmer Difo, Harper and Zimmerman followed with long home runs.

The streak was interrupted when Daniel Murphy flied out.

Anthony Rendon resumed the fun with a shot to dead center that finally chased Blazek, whose first major league start was memorable for all the wrong reasons.

Zimmerman and Jose Lobaton both homered off Wily Peralta in the fourth for a 15-1 lead.

The eight home runs tied the franchise mark set in July 1978 by the Montreal Expos against Atlanta.

Scherzer (12-5) allowed one run and struck out nine to bring his total this year to 201 - his sixth consecutive season with at least 200, the longest active streak in the majors.

CUBS 6, WHITE SOX 3

CHICAGO (AP) - Kyle Schwarber homered twice and drove in four runs, and the rolling Chicago Cubs beat the Chicago White Sox for their third consecutive victory.

Anthony Rizzo also connected and Jon Lester pitched seven effective innings as the Cubs improved to 11-2 since the All-Star break. The NL Central leaders also increased their advantage over the second-place Brewers to 1 1/2 games ahead of their big series this weekend in Milwaukee.

Lester (8-6) allowed two runs and four hits in his third straight win since he got just two outs in the shortest start of his career July 9 against Pittsburgh. The starting pitchers for the Cubs are 10-0 with a 2.50 ERA in the last 13 games.

Mike Pelfrey (3-8) was tagged for five runs and six hits in five-plus innings.

YANKEES 6, RAYS 5, 11 INNINGS

NEW YORK (AP) - Shortstop Adeiney Hechavarria and second baseman Tim Beckham watched Gary Sanchez's playable grounder bounce between them on the left side of the infield for a tying single with two outs in the ninth inning, Brett Gardner homered leading off the 11th, and New York beat Tampa Bay for its fourth straight win.

Gardner tripled to the left-center wall off Alex Colome leading off the ninth, but Clint Frazier hit a soft grounder to third and AL home run leader Aaron Judge flied to right.

Sanchez hit a two-hopper between Hechavarria and Beckham, but the two infielders looked at each other as the ball bounced into the outfield and Gardner scored.

Gardner then homered, his career-high 18th, in the 11th off rookie Andrew Kittredge (0-1), who lost in his first big league decision.

Aroldis Chapman (3-1) needed just 19 pitches to strike out four over two innings - his longest outing since last year's World Series.

DIAMONDBACKS 4, CARDINALS 0

ST. LOUIS (AP) - J.D. Martinez hit a grand slam and Zack Godley pitched seven innings to help Arizona beat St. Louis.

The Diamondbacks won their third game out of four, improved to 59-43 and snapped the Cardinals' three-game winning streak.

Godley (4-4) reversed a trend of two poor outings, with the best performance of his 14-start career.

Cardinals starter Luke Weaver (0-1), who was recalled from Triple-A Memphis after Adam Wainwright (back) was placed on the disabled list, was burned by two walks immediately in front of Martinez's grand slam.

Martinez has four homers in four days - hitting two Wednesday in a home victory over Atlanta - and 20th overall. It was the fourth grand slam of his career for Martinez, who was acquired from Detroit on July 18.

PADRES 7, METS 5

SAN DIEGO (AP) - Manuel Margot came within a triple of the cycle and fellow rookie Dusty Coleman hit his first major league home run, leading San Diego past New York.

Luis Perdomo (5-5) got the victory after pitching into the seventh. Brad Hand earned his fifth save and ran his scoreless streak to 18 1/3 innings.

Margot drove in three runs, a career high for the former Boston prospect.

Coleman, the 30-year-old minor league veteran, was promoted this week when shortstop Erick Aybar got hurt. He hit a three-run home run that made it 7-1 in the fifth.

The Mets lost for the third time in nine games despite Jay Bruce's 26th home run, a two-run blow off Jose Torres that drew them to 7-5 in a four-run seventh. Chris Flexen (0-1) was the loser in his big league debut.

MARLINS 4, REDS 1

MIAMI (AP) - Chris O'Grady pitched seven scoreless innings to help Miami beat Cincinnati.

Derek Dietrich, who drove in five of Miami's franchise-record 22 runs in a win over the Texas Rangers on Wednesday, homered and knocked in three.

Tyler Moore also drove in a run for the Marlins. They have won five of seven.

The Reds have dropped seven of eight and are 2-12 since the All-Star break.

O'Grady (2-1) allowed five hits. He struck out five and walked two.

A.J. Ramos got the final four outs for his 20th save in 22 opportunities.

Robert Stephenson (0-4) was the loser.

BLUE JAYS 8, ATHLETICS 4, 10 INNINGS

TORONTO (AP) - Steve Pearce hit a grand slam in the 10th inning and Toronto beat Oakland to complete a four-game sweep.

Oakland reliever Liam Hendriks (3-2) walked the bases loaded with two outs before Pearce hooked a 3-2 pitch down the left field line and into the second deck.

Kendrys Morales, who hit a game-winning homer in the ninth inning Wednesday, had two more home runs Thursday. Morales connected off Sean Manaea in the fifth and added a tying blast off Blake Treinen in the ninth, the 19th multihomer game of his career.

Josh Donaldson also homered for Toronto, hitting a solo blast in the first.

Roberto Osuna (3-0) worked one inning for the win.

INDIANS 2, ANGELS 1

CLEVELAND (AP) - Trevor Bauer pitched a season-high eight innings, Francisco Lindor singled to break a tie in the seventh and Cleveland beat Los Angeles for its seventh consecutive victory.

Cleveland is on its longest winning streak of the season and is a season-high 10 games over .500. The Indians completed a 7-0 homestand.

Bauer (9-8) is 4-0 in five starts against the Angels. He struck out six and allowed seven hits. Cody Allen pitched the ninth for his 18th save. JC Ramirez (9-9) took the loss.

[StarDust Bum]

MLB notebook: Rays acquire Jennings, Duda in trades
July 27, 2017

The Tampa Bay Rays were active in the trading market on Thursday, making trades with two teams.

They acquired left-hander Dan Jennings from the Chicago White Sox early Thursday in exchange for switch-hitting first baseman Casey Gillaspie.

Later in the day, the Rays announced they obtained first baseman Lucas Duda from the New York Mets in exchange for minor league right-handed pitcher Drew Smith.

Jennings posted a 3-1 mark with a 3.45 ERA and 38 strikeouts in 48 appearances (44 1/3 innings) this season.

Gillaspie is batting .227 with nine homers, 44 RBIs and 45 runs scored in 95 games this season with Triple-A Durham.

Duda, 31, is a free agent at the end of the year, and he is hitting .246 with 17 homers this season.

Smith pitched at three levels, including Triple-A, for the Rays this season. He has a combined 1.60 ERA in 31 appearances.

--Washington Nationals right-hander Stephen Strasburg was placed on the 10-day disabled list with nerve impingement in his right elbow, the team announced.

Left-hander Sammy Solis was recalled from Triple-A Syracuse to fill the roster spot of Strasburg, who will venture to the disabled list for the ninth time in his career. The two-time All-Star owns a 10-3 mark with a 3.25 ERA in 20 starts this season.

Strasburg exited after pitching two scoreless innings against the Arizona Diamondbacks on Sunday. The 29-year-old underwent a diagnostic ultrasound that revealed nerve impingement in his right forearm.

--Former No. 1 overall draft pick Dansby Swanson was sent to Triple-A Gwinnett by the Atlanta Braves.

Swanson has a .213 batting average with six home runs and 35 RBIs this season. He has only three hits in 25 at-bats since the All-Star break.

Right-hander Aaron Blair was also optioned to Gwinnett.

--The Chicago White Sox placed outfielder Avisail Garcia on the 10-day disabled list with a sprained right thumb.

The White Sox also recalled outfielder Willy Garcia from Charlotte and purchased the contract of left-handed pitcher Aaron Bummer from the Triple-A Charlotte Knights.

Avisail Garcia, 26, is hitting .303 with 17 doubles, three triples, 13 home runs, 54 RBIs and 46 runs over 88 games with the White Sox. He is tied for fourth in the American League with 11 triples and was selected to his first AL All-Star team earlier this month.

--The Oakland Athletics reinstated right-handed reliever Ryan Dull from the disabled list before the team's afternoon game with the Toronto Blue Jays at the Rogers Centre.

Right-handed reliever John Axford was designated for assignment as part of a series of moves.

The Athletics put catcher Josh Phegley on the disabled list because of a strained left oblique and selected catcher Ryan Lavarnway from Triple-A Nashville.

Dull was put on the disabled list with a strained right knee on May 20. He was 2-2 with a 6.32 ERA in 18 games before going on the disabled list.

[StarDust Bum]

Friday's Diamond Notes
July 28, 2017

Hottest team: Indians (7-0 last seven) vs. White Sox

Following an up and down first three months of the season, the defending American League champions are starting to roll. Granted, the Indians don’t own the longest winning streak in baseball (Royals have won eight straight), but Cleveland rebounded from a 1-5 Bay Area road trip to sweep its seven-game homestand. The Tribe dropped 21 runs on the Angels in the first two victories of their series before edging the Halos on Thursday, 2-1 to improve to 10-1 in the past 11 games at Progressive Field.

Cleveland travels to Chicago to face the last place White Sox as the Indians own a 3-5 record in their past eight road series openers. Danny Salazar is coming off his best start of the season as the Indians’ right-hander tossed seven scoreless innings of one-hit ball in a 2-1 victory over the Blue Jays. Salazar has failed to beat the White Sox in two starts this season, losing as a -230 and -185 favorite, but managed to strike out 20 batters in 11 innings.

Coldest team: Athletics (3-7 last 10) vs. Twins

Both Oakland and Minnesota were swept in their past series on the road, but the A’s found new ways to lose. The A’s blew a ninth inning lead in each of the final two defeats at Toronto, while dropping Thursday’s contest to the Blue Jays, 8-4 on a walk-off grand slam in extra innings. Oakland finished off its road trip at 1-6, while scoring 12 runs in the final five games.

The A’s return home where they have won six of their past eight games at the Coliseum. Oakland squares off with a Minnesota squad that is 4-10 since erasing a 6-0 deficit in a 9-6 victory over Baltimore on June 7. Daniel Gossett is coming off his second career victory for Oakland after edging the Mets, 3-2 this past Sunday as a +140 underdog. The A’s are 1-5 in Gossett’s six starts as a ‘dog this season, as Oakland opened at +100 against Minnesota.

Hottest pitcher: Parker Bridwell, Angels (4-1, 3.09 ERA)

Who? The 25-year old Texas native is unbeaten in three July starts, while allowing a total of four earned runs in this stretch. Two of those three Los Angeles victories came against Boston and Tampa Bay (both above .500 teams) and a solid Minnesota team that has stumbled recently. Bridwell has been a solid underdog this season as L.A. is 5-1 in his six starts, including three road victories as a ‘dog of +140 or higher. The Angels look to snap a three-game skid with a trip to Toronto, as the Jays have won four straight.

Coldest pitcher: Jordan Zimmermann, Tigers (6-8, 5.81 ERA)

Detroit showed signs of life after taking two of three last weekend at Minnesota, but the Tigers went backwards after returning home to face the red-hot Royals. The Tigers were swept by Kansas City, while plating only six runs in the three-game set. Zimmermann has struggled this entire season and the task doesn’t get easier when he faces Houston in the series opener at Comerica Park. The right-hander has allowed at least four earned runs in four of his past five starts, while not escaping the fourth inning in a 6-5 defeat at Minnesota last Saturday.

Biggest OVER run: Braves (7-1 last eight)

Atlanta finishes off the third leg of its road trip in Philadelphia this weekend after hitting the OVER in six of the first seven games at Los Angeles and Arizona. The Braves’ offense has exploded in its last three wins by scoring 6, 12, and 8 runs, but the pitching was lit up in the past two losses at Arizona by allowing 20 runs. Julio Teheran starts the opener at Philadelphia, as the Braves’ righty has finished UNDER the total in five of his past six starts, while facing the Phillies for the first time this season.

Biggest UNDER run: Mariners (10-5 last 15)

Seattle has shown inconsistency at home recently as the M’s welcome in the Mets for an interleague series. The Mariners are 3-4 on their current homestand, while being limited to one run or fewer in three of those defeats. Three of the previous four home series openers have finished UNDER the total for the Mariners, as left-hander Ariel Miranda heads to the mound. Miranda is riding a four start OVER streak, while Seattle and its opponents have combined for at least 10 runs in each of his past five trips to the hill.

Matchup to watch: Royals vs. Red Sox

Yes, Kansas City qualified for the hottest team in baseball, but we’d figure they would be better suited in this category. The Royals travel to Fenway Park looking to extend their winning streak to nine games following sweeps of the White Sox and Tigers. Kansas City sits two games behind Cleveland in the AL Central at the 100-game mark, while owning a 53-47 record at this point compared to a 49-51 ledger in 2016.

The Royals send out southpaw Jason Vargas in the opener, who is winless in his last three starts. Vargas already has won the second-most games in a season in his career with 12 victories, including a 5-2 mark on the highway. Kansas City has cashed at a solid clip when Vargas starts as an underdog, posting an 8-2 record, while the Royals are 7-4 in their past 11 opportunities as a road ‘dog.

The Red Sox return home following a 2-4 road swing, but was capped off by a 4-0 shutout of the Mariners on Wednesday. Boston has won seven of its previous eight home series openers as the Sox trot out David Price to the mound. Price was touched up for six runs in five innings of a 7-3 defeat to the Angels his last time out, as the Sox are 1-2 in his previous three starts. The Red Sox have lost three straight series to the Royals since the beginning of 2016, including dropping two of three at Kauffman Stadium in June.

Betcha didn’t know: The Rangers struggle mightily when Andrew Cashner takes the mound following a victory in his last start. Texas has compiled a 1-5 record in this situation after Cashner beat the Rays as a +165 underdog his last time out on July 22. The Orioles invade Arlington owning a dreadful 3-10 record in their past 13 series openers, but one of those wins came over Cashner and the Rangers at Camden Yards on July 17.

Biggest public favorite: Dodgers (-290) vs. Giants

Biggest public underdog: Phillies (+110) vs. Braves

Biggest line move: Cubs (-135 to -155) at Brewers

[StarDust Bum]

Armadillo: Friday's six-pack

Odds on random NFL games this season:

— Week 2: Eagles @ Chiefs (-4.5)

— Week 3: Cowboys (-3) @ Cardinals

— Week 4: Raiders @ Broncos (-1)

— Week 5: Packers @ Cowboys (-3)

— Week 6: Steelers @ Chiefs (-1.5)

— Week 7: Seahawks (-2.5) @ Giants


**********

Armadillo: Friday's List of 13: Random stuff on a summer day……..

13) Baltimore Ravens signed QB David Olsen Thursday; he was a backup at both Stanford/Clemson, and he played for the Kansas City Phantoms in an indoor football league I’ve never heard of. This should make the pro-Kaepernick people really happy.

Joe Flacco is out 3-6 weeks with a bad back. Ryan Mallett is the backup QB, and a kid from West Texas State is the #3 QB. Baltimore could use a quality backup QB.

Maybe Olsen is the next Kurt Warner. You never know.

12) Washington Nationals hit four homers in a row Thursday, and added a 5th homer in that same inning. Last time that happened was 2006, when the Brewers did it.

11) Robert Griffin III tried out for the backup QB-needy Chargers this week. He did so well that the Bolts traded for Cardale Jones right after his tryout. Oy.

10) If you’re on Twitter, a good follow: @LVcabchronicles

This guy is a Vegas cab driver from Iowa who writes about his experience as a driver. He is very smart with a good sense of humor— he needs to write a screenplay about his experiences.

9) While teenagers were climbing all over themselves couple of nights ago to get a glimpse of Lonzo Ball at an AAU tournament here in Las Vegas, a college coach got up and walked thru the crowd to a concession stand. None of the kids stopped him, talked to him or even seemed to notice him.

Weird thing; Patrick Ewing used to be really famous. Now he is just the Georgetown coach.

8) Lon Kruger, Chris Mack, Roy Williams, Bill Self were all in the Cashman Center Wednesday night, finishing up their summer recruiting efforts. With 800,000 people watching the late game Wednesday on the Interweb, don’t be surprised if the adidas tourney is on ESPN next summer.

7) There are other big tournaments here in Las Vegas: the Fab 48 at Bishop Gorman, the Bigfoot Las Vegas Classic and another tournament whose name I forget. Good place to come and watch some good basketball in an air-conditioned gym.

6) If you’re curious how the Big Ballers made out Thursday, they won another defensive struggle 111-102. Teams double team LaMelo Ball and he finds the open man— his teammates were 13-28 on the arc in the win. Play Hard, Play Smart (the opponent) was 24-42 on the foul line.

5) Baseball doings:
— Mets traded 1B/DH Lucas Duda to Tampa Bay
— White Sox traded lefty reliever Dan Jennings to Tampa Bay
— Phillies traded reliever Pat Neshek to Colorado.
— White Sox put OF Avisail Garcia (hand) on the DL.

4) When the White Sox beat the Cubs Monday, Anthony Swarzak got the save; if I was a Sox fan, I would’ve been optimistic that Swarzak could fill the shoes left empty when David Robertson was dealt to New York.

But within 36 hours, Swarzak had been traded to Milwaukee— this is depressing for the team. Every time a player does well, he gets traded. How many minor league prospects do you need?

3) Please God in heaven, no digital umpires calling balls/strikes. Do you think I would trust that major league baseball wouldn’t fix the machines to favor the big money teams?

2) Cincinnati Reds are 6-20 vs lefty pitchers this year. No bueno.

1) Adrian Beltre got tossed out of the game Wednesday because he was standing too far behind the plate when he was on deck. The umpire told him to get closer to the on-deck circle, so Beltre picked the actual circle up and moved it to where he had been standing. The umpire was not amused and threw Beltre out of the game.

On YES Network Thursday, former big league OF Paul O’Neill went off on the umpire, because O’Neill can be a jerk. The umpire was doing his job, thats all.

This happened in 1999 in a Wichita State-Evansville college game. Same situation, but instead of the pitcher asking the ump to move the on-deck hitter, he threw a warm-up pitch close to the on-deck hitter’s head to back him away from the plate. He threw the ball a little too close.

He drilled the on-deck hitter, who was Evansville’s star, broke a broke near his eye and ruined his shot at a pro career. To this day, the player has a blind spot in his left eye, poor peripheral vision and almost no depth perception. He has had surgery on the eye three times and figures to undergo more procedures periodically throughout the rest of his life.

[StarDust Bum]

MLB
Dunkel

Friday, July 28


NY Mets @ Seattle

Game 979-980
July 28, 2017 @ 10:10 pm

Dunkel Rating:
NY Mets
(Montero) 14.396
Seattle
(Miranda) 15.849
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Seattle
by 1 1/2
9
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Seattle
-145
9 1/2
Dunkel Pick:
Seattle
(-145); Under

Minnesota @ Oakland

Game 977-978
July 28, 2017 @ 10:05 pm

Dunkel Rating:
Minnesota
(Garcia) 12.437
Oakland
(Gossett) 15.604
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Oakland
by 3
7
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Minnesota
-115
9
Dunkel Pick:
Oakland
(-105); Under

Cleveland @ Chicago White Sox

Game 975-976
July 28, 2017 @ 8:10 pm

Dunkel Rating:
Cleveland
(Salazar) 16.887
Chicago White Sox
(Holland) 13.266
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Cleveland
by 3 1/2
13
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Cleveland
-220
9 1/2
Dunkel Pick:
Cleveland
(-220); Over

Baltimore @ Texas

Game 973-974
July 28, 2017 @ 8:05 pm

Dunkel Rating:
Baltimore
(Tillman) 12.815
Texas
(Cashner) 14.116
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Texas
by 1 1/2
9
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Texas
-135
11
Dunkel Pick:
Texas
(-135); Under

Houston @ Detroit

Game 971-972
July 28, 2017 @ 7:10 pm

Dunkel Rating:
Houston
(Keuchel) 14.370
Detroit
(Zmmrmnn) 15.722
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Detroit
by 1 1/2
11
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Houston
-180
9 1/2
Dunkel Pick:
Detroit
(+160); Over

Kansas City @ Boston

Game 969-970
July 28, 2017 @ 7:10 pm

Dunkel Rating:
Kansas City
(Vargas) 15.749
Boston
(Price) 17.356
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Boston
by 1 1/2
11
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Boston
-180
9 1/2
Dunkel Pick:
Boston
(-180); Over

LA Angels @ Toronto

Game 967-968
July 28, 2017 @ 7:05 pm

Dunkel Rating:
LA Angels
(Bridwell) 15.110
Toronto
(Happ) 13.656
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
LA Angels
by 1 1/2
7
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Toronto
-135
8 1/2
Dunkel Pick:
LA Angels
(+115); Under

Tampa Bay @ NY Yankees

Game 965-966
July 28, 2017 @ 7:05 pm

Dunkel Rating:
Tampa Bay
(Pruitt) 14.791
NY Yankees
(Tanaka) 15.676
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
NY Yankees
by 1
9
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
NY Yankees
-180
9 1/2
Dunkel Pick:
NY Yankees
(-180); Under

Pittsburgh @ San Diego

Game 963-964
July 28, 2017 @ 10:10 pm

Dunkel Rating:
Pittsburgh
(Kuhl) 14.054
San Diego
(Wood) 15.540
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
San Diego
by 1 1/2
11
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Pittsburgh
-115
8
Dunkel Pick:
San Diego
(-105); Over

San Francisco @ LA Dodgers

Game 961-962
July 28, 2017 @ 10:10 pm

Dunkel Rating:
San Francisco
(Moore) 14.038
LA Dodgers
(Wood) 16.597
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
LA Dodgers
by 2 1/2
10
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
LA Dodgers
-280
8
Dunkel Pick:
LA Dodgers
(-280); Over

Arizona @ St. Louis

Game 959-960
July 28, 2017 @ 8:15 pm

Dunkel Rating:
Arizona
(Ray) 16.960
St. Louis
(Wacha) 15.528
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Arizona
by 1 1/2
7
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
St. Louis
-120
8
Dunkel Pick:
Arizona
(+100); Under

Chicago Cubs @ Milwaukee

Game 957-958
July 28, 2017 @ 8:10 pm

Dunkel Rating:
Chicago Cubs
(Quntana) 16.116
Milwaukee
(Suter) 14.091
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Chicago Cubs
by 2
10
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Chicago Cubs
-150
9
Dunkel Pick:
Chicago Cubs
(-150); Over

Cincinnati @ Miami

Game 955-956
July 28, 2017 @ 7:10 pm

Dunkel Rating:
Cincinnati
(Romano) 14.544
Miami
(Worley) 13.520
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Cincinnati
by 1
9
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Miami
-115
9 1/2
Dunkel Pick:
Cincinnati
(-105); Under

Colorado @ Washington

Game 953-954
July 28, 2017 @ 7:05 pm

Dunkel Rating:
Colorado
(Marquez) 17.952
Washington
(Roark) 14.882
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Colorado
by 3
7
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Washington
-150
9 1/2
Dunkel Pick:
Colorado
(+130); Under

Atlanta @ Philadelphia

Game 951-952
July 28, 2017 @ 7:05 pm

Dunkel Rating:
Atlanta
(Teheran) 17.030
Philadelphia
(Hellckson) 14.500
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Atlanta
by 2 1/2
10
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Atlanta
-120
9
Dunkel Pick:
Atlanta
(-120); Over