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**StarDust Bum** · 04-08-2018, 11:07 AM

5-inning or full-game odds? How you should bet the best and worst MLB bullpens
Ashton Grewal

The Boston Red Sox were up 3-0 on Opening Day when their ace Chris Sale left the mound following six innings of work. But the Tampa Bay Rays scored six runs in the eighth inning and won the game 6-4 as +155 underdogs. That was a tough loss for BoSox moneyline bettors, however, that wager didn’t have to end in an L.

Most sportsbooks offer 5-inning odds (grading the game on just the first five innings of action), which would have meant a win for – albeit at a different price – for Boston backers on Opening Day.

Nowadays, most starting pitchers are asked just to get to the sixth inning (or even just the fifth) so the manager can get on the horn and bring in the setup for the setup guy. Relievers are pitching more and more innings and greatly impacting game results because of it.

There were 44 starting pitchers in 2010 who threw 200 or more innings. Last year, there were only 15. It stinks losing a game when your team’s starting hurler pitches great and then you lose the game because the bullpen didn’t do their job.

Team bullpen stats are tools bettors can use to determine whether wagering on the full-game monyeline or the first five-innings moneyline is the best choice. You can feel more confident betting on a team rolling out its fifth starter if its relief staff is holding down the fort and, conversely, you can back an ace for just the first five innings if you don’t believe in the bullpen.

Here’s a quick look at two of the best bullpens in baseball and two of the worst heading into the second weekend of the season.

BEST BULLPENS

Chicago Cubs

Bullpen ERA: 0.69

A four-game set against the Miami Marlins was supposed to be an easy-peasy opening to the 2018 campaign for the Chicago Cubs. The two-time defending National League Central winners and 2016 World Series champions were visiting a city with more Cubs fans than Miami fans, and the Marlins' offseason selloff left a roster closer resembling a Double-A team than one worthy of the big show. Oddsmakers made the Cubs -200 or larger favorites in three of the four games.

Chicago ran out nearly $65 million worth of starting pitching talent including newly-acquired Yu Darvish and came away with just one quality start from the four games. Thankfully, the bullpen was there to clean up the mess. The Cubs avoided embarrassment and left South Florida by splitting the four-game series thanks in large part to the work of their relief staff.

The Northsiders own the best bullpen earned-run average in the majors (0.69) through Wednesday.

New York Mets

Bullpen ERA: 1.16

Mets fans thought 2018 could be a big bounce-back year for their club because of the return to health of the young pitching staff. And, while Matt Harvey and Jacob deGrom both look great, the bullpen is a big part of the reason New York is 5-1 after its first six games.

The Metropolitans own the best WHIP (walks plus hits per inning) for a relief staff at 0.94 and closer Jeurys Familia is three for three in save opportunities this season.

WORST BULLPENS

Kansas City Royals

Bullpen ERA: 9.00

Kansas City’s World Series teams from the middle of the decade were built on the arms coming out of the pen. The saying used to go that Royals manager Ned Yost only needed his starter to pitch five innings because the club had shutdown relievers for every other inning.

Closer Kelvin Herrera is still doing his thing, now as the team closer, but the bridge from the starter to Herrera in the eighth or ninth inning isn’t the same. Blaine Boyer is the worst offender. The journeyman reliever has given up four runs in just two appearances this season.

New York Yankees

Bullpen ERA: 6.63

The Yankees' relief staff ranks 26th in the majors but it had to be included on the naughty list because of the preseason hype surrounding the group. The bullpen was supposed to be a team strength for New York with big name arms like David Robertson and Aroldis Chapman expected to close the door in late innings.

Robertson is proving to be the weak link in chain so far. He’s given up four runs in three innings of work and has yet to strike anyone out. The Yankees have also blown two of their three save chances.

**StarDust Bum** · 04-08-2018, 11:10 AM

Sunday's Best Bet
April 8, 2018

Sunday MLB Best Bet

Oakland A's vs. L.A Angels

The Oakland A's are going to be sick of seeing the L.A Angels by the end of the month as Sunday's series finale in Anaheim makes the seventh meeting already between the two teams this year.

Los Angeles has gotten the better of Oakland so far with a 4-2 SU record in games this year, but the A's got one by L.A for the first time since the season opener yesterday and are now looking to leave town with a series win. But to get that, the Oakland A's are going to have to beat phenom Shohei Ohtani from his spot on the pitching mound tonight.

Oakland (+157) vs L.A Angels (-175); Total set at 9

The A's may have had their issues with the Angels already this year, but they do get to enjoy a rare advantage tonight that many other Angels opponents won't really have the luxury of having: the A's see Ohtani for the second time in about a week.

Ohtani has lived up and without question exceeded the high expectations everyone had for him already, but we've got to remember we are still just 10 games into a 162-game season. Ohtani made his MLB debut as a pitcher against Oakland in the series finale last week, going six strong innings, allowing three runs on three hits.

Those are numbers any MLB manager would take from any starter on any given night, but for all his talent, I wouldn't be expecting those days as the norm for Ohtani, at least for the first few months. Remember, there is a lot more then just baseball going on for Ohtani right now as the young man adapts to life in a much different environment.

So seeing a pitcher twice in short order is always a plus, but when there is limited film/resources on a guy like Ohtani, having your team have that first hand experience so recently to call back on is a huge plus for Oakland tonight. We've already seen the 'over' move up from it's opener of 8.5, and a quick move like that suggests to me that oddsmakers weren't exactly happy with the 8.5 they hung initially. I'm sure part of that has to do with the fact that Oakland is seeing Ohtani for the 2nd time already.

Taken on the whole, this specific scenario for the game actually seems a bit mis-priced. Yes, Ohtani is a stud on the mound in terms of talent, but he's already getting priced near the range of those upper-tier pitchers we've got in this league (the Kershaw's of the world) and he's started a grand total of one game. Oh, and by the way, his second start comes against the team he already saw in his first start. Do you want to lay -175 with that?

Oakland may not turn out to be a great, or even good baseball team this year, but this is too good of a spot to pass them up tonight. The mystic and uncertainty about facing Ohtani and his stuff is non-existent this time around for the A's offense, and I wouldn't be surprised to see them tag Ohtani early and often this afternoon. Throw in a hefty underdog price of +150-plus and there is just too much value to pass up on the A's tonight.

Best Bet: Oakland A's (+157)

**StarDust Bum** · 04-08-2018, 11:18 AM

SUNDAY, APRIL 8
GAME TIME(ET) PICK UNITS

BAL at NYY 01:05 PM
NYY -180

TB at BOS 01:05 PM
TB +185

KC at CLE 01:10 PM
O 8.0

MIA at PHI 01:35 PM
MIA +168

CIN at PIT 01:35 PM
CIN +128

SEA at MIN 02:10 PM
MIN -111
O 8.5

SD at HOU 02:10 PM
O 8.5

DET at CHW 02:10 PM
CHW -148

CHC at MIL 02:10 PM
MIL +114

ARI at STL 02:15 PM
O 7.5

TOR at TEX 03:05 PM
TEX +102
O 9.0

ATL at COL 03:10 PM
COL -135

LAD at SF 04:05 PM
O 7.5

OAK at LAA 04:07 PM
O 9.0

NYM at WAS 08:08 PM
WAS -157

**StarDust Bum** · 04-08-2018, 11:57 PM

Ohtani takes perfect-game bid into 7th in home debut
April 8, 2018

ANAHEIM, Calif. (AP) Shohei Ohtani retired the Oakland Athletics' first 19 batters and yielded one hit over seven shutout innings in his home pitching debut, leading the Los Angeles Angels to a 6-1 victory Sunday.

Marcus Semien's clean one-out single to left broke up Ohtani's bid for a perfect game,

Ohtani (2-0) struck out the side twice and finished with 12 strikeouts in all. He won his pitching debut in Oakland last weekend with six strong innings, then homered in three consecutive games in Anaheim between starts in his attempt to become the first regular two-way player in decades.

Mike Trout and Ryan Schimpf homered, and Albert Pujols had an RBI double in the Angels' seventh win in nine games. Kendall Graveman (0-2) gave up five hits and four walks while failing to get out of the fourth inning for the A's, who have lost seven of 10.

MARLINS 6, PHILLIES 3

PHILADELPHIA (AP) - Jake Arrieta (0-1) lasted just four innings in his Philadelphia debut, allowing three runs - two earned - and three hits while striking out five. The 2015 NL Cy Young Award winner with the Cubs joined the Phillies a month into spring training, signing a $75 million, three-year deal that could be worth up to $135 million over five seasons.

Brian Anderson hit a tiebreaking two-run double in a three-run eighth off Luis Garcia (0-1) and Adam Morgan. Odrisamer Despaigne (2-0) pitched two hitless innings, and Brad Ziegler got three outs for his first save.

DIAMONDBACKS 4, CARDINALS 1

ST. LOUIS (AP) - Arizona manager Torey Lovullo set off a benches-clearing incident by maintaining eight-time All-Star catcher Yadier Molina was earning unwarranted strike calls with his pitch framing.

Lovullo was ejected by plate umpire Tim Timmons in the second inning. Lovullo was arguing a called third strike on A.J. Pollock and got into a shouting match with Molina. The catcher appeared to lunge at Luvollo and made contact as players ran onto the field.

David Peralta hit a tiebreaking, two-run homer off Dominic Leone (0-2) in the eighth and A.J. Pollock went deep later in the inning as Arizona matched its best with a 7-2 start.

Yoshihisa Hirano (1-0) pitched a perfect seventh for his first major league win, and Brad Boxberger got three outs for his fourth save.

RED SOX 8, RAYS 7

BOSTON (AP) - Boston's Xander Bogaerts left with a left ankle injury in the seventh inning. The shortstop got hurt while sliding down into the Tampa Bay dugout and will have tests Monday.

Andrew Benintendi hit a tiebreaking RBI double in Boston's wild six-run eighth inning, and the Red Sox won their eighth straight.

Boston improved to 8-1, including 5-0 in one-run games. Tampa Bay has dropped eight straight since its win on opening day.

Carson Smith (1-1) pitched a scoreless inning , and Craig Kimbrel got three outs for his third save. Alex Colome (0-1) was the loser.

Tampa Bay had a season-high 11 hits and left 10 runners on base.

ORIOLES 8, YANKEES 7

NEW YORK (AP) - Brad Brach escaped his own bases-loaded, no-out jam in the 12th inning, getting his second save when Aaron Judge grounded into a rare pitcher-to-catcher-to-third double play and striking out Giancarlo Stanton,

Baltimore overcame a 5-0, first-inning deficit to take three of four in New York following a five-game losing streak.

Stanton went 0 for 7, stranded nine runners and fanned five times for the second time in a week. He is hitting .167 and has 20 strikeouts in 42 at-bats in his first season with the Yankees.

Craig Gentry hit an RBI single in the 12th off Adam Warren (0-1).

INDIANS 3, ROYALS 1

CLEVELAND (AP) - Yan Gomes hit a tiebreaking two-run homer off Brandon Maurer (0-2) in the ninth inning

The game-time temperature was 32 degrees, the lowest in the 25-year history of the ballpark.

Cody Allen (1-0) worked the ninth for the win.

TIGERS 1, WHITE SOX 0

CHICAGO (AP) - Mike Fiers combined with four relievers on a three-hitter that completed a three-game sweep.

On an afternoon with a first-pitch temperature of 36 degrees and a 10 mph wind blowing straight in, the teams combined for just five hits - all singles - and none after the third inning.

Fiers (1-0) made his season debut after recovering from a lumbar strain and allowed three hits in six innings. and Shane Greene got three outs for his second save.

Leonys Martin blooped a single off Reynaldo Lopez (0-1) starting the game, stole second, advanced on Welington Castillo's passed ball and came home on Miguel Cabrera's sacrifice fly.

ASTROS 4, PADRES 1

HOUSTON (AP) - Max Stassi hit a three-run homer off Tyson Ross (1-1), Charlie Morton (2-0) allowed four hits and three walks for one unearned run in six innings.

The 52-degree temperature with the open roof for the first pitch was the coolest in the ballpark's history, beating 57 degrees, on April 8, 2007.

Brad Peacock pitched a perfect ninth for his first save this season.

CUBS 3, BREWERS 0

MILWAUKEE (AP) - Jose Quintana (1-1) three-hit ball over six innings, Ben Zobrist homered and Chicago finished 5-4 on its longest opening trip since going 7-5 in 1899.

Brandon Morrow pitched a perfect ninth for his second save.

Ben Zobrist's solo shot off the foul pole in right in the fourth gave the Cubs the only run they would need against Chase Anderson (0-1), who allowed two runs and four hits in six innings.

PIRATES 5, REDS 0

PITTSBURGH (AP) - Jameson Taillon (2-0) pitched a one-hitter for his first shutout in 45 major league starts, allowing Tyler Mahle's single to center with one out in the third. He struck out seven and walked two.

Taillon added an RBI single off Mahle (1-1) in the second, Gregory Polanco hit a two-run homer and Corey Dickerson a solo drive.

BLUE JAYS 7, RANGERS 4

ARLINGTON, Texas (AP) - Steve Pearce homered on the first pitch of the game from Cole Hamels (1-2), and Kendrys Morales added a three-run shot in the first inning.

Jaime Garcia (1-0) won while facing Texas for the first time in 176 big league starts, allowing three runs and five hits in 5 1/3 innings. Hamels (1-2) let four of his first five hitters reach and gave up seven runs - five earned - and eight hits in 5 1/3 innings.

Robert Osuna retired four straight for his fourth save.

DODGERS 2, GIANTS 1

SAN FRANCISCO (AP) - Cody Bellinger overcame food poisoning to score the go-ahead run on Kyle Farmer's pinch-hit double in the 10th inning off Pierce Johnson (0-1).

Josh Fields (1-0) pitched a scoreless ninth for the win and Kenley Jansen struck out three batters in the 10th for his first save this season.

Clayton Kershaw pitched seven scoreless innings but allowed Hunter Pence's leadoff single in the eighth and was charged with a run when pinch-hitter Buster Posey hit an RBI single against JT Chargois.

BRAVES 4, ROCKIES 0

DENVER (AP) - Sean Newcomb (1-1) allowed three hits in the first inning before retiring the next 16 batters.

Nick Markakis and Dansby Swanson hit back-to-back homers off Kyle Freeland (0-2).

Colorado scored only six runs in the series and was shut out at home for the first time since last May 27.

**StarDust Bum** · 04-09-2018, 12:00 AM

Wheeler up Wednesday, aligning Mets' long-awaited rotation
April 8, 2018

WASHINGTON (AP) The New York Mets have waited years for this rotation.

Zack Wheeler will be recalled from Triple-A Las Vegas to start Wednesday against the Miami Marlins, finally aligning the five-man rotation New York has hoped to use for years.

Mets manager Mickey Callaway announced the right-hander's upcoming start Sunday. It would be the first time Noah Syndergaard, Jacob deGrom, Steven Matz, Matt Harvey and Wheeler make a rotation turn together. New York fans have hoped to see that five-man group since Matz debuted in 2015, but the pitchers never been healthy and effective at the same time.

The 27-year-old Wheeler was sent down to Triple-A at the end of spring training. Other candidates to make the start included Seth Lugo and Robert Gsellman, both of whom are performing well in the bullpen.

Wheeler was solid in his first start for Las Vegas on Friday, allowing one earned run and three hits over five innings.

He is filling Jason Vargas' spot in the rotation. Vargas (broken right hand) threw a simulated game on Saturday.

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

Mariners' Healy injures ankle in postgame workout
April 8, 2018

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) Seattle Mariners first baseman Ryon Healy injured his right ankle during a postgame workout Saturday and likely will miss at least a few games this week.

Healy was injured following an 11-4 win over Minnesota and showed up on crutches and in a walking boot Sunday, when the series finale was postponed due to poor weather. Manager Scott Servais tells MLB.com that Healy will have an MRI and likely miss the upcoming three-game series against Kansas City.

Healy opened the season with a 1-for-21 slump before hitting a three-run double in the eighth inning Saturday.

Seattle could have Daniel Vogelbach, Andrew Romine or Taylor Motter handle first base in Healy's absence.

Starting position players Nelson Cruz, Mike Zunino and Ben Gamel are already on the 10-day disabled list.

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

Snow forces postponement of M's-Twins
April 8, 2018

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) The series finale between the Seattle Mariners and the Minnesota Twins was postponed Sunday because of wintry weather.

With snow in the forecast and game-time temperatures expected to hover around freezing, the game was called off about three hours before it was supposed to begin and rescheduled for May 14, what had been a mutual day off for both teams. The Mariners had not been scheduled to return to Minnesota this season.

Lance Lynn had been scheduled to make his Target Field debut for the Twins, opposite Marco Gonzales of the Mariners.

The two teams played through the coldest outdoor Twins' game in Minnesota history on Saturday when the first pitch was thrown in 27-degree weather. Seattle beat Minnesota 11-4.

''It was freezing,'' Mariners outfielder Dee Gordon said after the game. ''I was getting picked on a lot of the time for having a hoodie on. Then we went out, and everybody on their team had a hoodie on. I was like, `Oh, I don't feel so bad.'''

Because of the cold weather, both teams agreed to forgo the use of the bullpens in left-center field and let relievers warm up in the hitting cages behind the dugouts.

Sunday's postponement could help both pitching staffs.

Neither team has a fifth starter on the roster. The Twins host the Houston Astros on Monday night while the Mariners visit the Kansas City Royals.

The weather is supposed to remain cold but dry the rest of the week in Minnesota, which also hosts the Chicago White Sox for four games following a three-game set with Houston.

Twins manager Paul Molitor didn't announce his rotation plans, but Lynn likely will be pushed back for Monday's game against the Astros and followed by Jake Odorizzi, Kyle Gibson and Jose Berrios.

Right-hander Phil Hughes is rehabilitating a left oblique strain and likely will take the fifth-starter spot. Instead of being needed on Wednesday against the defending World Series champions, Hughes could be in line to start Friday against Chicago.

''The outing went well the other day,'' Molitor said Saturday after Hughes allowed three runs in five innings for Class A Fort Myers. ''He got his pitches up a little bit closer to being able to start, if you will. I saw that he touched 94 the other day. We're just going to have to see how things play out here. He's still on rehab assignments so we're just going to see how that plays out and what happens with the weather and games being played the next couple of days and all of those things.''

Seattle left-hander Marco Gonzales is expected to start the series opener in Kansas City, followed by Felix Hernandez and James Paxton. Mike Leake, who started Saturday's win in Minnesota, will follow Friday at home against Oakland with the Mariners having another off day on Thursday.

**StarDust Bum** · 04-09-2018, 12:18 AM

SCHEDULE FOR MONDAY APRIL 9, 2018
Time (ET) Away Home Site
2:10 PM Tampa Bay Rays Chicago White Sox Guaranteed Rate Field
2:20 PM Pittsburgh Pirates Chicago Cubs Wrigley Field
6:10 PM Detroit Tigers Cleveland Indians Progressive Field
7:05 PM Atlanta Braves Washington Nationals Nationals Park
7:05 PM Cincinnati Reds Philadelphia Phillies Citizens Bank Park
7:05 PM Milwaukee Brewers St. Louis Cardinals Busch Stadium
7:05 PM Toronto Blue Jays Baltimore Orioles Oriole Park at Camden Yards
7:10 PM New York Mets Miami Marlins Marlins Park
8:05 PM Los Angeles Angels Texas Rangers Globe Life Park in Arlington
8:10 PM Houston Astros Minnesota Twins Target Field
8:15 PM Seattle Mariners Kansas City Royals Ewing M. Kauffman Stadium
8:40 PM San Diego Padres Colorado Rockies Coors Field
10:15 PM Arizona Diamondbacks San Francisco Giants AT&T Park

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

DATE W-L-T % UNITS RECORD

04/08/2018 2-13-0 13.33% -65.10
04/07/2018 7-11-0 38.88% -26.60
04/06/2018 4-4-0 50.00% +1.55
04/05/2018 12-7-0 63.16% +11.75
04/04/2018 7-6-1 53.85% +6.15
04/03/2018 12-12-0 50.00% +0.30
04/02/2018 3-5-0 37.50% -13.10
04/01/2018 6-14-0 30.00% -42.70

Totals.............54 - 72........42.85%....-127.75

**StarDust Bum** · 04-09-2018, 12:47 AM

Monday’s 6-pack

First seven picks in the 2008 MLB Draft:

1) Rays— Tim Beckham— Made majors, but is marginal player

2) Pirates— Pedro Alvarez— He and Beckham are both Orioles now

3) Royals— Eric Hosmer— KC hits the jackpot here.

4) Orioles— Brian Matusz— Made the majors, but……

5) Giants— Buster Posey—.…….they could’ve had this guy.

6) Marlins— Kyle Skipworth— Whoops.

7) Reds— Yonder Alonso— Good player who has bounced around a lot.

Quote of the Day
“When I turn the corner and get down hill, I don’t get those same calls [as LeBron James] when people put their hands on me or contact me. I already knew the play before it when I drove on LeBron, I wasn’t going to get a call so why even put myself in that position?”
John Wall

Monday’s quiz
Who was the last coach of the old Cleveland Browns, before they moved to Baltimore and became the Ravens?

Sunday’s quiz
Houston Texans’ coach Bill O’Brien coached Penn State’s football team, after Joe Paterno and before current coach James Franklin.

Saturday’s quiz
Tallahassee is the capital of Florida.

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

Monday’s List of 13: Wrapping up a sports weekend

13) Arizona 4, St Louis 1— Odd situation in this game; Arizona batter gets called out on strikes, D’Backs manager Tory Lovullo comes out to protect his hitter, but says his two cents and gets tossed for arguing balls/strikes.

In the meantime, he gestures towards St Louis catcher Yadier Molina, says something about Molina stealing strikes by how he frames pitches and Molina gets really mad and comes after Lovullo— the umpire stepped in between them and Molina shoved the umpire. Benches emptied, and then things quieted down.

12) When Andrew McCutchen hit his walk-off homer Saturday night, it was on the 12th pitch of the at-bat, his only at-bat of 12+ pitches in 5,861 plate appearances in the major leagues.

11) Medical trivia: Tommy John surgery is called Tommy John surgery because Tommy John was the first person to have the surgery, in the mid-70’s.

The second person to have the surgery? Current Astros’ pitching coach Brent Strom.

10) Saw a list today someone wrote on the Interweb of the 25 most re-watchable movies of all-time; I’ve only seen eight of them.

Thats what makes the world interesting; different people like different stuff, but how Moneyball wasn’t on that list is beyond me.

9) Before this week, Patrick Reed had worn a red shirt at all five of his PGA Tour wins; but Reed has an endorsement contract with Nike, and Nike wouldn’t let him wear a red shirt this week— I guess Eldrick Woods must actually own the color red.

Reed wore a pink shirt Sunday, and he won The Masters anyway. Go figure.

8) 76ers have won their last 14 games, the longest win streak in franchise history. Their last nine wins were by double digits; the NBA record for consecutive double digit wins is 10 in a row.

7) Mitch Kupchak is the new general manager of the Charlotte Hornets; still not sure why the Lakers canned him as GM, but he went to North Carolina and Michael Jordan hired him.

6) If a run scores because of an error, it is an unearned run on the pitcher’s record, but if the pitcher is the person who made the error, it shouldn’t be unearned, since it was his fault. Just one of my pet peeves that doesn’t matter very much.

5) Braves 4, Rockies 0— Sean Newcomb is just the third pitcher in Coors Field history to strike out 9+ hitters and not walk anyone while throwing 6+ scoreless innings.

4) 99-year-old Phil Coyne, a Pittsburgh Pirates usher who has been working home games for the team since 1936, is retiring. He turns 100 later this month. Can you believe he was working Pirate games in freakin’ 1936?!?!?!?!

3) Koby McEwen was Utah State’s best player the last two years; he scored 15.6 ppg last year, but when the Aggies changed coaches last month, McEwen announced that he is bolting. McEwen’s final three teams are Creighton, Grand Canyon and Marquette— two Big East teams and…..Grand Canyon????? The Antelopes are coached by former NBA player Dan Majerle.

2) Questions about this year’s Angels:
a) Is Shohei Ohtani going to pitch every Sunday?
b) If so, how will the other Angel pitchers feel about this?
c) If he keeps pitching this well, ain’t no one gonna say a freakin’ word.
d) If the Angels make the playoffs with a 6-man rotation, how long before more teams do it?

1— If the NBA playoffs started today:
East: Wizards-Raptors, Bucks-Celtics, Heat-76ers, Pacers-Cavaliers
West: Wolves-Rockets, Thunder-Warriors, Spurs-Blazers, Pelicans-Jazz

**StarDust Bum** · 04-09-2018, 11:34 AM

MLB
Dunkel

Monday, April 9

Pittsburgh @ Chicago Cubs

Game 951-952
April 9, 2018 @ 2:20 pm

Dunkel Rating:
Pittsburgh
(Nova) 14.617
Chicago Cubs
(Chtwood) 16.154
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Chicago Cubs
by 1 1/2
5
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Chicago Cubs
-155
No Total
Dunkel Pick:
Chicago Cubs
(-155); N/A

Cincinnati @ Philadelphia

Game 953-954
April 9, 2018 @ 7:05 pm

Dunkel Rating:
Cincinnati
(Reed) 14.134
Philadelphia
(Lively) 15.566
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Philadelphia
by 1 1/2
7
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Philadelphia
-130
9
Dunkel Pick:
Philadelphia
(-130); Under

Atlanta @ Washington

Game 955-956
April 9, 2018 @ 7:05 pm

Dunkel Rating:
Atlanta
(Teheran) 16.521
Washington
(Scherzer) 13.676
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Atlanta
by 3
9
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Washington
-240
7 1/2
Dunkel Pick:
Atlanta
(+200); Over

Milwaukee @ St. Louis

Game 957-958
April 9, 2018 @ 7:05 pm

Dunkel Rating:
Milwaukee
(Chacin) 15.356
St. Louis
(Mikolas) 14.447
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Milwaukee
by 1
7
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
St. Louis
-150
8 1/2
Dunkel Pick:
Milwaukee
(+130); Under

NY Mets @ Miami

Game 959-960
April 9, 2018 @ 7:10 pm

Dunkel Rating:
NY Mets
(Syndrgrd) 14.402
Miami
(Urena) 15.896
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Miami
by 1 1/2
9
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
NY Mets
-220
7 1/2
Dunkel Pick:
Miami
(+190); Over

San Diego @ Colorado

Game 961-962
April 9, 2018 @ 8:40 pm

Dunkel Rating:
San Diego
(Richard) 14.969
Colorado
(Gray) 13.436
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
San Diego
by 1 1/2
7
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Colorado
-200
10 1/2
Dunkel Pick:
San Diego
(+170); Under

Arizona @ San Francisco

Game 963-964
April 9, 2018 @ 10:15 pm

Dunkel Rating:
Arizona
(Godley) 16.712
San Francisco
(Holland) 15.523
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Arizona
by 1
7
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Arizona
-125
8 1/2
Dunkel Pick:
Arizona
(-125); Under

Detroit @ Cleveland

Game 965-966
April 9, 2018 @ 6:10 pm

Dunkel Rating:
Detroit
(Liriano) 14.797
Cleveland
(Kluber) 15.531
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Cleveland
by 1
5
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Cleveland
-180
8 1/2
Dunkel Pick:
Cleveland
(-180); Under

Toronto @ Baltimore

Game 967-968
April 9, 2018 @ 7:05 pm

Dunkel Rating:
Toronto
(Happ) 16.708
Baltimore
(Bundy) 15.655
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Toronto
by 1
11
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Baltimore
-115
8 1/2
Dunkel Pick:
Toronto
(-105); Over

LA Angels @ Texas

Game 969-970
April 9, 2018 @ 8:05 pm

Dunkel Rating:
LA Angels
(Rchards) 00.000
Texas
(Fister) 00.000
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
LA Angels

Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
LA Angels

Dunkel Pick:
LA Angels
( );

Tampa Bay @ Chicago White Sox

Game 971-972
April 9, 2018 @ 2:10 pm

Dunkel Rating:
Tampa Bay
(Archer) 15.468
Chicago White Sox
(Gonzalez) 14.253
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Tampa Bay
by 1
11
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Tampa Bay
-135
8
Dunkel Pick:
Tampa Bay
(-135); Over

Houston @ Minnesota

Game 973-974
April 9, 2018 @ 8:10 pm

Dunkel Rating:
Houston
(Verlnder) 16.135
Minnesota
(Lynn) 15.214
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Houston
by 1
5
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Houston
-165
8 1/2
Dunkel Pick:
Houston
(-165); Under

Seattle @ Kansas City

Game 975-976
April 9, 2018 @ 8:15 pm

Dunkel Rating:
Seattle
(Gonzales) 14.064
Kansas City
(Junis) 15.491
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Kansas City
by 1 1/2
5
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Kansas City
-110
8
Dunkel Pick:
Kansas City
(-110); Under

**StarDust Bum** · 04-09-2018, 11:35 AM

MLB
Armadillo's Write-Up

Monday, April 9

National League
Pirates (7-2) @ Cubs (5-4)
Nova is 0-1, 6.10 in two starts this season (over 2-0).

Chatwood allowed one run in six IP (92 PT) in his first ’18 start; his last four starts stayed under the total.

Pirates won seven of their first nine games (over 6-3). This is Cubs’ home opener; they won three of last four games. Under is 5-0-1 in their last six games.

Reds (2-6) @ Phillies (3-5)
Reed is 0-8, 9.79 in 11 career starts, 10 of which were in 2016.

Lively allowed two runs in 5.2 IP (91 PT) in his first ’18 start; under is 8-1-2 in his last 11 starts.

Reds lost six of their first eight games (over 4-4). Philly is 3-5 in its first eight games (over 4-3-1).

Braves (6-3) @ Nationals (4-5)
Teheran is 0-0, 10.13 in two starts this year (over 2-0); Braves scored 21 runs in winning both of those games.

Scherzer is 1-1, 4.09 in two starts this year (under 1-0-1).

Braves won four of their last five games; over is 4-2-3 in their games this season. Washington lost its last five games; over is 5-1-2 in their last eight games.

Brewers (5-5) @ Cardinals (4-5)
Chacin 0-1, 10.00 in two starts this season (over 1-1).

Mikolas allowed four runs in 5.2 IP in his first ’18 start, an 8-4 win in Milwaukee.

Brewers lost four of their last five games (under 4-0-1). St Louis is 4-5 in its first nine games; three of their last four games stayed under.

Mets (7-1) @ Marlins (3-6)
Syndegaard is 1-0, 5.40 in two starts this season (over 1-1). Four of his last six starts went over.

Urena is 0-1, 4.91 in two starts this season (over 1-1). Over is 4-2 in his last six starts.

Mets won their last five games; under is 4-2 in their last six games. Miami lost four of its last five games; over is 5-4 in their games.

Padres (5-5) @ Rockies (2-8)
Richard 0-1, 4.50 in two starts this season (under 2-0). He has an 8.84 career ERA in Denver.

Gray is 1-1, 2.45 in two starts this year; he blanked San Diego for seven innings last week. Under is 7-4 in his last 11 starts.

Padres lost eight of their first ten games; their last five games stayed under. Colorado split its first ten games; four of its last five games stayed under.

Diamondbacks (7-2) @ Giants (4-4)
Godley allowed one run in seven IP (96 PT) in his first ’18 start; under is 7-4-1 in his last dozen starts.

Holland is 0-1, 7.20 in two starts this year (over 1-1).

Arizona won five of its last six games; under is 4-1 in their last five. Giants won three of their last four games; five of their last six games went over.

American League
Tigers (4-4) @ Indians (4-5)
Liriano allowed one run in 6.2 IP in his first ’18 start; over is 4-2 in his last six starts.

Kluber is 0-1, 2.40 in two starts this year (under 2-0); Indians scored three runs in the two games.

Tigers won four of its last five games (under 4-1). Cleveland is 4-5 in its last nine games; their last four games stayed under.

Blue Jays (6-4) @ Orioles (4-6)
Happ is 1-1, 6.30 in two starts this season (over 1-1).

Bundy is 0-0, 1.38 in two starts this season (under 2-0).

Toronto won six of its last eight games; under is 6-4 in their games. Baltimore won three of its last four games; their last three games went over.

Angels (7-3) @ Rangers (4-7)
Richards is 1-0, 5.06 in two starts this season (over 2-0).

Fister is 1-1, 6.23 in two starts this season (under 2-0).

Angels won seven of their last nine games; over is 6-4 in their games. Texas lost four of its last five home games; under is 5-2 in their last seven games.

Rays (1-8) @ White Sox (3-5)
Archer is 0-0, 6.55 in two starts this season (over 2-0).

Gonzalez allowed six runs in five IP in his first ’18 start (89 PT); under is 7-3 in his last 10 starts.

Tampa Bay lost its last eight games; over is 4-1 in their last five. White Sox lost five of its last six games; under is 5-2 in their last seven games.

Astros (8-2) @ Twins (4-3)
Verlander is 1-0, 3.09 in two starts this year (over 1-1). Under is 7-4-1 in his last 12 starts.

Lynn allowed five runs in four IP (95 PT) in his first ’18 start; under is 5-3 in his last eight starts.

Astros won seven of their last eight games; under is 5-1 in their last six. Minnesota won four of its last six games (under 4-3).

Mariners (4-3) @ Royals (2-5)
Gonzales allowed three runs in 6.1 IP in his first ’18 start; over is 7-1 in his last eight starts.

Junis blanked Detroit for seven innings (87 PT) in his first ’18 start; under is 6-3-1 in his last ten starts.

Mariners are 4-3 in their first seven games; five of their last six games went over. Royals lost five of their last seven games; their last six games stayed under.

Teams’ records in first five innings:
Team (road-home-total)- thru 4/8/18
Ariz 1-2……5-0-1……..6-2-1
Atl 2-1……3-2-1……..5-3-1
Cubs 3-4-2……0-0……..3-4-2
Reds 0-4………1-3……..1-7
Colo 3-3-1……1-2………4-5-1
LA 1-3-1…..2-1-1……..3-4-2
Miami 0-2-1…..1-2-3……..1-4-4
Milw 2-1…….2-5………..4-6
Mets 2-1……2-1-2………4-2-2
Philly 1-1-3…..2-0-1……..3-1-4
Pitt 2-0…….6-0……….8-0
St. Louis 4-2…….2-1……….6-3
SD 1-1-1…..1-5-1………2-6-2
SF 1-2-1…..2-2………..3-4-1
Wash 4-2……..1-2………5-4

Orioles 2-3-2……..0-2-1……2-5-3
Boston 3-0-3……..1-1-1……4-1-4
White Sox 3-2………1-2………4-4
Cleveland 2-2-2……1-1-1…….3-3-3
Detroit 2-1………1-4………3-5
Astros 3-1………3-2-1……6-3-1
KC 2-2-1…….1-1………3-3-1
Angels 3-0-1……2-3-1…….5-3-2
Twins 2-2-1……0-2……….2-4-1
NYY 3-0-1……3-1-2…….6-1-3
A’s 2-1………1-5-2……3-6-2
Seattle 3-1……..1-1-1…….4-2-1
TB 1-3-1…..0-2-2…….1-5-3
Texas 2-1-1……..2-5……..4-6-1
Toronto 2-1……..1-5-1……..3-6-1

Interleague play- 2018
NL @ AL– 4-2 NL, favorites +$9
AL @ NL– 1-1, favorites -$22
Total: 5-3 NL, favorites -$13

Totals in interleague games
NL @ AL: Under 4-2
AL @ NL: Over 1-1
Total: Under 5-3

**StarDust Bum** · 04-09-2018, 11:36 AM

MLB

Monday, April 9

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

Tampa Bay Rays
Tampa Bay is 7-3 ATS in its last 10 games
Tampa Bay is 0-5 SU in its last 5 games
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Tampa Bay's last 5 games
Tampa Bay is 3-6 ATS in its last 9 games on the road
Tampa Bay is 0-5 SU in its last 5 games on the road
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Tampa Bay's last 6 games on the road
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Tampa Bay's last 6 games when playing Chi White Sox
Tampa Bay is 2-5 ATS in its last 7 games when playing on the road against Chi White Sox
Tampa Bay is 2-6 SU in its last 8 games when playing on the road against Chi White Sox
The total has gone OVER in 12 of Tampa Bay's last 17 games when playing on the road against Chi White Sox
Chicago White Sox
Chi White Sox is 1-5 ATS in its last 6 games
Chi White Sox is 1-5 SU in its last 6 games
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Chi White Sox's last 7 games
Chi White Sox is 2-4 ATS in its last 6 games at home
Chi White Sox is 2-4 SU in its last 6 games at home
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Chi White Sox's last 6 games when playing Tampa Bay
Chi White Sox is 5-2 ATS in its last 7 games when playing at home against Tampa Bay
Chi White Sox is 6-2 SU in its last 8 games when playing at home against Tampa Bay
The total has gone OVER in 12 of Chi White Sox's last 17 games when playing at home against Tampa Bay

Pittsburgh Pirates
Pittsburgh is 16-4 ATS in its last 20 games
Pittsburgh is 9-2 SU in its last 11 games
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Pittsburgh's last 7 games
Pittsburgh is 5-0 ATS in its last 5 games on the road
Pittsburgh is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games on the road
Pittsburgh is 6-13 SU in its last 19 games on the road
The total has gone UNDER in 15 of Pittsburgh's last 21 games on the road
Pittsburgh is 2-5 SU in its last 7 games when playing Chi Cubs
The total has gone UNDER in 8 of Pittsburgh's last 12 games when playing Chi Cubs
Pittsburgh is 2-4 ATS in its last 6 games when playing on the road against Chi Cubs
Pittsburgh is 6-13 SU in its last 19 games when playing on the road against Chi Cubs
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Pittsburgh's last 7 games when playing on the road against Chi Cubs
Chicago Cubs
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Chi Cubs's last 6 games
Chi Cubs is 2-4 ATS in its last 6 games at home
Chi Cubs is 10-4 SU in its last 14 games at home
Chi Cubs is 2-4 SU in its last 6 games at home
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Chi Cubs's last 6 games at home
Chi Cubs is 5-2 SU in its last 7 games when playing Pittsburgh
The total has gone UNDER in 8 of Chi Cubs's last 12 games when playing Pittsburgh
Chi Cubs is 4-2 ATS in its last 6 games when playing at home against Pittsburgh
Chi Cubs is 13-6 SU in its last 19 games when playing at home against Pittsburgh
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Chi Cubs's last 7 games when playing at home against Pittsburgh

Detroit Tigers
Detroit is 4-1 ATS in its last 5 games
Detroit is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games
Detroit is 6-15 SU in its last 21 games
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Detroit's last 5 games
Detroit is 4-1 ATS in its last 5 games on the road
Detroit is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games on the road
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Detroit's last 5 games on the road
Detroit is 0-5 ATS in its last 5 games when playing Cleveland
Detroit is 0-5 SU in its last 5 games when playing Cleveland
Detroit is 1-5 ATS in its last 6 games when playing on the road against Cleveland
Detroit is 1-5 SU in its last 6 games when playing on the road against Cleveland
The total has gone OVER in 17 of Detroit's last 25 games when playing on the road against Cleveland
Cleveland Indians
Cleveland is 2-11 ATS in its last 13 games
Cleveland is 4-8 SU in its last 12 games
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Cleveland's last 6 games
Cleveland is 1-4 ATS in its last 5 games at home
Cleveland is 20-5 SU in its last 25 games at home
The total has gone UNDER in 6 of Cleveland's last 8 games at home
Cleveland is 5-0 ATS in its last 5 games when playing Detroit
Cleveland is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games when playing Detroit
Cleveland is 5-1 ATS in its last 6 games when playing at home against Detroit
Cleveland is 5-1 SU in its last 6 games when playing at home against Detroit
The total has gone OVER in 17 of Cleveland's last 25 games when playing at home against Detroit

Toronto Blue Jays
Toronto is 6-2 ATS in its last 8 games
Toronto is 6-2 SU in its last 8 games
The total has gone UNDER in 9 of Toronto's last 13 games
Toronto is 4-1 ATS in its last 5 games on the road
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Toronto's last 6 games on the road
Toronto is 6-1 ATS in its last 7 games when playing Baltimore
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Toronto's last 6 games when playing Baltimore
Toronto is 5-0 ATS in its last 5 games when playing on the road against Baltimore
Toronto is 3-6 SU in its last 9 games when playing on the road against Baltimore
The total has gone UNDER in 9 of Toronto's last 12 games when playing on the road against Baltimore
Baltimore Orioles
Baltimore is 4-1 ATS in its last 5 games
Baltimore is 7-15 ATS in its last 22 games
Baltimore is 4-11 SU in its last 15 games
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Baltimore's last 6 games
The total has gone UNDER in 10 of Baltimore's last 14 games
Baltimore is 1-5 ATS in its last 6 games at home
Baltimore is 3-8 SU in its last 11 games at home
Baltimore is 1-6 ATS in its last 7 games when playing Toronto
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Baltimore's last 6 games when playing Toronto
Baltimore is 0-5 ATS in its last 5 games when playing at home against Toronto
Baltimore is 6-3 SU in its last 9 games when playing at home against Toronto
The total has gone UNDER in 9 of Baltimore's last 12 games when playing at home against Toronto

Cincinnati Reds
Cincinnati is 4-16 SU in its last 20 games
Cincinnati is 2-4 ATS in its last 6 games on the road
Cincinnati is 2-6 SU in its last 8 games on the road
Cincinnati is 5-0 ATS in its last 5 games when playing Philadelphia
Cincinnati is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games when playing Philadelphia
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Cincinnati's last 6 games when playing Philadelphia
Cincinnati is 5-0 ATS in its last 5 games when playing on the road against Philadelphia
The total has gone OVER in 16 of Cincinnati's last 24 games when playing on the road against Philadelphia
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Cincinnati's last 6 games when playing on the road against Philadelphia
Philadelphia Phillies
Philadelphia is 2-4 ATS in its last 6 games
Philadelphia is 2-4 SU in its last 6 games
Philadelphia is 10-3 ATS in its last 13 games at home
Philadelphia is 6-2 SU in its last 8 games at home
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Philadelphia's last 5 games at home
Philadelphia is 0-5 ATS in its last 5 games when playing Cincinnati
Philadelphia is 1-4 SU in its last 5 games when playing Cincinnati
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Philadelphia's last 6 games when playing Cincinnati
Philadelphia is 0-5 ATS in its last 5 games when playing at home against Cincinnati
The total has gone OVER in 16 of Philadelphia's last 24 games when playing at home against Cincinnati
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Philadelphia's last 6 games when playing at home against Cincinnati

Milwaukee Brewers
Milwaukee is 1-6 ATS in its last 7 games
Milwaukee is 1-4 SU in its last 5 games
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Milwaukee's last 6 games
Milwaukee is 5-1 ATS in its last 6 games on the road
Milwaukee is 5-1 SU in its last 6 games on the road
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Milwaukee's last 6 games when playing St. Louis
Milwaukee is 5-0 ATS in its last 5 games when playing on the road against St. Louis
Milwaukee is 5-1 SU in its last 6 games when playing on the road against St. Louis
St. Louis Cardinals
St. Louis is 5-2 ATS in its last 7 games
St. Louis is 5-14 ATS in its last 19 games
St. Louis is 6-12 SU in its last 18 games
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of St. Louis's last 5 games
St. Louis is 1-9 ATS in its last 10 games at home
St. Louis is 2-6 SU in its last 8 games at home
The total has gone UNDER in 6 of St. Louis's last 8 games at home
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of St. Louis's last 6 games when playing Milwaukee
St. Louis is 0-5 ATS in its last 5 games when playing at home against Milwaukee
St. Louis is 1-5 SU in its last 6 games when playing at home against Milwaukee

Atlanta Braves
Atlanta is 5-0 ATS in its last 5 games
Atlanta is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games
Atlanta is 5-1 ATS in its last 6 games on the road
Atlanta is 3-7 SU in its last 10 games on the road
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Atlanta's last 6 games on the road
Atlanta is 14-6 ATS in its last 20 games when playing Washington
Atlanta is 6-2 ATS in its last 8 games when playing on the road against Washington
Atlanta is 7-18 SU in its last 25 games when playing on the road against Washington
The total has gone OVER in 14 of Atlanta's last 17 games when playing on the road against Washington
Washington Nationals
Washington is 0-5 ATS in its last 5 games
Washington is 0-5 SU in its last 5 games
Washington is 2-6 ATS in its last 8 games at home
Washington is 1-7 SU in its last 8 games at home
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Washington's last 5 games at home
Washington is 6-14 ATS in its last 20 games when playing Atlanta
Washington is 2-6 ATS in its last 8 games when playing at home against Atlanta
Washington is 18-7 SU in its last 25 games when playing at home against Atlanta
The total has gone OVER in 14 of Washington's last 17 games when playing at home against Atlanta

New York Mets
NY Mets is 5-0 ATS in its last 5 games
NY Mets is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of NY Mets's last 6 games
NY Mets is 4-1 ATS in its last 5 games on the road
NY Mets is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games on the road
NY Mets is 6-13 SU in its last 19 games on the road
The total has gone OVER in 4 of NY Mets's last 5 games on the road
NY Mets is 2-4 ATS in its last 6 games when playing Miami
NY Mets is 1-5 SU in its last 6 games when playing Miami
NY Mets is 3-6 ATS in its last 9 games when playing on the road against Miami
NY Mets is 2-7 SU in its last 9 games when playing on the road against Miami
Miami Marlins
Miami is 1-4 ATS in its last 5 games
Miami is 1-4 SU in its last 5 games
The total has gone OVER in 8 of Miami's last 12 games
Miami is 2-5 ATS in its last 7 games at home
Miami is 2-5 SU in its last 7 games at home
The total has gone OVER in 12 of Miami's last 17 games at home
Miami is 4-2 ATS in its last 6 games when playing NY Mets
Miami is 5-1 SU in its last 6 games when playing NY Mets
Miami is 6-3 ATS in its last 9 games when playing at home against NY Mets
Miami is 7-2 SU in its last 9 games when playing at home against NY Mets

Los Angeles Angels
LA Angels is 4-1 ATS in its last 5 games
LA Angels is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games
The total has gone OVER in 5 of LA Angels's last 7 games on the road
LA Angels is 2-6 ATS in its last 8 games when playing Texas
LA Angels is 2-4 ATS in its last 6 games when playing on the road against Texas
LA Angels is 2-4 SU in its last 6 games when playing on the road against Texas
Texas Rangers
Texas is 6-13 ATS in its last 19 games
Texas is 6-15 SU in its last 21 games
Texas is 1-4 ATS in its last 5 games at home
Texas is 1-4 SU in its last 5 games at home
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Texas's last 5 games at home
Texas is 6-2 ATS in its last 8 games when playing LA Angels
Texas is 4-2 ATS in its last 6 games when playing at home against LA Angels
Texas is 4-2 SU in its last 6 games when playing at home against LA Angels

Houston Astros
Houston is 7-1 SU in its last 8 games
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Houston's last 6 games
Houston is 4-1 ATS in its last 5 games on the road
Houston is 5-11 ATS in its last 16 games on the road
Houston is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games on the road
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Houston's last 6 games on the road
Houston is 8-1 ATS in its last 9 games when playing Minnesota
Houston is 8-1 SU in its last 9 games when playing Minnesota
The total has gone OVER in 6 of Houston's last 9 games when playing Minnesota
Houston is 5-0 ATS in its last 5 games when playing on the road against Minnesota
Houston is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games when playing on the road against Minnesota
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Houston's last 6 games when playing on the road against Minnesota
Minnesota Twins
Minnesota is 6-1 ATS in its last 7 games
Minnesota is 4-2 SU in its last 6 games
Minnesota is 4-2 ATS in its last 6 games at home
Minnesota is 15-6 SU in its last 21 games at home
The total has gone UNDER in 7 of Minnesota's last 10 games at home
Minnesota is 1-8 ATS in its last 9 games when playing Houston
Minnesota is 1-8 SU in its last 9 games when playing Houston
The total has gone OVER in 6 of Minnesota's last 9 games when playing Houston
Minnesota is 0-5 ATS in its last 5 games when playing at home against Houston
Minnesota is 0-5 SU in its last 5 games when playing at home against Houston
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Minnesota's last 6 games when playing at home against Houston

Seattle Mariners
Seattle is 10-3 ATS in its last 13 games
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Seattle's last 6 games
Seattle is 7-3 ATS in its last 10 games on the road
The total has gone OVER in 6 of Seattle's last 8 games on the road
Seattle is 2-5 ATS in its last 7 games when playing Kansas City
Seattle is 2-5 SU in its last 7 games when playing Kansas City
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Seattle's last 6 games when playing Kansas City
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Seattle's last 5 games when playing on the road against Kansas City
Kansas City Royals
Kansas City is 3-6 ATS in its last 9 games
Kansas City is 2-6 SU in its last 8 games
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Kansas City's last 5 games
Kansas City is 1-5 ATS in its last 6 games at home
Kansas City is 2-4 SU in its last 6 games at home
The total has gone UNDER in 7 of Kansas City's last 10 games at home
Kansas City is 5-2 ATS in its last 7 games when playing Seattle
Kansas City is 5-2 SU in its last 7 games when playing Seattle
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Kansas City's last 6 games when playing Seattle
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Kansas City's last 5 games when playing at home against Seattle

San Diego Padres
San Diego is 5-12 ATS in its last 17 games
San Diego is 3-14 SU in its last 17 games
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of San Diego's last 5 games
San Diego is 4-10 ATS in its last 14 games on the road
San Diego is 3-12 SU in its last 15 games on the road
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of San Diego's last 6 games on the road
San Diego is 1-4 ATS in its last 5 games when playing Colorado
San Diego is 1-4 SU in its last 5 games when playing Colorado
San Diego is 1-5 ATS in its last 6 games when playing on the road against Colorado
San Diego is 1-5 SU in its last 6 games when playing on the road against Colorado
The total has gone OVER in 4 of San Diego's last 6 games when playing on the road against Colorado
Colorado Rockies
Colorado is 2-4 ATS in its last 6 games
Colorado is 0-5 ATS in its last 5 games at home
Colorado is 1-4 SU in its last 5 games at home
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Colorado's last 6 games at home
Colorado is 4-1 ATS in its last 5 games when playing San Diego
Colorado is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games when playing San Diego
Colorado is 5-1 ATS in its last 6 games when playing at home against San Diego
Colorado is 5-1 SU in its last 6 games when playing at home against San Diego
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Colorado's last 6 games when playing at home against San Diego

Arizona Diamondbacks
Arizona is 5-1 ATS in its last 6 games
Arizona is 5-1 SU in its last 6 games
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Arizona's last 5 games
Arizona is 4-8 SU in its last 12 games on the road
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Arizona's last 6 games on the road
Arizona is 3-8 ATS in its last 11 games when playing San Francisco
Arizona is 7-2 SU in its last 9 games when playing San Francisco
Arizona is 1-4 ATS in its last 5 games when playing on the road against San Francisco
The total has gone UNDER in 18 of Arizona's last 25 games when playing on the road against San Francisco
San Francisco Giants
San Francisco is 8-4 ATS in its last 12 games
San Francisco is 2-4 SU in its last 6 games
The total has gone OVER in 4 of San Francisco's last 5 games
The total has gone UNDER in 15 of San Francisco's last 23 games
San Francisco is 8-2 ATS in its last 10 games at home
San Francisco is 7-3 SU in its last 10 games at home
The total has gone OVER in 4 of San Francisco's last 5 games at home
San Francisco is 8-3 ATS in its last 11 games when playing Arizona
San Francisco is 2-7 SU in its last 9 games when playing Arizona
San Francisco is 4-1 ATS in its last 5 games when playing at home against Arizona
The total has gone UNDER in 18 of San Francisco's last 25 games when playing at home against Arizona

**StarDust Bum** · 04-09-2018, 11:37 AM

MLB
Long Sheet

Monday, April 9

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

PITTSBURGH (7 - 2) at CHICAGO CUBS (5 - 4) - 2:20 PM
IVAN NOVA (R) vs. TYLER CHATWOOD (R)
Top Trends for this game.
PITTSBURGH is 32-22 (+14.8 Units) against the money line in day games over the last 2 seasons.
CHICAGO CUBS are 1700-1766 (-269.0 Units) against the money line in all games since 1997.
CHICAGO CUBS are 362-303 (-82.7 Units) against the money line as a home favorite of -125 to -175 since 1997.
CHICAGO CUBS are 906-823 (-159.0 Units) against the money line in home games since 1997.
CHICAGO CUBS are 422-380 (-84.5 Units) against the money line in home games against division opponents since 1997.
CHICAGO CUBS are 41-40 (-22.2 Units) against the money line in day games over the last 2 seasons.
CHICAGO CUBS are 37-32 (-15.7 Units) against the money line in home games against right-handed starters over the last 2 seasons.
CHICAGO CUBS are 52-63 (-35.4 Units) against the money line in home games after shutting out their opponent since 1997.
CHICAGO CUBS are 52-48 (-17.9 Units) against the money line after a win over the last 2 seasons.
CHICAGO CUBS are 16-20 (-12.7 Units) against the money line in home games when playing against a team with a winning record over the last 2 seasons.
CHATWOOD is 24-35 (-19.9 Units) against the money line in home games since 1997. (Team's Record)
CHATWOOD is 6-13 (-12.4 Units) against the money line in home games after a win 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.

IVAN NOVA vs. CHICAGO CUBS since 1997
NOVA is 2-1 when starting against CHICAGO CUBS with an ERA of 4.09 and a WHIP of 1.000.
His team's record is 2-1 (+1.8 units) in these starts. The OVER is 1-3. (-2.3 units)

TYLER CHATWOOD vs. PITTSBURGH since 1997
CHATWOOD is 0-0 when starting against PITTSBURGH with an ERA of 1.50 and a WHIP of 1.250.
His team's record is 1-1 (+0.1 units) in these starts. The OVER is 0-2. (-2.1 units)

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

CINCINNATI (2 - 6) at PHILADELPHIA (3 - 5) - 7:05 PM
CODY REED (L) vs. BEN LIVELY (R)
Top Trends for this game.
REED is 0-11 (-12.3 Units) against the money line in all games over the last 2 seasons. (Team's Record)
PHILADELPHIA is 26-21 (+16.5 Units) against the money line against left-handed starters over the last 2 seasons.
CINCINNATI is 425-401 (+44.4 Units) against the money line in road games when playing against a team with a losing record since 1997.

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

CODY REED vs. PHILADELPHIA since 1997
No recent starts.

BEN LIVELY vs. CINCINNATI since 1997
No recent starts.

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

ATLANTA (6 - 3) at WASHINGTON (4 - 5) - 7:05 PM
JULIO TEHERAN (R) vs. MAX SCHERZER (R)
Top Trends for this game.
TEHERAN is 15-30 (-16.4 Units) against the money line in night games over the last 2 seasons. (Team's Record)
WASHINGTON is 72-40 (+17.6 Units) against the money line in night games over the last 2 seasons.
ATLANTA is 24-30 (+19.5 Units) against the money line as a road underdog of +175 to +250 over the last 3 seasons.
ATLANTA is 74-90 (+24.3 Units) against the money line in road games over the last 3 seasons.
ATLANTA is 58-66 (+20.6 Units) against the money line in road games against right-handed starters over the last 3 seasons.
TEHERAN is 24-13 (+14.3 Units) against the money line in road games against division opponents since 1997. (Team's Record)

Head-to-Head Series History
ATLANTA is 2-1 (+2.1 Units) against WASHINGTON this season
1 of 1 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL this season . (Over=+1.0 Units)

JULIO TEHERAN vs. WASHINGTON since 1997
TEHERAN is 6-4 when starting against WASHINGTON with an ERA of 4.18 and a WHIP of 1.482.
His team's record is 10-9 (+4.1 units) in these starts. The OVER is 11-7. (+3.3 units)

MAX SCHERZER vs. ATLANTA since 1997
SCHERZER is 7-6 when starting against ATLANTA with an ERA of 4.06 and a WHIP of 1.264.
His team's record is 9-7 (-3.3 units) in these starts. The UNDER is 5-9. (-5.5 units)

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

MILWAUKEE (5 - 5) at ST LOUIS (4 - 5) - 7:05 PM
JHOULYS CHACIN (R) vs. MILES MIKOLAS (R)
Top Trends for this game.
MILWAUKEE is 91-81 (+18.0 Units) against the money line in all games over the last 2 seasons.
MILWAUKEE is 45-39 (+16.5 Units) against the money line in road games over the last 2 seasons.
MILWAUKEE is 17-10 (+11.9 Units) against the money line on the road when the total is 8 to 8.5 over the last 2 seasons.
MILWAUKEE is 59-50 (+13.7 Units) against the money line in night games over the last 2 seasons.
MILWAUKEE is 72-62 (+16.2 Units) against the money line against right-handed starters over the last 2 seasons.
CHACIN is 19-15 (+10.0 Units) against the money line in all games over the last 2 seasons. (Team's Record)
CHACIN is 13-7 (+9.3 Units) against the money line after a loss over the last 2 seasons. (Team's Record)
ST LOUIS is 83-82 (-31.3 Units) against the money line in home games over the last 3 seasons.
ST LOUIS is 52-59 (-30.2 Units) against the money line in home games in night games over the last 3 seasons.
ST LOUIS is 65-61 (-20.3 Units) against the money line in home games against right-handed starters over the last 3 seasons.

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

JHOULYS CHACIN vs. ST LOUIS since 1997
CHACIN is 0-6 when starting against ST LOUIS with an ERA of 5.35 and a WHIP of 1.515.
His team's record is 0-6 (-6.5 units) in these starts. The UNDER is 5-0. (+5.0 units)

MILES MIKOLAS vs. MILWAUKEE since 1997
MIKOLAS is 1-0 when starting against MILWAUKEE with an ERA of 6.35 and a WHIP of 1.235.
His team's record is 1-0 (+1.0 units) in these starts. The OVER is 1-0. (+1.0 units)

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

NY METS (7 - 1) at MIAMI (3 - 6) - 7:10 PM
NOAH SYNDERGAARD (R) vs. JOSE URENA (R)
Top Trends for this game.
NY METS are 46-33 (+15.7 Units) against the money line in road games against division opponents over the last 3 seasons.
URENA is 1-9 (-11.0 Units) against the money line in home games against division opponents 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.

NOAH SYNDERGAARD vs. MIAMI since 1997
SYNDERGAARD is 3-0 when starting against MIAMI with an ERA of 1.64 and a WHIP of 0.939.
His team's record is 3-2 (+0.2 units) in these starts. The OVER is 2-2. (-0.3 units)

JOSE URENA vs. NY METS since 1997
URENA is 3-3 when starting against NY METS with an ERA of 2.92 and a WHIP of 0.946.
His team's record is 3-3 (+0.8 units) in these starts. The OVER is 2-4. (-2.3 units)

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

SAN DIEGO (2 - 8) at COLORADO (5 - 5) - 8:40 PM
CLAYTON RICHARD (L) vs. JON GRAY (R)
Top Trends for this game.
SAN DIEGO is 108-124 (+21.8 Units) against the money line in night games over the last 3 seasons.
RICHARD is 47-40 (+16.8 Units) against the money line against division opponents since 1997. (Team's Record)
COLORADO is 76-60 (-42.1 Units) against the money line as a home favorite of -175 to -250 since 1997.

Head-to-Head Series History
COLORADO is 3-1 (+2.0 Units) against SAN DIEGO this season
2 of 3 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL this season . (Over=+0.9 Units)

CLAYTON RICHARD vs. COLORADO since 1997
RICHARD is 5-7 when starting against COLORADO with an ERA of 5.40 and a WHIP of 1.655.
His team's record is 8-11 (-2.7 units) in these starts. The OVER is 10-8. (+1.6 units)

JON GRAY vs. SAN DIEGO since 1997
GRAY is 5-2 when starting against SAN DIEGO with an ERA of 2.15 and a WHIP of 0.896.
His team's record is 5-6 (-3.9 units) in these starts. The OVER is 4-5. (-1.2 units)

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

ARIZONA (7 - 2) at SAN FRANCISCO (4 - 4) - 10:15 PM
ZACK GODLEY (R) vs. DEREK HOLLAND (L)
Top Trends for this game.
SAN FRANCISCO is 206-156 (+40.8 Units) against the money line when playing on Monday since 1997.
HOLLAND is 8-2 (+9.0 Units) against the money line in home games when playing against a team with a winning record over the last 3 seasons. (Team's Record)
ARIZONA is 101-74 (+20.5 Units) against the money line in all games over the last 2 seasons.
ARIZONA is 21-12 (+11.7 Units) against the money line in April games over the last 2 seasons.
ARIZONA is 51-35 (+13.7 Units) against the money line against division opponents over the last 2 seasons.
ARIZONA is 61-39 (+17.9 Units) against the money line after a win over the last 2 seasons.
SAN FRANCISCO is 68-102 (-35.2 Units) against the money line in all games over the last 2 seasons.
SAN FRANCISCO is 99-121 (-35.2 Units) against the money line in night games over the last 3 seasons.
SAN FRANCISCO is 47-69 (-27.8 Units) against the money line against right-handed starters over the last 2 seasons.

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

ZACK GODLEY vs. SAN FRANCISCO since 1997
GODLEY is 1-1 when starting against SAN FRANCISCO with an ERA of 5.79 and a WHIP of 1.608.
His team's record is 1-1 (-0.1 units) in these starts. The UNDER is 1-1. (-0.2 units)

DEREK HOLLAND vs. ARIZONA since 1997
No recent starts.

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

DETROIT (4 - 4) at CLEVELAND (4 - 5) - 6:10 PM
FRANCISCO LIRIANO (L) vs. COREY KLUBER (R)
Top Trends for this game.
DETROIT is 68-102 (-31.3 Units) against the money line in all games over the last 2 seasons.
DETROIT is 56-173 (-60.0 Units) against the money line as a road underdog of +175 to +250 since 1997.
DETROIT is 38-69 (-28.5 Units) against the money line in night games over the last 2 seasons.
DETROIT is 47-80 (-29.9 Units) against the money line against right-handed starters over the last 2 seasons.
DETROIT is 23-44 (-22.8 Units) against the money line after a win over the last 2 seasons.
DETROIT is 29-48 (-20.1 Units) against the money line when playing against a team with a losing record over the last 2 seasons.
CLEVELAND is 97-49 (+28.2 Units) against the money line when the total is 8 to 8.5 over the last 3 seasons.

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

FRANCISCO LIRIANO vs. CLEVELAND since 1997
LIRIANO is 5-5 when starting against CLEVELAND with an ERA of 4.04 and a WHIP of 1.654.
His team's record is 7-8 (-4.0 units) in these starts. The OVER is 5-9. (-5.1 units)

COREY KLUBER vs. DETROIT since 1997
KLUBER is 8-7 when starting against DETROIT with an ERA of 3.76 and a WHIP of 1.230.
His team's record is 11-10 (-0.5 units) in these starts. The UNDER is 9-11. (-3.2 units)

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

TORONTO (6 - 4) at BALTIMORE (4 - 6) - 7:05 PM
J.A. HAPP (L) vs. DYLAN BUNDY (R)
Top Trends for this game.
TORONTO is 61-72 (-25.9 Units) against the money line when the total is 8 to 8.5 over the last 3 seasons.
TORONTO is 48-60 (-20.4 Units) against the money line in night games over the last 2 seasons.
TORONTO is 33-48 (-20.5 Units) against the money line after a win over the last 2 seasons.
BALTIMORE is 32-22 (+12.5 Units) against the money line in April games over the last 3 seasons.

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

J.A. HAPP vs. BALTIMORE since 1997
HAPP is 4-6 when starting against BALTIMORE with an ERA of 3.46 and a WHIP of 1.236.
His team's record is 4-10 (-7.9 units) in these starts. The UNDER is 9-5. (+3.5 units)

DYLAN BUNDY vs. TORONTO since 1997
BUNDY is 2-0 when starting against TORONTO with an ERA of 0.95 and a WHIP of 0.842.
His team's record is 2-1 (+0.6 units) in these starts. The OVER is 1-2. (-1.1 units)

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

LA ANGELS (7 - 3) at TEXAS (4 - 7) - 8:05 PM
GARRETT RICHARDS (R) vs. DOUG FISTER (R)
There are no Top Trends with records of significance that apply to this game.

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

GARRETT RICHARDS vs. TEXAS since 1997
RICHARDS is 8-4 when starting against TEXAS with an ERA of 2.96 and a WHIP of 1.233.
His team's record is 9-8 (+0.3 units) in these starts. The UNDER is 7-9. (-3.3 units)

DOUG FISTER vs. LA ANGELS since 1997
FISTER is 3-4 when starting against LA ANGELS with an ERA of 2.90 and a WHIP of 1.184.
His team's record is 5-8 (-4.0 units) in these starts. The UNDER is 7-4. (+2.1 units)

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

TAMPA BAY (1 - 8) at CHI WHITE SOX (3 - 5) - 2:10 PM
CHRIS ARCHER (R) vs. MIGUEL GONZALEZ (R)
Top Trends for this game.
TAMPA BAY is 149-183 (-41.0 Units) against the money line in all games over the last 3 seasons.
ARCHER is 28-41 (-20.5 Units) against the money line in all games over the last 2 seasons. (Team's Record)
ARCHER is 12-23 (-15.6 Units) against the money line after a loss over the last 2 seasons. (Team's Record)
GONZALEZ is 7-1 (+10.7 Units) against the money line when playing on Monday 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.

CHRIS ARCHER vs. CHI WHITE SOX since 1997
ARCHER is 3-2 when starting against CHI WHITE SOX with an ERA of 3.60 and a WHIP of 1.075.
His team's record is 4-3 (-0.5 units) in these starts. The UNDER is 2-5. (-4.2 units)

MIGUEL GONZALEZ vs. TAMPA BAY since 1997
GONZALEZ is 7-4 when starting against TAMPA BAY with an ERA of 2.76 and a WHIP of 1.208.
His team's record is 11-5 (+8.1 units) in these starts. The OVER is 6-10. (-4.2 units)

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

HOUSTON (8 - 2) at MINNESOTA (4 - 3) - 8:10 PM
JUSTIN VERLANDER (R) vs. LANCE LYNN (R)
Top Trends for this game.
VERLANDER is 64-78 (-26.1 Units) against the money line in road games in night games since 1997. (Team's Record)
MINNESOTA is 89-81 (+11.2 Units) against the money line in all games over the last 2 seasons.
MINNESOTA is 60-45 (+17.2 Units) against the money line in night games over the last 2 seasons.
MINNESOTA is 45-36 (+12.2 Units) against the money line after a loss over the last 2 seasons.
HOUSTON is 120-70 (+19.7 Units) against the money line in all games over the last 2 seasons.
HOUSTON is 59-35 (+14.7 Units) against the money line in road games over the last 2 seasons.
HOUSTON is 91-42 (+29.2 Units) against the money line against right-handed starters over the last 2 seasons.
MINNESOTA is 99-183 (-44.5 Units) against the money line as a home underdog of +125 to +175 since 1997.
MINNESOTA is 72-92 (-25.6 Units) against the money line in home games over the last 3 seasons.
MINNESOTA is 43-72 (-36.7 Units) against the money line in home games against right-handed starters over the last 3 seasons.
MINNESOTA is 53-77 (-28.6 Units) against the money line in home games after allowing 10 runs or more since 1997.

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

JUSTIN VERLANDER vs. MINNESOTA since 1997
VERLANDER is 17-9 when starting against MINNESOTA with an ERA of 3.15 and a WHIP of 1.241.
His team's record is 19-15 (-2.9 units) in these starts. The OVER is 18-13. (+4.5 units)

LANCE LYNN vs. HOUSTON since 1997
LYNN is 4-1 when starting against HOUSTON with an ERA of 2.25 and a WHIP of 1.188.
His team's record is 4-1 (+2.3 units) in these starts. The OVER is 2-3. (-1.2 units)

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

SEATTLE (4 - 3) at KANSAS CITY (2 - 5) - 8:15 PM
MARCO GONZALES (L) vs. JAKE JUNIS (R)
Top Trends for this game.
KANSAS CITY is 40-37 (+10.8 Units) against the money line when playing against a team with a winning record over the last 2 seasons.
JUNIS is 12-5 (+7.9 Units) against the money line in all games 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.

MARCO GONZALES vs. KANSAS CITY since 1997
GONZALES is 0-0 when starting against KANSAS CITY with an ERA of 11.25 and a WHIP of 2.000.
His team's record is 1-0 (+1.3 units) in these starts. The OVER is 1-0. (+1.0 units)

JAKE JUNIS vs. SEATTLE since 1997
JUNIS is 1-0 when starting against SEATTLE with an ERA of 1.13 and a WHIP of 0.500.
His team's record is 1-0 (+1.0 units) in these starts. The OVER is 1-0. (+1.1 units)

**StarDust Bum** · 04-09-2018, 11:37 AM

MLB
Dunkel

Monday, April 9

LA Angels @ Texas

Game 969-970
April 9, 2018 @ 8:05 pm

Dunkel Rating:
LA Angels
(Rchards) 15.161
Texas
(Fister) 16.401
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Texas
by 1
7
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
LA Angels
-135
9
Dunkel Pick:
Texas
(+115); Under

**StarDust Bum** · 04-09-2018, 11:42 AM

Cubs delay home opener vs. Pirates because of snow
April 9, 2018

CHICAGO (AP) The Chicago Cubs have pushed back the scheduled start time for their home opener because of a steady snowfall over Wrigley Field.

The Cubs' game against the Pittsburgh Pirates was scheduled to begin at 1:20 p.m. Monday, but the team is now hoping to start at 2:20 p.m.

Chicago is the last major league team to hold its home opener. There is an off day in the series on Tuesday, so the game could be pushed back a day.

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

LEADING OFF: Cubs play home opener against Pirates
April 9, 2018

A look at what's happening all around baseball today:

AT LAST

Weather-permitting, the Chicago Cubs finally get to play their home opener when they take on the Pittsburgh Pirates at Wrigley Field. The Cubs closed out a 5-4 trip with a 3-0 win at Milwaukee on Sunday. It was the franchise's longest road trip to open the season since a 12-game jaunt in 1899. There is a chance for snow for the team's return to Chicago, and first baseman Anthony Rizzo also is questionable. The slugger has been sidelined by back tightness.

HEALTH CONCERNS

The Boston Red Sox should know more about Xander Bogaerts after the shortstop injured his left ankle in the seventh inning of Sunday's 8-7 victory over Tampa Bay. Bogaerts got hurt while sliding down into the Tampa Bay dugout. He is hitting .368 (14 of 38) this season with two homers and nine RBIs. Boston has won eight in a row heading into Tuesday's series opener against the New York Yankees. Brock Holt could fill in if Bogaerts misses any time.

CY YOUNGS

Reigning Cy Young Award winners Corey Kluber and Max Scherzer take the mound. Kluber goes for his first win of the year when the Cleveland Indians face the Detroit Tigers in the opener of a four-game series. Scherzer gets the ball for the Washington Nationals at home against the Atlanta Braves. Scherzer took the loss in his previous start against Atlanta when he yielded five runs, two earned, in five innings in a 7-1 setback on Wednesday.

NOAH VS. THE FISH

New York Mets ace Noah Syndergaard looks to continue his dominance of the Miami Marlins in the opener of a three-game set. The 25-year-old Syndergaard is 3-0 with a 1.64 ERA in five career starts against the Marlins. He is coming off a no-decision against Philadelphia on Wednesday when he gave up two runs and four hits in four innings in New York's 4-2 win.

AILING REDS

The Cincinnati Reds could turn to Cliff Pennington or Phil Gosselin at third after Eugenio Suarez broke his right thumb when he was hit by a pitch during Sunday's 5-0 loss at Pittsburgh. Suarez signed a $66 million, seven-year contract in March. The 26-year-old has been one of the few bright spots in Cincinnati's tough start. He hit a three-run home run to complete a comeback win over the Pirates on Saturday night.

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

Mets, not Yankees, off to sparkling start in New York
April 9, 2018

For one week at least, the angst in New York was on the American League side.

While the Mets swept a pair of division rivals, the Yankees wrapped up their first homestand by losing three of four to Baltimore, with a couple extra-inning games going against them. The slugging tandem of Giancarlo Stanton and Aaron Judge has five home runs on the young season, but Stanton already has 20 strikeouts in 10 games and has heard boos from his new home crowd in the Bronx.

After reaching the AL Championship Series last year and adding Stanton, the Yankees came into this season with high expectations, and it will take more than a few whiffs early in the season to change that. The Mets, on the other hand, finished 27 games out of first place in 2017, and the impressive rotation they'd assembled was struggling to stay healthy.

Now the Mets are 7-1 after sweeping a two-game series with Philadelphia and taking three in a row at Washington . Only Boston (8-1) has a better record. Noah Syndergaard is back after being limited to 30 1/3 innings last year because of a torn lat muscle, and even Matt Harvey is showing signs of being a contributor after two ineffective, injury-plagued seasons.

Across town, it's the Yankees who are dealing with some early health problems. Gary Sanchez has missed some time with a leg issue, and CC Sabathia is on the disabled list. Next up is a three-game series at Fenway Park against the first-place Red Sox, who are threatening to open up a bit of distance on New York.

Some other developments from around the majors:

PHENOM

It's still very, very early, but so far Shohei Ohtani is testing the upper limits of what appeared possible when the two-way star arrived from Japan. Ohtani allowed one hit in seven shutout innings Sunday for the Los Angeles Angels against Oakland. He's won both his starts on the mound, and in between, he homered in three consecutive games.

He's batting .389 on the season, and opponents are hitting .093 off him.

EARLY LEAD

The Dodgers have Clayton Kershaw and Kenley Jansen headlining their pitching staff, but division rival Arizona finished right behind Los Angeles in ERA last season, and the Diamondbacks are already four games up on the Dodgers in the NL West. Patrick Corbin rolled through his first two starts for Arizona, striking out 20 with only two walks. With Corbin, Zack Greinke, Robbie Ray, Zack Godley and Taijuan Walker, the Diamondbacks have plenty of pitching depth.

LINE OF THE WEEK

Ohtani's outing Sunday was impressive, and San Diego rookie Christian Villanueva's three-homer game Tuesday night turned heads. But the honor goes to a familiar star in a new uniform: Andrew McCutchen of the Giants had a career-high six hits Saturday night, the last of which was a three-run homer in the 14th inning that gave San Francisco a 7-5 victory over the Dodgers.

HIGHLIGHT REEL

Edwin Encarnacion, a 35-year-old designated hitter with nine career triples, was not a likely candidate for an inside-the-park home run, but the Cleveland slugger hit one Monday night against the Angels. Encarnacion's drive down the line hit the wall just below the foul pole, then bounced and rolled along the edge of the warning track. Left fielder Justin Upton did not initially realize the ball was still in play, and by the time he retrieved it, Encarnacion was well on his way to scoring.

Honorable mention to Houston's Carlos Correa, who hit an inside-the-park homer of his own Tuesday night against Baltimore. Correa's shot bounced off the wall in left-center, where two outfielders had converged. The ball bounced away from both of them and back toward center field.

**StarDust Bum** · 04-09-2018, 11:50 AM

MONDAY, APRIL 9
GAME TIME(ET) PICK UNITS

TB at CHW 02:10 PM
CHW +122
U 7.5

PIT at CHC 03:20 PM
PIT +140
U 7.0

DET at CLE 06:10 PM
DET +250
U 7.0

TOR at BAL 07:05 PM
BAL -114
U 8.0

CIN at PHI 07:05 PM
PHI -125

ATL at WAS 07:05 PM
ATL +210
O 7.5

MIL at STL 07:05 PM
STL -139
O 8.0

NYM at MIA 07:10 PM
NYM -178
O 7.5

LAA at TEX 08:05 PM
LAA -128
U 9.0

HOU at MIN 08:10 PM
HOU -161
O 8.0

SEA at KC 08:15 PM
SEA -105
O 7.5

SD at COL 08:40 PM
COL -178
O 9.5

ARI at SF 10:15 PM
ARI -115
O 7.5

**StarDust Bum** · 04-10-2018, 01:18 AM

Scherzer steals, throws 5th shutout, Nats top Braves 2-0
April 10, 2018

WASHINGTON (AP) Max Scherzer stole the first base of his professional career and allowed only two singles in his fifth big league shutout, and the Washington Nationals ended a five-game losing skid while getting back to .500 with a 2-0 victory over the Atlanta Braves on Monday night.

Scherzer (2-1), the winner of the past two NL Cy Young Awards, did not let the Braves push a runner beyond first base. Kurt Suzuki got a hit in the second, and Nick Markakis did in the fifth, but neither advanced.

Scherzer managed to get farther than that: He swiped second after singling off reliever Peter Moylan in the seventh.

Howie Kendrick delivered all the offense Washington needed with a two-run double.

Scherzer struck out 10 and walked none in his ninth complete game in 299 major league starts. And he needed only 102 pitches, a far more efficient outing than his previous time on the mound: He threw 110 over five innings in a 7-1 loss at Atlanta on April 4.

Julio Teheran (0-1) went six innings for the Braves, and the only damage came on Kendrick's shot that hugged the left-field line with two outs in the first inning. That brought home Anthony Rendon, who also had doubled, and Bryce Harper, who walked.

BREWERS 5, CARDINALS

ST. LOUIS (AP) - In his St. Louis debut, Greg Holland walked four batters in the 10th inning and forced home the go-ahead run.

The 32-year-old Holland, who tied for the NL lead with 41 saves for Colorado last season, was signed as a free agent on opening day. He pitched two innings at Class A before joining the Cardinals earlier in the day.

Holland (0-1) walked two batters to begin the 10th. After a sacrifice bunt, an intentional walk loaded the bases. The three-time All-Star closer then walked Orlando Arcia and was pulled.

Matt Albers (2-0) gave up the tying run in the ninth. The Cardinals loaded the bases with no outs, and Dexter Fowler's sacrificed fly tied it at 4.

Brewers newcomer Lorenzo Cain tripped over the foot of Cardinals first baseman Jose Martinez on a play in the ninth, and both exited. Martinez bruised his right Achilles.

ROYALS 10, MARINERS 0

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) - Jakob Junis carried a no-hit bid into the seventh inning, Kansas City scored more runs than it had in its last six games combined.

Junis (2-0) hit three batters and walked two, but the quick-working right-hander did not allow a hit until Daniel Vogelbach's grounder up the middle with one out in the seventh.

Junis finished up the inning without any more trouble, running his scoreless streak to 14 innings to start the season.

After Seattle pulled starter Marco Gonzales (1-1), Mike Moustakas homered in the eighth off infielder Taylor Motter.

ASTROS 2, TWINS 0

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) - Justin Verlander struck out nine over seven dominant innings, and Carlos Correa had two hits and scored twice.

Verlander (2-0) was in control throughout on a chilly night with a first-pitch temperature of 35 degrees. The right-hander gave up three hits and walked one while helping the reigning World Series champions match their best 11-game start by going 9-2. Verlander improved to 11-1 in 14 games, including the playoffs, since being traded to Houston last season.

Ken Giles earned his first save of the season by getting Byron Buxton to ground out with a runner on third in the ninth.

Twins reliever Taylor Rogers (1-1) allowed a leadoff double to Correa in the sixth after coming in for starter Lance Lynn. Correa scored from third on rookie J.D. Davis' liner to left field off reliever Trevor Hildenberger.

METS 4, MARLINS 2

MIAMI (AP) - Noah Syndergaard allowed one earned run in six innings and New York won its sixth consecutive game to match the best start in team history.

The winning streak is the Mets' longest since September 2016, and they improved to 8-1.

Jeurys Familia escaped a jam to pitch a scoreless ninth and earn his fifth save, most in the majors.

The announced crowd of 7,003 - most of them rooting for the Mets - was by far the smallest in the seven-season history of Marlins Park. The Marlins now announce attendance based on only tickets sold, a change from the previous ownership regime.

Syndergaard (2-0) had less than his best stuff but stranded four runners in scoring position. Four relievers combined to shut out Miami over the final three innings, lowering the team ERA to 2.25.

Adrian Gonzalez and Jay Bruce each had an RBI single off Marlins ace Jose Urena (0-2), who allowed three runs in five innings.

BLUE JAYS 7, ORIOLES 1

BALTIMORE (AP) - Steve Pearce homered in a third successive game, Josh Donaldson tacked on a ninth-inning grand slam and Toronto beat Baltimore before 7,915 fans, the lowest paid crowd in Camden Yards history.

Gametime temperature was 44 degrees, and a slight mist made the conditions even more miserable. That contributed to a dubious attendance record at the 27-year-old ballpark that had held since April 12, 2010, when 9,129 showed up for a game between the Orioles and Tampa Bay.

Pearce put Toronto up 2-0 in the third with a two-run shot off Dylan Bundy (0-1) on a 3-0 pitch. It marked the first time in his career that Pearce, who's had three separate stints with the Orioles, homered in three consecutive games.

J.A. Happ (2-1) struck out nine in six innings, allowing one run and five hits.

ANGELS 8, RANGERS 3

ARLINGTON, Texas (AP) - Albert Pujols hit his 616th career homer, Martin Maldonado had two RBI singles along with an evasive move to score a run and Los Angeles extended its best start in more than three decades.

The Angels are 8-3 for the first time since 1987 and fourth time in franchise history. Shohei Ohtani, the rookie two-way standout who was chosen AL Player of the Week, didn't play a day after striking out 12 in seven scoreless innings against Oakland.

Jose Alvarez (1-0) retired the only two batters he faced after Angels starter Garrett Richards walked the bases loaded with one out in the fifth. Richards also struck out six in his 4 1-3 innings.

Doug Fister (1-2) struck out five with no walks while allowing three runs in his five innings.

INDIANS 2, TIGERS 0

CLEVELAND (AP) - Corey Kluber (1-1) struck out 13, pitching two-hit ball for eight innings and leading Cleveland in snow flurries.

The temperature at first pitch was 33 degrees, one above Progressive Field's record low set Sunday. There were flurries before the game and again in the seventh inning, resulted in a crowd of 9,843.

Andrew Miller worked the ninth for his first save of the season, getting Miguel Cabrera on a game-ending double play.

Bradley Zimmer hit a two-run homer in the fifth off Francisco Liriano (1-1) as Cleveland's offense struggled again but used the long ball to win for the second straight day.

PHILLIES 6, REDS 5

PHILADELPHIA (AP) - Pinch-hitter Nick Williams hit a tiebreaking solo homer in the eighth inning to lift Philadelphia.

Scott Kingery homered for the first time in his career, and Rhys Hoskins also went deep for the Phillies.

Tucker Barnhart hit a two-run homer for the Reds.

Williams drove one deep into the right-center field seats off Kevin Quackenbush (0-1) for his first career pinch-hit homer. Luis Garcia (1-1) tossed a scoreless inning in relief and Hector Neris finished for his first save.

PADRES 7, ROCKIES 6

DENVER (AP) - Pitcher Clayton Richard homered into the second deck at Coors Field and San Diego weathered Carlos Gonzalez's disputed home run.

Richard connected for his third career homer as part of a five-run fourth inning, driving the first pitch he saw from Jon Gray (1-2) above the Rockies bullpen in right-center. Carlos Asuaje followed Richard with a home run.

Richard (1-1) allowed four runs in five innings. Brad Hand struck out the side in the ninth for his third save.

Ian Desmond, Chris Iannetta and Gonzalez homered for the Rockies. Gonzalez's two-run drive came in the sixth off Jordan Lyles, pulled the Rockies within 7-6 and led to the ejection of Padres manager Andy Green.

Left fielder Cory Spangenberg made a leaping attempt at the wall and actually had the ball in his glove for an instant, even as a fan tried simultaneously to make a barehanded catch. The fan appeared to make some contact with the glove but backed his hands away as Spangenberg dropped back to the ground.

RAYS 5, WHITE SOX 4

CHICAGO (AP) - Mallex Smith matched a career high with four hits, Joey Wendle hit his first homer and Tampa Bay stopped an eight-game losing streak.

A bullpen that blew late leads in two of the three games at Boston last weekend got the job done after a shaky start by Chris Archer (1-0). Alex Colome escaped a second-and-third jam in the ninth by getting three straight groundouts, retiring Leury Garcia on a game-ending bouncer to first.

Miguel Gonzalez (0-2) gave up four runs and eight hits in 4 1/3 innings.

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