901PHILADELPHIA -902 PITTSBURGH
PITTSBURGH is 39-51 SU (-23.9 Units) vs. an overused bullpen that pitches more than 3.2 innings per game in the current season.
903CHICAGO CUBS -904 WASHINGTON
WASHINGTON is 0-9 SU (-10.8 Units) vs. good fielding teams - averaging <=0.6 errors/game in the second half of the season in the current season.
905CINCINNATI -906 NY METS
CINCINNATI is 1-12 SU (-13.3 Units) vs. terrible speed teams - averaging 0.35 or less SB's/game in the current season.
907MILWAUKEE -908 ATLANTA
MILWAUKEE is 10-0 SU (10 Units) in road games when the total is 8 to 8.5 in the current season.
909LA DODGERS -910 ARIZONA
ARIZONA is 21-37 SU (-20.1 Units) vs. a starting pitcher whose gives up 5.5 or less hits/start in the current season.
911COLORADO -912 SAN DIEGO
COLORADO is 15-24 SU (-18.3 Units) in road games vs. an NL team with an on base percentage .325 or worse in the current season.
913KANSAS CITY -914 TORONTO
KANSAS CITY is 9-19 SU (-16.1 Units) in road games vs teams who strand 6.9 or less runners on base per game in the current season.
915BALTIMORE -916 DETROIT
DETROIT is 14-3 SU (14.8 Units) in home games vs. teams outscored by opp by 0.5 or more runs/game on the season in the current season.
917BOSTON -918 TAMPA BAY
TAMPA BAY is 32-14 SU (19.1 Units) vs. a starting pitcher with good control (less than 1.75 BB's/start) in the current season.
919SEATTLE -920 TEXAS
TEXAS are 13-32 SU (-24.9 Units) vs. a starting pitcher with good control (less than 1.75 BB's/start) in the current season.
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Friday’s 6-pack
First six picks in the NBA Draft
1) Detroit— Cade Cunningham, Oklahoma State
2) Houston— Jalen Green, G-League Elite
3) Cleveland— Evan Mobley, USC
4) Toronto— Scottie Barnes, Florida State
5) Orlando— Jalen Suggs, Gonzaga
6) Oklahoma City— Josh Giddey, Australia
Quote of the Day.
“There are only two options regarding commitment- you’re either in or you’re out.”
Pat Riley
Friday’s quiz
Pistons took Bob Lanier in the 1970 NBA Draft, after he led his college team to the Final Four that year. What college did Bob Lanier play for?
Thursday’s quiz
Nolan Ryan pitched in major leagues for 27 years; he broke into the majors with the Mets.
Wednesday’s quiz
Lebron James was #1 pick in the 2003 NBA Draft; Carmelo Anthony was the 3rd pick, Dwayne Wade the 5th pick. Pistons took Darko Milicic with the #2 pick; it didn’t go well for him.
*****************************
Friday’s Den: Random thoughts on a busy night
Lot of stuff going on for a Thursday night; was going to do a running diary of the night, with the NBA Draft and baseball trades going on, but a nasty thunderstorm KO’d my DirecTV for 20-25 minutes, so I scrapped that idea.
— First of all, best wishes to Indians’ manager Terry Francona, who is taking the rest of the year off to improve his health— he’s had problems last few years. From all accounts, Francona is a terrific guy and he also been an excellent manager. Get well soon, sir.
Francona is also the answer to a great trivia question; he was the manager of the Birmingham Barons the year Michael Jordan played minor league baseball.
— Blockbuster trade of the day was Dodgers acquiring Max Scherzer/Trea Turner from Washington for four prospects, including their top two, C Keibert Ruiz, P Josiah Gray.
San Diego had been rumored as the frontrunners to land Scherzer, but they got outsmarted by their division rivals.
— Turner came up as a CF, so he is likely to play OF with Corey Seager due back from his hand injury. This also makes it more likely that Seager moves on in free agency this winter.
— Nationals dealt injured slugger Kyle Schwarber to Boston; he has a hamstring issue now, but was pounding the ball before he got hurt. It is unclear if Washington plans to field a team next season, but if they do, it won’t be a very good one.
— Washington 3-8. Phillies 1-11:
Nationals won first game, led 7-0 in nightcap, but blew the lead.
Brad Miller walked it off with a grand slam, after P Aaron Nola pinch-hit and drew a walk.
— Rough day to be a Washington fan. In 2019, they won the World Series, then didn’t get much of a chance to celebrate last year because of the pandemic, now they’re running a fire sale.
— Dodgers also acquired LHP Danny Duffy, so the Trevor Bauer era may be over in LA.
— Bronx Bombers acquired 1B Anthony Rizzo from the Cubs, OF Joey Gallo from Texas; Cubs are even paying Rizzo’s contract the rest of this year.
Rizzo/Gallo don’t pitch, so New York will be trying to outscore teams with an enhanced lineup.
— In 2000, the major league batting average was .270; this year, it is .241; will be interesting to see how much it goes back up next year when they ban the shift.
— Seattle acquired P Diego Castillo to replace departed Kendall Graveman as closer.
— This season, Atlanta Braves are 1-10 in games when they’ve been one game under .500; they’re 51-52 and haven’t been over .500 yet this season.
— Mets acquiring Rich Hill makes it 11 teams in 17 years for the veteran lefty.
— Tuesday afternoon, Detroit scored 17 runs in game without hitting a home run; it was the first time they scored 17+ runs without homering since July, 1961.
— Since 2017, Mike Trout has missed 26% of the Angels’ games due to injury.
— Not sure how this will play out, but Oklahoma City Thunder had 37 draft picks for the next seven NBA Drafts, counting last night- they traded one to Philly, so now they’ve got 36.
NBA rosters have 15 guys on them; what will they do with all those draft picks?
— Russell Westbrook got traded to the Lakers, SO LA’s Big 3 in Lebron James, Anthony Davis and Westbrook. Lakers aren’t much for the rebuilding side of the business.
Russell Westbrook’s career path:
2008-19— Oklahoma City
2019-20— Houston
2020-21— Washington
2021-??— Lakers
Four teams in four years; Lakers became a more interesting team last night.
— Detroit took Cade Cunningham with the first pick of the draft; last time they had the first pick was 1970—they took Bob Lanier, who scored 22 ppg for 10 years— excellent pick.
— The NBA Draft would be better if they didn’t show Spike Lee hovering around the arena.
— Was listening to an NBA scout/analyst describe one prospect and he says:
“The big question about (Player A) is how much does he like basketball?”
Wow, big wow. If I thought that about a prospect, we’d cross his name off and never even think about drafting him. Excelling in the NBA is really difficult; you better love it enough to work your butt off at it, if you want to succeed.
— A’s 4, Angels 0— First time up, A’s leadoff hitter Mark Canha leaned into an inside pitch, it nicked him and he went to first base. Angels’ P Dylan Bundy was’t happy about it. Next time up, first pitch was a fastball behind Canha’s head.
Frankie Montas was awesome in this game, throwing 7 shutout innings. Starling Marte got on base a couple of times in his A’s debut.
— It takes onions to propose to your girlfriend in public, in a big league ballpark; last week, a guy proposed to his girlfriend in the middle of the 5th inning at Wrigley Field- she said yes, and there were hugs/kisses and everyone was happy.
Few years ago, a guy proposed to his girlfriend at Fenway Park; they put it up on the scoreboard, there wasn’t much of a commotion, until some fans in that area starting chanting…….
“She said no!!! She said no!!!!”
Not good. How do you get out of the ballpark gracefully when that happens?
Leave a comment:
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MLB July Opinions and Best Bets:
07/29/2021.......4-7-0......36.36%....-15.75
7/28/2021 ........5-6-0......45.45%.....-9.10
07/27/2021.......4-9-0......30.77%....-30.65
07/26/2021.......2-6-0......25.00%....-25.25
07/25/2021.......6-8-0......42.86%....-18.95
07/24/2021.....4-13-0......23.52%....-58.25
07/23/2021.......6-9-0......40.00%....-15.55
07/22/2021.......5-6-0......45.45%......-6.05
07/21/2021.......8-5-0......61.53%....+29.65
07/20/2021...11-10-0.......52.38%......-1.00
07/19/2021.......5-7-0.......41.66%....-23.65
07/18/2021.....6-10-0.......37.50%....-19.35
07/17/2021.....6-10-0.......37.50%....-28.85
07/16/2021.......5-9-0.......35.71%....-22.95
07/11/2021.......9-2-0.......81.82%...+41.60
07/10/2021...... 8-7-0 ......53.33% ....+4.95
07/09/2021.......9-5-0.......64.29%...+26.35
07/08/2021.......3-6-0.......33.33%....-14.80
07/07/2021.......6-6-0.......50.00%.....+0.25
07/06/2021.......6-7-0.......46.15%......-9.90
07/05/2021 ......5-5-0 ......50.00%.... - 6.45
07/04/2021.....5-11-0.......31.25%.....-31.90
07/03/2021.....11-4-0.......73.33%....+40.60
07/02/2021.......6-8-0.......42.86%.....-10.45
07/01/2021 ......4-7-0 ......36.36% ....-13.85
Totals...........150-178 ......45,73% ....- 187.93
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Best Bets July:
07/29/2021 2-3-0................40.00%........-0.35
07/28/2021 2-3-0................40.00%........-4.05
07/27/2021 2-5-0................28.57%.......-11.50 .
07/26/2021 1-4-0................25.00%.......-14.50
07/25/2021 2-2-0................50.00%.......+4.55
07/24/2021 2-7-0................22.22%.......-20.65
07/23/2021.1-5-0................16.66%.......-13.20
07/22/2021.2-5-0................28.57%.......-13.85
07/21/2021.6-5-0................54.54%.......+19.65
07/20/2021 6-6-0................50.00%........+2.30
07/19/2021 3-2-0................60.00%........+7.00
07/18/2021 5-6-0................45.45%........+0.50
07/17/2021 0-4-0................00.00%........-20.00
07/16/2021 2-4-0................33.33%.........-6.85
07/11/2021 3-2-0................60.00%.......+11.45
07/10/2021 3-4-0................42.85%.........+2.85
07/09/2021 3-3-0................50.00%.........+9.00
07/08/2021 2-4-0................33.33%..........-6.95
07/07/2021 3-4-0................42.85%..........-0.70
07/06/2021 3-3-0................50.00%.........+4.20
07/05/2021 3-0-0...............100.00%.......+20.20
07/04/2021 3-8-0................27.27%.........-19.15
07/03/2021 4-3-0................57.14%........+11.50
07/02/2021 0-6-0 ...............00.00%........ -30.00
07/01/2021 3-5-0............... 37.50%......... - 3.55
Totals.......62-75-0...............45.25%..........-111.75Leave a comment:
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THURSDAY, JULY 29
GAME TIME(ET) PICK UNITS
WAS at PHI 12:05 PM
PHI -147
+500
ATL at NYM 12:10 PM
NYM -126
+500
NYY at TB 01:10 PM
TB +115
+500
CHW at KC 02:10 PM
KC +178
+500
CIN at CHC 02:20 PM
CHC +112
+500
LAD at SF 03:45 PM
LAD -116
+500
MIL at PIT 07:05 PM
MIL -186
+500
TOR at BOS 07:10 PM
BOS -119
+500
BAL at DET 07:10 PM
BAL +140
+500
COL at SD 10:10 PM
COL +233
+500Leave a comment:
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Diamond Trends for Thursday July 29
Vince Akins
SU Play ON Trend of the Day
Matchup: L.A. Dodgers at San Francisco (3:45 p.m. ET)
-- The Giants are 13-0 SU since Sept. 20, 2020 after they didn't score after the third inning last game.
SU Play AGAINST Trend of the Day
Matchup: Colorado at San Diego (10:10 p.m. ET)
-- The Rockies are 0-10 SU since Sept. 22, 2020 on the road off a game as an underdog in which they scored at least six runs.
OU Trend of the Day
Matchup: Oakland at L.A. Angels (9:38 p.m. ET)
-- The A's are 0-9 OU (-2.94 ppg) since Jun. 2, 2021 on the road off a road game win which theur bullpen allowed multiple runs.
Starter-Based Trend of the Day
Matchup: Colorado at San Diego (10:10 p.m. ET)
-- The Rockies are 0-12 OU (-3.58 ppg) since Sept. 30, 2018 when Kyle Freeland starts after he had a WHIP of less than 1.00 in his last start.
Trends are verified using Sports Data Query Language (SDQL)
Leave a comment:
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MLB
Thursday, July 29
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Trend Report
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Washington @ Philadelphia
Washington
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Washington's last 6 games on the road
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Washington's last 6 games
Philadelphia
The total has gone OVER in 14 of Philadelphia's last 20 games
The total has gone UNDER in 7 of Philadelphia's last 10 games when playing Washington
Atlanta @ NY Mets
Atlanta
Atlanta is 5-0 ATS in its last 5 games
Atlanta is 5-0 ATS in its last 5 games when playing NY Mets
NY Mets
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of NY Mets's last 5 games
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of NY Mets's last 5 games at home
NY Yankees @ Tampa Bay
NY Yankees
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of NY Yankees's last 5 games on the road
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of NY Yankees's last 5 games
Tampa Bay
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Tampa Bay's last 6 games
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Tampa Bay's last 5 games when playing at home against NY Yankees
Chi White Sox @ Kansas City
Chi White Sox
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Chi White Sox's last 5 games when playing Kansas City
Chi White Sox is 11-2 SU in its last 13 games when playing on the road against Kansas City
Kansas City
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Kansas City's last 5 games when playing Chi White Sox
Kansas City is 7-1 SU in its last 8 games
Cincinnati @ Chi Cubs
Cincinnati
Cincinnati is 5-0 ATS in its last 5 games on the road
Cincinnati is 6-1 SU in its last 7 games when playing Chi Cubs
Chi Cubs
The total has gone OVER in 8 of Chi Cubs's last 12 games at home
Chi Cubs is 8-17 SU in its last 25 games
Washington @ Philadelphia
Washington
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Washington's last 6 games on the road
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Washington's last 6 games
Philadelphia
The total has gone OVER in 14 of Philadelphia's last 20 games
The total has gone UNDER in 7 of Philadelphia's last 10 games when playing Washington
LA Dodgers @ San Francisco
LA Dodgers
LA Dodgers is 6-1 SU in its last 7 games when playing on the road against San Francisco
LA Dodgers is 8-3 ATS in its last 11 games when playing on the road against San Francisco
San Francisco
San Francisco is 9-3 ATS in its last 12 games when playing LA Dodgers
San Francisco is 17-8 SU in its last 25 games at home
Milwaukee @ Pittsburgh
Milwaukee
Milwaukee is 5-0 ATS in its last 5 games on the road
Milwaukee is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games on the road
Pittsburgh
The total has gone OVER in 17 of Pittsburgh's last 23 games when playing at home against Milwaukee
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Pittsburgh's last 7 games
Toronto @ Boston
Toronto
The total has gone UNDER in 8 of Toronto's last 9 games on the road
Toronto is 7-1 ATS in its last 8 games when playing on the road against Boston
Boston
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Boston's last 5 games at home
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Boston's last 5 games
Baltimore @ Detroit
Baltimore
Baltimore is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games
Baltimore is 4-1 ATS in its last 5 games on the road
Detroit
Detroit is 5-0 ATS in its last 5 games at home
Detroit is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games at home
Oakland @ LA Angels
Oakland
Oakland is 5-0 ATS in its last 5 games when playing LA Angels
Oakland is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games when playing LA Angels
LA Angels
The total has gone OVER in 5 of LA Angels's last 5 games at home
LA Angels is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games
Colorado @ San Diego
Colorado
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Colorado's last 5 games when playing on the road against San Diego
Colorado is 7-1 ATS in its last 8 games on the road
San Diego
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of San Diego's last 5 games when playing at home against Colorado
San Diego is 9-2 SU in its last 11 games when playing at home against Colorado
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Leave a comment:
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MLB
Armadillo's Write-Up
Thursday, July 29
NL games
Washington (46-54) @ Philadelphia (50-50)
— Corbin is 1-4, 7.24 in his last five starts.
— Nationals are 9-10 in his starts.
— over 10-9
— allowed run in first inning: 9-19
— record in first 5 innings: 7-9-3
— He is 6-3, 3.01 in 12 starts vs Philly.
— They haven’t named starter for Game 2.
— Nationals had 4 players test positive for COVID yesterday.
— Washington is 4-11 in its last 15 games.
— Nationals lost 8 of last 9 road games.
— under 5-1 last six games
— scored run in first inning: 33-99
— record in first 5 innings: 41-39-19
— Wheeler is 3-1, 3.24 in his last five starts.
— Phillies are 12-8 in his starts.
— under 7-2 last nine
— allowed run in first inning: 5-20
— record in first 5 innings: 7-7-6
— He is 0-2, 3.86 in three starts vs Washington this year.
— Velasquez is 0-3, 10.91 in his last four starts.
— Phillies are 8-8 in his starts.
— over 7-3 last ten
— allowed run in first inning: 4-16
— record in first 5 innings: 8-5-3
— He is 0-0, 7.56 in two starts vs Washington this year.
— Phillies are 4-6 in their last ten games.
— Phillies are 30-20 at home, 20-30 on road.
— over 15-4 last 19 games.
— scored run in first inning: 34-100
— record in first 5 innings: 39-39-22
Atlanta (50-52) @ Mets (54-46)
— Smyly is 5-0, 2.19 in his last seven starts.
— Braves are 7-1 in his last eight starts.
— over 12-5
— allowed run in first inning: 3-17
— you’re reading ***************.com
— record in first 5 innings: 11-4-2
— He’s thrown 7.2 scoreless IP in 2 games (1 start) vs New York.
— Braves are 6-8 in their last 14 games
— Atlanta is 7-5 in its last 12 road games.
— under 5-2 last seven games.
— scored run in first inning: 37-102
— record in first 5 innings: 52-37-13
— Walker allowed 12 runs in 4.1 IP in his last two starts.
— Mets are 14-4 in his starts.
— over 7-3 last ten
— allowed run in first inning: 3-18
— you’re reading ***************.com
— record in first 5 innings: 10-6-2
— He is 1-0, 0.00 in two starts (8 IP) vs Atlanta this year.
— Mets are 19-21 in their last 40 games.
— Mets are 11-8 in their last 19 home games.
— under 7-2 last nine games.
— scored run in first inning: 26-100
— record in first 5 innings: 45-43-12
Cincinnati (53-49) @ Cubs (50-53)
— Castillo is 2-0, 1.16 in his last six starts.
— Reds are 6-4 in his last ten starts.
— under 6-2 last eight
— allowed run in first inning: 0 of last 8
— you’re reading ***************.com
— record in first 5 innings: 10-9-2
— He is 0-2, 5.91 in two starts vs Chicago this year.
— Cincinnati is 5-7 in its last 12 games.
— Reds are 8-3 in last 11 road games.
— under 6-3-1 last ten road games
— scored run in first inning: 30-102
— record in first 5 innings: 44-42-16
— Mills is 1-2, 5.31 in his last four starts.
— Cubs are 3-5 in his starts.
— under 6-2
— allowed run in first inning: 1-8
— record in first 5 innings: 3-3-2
— He is 3-1, 3.66 in 9 games (6 starts) vs Cincinnati.
— Cubs are 8-20 in last 28 games.
— Chicago is 7-10 in its last 17 home games.
— Over is 8-3-1 in last 12 home games.
— scored run in first inning: 31-103
— record in first 5 innings: 43-47-13
Dodgers (62-41) @ San Francisco (63-38)
— Price is 0-0, 2.84 in six starts (19 IP).
— Dodgers are 2-4 in his starts.
— 74 pitches is most he’s thrown in game this year.
— under 5-1
— allowed run in first inning: 2-6
— you’re reading ***************.com
— record in first 5 innings: 3-2-1
— He is 0-2, 2.45 in 5 games (4 starts) vs San Francisco.
— Dodgers are 4-6 in last ten games.
— Dodgers are 4-5 in last nine road games.
— under 6-4-1 last 11 home games
— scored run in first inning: 33-103
— record in first 5 innings: 54-32-17
— Cueto is 0-2, 5.57 in his last four starts.
— Giants are 2-6 in his last eight starts.
— under 7-2 last nine
— allowed run in first inning: 4-16
— record in first 5 innings: 6-8-2
— He is 8-9, 3.92 in 23 starts vs LA.
— Giants are 6-6 since All-Star break.
— Giants are 16-8 in last 24 home games.
— Over is 11-6 in last 17 home games.
— scored run in first inning: 30-101
— record in first 5 innings: 54-34-13 starts.
Milwaukee (60-42) @ Pittsburgh (38-63)
— Peralta is 1-1, 2.33 in his last five starts.
— He was taken out of last start after 4 innings, 51 PT
— Milwaukee is 12-6 in his starts.
— under 6-3 last nine
— allowed run in first inning: 3-18
— record in first 5 innings: 10-4-4
— He is 0-1, 4.09 in two starts vs Pittsburgh this year.
— Brewers are 7-3 in last ten games.
— Milwaukee won last six road games.
— over 5-1-1 last seven road games.
— scored run in first inning: 36-102
— record in first 5 innings: 49-34-19
— Kuhl is 1-0, 2.76 in his last three starts.
— Pittsburgh is 8-5 in his starts.
— over 9-4
— allowed run in first inning: 5-13
— record in first 5 innings: 7-3-3
— He is 0-1, 9.72 in two starts vs Milwaukee this year.
— Pirates lost seven of last nine games.
— Pittsburgh is 5-4 in last nine home games.
— over 15-6-1 last 22 games
— scored run in first inning: 28-100
— record in first 5 innings: 32-56-12
Colorado (44-58) @ San Diego (59-45)
— Freeland is 0-3, 3.38 in his last three starts.
— Rockies are 4-7 in his starts.
— under 9-2
— allowed run in first inning: 4-11
— you’re reading ***************.com
— record in first 5 innings: 3-5-3
— He is 0-1, 7.72 in two starts vs San Diego this year.
— Colorado is 19-17 in its last 36 games.
— Rockies are 33-20 at home, 11-38 on road.
— under 17-7 last 24 games.
— scored run in first inning: 31-102
— record in first 5 innings: 39-47-16
— Musgrove is 1-1, 4.70 in his last three starts.
— Padres are 10-9 in his starts.
— over 5-2 last seven
— allowed run in first inning: 4-18
— record in first 5 innings: 7-9-2
— He is 1-1, 1.59 in two starts vs Colorado this year.
— Padres are 6-5 in their last 11 games.
— San Diego is 6-6 in last 12 home games.
— under 5-4 last nine games
— scored run in first inning: 31-104
— record in first 5 innings: 41-45-17
AL games
Bronx (53-47) @ Tampa Bay (60-42)
— Cole is 2-1, 1.80 in his last three starts.
— New York is 10-10 in his starts.
— under 9-7 last 16
— allowed run in first inning: 4-20
— record in first 5 innings: 10-5-5
— He is 1-2, 3.26 in three starts vs Tampa Bay this year.
— New York is 12-5 in last 17 games.
— New York is 10-8 in last 18 road games.
— under 9-1 last ten road games
— scored run in first inning: 24-100
— record in first 5 innings: 42-38-20
— Patino is 0-2, 7.40 in five starts.
— Rays are 2-3 in his starts.
— under 3-2
— allowed run in first inning: 2-5
— record in first 5 innings: 1-4
— He gave up 2 runs in 4 IP, in May 11 start vs New York.
— Tampa Bay won 13 of its last 19 games.
— Rays are 11-5 in last 16 home tilts.
— under is 7-2 last nine home games.
— scored run in first inning: 31-102
— record in first 5 innings: 39-38-25
Toronto (50-48) @ Boston (63-40)
— Ryu is 2-0, 2.20 in his last three starts.
— Toronto is 12-7 in his starts.
— over 8-3 last 11
— allowed run in first inning: 6-19
— record in first 5 innings: 11-7-1
— He is 1-1, 3.00 in two starts vs Boston this year.
— Toronto lost six of last eight games.
— Blue Jays are 3-8 in last 11 road games.
— Under is 5-1 in last six games.
— scored run in first inning: 30-98
— record in first 5 innings: 7-10 last 17 on road
— Rodriguez is 2-1, 2.66 in his last five starts.
— He left his last start after an inning with a migraine.
— Boston is 8-1 in his last nine starts.
— under 3-0-1 last four
— allowed run in first inning: 6-19
— record in first 5 innings: 10-7-2
— He is 1-1, 5.73 in two starts vs Toronto this year.
— Boston won seven of its last nine games.
— Red Sox are 14-4 in last 18 home games.
— under 7-1 last eight home games
— scored run in first inning: 35-103
— record in first 5 innings: 48-40-15
White Sox (60-42) @ Kansas City (44-56)
— Rodon is 2-1, 2.65 in his last three starts.
— Chicago is 11-6 in his starts.
— under 10-3-1 last 14
— allowed run in first inning: 3-17
— record in first 5 innings: 7-5-5
— He is 1-1, 3.09 in two starts vs Kansas City this year.
— Chicago lost five of last seven games.
— White Sox are 7-4 in last 11 road games.
— over 11-7-1 last 19 road games.
— scored run in first inning: 28-102
— record in first 5 innings: 55-31-16
— Hernandez is 0-1, 9.45 in two starts.
— Kansas City is 1-1 in his starts.
— over 1-1
— allowed run in first inning: 0-2
— record in first 5 innings: 0-2
— He gave up 3 runs in 3 IP, in two relief stints vs Chicago.
— Royals won seven of last eight games.
— Royals are 9-6 in last 15 home games.
— under 7-1-1 last nine games.
— scores run in first inning: 20-100
— record in first 5 innings: 37-50-13
Baltimore (35-65) @ Detroit (49-55)
— Wells allowed 3 runs in 5.2 IP (93 PT) in his first start.
— Orioles are 0-1 in his starts.
— over 1-0
— allowed run in first inning: 1-1
— record in first 5 innings: 0-0-1
— He isn’t pitched against Detroit.
— Orioles are 7-3 in last ten games.
— Baltimore is 18-34 on road, 17-31 at home.
— over is 43-20-1 in their last 64 games.
— scored run in first inning: 33-101
— record in first 5 innings: 33-52-16
— Mize is 0-1, 4.91 in his last four starts.
— Tigers are 11-8 in his starts.
— over 3-0-1 last four
— allowed run in first inning: 4-19
— record in first 5 innings: 9-6-4
— He hasn’t pitched against Baltimore.
— Detroit lost four of last six games.
— Detroit won last nine home games.
— over 28-15-1 last 44 games
— scored run in first inning: 22-104
— record in first 5 innings: 8-0-1 last nine at home.
Oakland (57-46) @ Angels (51-50)
— Montas is 1-1, 3.07 in his last five starts.
— A’s are 1-5 in his last six starts.
— under 4-0 last four
— allowed run in first inning: 5-20
— record in first 5 innings: 8-8-4
— He is 1-1, 4.26 in two starts vs Anaheim this year.
— A’s lost four of last five games.
— Oakland is 6-7 in last 13 road games.
— Under is 18-10 in their last 28 games.
— scored run in first inning: 31-103
— record in first 5 innings: 44-39-20
— Cobb is 2-0, 2.19 in his last four starts.
— He left his last start with a blister issue.
— Angels are 10-5 in his starts.
— over 10-5
— allowed run in first inning: 2-15
— record in first 5 innings: 10-4-1
— He is 5-3, 1.96 in 11 starts vs Oakland.
— Halos are 13-9 in last 22 games.
— Angels are 8-4 in last 12 home games.
— under 6-3 last nine games
— scored run in first inning: 34-101
— record in first 5 innings: 45-43-13
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951ATLANTA -952 NY METS
NY METS are 7-17 SU (-12.1 Units) vs. excellent fielding teams - averaging <=0.5 errors/game in the current season.
953WASHINGTON -954 PHILADELPHIA
WASHINGTON is 14-25 SU (-15.8 Units) vs. a team with a poor bullpen whose ERA is 4.20 or worse in the current season.
955CINCINNATI -956 CHICAGO CUBS
CHICAGO CUBS are 36-19 SU (15.2 Units) vs. a starting pitcher whose gives up 5.5 or less hits/start in the current season.
957LA DODGERS -958 SAN FRANCISCO
SAN FRANCISCO is 40-17 SU (26 Units) vs. a starting pitcher whose gives up 5.5 or less hits/start in the current season.
959MILWAUKEE -960 PITTSBURGH
MILWAUKEE is 10-0 SU (10 Units) in road games when the total is 8 to 8.5 in the current season.
961COLORADO -962 SAN DIEGO
COLORADO is 15-24 SU (-18.3 Units) in road games vs. an NL team with an on base percentage .325 or worse in the current season.
963NY YANKEES -964 TAMPA BAY
TAMPA BAY is 32-14 SU (19.1 Units) vs. a starting pitcher with good control (less than 1.75 BB's/start) in the current season.
965CHI WHITE SOX -966 KANSAS CITY
CHI WHITE SOX is 35-20 SU (20.1 Units) vs. a team with a poor bullpen whose ERA is 4.20 or worse in the current season.
967BALTIMORE -968 DETROIT
DETROIT is 14-3 SU (14.8 Units) in home games vs. teams outscored by opp by 0.5 or more runs/game on the season in the current season.
969TORONTO -970 BOSTON
BOSTON is 7-20 SU (-15 Units) after 9 consecutive games versus division rivals in the last 3 seasons.
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Thursday’s 6-pack
Major league leaders in RBI:
82— Rafael Devers, Bos
81— Shohei Ohtani, LAA
80— Vladimir Guerrero, Tor
75— Jesus Aguilar/Jose Abreu
71— Austin Meadows, Manny Machado
69— Fernando Tatis
Quote of the Day.
“This is the first move in what should be a succession of moves over the course of this week that I think will result in the present team looking deeper, and the future team looking deeper, and that’s been the goal throughout.”
Jerry DiPoto, talking about Tuesday’s trade with Houston
Thursday’s quiz
Nolan Ryan pitched in major leagues for 27 years; who did he break into the majors with?
Wednesday’s quiz
Lebron James was #1 pick in the 2003 NBA Draft; Carmelo Anthony was the 3rd pick, Dwayne Wade the 5th pick. Pistons took Darko Milicic with the #2 pick; it didn’t go well for him.
Tuesday’s quiz
Michael Jordan was the 3rd pick in the 1984 NBA Draft; Hakeem Olajuwon was the first pick, Sam Bowie the #2 pick.
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Thursday’s Den: Nobody asked me, but……..
13) Baseball needs to market itself better; they need an NFL Films-type group to go behind the scenes of front offices and locker rooms to show us what happens during spring training, at the trade deadline, before/during the amateur draft.
MLB’s leaders are arrogant/entitled; they need to sell the game to younger people, and the way to do it is to show us how interesting a business it is, both on and off the field, you know, the way the NFL does.
Tuesday night around 6:30, they announced the Phillies were acquiring P Tyler Anderson from Pittsburgh, for two minor leaguers. 90 minutes later, the trade was off; one of minor leaguers failed his physical. Around 10pm, Anderson was traded to Seattle for two other prospects.
Would be great TV to hear how those phone calls went down, to see how the GM’s reacted when their trade fell apart, and when the new trade was put together.
Baseball needs to do this; they need to promote their sport better.
12) Houston-Seattle made a trade late Monday/early Tuesday; the thing is, Astros were in Seattle at the time- they blew a 6-0 first inning lead and lost 11-8 to the Mariners Monday night.
Seattle traded its closer to Houston, which is weird, seeing how the Mariners are very hot and are playoff contenders. Mariners’ GM Jerry DiPoto says there will be other trades that will make the first trade understandable.
Once again, this would’ve been great TV, to see everyone’s reactions.
Tuesday night, Abraham Toro, traded by the Astros to Seattle that morning, hit a home run against Houston in the last inning; quite a moment. Would’ve been good TV to see how his new teammates greeted him and how he reacted after the game.
Toro homered again Wednesday, by the way.
11) Oakland A’s pulled the trigger on a big trade; they acquired Starling Marte for Jesus Luzardo; Marte is a free agent in two months, Luzardo is a young pitcher who broke his hand punching something during a clubhouse video game back in May.
I had been wondering if the A’s brass was ticked off with Luzardo; his rehab starts haven’t gone that smoothly, but they were in the PCL, mostly at high altitude. His injury put the A’s in a bad spot; good starting pitchers are obviously hard to find.
A’s started this season 1-6, then went on a 44-24 run, before slumping to 11-16 in their last 27 games- they beat San Diego 10-4 Wednesday, after the deal was announced. Sometimes making a deal loosens everyone up, shows that the front office is behind the team. Hopefully this is one of those times.
10) Detroit 17, Minnesota 14:
— Twins homered 7 times, Detroit didn’t homer, but they won.
— All nine Tiger starters got a hit, scored a run, knocked in a run.
Tuesday’s Detroit-Minnesota game was first time in MLB history both catchers hit a grand slam in the same game.
9) San Diego starting pitchers have lasted 5+ innings in only 57 of 104 games. Blake Snell has lasted five innings in only 8 of 18 starts.
8) Odd Stat of the Day: Tampa Bay leads MLB in this category; 49.2% of their home runs have come with at least one man on base, highest %age in MLB.
7) Pittsburgh 2B Rodolfo Castro is 5-21 this year, with five home runs; he is the first major leaguer in over 100 years whose first five hits were all home runs.
Speaking from personal experience, this is a sad week to be a Pirate fan; you trade two of your best players for prospects. If those prospects become really good players, you realize those guys will eventually get sold down the river, too.
Being a fan is fun when your team wins, disappointing when they lose, but when they don’t even TRY to win, it is depressing/annoying. Thats what’s going on in Pittsburgh now.
6) Four Washington National players, eight staffers tested positive for COVID Wednesday; they postponed Wednesday’s game to today, as part of a doubleheader.
5) This is how much baseball has changed since I was a kid:
In 1973 and 1974, Nolan Ryan threw 26 complete games, that’s 52 complete games in two years.
Today, there is no active big league pitcher with more than 26 career complete games, Justin Verlander and Adam Wainwright.
4) Can any NFL team trade for Deshaun Watson? What would the public relations fallout be? What would they have to give up, for a young man who may/may not have a lot of legal issues in front of him? Watson is a good young QB; the Texans have a hard decision to make.
Watson is at training camp; it would cost him $50,000 a day if he wasn’t there, but he isn’t practicing with the first team.
3) College football trend; under Jimbo Fisher, Texas A&M is 15-6 ATS as a favorite.
2) Not many movies were made during the pandemic, so actors are getting creative to rake in some cash; is odd seeing Liev Schreiber doing a mattress commercial these days.
1) NBA Draft is tonight; Oklahoma City/Houston both have three first round picks.
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MLB July Opinions and Best Bets:
7/28/2021 ........5-6-0......45.45%.....-9.10
07/27/2021.......4-9-0......30.77%....-30.65
07/26/2021.......2-6-0......25.00%....-25.25
07/25/2021.......6-8-0......42.86%....-18.95
07/24/2021.....4-13-0......23.52%....-58.25
07/23/2021.......6-9-0......40.00%....-15.55
07/22/2021.......5-6-0......45.45%......-6.05
07/21/2021.......8-5-0......61.53%....+29.65
07/20/2021...11-10-0.......52.38%......-1.00
07/19/2021.......5-7-0.......41.66%....-23.65
07/18/2021.....6-10-0.......37.50%....-19.35
07/17/2021.....6-10-0.......37.50%....-28.85
07/16/2021.......5-9-0.......35.71%....-22.95
07/11/2021.......9-2-0.......81.82%...+41.60
07/10/2021...... 8-7-0 ......53.33% ....+4.95
07/09/2021.......9-5-0.......64.29%...+26.35
07/08/2021.......3-6-0.......33.33%....-14.80
07/07/2021.......6-6-0.......50.00%.....+0.25
07/06/2021.......6-7-0.......46.15%......-9.90
07/05/2021 ......5-5-0 ......50.00%.... - 6.45
07/04/2021.....5-11-0.......31.25%.....-31.90
07/03/2021.....11-4-0.......73.33%....+40.60
07/02/2021.......6-8-0.......42.86%.....-10.45
07/01/2021 ......4-7-0 ......36.36% ....-13.85
Totals...........146-171 ......46.05% ....- 172.18
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Best Bets July:
07/28/2021 2-3-0................40.00%........-4.05
07/27/2021 2-5-0................28.57%.......-11.50 .
07/26/2021 1-4-0................25.00%.......-14.50
07/25/2021 2-2-0................50.00%.......+4.55
07/24/2021 2-7-0................22.22%.......-20.65
07/23/2021.1-5-0................16.66%.......-13.20
07/22/2021.2-5-0................28.57%.......-13.85
07/21/2021.6-5-0................54.54%.......+19.65
07/20/2021 6-6-0................50.00%........+2.30
07/19/2021 3-2-0................60.00%........+7.00
07/18/2021 5-6-0................45.45%........+0.50
07/17/2021 0-4-0................00.00%........-20.00
07/16/2021 2-4-0................33.33%.........-6.85
07/11/2021 3-2-0................60.00%.......+11.45
07/10/2021 3-4-0................42.85%.........+2.85
07/09/2021 3-3-0................50.00%.........+9.00
07/08/2021 2-4-0................33.33%..........-6.95
07/07/2021 3-4-0................42.85%..........-0.70
07/06/2021 3-3-0................50.00%.........+4.20
07/05/2021 3-0-0...............100.00%.......+20.20
07/04/2021 3-8-0................27.27%.........-19.15
07/03/2021 4-3-0................57.14%........+11.50
07/02/2021 0-6-0 ...............00.00%........ -30.00
07/01/2021 3-5-0............... 37.50%......... - 3.55
Totals.......60-72-0...............45.45%..........-111.40Leave a comment:
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WEDNESDAY, JULY 28
GAME TIME(ET) PICK UNITS
OAK at SD 04:10 PM
OAK +119
+500
WAS at PHI 07:05 PM
PHI -215
+500
MIL at PIT 07:05 PM
MIL -153
+500
MIA at BAL 07:05 PM
MIA +117
+500
TOR at BOS 07:10 PM
TOR +120
+500
NYY at TB 07:10 PM
TB -127
+500
ATL at NYM 07:10 PM
NYM -126
+500
CIN at CHC 08:05 PM
CIN -107
+500
ARI at TEX 08:05 PM
ARI +100
+500
CHW at KC 08:10 PM
CHW -174
+500
COL at LAA 09:38 PM
COL +185
+500
LAD at SF 09:45 PM
SF +114
+500Leave a comment:
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Diamond Trends for Wednesday July 28
Vince Akins
SU Play ON Trend of the Day
Matchup: N.Y. Yankees at Tampa Bay (7:10 p.m. ET)
-- The Yankees are 12-0 SU since Jul 30, 2020 in the second game of a series after they won and never trailed the opening game.
SU Play AGAINST Trend of the Day
Matchup: Cincinnati at Chicago Cubs (8:05 p.m. ET)
-- The Cubs are 0-9 SU since Jun 26, 2021 as a dog after they had more strikeouts than hits last game.
OU Trend of the Day
Matchup: N.Y. Yankees at Tampa Bay (7:10 p.m. ET)
-- The Yankees are 0-11 OU (-2.68 ppg) since Sep 24, 2019 as a road dog after their bullpen allowed multiple runs last game.
Starter-Based Trend of the Day
Matchup: Colorado at L.A. Angels (9:38 p.m. ET)
-- The Angels are 7-0 OU (3.07 ppg) since Sep 25, 2020 when Andrew Heaney starts after he threw over 100 pitches in his last start.
Trends are verified using Sports Data Query Language (SDQL)
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