Capping MLB Easier when you have these facts.

[BrezzeEaze]

Good info Spearit...I know there is site or link that provides this info on umpires...I just can't recall off the top of my head. The umpire angle often receives less publicity....Nice post!

[Spearit]

Keep this in mind for next starts.

Smoltz followed by Hudson in the ATL rotation have NOT lost back/back games entire season

[Spearit]

BEST OVER BETS

Oakland Athletics (10-5 over/under in September)

Oakland has played over in eight straight contests heading into Monday’s game with the Mariners (who are also a top over play). The A’s are batting .285 this month and are averaging over six runs per game.

During its eight-game run, Oakland is driving in almost eight runs per night while allowing 6.6 runs against. The hot bats of Mark Ellis and veteran sluggers Mike Piazza and Shannon Stewart are powering the offense.

Seattle Mariners (10-5)

The Mariners roll into McAfee Coliseum to face another one of the majors’ top over plays. Seattle has gone over the total in seven of its last nine games heading into this week’s series with Oakland.

The M’s are scoring only 4.3 runs per game, but the defense is giving up almost seven scores per contest. The pitching staff posts a collective 6.21 ERA in September with starters Horacio Ramirez and Jeff Weaver both struggling this month. Seattle’s bats aren’t providing much pop either outside of Ichiro Suzuki’s .355 and Jose Vidro’s .347 September batting averages.

Colorado Rockies (10-5)

The Rockies are toppling totals by knocking in double-figures one night, and coughing up big runs the next. Colorado has played over in five straight games heading into Tuesday’s series opener with the Los Angeles Dodgers.

The Rockies are hitting .292 for an NL-best 6.13 runs per game this month. Todd Helton, Willy Taveras and Garrett Atkins are all over .400 during the first half of September. The pitching staff has a collective ERA of 4.86 this month and is conceding an average of 4.8 runs per game to opponents.

BEST UNDER BETS

Chicago Cubs (5-11-1 over/under in September)

The Cubbies’ stingy defense is keeping scores under the oddsmakers’ numbers. Chicago's played under the total in six of its last seven games which included one push. The Cubs staff has a 4.22 collective ERA in September and has held opposing offenses to just 2.85 runs per game over the past seven outings.

On the other side of the ball, Derrek Lee’s .355 September batting average is one of the few bright lights in the lineup. The Cubs are scoring only 4.58 runs per game behind a .271 team batting average.

Cleveland Indians (5-10)

Cleveland’s rotation has secured the team a spot on top of the AL Central as well as kept under bettors in the black this month. The Indians have the lowest ERA in September (3.13 ERA) and are allowing just 3.4 runs per game.

Starting pitchers Fausto Carmona and C.C. Sabathia, both Cy Young contenders, have September ERAs under 2.00 and third starter Paul Byrd is posting a 3.60 ERA in his three starts this month. The Tribe's offense is adequate, scoring five runs a night behind a .265 batting average this month.

St. Louis Cardinals (7-9-1)

The defending World Series champions might not repeat this season but they are making under backers very happy this month. The Cardinals have played under in six of their last seven games with the only blemish – a push – coming against the Cubs last week.

St. Louis’ offense is flat this month, averaging just 2.57 runs scored during the last seven games. The lineup is hitting a collective .257 at the plate in September. The Cards’ pitching staff isn’t performing much better, posting an ERA above 5.00 this month.