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  • MLB

    Tuesday, August 27

    ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Tuesday's MLB betting notes and tips
    ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    NATIONAL

    Miami Marlins at Washington Nationals (-158, 8)

    Cold pitching stat: Nats starter Ross Ohlendorf did not fare well in his last start on August 21. He gave up four runs on six hits over 4 1/3 innings in an 11-6 victory over the Chicago Cubs.

    Cold batting stat: Marlins slugger Giancarlo Stanton has just one hit in seven at-bats in his career versus Ohlendorf.

    Weather: There is a 30 percent chance of thunderstorms in the forecast for gametime. Temperatures will be in the low-90s and wind will blow from left field to right field at 7 mph.

    Key betting note: The under is 6-1 in Marlins SP Nate Eovaldi's last seven starts overall.

    Milwaukee Brewers at Pittsburgh Pirates (-142, 7)

    Cold pitching stat: Pirates lefty Jeff Locke has had an awful August. Locke is 0-1 with a 7.50 ERA in four starts this month.

    Cold batting stat: Pirates slugger Pedro Alvarez is 5-for-22 with nine strikeouts in his career against Brewers starter Kyle Lohse.

    Weather: Temperatures will be in the low-80s with a 50 percent chance of rain. Wind will blow out to left field at 6 mph.

    Key betting note: The Brewers are 6-1 in Lohse's last seven starts.

    Philadelphia Phillies at New York Mets (-132, 7.5)

    Hot pitching stat: Mets starter Jon Niese is coming off of arguably his best start of the year. Niese went seven innings allowing one run on five hits, but was the hard-luck loser in a 4-1 loss to the Braves on August 21.

    Cold batting stat: Phillies SS Jimmy Rollins is 8-for-37 (.216) in his career versus Niese.

    Weather: Temperatures will be in the low-80s with partly cloudy skies. Wind will blow in from left field at 6 mph.

    Key betting note: The over is 13-3-1 in Niese's last 17 Tuesday starts.

    Cincinnati Reds at St. Louis Cardinals (+100, 7.5)

    Hot pitching stat: Reds starter Mat Latos has been stellar in August. The righty is 3-1 with a 0.89 ERA in his four August starts.

    Hot batting stat: The Cards have hit well versus Latos, however. Collectively, the Cards own a .318 average in 173 at-bats versus Latos.

    Weather: Temperatures will be in the low-90s with mostly clear skies. Wind will blow out to center field at 8 mph.

    Key betting note: The Cardinals are 5-0 SP Joe Kelly's previous five starts overall.

    San Francisco Giants at Colorado Rockies (-121, 10.5)

    Cold pitching stat: Rockies starter Chad Bettis is 0-2 with a 4.50 ERA in five August starts.

    Hot batting stat: Giants C Buster Posey is hitting .465 versus the Rockies this season.

    Weather: Temperatures will be in the low-80s with sunny skies. Wind will blow out to left field at 6 mph.

    Key betting note: The Giants are 1-5 in the last six meetings in Colorado.

    San Diego Padres at Arizona Diamondbacks (Off, Off)

    Hot pitching stat: Padres starter Ian Kennedy is 2-1 with a 3.20 ERA in four starts since coming over to San Diego in a trade with Arizona.

    Cold batting stat: DBacks 3B Martin Prado is 2-for-10 lifetime versus Kennedy.

    Weather: Temperatures will be in the high-90s with clear skies. Wind will blow out to right field at 5 mph.

    Key betting note: The Diamondbacks are 4-0 in their last four during Game 2 of a series.

    Chicago Cubs at Los Angeles Dodgers (-280, 5.5)

    Hot pitching stat: Dodgers starter Clayton Kershaw is 3-1 with a 0.90 ERA in his four August starts.

    Cold batting stat: Cubs SS Starlin Castro is 0-for-13 in his career versus Kershaw.

    Weather: Temperatures will be in the mid-70s with sunny skies. Wind will blow out to right field at 5 mph.

    Key betting note: The Cubs are 0-5 in SP Travis Wood's last five road starts versus a team with a winning record.


    AMERICAN

    New York Yankees at Toronto Blue Jays (+110, 9)

    Hot pitching stat: Yanks starter Andy Pettitte pitched very well versus the Blue Jays in his last start on Aug. 22. The lefty tossed six innings of four-hit ball en route to a 5-3 Yankee victory over the Jays.

    Cold batting stat: Jays SS Jose Reyes is just 6-for-25 in his career versus Pettitte. None of those hits have gone for extra bases.

    Weather: With a 40 percent chance of thunderstorms in the forecast, the roof could be closed at Rogers Centre.

    Key betting note: The Blue Jays are 1-4 in J.A. Happ's last five home starts.

    Oakland A's at Detroit Tigers (-186, 8.5)

    Hot pitching stat: Tigers starter Justin Verlander pitched six innings allowing just three hits as the Tigers defeated the A's back on April 13 in his lone start versus the club this season.

    Cold batting stat: A's OF Josh Reddick is hitting a paltry .154 in 13 career at-bats versus Verlander.

    Weather: There is a 50 percent chance of thunderstorms in the forecast for gametime. Temperatures will be in the mid-80s and wind will blow in from right field at 4 mph.

    Key betting note: The Tigers are 6-0 in Verlander's last six starts versus the Athletics.

    Baltimore Orioles at Boston Red Sox (-132, 9)

    Cold pitching stat: Orioles starter Wei-Yin Chen is 1-3 with a 4.10 ERA in his four August starts.

    Hot batting stat: BoSox 2B Dustin Pedroia is 4-for-10 with one double and one triple in his career versus Chen.

    Weather: Temperatures will be in the low-70s with mostly cloudy skies. Wind will blow in from left field at 8 mph.

    Key betting note: The under is 6-1 in Sox SP Felix Doubront's last seven home starts.

    Los Angeles Angels at Tampa Bay Rays (-128, 8)

    Hot pitching stat: Angels starter C.J. Wilson has fared quite well versus the Rays throughout his career. Wilson owns a 4-2 record with a 3.24 ERA in seven career starts versus the Rays.

    Cold batting stat: In 141 collective at-bats, the Rays current roster is batting just .184 versus Wilson.

    Weather: Dome

    Key betting note: The under is 9-1-1 in Rays starter Roberto Hernandez's last 11 starts overall.

    Houston Astros at Chicago White Sox (-192, 9)

    Cold pitching stat: Paul Clemens of the Astros will be making his first start of the season Tuesday. The righty owns a 6.36 ERA in 46 2/3 innings out of the 'Stros pen this season.

    Hot batting stat: Prior to Monday's game, Sox slugger Adam Dunn has just four homers in August, but is hitting an uncharacterstic .307 for the month.

    Weather: Temperatures will be in the low-90s with clear skies. Wind will blow from right field to left field at 12 mph.

    Key betting note: The White Sox are 0-5 in Jose Quintana's last five home starts versus a team with a losing record.

    Kansas City Royals at Minnesota Twins (+138, 8.5)

    Cold pitching stat: Royals starter James Shields has two wins in three starts versus the Twins this season, but he owns a 5.89 ERA.

    Hot batting stat: Twins 1B Justin Morneau is 14-for-38 with four homers and 10 RBIs in his career versus Shields.

    Weather: Temperatures will be in the high-90s under partly cloudy skies. Wind will blow out to right field at 10 mph.

    Key betting note: The Twins are 0-4 in Kevin Correia's last four starts versus the Royals.

    Texas Rangers at Seattle Mariners (+106, 7)

    Hot pitching stat: Rangers starter Derek Holland is 1-0 with a 0.92 ERA in three starts versus Seattle this season.

    Hot batting stat: Rangers 3B Adrian Beltre is 8-for-19 (.421) with two homers in his career versus Seattle starter Hisashi Iwakuma.

    Weather: Temperatures will be in the low-70s with cloudy skies. Wind will blow from left field to right field at 4 mph.

    Key betting note: The Rangers are 6-1 in Holland's last seven road starts versus a team with a losing record.


    INTERLEAGUE

    Cleveland Indians at Atlanta Braves (-141, 7.5)

    Hot pitching stat: Braves SP Alex Wood is 1-0 with a sparkling 1.11 ERA in four August starts.

    Cold batting stat: Braves C Brian McCann is batting just .227 in the month of August.

    Weather: Temperatures will be in the low-80s with partly cloudy skies. Wind will blow from left field to right field at 3 mph.

    Key betting note: The Braves are 4-1 in Woods last five starts.


    ** Odds, probable starting pitchers, weather forecast and stats as of 10:05 p.m. ET Monday.
    Remember the 3 G's Gambling, Golf, Girls not in any particular order.....

    Comment


    • MLB
      Long Sheet

      Tuesday, August 27

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

      MIAMI (49 - 80) at WASHINGTON (65 - 65) - 7:05 PM
      NATHAN EOVALDI (R) vs. ROSS OHLENDORF (R)
      Top Trends for this game.
      MIAMI is 118-173 (-36.8 Units) against the money line in all games over the last 2 seasons.
      MIAMI is 117-169 (-33.9 Units) against the money line in games played on a grass field over the last 2 seasons.
      MIAMI is 77-120 (-31.9 Units) against the money line against right-handed starters over the last 2 seasons.
      MIAMI is 65-105 (-28.5 Units) against the money line after a loss over the last 2 seasons.
      MIAMI is 106-107 (+24.7 Units) against the money line in road games when playing on Tuesday since 1997.
      WASHINGTON is 65-65 (-13.0 Units) against the money line in all games this season.
      WASHINGTON is 65-65 (-13.0 Units) against the money line in games played on a grass field this season.
      WASHINGTON is 43-49 (-18.2 Units) against the money line against right-handed starters this season.
      WASHINGTON is 11-17 (-11.6 Units) against the money line in home games after a loss this season.

      Head-to-Head Series History
      WASHINGTON is 6-3 (+1.8 Units) against MIAMI this season
      5 of 8 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL this season . (Under=+1.7 Units)

      NATHAN EOVALDI vs. WASHINGTON since 1997
      EOVALDI is 1-0 when starting against WASHINGTON with an ERA of 4.50 and a WHIP of 1.167.
      His team's record is 1-0 (+1.6 units) in these starts. The OVER is 1-0. (+1.0 units)

      ROSS OHLENDORF vs. MIAMI since 1997
      OHLENDORF is 1-4 when starting against MIAMI with an ERA of 5.46 and a WHIP of 1.250.
      His team's record is 1-4 (-2.8 units) in these starts. The UNDER is 4-1. (+3.0 units)

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

      MILWAUKEE (57 - 73) at PITTSBURGH (76 - 54) - 7:05 PM
      KYLE LOHSE (R) vs. JEFF LOCKE (L)
      Top Trends for this game.
      MILWAUKEE is 57-73 (-12.4 Units) against the money line in all games this season.
      MILWAUKEE is 57-73 (-12.4 Units) against the money line in games played on a grass field this season.
      MILWAUKEE is 11-25 (-14.7 Units) against the money line against left-handed starters this season.
      PITTSBURGH is 76-54 (+23.7 Units) against the money line in all games this season.
      PITTSBURGH is 30-20 (+11.4 Units) against the money line when the total is 7 or less this season.
      PITTSBURGH is 42-22 (+16.0 Units) against the money line in home games this season.
      PITTSBURGH is 14-5 (+10.8 Units) against the money line when playing on Tuesday this season.
      PITTSBURGH is 12-2 (+9.6 Units) against the money line when playing with a day off this season.
      PITTSBURGH is 31-20 (+13.4 Units) against the money line against division opponents this season.
      PITTSBURGH is 76-54 (+23.7 Units) against the money line in games played on a grass field this season.
      PITTSBURGH is 51-30 (+20.6 Units) against the money line in night games this season.
      PITTSBURGH is 63-42 (+24.0 Units) against the money line against right-handed starters this season.
      PITTSBURGH is 32-21 (+11.9 Units) against the money line after a loss this season.
      PITTSBURGH is 47-24 (+21.1 Units) against the money line when playing against a team with a losing record this season.
      MILWAUKEE is 48-30 (+19.5 Units) against the money line in August games over the last 3 seasons.
      MILWAUKEE is 14-7 (+8.9 Units) against the money line when playing on Tuesday this season.
      MILWAUKEE is 34-27 (+12.9 Units) against the money line when playing against a team with a winning record in the second half of the season over the last 2 seasons.
      PITTSBURGH is 30-51 (-23.5 Units) against the money line in August games over the last 3 seasons.
      PITTSBURGH is 37-43 (-18.0 Units) against the money line when playing against a team with a losing record in the second half of the season over the last 2 seasons.

      Head-to-Head Series History
      PITTSBURGH is 9-4 (+5.4 Units) against MILWAUKEE this season
      7 of 12 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL this season . (Under=+1.4 Units)

      KYLE LOHSE vs. PITTSBURGH since 1997
      LOHSE is 9-2 when starting against PITTSBURGH with an ERA of 3.44 and a WHIP of 1.192.
      His team's record is 10-8 (-0.1 units) in these starts. The OVER is 10-8. (+1.6 units)

      JEFF LOCKE vs. MILWAUKEE since 1997
      LOCKE is 1-1 when starting against MILWAUKEE with an ERA of 4.50 and a WHIP of 1.313.
      His team's record is 2-1 (+1.3 units) in these starts. The OVER is 1-2. (-1.2 units)

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

      PHILADELPHIA (60 - 71) at NY METS (58 - 71) - 7:10 PM
      KYLE KENDRICK (R) vs. JON NIESE (L)
      Top Trends for this game.
      PHILADELPHIA is 60-71 (-15.8 Units) against the money line in all games this season.
      PHILADELPHIA is 60-71 (-15.8 Units) against the money line in games played on a grass field this season.
      PHILADELPHIA is 37-47 (-16.9 Units) against the money line against left-handed starters over the last 2 seasons.
      PHILADELPHIA is 27-33 (-12.2 Units) against the money line when playing against a team with a losing record this season.
      PHILADELPHIA is 170-160 (+29.8 Units) against the money line as a road underdog of +100 to +125 since 1997.
      KENDRICK is 66-46 (+21.4 Units) against the money line in night games since 1997. (Team's Record)
      NY METS are 26-37 (-15.7 Units) against the money line in home games this season.
      NY METS are 16-26 (-15.8 Units) against the money line in home games in August games over the last 3 seasons.
      NY METS are 278-293 (-85.9 Units) against the money line in home games against division opponents since 1997.
      NY METS are 26-37 (-15.7 Units) against the money line in home games in games played on a grass field this season.
      NY METS are 33-50 (-24.1 Units) against the money line in home games in night games over the last 2 seasons.
      NY METS are 36-50 (-13.5 Units) against the money line against right-handed starters this season.
      NY METS are 33-48 (-23.1 Units) against the money line in home games after a loss over the last 2 seasons.
      NIESE is 4-10 (-10.2 Units) against the money line in home games after a loss over the last 2 seasons. (Team's Record)

      Head-to-Head Series History
      PHILADELPHIA is 8-5 (+2.0 Units) against NY METS this season
      8 of 13 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL this season . (Over=+2.8 Units)

      KYLE KENDRICK vs. NY METS since 1997
      KENDRICK is 8-5 when starting against NY METS with an ERA of 3.11 and a WHIP of 1.349.
      His team's record is 8-7 (-0.5 units) in these starts. The UNDER is 9-6. (+2.3 units)

      JON NIESE vs. PHILADELPHIA since 1997
      NIESE is 5-6 when starting against PHILADELPHIA with an ERA of 3.45 and a WHIP of 1.291.
      His team's record is 6-8 (-0.8 units) in these starts. The OVER is 8-6. (+1.6 units)

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

      CINCINNATI (74 - 58) at ST LOUIS (77 - 54) - 8:15 PM
      MAT LATOS (R) vs. JOE KELLY (R)
      Top Trends for this game.
      CINCINNATI is 26-31 (-9.9 Units) against the money line when playing against a team with a winning record this season.
      ST LOUIS is 62-34 (+17.4 Units) against the money line against right-handed starters this season.
      ST LOUIS is 205-133 (+50.2 Units) against the money line in home games when playing against a team with a winning record in the second half of the season since 1997.
      CINCINNATI is 173-126 (+15.1 Units) against the money line in all games over the last 2 seasons.
      CINCINNATI is 648-719 (+55.7 Units) against the money line in road games since 1997.
      CINCINNATI is 310-332 (+32.4 Units) against the money line in road games against division opponents since 1997.
      CINCINNATI is 173-126 (+15.1 Units) against the money line in games played on a grass field over the last 2 seasons.
      CINCINNATI is 422-467 (+34.7 Units) against the money line in road games in night games since 1997.
      CINCINNATI is 467-516 (+46.3 Units) against the money line in road games against right-handed starters since 1997.
      CINCINNATI is 78-46 (+24.4 Units) against the money line after a loss over the last 2 seasons.
      LATOS is 40-20 (+13.4 Units) against the money line in all games over the last 2 seasons. (Team's Record)
      LATOS is 40-20 (+13.4 Units) against the money line in games played on a grass field over the last 2 seasons. (Team's Record)
      ST LOUIS is 39-36 (-9.8 Units) against the money line after a win this season.
      ST LOUIS is 62-69 (-21.6 Units) against the money line when playing against a team with a winning record over the last 2 seasons.

      Head-to-Head Series History
      ST LOUIS is 9-4 (+4.9 Units) against CINCINNATI this season
      8 of 13 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL this season . (Over=+2.7 Units)

      MAT LATOS vs. ST LOUIS since 1997
      LATOS is 4-4 when starting against ST LOUIS with an ERA of 6.28 and a WHIP of 1.566.
      His team's record is 6-4 (+1.8 units) in these starts. The OVER is 5-4. (+0.9 units)

      JOE KELLY vs. CINCINNATI since 1997
      No recent starts.

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

      SAN FRANCISCO (58 - 73) at COLORADO (62 - 71) - 8:40 PM
      YUSMEIRO PETIT (R) vs. CHAD BETTIS (R)
      Top Trends for this game.
      SAN FRANCISCO is 58-73 (-26.4 Units) against the money line in all games this season.
      SAN FRANCISCO is 57-69 (-23.6 Units) against the money line in games played on a grass field this season.
      SAN FRANCISCO is 35-47 (-18.7 Units) against the money line in night games this season.
      SAN FRANCISCO is 41-47 (-14.7 Units) against the money line against right-handed starters this season.
      SAN FRANCISCO is 28-43 (-22.0 Units) against the money line after a loss this season.
      SAN FRANCISCO is 24-38 (-24.0 Units) against the money line when playing against a team with a losing record this season.
      COLORADO is 31-25 (+8.1 Units) against the money line against division opponents this season.
      SAN FRANCISCO is 74-49 (+19.6 Units) against the money line against division opponents over the last 2 seasons.
      SAN FRANCISCO is 26-12 (+13.2 Units) against the money line in road games when playing against a team with a losing record in the second half of the season over the last 2 seasons.
      COLORADO is 126-169 (-30.7 Units) against the money line in all games over the last 2 seasons.
      COLORADO is 110-116 (-29.2 Units) against the money line in home games over the last 3 seasons.
      COLORADO is 199-257 (-59.1 Units) against the money line in games played on a grass field over the last 3 seasons.
      COLORADO is 83-112 (-38.2 Units) against the money line after a win over the last 3 seasons.
      COLORADO is 31-35 (-11.7 Units) against the money line when playing against a team with a losing record this season.

      Head-to-Head Series History
      COLORADO is 7-7 (+0.3 Units) against SAN FRANCISCO this season
      7 of 14 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL this season . (Over=-0.4 Units, Under=-0.6 Units)

      YUSMEIRO PETIT vs. COLORADO since 1997
      PETIT is 0-1 when starting against COLORADO with an ERA of 6.75 and a WHIP of 1.813.
      His team's record is 1-3 (-1.2 units) in these starts. The OVER is 3-1. (+2.0 units)

      CHAD BETTIS vs. SAN FRANCISCO since 1997
      No recent starts.

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

      SAN DIEGO (59 - 72) at ARIZONA (67 - 63) - 9:40 PM
      IAN KENNEDY (R) vs. DAVID HOLMBERG (L)
      There are no Top Trends with records of significance that apply to this game.

      Head-to-Head Series History
      SAN DIEGO is 8-5 (+4.3 Units) against ARIZONA this season
      7 of 13 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL this season . (Over=+1.1 Units)

      IAN KENNEDY vs. ARIZONA since 1997
      No recent starts.

      DAVID HOLMBERG vs. SAN DIEGO since 1997
      No recent starts.

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

      CHICAGO CUBS (55 - 76) at LA DODGERS (77 - 54) - 10:10 PM
      TRAVIS WOOD (L) vs. CLAYTON KERSHAW (L)
      Top Trends for this game.
      CHICAGO CUBS are 116-177 (-35.9 Units) against the money line in all games over the last 2 seasons.
      CHICAGO CUBS are 14-39 (-20.4 Units) against the money line in August games over the last 2 seasons.
      CHICAGO CUBS are 12-31 (-15.9 Units) against the money line when playing on Tuesday over the last 2 seasons.
      CHICAGO CUBS are 116-177 (-35.9 Units) against the money line in games played on a grass field over the last 2 seasons.
      CHICAGO CUBS are 24-48 (-15.7 Units) against the money line when playing against a team with a winning record this season.
      WOOD is 2-12 (-9.8 Units) against the money line when playing against a team with a winning record this season. (Team's Record)
      WOOD is 2-14 (-10.8 Units) against the money line when playing against a team with a winning record in the second half of the season over the last 2 seasons. (Team's Record)
      LA DODGERS are 77-54 (+12.9 Units) against the money line in all games this season.
      LA DODGERS are 133-90 (+26.5 Units) against the money line when the total is 7 or less over the last 3 seasons.
      LA DODGERS are 20-5 (+15.5 Units) against the money line in August games this season.
      LA DODGERS are 74-54 (+9.7 Units) against the money line in games played on a grass field this season.
      LA DODGERS are 46-30 (+10.3 Units) against the money line after a win this season.
      LA DODGERS are 40-16 (+17.3 Units) against the money line when playing against a team with a losing record this season.
      LA DODGERS are 23-6 (+15.8 Units) against the money line when playing against a team with a losing record in the second half of the season this season.
      CHICAGO CUBS are 12-7 (+9.9 Units) against the money line in road games against left-handed starters this season.

      Head-to-Head Series History
      LA DODGERS is 5-0 (+5.0 Units) against CHICAGO CUBS this season
      3 of 5 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL this season . (Under=+0.9 Units)

      TRAVIS WOOD vs. LA DODGERS since 1997
      WOOD is 1-2 when starting against LA DODGERS with an ERA of 7.65 and a WHIP of 2.050.
      His team's record is 2-2 (-0.3 units) in these starts. The UNDER is 2-2. (-0.4 units)

      CLAYTON KERSHAW vs. CHICAGO CUBS since 1997
      KERSHAW is 3-1 when starting against CHICAGO CUBS with an ERA of 1.61 and a WHIP of 0.929.
      His team's record is 3-1 (+2.0 units) in these starts. The OVER is 0-4. (-4.3 units)

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

      NY YANKEES (69 - 62) at TORONTO (59 - 73) - 7:05 PM
      ANDY PETTITTE (L) vs. J.A. HAPP (L)
      Top Trends for this game.
      NY YANKEES are 6-17 (-11.8 Units) against the money line in road games when playing on Tuesday over the last 2 seasons.
      NY YANKEES are 46-59 (-16.3 Units) against the money line in road games in night games over the last 2 seasons.
      NY YANKEES are 69-62 (+4.8 Units) against the money line in all games this season.
      TORONTO is 59-73 (-13.6 Units) against the money line in all games this season.
      TORONTO is 25-44 (-22.3 Units) against the money line when playing on Tuesday over the last 3 seasons.
      TORONTO is 22-37 (-13.0 Units) against the money line against division opponents this season.
      TORONTO is 33-48 (-14.3 Units) against the money line in night games this season.
      TORONTO is 9-24 (-14.1 Units) against the money line when playing against a team with a winning record in the second half of the season this season.

      Head-to-Head Series History
      NY YANKEES is 12-2 (+10.1 Units) against TORONTO this season
      7 of 13 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL this season . (Under=+0.4 Units)

      ANDY PETTITTE vs. TORONTO since 1997
      PETTITTE is 19-12 when starting against TORONTO with an ERA of 4.23 and a WHIP of 1.394.
      His team's record is 24-15 (+0.3 units) in these starts. The UNDER is 15-20. (-8.1 units)

      J.A. HAPP vs. NY YANKEES since 1997
      HAPP is 2-1 when starting against NY YANKEES with an ERA of 5.46 and a WHIP of 1.321.
      His team's record is 2-3 (+0.9 units) in these starts. The OVER is 3-2. (+0.8 units)

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

      OAKLAND (73 - 57) at DETROIT (77 - 54) - 7:05 PM
      TOM MILONE (L) vs. JUSTIN VERLANDER (R)
      Top Trends for this game.
      DETROIT is 27-6 (+16.0 Units) against the money line as a home favorite of -175 to -200 over the last 2 seasons.
      OAKLAND is 169-128 (+43.5 Units) against the money line in all games over the last 2 seasons.
      OAKLAND is 37-23 (+12.7 Units) against the money line when the total is 8 to 8.5 this season.
      OAKLAND is 39-37 (+34.6 Units) against the money line as a road underdog of +175 to +200 since 1997.
      OAKLAND is 78-71 (+19.1 Units) against the money line in road games over the last 2 seasons.
      OAKLAND is 273-203 (+61.9 Units) against the money line in August games since 1997.
      OAKLAND is 70-53 (+8.1 Units) against the money line in games played on a grass field this season.
      OAKLAND is 24-17 (+9.6 Units) against the money line in road games in night games this season.
      OAKLAND is 114-81 (+35.4 Units) against the money line against right-handed starters over the last 2 seasons.
      OAKLAND is 101-67 (+33.2 Units) against the money line after a win over the last 2 seasons.
      OAKLAND is 83-68 (+25.5 Units) against the money line when playing against a team with a winning record over the last 2 seasons.
      OAKLAND is 38-31 (+11.9 Units) against the money line when playing against a team with a winning record in the second half of the season over the last 2 seasons.
      MILONE is 38-22 (+16.9 Units) against the money line in all games over the last 2 seasons. (Team's Record)
      MILONE is 32-20 (+11.4 Units) against the money line in games played on a grass field over the last 2 seasons. (Team's Record)
      MILONE is 25-12 (+13.5 Units) against the money line in night games over the last 2 seasons. (Team's Record)
      MILONE is 24-12 (+13.2 Units) against the money line after a win over the last 2 seasons. (Team's Record)
      DETROIT is 172-134 (-17.5 Units) against the money line in all games over the last 2 seasons.
      DETROIT is 164-128 (-18.6 Units) against the money line in games played on a grass field over the last 2 seasons.
      DETROIT is 49-46 (-21.6 Units) against the money line against left-handed starters over the last 2 seasons.
      VERLANDER is 13-14 (-13.1 Units) against the money line in all games this season. (Team's Record)
      VERLANDER is 12-13 (-12.7 Units) against the money line in games played on a grass field this season. (Team's Record)

      Head-to-Head Series History
      OAKLAND is 2-2 (+0.6 Units) against DETROIT this season
      3 of 4 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL this season . (Over=+2.0 Units)

      TOM MILONE vs. DETROIT since 1997
      MILONE is 1-0 when starting against DETROIT with an ERA of 2.55 and a WHIP of 1.358.
      His team's record is 2-1 (+1.5 units) in these starts. The OVER is 3-0. (+3.2 units)

      JUSTIN VERLANDER vs. OAKLAND since 1997
      VERLANDER is 11-5 when starting against OAKLAND with an ERA of 2.28 and a WHIP of 1.085.
      His team's record is 11-6 (+3.7 units) in these starts. The OVER is 6-11. (-5.8 units)

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

      LA ANGELS (58 - 71) at TAMPA BAY (74 - 55) - 7:10 PM
      C.J. WILSON (L) vs. ROBERTO HERNANDEZ (R)
      Top Trends for this game.
      LA ANGELS are 58-71 (-29.8 Units) against the money line in all games this season.
      LA ANGELS are 34-38 (-14.7 Units) against the money line when the total is 8 to 8.5 this season.
      LA ANGELS are 6-13 (-10.3 Units) against the money line when playing on Tuesday this season.
      LA ANGELS are 38-55 (-31.0 Units) against the money line in night games this season.
      LA ANGELS are 45-50 (-16.9 Units) against the money line against right-handed starters this season.
      LA ANGELS are 25-41 (-19.4 Units) against the money line when playing against a team with a winning record this season.
      TAMPA BAY is 38-21 (+12.5 Units) against the money line when the total is 8 to 8.5 this season.
      TAMPA BAY is 113-61 (+32.3 Units) against the money line when playing against a team with a losing record over the last 3 seasons.
      LA ANGELS are 692-684 (+56.5 Units) against the money line in road games since 1997.
      HERNANDEZ is 9-17 (-10.3 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.

      C.J. WILSON vs. TAMPA BAY since 1997
      WILSON is 4-3 when starting against TAMPA BAY with an ERA of 3.99 and a WHIP of 1.136.
      His team's record is 4-5 (-3.0 units) in these starts. The UNDER is 3-5. (-2.6 units)

      ROBERTO HERNANDEZ vs. LA ANGELS since 1997
      HERNANDEZ is 0-4 when starting against LA ANGELS with an ERA of 2.44 and a WHIP of 1.316.
      His team's record is 2-6 (-4.0 units) in these starts. The OVER is 3-5. (-2.7 units)

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

      BALTIMORE (70 - 59) at BOSTON (77 - 55) - 7:10 PM
      WEI-YIN CHEN (L) vs. FELIX DOUBRONT (L)
      Top Trends for this game.
      BOSTON is 77-55 (+10.4 Units) against the money line in all games this season.
      BALTIMORE is 70-59 (+5.4 Units) against the money line in all games this season.
      BALTIMORE is 77-55 (+22.5 Units) against the money line when the total is 9 to 9.5 over the last 2 seasons.
      BALTIMORE is 80-67 (+32.3 Units) against the money line in road games over the last 2 seasons.
      BALTIMORE is 32-20 (+20.2 Units) against the money line on the road when the total is 9 to 9.5 over the last 2 seasons.
      BALTIMORE is 29-15 (+17.4 Units) against the money line when playing on Tuesday over the last 2 seasons.
      BALTIMORE is 25-11 (+16.1 Units) against the money line when playing with a day off over the last 2 seasons.
      BALTIMORE is 70-57 (+22.5 Units) against the money line against division opponents over the last 2 seasons.
      BALTIMORE is 65-51 (+7.4 Units) against the money line in games played on a grass field this season.
      BALTIMORE is 49-36 (+8.6 Units) against the money line in night games this season.
      BALTIMORE is 87-78 (+10.8 Units) against the money line after a win over the last 2 seasons.
      BALTIMORE is 39-28 (+11.8 Units) against the money line when playing against a team with a winning record this season.
      CHEN is 20-9 (+13.7 Units) against the money line when playing against a team with a winning record over the last 2 seasons. (Team's Record)
      BOSTON is 25-27 (-11.0 Units) against the money line when the total is 9 to 9.5 this season.
      BOSTON is 74-70 (-20.3 Units) against the money line in home games over the last 2 seasons.
      BOSTON is 32-41 (-23.3 Units) against the money line at home when the total is 9 to 9.5 over the last 2 seasons.
      BOSTON is 21-31 (-17.5 Units) against the money line in August games over the last 2 seasons.
      BOSTON is 56-70 (-23.0 Units) against the money line against division opponents over the last 2 seasons.
      BOSTON is 127-134 (-34.4 Units) against the money line in games played on a grass field over the last 2 seasons.
      BOSTON is 99-110 (-30.2 Units) against the money line in night games over the last 2 seasons.
      BOSTON is 461-344 (-57.7 Units) against the money line in home games after a win since 1997.
      BOSTON is 73-93 (-27.5 Units) against the money line when playing against a team with a winning record over the last 2 seasons.
      BOSTON is 30-52 (-22.9 Units) against the money line when playing against a team with a winning record in the second half of the season over the last 2 seasons.

      Head-to-Head Series History
      BALTIMORE is 6-4 (+2.3 Units) against BOSTON this season
      7 of 9 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL this season . (Under=+4.8 Units)

      WEI-YIN CHEN vs. BOSTON since 1997
      CHEN is 2-1 when starting against BOSTON with an ERA of 2.96 and a WHIP of 1.315.
      His team's record is 3-1 (+3.1 units) in these starts. The OVER is 1-3. (-2.4 units)

      FELIX DOUBRONT vs. BALTIMORE since 1997
      DOUBRONT is 0-2 when starting against BALTIMORE with an ERA of 3.28 and a WHIP of 1.135.
      His team's record is 1-3 (-2.1 units) in these starts. The OVER is 0-4. (-4.2 units)

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

      KANSAS CITY (66 - 64) at MINNESOTA (57 - 72) - 8:10 PM
      JAMES SHIELDS (R) vs. KEVIN CORREIA (R)
      Top Trends for this game.
      KANSAS CITY is 59-65 (-17.9 Units) against the money line when playing against a team with a losing record over the last 2 seasons.
      MINNESOTA is 56-66 (+6.9 Units) against the money line in games played on a grass field this season.
      CORREIA is 97-86 (+30.6 Units) against the money line in all games since 1997. (Team's Record)
      CORREIA is 46-29 (+24.3 Units) against the money line when the total is 8 to 8.5 since 1997. (Team's Record)
      CORREIA is 95-84 (+29.5 Units) against the money line in games played on a grass field since 1997. (Team's Record)
      CORREIA is 65-58 (+22.1 Units) against the money line in night games since 1997. (Team's Record)
      CORREIA is 55-40 (+28.8 Units) against the money line after a loss since 1997. (Team's Record)
      KANSAS CITY is 69-63 (+13.6 Units) against the money line when the total is 8 to 8.5 over the last 2 seasons.
      KANSAS CITY is 50-42 (+7.8 Units) against the money line against right-handed starters this season.
      MINNESOTA is 59-83 (-22.7 Units) against the money line in home games over the last 2 seasons.
      MINNESOTA is 10-30 (-22.6 Units) against the money line in home games in August games over the last 3 seasons.
      MINNESOTA is 41-59 (-17.5 Units) against the money line in home games against right-handed starters over the last 2 seasons.
      MINNESOTA is 31-53 (-20.5 Units) against the money line in home games after a loss over the last 2 seasons.
      MINNESOTA is 7-20 (-12.5 Units) against the money line in home games when playing against a team with a winning record this season.

      Head-to-Head Series History
      KANSAS CITY is 12-4 (+6.7 Units) against MINNESOTA this season
      9 of 16 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL this season . (Under=+1.5 Units)

      JAMES SHIELDS vs. MINNESOTA since 1997
      SHIELDS is 6-3 when starting against MINNESOTA with an ERA of 4.45 and a WHIP of 1.450.
      His team's record is 8-6 (-0.1 units) in these starts. The OVER is 8-6. (+1.5 units)

      KEVIN CORREIA vs. KANSAS CITY since 1997
      CORREIA is 0-3 when starting against KANSAS CITY with an ERA of 6.75 and a WHIP of 1.934.
      His team's record is 0-5 (-5.0 units) in these starts. The UNDER is 3-2. (+0.9 units)

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

      HOUSTON (44 - 86) at CHI WHITE SOX (54 - 76) - 8:10 PM
      PAUL CLEMENS (R) vs. JOSE QUINTANA (L)
      Top Trends for this game.
      HOUSTON is 99-192 (-41.7 Units) against the money line in all games over the last 2 seasons.
      HOUSTON is 12-47 (-25.1 Units) against the money line as a road underdog of +175 to +200 over the last 3 seasons.
      HOUSTON is 68-160 (-44.0 Units) against the money line in road games over the last 3 seasons.
      HOUSTON is 97-187 (-41.5 Units) against the money line in games played on a grass field over the last 2 seasons.
      HOUSTON is 33-77 (-28.2 Units) against the money line in road games when playing against a team with a losing record over the last 3 seasons.
      HOUSTON is 13-42 (-22.8 Units) against the money line in road games when playing against a team with a losing record in the second half of the season over the last 3 seasons.
      CHI WHITE SOX are 54-76 (-19.8 Units) against the money line in all games this season.
      CHI WHITE SOX are 111-115 (-27.4 Units) against the money line in home games over the last 3 seasons.
      CHI WHITE SOX are 52-71 (-17.4 Units) against the money line in games played on a grass field this season.
      CHI WHITE SOX are 32-50 (-15.7 Units) against the money line in night games this season.
      CHI WHITE SOX are 21-28 (-8.9 Units) against the money line in home games against right-handed starters this season.
      CHI WHITE SOX are 27-47 (-20.2 Units) against the money line after a loss this season.
      CHI WHITE SOX are 22-38 (-19.9 Units) against the money line when playing against a team with a losing record this season.
      CHI WHITE SOX are 4-11 (-9.3 Units) against the money line when playing against a team with a losing record in the second half of the season this season.

      Head-to-Head Series History
      HOUSTON is 4-1 (+4.4 Units) against CHI WHITE SOX this season
      3 of 5 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL this season . (Under=+0.6 Units)

      PAUL CLEMENS vs. CHI WHITE SOX since 1997
      No recent starts.

      JOSE QUINTANA vs. HOUSTON since 1997
      QUINTANA is 0-0 when starting against HOUSTON with an ERA of 3.85 and a WHIP of 1.713.
      His team's record is 1-0 (+1.0 units) in these starts. The OVER is 0-1. (-1.1 units)

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

      TEXAS (76 - 55) at SEATTLE (59 - 71) - 10:10 PM
      DEREK HOLLAND (L) vs. HISASHI IWAKUMA (R)
      Top Trends for this game.
      TEXAS is 91-77 (-18.2 Units) against the money line after a win over the last 2 seasons.
      IWAKUMA is 26-17 (+12.7 Units) against the money line in all games over the last 2 seasons. (Team's Record)
      IWAKUMA is 15-7 (+12.3 Units) against the money line against division opponents over the last 2 seasons. (Team's Record)
      IWAKUMA is 25-16 (+12.4 Units) against the money line in games played on a grass field over the last 2 seasons. (Team's Record)
      IWAKUMA is 14-7 (+11.2 Units) against the money line after a loss over the last 2 seasons. (Team's Record)
      TEXAS is 42-16 (+17.6 Units) against the money line against division opponents this season.
      TEXAS is 30-17 (+13.1 Units) against the money line in road games in night games this season.
      HOLLAND is 11-2 (+9.5 Units) against the money line in road games this season. (Team's Record)
      HOLLAND is 11-2 (+9.5 Units) against the money line in road games in games played on a grass field this season. (Team's Record)
      HOLLAND is 9-1 (+8.8 Units) against the money line in road games in night games this season. (Team's Record)
      SEATTLE is 31-36 (-11.5 Units) against the money line in home games this season.
      SEATTLE is 2-8 (-8.7 Units) against the money line in home games in August games this season.
      SEATTLE is 31-36 (-11.5 Units) against the money line in home games in games played on a grass field this season.
      SEATTLE is 20-26 (-11.3 Units) against the money line in home games in night games this season.

      Head-to-Head Series History
      SEATTLE is 7-10 (-0.5 Units) against TEXAS this season
      7 of 15 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL this season . (Over=-0.9 Units, Under=-0.4 Units)

      DEREK HOLLAND vs. SEATTLE since 1997
      HOLLAND is 7-2 when starting against SEATTLE with an ERA of 3.04 and a WHIP of 1.130.
      His team's record is 7-5 (-1.4 units) in these starts. The OVER is 4-8. (-4.2 units)

      HISASHI IWAKUMA vs. TEXAS since 1997
      IWAKUMA is 3-3 when starting against TEXAS with an ERA of 3.40 and a WHIP of 1.067.
      His team's record is 4-3 (+2.2 units) in these starts. The OVER is 3-3. (-0.1 units)

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

      CLEVELAND (71 - 59) at ATLANTA (78 - 52) - 7:10 PM
      DANNY SALAZAR (R) vs. ALEX WOOD (L)
      Top Trends for this game.
      CLEVELAND is 19-37 (-15.8 Units) against the money line as a road underdog of +100 to +125 over the last 2 seasons.
      CLEVELAND is 17-35 (-16.9 Units) against the money line in August games over the last 2 seasons.
      ATLANTA is 78-52 (+12.0 Units) against the money line in all games this season.
      ATLANTA is 40-17 (+16.6 Units) against the money line as a home favorite of -125 to -150 over the last 3 seasons.
      ATLANTA is 44-18 (+15.8 Units) against the money line in home games this season.
      ATLANTA is 23-8 (+14.5 Units) against the money line when playing with a day off over the last 2 seasons.
      ATLANTA is 77-51 (+12.0 Units) against the money line in games played on a grass field this season.
      ATLANTA is 33-13 (+11.9 Units) against the money line in home games against right-handed starters this season.
      ATLANTA is 106-66 (+24.2 Units) against the money line after a win over the last 2 seasons.
      ATLANTA is 17-4 (+11.9 Units) against the money line in home games when playing against a team with a winning record this season.
      CLEVELAND is 71-59 (+16.4 Units) against the money line in all games this season.
      CLEVELAND is 68-56 (+14.4 Units) against the money line in games played on a grass field this season.
      CLEVELAND is 41-28 (+11.8 Units) against the money line after a win this season.

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

      DANNY SALAZAR vs. ATLANTA since 1997
      No recent starts.

      ALEX WOOD vs. CLEVELAND since 1997
      No recent starts.
      Remember the 3 G's Gambling, Golf, Girls not in any particular order.....

      Comment


      • Armadillo: Tuesday's six-pack

        -- Rough day for the Mets; young ace Matt Harvey has a torn UCL and may need Tommy John surgery. Not good.

        -- Vikings' FB Jerome Felton, Adrian Peterson's lead blocker, is suspended for the first three games for violating the league's substance abuse policy.

        -- Dodgers' reliever Brian Wilson really turned down $1M to shave? Why not take the money and grow your beard back?

        -- Cardinals beat the Reds 8-6, are now in first place in NL Central.

        -- As it stands right now, only one NL team with a record over .500 would miss the playoffs. In the AL, four teams over .500 would miss out.

        -- Alex Rodriguez gets a $6M bonus when he hits his 660th home run, and similar bonuses for passing other famous milestones as he climbs the career home run ladder. ARod hit his 650th HR Monday. Outstanding.


        *****

        Armadillo: Tuesday's Tuesday's List of 13: Nobody asked me, but..........

        13) You look at the five guys the Red Sox got in their big salary dump trade LY and only James Loney is a quality major leaguer and he’s trying to beat Boston this year while playing for the Rays.

        Its interesting how the Sox just blatantly dumped two horrible contracts (Crawford/Beckett), just gave away one really good player (Gonzalez) and a gritty sub (Punto) and yet improved greatly as a team, while the team that took on the bloated contracts also improved a lot.

        12) Robert Griffin III led NFL LY by completing 47.1% of his passes that went 20+ yards downfield; Peyton Manning was second, at 45.9%.

        11) Virginia Tech has a 71-player travelling squad for its game with Alabama this weekend; 27 of those 71 players are freshmen or redshirt freshmen. Very young Hokie team.

        10) Its funny how some teams trade more with some teams than others; A’s trade a lot with Arizona/Washington, while the Dodgers-Angels haven’t made a trade with each other since 1976.

        Same thing holds true in fantasy leagues; we’ve had a 16-team keeper baseball league for nine years now, and there’s some teams I won’t bother asking about a trade, because its just not worth the aggravation. Other teams I know will discuss things and try to make a good deal.

        Our league and real baseball are vastly different, but at the core of making a trade is still dealing with people, and that doesn’t change much, no matter how high the stakes.

        9) Arizona Cardinals lost rookie OL Jonathan Cooper (broken leg) for the season, big blow for them; he had been doing very well getting used to pro ball and will be missed.

        8) Max Scherzer is an amazing 19-1 this season, in part because he is getting 5.92 runs/game of support, most of any pitcher in baseball.

        7) FOX ran an interesting graphic on Matt Schaub Sunday: in his career vs non-playoff teams, he is 34-15, averaging 273 passing yards/game, with 77 TDs and 33 INTs. Against playoff teams, he is 10-23, averaging 242 passing yards/game, with 40 TDs and 33 INTs. To get where the Texans want to go, he has to win at least two playoff game in a row.

        6) Looks like Terrelle Pryor will be Oakland’s starting QB, as Matt Flynn once again gets beat out for the starting job; they’re using Flynn’s “sore elbow” as an excuse, but fact of the matter is Flynn just can’t stretch defenses vertically which is why he’s going to wind up as a very well-paid career backup.

        5) In Saturday night’s 18-inning win at Philly (which took 7:06 to play), D’Backs Tony Campana/Cliff Pennington both walked five times, believed to be the first time ever two teammates walked five times each in the same game. Paul Goldschmidt walked four times, as Philly hurlers issued 18 free passes.

        4) Saints have a WR/special teamer named Andy Tannerl he's been signed and cut 33 times in his NFL career. 33 times!!!! He scored two TDs Sunday and might make the Saints' squad this year.

        3) Want a game-used first base from Citi Field, a base Ike Davis actually stepped on (in the field, probably not on offense)?

        Got an e-mail from mlb.com over the weekend; for only $224.99, I can buy an actual game-used first base from Citi Field. Um, no thanks.

        2) Diamondbacks lead MLB with 15 go-ahead home runs in 8th inning or later; they’re 14-5 in extra innings this season, and still won’t make playoffs.

        1) Undrafted free agent QB Jeff Tuel, from Washington State, is now Bills' #1 QB. If he starts Opening Day, he becomes the first undrafted rookie QB since at least 1967 to start a season opener, according to the Elias Sports Bureau. Tuel played about half the year last year for 3-9 Washington State, before he got hurt. Matt Leinart, Thaddeus Lewis are the backups.
        Remember the 3 G's Gambling, Golf, Girls not in any particular order.....

        Comment


        • See spot. See spot bet: This week's best spot bet opportunities[/size]

          Spot bets are a classic handicapping practice that have proven profitable no matter what sport you’re betting. Whether it’s a team looking past this week’s opponent, one coming off a hard-fought victory, or a rough patch of schedule, bettors can find value picking their spots.

          Lookahead spot

          Week 1 of the college football season has featured some close calls for BCS contenders in recent years, and this week’s slate of games will be no different. One potential stunner could come when the No. 16 Oklahoma Sooners host the UL Monroe Warhawks as 23.5-point favorites Saturday. The Sooners are trying to budge their way to the front of the crammed Big 12 and have a huge game against West Virginia, which could help determine the final pecking order, in Week 2.

          The Warhawks, who return 17 starters – including dual-threat QB Kolton Browning - and will contend for the Sun Belt crown, have a taste for early upsets. They started Arkansas’ 2012 tumble with a Week 1 upset and covered in three straight versus the Hogs, Auburn and Baylor to open last season. The 23.5 points are an awful lot with OU potentially looking past UL Monroe in the opener.

          Letdown spot

          The Montreal Alouettes can breathe a little easier after a thrilling come-from-behind win over the BC Lions last week. The Als earned just their third win of the summer and the first since firing head coach Dan Hawkins, despite missing veteran QB Anthony Calvillo as well as many other key players to injury.

          That victory takes a lot of pressure off GM/interim coach Jim Popp but sets Montreal up for a big fall when it travels to Toronto September 3. The Als will likely send rookie QB Tanner Marsh out as the starter after a surprise showing versus the Lions, hoping for a repeat performance. The Argonauts spanked the Als 38-13 as 2-point road faves in early August, limiting Calvillo to 16-of-30 passing for 202 yards and an interception.

          Schedule spot

          The Connecticut Sun have a West Coast road trip at the worst possible time. The team has lost four straight and has just one win in its last eight outings, posting a depressing 2-6 ATS mark in that stretch. The Sun play three in a row against Western Conference foes, starting in Los Angeles Tuesday, then heading to Seattle and Phoenix before the month is through.

          Connecticut is just 3-9 ATS on the road with plenty of that damage coming versus the West, who have dealt Sun backers a 2-7 ATS count this season. The Sun are scoring an average of 68.1 points away from home – almost six points less than as hosts – and have averaged 67.2 points in losses compared to a lofty 82.0 points in their seven wins.
          Remember the 3 G's Gambling, Golf, Girls not in any particular order.....

          Comment


          • Tuesday, August 27

            Game Score Status Pick Amount

            Miami - 7:05 PM ET Miami +143 500 POD # 3
            Washington - Over 7.5 500

            Milwaukee - 7:05 PM ET Milwaukee +133 500 POD # 7
            Pittsburgh - Over 7 500

            NY Yankees - 7:07 PM ET Toronto +106 500 POD # 1
            Toronto - Under 9 500

            Oakland - 7:08 PM ET Detroit -190 500
            Detroit - Over 8.5 500

            Baltimore - 7:10 PM ET Boston -133 500
            Boston - Over 9 500

            Cleveland - 7:10 PM ET Atlanta -135 500
            Atlanta - Over 7 500

            LA Angels - 7:10 PM ET LA Angels +116 500 POD # 8
            Tampa Bay - Over 8 500

            Philadelphia - 7:10 PM ET NY Mets -129 500
            NY Mets - Over 7.5 500

            Houston - 8:10 PM ET Houston +182 500 POD # 4
            Chi. White Sox - Over 9 500

            Kansas City - 8:10 PM ET Kansas City -144 500
            Minnesota - Over 8.5 500

            Cincinnati - 8:15 PM ET Cincinnati -108 500
            St. Louis - Under 7.5 500

            San Francisco - 8:40 PM ET San Francisco +110 500 POD # 5
            Colorado - Under 10.5 500

            San Diego - 9:40 PM ET San Diego +107 500 POD # 2
            Arizona - Under 9 500

            Chi. Cubs - 10:10 PM ET LA Dodgers -290 500
            LA Dodgers - Over 6 500

            Texas - 10:10 PM ET Seattle +112 500 POD # 6
            Seattle - Under 7 500



            GOOD LUCK Gang.........lets getum tonight
            Remember the 3 G's Gambling, Golf, Girls not in any particular order.....

            Comment


            • I am locked in at $300 per POD! I love the picks tonight, Bum. LET'S DO THIS!

              Comment


              • Wednesday's Top Action

                August 28, 2013

                Yankees at Blue Jays - 7:05 PM EST

                Probables: H. Kuroda (11-9, 2.71 ERA) vs. T. Redmond (1-2, 4.44 ERA)

                Series recap: Toronto captured the series opener on Monday, 5-2 to snap a 10-game skid to New York. However, the Yankees rebounded with a bang last night by blasting four homers in a 7-1 victory as a short road favorite. Each of the last five meetings between these AL East rivals has finished 'under' the total.

                Current trends: The Yankees have drilled the 'under' in seven of the last eight games overall, while Hiroki Kuroda has hit the 'under' in 10 of his past 11 starts. The Jays have split their last 10 home contests, while posting a 1-6 record in the previous seven games against AL East opponents.

                Athletics at Tigers - 7:08 PM EST

                Probables: D. Straily (6-7, 4.56 ERA) vs. D. Fister (11-6, 3.54 ERA)

                Series recap: The A's have stepped up in the first two games of this series by beating the Tigers as heavy road underdogs. Oakland held off Detroit in the opener, 8-6, while following up with a 6-3 victory in a rain-shortened six-inning game last night. The 'over' has hit in each of the last four meetings between these clubs.

                Current trends: Oakland is riding a 6-1 'over' run the last seven games, while winning four of its last six Game 3's of a road series. The Tigers have dropped four of their last five home contests, with each defeat coming as a $1.60 favorite or higher.

                Orioles at Red Sox - 7:10 PM EST

                Probables: B. Norris (9-10, 4.22 ERA) vs. J. Lackey (8-11, 3.17 ERA)

                Series recap: Boston crushed Baltimore on Tuesday, 13-2 to easily cash as a $1.25 home favorite. The Red Sox have won each of the last three meetings with the Orioles, as Boston has scored at least five runs in each of those victories.

                Current trends: The Orioles have struggled recently in the second game of a series, losing eight of the previous 10 in this situation (seven losses in favorite role). Boston has cashed the 'under' in 12 of John Lackey's last 13 starts overall, while the Red Sox own a 2-5 record in his past seven outings.

                Angels at Rays - 7:10 PM EST

                Probables: G. Richards (4-5, 3.95 ERA) vs. C. Archer (7-5, 2.93 ERA)

                Series recap: Los Angeles stunned Tampa Bay with two runs in the top of the ninth inning of last night's 6-5 road triumph as a $1.25 underdog. The victory was the first in the last seven meetings against the Rays, as each of those six losses by the Angels actually came at home.

                Current trends: The Angels have won five straight road games, including four in the underdog role. The Rays are suffering through a three-game skid, which has interestingly enough come against three different teams (Yankees, Royals, and Angels). Tampa Bay has won eight of its last 10 Game 2's at Tropicana Field.

                Indians at Braves - 7:10 PM EST

                Probables: J. Masterson (14-9, 3.50 ERA) vs. P. Maholm (9-10, 4.51 ERA)

                Series recap: Atlanta blanked Cleveland, 2-0 last night as a $1.30 home favorite, the ninth home series opening victory in the last 10 tries. The Braves have split their last 10 games against American League competition, while hosting the Indians for the first time since 2004.

                Current trends: The Indians have hit the 'under' in six of their last seven games overall, including four straight on the highway. After winning his first two starts in the road underdog role, Justin Masterson is just 1-6 in his past seven trips to the mound in this situation. Since the All-Star break, the Braves own a sterling 14-2 record at Turner Field.

                Reds at Cardinals - 8:15 PM EST

                Probables: H. Bailey (8-10, 3.71 ERA) vs. A. Wainwright (15-7, 2.58 ERA)

                Series recap: The Cardinals are starting to distance themselves from the Pirates and Reds inside the NL Central race. St. Louis captured another victory over Cincinnati last night, cruising to a 6-1 triumph as a short home underdog, while the total stayed 'under' eight.

                Current trends: The Redbirds have won eight of the last 10 meetings with Cincinnati, while putting a together a 7-2 record the past nine home contests. Cincinnati has dropped four of its last five games away from the Great American Ballpark, all against division opponents. The Reds are trying to avoid their third losing streak of four games this season, with each of the first two skids also coming on the road.
                Remember the 3 G's Gambling, Golf, Girls not in any particular order.....

                Comment


                • Preview: Cubs (56-76) at Dodgers (77-55)
                  Game: 3
                  Venue: Dodger Stadium
                  Date: August 28, 2013 3:10 PM EDT


                  After going more than two months without losing a series, the Los Angeles Dodgers are in danger of dropping two in a row.

                  Ricky Nolasco hopes to help the Dodgers prevent that from happening when he tries to continue his recent success Wednesday against the lowly Chicago Cubs.

                  Since June 19, Los Angeles (77-55) went 18 straight series without losing one before dropping two of three to AL-leading Boston last weekend. The Dodgers avoided a third straight loss with Monday's 6-2 win over Chicago (56-76), but fell 3-2 on Tuesday.

                  The Dodgers last dropped consecutive series June 10-16, and at home April 29-May 8. They have an 8 1/2-game lead over Arizona in the NL West.

                  Clayton Kershaw struck out nine but labored while giving up two runs and seven hits over 5 2-3 innings Tuesday while Chicago's Travis Wood yielded a run over seven. Starlin Castro and Dioner Navarro each had two hits with an RBI for the Cubs, who snapped an eight-game slide to the Dodgers by winning for the eighth time in 29 contests.

                  "Unfortunately, I couldn't go deeper into the game for our guys, but I was just trying to limit the damage," Kershaw said.

                  The Dodgers hope to get back on track behind Nolasco (10-9, 3.42 ERA), who is 3-0 with a 1.42 ERA over his last four starts. His best as a Dodger came Friday, when he allowed two hits without a walk in eight innings of a 2-0 victory over Boston.

                  The right-hander is 5-1 with a 2.53 ERA in nine starts since Los Angeles acquired him from Miami on July 6.

                  "He gets a variety of breaking balls over to get ahead in the count and then he can change speeds," manager Don Mattingly said. "When he gets in a bit of trouble, he has another gear. He doesn't seem to get rattled out there.'

                  A fourth-round pick of the Cubs in 2001 who never pitched for the major league club, Nolasco is 5-2 with a 3.30 ERA in nine starts against Chicago. He's won three straight starts against them, but has a 4.50 ERA during two 6-4 victories this year.

                  Rookie outfielder Junior Lake hit two of the Cubs' three homers off Nolasco on Aug. 1 at Wrigley Field.

                  Hanley Ramirez had three hits and Yasiel Puig added two Tuesday for the Dodgers, who have been held to two or fewer runs four times in five games.

                  Puig is 5 for 10 in the series following a 4-for-28 slump. He's 11 for 20 in five games against the Cubs.

                  Castro, meanwhile, is batting .333 during an 11-game road hitting streak.

                  Chicago starter Edwin Jackson (7-13, 5.00) is 0-2 with a 6.37 ERA in his last five road starts. He was staked to a 6-0 first-inning lead Friday at San Diego, but was charged with six runs and 10 hits in six innings of an 8-6 defeat.

                  "If you can't hold a six-run lead, it's real disappointing,' the right-hander said. "You don't get that done, it's just a terrible job, a terrible job of protecting the lead."

                  Jackson, who broke into the majors with Los Angeles in 2003, is 3-1 with a 3.62 ERA in five starts against the Dodgers, but hasn't faced them since 2011.

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

                  SERIES AT A GLANCE

                  GAME 1
                  Cubs at Dodgers
                  Mon, Aug 26 Final 2 to 6
                  Boxscores • Recaps

                  GAME 2
                  Cubs at Dodgers
                  Tue, Aug 27 Final 3 to 2
                  Boxscores • Recaps

                  GAME 3
                  Cubs at Dodgers
                  Wed, Aug 28 - 3:10PM EDT
                  Remember the 3 G's Gambling, Golf, Girls not in any particular order.....

                  Comment


                  • Preview: Rangers (77-55) at Mariners (59-72)
                    Game: 3
                    Venue: Safeco Field
                    Date: August 28, 2013 3:40 PM EDT


                    While it might seem they face a difficult challenge against Felix Hernandez, the Texas Rangers have been one of the few teams to give the Seattle Mariners ace a tough time.

                    The Rangers will try to beat Hernandez for the fourth time this season Wednesday night when they look to sweep this three-game series at Safeco Field.

                    Ian Kinsler had a season-high four hits and scored the go-ahead run on Danny Farquhar's balk in the 10th inning as the Rangers escaped with a 4-3 victory Tuesday for their 11th win in 13 road games.

                    "Anytime you win a hard-fought game it adds to the confidence of your club and adds to the toughness of your club," said Kinsler, 9 for 22 at Safeco this year.

                    Texas (77-55), 2 1/2 games up on Oakland for the AL West lead, is looking to saddle the Mariners (59-72) with a winless six-game homestand.

                    Hernandez (12-7, 2.63 ERA) already lost once on the homestand despite a strong outing, striking out 10 while allowing two runs and three hits over six innings in Friday's 2-0 defeat to the Angels. That was one of four home losses this season for the right-hander, and two of them came to the Rangers.

                    The All-Star is 0-3 in four meetings with Texas this season with a 5.55 ERA which is his highest against any opponent he's faced at least twice. The Rangers are batting .327 against him in 2013 with four home runs.

                    "I can't put a finger on it, because there's games when he's really dominated us," Texas manager Ron Washington said.

                    That comment came after Hernandez allowed a season-high five walks and five runs over five innings in a 15-3 loss at Arlington on Aug. 17. He's 4-10 with a 4.26 ERA in his last 15 starts against the Rangers.

                    "They battle a lot and they have a good approach against me," said Hernandez, among the top three in the majors in strikeouts (192) and innings (184 2-3).

                    David Murphy is 5 for 10 with a homer and two doubles off Hernandez this year while Adrian Beltre has gone 6 for 12. Beltre is batting .404 over a 12-game hitting streak versus Seattle.

                    Martin Perez (7-3, 3.62) will oppose Hernandez again after allowing three runs in seven-plus innings to win last week's matchup. He's 1-0 with a 2.19 ERA in two starts against the Mariners this season.

                    The left-hander looks to win his career-best fifth straight start after allowing four runs - three in the second inning - over seven frames in an 11-5 win over the White Sox on Friday. He has a 2.70 ERA in his last five outings - all Texas victories.

                    "(Perez) showed some presence out there," Washington said. "That's a veteran move, the way he gathered himself and got himself through seven innings."

                    Seattle's Dustin Ackley is 2 for 3 against Perez this season and 15 for 30 over a nine-game hitting streak at Safeco.

                    The Mariners, however, have totaled eight runs while going 4 for 23 with runners in scoring position during their home skid.

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

                    SERIES AT A GLANCE

                    GAME 1
                    Rangers at Mariners
                    Mon, Aug 26 Final 8 to 3
                    Boxscores • Recaps

                    GAME 2
                    Rangers at Mariners
                    Tue, Aug 27 Final 4 to 3
                    Boxscores • Recaps

                    GAME 3
                    Rangers at Mariners
                    Wed, Aug 28 - 3:40PM EDT
                    Remember the 3 G's Gambling, Golf, Girls not in any particular order.....

                    Comment


                    • Preview: Athletics (74-57) at Tigers (77-55)
                      Game: 3
                      Venue: Comerica Park
                      Date: August 28, 2013 7:08 PM EDT


                      Though the Oakland Athletics have swung the bats well during their first two days in Detroit, they could face a major challenge trying to stay hot against the Tigers' Doug Fister.

                      The right-hander hopes to continue his recent success against the A's and help keep them from a third consecutive victory over the Tigers on Wednesday night.

                      Oakland (74-57) averaged 3.8 runs while losing four of five before it pounded out 12 hits in Monday's 8-6 victory, then got homers from Brandon Moss and Seth Smith while tagging Justin Verlander for five runs in five innings of Tuesday's 6-3 rain-shortened win.

                      "That worked out really well for us, because we didn't have to use the bullpen,' Oakland manager Bob Melvin said. "We did a great job against Verlander - we were patient and we were able to really boost his pitch count. We only got the two runs in the first, but we made him throw 40-some pitches, and that's probably why we were able to add on in the later innings.'

                      The A's opened their seven-game trip by dropping two of three at Baltimore, but have regrouped against an AL Central-leading Detroit (77-55) team coming off a three-game sweep of the New York Mets.

                      Chasing first-place Texas in the West, the A's have a three-game lead over Cleveland for the second and final wild-card spot and are one-half game behind Tampa Bay for the first.

                      Fister (11-6, 3.54), meanwhile, is 1-1 with a 1.67 ERA in his last four starts versus Oakland. That included last season, when he allowed two runs and struck out eight in seven innings while not factoring in the decision of a 5-4 victory in Game 2 of the ALDS.

                      He gave up a run in 6 1-3 innings of a 5-1 win over the New York Mets on Friday to improve to 5-1 with a 2.39 ERA in his last eight starts. It's also helped that the Tigers have scored six runs in each of his last four.

                      "For me, it's constantly a 0-0 ballgame in my head, but it's definitely a team lifter and definitely a confidence booster for the team," Fister told the Tigers' official website.

                      Oakland's Coco Crisp is 7 for 16 with two triples versus Fister, and was 10 for 21 with four homers and five RBIs in five straight overall before going 0 for 2 with a walk Tuesday.

                      Three of Moss' six hits in his last 19 at_bats have been home runs.

                      Detroit star Miguel Cabrera was 8 for 17 with three homers and seven RBIs in four games before he went 0 for 2 with a walk Tuesday.

                      Torii Hunter is the only Tiger to have previously faced Oakland starter Dan Straily (6-7, 4.56), going 4 for 7 with two homers.

                      The right-hander, 0-5 with a 5.20 ERA in seven starts since the All-Star break, gave up six runs on two homers - including a grand slam - and walked four in 3 1-3 innings while not factoring in the decision of a 9-7 loss at Baltimore on Friday.

                      Straily, though, has received only six runs of support during his losing streak.

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

                      SERIES AT A GLANCE

                      GAME 1
                      Athletics at Tigers
                      Mon, Aug 26 Final 8 to 6
                      Boxscores • Recaps

                      GAME 2
                      Athletics at Tigers
                      Tue, Aug 27 Final 6 to 3
                      Boxscores • Recaps

                      GAME 3
                      Athletics at Tigers
                      Wed, Aug 28 - 7:08PM EDT

                      GAME 4
                      Athletics at Tigers
                      Thu, Aug 29 - 1:08PM EDT
                      Remember the 3 G's Gambling, Golf, Girls not in any particular order.....

                      Comment


                      • Preview: Yankees (70-62) at Blue Jays (59-74)
                        Game: 3
                        Venue: Rogers Centre
                        Date: August 28, 2013 7:07 PM EDT


                        The New York Yankees are expected to be without Robinson Cano, but having Alfonso Soriano in the lineup might provide some solace.

                        Soriano looks to build on another big offensive display and help the Yankees continue their dominance of the Toronto Blue Jays on Wednesday night.

                        Cano leads New York (70-62) with a .305 average, 24 homers and 85 RBIs, and he's batting .355 in 25 games this month. He's not expected to get a chance to build on those numbers until Friday's opener of a three-game series with Baltimore.

                        The All-Star second baseman was hit on the hand by a pitch in the first inning of Tuesday's 7-1 win, but x-rays were negative, and he's considered day to day.

                        "It's swollen right now, and the last thing you want to do is aggravate it," Cano said.

                        Soriano may soften the blow of Cano's absence again.

                        The 37-year-old left fielder hit a pair of homers with four RBIs Tuesday, helping New York rebound from a 5-2 defeat in the opener of this three-game set.

                        Of his 11 homers and 33 RBIs in 30 games since the Yankees re-acquired him in a trade with the Chicago Cubs last month, 10 and 28 have come in 16 victories. He's also collected five game-winning RBIs, one fewer than Cano.

                        "It was a great pickup for us," said Andy Pettitte, Tuesday's winning pitcher. "It's energizing when you have a special player like that come and be able to hit for that kind of power and be able to get out there and run around the bases. It's exciting.

                        "He looks like a young man out there, and I know he's not. Hopefully he can keep it going."

                        Doing so in the series finale could be just what New York needs to defeat Toronto (59-74) for the 14th time in 16 games this year and potentially cut the 4 1/2-game gap on Oakland for the AL's second wild-card spot.

                        Giving the ball to Hiroki Kuroda (11-9, 2.71 ERA), owner of the league's fourth-best ERA, should also help.

                        He's 4-0 with a 1.60 ERA over his last five starts against the Blue Jays, including wins in the most recent two this year. Kuroda also pitched well in his most recent visit to Toronto on April 20, allowing one run in 7 1-3 innings of New York's 5-3, 11-inning victory.

                        The right-hander, however, has a 6.27 ERA while losing three straight road starts, and he's coming off one of the worst performances in his career. Kuroda matched career highs by surrendering seven runs and four homers in six innings of Friday's 7-2 loss at Tampa Bay.

                        The Blue Jays are at the bottom of the East, but general manager Alex Anthopoulos said manager Josh Gibbons will be back next year.

                        "There's never been any thought in that respect at all," Anthopoulos said.

                        Gibbons will send Todd Redmond (1-2, 4.44) to the mound to make his first appearance against the Yankees. The 28-year-old rookie right-hander is trying to bounce back from the worst outing of his brief career after being tagged for eight runs and eight hits with three walks and a throwing error in 3 1-3 innings of a 12-4 loss at Houston on Friday.

                        Redmond is 1-0 with a 2.16 ERA and 27 strikeouts in 25 innings over five games - four starts - at Rogers Centre.


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

                        SERIES AT A GLANCE

                        GAME 1
                        Yankees at Blue Jays
                        Mon, Aug 26 Final 2 to 5
                        Boxscores • Recaps

                        GAME 2
                        Yankees at Blue Jays
                        Tue, Aug 27 Final 7 to 1
                        Boxscores • Recaps

                        GAME 3
                        Yankees at Blue Jays
                        Wed, Aug 28 - 7:07PM EDT
                        Remember the 3 G's Gambling, Golf, Girls not in any particular order.....

                        Comment


                        • Preview: Marlins (49-81) at Nationals (66-65)
                          Game: 2
                          Venue: Nationals Park
                          Date: August 28, 2013 7:05 PM EDT


                          Although they face long odds in their quest to get back to the playoffs, the Washington Nationals haven't given up hope during one of their best stretches.

                          Sending Stephen Strasburg to the mound at Nationals Park against baseball's worst offense could help add to that run.

                          Strasburg and the Nationals will try for their seventh win in eight games Wednesday night when they take on the visiting Miami Marlins.

                          Ross Ohlendorf became the latest pitcher to stymie the Marlins (49-81), allowing one run and three hits over five innings in a 2-1 win in Tuesday's series opener. NL-worst Miami has averaged 2.0 runs and hit .181 while dropping six of seven and ranks last in the major leagues with 416 runs, 73 home runs and a .230 batting average.

                          Ian Desmond continued his tear at home with three hits to help the Nationals (66-65) win their fourth straight in the nation's capital against the Marlins. He's 14 for 28 during a seven-game hitting streak in Washington.

                          The defending NL East champs moved within seven games of Cincinnati for the final NL wild-card spot - with Arizona in between - following the Reds' loss in St. Louis.

                          "Now's the time,' manager Davey Johnson said. "I still think we need to win close to 90 games (to make the playoffs). So every game we need to play well, we need to pitch well.'

                          Johnson's club will try to keep trimming that deficit by giving the ball to Strasburg (6-9, 3.00 ERA), who is 5-4 with a 1.58 ERA in 13 home starts. He's given up three runs and 11 hits with 31 strikeouts over 24 innings in his last three there.

                          Strasburg was an out away from his second complete game in three starts before Donnie Murphy hit a game-tying two-run homer in the Nationals' 5-4, 13-inning win at Wrigley Field on Thursday. Strasburg struck out eight while allowing four runs over 8 2-3 innings.

                          "I can look at the last inning or I can look at all the other innings where I was pitching really well, so I'm going to focus on the positive," Strasburg told the team's official website.

                          The right-hander hasn't given up a run in three of his last four home meetings against Miami after he yielded three hits over seven frames in a 2-0 opening-day victory.

                          The Marlins, though, got the best of Strasburg the last time they met at Marlins Park, tagging him for a career-worst seven earned runs over two innings in an 8-3 loss July 12.

                          Giancarlo Stanton homered off Strasburg in that meeting and is 6 for 9 with two homers and three doubles against him the past two seasons. The slugger has struggled on the road, however, with a .163 average, one home run and four RBIs since June 18.

                          Miami counters with Henderson Alvarez (2-3, 3.86), who has gone 0-2 with a 6.50 ERA in his last three starts - all Miami losses. He surrendered a season-worst five runs over five innings in Thursday's 6-0 loss to the Dodgers.

                          The right-hander had a better performance the last time he faced the Nationals, allowing two runs and nine hits over 6 2-3 innings in a 10-inning loss on July 14.

                          Denard Span had two hits off Alvarez in that meeting and is batting .395 during a 10-game hitting streak overall.

                          Teammate Bryce Harper is 3 for 6 with a homer and double when facing Alvarez and batting .405 over a nine-game hitting streak.

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

                          SERIES AT A GLANCE

                          GAME 1
                          Marlins at Nationals
                          Tue, Aug 27 Final 1 to 2
                          Boxscores • Recaps

                          GAME 2
                          Marlins at Nationals
                          Wed, Aug 28 - 7:05PM EDT

                          GAME 3
                          Marlins at Nationals
                          Thu, Aug 29 - 7:05PM EDT
                          Remember the 3 G's Gambling, Golf, Girls not in any particular order.....

                          Comment


                          • Preview: Brewers (58-73) at Pirates (76-55)
                            Game: 2
                            Venue: PNC Park
                            Date: August 28, 2013 7:05 PM EDT


                            The Pittsburgh Pirates lineup just received an unexpected boost.

                            They hope the addition of Marlon Byrd and John Buck helps them snap a three-game losing streak Wednesday night against the Milwaukee Brewers.

                            "It's pretty neat to see us make a move like this," second baseman Neil Walker said. "We didn't expect something to happen this late. You usually figure it is something that would happen at the (July 31 non-waiver) trade deadline.

                            "But these are established guys who can help us get to where we want to go."

                            Pittsburgh (76-55), 1 1/2 games behind St. Louis for the NL Central lead, acquired Byrd and Buck from the New York Mets on Tuesday for minor league infielder Dilson Herrera and a player to be named later.

                            The acquisition of Byrd helps fill a void left by Tuesday's news that left fielder Starling Marte will be out for another couple of weeks with a right hand injury.

                            Byrd has a career-high 21 home runs along with 71 RBIs, and he'll be relied upon to provide power for a team which is among the worst in baseball with 25 home runs against left-handed pitching. Besides being one of the NL leaders with seven homers versus southpaws, Byrd tops the majors since June 28 with a .455 average against left-handers.

                            "We don't expect him to be a savior, but to be better in (right field) than what we've had so far," general manager Neal Huntington told the team's official website.

                            Though Byrd may play left field while Marte is out, he could eventually shift across the diamond considering regular right fielder Jose Tabata is batting .269 with four homers.

                            Buck also can provide some pop, having hit 15 homers and driven in 60 runs this year, but he's expected to back up catcher Russell Martin. Martin, though, has hit .111 without a homer in his last 10 games.

                            The Pirates did record their most hits since the All-Star break with 15 on Tuesday, but they lost 7-6 to the Brewers (58-73) to open this three-game set.

                            Aramis Ramirez had three hits and four RBIs for Milwaukee, which blew a five-run lead before Caleb Gindl delivered the go-ahead sacrifice fly in the eighth inning.

                            "It's a good win for us," said Ramirez, who hit his 350th career home run. "We're not going to the playoffs, but it's fun to play teams that are going to the playoffs. This felt like a playoff game."

                            Pittsburgh scheduled starter Charlie Morton (5-3, 3.42 ERA) has been looking playoff-ready, going 2-0 with a 2.28 ERA in his last four outings. He needed just 83 pitches Friday to go 7 2-3 innings, allowing one run as he beat San Francisco in a 3-1 victory.

                            Morton, whose 80.1 ground ball percentage would lead the majors if he had enough innings to qualify, has not yielded a home run in his last 38 2-3 innings.

                            The right-hander, though, is 0-4 with a 6.25 ERA against the Brewers.

                            Counterpart Tom Gorzelanny (3-5, 3.60) has had no such trouble with his opponent, going 2-0 with a 2.08 ERA in nine games versus Pittsburgh, but he's been struggling.

                            The former reliever has been tagged for 12 runs and 16 hits in 8 1-3 innings over his last two starts. He's 2-4 with a 4.81 ERA in eight outings since joining Milwaukee's rotation.

                            Buck has homered twice off Gorzelanny in eight at_bats and Byrd is 3 for 9 against him.

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

                            SERIES AT A GLANCE

                            GAME 1
                            Brewers at Pirates
                            Tue, Aug 27 Final 7 to 6
                            Boxscores • Recaps

                            GAME 2
                            Brewers at Pirates
                            Wed, Aug 28 - 7:05PM EDT

                            GAME 3
                            Brewers at Pirates
                            Thu, Aug 29 - 7:05PM EDT
                            Remember the 3 G's Gambling, Golf, Girls not in any particular order.....

                            Comment


                            • Preview: Orioles (70-60) at Red Sox (78-55)
                              Game: 2
                              Venue: Fenway Park
                              Date: August 28, 2013 7:10 PM EDT


                              A three-game winning streak has helped give the Boston Red Sox a cushion atop the AL East.

                              Giving John Lackey some support offensively may help them increase that lead.

                              After a pair of offensive outbursts in their most recent victories, the Red Sox look to keep rolling at the plate Wednesday night as they continue this three-game set with the visiting Baltimore Orioles.

                              Boston (78-55) was tied with Tampa Bay for first place in the division on Sunday, but winning three games in a row - while putting up 20 runs in their last two - has moved the Red Sox 2 1/2 games clear of the Rays.

                              They'll now turn to Lackey (8-11, 3.17 ERA) as they look for their first four-game winning streak since the All-Star break.

                              After missing all of last season due to Tommy John surgery, Lackey's ERA is his lowest since a career-best 3.01 with the Los Angeles Angels in 2007. He's also averaging a personal-low 1.95 walks per nine innings.

                              The right-hander, though, owns a losing record thanks in part to being backed by an average of 2.4 runs over his past nine games, getting none in five of those.

                              He's 2-6 with a 3.67 ERA over that stretch, and could've used some help in Friday's 2-0 defeat to the Los Angeles Dodgers. Lackey allowed a two-run homer in the fourth while tossing a three-hitter as the offense mustered a pair of singles.

                              "That's about as good as I've felt this year. I had everything pretty much working for me," Lackey said. "It's frustrating when one pitch can decide a game."

                              He's split two starts versus Baltimore (70-60) with a 4.73 ERA, but those meetings came on the road. In nine starts at Fenway Park this season, Lackey is 5-2 with a 2.07 ERA that's the AL's second-best mark at home.

                              He's getting 5.16 runs of support per nine innings at home, and could be in for some more help after Boston pounded out 14 hits, including five doubles and three homers, en route to a 13-2 win over the Orioles in this series opener.

                              Shane Victorino is hitting .444 with four homers, five doubles and 11 RBIs in his last nine games. He's hit three of those homers while collecting five hits in the past two contests, and left Fenway twice while producing a career-high seven RBIs and four runs Tuesday.

                              The Orioles are 3 1/2 games back of Oakland for the AL's second wild-card spot, but have dropped four of seven after matching their season high for runs allowed Tuesday.

                              "We got our butts kicked, and there's no doubt about that, but it's over now. We're (looking) forward and we're ready to go (Wednesday)," catcher Matt Wieters told the team's official website.

                              Bud Norris (9-10, 4.22) will get the ball for the Orioles as he tries to put his worst start with his new team behind him. The right-hander was battered for seven runs, nine hits and two homers in 4 2-3 innings of a 9-7 win over Oakland on Friday.

                              He's allowed 25 baserunners over 10 1-3 innings in his last two outings after yielding just 21 over 17 innings in his first three starts with Baltimore.

                              He's 0-1 with a 5.25 ERA in two career starts versus the Red Sox, and that defeat came in his only visit to Fenway Park on April 28. He allowed five runs - three earned - while fanning six in six innings of a 6-1 loss with the Astros.

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

                              SERIES AT A GLANCE

                              GAME 1
                              Orioles at Red Sox
                              Tue, Aug 27 Final 2 to 13
                              Boxscores • Recaps

                              GAME 2
                              Orioles at Red Sox
                              Wed, Aug 28 - 7:10PM EDT

                              GAME 3
                              Orioles at Red Sox
                              Thu, Aug 29 - 7:10PM EDT
                              Remember the 3 G's Gambling, Golf, Girls not in any particular order.....

                              Comment


                              • Preview: Indians (71-60) at Braves (79-52)
                                Game: 2
                                Venue: Turner Field
                                Date: August 28, 2013 7:10 PM EDT


                                Paul Maholm's first outing after coming off the disabled list didn't go quite as well as he would have liked, but returning to the mound at Turner Field may be just what he needs.

                                Already with the best home record in the majors, the Atlanta Braves may get Dan Uggla back in the lineup as they look to deal the playoff-hopeful Cleveland Indians another defeat Wednesday night.

                                Maholm (9-10, 4.51 ERA) made his first start in more than a month Thursday and allowed five runs in 5 1-3 innings of a 6-2 loss to St. Louis. He didn't allow a hit until the fourth inning but began to feel fatigued in the fifth.

                                "It was good to get out there and compete,' Maholm said after pitching for the first time since leaving a loss to the Chicago White Sox on July 20 with a bruised left wrist. "Hopefully in five days, I'll be able to make some adjustments and get back out there.'

                                The left-hander has lost his last four starts while posting a 9.16 ERA, though each was on the road. Maholm is 5-2 with a 1.93 ERA in seven home starts this season, allowing two earned runs or fewer in each outing.

                                Atlanta (79-52), which leads the NL East by 13 games over Washington, improved its baseball-best home record to 45-18 with a 2-0 victory over Cleveland on Tuesday. The Braves only had three hits, but Elliot Johnson's two-run triple in the second inning did the damage.

                                Uggla, who last played Aug. 12, went 1 for 30 in his last nine games before undergoing corrective eye surgery, but he went 2 for 4 with a homer in a rehab game for Triple-A Gwinnett on Tuesday. Manager Fredi Gonzalez said the second baseman could be activated from the DL for this contest.

                                "His timing is getting better and better," Gonzalez told the team's official website. "Hopefully, we can get him up here and he can do what he can do."

                                Uggla struck out in his only career plate appearance against Justin Masterson, who takes the mound for Cleveland.

                                Masterson (14-9, 3.50) went 0-2 with a 5.68 ERA over his previous three starts before allowing one run in 6 2-3 innings of last Wednesday's 3-1 win over the Los Angeles Angels. He tied his season high with five walks, though, and has allowed a total of 70 - the third-most in the AL.

                                Teammate Nick Swisher still has been impressed with the right-hander.

                                "He's an All-Star for us, man," Swisher told the team's official website. "His numbers speak for themselves. This dude's doing it, man. I'm so happy I don't have to face him anymore."

                                Masterson has never started against the Braves, making only two relief appearances against them in 2009 while with Boston. He'll look to help Cleveland bounce back from only its second loss in seven contests.

                                The Indians (71-60) fell three games behind Oakland for the AL's second wild-card spot after the Athletics beat Detroit 6-3 in a six-inning, rain-shortened contest.

                                Asdrubal Cabrera had half of the team's six hits Tuesday.

                                "Our pitching's been on point, but you've got to score to win,' former Brave Michael Bourn said. "You can't score zero runs and win the game. We've got to find a way to put some runs on the board and help our pitchers out.'

                                Atlanta has won 14 of 17 at home after snapping Cleveland's three-game road winning streak Tuesday.

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

                                SERIES AT A GLANCE

                                GAME 1
                                Indians at Braves
                                Tue, Aug 27 Final 0 to 2
                                Boxscores • Recaps

                                GAME 2
                                Indians at Braves
                                Wed, Aug 28 - 7:10PM EDT

                                GAME 3
                                Indians at Braves
                                Thu, Aug 29 - 7:10PM EDT
                                Remember the 3 G's Gambling, Golf, Girls not in any particular order.....

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