The Bum's Aug. MLB Best Bets + Pod's !

[StarDust Bum]

Preview: Nationals (54-56) at Brewers (46-64)
Game: 3
Venue: Miller Park
Date: August 04, 2013 2:10 PM EDT


It took Kyle Lohse three months to get back to .500.

The Milwaukee Brewers right-hander will look to finish the weekend with a winning record for the first time this year with a victory over the Washington Nationals on Sunday afternoon.

Lohse (7-7, 3.22 ERA) dug himself a deep hole early, going 1-6 with a 4.37 ERA over his first 10 starts.

The right-hander managed to even out his record, however, with a 6-1 record and a 2.29 ERA over his last 12 starts. His last three have been particularly good, as he has posted a 0.47 ERA with 17 strikeouts against three walks.

His success continued at Wrigley Field on Thursday, when he shut out the Chicago Cubs for six innings, but didn't get a decision as Milwaukee eventually won 5-0.

"He's done what we hoped he would do," Brewers manager Ron Roenicke said. "It's too bad because the record with the way he's pitched should be better."

Lohse has had an uptick in his strikeouts the last three outings, striking out 8.05 batters per nine innings after averaging 5.54 over his first 19 starts.

Lohse's run to the break-even mark included a dazzling performance at Nationals Park on July 3, when he limited the Nationals to a solo home run and three other hits in eight innings of a 4-1 Brewers victory. Lohse threw 71 of his 103 pitches for strikes and held Denard Span, Jayson Werth and Bryce Harper hitless in 11 collective at_bats.

He'll be under pressure to help a struggling Brewers offense that has managed just two runs during its three-game losing streak. Milwaukee (46-64) is playing without suspended slugger Ryan Braun and injured regulars Aramis Ramirez and Corey Hart.

"I don't want to keep making excuses, but we're without our 3-4-5 hitters so we're going to battle the best that we can," Roenicke said. "You take those guys out of any lineup and you're going to struggle at times."

Milwaukee managed four hits in Saturday night's 3-0 loss to Washington, including an 0-for-14 performance from the two through five hitters in its lineup.

Norichika Aoki is 4 for his last 30 (.133), while Carlos Gomez is hitless in his last 12.

The Nationals (54-56) haven't been much better offensively. They plated three runs or fewer for the 15th time in 22 games on Saturday but did get solo home runs from Wilson Ramos and Adam LaRoche.

Ramos is 5 for 16 with two homers in his last five games, but LaRoche is 2 for 30 in his last eight despite his solo shot Saturday.

Taylor Jordan (1-3, 3.31) is hoping for offensive backing similar to his last outing. After receiving just eight runs of support over his first five starts, the Nationals provided the right-hander 13 on Sunday in a 14-1 rout against the New York Mets for his first major league victory.

"I'm extremely happy," Jordan said. "For a little bit I was wondering. I go 0-4, 0-5 - am I helping the team? Then finally just to get that one win means that I am."

Jordan held the Mets to a run and five hits in six innings, striking out seven while walking just one. The rookie has established a strong sense of control, walking only five in 35 1-3 innings.

Jordan's second big-league start came one month ago against the Brewers, whom he held to two runs in 5 2-3 innings of an 8-5 Washington win.

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SERIES AT A GLANCE

GAME 1
Nationals at Brewers
Fri, Aug 2 Final 4 to 1
Boxscores • Recaps

GAME 2
Nationals at Brewers
Sat, Aug 3 Final 3 to 0
Boxscores • Recaps

GAME 3
Nationals at Brewers
Sun, Aug 4 - 2:10PM EDT

[StarDust Bum]

Preview: Astros (36-73) at Twins (47-60)
Game: 3
Venue: Target Field
Date: August 04, 2013 2:10 PM EDT


Paced by one of the majors' top bullpens, the Minnesota Twins are in position to sweep the Houston Astros, whose relievers continue to cost them games.

After a pair of come-from-behind wins, the Twins try to finish off the visiting Astros on Sunday.

Minnesota starter Kyle Gibson allowed four runs and nine hits in three innings, but four relievers combined to yield one hit and strike out 10 in Saturday's 6-4 victory.

While Twins starters are last in the majors with a 5.19 ERA, their bullpen is second at 2.93. Their relievers have allowed one run and fanned 18 over 17 innings of the last three games.

Minnesota (47-60) might again need to rely on its relief corps if scheduled starter Mike Pelfrey (4-9, 5.31 ERA) is unable to bounce back from a rough performance.

The right-hander had a 2.28 ERA in his first four July starts, but closed the month by allowing four runs in four innings of a 7-2 loss to Kansas City on Tuesday.

"It looked like he was picking at the plate an awful lot rather than attacking the zone,' manager Ron Gardenhire said about Pelfrey, who yielded eight hits and threw 93 pitches. "One thing he's been doing is attacking the zone. Pace of the game means a lot. He kind of put everybody on their heels and he understands that."

Though he has not faced the Astros (36-73) since 2010 while with the New York Mets, Pelfrey has allowed three runs over 22 1-3 innings to win three straight starts against them.

While Minnesota's bullpen has shined, Houston relievers rank last in the majors with a 5.13 ERA. They've allowed six runs, nine hits and walked seven over 7 2-3 innings in the series.

Starter-turned-reliever Lucas Harrell gave up a go-ahead single to Ryan Doumit in Minnesota's three-run seventh Saturday.

Houston's bullpen has posted a 6.55 ERA and blown eight saves while the team has dropped 24 of 30.

"This is arguably the toughest stretch which I've witnessed, whether it's as a player, coach, manager, of bullpen woes,' first-year manager Bo Porter said.

The Astros will recall Brad Peacock (1-3, 8.07) to start Sunday in place of Dallas Keuchel, who pitched 1 2-3 innings of relief in Friday's 4-3, 13-inning loss.

Peacock, who last pitched in the majors June 8, is 6-2 with a 2.73 ERA in 14 games and 13 starts for Triple-A Oklahoma City.

"He's thrown the ball extremely well," Porter told the Astros' official website. "That's obviously factored into the decision-making."

The right-hander opened the season in Houston's rotation, but went 1-3 with an 8.44 ERA in five starts before he was moved to the bullpen and sent down to the minors twice.

Peacock has never faced Minnesota.

Twins leadoff hitter Brian Dozier is batting .304 during a 10-game hitting streak.

Houston rookie outfielder Robbie Grossman is 10 for 20 in his last six games.

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SERIES AT A GLANCE

GAME 1
Astros at Twins
Fri, Aug 2 Final 3 to 4
Boxscores • Recaps

GAME 2
Astros at Twins
Sat, Aug 3 Final 4 to 6
Boxscores • Recaps

GAME 3
Astros at Twins
Sun, Aug 4 - 2:10PM EDT

[StarDust Bum]

Preview: Dodgers (60-49) at Cubs (49-61)
Game: 4
Venue: Wrigley Field
Date: August 04, 2013 2:20 PM EDT


The red-hot Los Angeles Dodgers are now the owners of their longest road win streak in franchise history, and they're hoping rookie phenom Yasiel Puig will get the chance to help add to that lengthy run.

A bruised thumb has left Puig's status uncertain for the Dodgers' attempt to finish off a four-game sweep against the Chicago Cubs on Sunday.

Los Angeles (60-49) reached 13 consecutive road wins for the first time with a 3-0 victory Saturday, eclipsing a mark set in 1924 by the Brooklyn Robins. Carl Crawford helped give his team its 30th victory in 37 overall contests with a two-run single in the sixth inning, but Puig was pulled from the game after the seventh.

The right fielder hurt himself while making a diving catch on Starlin Castro's fly ball in the seventh. Puig had two hits for the third straight game and is batting .400 in his past 12.

"We'll see how I feel (Sunday) before the game," Puig said through a translator. "I'll take some swings and we'll decide then."

With or without Puig, the Dodgers will seek their 19th win in 21 road contests and their first sweep of four or more games at Wrigley Field in 25 years. Los Angeles registered five wins there July 14-17, 1988.

"It's a good feeling to be a part of history, to keep winning," Crawford said. "The team is jelling really well right now."

Pulling that off might be challenging if Zack Greinke (8-3, 3.43 ERA) starts Sunday. The right-hander is 0-2 with a 14.00 ERA in two games at Wrigley, but manager Don Mattingly said he may push him back to Monday.

Mattingly would like to get his starters some rest as the Dodgers don't have a day off until Aug. 15.

Greinke is 3-2 with a 4.45 ERA in five overall matchups with Chicago (49-61) and struck out 12 while giving up two runs over seven innings in the latest of those, an 8-0 win June 6, 2012. He's given up two runs or fewer in his last five starts, including his two most recent on the road, but is winless in his past three.

He gave up two runs over seven innings and struck out seven in Tuesday's 3-2 victory against the New York Yankees.

The Cubs, meanwhile, are hoping Carlos Villanueva (2-7, 4.33) can snap a three-game skid. The right-hander has a 6.04 ERA in five starts since rejoining the rotation July 7 and an 8.22 ERA in his last three.

He was charged with four runs and six hits - two homers - over 6 1-3 innings Tuesday against Milwaukee, failing to hold a three-run lead as the Brewers won 6-5.

"We all go out there and try to do our jobs, and sometimes it doesn't happen the way we want it to," Villanueva told the team's official website. "When it happens more than once, more than twice - obviously, it's difficult the day of. Maybe in five days we'll have a little better luck."

Villanueva won his only start against the Dodgers with Milwaukee in 2008.

Luis Valbuena is 7 for 18 with three doubles lifetime against Greinke.

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SERIES AT A GLANCE

GAME 1
Dodgers at Cubs
Thu, Aug 1 Final 6 to 4
Boxscores • Recaps

GAME 2
Dodgers at Cubs
Fri, Aug 2 Final 6 to 2
Boxscores • Recaps

GAME 3
Dodgers at Cubs
Sat, Aug 3 Final 3 to 0
Boxscores • Recaps

GAME 4
Dodgers at Cubs
Sun, Aug 4 - 2:20PM EDT

[StarDust Bum]

Preview: Blue Jays (50-60) at Angels (51-58)
Game: 4
Venue: Angel Stadium of Anaheim
Date: August 04, 2013 3:35 PM EDT


As C.J. Wilson looks to bounce back from his shortest outing of the season for the Los Angeles Angels, Mark Buehrle hopes to continue his current run of success and help the Toronto Blue Jays get back on track.

Riding a 20-inning scoreless stretch, Buehrle tries to prevent the visiting Blue Jays from being swept in their four-game set against Wilson and the Angels on Sunday.

Los Angeles (51-58) dropped the final six of a seven-game trip to Oakland and Texas to conclude July, but has totaled 22 runs while hitting .360 against Toronto (50-60) after Saturday's 7-3 win.

Looking to record their second home series sweep of at least three games, the Angels could be in for a serious challenge against Buehrle (7-7, 4.27 ERA). The veteran left-hander has not allowed a run since the third inning of a 4-3 loss to Tampa Bay on July 20.

"He does everything right,' Toronto manager John Gibbons said. "He's `old reliable.' He's been around for a while and has had a tremendous career.'

Buehrle has yielded seven hits and struck out 11 over 16 innings of his last two starts. He stifled Oakland for seven innings in Tuesday's 5-0 win, scattering five hits.

"You still have to make your pitches and hit location and it is still a lot of luck,' he said.

If anything, Gibbons needs Buehrle to show some stamina since Toronto starters have lasted 11 innings in the previous three games. The Blue Jays were already swept in a four-game set at Yankee Stadium April 25-28.

"Starting pitching is the name of the game, and it's really hurt us this year,' Gibbons said.

Including the postseason, Buehrle is 3-7 with a 4.11 ERA in 20 starts against the Angels, but he has not faced them since 2011.

Howie Kendrick is batting .353 (6 for 17) with four extra-base hits against Buehrle and had three hits with an RBI in Los Angeles' 7-3 victory Saturday. He's hitting .324 with six RBIs in the last eight contests.

Angels rookie outfielder Kole Calhoun went 2 for 9 in the first four games since making his season debut last Sunday, but is 7 for 13 in the series and has homered the last two contests. He delivered a two-run, go-ahead home run off All-Star reliever Steve Delabar in Friday's 7-5 victory.

"(Friday) night was definitely a lot of fun, and (Saturday) was just another good team win,' Calhoun said.

Wilson (11-6, 3.48) allowed five earned runs over 36 innings to win four of five starts before he gave up six runs and a season-high 11 hits while throwing 109 pitches in four innings of a wild 14-11, 10-inning loss at Texas on Tuesday.

The left-hander went 1-0 with a 2.08 ERA in two starts against the Blue Jays last season.

Ex-Angel Maicer Izturis is batting .355 (11 for 31) with three doubles against Wilson, but is 1 for 10 in the series and 5 for 43 (.116) in his last 14 games.

Teammate Edwin Encarnacion went 2 for 3 with an RBI on Saturday, and is batting .409 (9 for 22) in his last seven against the Angels.

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SERIES AT A GLANCE

GAME 1
Blue Jays at Angels
Thu, Aug 1 Final 2 to 8
Boxscores • Recaps

GAME 2
Blue Jays at Angels
Fri, Aug 2 Final 5 to 7
Boxscores • Recaps

GAME 3
Blue Jays at Angels
Sat, Aug 3 Final 3 to 7
Boxscores • Recaps

GAME 4
Blue Jays at Angels
Sun, Aug 4 - 3:35PM EDT

[StarDust Bum]

Preview: Rangers (61-50) at Athletics (64-46)
Game: 3
Venue: O.co Coliseum
Date: August 04, 2013 4:05 PM EDT


After slowing the Texas Rangers' momentum, the Oakland Athletics will seek to win their pivotal AL West series with help from A.J. Griffin.

The right-hander will try to produce another strong outing against Texas and help the A's push their lead over the Rangers to 4 1/2 games after Sunday's finale.

Trailing by six games after last weekend, Texas (61-50) had a chance to pull within 1 1/2 with a season-high sixth straight win Saturday. Instead, the Athletics snapped their three-game slide with a 4-2 victory.

Yoenis Cespedes' home run - only his second since June 21 - highlighted a three-run first inning for Oakland (64-46).

"You've got to do what you've got to do to win a game. We were fortunate enough to string together at_bats and come away with the win," catcher Stephen Vogt told the team's website. "I think any time you can go out and get a win against a team like that ... it's going to be a good boost for you as a team. Our goal is to have good at_bats, quality at_bats, and hopefully we can continue to do that."

Griffin (10-7, 3.90 ERA) will try to deliver another key victory for the A's while earning his sixth win in seven decisions. He picked up his second in as many starts Monday against Toronto despite having trouble keeping the ball in the park once more.

Griffin gave up three home runs, which accounted for all of the Blue Jays' four runs over his seven innings, in a 9-4 victory. The 26 homers he's allowed are the most in the majors, and he's given up eight in the past three games.

He has given up a home run in each of his two starts against Texas this season but little else. Griffin is 1-0 with a 2.19 ERA in those matchups, including a 5-1 home win May 13.

Derek Holland (8-6, 3.18) will try to avoid a third straight loss by continuing his success on the road. The left-hander is 5-0 with a 2.45 ERA in his last eight starts away from home but did not get a decision in a 6-5 win in Oakland on May 14.

Holland allowed four runs over 5 2-3 innings in that game after going 4-0 with a 2.13 ERA in his previous seven matchups.

"They are all big games from here on out," he told the team's website. "We're chasing Oakland. Obviously every game counts, but these are big games. It's a chance to gain ground, a turning point, and take off from there."

Holland has a 3.80 ERA in his last three overall outings and got a combined one run of support in his first two during that stretch.

He got six Tuesday against the Los Angeles Angels but did not get a decision in a wild 14-11 victory in 10 innings. Holland gave up four runs over six innings with three of those coming on a pair of home runs.

He's given up 11 homers this season but five in the last six games.

The recently acquired Alberto Callaspo is 12 for 35 (.343) with five doubles and a home run lifetime against Holland. Josh Donaldson has five hits in his last six at_bats, including two doubles and a home run.

The Rangers' Elvis Andrus, riding a career-high 16-game hit streak, is 1 for 9 with three strikeouts against Griffin in his career.

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SERIES AT A GLANCE

GAME 1
Rangers at Athletics
Fri, Aug 2 Final 8 to 3
Boxscores • Recaps

GAME 2
Rangers at Athletics
Sat, Aug 3 Final 2 to 4
Boxscores • Recaps

GAME 3
Rangers at Athletics
Sun, Aug 4 - 4:05PM EDT

[StarDust Bum]

Preview: Yankees (57-52) at Padres (51-60)
Game: 3
Venue: PETCO Park
Date: August 04, 2013 4:10 PM EDT


Ian Kennedy admitted being traded isn't a great feeling, but he's ready to help improve a San Diego Padres rotation that has one of the worst ERAs in the NL.

He'll make his first start for San Diego in Sunday's finale against the visiting New York Yankees, who were the first to trade the right-hander nearly four years ago.

Kennedy, the 21st overall pick of the Yankees in 2006, went 1-4 with a 6.03 ERA in 12 starts and two relief appearances for New York from 2007-09 before being traded to Arizona in December 2009 in the three-team deal that brought Curtis Granderson to the Bronx.

Kennedy had a career season in 2011 for the Diamondbacks by going 21-4 with a 2.88 ERA before winning 15 games in 2012, but he hasn't been able to find that form this year.

Arizona traded Kennedy (3-8, 5.23 ERA) to San Diego on Wednesday for left-handed reliever Joe Thatcher, a minor leaguer and a draft pick.

"You work so hard with the team you're with and then you get traded," Kennedy told the team's official website. "But I'm excited because I got to come to a team that I'm familiar with, a division that I'm familiar with -- kind of a little mixed emotions."

Kennedy also finds it a bit strange that he'll be making his first start with the Padres against the team he came up with.

"It's kind of ironic," Kennedy said. "Kind of (have) come a little full circle."

San Diego starters rank 14th in the NL with a 4.59 ERA, a mark Kennedy looks to help improve as he faces a New York team that won Saturday's contest 3-0.

Granderson, who came off the disabled list before Friday's 7-2 loss to the Padres, hit a two-run homer in the seventh.

"I've talked about how Curtis can change the complexion of the game really quickly, and that's what he did," manager Joe Girardi said. "That's why I put him in the four slot, because of how he can change a game. It's really nice to have him back.'

The Yankees (57-52) will again be without Derek Jeter, who has a sore right leg and also was held out of the lineup Saturday. Girardi said Jeter needs to rest for at least another day.

"It's a concern of ours and we've got to try to get him healthy,' Girardi said.

San Diego (51-60) had won five of six prior to Saturday's defeat. It has been held to two runs or fewer six times over its last 10 games.

The Padres will look to bounce back while facing Kennedy's former teammate of three years, Phil Hughes, on Sunday.

Hughes (4-9, 4.58), much like Kennedy, has been struggling this season. He's lasted fewer than five innings seven times, including last Sunday when he allowed five runs and nine hits in four frames of New York's 6-5 win over Tampa Bay.

"I wasn't able to hold a lead twice, something us starters take a lot of pride in," Hughes said. "To not be able to do that is disappointing."

The right-hander has never faced the Padres, who have lost 12 of 15 all-time meetings - beginning with the Yankees sweeping the 1998 World Series.

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SERIES AT A GLANCE

GAME 1
Yankees at Padres
Fri, Aug 2 Final 2 to 7
Boxscores • Recaps

GAME 2
Yankees at Padres
Sat, Aug 3 Final 3 to 0
Boxscores • Recaps

GAME 3
Yankees at Padres
Sun, Aug 4 - 4:10PM EDT

[StarDust Bum]

Preview: Braves (66-45) at Phillies (50-60)
Game: 3
Venue: Citizens Bank Park
Date: August 04, 2013 8:05 PM EDT


The Atlanta Braves managed to extend their lengthy win streak despite one of their worst performances at the plate during that run.

They'll try to keep rolling by adding to Cliff Lee's recent issues.

The Braves will hope to take advantage of Lee's struggles to keep the ball in the park as they look to record their second 10-game win streak of the season Sunday night.

Atlanta (66-45) had just five hits Saturday and went 1 for 14 with runners in scoring position, but won 5-4 in 12 innings. Freddie Freeman hit a key two-run single in the fifth and Dan Uggla drove in the go-ahead run by beating out a potential double-play grounder.

"Uggla really busted it down the line," manager Fredi Gonzalez said. "The winning run came on a double-play ball, but our two runners made a difference."

The Braves are batting .303 with 62 runs during their streak and had 10 or more hits in six consecutive games before Saturday's win. They'll try to recapture that prowess when they face Lee (10-4, 3.05 ERA) for the second time in less than a month.

He kept the Braves scoreless for six innings July 5 before giving up four runs in his final frame. Uggla hit a three-run homer, but Philadelphia's bullpen closed it out to give Lee a 5-4 victory.

He's 0-2 with a 6.23 ERA in his two starts since that game with all nine of his runs allowed coming on seven homers. He gave up three longballs in a 5-0 loss to the New York Mets on July 21 and had to skip a scheduled start July 27 due to neck stiffness.

Lee was rumored to be on the trading block, but Phillies general manager Ruben Amaro said there were few discussions about the left-hander.

"To be frank ... someone would have had to bowl us over to do something on Cliff," Amaro told the team's official website. "He's a top-of-the-rotation (guy) who would be very difficult to replace."

Prior to Lee's rough inning against the Braves last month, he was 4-1 with a 0.78 ERA in his previous six starts in the series. He gave up two hits over eight innings and struck out eight in a 2-0 win April 4.

Atlanta followed that loss with 10 consecutive wins from April 5-16.

The Braves' Alex Wood (1-2, 3.51) will try to build on his first major league win against the scuffling Phillies (50-60), losers in 12 of 13 and a season-high four in a row at home. In his third career start, Wood gave up three runs over seven innings and struck out seven in an 11-3 victory against Colorado on Tuesday.

The left-hander could have a prime chance to pick up another victory as Atlanta has won 10 of 14 in Philadelphia in the past two seasons. The Braves started that stretch with a three-game sweep July 6-8, 2012.

Darin Ruf, who has reached base in 31 consecutive games, is the only active Phillies player to get a hit off Wood. His streak is the longest in the majors this season and the longest by a Philadelphia hitter since Chase Utley's 33-game run Sept. 7, 2008-April 22, 2009.

Justin Upton, batting .353 with three homers during an eight-game hit streak, is 5 for 9 against Lee over the past two seasons.

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SERIES AT A GLANCE

GAME 1
Braves at Phillies
Fri, Aug 2 Final 6 to 4
Boxscores • Recaps

GAME 2
Braves at Phillies
Sat, Aug 3 Final 5 to 4
Boxscores • Recaps

GAME 3
Braves at Phillies
Sun, Aug 4 - 8:05PM EDT

[StarDust Bum]

MLB
Short Sheet

Sunday, August 4

National League

St. Louis at Cincinnati, 1:10 ET
Lynn: Cardinals 19-11 SU when Lynn starts on the road
Leake: Over is 5-1-1 in last seven home starts during the day for Leake

Atlanta at Philadelphia, 8:05 ET ESPN
Wood: Braves 5-12 SU in last game of a 2013 road series
Lee: Over is 11-5 in Phillies' 2013 home series finales

Colorado at Pittsburgh, 1:35 ET
Nicasio: Over is 8-3 in Nicasio's road starts in 2013
Burnett: Pirates 21-9 at home in 2013 when the team won in starter's last outing

Washington at Milwaukee, 2:10 ET
Jordan: Under is 9-2 in Nationals' last 11 road games
Lohse: Under is 8-2 in Lohse's home starts in 2013

Los Angeles Dodgers at Chicago Cubs, 2:20 ET
Greinke: Dodgers 4-0 SU in Greinke's last four road starts
Villanueva: Cubs 1-5 SU in Villanueva's last six home starts


American League

Chicago White Sox at Detroit, 1:08 ET
Rienzo: White Sox 3-8 SU in last 11 road series finales
Porcello: Over is 5-1 when Porcello starts a home day game in 2013

Seattle at Baltimore, 1:35 ET
Saunders: Mariners 5-12 SU in road series finales in 2013
Chen: Over is 4-1 last five times Orioles have faced a southpaw at home

Houston at Minnesota, 2:10 ET
Keuchel: Astros 3-20 SU in a daytime series finale in 2013
Pelfrey: Over is 6-3 in Twins home day games since June 1

Toronto at Los Angeles Angels, 3:35 ET
Buehrle: Blue Jays 4-8 SU when facing a southpaw on the road
Wilson: Under is 8-2 when Wilson starts home game

Texas at Oakland, 4:05 ET
Holland: Over is 7-3-1 in 2013 when Holland starts on the road
Griffin: Athletics are 16-3 SU when Griffin starts at home


Interleague

Cleveland at Miami, 1:10 ET
Kazmir: Indians 3-7 SU when Kazmir starts on the road
Eovaldi: Under is 11-4 when Eovaldi starts at home

Kansas City at New York Mets, 1:10 ET
Santana: Over is 5-1 in last six Royals' road series finales
Wheeler: Mets 6-2 SU with Wheeler as a starter

Arizona at Boston, 1:35 ET TBS
McCarthy: Under is 5-2 when Diamondbacks are road dogs in an away series finale
Doubront: Red Sox 14-6 SU in home day games in 2013

San Francisco at Tampa Bay, 1:40 ET
Moscoso: Under is 13-5 in last 18 series finales for Giants
Hernandez: Last six Rays home games during the day have been Under

New York Yankees at San Diego Padres, 4:10 ET
Hughes: Yankees 20-7 SU since start of 2012 in road series finale played during the day
Kennedy: Padres 3-7 SU in last 10 home series finales

[StarDust Bum]

MLB
Armadillo's Write-Up

Sunday, August 4

Hot pitchers
-- Leake is 3-0, 2.00 in his last four starts. Lynn is 1-0, 1.38 in his last two.
-- Lohse is 6-1, 2.36 in his last eleven starts.
-- Greinke is 5-1, 2.73 in his last eight starts.

-- Eovaldi is 1-0, 2.25 in three home starts this season. Kazmir is 2-0, 3.55 in his last four starts.
-- Wheeler is 3-0, 3.56 in his last five starts.
-- Hernandez is 3-1, 3.96 in his last four starts.
-- Doubront is 4-2, 2.65 in his last eight starts; Red Sox are 12-2 in his starts when they give him 3+ runs.

-- WChen is 4-0, 1.91 in his last five starts.
-- Porcello is 4-0, 2.08 in his last four starts.
-- A's won Griffin's last four home starts (3-0, 3.71).
-- Wilson is 8-1, 3.23 in his last ten starts. Buehrle is 2-0, 0.00 in his last two starts; he hasn't allowed a run in his last 20 IP.

Cold pitchers
-- Lee is 1-2, 5.47 in his last four starts. Wood is 1-1, 5.02 in his three starts.
-- Nicasio is 1-3, 9.33 in his last four road starts. Burnett is 0-1, 4.15 in his last five outings.
-- Jordan is 1-3, 4.33 in six starts this season.
-- Villanueva is 0-6, 6.47 in his last nine starts.

-- Santana is 2-0, 2.01 in his last three starts.
-- McCarthy was 2-1, 2.36 in his last four starts before going on DL; his last start was May 30.
-- Moscoso is making first '13 start; he is 7-5, 3.93 in 17 AAA starts in 2013, 11-12, 4.19 in 24 career MLB starts, most of which were with A's in '11.
-- Hughes is 0-2, 6.00 in his last four starts. Kennedy was 0-4, 7.07 in his last five starts for Arizona.

-- Rienzo allowed three runs in seven IP in his first '13 start.
-- Saunders is 0-2, 11.17 in his last two starts.
-- Peacock is 1-3, 8.44 in five starts, last of which was April 27; he was 6-2, 2.73 in 13 AAA starts since then. Pelfrey is 0-3, 4.15 in his last four starts.
-- Holland is 0-2, 3.80 in his last three starts.

Starting Pitchers/First Inning
You can wager on whether teams will score in the first inning. You're reading ***************.com. Below is how often a starting pitcher has allowed 1+ runs in first inning in one of his starts........
-- Lynn 6-22; Leake 4-21
-- Wood 1-3; Lee 3-20
-- Nicasio 8-20; Burnett 5-19
-- Jordan 1-6; Lohse 7-22
-- Greinke 5-17; Villanueva 7-13

-- Kazmir 5-19; Eovaldi 2-8
-- Santana 9-22; Wheeler 4-8
-- McCarthy 4-11; Doubront 4-19
-- Moscoso 0-0; Hernandez 7-20
-- Hughes 5-20; Kennedy 9-21

-- Rienzo 0-1; Porcello 3-19
-- Saunders 7-22; WChen 3-12
-- Peacock 2-5; Pelfrey 7-19
-- Buehrle 5-22; Wilson 5-21
-- Holland 3-22; Griffin 2-22

Totals
-- Under is 6-1-1 in last eight Dodger games.
-- Over is 7-1-1 in last nine Colorado games.
-- Last six Atlanta games went over the total.
-- You're reading www.***************.com
-- Six of last eight Cincinnati games stayed under the total.
-- Nine of last eleven Washington road games stayed under.

-- Nine of last twelve Miami games stayed under total.
-- Under is 8-2-1 in Kansas City's last eleven games.
-- 10 of last 12 Tampa Bay games stayed under.
-- Five of last six Arizona games stayed under the total.
-- Five of last six San Diego games stayed under the total.

-- Over is 5-0-1 in last six Seattle games.
-- Porcello's last five home starts went over the total.
-- Four of last five Pelfrey starts stayed under the total.
-- Eight of last eleven Texas games stayed under total.
-- Seven of last nine Toronto road games went over total.

Hot teams
-- Dodgers are 30-7 in their last 37 games; they've won 13 in row on road.
-- Braves won their last nine games, scoring 62 runs.
-- Pirates won five of their last seven games.
-- Nationals won five of their last seven games.

-- Indians won nine of their last ten games. Miami is 8-5 in its last 13.
-- Royals won ten of their last eleven games.
-- Tampa Bay won 24 of its last 30 games. Giants won three of last four.
-- Red Sox won six of their last eight games.
-- Padres won five of their last seven games.

-- Detroit won 11 of its last 12 games.
-- Rangers won five of their last six games.
-- Angels won their last three games, scoring 22 runs.

Cold teams
-- Cubs lost five of their last six games.
-- Rockies lost six of their last eight games.
-- Phillies lost 12 of their last 13 games.
-- St Louis lost eight of its last ten games. Reds lost six of their last eight.
-- Milwaukee lost five of its last six home games.

-- Mets are 3-6 in their last nine games.
-- Diamondbacks lost five of their last seven games.
-- Bronx Bombers lost 10 of their last 16 games.

-- Seattle lost six of its last eight games. Orioles lost seven of last eleven.
-- White Sox lost their last nine games, scoring 17 runs.
-- You're reading www.***************.com
-- Houston lost eight of its last ten games. Twins lost nine of last 13 ast home, but won last two, scoring 10 runs.
-- A's lost three of their last four games.
-- Toronto lost 14 of its last 20 games.

Umpires
-- Atl-Phil-- 11 of last 12 Danley games stayed under the total.
-- LA-Chi-- Five of last six Layne games went over the total.
-- Col-Pitt-- Underdogs are 4-4 (+$137) in last eight Kulpa games.
-- Wsh-Mil-- Nine of last ten Darling games stayed under total.
-- StL-Cin-- Five of last seven Bellino games stayed under total.

-- KC-NY-- Seven of last eight Wolf games stayed under total.
-- Cle-Mia-- Under is 7-2-2 in last eleven Nauert games.
-- SF-TB-- Favorites won four of last five Hamari games.
-- Az-Bos-- Under is 10-2-1 in last thirteen Schrieber games.
-- NY-SD-- Five of last six Marquez games stayed under total.

-- Tex-A's-- 16 of last 20 Miller games stayed under the total.
-- Sea-Balt-- Six of last seven Gorman games stayed under total.
-- Chi-Det-- Over is 12-7-1 in last twenty McClelland games.
-- Hst-Min-- Underdogs are 15-9 in Reynolds games this season.
-- Tor-LA-- Last five Davis games stayed under the total.

[StarDust Bum]

MLB

Sunday, August 4

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Trend Report
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1:08 PM
CHI WHITE SOX vs. DETROIT
Chi White Sox are 2-10 SU in their last 12 games when playing on the road against Detroit
Chi White Sox are 0-5 SU in their last 5 games
Detroit is 5-1 SU in their last 6 games when playing Chi White Sox
Detroit is 10-2 SU in their last 12 games when playing at home against Chi White Sox

1:10 PM
CLEVELAND vs. MIAMI
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Cleveland's last 5 games
Cleveland is 9-1 SU in its last 10 games
The total has gone UNDER in 15 of Miami's last 18 games
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Miami's last 6 games when playing Cleveland

1:10 PM
ST. LOUIS vs. CINCINNATI
St. Louis is 2-8 SU in its last 10 games
St. Louis is 2-8 SU in its last 10 games on the road
The total has gone OVER in 7 of Cincinnati's last 8 games when playing at home against St. Louis
Cincinnati is 2-4 SU in its last 6 games when playing at home against St. Louis

1:10 PM
KANSAS CITY vs. NY METS
Kansas City is 10-1 SU in its last 11 games
The total has gone UNDER in 6 of Kansas City's last 8 games on the road
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of NY Mets's last 5 games
NY Mets are 3-6 SU in its last 9 games

1:35 PM
SEATTLE vs. BALTIMORE
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Seattle's last 6 games on the road
Seattle is 1-4 SU in its last 5 games on the road
Baltimore is 10-3 SU in its last 13 games when playing Seattle
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Baltimore's last 5 games when playing Seattle

1:35 PM
ARIZONA vs. BOSTON
Arizona is 1-6 SU in its last 7 games when playing Boston
The total has gone UNDER in 8 of Arizona's last 10 games when playing Boston
Boston is 6-1 SU in its last 7 games when playing at home against Arizona
The total has gone UNDER in 6 of Boston's last 8 games when playing at home against Arizona

1:35 PM
COLORADO vs. PITTSBURGH
The total has gone OVER in 7 of Colorado's last 9 games
Colorado is 1-5 SU in its last 6 games on the road
Pittsburgh is 4-2 SU in its last 6 games when playing Colorado
Pittsburgh is 5-2 SU in its last 7 games

1:40 PM
SAN FRANCISCO vs. TAMPA BAY
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of San Francisco's last 6 games on the road
The total has gone UNDER in 6 of San Francisco's last 8 games
Tampa Bay is 13-3 SU in its last 16 games at home
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Tampa Bay's last 5 games

2:10 PM
HOUSTON vs. MINNESOTA
Houston is 3-6 SU in its last 9 games when playing on the road against Minnesota
Houston is 1-5 SU in its last 6 games
Minnesota is 2-4 SU in its last 6 games
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Minnesota's last 6 games

2:10 PM
WASHINGTON vs. MILWAUKEE
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Washington's last 7 games
Washington is 5-2 SU in its last 7 games
Milwaukee is 1-5 SU in its last 6 games at home
Milwaukee is 2-5 SU in its last 7 games when playing Washington

2:20 PM
LA DODGERS vs. CHI CUBS
LA Dodgers are 7-1 SU in their last 8 games
The total has gone UNDER in 8 of LA Dodgers's last 12 games when playing Chi Cubs
The total has gone UNDER in 9 of Chi Cubs's last 11 games
Chi Cubs are 1-6 SU in their last 7 games

3:35 PM
TORONTO vs. LA ANGELS
Toronto is 1-4 SU in their last 5 games when playing LA Angels
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Toronto's last 5 games when playing on the road against LA Angels
LA Angels are 4-1 SU in their last 5 games when playing Toronto
The total has gone OVER in 5 of LA Angels's last 5 games when playing Toronto

4:05 PM
TEXAS vs. OAKLAND
Texas is 3-6 SU in its last 9 games when playing on the road against Oakland
The total has gone UNDER in 7 of Texas's last 10 games when playing on the road against Oakland
Oakland is 14-7 SU in its last 21 games at home
Oakland is 2-5 SU in its last 7 games when playing Texas

4:10 PM
NY YANKEES vs. SAN DIEGO
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of NY Yankees's last 6 games
NY Yankees are 6-1 SU in their last 7 games when playing San Diego
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of San Diego's last 6 games
San Diego is 5-2 SU in its last 7 games

8:05 PM
ATLANTA vs. PHILADELPHIA
Atlanta is 7-3 SU in its last 10 games when playing Philadelphia
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Atlanta's last 5 games when playing on the road against Philadelphia
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Philadelphia's last 5 games when playing at home against Atlanta
Philadelphia is 3-7 SU in its last 10 games when playing Atlanta

[StarDust Bum]

MLB

Sunday, August 4

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Sunday's MLB betting notes and tips
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NATIONAL

St. Louis Cardinals at Cincinnati Reds (-125, 8)

Cold pitching stat: Reds starter Mike Leake is 2-3 with a 4.76 ERA in seven career appearances (six starts) versus the Cards.

Cold batting stat: Cards OF Carlos Beltran is 2-for-18 (.111) in his career versus Leake.

Weather: Temperatures will be in the high-70s with mostly sunny skies. Wind will blow out to right field at 10 mph.

Key betting note: The Cardinals are 20-5 in SP Lance Lynn's last 25 starts versus the National League Central.

Colorado Rockies at Pittsburgh Pirates (-174, 7.5)

Hot pitching stat: Despite a dynamite 2.08 ERA in his five July starts, Pirates starter A.J. Burnett finished the month 0-1. Burnett gets the fourth-lowest run support in the bigs among qualified pitchers at just 3.16 runs per game.

Cold batting stat: Rockies OF Michael Cuddyer is 3-for-24 with eight K's in his career versus Burnett.

Weather: Temperatures will be in the low-70s with partly cloudy skies. Wind will blow out to right field at 12 mph. There is a 20 percent chance of rain in the forecast.

Key betting note: The Rockies are 5-13 in SP Juan Nicasio's last 18 starts as an underdog.

Washington Nationals at Milwaukee Brewers (-117, 8.5)

Hot pitching stat: Brewers starter Kyle Lohse gave up just four hits and one earned run over eight excellent innings in a 4-1 victory over the Nationals back on July 3.

Hot batting stat: Nats OF Jayson Werth is 8-for-25 (.320) with three doubles and three home runs in his career versus Lohse.

Weather: Temperatures will be in the low-70s with mostly sunny skies. Wind will blow from left field to right field at 6 mph. There is a 10 percent chance of rain in the forecast.

Key betting note: The Brewers are 6-0 in Lohse's last six home starts.

Los Angeles Dodgers at Chicago Cubs (+119, 7.5)

Cold pitching stat: Cubs starter Carlos Villanueva went 0-3 with a 6.11 ERA in his six July starts.

Cold batting stat: Dodgers 1B Adrian Gonzalez is 3-for-15 (.200) in his career versus Cubs starter Carlos Villanueva.

Weather: Temperatures will be in the mid-70s with mostly sunny skies. Wind will blow in from center field at 7 mph.

Key betting note: The Cubs are 1-5 in Villanueva's last six home starts.

Atlanta Braves at Philadelphia Phillies (-125, 7.5)

Cold pitching stat: Phillies starter Cliff Lee is 0-2 with a 6.23 ERA in his previous two starts.

Cold batting stat: Braves OF Jason Heyward is 2-for-17 (.118) in his career versus Lee.

Weather: Temperatures will be in the low-70s with mostly sunny skies. Wind will blow in from left field at 11 mph.

Key betting note: The under is 22-5-1 in umpire Kerwin Danley's last 28 games behind home plate.


AMERICAN

Chicago White Sox at Detroit Tigers (-210, 8.5)

Hot pitching stat: Detroit's Rick Porcello was brilliant in the month of July. He won all four of his starts and posted a 2.08 ERA.

Cold batting stat: Alexei Ramirez of the White Sox is 5-for-36 (.139) in his career versus Porcello.

Weather: Temperatures will be in the low-70s with partly cloudy skies. Wind will blow out to center field at 11 mph. There is a 10 percent chance of rain in the forecast.

Key betting note: The under is 5-1 in Porcello's last six starts versus the White Sox.

Seattle Mariners at Baltimore Orioles (-184, 9.5)

Cold pitching stat: Seattle's Joe Saunders put up identical nine hit, five earned run performances in his last two outings. His ERA is 9.31 in those previous two starts.

Hot batting stat: Mariners OF Michael Morse hit a two-run homer off O's starter Wei-Yin Chen on May 1. Morse is 3-for-5 with a walk in his career versus the Orioles' southpaw.

Weather: Temperatures will be in the low-80s with sunny skies. Wind will blow from left field to right field at 15 mph.

Key betting note: The Orioles are 5-0 in Chen's last five home starts.

Houston Astros at Minnesota Twins (OFF, OFF)

Cold pitching stat: Twins starter Mike Pelfrey took a beating in his last start. The righty gave up eight hits, four earned runs and a home run en route to the 7-2 loss versus the Kansas City Royals on July 30.

Hot batting stat: Twins 2B Brian Dozier went 3-for-7 with a run and two RBIs, including the walk off, game-winning single in the bottom of the 13th inning in Friday's 4-3 victory.

Weather: Temperatures will be in the mid-70s with partly cloudy skies. Wind will blow in from right field at 5 mph. There is a 20 percent chance of rain in the forecast for gametime.

Key betting note: The under is 8-1 in umpire Jim Reynolds' last nine Sunday games behind home plate.

Toronto Blue Jays at Los Angeles Angels (-141, 8.5)

Hot pitching stat: Toronto's Mark Buehrle has been a breath of fresh air for Jays' pitching. The lefty is 2-0 while tossing 16 shutout innings over his last two starts.

Hot batting stat: Jays 1B/DH Adam Lind is 5-for-10 with a homer, double and triple in his career versus Angels starter C.J. Wilson.

Weather: Temperatures will be in the mid-70s with sunny skies. Wind will blow out to right field at 7 mph.

Key betting note: The under is 7-1 in Buehrle's last eight road starts.

Texas Rangers at Oakland A's (-123, 7.5)

Cold pitching stat: Oakland's starter A.J. Griffin has surrendered eight homers in his previous three starts.

Cold batting stat: A's OF Coco Crisp is just 1-for-10 in his career versus Rangers starter Derek Holland.

Weather: Temperatures will be in the mid-60s with sunny skies. Wind will blow out to right field at 12 mph.

Key betting note: The Rangers are 8-1 in Holland's last nine starts versus the American League West.


INTERLEAGUE

Kansas City Royals at New York Mets (+130, 7.5)

Hot pitching stat: Royals starter Ervin Santana is 2-0 with a 1.21 ERA over his previous three starts. The Royals are 3-0 in those starts.

Cold batting stat: Royals OF Alex Gordon is 0-for-8 through the first two games of the series.

Weather: Temperatures will be in the high-70s with partly cloudy skies. Wind will blow from left field to right field at 13 mph. There is a 20 percent chance of thunderstorms in the forecast for gametime.

Key betting note: The over is 11-1-1 in umpire Jim Wolf's last 13 interleague games behind home plate.

Cleveland Indians at Miami Marlins (+110, 7.5)

Hot pitching stat: Indians starter Scott Kazmir was 2-0 with a 2.75 ERA in his six July starts.

Cold batting stat: Tribe hitters fanned 14 times against Jose Fernandez in Friday's 10-0 loss.

Weather: Temperatures will be in the high-90s with a 30 percent chance of thunderstorms in the forecast. Wind will blow from right field to left field at 4 mph.

Key betting note: The Indians are 12-2 in their last 14 during Game 3 of a series.

New York Yankees at San Diego Padres (-110, 7.5)

Cold pitching stat: Yankees starter Phil Hughes had a rough outing his last time out. The righty surrendered five earned runs, nine hits and two homers over his four innings of work against the Tampa Bay Rays.

Cold pitching stat: Padres slugger Carlos Quentin is 0-for-6 lifetime versus Hughes.

Weather: Temperatures will be in the low-70s with sunny skies. Wind will blow from left field to right field at 10 mph.

Key betting note: The under is 5-1 in Hughes' last six starts versus a team with a losing record.

Arizona Diamondbacks at Boston Red Sox (-185, 9.5)

Cold pitching stat: After reeling off three straight wins, Sox starter Felix Doubront has lost his last two outings.

Cold batting stat: Sox 1B Mike Napoli is 3-for-16 (.188) lifetime versus scheduled DBacks starter Brandon McCarthy.

Weather: Temperatures will be in the mid-70s with partly cloudy skies. Wind will blow from left field to right field at 6 mph. There is a 10 percent chance of rain in the forecast.

Key betting note: The Diamondbacks are 5-1 in their last six games versus a left-handed starter.

San Francisco Giants at Tampa Bay Rays (-200, 9)

Cold pitching stat: Guillermo Moscoso is slated to get the start for San Francisco. It will be his first start of the season.

Hot batting stat: Giants 1B Brandon Belt busted out of his slump in a big way Friday. Belt went 3-for-4 with a home run and triple in the Giants' 4-1 victory.

Weather: Dome.

Key betting note: The under is 6-1-1 in Rays' SP Roberto Hernandez's last eight starts overall.


** Odds, probable starters, stats and weather forecast as of 10:44 p.m. ET.

[StarDust Bum]

MLB

Sunday, August 4

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Sunday Night Baseball: Braves at Phillies
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Atlanta Braves at Philadelphia Phillies (-125, 7.5)

LEE-VING IT ON THE MOUND

The Phillies will welcome the return of Cliff Lee to the mound where he is 10-4 with a 3.05 ERA and 1.01 WHIP on the season. The lefty missed his last start due to neck stiffness. Lee last pitched on July 21st in New York against the Mets; he allowed five runs and seven hits in six innings. That was his third straight outing in which he allowed four earned runs or more. Lee beat the Braves at home on July 5 despite allowing four runs and eight hits in just over six innings. The southpaw pitched fantastically to open his season in Atlanta back on April 4 giving up just two hits in eight innings.

WOOD LIKE ANOTHER VICTORY

Alex Wood is making his third start of the season; he is coming off a victory over the Rockies. Wood gave up three runs and six hits in seven innings to pick up the win over Colorado. The southpaw struck out 12 while walking only three in his two previous starts this season. He threw 1 2/3 innings in Philadelphia back on July 6 and 7 and gave up one run and two hits. The southpaw was 5-2 with a 1.31 ERA in 11 starts between AA and AAA this season. Wood struck out 62 in those games while walking only 17.

INJURY REPORT

These two NL East rivals are two of the most banged up teams in the league. As mentioned above, Cliff Lee is dealing with a stiff neck. His rotation mates Jonathan Pettibone and Roy Halladay are out due to shoulder ailments. Ben Revere and Ryan Howard are out of the lineup due to knee and foot problems. Mike Adams is done for the season with three tears in his shoulder.

The Braves’ bullpen is nowhere near 100% with Eric O'Flaherty and Jonny Venters both getting Tommy John surgery. Tim Hudson and Paul Maholm are both out of the rotation with Hudson done for the season. Reed Johnson and Jordan Schafer are also on the disabled list as well.

TRENDS

Braves are 16-7 in their last 23 Sunday games
Braves are 1-5 their last six games with ump Kerwin Danley behind home plate

Phillies are 3-8 in Lee’s last 11 Sunday starts
Phillies are 19-9 Under in Lee’s last 28 starts

HITTERS TO WATCH

Jimmy Rollins 0-for-2 vs. Wood
Darin Ruf 1-for-1 vs. Wood

Jason Heyward 2-for-17 vs. Lee
Brian McCann 8-for-23 vs. Lee

[StarDust Bum]

MLB
Dunkel

Kansas City at NY Mets
The Royals look to build on their 7-0 record in their last 7 road games as a favorite of -110 to -150. Kansas City is the pick (-145) according to Dunkel, which has the Royals favored by 1 1/2. Dunkel Pick: Kansas City (-145). Here are all of today's picks.

SUNDAY, AUGUST 4

Game 951-952: St. Louis at Cincinnati (1:10 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: St. Louis (Lynn) 15.436; Cincinnati (Leake) 16.951
Dunkel Line: Cincinnati by 1 1/2; 9
Vegas Line: Cincinnati (-130); 8
Dunkel Pick: Cincinnati (-130); Over

Game 953-954: Atlanta at Philadelphia (8:05 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Atlanta (Wood) 17.027; Philadelphia (Lee) 14.566
Dunkel Line: Atlanta by 2 1/2; 7
Vegas Line: Philadelphia (-125); 7 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Atlanta (+105); Under

Game 955-956: Colorado at Pittsburgh (1:35 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Colorado (Nicasio) 13.728; Pittsburgh (Burnett) 15.023
Dunkel Line: Pittsburgh by 1 1/2; 8
Vegas Line: Pittsburgh (-185); 7 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Pittsburgh (-185); Over

Game 957-958: Washington at Milwaukee (2:10 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Washington (Jordan) 15.512; Milwaukee (Lohse) 13.711
Dunkel Line: Washington by 2; 7
Vegas Line: Milwaukee (-120); 8 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Washington (+100); Under

Game 959-960: LA Dodgers at Chicago Cubs (2:20 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: LA Dodgers (Fife) 14.421; Cubs (Villanueva) 14.961
Dunkel Line: Chicago Cubs by 1/2; 9
Vegas Line: LA Dodgers (-130); No Run Total
Dunkel Pick: Chicago Cubs (+110); N/A

Game 961-962: Chicago White Sox at Detroit (1:08 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: White Sox (Rienzo) 14.825; Detroit (Porcello) 17.587
Dunkel Line: Detroit by 3; 8
Vegas Line: Detroit (-220); 8 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Detroit (-220); Under

Game 963-964: Seattle at Baltimore (1:35 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Seattle (Saunders) 13.588; Baltimore (Chen) 15.015
Dunkel Line: Baltimore by 1 1/2; 8
Vegas Line: Baltimore (-200); 9 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Baltimore (-200); Under

Game 965-966: Houston at Minnesota (2:10 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Houston (Peacock) 14.868; Minnesota (Pelfrey) 13.919
Dunkel Line: Houston by 1; 9
Vegas Line: Minnesota (-170); 8
Dunkel Pick: Houston (+150); Over

Game 967-968: Toronto at LA Angels (3:35 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Toronto (Buehrle) 14.123; LA Angels (Wilson) 15.692
Dunkel Line: LA Angels by 1 1/2; 9
Vegas Line: LA Angels (-145); 8
Dunkel Pick: LA Angels (-145); Over

Game 969-970: Texas at Oakland (4:05 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Texas (Holland) 15.614; Oakland (Griffin) 14.551
Dunkel Line: Texas by 1; 6
Vegas Line: Oakland (-125); 7 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Texas (+105); Under

Game 971-972: Cleveland at Miami (1:10 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Cleveland (Kazmir) 15.628; Miami (Eovaldi) 16.859
Dunkel Line: Miami by 1; 9
Vegas Line: Cleveland (-130); 7 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Miami (+110); Over

Game 973-974: Kansas City at NY Mets (1:10 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Kansas City (Santana) 16.663; NY Mets (Wheeler) 15.144
Dunkel Line: Kansas City by 1 1/2; 7
Vegas Line: Kansas City (-145); 7 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Kansas City (-145); Under

Game 975-976: Arizona at Boston (1:35 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Arizona (McCarthy) 15.707; Boston (Doubront) 14.896
Dunkel Line: Arizona by 1; 8
Vegas Line: Boston (-200); 9 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Arizona (+170); Under

Game 977-978: San Francisco at Tampa Bay (1:40 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: San Francisco (Moscoso) 14.339; Tampa Bay (Hernandez) 15.645
Dunkel Line: Tampa Bay by 1 1/2; 10
Vegas Line: Tampa Bay (-210); 8 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Tampa Bay (-210); Over

Game 979-980: NY Yankees at San Diego (4:10 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: NY Yankees (Hughes) 16.208; San Diego (Kennedy) 15.191
Dunkel Line: NY Yankees by 1; 9
Vegas Line: San Diego (-110); 7 1/2
Dunkel Pick: NY Yankees (-110); Over

[StarDust Bum]

MLB
Long Sheet

Sunday, August 4

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

ST LOUIS (64 - 45) at CINCINNATI (61 - 50) - 1:10 PM
LANCE LYNN (R) vs. MIKE LEAKE (R)
Top Trends for this game.
ST LOUIS is 54-64 (-23.6 Units) against the money line when playing against a team with a winning record over the last 2 seasons.
CINCINNATI is 160-118 (+14.0 Units) against the money line in all games over the last 2 seasons.
CINCINNATI is 160-118 (+14.0 Units) against the money line in games played on a grass field over the last 2 seasons.
ST LOUIS is 53-29 (+15.8 Units) against the money line against right-handed starters this season.
ST LOUIS is 31-14 (+14.1 Units) against the money line after a loss this season.
LYNN is 19-5 (+12.2 Units) against the money line against division opponents over the last 2 seasons. (Team's Record)
CINCINNATI is 97-116 (-41.0 Units) against the money line in home games when playing on Sunday since 1997.
CINCINNATI is 325-351 (-88.6 Units) against the money line in home games after a win since 1997.
CINCINNATI is 21-28 (-11.2 Units) against the money line when playing against a team with a winning record this season.

Head-to-Head Series History
ST LOUIS is 7-4 (+2.7 Units) against CINCINNATI this season
6 of 11 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL this season . (Over=+0.6 Units)

LANCE LYNN vs. CINCINNATI since 1997
LYNN is 2-0 when starting against CINCINNATI with an ERA of 4.29 and a WHIP of 1.333.
His team's record is 4-0 (+4.1 units) in these starts. The OVER is 2-2. (-0.3 units)

MIKE LEAKE vs. ST LOUIS since 1997
LEAKE is 2-3 when starting against ST LOUIS with an ERA of 4.86 and a WHIP of 1.470.
His team's record is 3-3 (+0.4 units) in these starts. The UNDER is 3-3. (-0.5 units)

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

ATLANTA (66 - 45) at PHILADELPHIA (50 - 60) - 8:05 PM
ALEX WOOD (L) vs. CLIFF LEE (L)
Top Trends for this game.
PHILADELPHIA is 364-334 (+42.4 Units) against the money line when playing against a team with a winning record in the second half of the season since 1997.
ATLANTA is 160-114 (+24.1 Units) against the money line in all games over the last 2 seasons.
ATLANTA is 71-42 (+20.4 Units) against the money line against division opponents over the last 2 seasons.
ATLANTA is 157-112 (+22.6 Units) against the money line in games played on a grass field over the last 2 seasons.
ATLANTA is 99-61 (+24.1 Units) against the money line after a win over the last 2 seasons.
ATLANTA is 21-6 (+13.0 Units) against the money line after 3 or more consecutive wins this season.
PHILADELPHIA is 50-60 (-14.7 Units) against the money line in all games this season.
PHILADELPHIA is 11-20 (-12.2 Units) against the money line at home with a money line of -100 to -125 over the last 2 seasons.
PHILADELPHIA is 67-66 (-18.4 Units) against the money line in home games over the last 2 seasons.
PHILADELPHIA is 32-38 (-16.5 Units) against the money line when playing on Sunday over the last 3 seasons.
PHILADELPHIA is 50-60 (-14.7 Units) against the money line in games played on a grass field this season.
PHILADELPHIA is 35-43 (-14.3 Units) against the money line against left-handed starters over the last 2 seasons.
PHILADELPHIA is 61-76 (-24.1 Units) against the money line after a loss over the last 2 seasons.
PHILADELPHIA is 63-79 (-23.7 Units) against the money line when playing against a team with a winning record over the last 2 seasons.
LEE is 23-27 (-13.4 Units) against the money line in all games over the last 2 seasons. (Team's Record)
LEE is 29-31 (-16.3 Units) against the money line in home games against division opponents since 1997. (Team's Record)
LEE is 23-26 (-12.4 Units) against the money line in games played on a grass field over the last 2 seasons. (Team's Record)
LEE is 5-10 (-11.3 Units) against the money line in home games when playing against a team with a winning record over the last 2 seasons. (Team's Record)

Head-to-Head Series History
ATLANTA is 5-3 (+1.3 Units) against PHILADELPHIA this season
6 of 8 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL this season . (Over=+4.2 Units)

ALEX WOOD vs. PHILADELPHIA since 1997
No recent starts.

CLIFF LEE vs. ATLANTA since 1997
LEE is 6-4 when starting against ATLANTA with an ERA of 2.97 and a WHIP of 1.042.
His team's record is 7-5 (-0.3 units) in these starts. The OVER is 4-8. (-4.4 units)

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

COLORADO (52 - 60) at PITTSBURGH (66 - 44) - 1:35 PM
JUAN NICASIO (R) vs. A.J. BURNETT (R)
Top Trends for this game.
COLORADO is 116-158 (-30.7 Units) against the money line in all games over the last 2 seasons.
COLORADO is 22-47 (-29.3 Units) against the money line when playing on Sunday over the last 3 seasons.
COLORADO is 36-56 (-21.3 Units) against the money line in day games over the last 2 seasons.
COLORADO is 189-246 (-59.1 Units) against the money line in games played on a grass field over the last 3 seasons.
COLORADO is 27-64 (-26.2 Units) against the money line when playing against a team with a winning record in the second half of the season over the last 3 seasons.
PITTSBURGH is 66-44 (+26.1 Units) against the money line in all games this season.
PITTSBURGH is 37-20 (+14.0 Units) against the money line in home games this season.
PITTSBURGH is 52-44 (+11.9 Units) against the money line in day games over the last 2 seasons.
PITTSBURGH is 66-44 (+26.1 Units) against the money line in games played on a grass field this season.
PITTSBURGH is 54-34 (+24.9 Units) against the money line against right-handed starters this season.
PITTSBURGH is 38-27 (+13.5 Units) against the money line after a win this season.
PITTSBURGH is 39-18 (+20.7 Units) against the money line when playing against a team with a losing record this season.
BURNETT is 21-5 (+13.6 Units) against the money line in home games when playing on Sunday since 1997. (Team's Record)
PITTSBURGH is 20-41 (-21.1 Units) against the money line in August games over the last 3 seasons.
PITTSBURGH is 29-37 (-18.5 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
COLORADO is 1-1 (+0.5 Units) against PITTSBURGH this season
1 of 1 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL this season . (Under=+1.0 Units)

JUAN NICASIO vs. PITTSBURGH since 1997
NICASIO is 0-0 when starting against PITTSBURGH with an ERA of 1.35 and a WHIP of 1.499.
His team's record is 1-0 (+1.0 units) in these starts. The UNDER is 1-0. (+1.0 units)

A.J. BURNETT vs. COLORADO since 1997
BURNETT is 2-3 when starting against COLORADO with an ERA of 2.97 and a WHIP of 1.404.
His team's record is 2-3 (-1.8 units) in these starts. The UNDER is 4-1. (+2.8 units)

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WASHINGTON (54 - 56) at MILWAUKEE (46 - 64) - 2:10 PM
TAYLOR JORDAN (R) vs. KYLE LOHSE (R)
Top Trends for this game.
WASHINGTON is 54-56 (-13.4 Units) against the money line in all games this season.
WASHINGTON is 3-13 (-9.4 Units) against the money line as a road underdog of +100 to +125 this season.
WASHINGTON is 54-56 (-13.4 Units) against the money line in games played on a grass field this season.
WASHINGTON is 39-42 (-13.8 Units) against the money line against right-handed starters this season.
WASHINGTON is 25-28 (-10.8 Units) against the money line after a win this season.
MILWAUKEE is 106-60 (+29.9 Units) against the money line in home games against right-handed starters over the last 3 seasons.
LOHSE is 33-14 (+16.5 Units) against the money line when playing against a team with a losing record over the last 3 seasons. (Team's Record)
WASHINGTON is 91-67 (+23.6 Units) against the money line when the total is 8 to 8.5 over the last 3 seasons.
MILWAUKEE is 46-64 (-19.6 Units) against the money line in all games this season.
MILWAUKEE is 5-13 (-10.2 Units) against the money line at home with a money line of -100 to -125 this season.
MILWAUKEE is 26-31 (-9.7 Units) against the money line in home games this season.
MILWAUKEE is 16-27 (-14.0 Units) against the money line when playing on Sunday over the last 2 seasons.
MILWAUKEE is 12-25 (-14.0 Units) against the money line in day games this season.
MILWAUKEE is 46-64 (-19.6 Units) against the money line in games played on a grass field this season.
MILWAUKEE is 24-39 (-13.9 Units) against the money line after a loss this season.
MILWAUKEE is 63-67 (-19.9 Units) against the money line when playing against a team with a losing record over the last 2 seasons.

Head-to-Head Series History
WASHINGTON is 4-2 (+0.0 Units) against MILWAUKEE this season
4 of 6 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL this season . (Under=+1.8 Units)

TAYLOR JORDAN vs. MILWAUKEE since 1997
JORDAN is 0-0 when starting against MILWAUKEE with an ERA of 3.17 and a WHIP of 1.058.
His team's record is 1-0 (+1.0 units) in these starts. The OVER is 1-0. (+1.0 units)

KYLE LOHSE vs. WASHINGTON since 1997
LOHSE is 5-2 when starting against WASHINGTON with an ERA of 4.61 and a WHIP of 1.143.
His team's record is 9-5 (+3.4 units) in these starts. The UNDER is 7-7. (-0.9 units)

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LA DODGERS (60 - 49) at CHICAGO CUBS (49 - 61) - 2:20 PM
STEPHEN FIFE (R) vs. CARLOS VILLANUEVA (R)
Top Trends for this game.
CHICAGO CUBS are 18-7 (+12.8 Units) against the money line in home games after 3 or more consecutive losses over the last 3 seasons.
LA DODGERS are 29-24 (+5.6 Units) against the money line in road games this season.
LA DODGERS are 23-13 (+12.0 Units) against the money line in road games against right-handed starters this season.
LA DODGERS are 30-14 (+9.4 Units) against the money line when playing against a team with a losing record this season.
LA DODGERS are 13-4 (+7.9 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 110-162 (-29.8 Units) against the money line in all games over the last 2 seasons.
CHICAGO CUBS are 23-32 (-10.1 Units) against the money line in home games this season.
CHICAGO CUBS are 8-24 (-14.3 Units) against the money line in August games over the last 2 seasons.
CHICAGO CUBS are 12-21 (-9.5 Units) against the money line in home games in day games this season.
CHICAGO CUBS are 23-32 (-10.1 Units) against the money line in home games in games played on a grass field this season.
CHICAGO CUBS are 949-1049 (-187.2 Units) against the money line against right-handed starters since 1997.
CHICAGO CUBS are 21-40 (-12.7 Units) against the money line when playing against a team with a winning record this season.
CHICAGO CUBS are 137-178 (-57.4 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.

Head-to-Head Series History
LA DODGERS is 3-0 (+3.0 Units) against CHICAGO CUBS this season
2 of 3 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL this season . (Under=+1.0 Units)

STEPHEN FIFE vs. CHICAGO CUBS since 1997
No recent starts.

CARLOS VILLANUEVA vs. LA DODGERS since 1997
VILLANUEVA is 1-0 when starting against LA DODGERS with an ERA of 3.00 and a WHIP of 1.333.
His team's record is 1-0 (+1.0 units) in these starts. The OVER is 0-1. (-1.1 units)

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CHI WHITE SOX (40 - 68) at DETROIT (63 - 45) - 1:05 PM
ANDRE RIENZO (R) vs. RICK PORCELLO (R)
Top Trends for this game.
CHI WHITE SOX are 40-68 (-28.2 Units) against the money line in all games this season.
CHI WHITE SOX are 17-32 (-14.2 Units) against the money line when the total is 8 to 8.5 this season.
CHI WHITE SOX are 18-40 (-19.6 Units) against the money line in road games this season.
CHI WHITE SOX are 12-30 (-18.5 Units) against the money line against division opponents this season.
CHI WHITE SOX are 38-63 (-25.7 Units) against the money line in games played on a grass field this season.
CHI WHITE SOX are 31-50 (-18.0 Units) against the money line against right-handed starters this season.
CHI WHITE SOX are 22-45 (-24.2 Units) against the money line after a loss this season.
CHI WHITE SOX are 6-26 (-17.0 Units) against the money line in road games when playing against a team with a winning record in the second half of the season over the last 2 seasons.
PORCELLO is 16-5 (+9.8 Units) against the money line when the total is 8 to 8.5 over the last 3 seasons. (Team's Record)
DETROIT is 158-125 (-16.3 Units) against the money line in all games over the last 2 seasons.
DETROIT is 22-22 (-11.6 Units) against the money line in day games this season.
DETROIT is 150-119 (-17.4 Units) against the money line in games played on a grass field over the last 2 seasons.
DETROIT is 34-28 (-12.4 Units) against the money line after a win this season.

Head-to-Head Series History
DETROIT is 6-3 (+0.3 Units) against CHI WHITE SOX this season
5 of 8 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL this season . (Over=+2.0 Units)

ANDRE RIENZO vs. DETROIT since 1997
No recent starts.

RICK PORCELLO vs. CHI WHITE SOX since 1997
PORCELLO is 7-5 when starting against CHI WHITE SOX with an ERA of 4.50 and a WHIP of 1.171.
His team's record is 8-5 (+2.9 units) in these starts. The OVER is 5-8. (-3.7 units)

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SEATTLE (51 - 59) at BALTIMORE (61 - 50) - 1:35 PM
JOE SAUNDERS (L) vs. WEI-YIN CHEN (L)
Top Trends for this game.
SAUNDERS is 9-20 (-12.3 Units) against the money line after a win over the last 2 seasons. (Team's Record)
BALTIMORE is 61-50 (+7.5 Units) against the money line in all games this season.
BALTIMORE is 75-54 (+22.3 Units) against the money line when the total is 9 to 9.5 over the last 2 seasons.
BALTIMORE is 81-59 (+13.3 Units) against the money line in home games over the last 2 seasons.
BALTIMORE is 20-10 (+12.4 Units) against the money line in August games over the last 2 seasons.
BALTIMORE is 56-42 (+9.5 Units) against the money line in games played on a grass field this season.
BALTIMORE is 31-18 (+12.8 Units) against the money line after a loss this season.
CHEN is 27-18 (+10.3 Units) against the money line in all games over the last 2 seasons. (Team's Record)
CHEN is 26-15 (+12.1 Units) against the money line in games played on a grass field over the last 2 seasons. (Team's Record)
SAUNDERS is 61-35 (+22.4 Units) against the money line when the total is 9 to 9.5 since 1997. (Team's Record)
BALTIMORE is 85-130 (-65.6 Units) against the money line in home games when playing on Sunday since 1997.
BALTIMORE is 4-11 (-9.3 Units) against the money line in home games in day games this season.

Head-to-Head Series History
SEATTLE is 3-2 (+1.8 Units) against BALTIMORE this season
5 of 5 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL this season . (Over=+5.0 Units)

JOE SAUNDERS vs. BALTIMORE since 1997
SAUNDERS is 6-0 when starting against BALTIMORE with an ERA of 4.22 and a WHIP of 1.469.
His team's record is 8-0 (+8.0 units) in these starts. The OVER is 8-0. (+8.0 units)

WEI-YIN CHEN vs. SEATTLE since 1997
CHEN is 0-1 when starting against SEATTLE with an ERA of 4.86 and a WHIP of 1.261.
His team's record is 2-1 (+1.1 units) in these starts. The OVER is 2-1. (+0.8 units)

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

HOUSTON (36 - 73) at MINNESOTA (47 - 60) - 2:10 PM
BRAD PEACOCK (R) vs. MIKE PELFREY (R)
There are no Top Trends with records of significance that apply to this game.

Head-to-Head Series History
MINNESOTA is 2-0 (+2.0 Units) against HOUSTON this season
1 of 2 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL this season . (Over=-0.2 Units, Under=-0.1 Units)

BRAD PEACOCK vs. MINNESOTA since 1997
No recent starts.

MIKE PELFREY vs. HOUSTON since 1997
PELFREY is 3-2 when starting against HOUSTON with an ERA of 3.31 and a WHIP of 1.286.
His team's record is 3-2 (+1.0 units) in these starts. The UNDER is 2-3. (-1.5 units)

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

TORONTO (50 - 60) at LA ANGELS (51 - 58) - 3:35 PM
MARK BUEHRLE (L) vs. C.J. WILSON (L)
Top Trends for this game.
TORONTO is 50-60 (-10.6 Units) against the money line in all games this season.
TORONTO is 13-28 (-15.3 Units) against the money line when the total is 8 to 8.5 this season.
LA ANGELS are 411-338 (+54.2 Units) against the money line in day games since 1997.
BUEHRLE is 44-20 (+24.4 Units) against the money line after 3 or more consecutive losses since 1997. (Team's Record)
LA ANGELS are 51-58 (-22.2 Units) against the money line in all games this season.
LA ANGELS are 76-63 (-20.9 Units) against the money line in home games over the last 2 seasons.
LA ANGELS are 51-58 (-22.2 Units) against the money line in games played on a grass field this season.
LA ANGELS are 10-17 (-10.8 Units) against the money line against left-handed starters this season.

Head-to-Head Series History
LA ANGELS is 3-0 (+3.0 Units) against TORONTO this season
3 of 3 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL this season . (Over=+3.0 Units)

MARK BUEHRLE vs. LA ANGELS since 1997
BUEHRLE is 3-7 when starting against LA ANGELS with an ERA of 4.11 and a WHIP of 1.304.
His team's record is 9-11 (-2.8 units) in these starts. The UNDER is 11-8. (+2.3 units)

C.J. WILSON vs. TORONTO since 1997
WILSON is 1-2 when starting against TORONTO with an ERA of 3.94 and a WHIP of 1.416.
His team's record is 2-3 (-1.5 units) in these starts. The UNDER is 2-3. (-1.4 units)

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

TEXAS (61 - 50) at OAKLAND (64 - 46) - 4:05 PM
DEREK HOLLAND (L) vs. A.J. GRIFFIN (R)
Top Trends for this game.
TEXAS is 26-38 (-19.5 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.
OAKLAND is 64-46 (+13.7 Units) against the money line in all games this season.
OAKLAND is 35-19 (+11.1 Units) against the money line in home games this season.
OAKLAND is 264-192 (+68.6 Units) against the money line in August games since 1997.
OAKLAND is 63-44 (+25.7 Units) against the money line against division opponents over the last 2 seasons.
OAKLAND is 64-43 (+16.8 Units) against the money line in games played on a grass field this season.
OAKLAND is 39-24 (+13.2 Units) against the money line after a win this season.
OAKLAND is 79-62 (+27.6 Units) against the money line when playing against a team with a winning record over the last 2 seasons.
OAKLAND is 34-25 (+14.0 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.
GRIFFIN is 26-12 (+14.5 Units) against the money line in all games over the last 2 seasons. (Team's Record)
GRIFFIN is 16-3 (+12.2 Units) against the money line in home games over the last 2 seasons. (Team's Record)
GRIFFIN is 25-12 (+13.3 Units) against the money line in games played on a grass field over the last 2 seasons. (Team's Record)
GRIFFIN is 16-4 (+12.0 Units) against the money line after a win over the last 2 seasons. (Team's Record)
GRIFFIN is 11-1 (+10.1 Units) against the money line in home games when playing against a team with a winning record over the last 2 seasons. (Team's Record)
GRIFFIN is 8-1 (+7.8 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)
HOLLAND is 9-2 (+7.4 Units) against the money line in road games this season. (Team's Record)
HOLLAND is 9-2 (+7.4 Units) against the money line in road games in games played on a grass field this season. (Team's Record)
HOLLAND is 9-1 (+9.0 Units) against the money line in road games after a loss over the last 2 seasons. (Team's Record)
HOLLAND is 33-13 (+19.8 Units) against the money line when playing against a team with a winning record over the last 2 seasons. (Team's Record)
HOLLAND is 19-7 (+12.2 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)

Head-to-Head Series History
TEXAS is 7-5 (+0.1 Units) against OAKLAND this season
5 of 11 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL this season . (Over=-1.3 Units, Under=-0.2 Units)

DEREK HOLLAND vs. OAKLAND since 1997
HOLLAND is 4-1 when starting against OAKLAND with an ERA of 2.92 and a WHIP of 1.242.
His team's record is 7-2 (+5.0 units) in these starts. The OVER is 5-3. (+1.9 units)

A.J. GRIFFIN vs. TEXAS since 1997
GRIFFIN is 1-0 when starting against TEXAS with an ERA of 3.00 and a WHIP of 1.095.
His team's record is 2-2 (-0.1 units) in these starts. The OVER is 1-3. (-2.2 units)

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

CLEVELAND (61 - 49) at MIAMI (43 - 66) - 1:10 PM
SCOTT KAZMIR (L) vs. NATHAN EOVALDI (R)
Top Trends for this game.
CLEVELAND is 7-25 (-16.6 Units) against the money line in August games over the last 2 seasons.
CLEVELAND is 5-21 (-16.6 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.
MIAMI is 10-4 (+8.3 Units) against the money line in home games in day games this season.
MIAMI is 331-368 (+45.7 Units) against the money line when playing against a team with a winning record in the second half of the season since 1997.
CLEVELAND is 61-49 (+16.8 Units) against the money line in all games this season.
CLEVELAND is 23-16 (+8.1 Units) against the money line in day games this season.
CLEVELAND is 58-46 (+14.7 Units) against the money line in games played on a grass field this season.
CLEVELAND is 38-34 (+6.2 Units) against the money line against right-handed starters this season.
CLEVELAND is 36-23 (+12.6 Units) against the money line after a win this season.
CLEVELAND is 33-18 (+13.9 Units) against the money line when playing against a team with a losing record this season.
MIAMI is 112-159 (-31.6 Units) against the money line in all games over the last 2 seasons.
MIAMI is 95-121 (-32.6 Units) against the money line in home games over the last 3 seasons.
MIAMI is 95-121 (-32.6 Units) against the money line in home games in games played on a grass field over the last 3 seasons.
MIAMI is 97-148 (-40.7 Units) against the money line after a loss over the last 3 seasons.
MIAMI is 41-67 (-24.4 Units) against the money line in home games when playing against a team with a winning record over the last 3 seasons.

Head-to-Head Series History
MIAMI is 1-1 (+0.0 Units) against CLEVELAND this season
1 of 2 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL this season . (Over=+0.2 Units)

SCOTT KAZMIR vs. MIAMI since 1997
KAZMIR is 1-1 when starting against MIAMI with an ERA of 4.00 and a WHIP of 1.056.
His team's record is 2-1 (+0.9 units) in these starts. The UNDER is 2-1. (+1.0 units)

NATHAN EOVALDI vs. CLEVELAND since 1997
No recent starts.

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

KANSAS CITY (55 - 52) at NY METS (49 - 59) - 1:10 PM
ERVIN SANTANA (R) vs. ZACK WHEELER (R)
Top Trends for this game.
KANSAS CITY is 3-15 (-10.7 Units) against the money line when the total is 7 or less over the last 2 seasons.
SANTANA is 10-18 (-14.6 Units) against the money line as a road favorite of -125 to -150 since 1997. (Team's Record)
NY METS are 17-10 (+10.5 Units) against the money line in an inter-league game over the last 2 seasons.
KANSAS CITY is 19-12 (+12.7 Units) against the money line in August games over the last 2 seasons.
KANSAS CITY is 41-35 (+7.3 Units) against the money line against right-handed starters this season.
NY METS are 22-31 (-14.1 Units) against the money line in home games this season.
NY METS are 22-31 (-14.1 Units) against the money line in home games in games played on a grass field this season.
NY METS are 27-44 (-18.6 Units) against the money line against right-handed starters this season.
NY METS are 32-43 (-19.1 Units) against the money line in home games after a loss over the last 2 seasons.
NY METS are 38-62 (-25.2 Units) against the money line in home games when playing against a team with a winning record over the last 3 seasons.
NY METS are 16-36 (-17.2 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
NY METS is 1-1 (+0.0 Units) against KANSAS CITY this season
2 of 2 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL this season . (Under=+2.0 Units)

ERVIN SANTANA vs. NY METS since 1997
No recent starts.

ZACK WHEELER vs. KANSAS CITY since 1997
No recent starts.

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

ARIZONA (56 - 54) at BOSTON (67 - 45) - 1:35 PM
BRANDON MCCARTHY (R) vs. FELIX DOUBRONT (L)
Top Trends for this game.
BOSTON is 67-45 (+13.7 Units) against the money line in all games this season.
BOSTON is 50-62 (-24.8 Units) against the money line when the total is 9 to 9.5 over the last 2 seasons.
BOSTON is 72-68 (-19.3 Units) against the money line in home games over the last 2 seasons.
BOSTON is 31-39 (-21.3 Units) against the money line at home when the total is 9 to 9.5 over the last 2 seasons.
BOSTON is 11-21 (-14.3 Units) against the money line in August games over the last 2 seasons.
BOSTON is 118-126 (-32.8 Units) against the money line in games played on a grass field over the last 2 seasons.
BOSTON is 87-98 (-27.5 Units) against the money line against right-handed starters over the last 2 seasons.
BOSTON is 460-343 (-57.5 Units) against the money line in home games after a win since 1997.
BOSTON is 68-87 (-25.3 Units) against the money line when playing against a team with a winning record over the last 2 seasons.
BOSTON is 25-46 (-20.7 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
ARIZONA is 1-1 (+0.8 Units) against BOSTON this season
1 of 2 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL this season . (Under=+0.0 Units)

BRANDON MCCARTHY vs. BOSTON since 1997
MCCARTHY is 3-2 when starting against BOSTON with an ERA of 4.94 and a WHIP of 1.419.
His team's record is 3-3 (+1.1 units) in these starts. The OVER is 2-4. (-2.0 units)

FELIX DOUBRONT vs. ARIZONA since 1997
No recent starts.

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

SAN FRANCISCO (49 - 60) at TAMPA BAY (65 - 45) - 1:40 PM
GUILLERMO MOSCOSO (R) vs. ROBERTO HERNANDEZ (R)
Top Trends for this game.
SAN FRANCISCO is 49-60 (-21.0 Units) against the money line in all games this season.
SAN FRANCISCO is 34-38 (-11.2 Units) against the money line against right-handed starters this season.
SAN FRANCISCO is 22-36 (-20.8 Units) against the money line after a loss this season.
TAMPA BAY is 65-45 (+8.5 Units) against the money line in all games this season.
TAMPA BAY is 34-16 (+15.2 Units) against the money line when the total is 8 to 8.5 this season.
TAMPA BAY is 30-13 (+13.0 Units) against the money line when playing on Sunday over the last 2 seasons.
TAMPA BAY is 108-59 (+30.7 Units) against the money line when playing against a team with a losing record over the last 3 seasons.
SAN FRANCISCO is 15-5 (+11.0 Units) against the money line in road games in August games over the last 2 seasons.

Head-to-Head Series History
SAN FRANCISCO is 1-1 (+0.4 Units) against TAMPA BAY this season
2 of 2 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL this season . (Under=+2.0 Units)

GUILLERMO MOSCOSO vs. TAMPA BAY since 1997
MOSCOSO is 0-1 when starting against TAMPA BAY with an ERA of 8.38 and a WHIP of 2.172.
His team's record is 1-1 (+0.1 units) in these starts. The OVER is 2-0. (+2.0 units)

ROBERTO HERNANDEZ vs. SAN FRANCISCO since 1997
HERNANDEZ is 0-1 when starting against SAN FRANCISCO with an ERA of 4.50 and a WHIP of 1.667.
His team's record is 0-1 (-1.0 units) in these starts. The UNDER is 1-0. (+1.0 units)

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

NY YANKEES (57 - 52) at SAN DIEGO (51 - 60) - 4:10 PM
PHIL HUGHES (R) vs. IAN KENNEDY (R)
Top Trends for this game.
SAN DIEGO is 127-146 (+4.3 Units) against the money line in all games over the last 2 seasons.
SAN DIEGO is 72-64 (+11.1 Units) against the money line in home games over the last 2 seasons.
SAN DIEGO is 19-11 (+12.6 Units) against the money line in August games over the last 2 seasons.
SAN DIEGO is 72-70 (+16.0 Units) against the money line in day games over the last 3 seasons.
SAN DIEGO is 127-143 (+7.3 Units) against the money line in games played on a grass field over the last 2 seasons.
NY YANKEES are 29-14 (+16.6 Units) against the money line in road games in day games over the last 2 seasons.

Head-to-Head Series History
SAN DIEGO is 1-1 (+0.1 Units) against NY YANKEES this season
1 of 2 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL this season . (Over=+0.1 Units)

PHIL HUGHES vs. SAN DIEGO since 1997
No recent starts.

IAN KENNEDY vs. NY YANKEES since 1997
No recent starts.

[StarDust Bum]

Armadillo: Sunday's List of 13: Wrapping up a sports Saturday..........

13) Wow. Cris Carter is a powerful speaker. Always enjoy listening to the speeches at the Pro Football Hall of Fame inductions; you're witnessing the greatest moment in a person's life. Don't see those every day.

12) Starting next week, NFL Network will have every NFL preseason game on, mostly on tape, obviously, but you can get a look at every team before they hit the field for real next month. Good handicapping tool.

11) Pretty cool weekend in northeastern Ohio, with the Hall of Fame stuff and the World Golf tournament down the road in Akron. In a couple years, I'll be in Canton to see Kurt Warner get inducted.

10) How about Dave Robinson waiting 38 years from his retirement to get inducted in Canton? I mean, he played at Penn State before Joe Paterno was the head coach there. He had to think he was never going to get inducted, so it had to be so exciting for him last night. Good for him.

9) Tom Brady turned 36 Saturday; the Patriots are missing their top five receivers from LY. Do you think Robert Kraft has a list of coaches to take over when Bill Belichick sails off in the sunset after Brady retires?

8) They had 38,424 fans at PNC Park to see Pirates win again last night; time to take some of that money and go buy a hitter to make sure you don't play in the freakin' Wild Card game. Big difference now between playing in a one-game Wild Card game and a best-of-5 playoff series.

7) Mets have played 49 extra innings this year, most of any team; not extra inning games, extra innings- they had a 20-inning game earlier this year. Looks like David Wright is probably out for the rest of the month; they're really going to struggle to score runs without him in the lineup.

6) Greg Oden signed with the Miami Heat; he hasn't played since 2009, so no one knows how good he is, probably not even him. He only played half of one season at Ohio State, and will need lot of skill development.

5) I've never had cotton candy; it looks awful, like you're eating a shirt coated with sugar. It must sell at ballparks, or they wouldn't have it there.

4) National League teams were 5-0 in interleague play Friday, but they followed that up with an 0-5 Saturday, scoring a total of nine runs.

3) Jake Peavy allowed two runs in seven IP (99 PT), winning his debut for the Red Sox 5-2 over Arizona.

2) Why don't major league teams put a coach/scout in the press box? When they get expanded instant replay (next year?), anyone without an extra pair of eyes upstairs is being foolish.

1) Congrats to my friend Steve Sauers on being named top assistant for the hoop program at Cal-Riverside; they're lucky to have him.